Sherri Otcenasek

The colder weather of winter is here and the change in seasons affects our skin in many ways. After months in the sun and heat, many of us are experiencing dehydration and dryness from all the outdoor activities as well as the dryness of winter heating.

To help revive your skin and get ready for winter, consider a deep exfoliating facial. After exfoliation, the skin is able to accept nutrients that will help balance summer damage. Vitamin C is a great healing and brightening ingredient, ideal for nourishing over-exposed summer skin.

With the colder temperatures and dry heat, our skin has a hard time adjusting. Some may feel dry in the morning and oily by noon or have more breakouts. All are signs of “confused” skin. When the skin becomes dehydrated, the oil glands start to over-compensate which leads to many skin challenges.

Many people find that they need different skincare products depending on the time of year. The moisturizer that got you through summer may not be enough in the winter. A hydrating toner is a great way to supply the skin with more moisture. Masks and spot treatments can also address the need for extra care.

Have you heard about the Ultimate Facial?  This is a $150 service that is currently offered at a spa in California (using Arbonne products)…and I’m offering it to my clients and friends.

Arbonne is all about keeping your skin healthy and vibrant without using chemicals and animal by-products.   I promise you will love the way your face feels after the Ultimate Facial.  Invite a few of your friends over and offer them the luxury of an “Ultimate Facial”.  Your skin will thank you…and your friends will, too!

If you book and hold a workshop with three friends on one of the dates listed, I’ll give you a $25 Gift Certificate; plus you can earn free products, too!

Currently I have the following dates available:

Tuesday, Jan. 24^th
Wednesday, Jan. 25^th
Tuesday Jan. 31^st
Wednesday, Feb. 1^st

Thursday Feb. 9^th

You deserve it…your skin requires it!

Sherri-O

“Life is a great obstacle course, with bends and turns, wins and losses.  When you get to the high jump, always remember to throw your heart over the bar…the rest will follow.” ~Michele Leonard

Guest post by Amy Oros

The best part of being an Acupuncture Physician is to watch as health problems are resolved and people are now able to do more in their lives.  More joy, more laughter, more pain-free movement, more doing what brings them passion and joy.  Symptoms – from the smallest to the largest – affect your life.  And by giving the body specific information and a little boost, it can heal itself – in amazing ways!  My job as an Acupuncture Physician is to give the right signals to the body so that it can heal.  By decreasing your symptoms, you are able to live your life more fully – whatever “more fully” means to each you.

Often times after I’ve treated a patient I  have the amazing opportunity to hear how it’s changed their life.  “I was able to sleep a full night’s sleep – the first in over 10 years.”  “I’m pain FREE for the first time in 13 years.”  “I haven’t had any panic attacks in over a month.”  “I haven’t had a migraine in over 12 months.”  Then I get to see how their face lights up as they go on to tell me how they are able to do something that lights them from the inside out – their passion, their joy.  It is so much fun to watch that transformation happen!  It is my privilege to watch as you find that enthusiasm and delight in life again!

Amy Oros
Doctor of Oriental Medicine
Acupuncture Health and Wellness
321-914-3910
http://acupuncturehealthandwellness.com/

Guest Post by Tita Nieves

Developing awareness of what we eat can help us stay healthy and keep our weight in check.  Many times we eat foods that do not sit well with us as soon as we put them in our mouth.  And even though we notice it, we continue eating it.  Did you know that this could be your body giving you a signal that this is not good for you?  The food could have toxins, or simply your body has no tolerance for it.  What does this mean?

Our bodies are made differently; there are no two of us alike.  Therefore, every one of us has a different response to what we eat, different metabolism, different way of assimilating and absorbing nutrients and food.  When we become more aware of the response our body is giving, we can prevent many health issues from arising.

When we eat foods that the body does not tolerate or is allergic to, the immune system weakens, and the risk for dis-ease develops.

Most of the food available in supermarkets (unless it is organic or free of pesticides), is processed to the point of having limited nutritional value and most likely has had chemicals added to preserve it.  The human body does not recognize foods that are not “real or alive”.  These chemicals can change the makeup of your tissue as they adhere to the cells, and your body in an attempt to deal with it might create a reaction that may turn against itself.

