Why I've decided to torture myself for 24 weeks.

A marathon? Sure. Why not?

This may be one of the weirdest things I've decided to challenge myself to do. Not weird because of what it is. Weird because I ran a half marathon about 3 years ago, and I HATED it!

So why am I doing it again? And for twice as far?

Here's the thing. I'm tired of sitting in mediocrity. I was sitting at my computer the other day and I got this email telling me that USA Fit Bend was having it's first meeting of this season the next morning at 8am. Something inside me said "Hey! Hey you! Why don't you do this?".

I'm not sure where that voice came from, but it kept talking to me. "You think you can't do it, don't you?". "Remember last time you trained for the half marathon? Yeah. That hurt." And the other one: "Why WOULDN'T you be able to do this? Other people do it. Why can't you?"

That lovely voice that usually is telling me I can't, started telling me that I could. Weird, huh? I started listening to THAT voice instead.

The big reasons I kept listening to that voice is because I know that if I were to do a training such as this, it would test my limits. And I know that I am capable of so much more than I give myself credit for. I know that if I start accomplishing some things I wasn't sure I was capable of at one point, the possibilities are endless! I know that it would spill over into the rest of my life! Yes, there is an ultimate goal here, but what benefits would I reap besides finishing a marathon? More confidence? A better body? Better nutrition? A new group of friends and supporters in life? Some new and exciting experiences? Absolutely! So beyond the pain I know I will endure, all of the benefits seem to keep on snowballing in my mind and make the whole experience seem like a really exciting thing!

There is one more thing.

I am not getting any younger! I am in good health. And I know that someday, I may not be able to do something like this. When I am 80, will I wonder what could have been? Or do I want to look back on the things that I did do?

So this is my decision. To GO FOR IT! I want to see what I can do. I want to see what spills over into the rest of my life!

Have you ever done something because you were kind of daring yourself to? That is how I kinda feel.

I'm going to document this 24 week journey in some way. Either by video, by writing and blogging about it, or just on facebook. I don't really know yet! But what I do know is it is not going to be a boring journey.


The last piece of this is to fuel myself with only Juice Plus products.
Here is why:
Athleticism and Juice Plus

If it is great enough for the German, Swiss, and Austrian Olympic Teams, it has to be good enough for me!

I will continue with the Garden, Orchard, and Vineyard blends daily, but I will be using the Complete Shake for fuel and recovery. I will also be eating the bars for snacks! I also want to follow a predominately plant based diet. I am currently reading "Thrive: The Vegan Nutrition Guide to Optimal Performance in Sports and in Life" by Brenden Brazier and using his website for recipes and advice.

Brenden's Book

Please follow me on this crazy journey!

Be well,
Mandy

Back on Track? Transform 30.

I have a confession.

I'm not perfect.

In my head I am! Aren't we all?

I preach health, nutrition, prevention, exercise, veggies, veganism, vegetariansm...the list goes on! I have the MOST honest intentions and I have so much information in my head about how to live the healthiest life possible! But when it comes to myself, I fall. I pick myself back up! But then I fall again. It comes back to those habits I talked about way back in the beginning of this blog's life:

Potential

But, I think the key is to keep picking yourself up and doing it again!
Do it with intention.
Get some support around you.
Remember your reasons for doing what you want to do.
Make some mistakes, and then pick yourself back up and get back to it! Be a good example for others, talk about what you know.
Make some mistakes, and then pick yourself back up and get back to it!
Learn from your mistakes.
Be true to yourself.
Don't worry about criticism. Just get back to it!. And KEEP getting back to it.

What do you struggle with most? Is it eating? Exercise? Finding motivation for any of it? Time? Money? Are you lost in the sea of information and don't know where to start?

For me it is time. When I don't have time I get lazy. I won't exercise for a day...then another day...and then another day. And then I have less motivation because it seems hard to get started again. But it is a domino effect! I don't exercise, then I eat a not so healthy meal. I crave more unhealthy stuff and then I feel guilty. Then I feel bad that I'm not exercising to combat the unhealthy meals. Then an opportunity comes up which means I won't exercise again...and then I usually need to order take-out because that opportunity got me home later than expected! Then I'm feeling guilty...

