Saturday, June 25, 2016

Grandparenting For Better Health



Haven (2 yrs old) dressing as a pirate at Opa and Grammy D's 2011
I remember when I first heard I was going to be a grand parent.  I was so happy for my oldest son and his wife.  Since Bobby is my “step-son” the message that came to my mind was something like, “well this is great for my husband but I’m not quite old enough to be a grandparent yet!”  
Haven came into the world in December 2009 and it was “love at first sight!”  As soon as her parents would let her Robert began taking care of her each and every Monday.  It was so rewarding to watch her grow and learn.  Through her eyes we once again learned to appreciate the littlest of things in life, as seen through a baby and a small, inquisitive child.  When Haven was just 2 years old Robert and I attended a fun, pirate-themed party where the hosts passed out all kinds of “pirate booty” which we in-turn took home.  For months Haven would dress up like a pirate and to this day all of our grandchildren still play with the “gold” coins and wooden treasure chest, the eye-patch, the sparkly beads, the pirate head scarf, and the “Captain Hook hand.”

Our second grandchild, Robert IV (Cohen), arrived just two years after the first and although it was a bit tougher watching two, we still set-aside Mondays as the day dedicated to our “littles.”
Fast-forward to May of 2014 and along came Christian, who was born to our youngest daughter, Christina (Sinclair) and her husband Chad.  Since Christina had to return to work as a fitness instructor just six weeks after Christian was born we once again had the privilege of taking care of yet another grandchild.  This time it’s nearly every day, and I can tell you that this is by far the most rewarding and purposeful activity in my life.
 As I write this I am just a few days away from flying to Dallas for our second visit with our fourth grandchild, Exley, born to our oldest daughter, Angie (Schuller) and her husband, Chris Wyatt, in March 2106. 
There is nothing more important than being with your family.

Opa and Cohen (1 yr old) at petting zoo 2012

Spending time with your grandchildren, helps them developmentally and at the same time it helps you to maintain good health, mentally, physically, and spiritually.   Here are just a few of the benefits I experience when spending time with them:

1)    Children are a great way to slow-down and enjoy the simple things in life.  You will view a butterfly, a flower, a crashing wave, a duck on a lake, or even a dump truck, in totally fresh and new ways.  Grand parenting helps you become more aware of your surroundings and of God’s creations.

2)    Most of the time you need to get “down and dirty” with your grandchildren and this might include, building blocks, jumping up and down, dancing, play-acting out a scene, giving piggy-back rides, climbing on the jungle gym (so they don't fall), or building a fort.   This kind of movement keeps you flexible and helps you forget about any kind of pain you might otherwise dwell on. 

3)    There is nothing more important than your time and children know when you are distracted by other things.  When I am with my grand children I try not to take phone calls, text, or email.  Besides, if I take my eye off of Christian he is likely to try to climb over the balcony, scale the fireplace, or flush something down the toilet!   The experience of living in the present is a great benefit of grand parenting.  They help you “stop and smell the roses.”

4)    Playing board games or cards, teaching them to count, painting or doing crafts, or putting together puzzles…all of these activities help to keep your mind sharp and focused.   Most of us get caught in ruts as we age but being around your grandchildren will keep you thinking  “out of the box!”

5)    Healthy cooking is also a great sideline.  Although I’m a nutritionist and thus try to eat as healthy as possible at every meal, my daughter prepares every meal for Christian and he is only allowed organic meats, fruits and vegetables.  Off the list are grains and foods that contain refined sugars, dairy, and of course, no packaged or “fake” food ever!  It’s a great reminder that the food we eat today is building the body we will become tomorrow.   

6)    A sense of appreciation and love that is felt and passed along when we are with the youngest generation is very real and is a great benefit to our emotional health. There is so much to be thankful for and spending time with our extended family reminds us  to embrace an attitude of gratitude.  Adults have so much stress and worry and it’s great to be with children who really only care about the here and now.

7)    Faith in a new generation and faith in action as you help teach your grandchildren about God and His creation: how to pray and then you pray with them.  I recently sat down to lunch with my daughter and my grandson and as we started eating our meal Christian shouted out, “pray!”  Wow, did that get our attention!  Children learn early how important it is to acknowledge God who is the giver and sustainer of everything good in life.

"D" and Christian (2 yrs) June 2016
These are just a few of the many health benefits that I've observed by being involved in my grandchildren's lives.  I offer time, encouragement, and support for them, but the benefits I gain far out-weigh what I give.  I am helping to raise the next generation of peace-keeping, God-loving, good people and what could be more important than this?
  If you don’t have any grandchildren you can do what we used to do in our church: find older people and match them up with children who don’t have grandparents.  These “foster” grand relationships  provide the love and influence that only comes through inter-generational contact and experiences. 

Be Healthy.  Be Happy.  Be Peaceful. 


 Join me on the 15th of every month for "The Call" at 6pm pacific time.  Dial 641-715-3865 and then 642848# for access.

 Questions or information about The Call or your health?    Donna@DonnaSchuller.com

Friday, June 24, 2016

Got Inflammation?




