Ok, so I tested my prenatal vitamins in water and this is what happened!! Be prepared to gross out! If you drop your vitamin in water, it is supposed to dissolved in 15 minutes or less or it passes right through you undigested. The other option is that it can get lodged in tissue and in organs because it is synthetic. Things that are synthetic are not living and therefore have zero intellegence, like our food. When you eat food, it knows how to make it’s way through the body, dividing up the usable parts and eliminating the waste. Synthetic vitamins (like drugs) can not do this. They are toxic to the body.

So after 24 hours in a cup of water and NOTHING, we dumped the water out of the cup, left it on the counter and forgot about it. We came back the next morning, and WA-LA!! The prenatal had EATEN A HOLE IN MY PLASTIC CUP!!!  This is scary, considering this is just what the Doctor ordered!  This is supposed to help my baby and me have everything we need to be healthy and form every cell properly.  I don’t think it worked.

After seeing this, I chose Shaklee Vita Lea and it’s been 10 years and I haven’t looked back!! Vita Lea dissolves completely in water in less than 5 minutes. It looks like a pile of dust at the bottom of the glass of water and leaves no food coloring in the water because it gets its green color from vegetables.

Test your vitamins and see what it does! Does it dissolve in under 15 minutes?  Does it leave food coloring or black, tarry particles in the cup?  If it does, check out the 3 types of vitamins to see which one yours might be!

Are you pregnant?  See my thoughts on vitamins for pregnancy here.  I don’t know…all I know is, try it for yourself and see if you don’t feel better!

Did you grow up on Flinstone Vitamins like me?? Check out what’s in America’s favorite kids vitamin!

There are 2 approaches you can take to acid reflux — just deal with the surface symptoms, which may be fine if it is just an occasional issue, or deal with the root cause and thus rid yourself of the problem.  Many people with this issue find themselves trapped in a lifetime of drug use to try and combat the issue but the continual use of acid reflux drugs over long periods of time will cause secondary issues.

When trying to figure out what approach is best for you, it would be wise to first ask 3 questions:

1.  Have you been checked for a hiatel hernia?  A hiatel hernia (where, under extreme abdominal pressure, a piece of the stomach pops up through the hole in your diaphragm and gets hung there) can cause acid reflux.  This is a mechanical problem that may result from pushing during childbirth, straining too hard trying to have a bowel movement because of constipation, or lifting heavy objects.  This is a mechanical problem, not a nutritional one.  But the symptom relief suggestions below can deal with the reflux episodes when they occur.

3.  There are certain drugs that promote acid reflux because of the extreme irritation these deadly poisons cause to the digestive tract.  The best suggestion there would be to deal naturally with the issue for which you are taking the drug and thus get OFF the drug. Speak to your health care provider before doing this, however.

For symptom relief when you have an episode, regardless of the root cause, following the suggestions below can help as well.  These are simply suggestions based on other peoples testimonies and experiences.

For permanent elimination of acid reflux, unless it is caused by a hiatel hernia, missing gallbladder, or drugs that you are taking, follow the Digestive/Colon Health Plan exactly as written for at least 6 months.  This addresses the root causes of acid reflux.

If you have a hiatel hernia, missing gallbladder, or are taking any acid reflux inducing drug, following my Digestive/Colon Health Plan will still be of tremendous benefit and relief — it is just that it won’t permanently eliminate the problem until those issues are addressed.

SUGGESTED ACID REFLUX PLAN

EZ-Gest provides the enzymes that you need to better digest your food, so taking one with every heavier meal you eat will greatly reduce the cause of acid reflux.Also, eating less meat and high fat foods and moving to a more natural diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains will help.

For immediate relief, the Chewable Cal Mag is excellent and gives very quick relief.  I’ve had several tell me they couldn’t believe how quickly they got relief.

Chewable Cal Mag is as effective as either Tums or Rolaids, without any of the aluminum salts that are in the competitors.

Of course, Stomach Soothing Complex is very effective, also.  Sipping throughout the day on tea made from our Stomach Soothing Complex tea tablets can very effectively prevent acid reflux episodes from occurring.

Stomach Soothing Complex makes a very good tasting tea.  I like to take a mug and fill it with Get Clean Water and put it in the microwave till it is almost boiling (about 2 minutes in our machine).  Now, with the water very hot, just drop 2 or 3 Stomach Soothing tablets into the water.  If the water is good and hot, you don’t need to crush the tablets.  They almost effervesce and will be completely dissolved in about 2-3 minutes.  Then I add a spoonful of honey and a scoop (heaping tablespoon or so) of Shaklee Performance drink.  Delicious!!

Having a good spoon full of Liqui-Lea is also very healing to the esophagus and stomach and will counteract acid reflux.

Gift giving is so much fun!! I love to give gifts that mean something and that are helpful to the receiver.  Most people don’t need more “stuff.”  By giving the gift of health, it is the gift that truly keeps on giving.   Consider some of these ideas below as you think about your loved ones this holiday season or any time you want to give a gift…weddings, baby showers, birthday, or anniversaries!  Be creative and see what you can think of!  The possibilities are unlimited!