You can begin this process by becoming aware of the subtleties in your tongue, lips and cheeks when you put food in your mouth. Next be aware as the food travels down the esophagus into your stomach and then the time it takes to digest.  There are times that we feel that the food travels down to our stomach slower, or that it sits in our stomach for hours.  These could be signs that your body is reacting to something you ate.

Another important thing to remember is to chew the food thoroughly before swallowing and do the best you can to avoid drinking liquids while you are eating.  If you can’t help it, then only drink water.  Avoid sodas or caffeinated drinks.  Chew your food thoroughly so that you  activate the enzymes that are housed in the saliva and this helps in breaking down the food for digestion and in the assimilation of nutrients.  If we don’t use these enzymes, we lose them!

Enzymes assist the body’s immune system and help you remain strong, retain less fat and fluids.  This will keep you slim and healthy!

I suggest reading about the blood types and about enzymes.  Two books I highly recommend are “Eat Right 4 Your Type” by Dr. Peter J. D’Adamo and “The Enzyme Factor” by Dr. Hiromi Shinya, MD.

As a gift to those of you who are interested in this information and other topics related to living and staying healthy, I will give a presentation at no cost to you or your organization.

Yours in health!

Tita Nieves

Nieves Curbelo & Associates
Palm Bay, FL
321-724-4941

With Christmas only two weeks away, some of us are already thinking of our New Year’s resolution. If getting healthy is one yours, you are invited to our “Change a Little, Lose A Lot” presentation. Not only will you learn about a program that works, you will actually meet some of the people that have “changed a little and lost a lot”. We will have samples of our delicious protein shakes, energy drinks, legal chocolate chews and detox tea. Our products are gluten and dairy FREE; formulated with no artificial sweeteners or flavors and are Vegan certified.

This is not another DIET! We take a totally different approach to healthy living. It’s a simple, easy to follow program…and it works!

So be informed, get ready and start the New Year with a plan that you can live with. Share this with your friends and family…it’s for everyone.

Discovery is always FREE, Participation is Optional!!!

Please call or email me to register.

The holidays are a crazy busy time. Between the baking and cooking, the holiday parties, the pageants, the traveling, the decorating, and the corresponding, you have to somehow find and wrap a heartfelt gift for your kids, spouse, parents, relatives and friends.

Even if you have made a commitment to spend less on gifts this year, you still want to give something meaningful. The worst part is, you want to enjoy the holidays, but you worry that it’s going to whiz by while you were feeling frazzled and desperate.

If this describes you, here are a few tips to help you take some of the stress out of your holiday shopping so you can once again enjoy this magical time of year.

1. Start early. Like now. When you shop for your holiday gifts early, you have more time to look at the options, plus the stores will have a larger selection of those hot toys. You’ll also be spreading out the expense over a longer period of time. And you’re likely to save some money because you’ll have time to check out the deals, both online and off – and to wait for a coupon code, if necessary. If you are shipping any of your presents, you’ll be able to relax if the buying is already finished by Thanksgiving time. Then, when everyone is frantically rushing to the mall and throwing elbows for the last cashmere sweater, you can sit back, sip a hot peppermint mocha and watch “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

2. Do whatever you need to do to make your shopping trips more fun. Take along a good friend or two, and you might have so much fun you’ll want to make a ritual of going holiday shopping together every year. To really cut the stress, take a day off in the middle of the week together and hit your favorite shopping centers then, where you won’t have to compete with so many crowds (especially if you skipped Tip 1, and it’s December already.)

3. Keep a list, throughout the year, of gift ideas for your friends and family. Jot down cute little things you see that relate to their interests. It’s so much easier if you don’t have to start from scratch in the mall, while you stare at the stack of George Foreman grills and waffle makers.