Sheesh. As I write this, it seems so silly and that I am WAY too hard on myself. Anyone else have this problem? No? I'm sure I am the only one. :)

So here is my solution. This is where I am picking myself back up and starting again! Here is where all this information that is in my head comes out!

I know a healthy lifestyle is WAY more than eating and exercising:

It is:
- support!
- making time for myself.
- drinking enough water
- getting enough sleep
- eating less processed food
- drinking less caffeine and alcohol
- exercising at least 4 times per week!
- spending time with my family and friends

Which is exactly what Transform 30 is and what it promotes.
There are so may "programs" out there to help people with weight loss. THIS IS NOT THAT. 

I can stand behind this program because it is not about a quick fix! It is about changing habits for the better. It is about feeling great, getting proper nutrition with food and with activities for your mind and body. It is support! It is accountability, which is what so many of us are lacking. We may think we don't need it, but we do! Especially when it comes to creating new habits!

So I am starting May 1! This program requires NUTRITION! I will be using Juice Plus Garden, Orchard, and Vineyard blends (which I already do), and drinking 1-2 shakes per day (I will do one this time) as meal replacements for 30 days.  No dairy. No wheat. 3 liters of water. Exercise 4x per week. 8 hours of sleep per night! I will not give up my 1 coffee per day and I don't have to! I will have an alcoholic drink every once in awhile - which is all I do anyway. It's not about deprivation. It's about setting a 30 goal, and getting healthier.

LET ME BE CLEAR: This is not for weight loss. This is to get ON TRACK. Losing weight will possibly be a by product, but that is not my goal. I want to lessen my cravings, I want some more energy to workout, I want to sleep more (someone is telling me I have to?? Yes, please!), I want to drink more water, and I know that nutrition is 80% of my success in these areas! So I am going to do it with support. Nutrition support, recipe support, group support. And after 30 days, I know I will be a better form of myself and I can't wait to post my journey!

This is what creates a sustainable, healthy lifestyle.

This is about health, whole foods, and creating lasting, healthy habits.

If you'd like, you can join me! This is how:
http://mandy1.transform30.com

If you'd like to email me with questions about what I'm doing, I'd love it!
mpalenfitness@yahoo.com


Please follow me on my journey and let me know about yours!

Be well,
Mandy

Is there more to the vitamin story?

Good morning!

I felt the need to shout to the world this morning about this article I just read, and so I am!

There has been so much media coverage lately about the studies on the vitamins we take. Most media coverage is talking about how the vitamins that many of us take do nothing! They prevent no disease and may be even harming us! Well, I totally jumped on this bandwagon because I have been reading about this for years in the annals of nutrition websites and blogs.

But, there is more to the story! This article made me think in a different way, and I hope it does for you too! As usual, there seems to be an agenda in the bastardizing of vitamins! But there is good news. There are AMAZING things you can do to supplement your diet with whole food types of vitamins. Not isolated vitamins (which are what the studies, studied!). Quality matters! Doing your homework matters! Not just laying down and taking the information that is spoon fed to us matters!

If you care at all about nutrition, you need the facts before you can make decisions about what you put into your body. This article has a great way of making you THINK! Imagine that.

Please read:
Mainstream Media Has Got It Wrong When It Comes To The Power Of Vitamins 

More on my thoughts later.

Be well and go eat some veggies!!
Mandy

Toothpaste?

Yes, toothpaste!

On my quest for finding non toxic products for our family, I found it very hard to find toothpaste! Was there a toothpaste without a warning label? Without fluoride? With natural ingredients I could read? That didn't taste like baking soda (bleck!), and actually had a refreshing quality about it? Not too pasty, not a bad aftertaste, not fruity!

All of these things were issues I had encountered with all the toothpastes I had tried. I even tried to make my own for awhile! Some are so keen on making their own and love it! I have no desire (anymore) to  make or use homemade toothpaste. It really wasn't to my liking and no one else wanted to use it!

Anyhow - in the past few months, I have come across two toothpastes that live up to their promises (so it seemed) and here are my thoughts!

The first is from The Honest Company

It is fluoride free (which is another topic all on its own), and states there are no artificial sweeteners (yes those are usually in your paste), no artificial flavors, gluten, or dyes. 

It does include aloe, green tea, ginger, baking soda, and many other natural ingredients. 

THERE IS NO WARNING LABEL.

