The Skinny on Summer Skin

3 Golden Rules for Glowing Summer Skin

A painful sunburn isn’t how you want to remember a day at the pool. Unfortunately, getting sunburned is much more common that it ought to be. Even minor sunburns can be dangerous. May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, the perfect time for some simple sun reminders.A recent survey conducted by the Skin Cancer Foundation found that 42% of people get a sunburn at least once a year. But besides the stinging sensation, the peeling and blistering, what’s the harm in getting burned? Research shows that a person’s risk for melanoma — the most serious form of skin cancer — doubles if he or she has had five or more sunburns. Anyone can get skin cancer, but some factors put you at higher risk, including: lighter natural skin color personal history of skin cancer family history of melanoma exposure to the sun through work and play history of sunburns early in life skin that burns, freckles, reddens easily, or becomes painful in the sun blue or green eyes naturally blond or red hair Golden Rules for a Golden Glow Slather on. With an SPF of 45+, even the fairest of beach bums can hang out in the sun for a couple of hours without reapplying. Cover up. When you’re not in the pool, call in reinforcements for extra protection. Floppy hats, large umbrellas and beach cover-ups can really do the trick. Fake out. Don’t lie in the sun purposefully seeking a tan. This is not only damaging to your skin in the long term, but you’ll likely burn the first few times you try it. Instead, opt for a sunless tanner or bronzer. Know the Lingo Terminology on sunscreen labels can be confusing. SPF actually isn’t an ingredient in sunblock or sunscreen. It stands for Sun Protection Factor and is a number that indicates how well a product blocks UVB rays. A product with an SPF higher than 15 is called a sunblock. Anything lower is called a sunscreen. To estimate out how long you can stay in the sun with a given SPF, you can use this equation: # of minutes you typically take to burn without sunscreen x SPF number = maximum sun exposure time. However, you should always err on the side of caution. Most people tend to use less sunscreen than the amount used in testing, which will throw things off. If you’re going to be outside for a while, bring sunscreen with you and reapply often. Supplement your Skin Care To maximize skin health for a youthful glow that lasts year-round, be sure to include Reliv’s r collection in your beauty regimen. Your skin will benefit from an exclusive combination of potent antioxidants, anti-inflammatories and essential fatty acids that work to combat environmental damage, slow the aging process and nourish your skin at the cellular level. Article written by and compliments of Reliv International. Ready to order? Contact your Independent Reliv Distributor, Renee Vidor, to obtain your customer number: Name(required) Email(required) Contact Number How can I help you?(required)

School’s Out — What Now?!

School’s Out, Summer Fun is in Session

The sun is shining, the birds are chirping and the pools are open. It’s summer! But as the school year comes to an end, parents know they’ll soon hear the pitter patter of little feet scampering through the house again. Or worse yet, “I’m bored!” Don’t worry. These tips will keep your little ones happy, healthy and entertained all summer long! Get Growin’ Plant a garden. Homegrown produce saves you money and is less likely to have food safety issues. Kids will enjoy digging, watering and running outside each day to check on the progress. Try this all summer long! Add your freshly grown fruits and veggies to a delicious Reliv smoothie! Get recipe ideas. Get Thinkin’ School’s out, but you can still challenge your kids with some at-home critical thinking activities. Try this at the pool! For those days when the kids wake you up and they’re already in their swimsuits, dive into hands-on experiments with H2O. Get together various objects from around the house, and ask kids to predict which ones will sink and which will float. Ask them why. Then toss them in! Grab containers of various sizes and shapes and a measuring cup. Then ask kids how many cups they think each one will take to fill. These activities teach lessons in counting, measurement and the conservation of volume. Try this on a rainy day! Mix half a box of cornstarch with enough water so the consistency should be like clay (not too powdery, but not too wet). Now pick up the goop and squeeze it – it’s crumbly. Hold it loosely – it oozes through your fingers. This teaches kids about various states of matter. Get Cookin’ Ask your young one to be your sous chef for the day. Spending time together in the kitchen provides the perfect opportunity to talk about nutrition and how various types of foods contribute to our health, growth and overall well-being. Try this in the kitchen! For a sweet snack, make homemade fudgesicles, adding a scoop of Chocolate Reliv Now® for Kids for a nutritional boost. Get Shakin’ Reliv Now for Kids goes beyond ordinary children’s nutritional supplements to deliver key nutrients essential to the development of a child’s brain, eyes and nervous system. And the addition of LunaRich healthy soy powder makes Reliv Now for Kids better than ever. LunaRich provides ten times as much lunasin as ordinary soy powders, for optimal cellular health. Give your kids a healthy start with Reliv Now for Kids! Article written by and compliments of Reliv International. Ready to order? Contact your Independent Reliv Distributor, Renee Vidor, to obtain your customer number: Name(required) Email(required) Contact Number How can I help you?(required)