4. Change your scenery. If big malls bum you out with their over-emphasis on the commercialization of Christmas, plan a weekend getaway to a small town, where they celebrate the holidays in old-fashioned style. Is there a small village or ski town in your area where they have carolers strolling the street in the evenings? Where they light the outdoor trees and where they always wrap the gifts for you, while you chat leisurely with the shop owners? Find such a place and you’ll be whistling carols yourself as you weave your way in and out of boutiques, sipping cider or hot cocoa. Being part of an old-fashioned Christmas can really help you get in the holiday spirit. You might have so much fun that you’ll make it an annual tradition.

5. Think unique – not big ticket. Instead of trying to bowl someone over with the enormity of your gift, find something that is unique and just right for them. It is often these small and thoughtful gifts that are the most memorable. Of course, you’ll need to start early to have any chance of finding this just-right gift, but gift-giving will be so much more enjoyable when you make a game of finding just the right item for each recipient, rather than just another thing to cross off your crowded to-do list.

6. Shop online. The internet has an array of interesting gift stores and catalogs that feature items you’d be hard-pressed to find in stores. Arbonne has a wide selection of gifts which are perfect for that special someone.  Call or email me to take advantage of “Black Friday with Arbonne”.  When you order $125 retail, you get $125 in FREE products (shipping and tax on total retail value).  This offer is valid through November 28^th, 2011.  We have gifts for everyone and you, too…now is a good time to stock up on all your favorites!!!

Gluten is a protein composite found in foods processed from wheat and related grain species. Gluten intolerance is the inability to break down gluten. If a person who is sensitive to gluten digests it, the lining of their small intestine becomes inflamed and damaged. People with celiac disease must follow a gluten-free diet. The skin disorder, dermatitis herpetiformis, is also linked to gluten allergies and causes bumps, blisters and itchy rashes. Following a gluten-free diet means eliminating food, such as bread and pasta. Gluten can also show up in foods like salad dressing, beer, licorice and cold cuts. Other products that can contain gluten include over-the counter or prescription medications, vitamins, chap sticks, lipstick and lip balm.

Many athletes claim their gluten-free diet gives them an energy boost. Athletes like the New Orleans Saints quarterback, Drew Brees, and a world’s top-ranked tennis player, Novak Djokovic, both follow a gluten-free diet because of their sensitivity to gluten projects. The Garmin-Transitions pro cycling team follows a gluten-free diet to help them boost their energy levels. Many people report upset stomachs, headaches and depression after ingesting the protein. U.S. Olympian, Yoder Begley, carries a reference book of restaurants that offer gluten-free menus when she travels. She eats carb-rich foods, such as sweet potatoes, rice pasta and bananas, that are not filled with fat and sugar. The U.S. Olympian uses these types of carbohydrates to turn glucose into fuel for energy and exercise.

Arbonne offers a “Simply Fit in 30 Days” program. By eliminating 5 of the most common food sensitivities: gluten, dairy, sugar, alcohol and caffeine our clients feel better, have more energy and lose weight. Our program replaces two meals with our delicious gluten and dairy free protein shakes and an easy, simple plan to follow. We offer monthly workshops in Viera, too. If you would like to try the products or find out more about our program, please call me. Even if you’re not gluten intolerant, you will love the taste of our protein shakes…and the way you feel after drinking them.

Everyone loves to be able to relax after a long hard day of work. Many people have aches and pain after working hard all day.  At times like this, why not take a little time to pamper yourself back to comfort.

Aromatherapy has become very popular in spas and salons all around the world. By using aromatherapy, one can enjoy becoming unstressed and experiencing a much deeper relaxation. Aromas and scents are used in special aromatherapy candles as well as body lotions and bath and shower gels. These products emanate these splendid scents when used.  Essential oils such as Chamomile, Eucalyptus, Peppermint and Lavender are commonly used in aromatherapy today. These scents have proven to help in so many ways.

Inhalation of any substance has the quickest effect on the brain. Our noses can smell up to 10,000 different smells and odors, with women’s smell being the most effective over a man’s. Molecules in the air are inhaled through the nose. The cilia, which are the tiny hair cells found within the nose, pick up the miniscule molecules that are inhaled .After the molecules travel through the tiny cilia, they then go through the olfactory bulb located within the limbic system. This is an intricate part of the human brain which plays a role in memory, arousal and emotions.