You can get 20% off of the best supplements available by ordering from me which will help me with my goal of getting drug addicts into treatment and recovery so they can live a healthier life.  It's a win-win!

Featured in the photo is one of my favorite products from Metagenics. Even if you don't think you have any gut issues the truth is that most all health (or sickness) starts in the gut.  I take this supplement, by way of a scoop, every day by adding it into my morning "green juice" which is a combination of dark green leafy vegetables (changed each week for variety), half an avocado, half a banana or whole apple, ginger root, protein powder, water and ice.  Blend on "whole juice" setting in my BlendTec mixer and I am awarded with an amazing, healthy, filling real food breakfast of champions!

"Inflammation" has now become the new buzz word yet the truth is if you keep your gut healthy you keep your whole body healthy.  Most of us know what it feels like to have an inflamed back, neck, or shoulder, but did you know that unresolved inflammation can be a cause of sleep deprivation or problems with memory?  It can also lead to heart disease, cancer, and other types of debilitating health issues.  If you only add this one product to your diet, you will be taking a HUGE step towards bettering your physical health.  A healthy body means a stronger mind, and a much more open, loving, and fulfilled soul.

Check out my new, improved online store here at HealthyFamily.Metagenics.com   All first-time users will get 20% off of everything.  You can also take a free health assessment once you enter the store. You need supplements anyway so why not order through me?

Last, but certainly not least, I am always available to answer your questions or if you need health coaching to see how you might take your health to the next level of greatness.!

Donna@DonnaSchuller.com       Nutrition for the body, mind, and soul

Be Healthy, Be Happy.

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

A Gut Feeling (2)


 

You've heard the sayings, "I have a gut feeling about this," or "trust your gut." These are two sayings which refer to intuition yet science has discovered amazing truth in these two short, smart proclamations.   

  The truth is nearly all health originates in the gut. 

 Your gut microbiome becomes ill first and you cannot become well again, until it becomes well. Fact. 

Almost all illness has been linked to a loss in the diversity of your gut bacteria. Your microbiome or gut flora are essential to your good health.

When diversity is lost, certain ´bad´ bacteria are free to cause problems - they may make toxins, they may cause inflammation; and they may even cause the body to produce an immune reaction against their activities. An immune reaction throughout the body.

It has doctors and oncologists in America really worried, so much so that the American Government spent $173 million dollars just on one research project! 200 top scientists across America collaborated. The Europeans have a similar project. 7,000 research studies, over 100 clinical trials in just the last few years.

In 2012 and 2013 major research studies appeared regularly - the bottom line? Problems in your gut flora can cause chronic inflammation and lead to all manner of diseases like Diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Dementia, MS, Arthritis, IBS, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, and Cancer. In fact, there is no illness that seems exempt. 

But your doctor probably knows very little about it all. Why? Because it will involve a huge Paradigm shift in Health Treatment. You see, there´s an inconvenient truth: Drugs make matters worse!

Text books will tell you that the human body is an organism of 7 trillion cells and 25,000 genes. But it’s not - it is a Super-organism of 100 trillion cells and 100,000 genes. And these ‘extra’ genes direct messages, good and bad, throughout your body; making you ill; helping you get better. In fact, you cannot get better until the owners of these extra genes get better.                                                   source

The good news is this:  you can do something very simple to make a major change in your gut health, and thus your overall health,  even if you’re not willing to change your diet.  If you add a daily supplement, which targets gut health,  to your existing diet you should soon experience noticeable changes in your overall health.   Check-out this product  here     You will get an automatic 20% off of your first time order!

 Make sure you contact me directly if you have any questions or need a one-on-one meeting.  Even if you live out of my area, I do most of my health coaching over the telephone and you may only need one appointment to get you on the right track. 

 The even better news is that you will be helping my mission of coaching people who can't afford it.  Buy the products (that you need anyway!) from me because I love giving of my time to help people become healthier in body, mind, and soul.  

 Health products helping restore health-it’s a win-win!

To contact me email me at  Donna@DonnaSchuller.com

 

Thursday, June 2, 2016

Probiotics For A Healthier Life!


Probiotics For A Healthier Life!

Did you know that 80% of all health is radically influenced and determined by the health of your gut?   I have written about this before, in fact twenty years ago (yes 20) my husband and I hosted body, mind, and soul health seminars and we had various health experts teaching all about the benefits of taking probiotics (supporting life) verses anti-biotics (against life).  We have practiced "gut health" for years and it's about time everyone else catches up!

If you want to read what I previously wrote on gut health called  "A Gut Feeling" you can click here .
It's pretty detailed and includes scientific reasons for taking care of your gut.



If you are looking for a really high quality pro-biotic check out my store at Metagenics by clicking here.  For a nutritional powder that I add to my daily protein drink, one that helps with inflammation in the gut and in your whole body, check-out this product here.  Metagenics is known for it's truth in manufacturing practices and in having the research available on all of their products.  They are "third party assayed" too so you can be assured of what you are buying.   I have been with this company for twenty years.
If you want help figuring out your nutritional needs: what you are feeding your body, your soul, your mind, then contact me and I can help you.   

To contact me:  Donna@DonnaSchuller.com