Soy Much Better — and Greener!

Reliv has always promoted the many nutritional benefits of soy. But what you might not know is that when you nourish your body with soy, you’re also nourishing our world by caring for the planet. April 22 is Earth Day – the perfect time to celebrate soy as an environmentally sustainable and healthy protein source.

Soy Much Greener

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, global food demand will grow by 70% or more by 2050, along with a significant need for protein — an essential nutrient for human health. Keeping up with the current demand for animal protein would cause strain on water, land and resources. Soy offers a potential solution.

Soy conserves water. When it comes to water consumption, soy protein is far more conservative than animal-derived proteins – saving more than four million gallons of water for each ton of soybeans produced.

Soy is energy-efficient. A critical way to examine a food’s environmental cost is to evaluate total energy used throughout production. Soy is an efficient source of protein based on return of energy use compared with proteins from other sources. Between 1987 and 2007, the amount of energy used to produce a bushel of soybeans decreased by about 66 percent, according to the Keystone Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture.

Soy has a smaller eco-footprint. Soybeans produce more usable protein per acre of farmland than all other forms of complete protein. When comparing the environmental impact on land from cultivation to the end product, soy is over 17 times more efficient than other forms of protein.

Soy Healthy

Not only does soy meet the strict nutritional requirements necessary to make it into Reliv cans, it’s also a superstar when it comes to maintaining a happy, healthy planet. Reliv’s exclusive LunaRich whole soy powder is no exception. LunaRich™, like all soy used in Reliv products, comes from non-GMO soybeans. And LunaRich is processed less than two hours from Reliv headquarters, limiting fuel needed for transportation. You can find LunaRich in Reliv Now®, SoySentials® and Reliv Now® For Kids!

Article was written by and compliments of Reliv International.

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I “Beet” You Can’t Guess What I Made for Breakfast…

I made beets for dinner last night and didn’t want to waste the nutrition in the 4 cups of beet water that was left over. What to do? BINGO! Use the beet water to prepare our oatmeal! Did everything else the same (Old-fashioned oats, honey, cinnamon, raisins, and the remaining water needed.) Turned out pretty, and the kids were pleasantly surprised that it tasted good, too!
You can’t “beet” this oatmeal!

4 Surprising Reasons to Lose the Weight This Year

Unless you’ve been living in a bunker for the past decade, you’ve probably heard the news that obesity is now an epidemic. Sixty percent of Americans are overweight. But understanding health risks often isn’t enough to motivate people to lose weight. So here are four more eye-opening reasons to drop those extra pounds.

1. Better Employment. Employers often use image, future health costs and physical limitations as legitimate reasons not to hire an overweight person. In addition, one psychological study found that obese individuals were viewed as “less competent, less productive and disorganized” than their thinner counterparts. Overweight employees earn an average of $1.25/hour less than thin employees — a roughly six-figure loss over a career. By shrinking your waistline, you can increase your income.

2. Dollars and Cents. Overweight individuals spend about $1,429 more annually for healthcare and medications. Morbidly obese individuals spend a lifetime average of $1,440 more on gasoline due to a reduction in gas mileage. Even larger clothing comes with a higher price tag. Experts estimate the annual cost of being obese is $4,879 for a woman and $2,646 for a man. What could you do with $2,000-4,000 more each year?

3. For the Kids. One-third of American children are overweight or obese. A study found 48% of children with overweight parents become overweight, compared with just 13% of children with healthy-weight parents. Losing weight sets a positive example for children to follow.