All good so far! The one drawback is the flavor. It is not bad, but there is not much of it! It's minty, but very subtly. We are so used to overwhelming minty power when it comes to toothpaste! This one  is not overwhelming, and not too baking soda-y either. I really like how it made my mouth feel as opposed to some other natural toothpastes. I feel perfectly safe letting my 4-year old use it.

Here is what it looks like! It sells for $5.95.

The second brand I got for Christmas from my mother! Which is quite a surprise and WAS my favorite toothpaste thus far until I did a little research.
This is what it says on the label, which made me like it right away! But...buyer beware...

"...contains no flouride and is "kid safe". It is not harmful if swallowed."

What it does contain is Sodium Benzoate. This ingredient has been banned in other countries, but not ours. It is an additive that seems to promote cancer and kill healthy cells. Awesome. It is so disappointing when you think you find something great and there is an ingredient in it that is NO GOOD! The less of this in our diet, the better. It's all a compound effect. One product wouldn't be bad, but if you are getting it in your food, in your toothpaste, and who knows what else, NO GOOD!

Information on this additive:
Sodium Benzoate

Anyhow. Very disappointing. I will probably finish the tube so there will not be waste, but I won't buy it again. The BIGGEST bummer is that it had such fantastic flavor!! So minty. Just like toothpaste should.

Well. Until I find another on my search, I think I am going to stick with The Honest Company! Even though the flavor is subtle, it works and I seem to be able to trust all of the ingredients. Which is important! Toothpaste is a toughy in the non-toxic search!

If you have found a toothpaste that you enjoy, is flouride free, is kid friendly and still tastes great, let me know!!!

Until then, thanks for reading my review!

Be Well,

Mandy

Raw Gatorade? Electrolytes at least.

So I just made this little number in my Vitamix! I found this juice on Pinterest but decided to make the whole food version. Because I can!

So if you have a Vitamix, know that Gatorade is NO GOOD, and want to try a raw, whole food version of a fantastic recovery/electrolyte drink, try this! 

A little article on whether or our kids (or any of us!) really NEED sports drinks:
Sports Drinks?


Here is the recipe.

3 Oranges peeled an cut in half

1/4 if a lemon

1/2 cup of coconut water (I added more to dilute the smoothie a bit!)

Have you read about the natural electrolytes and benefits in coconut water? I was listening to a podcast the other day about Vegan Triathletes. Those that compete in Ironmen Triathlons and such. One couple was stating that the ONLY electrolyte replenishing drink they take is coconut water. So many go to chocolate milk, or synthetic drinks these days that they were trying to convert even non-vegan triathletes into drinking coconut water. So much better for you!

Coconut Water Benefits!

ON TO THE RECIPE!!
Blend on super speed! Mine came out a little warm so I guess I blended a bit long. It turned out SO CRAZY GOOD! And is so refreshing because I had just done a Bikram yoga class.

Love trying new things and actually liking them!!

Now...I wouldn't make this every day. It's obviously a lot of sugar, but because I didn't juice it, the fiber is still in there, so that sugar won't go STRAIGHT into my bloodstream. I sipped this over the course of an evening - didn't need dessert after dinner - and felt great. I actually had energy and didn't want to go to bed, which probably isn't that great for sleeping.

 

Try and enjoy!

Be well,
Mandy

Get the stink outta here!

Deodorant! A natural one that REALLY WORKS! I swear.

First of all: Happy New Year!!!

I hope that we all find our happiness this year. Live a little happier, healthier, and fitter! I want to be one of your resources for just those things.

Now here we go.

Story time:

After my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer the 2nd time I was out of college and just starting to think about my own health and mortality. I started drinking more soy milk ( now soy is considered bad! Although new research is coming out that debunks non GMO soy being bad), I ate less meat, looked at alternatives for dairy cheese, and started considering that deodorant may be a villain in this cancer game.

I had heard a news report discussing the fact that anti perspirant messes with nature in that it didn't allow our body's natural process of letting us sweat to take place. It suggested that because of this, toxins build up under our under arms which happen to be super close to our breast tissue. In my mind the link the breast cancer made sense. Block our body from sweating, toxins build up! Cancer can ensue.