Shaklee Gift Ideas for any Occasion

1. Child: Stuffed Bear, New Concept Organic Dentifrice Toothpaste (31779) and a tooth brush

2. Mom: Slippers and Herbal Blend Multi Purpose Cream (31751)

3. Family: Set of bath towels or rags and Fresh Laundry Concentrate (00066) & Soft Fabric Dryer Sheets (00306)

4. Family: Set of bath towels or rags and Enfuselle Shower Gel (32516) or Meadow Blend Soap FREE Cleansing Bar (30131) and Enfuselle Hand & Body Lotion (32515)

5. Man: Bucket filled with Car Magazine, Basic-H2 Organic Concentrate (00015) & Scour Off Heavy-Dirty Paste (00430) (for the chrome)

6. Gardner: Gardening hat, Cotton gloves, Performance, (orange (20350) or Lemon Lime (20351), and Basic-H Organic Concentrate (00128) (to put on plants and use as mosquito repellent)

7. Sister-in-law: Bag of Nuts, Shaklee VitaLea w/iron (20266), and  Box of Cinch Bars assortment ( 20379)

8. Family: Set of glasses with Cinch Energy Teas (Pomegranate 20337) or (Green Tea 20345)

9. Man or Woman: Hair brush and comb and a ProSante’ Hair Care System (80470)

10. Family or friends: Christmas wreath or bouquet of flowers and a GetClean Starter Kit (50456)

11. Child: Bath Tub toy, Gentle Wash (30108) and Soothing Lotion (30106) & Massage Oil (30107)

12. Neighbor: Jar of honey and Herbal Blend Multi-Purpose Cram ( 31751) or Shaklee Sun Screen SPF 30 (32519)

13. Teenager: Favorite CD, Vita-Lea and Meal Shake (French VA (20321) or Bavarian Cocoa (20322) & Shaklee Whizzer (50325) or  Shaklee Shaker Cup (50253)

14. Anyone: Soft Rags, Enfuselle Face Cleanser, Acne Clarifying Complex (32521)

15. Athlete: Football or Soccer Ball or a Sports Bottle and Performance Sports Drink (orange (20350) or lemon-lime 20351), Cinch Snack Bars, & Joint & Muscle Cream (31050)

16. Mom: Hand Wash Concentrate (00191) and Hand & Body Lotion all skin types (32515)

17. Golfer: Golf Balls and gloves, Enfuselle Sun ScreenSPF 30 (32519), Enfuselle Lip Conditioner ( 32517), Performance Sports Drink orange (20350) or Performance Lemon-Lime (20351)

18. Woman: makeup mirror and Enfuselle Anti-Aging skin treatment Collection (50916 Normal to dry) or (50914 Normal to Oily)

19. Baby: A pair of baby shoes or a soft baby blanket and ShakleeBaby Multivitamin Multimineral Powder or Gentle Wash (30108) and Soothing Lotion (30106) & Message Oil (30107)

20. Hard-Working Man or Woman: Soft music Cd and Joint & Muscle Pain Cream and Massage Tool (rolling ball or stick)

21. New Year’s Resolution: To start the year off right, give a nice calendar and a Cinch Starter Kit (59105)

22. Anyone: Cinch Chocolate Shake Mix for hot chocolate, warm hat and gloves or scarf.

23. For Energy: Core Energy, B-Complex, and Cinch Energy Teas

24. Man or Teenager: DVD and box of Cinch Snack Bars or Meal-In-A-Bars

25. Wedding: New Dish Rags and Get Clean Kitchen Mini Ket (89109)

On a Budget Ideas

1. Tea Time: In a coffee mug or tea cup, fill with toille, wrap 3-4 Cinch Energy Tea Sticks with a ribbon or raffia, and add cinnamon sticks and/or a phone card.  Another idea is to give a glass with Cinch Tea sticks wrapped, plus an ice tray and lemons.

2. Trim & Fit: In a Cinch Shaker cup, add 1 packet Cinch Shake Mix Packet (any flavor), 1 Cinch Snack Bar, and 2 Cinch Energy Tea Sticks

3. Massage Time: Joint & Muscle Pain Cream and a Massage tool (rolling ball or stick)

4. Bath Time: Meadow Blend Cleansing Bar with a Loofa sponge

5. Reading Time: 2 Chocolate Decadence Cinch Bars wrapped with ribbon and a book

6. Snack Time: HealthyOates Energy Bars (made with any type Shaklee Protein) wrapped on a plate w ith ribbo n and attach recipe.

7. Winter Time: 2 Cinch Chocolate Shake Packets, gloves, scarf, and hat

8. Pampering Time: Enfuselle Face cleanser with Soft Rag

10 Great Stocking Stuff-ers For Under $10:

1. 2 Cinch Snack bars (any flavor) or a Cinch Meal-Iin-A-Bar wrapped in see-through colorful net or cellophane paper tied with a ribbon.

2. Shaklee Lip Treatment SPF 15 Only $6.70!

3. Keep Immunity high with new Shaklee D3! Only $7.95!

4. Keep chapped hands dry with Shaklee Herbal Blend MultiPurpose Cream.  Only $7.75!

5. Every woman needs this!! Enfuselle Eye Makeup Remover. non-greasy and REALLY Works!! I love this stuff! Only $8.50.  Give with a small makeup bag, cotton balls, or a fancy make-up mirror.

6. Dentifrice toothpaste with a cute toothbrush. Only $6.90!

7. Soap Free Cleansing Bar with a pretty soap dish. Only $6.90!

8. For immune and metabolic function, hormone help, and digestive responses give Zinc Complex and give health! Only $6.10!

9. For the kids stocking, give a Fiber Advantage Chewy Apple Cinnamon Bar.  Each bar is about $2.

10. For those tough kitchen jobs or the man who wants to get bugs off the chrome when he is washing his car, give Shaklee Scour Off. Only $7.25.