4. Healthy = Happy. Poor self-image, low self-esteem and social isolation contribute to depression. Obese people are 25% more likely to have a mood disorder than average-weight people. Depression and obesity also cause a self-destructive cycle in which the two contribute to each other. Reversing the cycle will lead to a happier, healthier you.

 

Ready to lose weight? Reliv has the solutions!

 

• Slimplicity® — a convenient and versatile weight loss program. Shakes are a quick and easy meal replacement on the go. Try each of three delicious flavors — chocolate, vanilla or strawberry — blended with ice, fruit or yogurt for endless combinations.

 

• GlucAffect® — a clinically proven blood sugar management formula. Losing weight is nearly impossible if you’re riding the roller coaster of blood sugar highs and lows all day. Mix GlucAffect into your morning coffee or daily Reliv shake to keep your blood sugar on an even keel.

 

• Relivables® All-Natural Sweetener — a smarter solution when you’re craving the sweet stuff. Substitute Relivables All-Natural Sweetener for zero calories and added fiber.

 

Sources: http://hilo.hawaii.edu/academics/hohonu/writing.php?id=111, http://psycnet.apa.org/journals/apl/79/6/909/, http://psycnet.apa.org/psycinfo/2001-05767-002, http://news.stanford.edu/news/2004/july21/med-obesity-721.html, http://www.freemoneyfinance.com/2011/01/the-cost-of-being-overweight.html, http://www.gwumc.edu/sphhs/departments/healthpolicy/dhp_publications/pub_uploads/dhpPublication_35308C47-5056-9D20-3DB157B39AC53093.pdf, http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/Overweight-in-Children_UCM_304054_Article.jsp#.TyA3KIEaG8A

 

Article compliments of Reliv International, Author: Annie Haarmann.

 

To try one of the Reliv solutions mentioned above, contact your Independent Reliv Distributor, Renee Vidor to discuss what will work best for you, and to order with our 30-day money-back-guarantee!

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Post-Workout Refueling

How to Refuel After a Workout

Carefully choosing what you eat after you work out can magnify the benefits of exercising.

What Should I Eat After a Workout?

Your post-workout nutritional needs include fluids, carbohydrates and protein. This is true not just for the endurance athletes and serious bodybuilders but for the general exercise enthusiast also. Each provides distinct benefits:

Fluids. Hydration helps restore fluids lost from sweating.

Carbohydrates. Carbs help restore glycogen, which provides fuel that muscles need for continued training.

Protein. Protein and amino acids help rebuild muscle tissue.

You can satisfy your post-workout nutritional needs by eating a meal or a snack, or you can choose a protein shake that also contains carbohydrates. The Mayo Clinic lists yogurt and fruit, cheese and crackers or a peanut butter sandwich as snacks that can meet your post-workout nutritional needs.

But for those who don’t want to eat after exercising, protein shakes are one of the best options for post-workout nutrition, says Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Carl W. Hastings.

“Everybody that exercises on a regular basis can benefit from protein shakes,” Dr. Carl says. “Protein shakes can help enhance athletic performance and endurance, and help the body recover and repair after exercising.”

Post-Workout Nutrition

Dozens of brands of protein shakes are available; they vary in the types and amount of protein and carbohydrate levels they contain. Milk, soy, whey and casein are some of the protein sources in shakes. Soy protein is as effective as other sources of protein but has the added benefit of containing antioxidants that are beneficial to health.

ProVantage includes 13 grams of soy protein in each serving. Soy protein increases muscle mass, reduces fatigue and burns fat for increased energy.

ProVantage also contains antioxidants from soy and other ingredients that support the immune system and a blend of amino acids that reduce fatigue and shorten recovery time after working out.

Nutritional studies have found that soy protein can lower total cholesterol levels and lower the “bad” cholesterol called low-density lipoprotein (LDL). This important benefit, while not necessary for post-workout nutritional needs, may lead some people to choose soy over other proteins for their shakes.

ProVantage, like other protein shakes, contains carbohydrates as well. The combination of protein and carbohydrates enables the body to store more glycogen for your muscles.

The top priority for post-workout nutritional needs is replacing fluids lost during exercise in order to prevent dehydration, and water generally is considered the primary way to replace fluids. But intense workouts lasting an hour or more  require a sports drink for better hydration.