Many doctors and nurses now recommend using aromatherapy to many of their patients who suffer with mental fatigue, relaxation problems, and depression to name a few. These essential oils help relieve the body chronic aches and pains. Also, they are very powerful in helping relieve worry and anxiety problems temporarily. When aromatherapy is used on a long-term basis, these results are much more prevalent. Fatigue and mood elevation are also quite possible with this method. There’s nothing like feeling quite alive and invigorated by using essential oils.

When considering aromatherapy as an alternative method to many common problems, the use of Arbonne’s Unwind aromatherapy product line, first comes to mind. This line of body lotions, bath salts, bath and shower gel and massage oils are mixed with botanical essential oils of ylang-ylang and chamomile. When these products are used, scents and aromas are then diffused into the room.  So wash away the stress of the day with Arbonne’s Unwind so that you can conquer the world again tomorrow.

We all know that there are certain types of nutrients or specific types of food that we need to take eat to help it work properly and make us feel good and be healthy.  Specifically, I’m referring to fiber. Fiber can be found in many of our everyday foods. You can find fiber in whole fruits, vegetables, beans and grains. The average person should be eating 25 – 30 grams of fiber per day. However, many of us are sadly lacking when it comes to our fiber intake.

Different types of fiber have different effects on our body, so it is important for us to get fiber from a variety of sources. That way we can be sure we are getting all of the benefits that are available to us. There are actually two main types of fiber. They are water soluble fiber and water insoluble fiber. Each of these are found in different types of foods.

Water soluble fiber is found in apples and oranges, carrots, potatoes, beans, oats and barley. This type of fiber delays the time it takes for food to pass through our system. This can make us feel full longer and can be very important when trying to lose weight. A second benefit of this fiber is that it slows the absorption of glucose from our bloodstream. This helps us to lower the blood cholesterol levels in our bodies.

Water insoluble fiber is found in vegetables, wheat bran, corn bran, rice bran and most other whole grains. This type of fiber helps to speed up the transfer of food through the intestines and it also traps water.

So, how do we get more fiber in our diet? We should eat whole fruits with the skin on. Eat a variety of whole vegetables either cooked or raw. Try to use 100% whole grain breads, rolls English muffins or crackers instead of the ones made with white flour. Another great is option is Arbonne’s Daily Fiber Boost.

Our bodies are constantly bombarded with numerous toxins each and every day through bad diet, air pollution, cigarette smoke, alcohol and caffeine. These are just the ingested toxins; it is thought that feelings of stress and depression can cause chemical reactions to occur within the body which naturally release toxins as a by-product. Thus it is no wonder that over time these harmful toxins begin to accumulate in many of the systems throughout the body.

The act of detoxing not only benefits us physically but mentally as well. By taking the time to clean out the body’s systems you achieve a sense of inner purity.  For example, you can imagine your insides being as clean as your outsides. This helps many people to stick to the diet and resist the pull of their favorite foods.

On a physical level, the kidneys and the liver naturally detoxify the systems of the body but by embarking on a detox regime you can give an added boost to the process. In today’s society there are more toxins than the body can naturally excrete and so any help you can give it is always an added bonus.

Detoxing has been reported to improve the functioning of many body systems including the digestive system (stomach and intestines), the renal system (kidneys and bladder), the circulatory system (lungs and blood vessels) and the lymphatic system.

By improving the efficiency of these systems you will almost certainly notice that you sleep better, you have more energy, you’re more mentally alert, your skin looks better and the dark circles around your eyes disappear. You may even notice that you suffer less with colds and minor infections because of an improvement in your immune system.

Other potential benefits include the suppression of headaches, joint pain, cramps, indigestion and other digestive conditions such as bloating and excessive gas.

So, even though adhering to a detox diet or program can be difficult it is well worth doing. After all, a week or two of detox could mean years of feeling happy and healthy