It's obviously not that simple. And now that I am a bit more educated, it comes down to a) I don't want to block my body from sweating, (it just doesn't sit right with me) and b) I don't want to put toxic substances on my body that I may absorb!
Do you know how much of what we put on our body we absorb? Well, it depends on what it is and the molecular makeup. This blog post does a great job of describing the process: Absorption of beauty products
I, for one, just don't want to take many chances. We use so many products each day, that it is a compound effect. If I only used toothpaste, or only used hairspray, or only used mascara, I probably wouldn't think too much of it. But have you ever made a list of all the products you use to get ready in the morning? Especially if you use makeup?
*toothpaste
*face soap
*face moisturizer
*that stuff on your razor that makes your shave "oh so smooth"
*soap
*shampoo
*conditioner
*styling gel
*hairspray
*handsoap
*foundation
*blush
*eye makeup
*masacara
*eyeliner
*powder
*bronzer
*mattifier
*lipstick
*lip gloss
*lip balm
*lotion
*perfume


I could go on! And I don't feel like I use that much! But I do. And that is only what I put on my body. What about what I use to clean? It gets overwhelming when I think about all of the chemicals and ingredients that I use on a daily basis. So how much of that am I breathing in or absorbing into my body?

Anyway! I digress.
Doing some research for this post, I found this article from the American Cancer Society. It's purpose was to try to debunk this myth that anti-antiperspirants had any role in breast cancer formation, but it did not do that for me, especially knowing about the chemicals put in our beauty products and how our skin absorbs them: American Cancer Society

About 1 year ago, I found a company called Ava Anderson Non-Toxic that sells only non-toxic products. It was started by a teenager who became hyper aware of the toxins in our products during a unit in her science class and could not find one thing on the store shelves that she felt safe buying. I like that she offers a variety of products and no matter what you buy, you can be rest assured that it is absolutely NON-TOXIC. This link to her website has a host of articles and excerpts that can really help to educate: Ava Anderson

Also, a good resource for investigating the products that you do use is: EWG Skin Deep

I do not like EVERY product that she sells, and I am starting to use The Honest Company and True Goods to find more products that I like and want to review for you, but I do like a lot of them. And she comes out  with new products all of the time.

This post started out talking about deodorant! So this is where I am going to review the deodorant that I LOVE the most!!!

Here are the ingredients:
Ingredients: organic coconut oil, organic beeswax, organic shea butter, organic cocoa butter, aluminum free baking soda, organic arrowroot powder, organic tea tree essential oil, organic peppermint essential oil

That is it. I know what you are saying. I don't want to sweat! I don't want to stink! Natural deodorants don't work! Well...let me tell you. I do sweat, a little bit. But if I need a little extra protection for an event or something, I'll go with conventional deodorant/antiperspirant, if I must! But, for everyday, this is what I use. I don't stink. It is not sticky. It smells like chocolate mint ice cream. Ask me questions about it and I will be honest. I really didn't like it at first because I thought it made me smell funny, but I wanted to give it a real go because I wanted it to work! I had heard so many great reviews. And you know what? I've been using it for a year now and I LOVE it. That smell went away. I think it was just my sniffer. Day to day, I NEVER use anything else. No matter what. And I feel good knowing that it is one less beauty product that I have to worry about.

It may seem a little pricey at $24.95 for two! But the other amazing thing is that I have had this same deodorant for 1 YEAR! You read that right. I have not bought deodorant for 1 year. How 'bout them apples?

Anyway. I've tried many, many natural deodorants. But the only one that I am using, and have used for 1 year now, is this one. You can only get it through a distributor and you can find one online. Or, if you'd like to try it out, I can hook you up with someone I know or you can just go to the website and shop. Check out their other products too. And if you have questions, let me know. I've tried a TON of their stuff.

www.avaandersonnontoxic.com


Moral of the story:

Beware of the deodorant that you use no matter what you believe about it's link with breast cancer. Do your research, don't just settle for what we are given. I have no doubt that big companies do NOT have our best interests at heart. So be your own advocate for you and your family. Educate yourself. The information is out there! My goal is to educate as much as possible without boring you to death. But my hope is that I just give you a taste, and then you keep going with it. Keep learning, doing your own research, talking to your family and friends. Let's do what WE CAN to limit our exposure to toxins.


Be well!
And Happy New Year!

Mandy