Sometimes I get stuck with silly problems that aren’t a big deal to resolve. I just don’t give them any energy because well, like I said, they’re silly.

Usually, these hang-ups of mine have really simple solutions. When I finally get around to acting on them, I feel pretty darned satisfied.

Here are a couple that have me feeling happy with myself.

Problem #1

Just a reminder – I said silly!

Every fall, in preparation for cold and flu season, I like to reintroduce a daily vitamin into the family routine. I buy jumbo, cumbersome bottles of gummies of varying types. Plain C for scratchy throat days, multis for any family member’s consumption and women’s just for me, because the bottle said they help with metabolism and energy – yes please!

The daily part was the problem. We kept forgetting to take our supplements because I kept the bottles hidden in a kitchen cabinet. Sure, I could leave them on the counter, but I don’t like the way those clunky bottles look hanging around in plain view.

Solution

Why it never occurred to me before I do not know, but finally I realized if I just transfer the fun little gummies into more “counter-friendly” containers then the out-of-sight-out-of-mind problem disappears. Three inexpensive mason jars later, and maybe three minutes of my time, our vitamins are now sitting pretty right where we can see them. Finally, our daily vitamins are taken daily.

Problem #2

Another of my simple solutions came to me over the summer when I found my collection of flimsy flip-flops strewn all over my closet. It was a mess and I could never find a matching pair.

A $15 Fix

Finally, my unusable closet real estate is put to use. On an angled portion of the closet ceiling, that served no purpose whatsoever, I secured three, $5 plastic shoe bags! Voilà– a flip-flop fiesta.

I love cost-effective simple solutions to everyday problems.

Do you have any quick and easy fixes that you love?

My kickboxing gloves may have seen their last punch. While I am sad to see them go, I just recently realized that the activity I love is causing me more harm than good.

I have been enjoying kickboxing for about five years, maybe more. I like cardio-kickboxing and kickboxing with bags. Both give me a physical workout like no other. Not to mention, the mental workout is addictive. Through the years I have worked out so many frustrations in my kickboxing classes that it seemed more like therapy than exercise. Whether I was punching air or slamming a bag, I loved visualizing the target in my mind.

Every class made me feel good. In the moment, I’d get a killer workout and afterwards I enjoyed the mental clarity that comes from a good sweat.  Recently, however, my lifelong back issues seem to be exacerbated by my beloved kickboxing classes. The biggest problem is that, while I’m in class, I feel great. The adrenalin is pumping, I’m in the zone and I feel strong and powerful.

But now, I’m the one feeling beaten down for days, sometimes weeks, following my classes. I only realized that my kickboxing classes were the problem when my loved ones called my attention to it. Because I never felt pain during class, it never occurred to me that the kickboxing classes were, in fact, the problem.

When I gave up running because of my back, I knew without question that running itself was the source of my pain. Somehow, I just never made the connection to my kickboxing classes which now leaves me with the difficult choice to give up an activity that I really enjoy.

The reality is, I don’t see any way around it. I’m getting older and my body just can’t do the things it used to. So sadly, I must say goodbye to my boxing gloves. Kickboxing, along with running, jumping rope and jumping jacks, must be a thing of my past in favor of lower impact activities that won’t leave me quite so broken.

Alas, getting older is tough, but after just one week free of kickboxing I already feel relief.

“Don’t be afraid of change. You might lose something good, but you’ll gain something better.”

I am excited to introduce today’s guest blogger, my friend, Karen Robie. Karen is a busy wife, mom of three teens and a representative of Juice Plus. Juice Plus is a great option when getting enough fruits and vegetables into your family’s diet seems an insurmountable task.  

“Eat Your Vegetables!!!”

by Karen Robie

Imagine you are six or eight years old, sitting at the dinner table.  You are staring at a plate with all the ‘good stuff’ gone.  All that is left is steamed broccoli, sauteed spinach or something equally distasteful to your six-year-old palate.  And your mom utters the unforgettable, “Eat your vegetables!”

Now, I am the mom.  And I’ve uttered that classic line many times to my own children.  It was two and a half years ago, when a friend introduced me to this concept of berries, fruits and vegetables in a capsule called Juice Plus.  There was no way we were eating enough fruits and vegetables every day.  She said she had a proven solution with some first rate science behind it.  I said yes because it was an easy and affordable way to get the benefits of over 30 different berries, fruits and vegetables – every day in winter, spring, summer and fall!

After a month or so we were noticing some very positive changes in our family’s health.  Colds didn’t last as long or seem as severe.  We all had better looking skin, fewer allergy symptoms and our son’s asthma was gone.  Not to mention more lasting energy throughout the day.  There were 35 medical studies at the time (37 now), showing that this mix of berries, fruits and vegetables in a capsule can do everything we experienced and more!  Studies on lowering blood pressure, lowering cholesterol levels and improving circulation.  Also, better cancer outcomes and healthier teeth and gums, among others.  It sounds magical, but it’s not.

Every family has a health history and I didn’t want mine, any more than anyone else wants theirs. I wanted to rewrite it.

As time went on, I just couldn’t keep all of this to myself. I started telling people about it. How could I not?? It was about 2 years ago when I decided to join the business with that same friend and I have never looked back. Making a difference in this world is so important. What if we can impact the health and wellness of hundreds of people? Thousands? That is what our team is doing now. I love what I do and I love the mission: inspiring healthy living around the world. Being able to have more time freedom and flexibility with my family and to be able to say yes to the fun things in life: travel, good food, activities, sports, etc., all while helping others has been amazing, and very gratifying!

What’s next?

Just continuing to share this mission and helping more and more people wherever I can, realize their dreams.

To see more info. or check out the research, please take a look at my website: 

www.karenrobie.juiceplus.com

Thank you Karen for sharing your Juice Plus journey. I can’t wait to learn even more about it at the North Andover Farmer’s Market where Karen will be in person representing Juice Plus and Tower Garden (another cool way to get your fruits and vegetables, but this time, you grow your own!)

Look for Karen on 7/30, 9/10 and 10/8. The Farmer’s Market runs from 10am-2pm.

I’ve always wondered about the benefits of essential oils and now I have the chance to learn more about them from my friends at Daring Spirits.

Elizabeth Guilbeault and Barbara Holbrook are hosting a few casual summer get-togethers featuring Young Living Essential Oils. Here are the dates and some details…

June 26th: Essential Oil Basics

Learn clever ways to use essential oils especially in summer…

• Peppermint is an excellent oil to add to cooling spray/wipes and it’s a go-to for staying alert on long summer road trips.
• Lavender is a favorite for post-sun skin care and creating a homey environment while on vacation.

July 24th: House and Home

Summer is a great time to streamline the house-cleaning routine with a single plant-based cleaner that works in almost any situation. Young Living’s Thieves line offers a variety of options including these favorites…

• Thieves Waterless Hand Purifier – great for picnics and snacks on the go.
• Thieves Fruit and Veggie Wash – takes farmer’s market goodness to a new level.

August 14th: Healthy and Fit/Personal Care

Young Living is about more than essential oils. Explore wellness solutions — while enjoying essential oil-infused water and sangria! Join Elizabeth and Barbara for an evening inspire you to make some simple changes with powerful effects.

RSVP

To RSVP and get the address of the Get-Togethers, email info@daringspirits.com. Barbara or Elizabeth will get back to you ASAP. Also check out the Essential Oils Resource Page at www.daringspirits.com and the Amplified by Essential Oils page on Facebook.