Isotonic sports drinks such as Innergize! can help maintain the body’s electrolyte balance and provide energy because they contain fast-acting carbohydrates.

 

Article written by and compliments of Reliv International. Reliv products have a 30-day money-back-guarantee; to try any of these products for yourself, contact Renee Vidor, your Independent Reliv Distributor:

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Cardio, Weight, Skin, and more!

3 More Reasons Soy is So Super

Soy is one superfood that continues to gain attention. Studies illustrate soy’s ability to improve bone health, alleviate menopausal symptoms and reduce risk of some diseases. Recent scientific breakthroughs have uncovered even further benefits of soy for cardiovascular health, weight loss and skin care. 1. Lunasin is nutritional “magic” for cardio health. In 1999, the FDA approved a health claim that “25 grams of soy protein per day, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease.” This claim was based on research findings that soy-based diets reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides while raising HDL (good) cholesterol. Meanwhile, science has uncovered the nutritional “magic” behind soy’s cholesterol-lowering abilities. Studies show lunasin, a naturally occurring peptide found in soy, is largely responsible. Lunasin works to lower cholesterol in two ways: disrupts the production of cholesterol in the liver improves the liver’s ability to clear LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream 2. Protein and peptides are heavy hitters for weight loss. For years, dieters have relied on the mighty soybean to aid weight loss. It makes sense: soy is high in protein and fiber for satiety, while also low in fat. But a study showed that soy also has an effect on the mechanisms in the body that boost metabolism. In other words, soy packs a powerful one-two punch for weight loss by addressing both food intake and calorie burning. 3. Antioxidant promotes supple skin. Studies suggest the combination of consuming soy and applying it topically may provide a host of skin benefits. Soy’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties can reduce the redness caused by acne and sun exposure. It also helps promote the synthesis of collagen and improves skin elasticity. Soy even improves the skin’s ability to retain moisture. Skincare containing soy, like Reliv’s r line of premium products, can help reduce wrinkles, skin discoloration and inflammation when used over time. Discover how you can add soy to your health regimen. Enjoy a healthier, more active lifestyle with Reliv. (Article written by, and compliments of Reliv International) To order Reliv products risk-free through the 30-day money-back guarantee, contact your Independent Reliv Distributor, Renee Vidor, to obtain a customer ordering number: Name(required) Email(required) Phone How can I help you?(required) To order, contact

Tip #1: Recognize Enjoyment vs Overindulgence

Don’t stress over what NOT to eat this Thanksgiving. Remember: Enjoying food is a good thing, but overindulgence and gluttony is not.
Be mindful of how full you fill your plate (and how many plates you fill!) Eating healthy isn’t just about limits, but about choices and balance. For instance, do you like everything you see on that Thanksgiving smorgasbord? Then enjoy the holiday and try it all! But only a small taste or spoonfull of each item.

ENJOY this Thanksgiving feast with portion control and avoid that gluttonous, over-stuffed feeling of overindulgence.

PS. Let’s be thankful for how fortunate we are to have food, there are so many who do not! Consider partnering with me to support the Reliv Kalogris Foundation (RKF) where we feed well over 40,000 kids and family every day! www.RelivKalogrisFoundation.org

“Fall” Into Fruits & Veggies

‘Fall’ Into Fruits and Veggies

Fall is the season of colors — from the leaves on the trees to flags on tailgates before football games. Fall is also a great time to add more color to you life in the shape of fruits and veggies. In honor of National Fruits and Veggies – More Matters Month, here are some options that are sure to add some color to your plate, and why they should be part of your diet. Sweet Potatoes (Yams) Sweet potatoes contain twice the daily recommended amount of vitamin A for improved vision, fiber for digestive health and four times the daily recommended amount of beta-carotene, to give your immune system a boost. And since sweet potatoes are complex carbohydrates, they digest slowly to leave you feeling fuller longer — for only about 145 calories each. Add sweet potatoes to your everyday meals by replacing French fries with baked sweet potato fries or mashed sweet potatoes with dinner. Try this! Sprinkle some GlucAffect® on a baked sweet potato instead of cinnamon and sugar. It will add a tasty cinnamon flavor and help manage your blood sugar. Butternut Squash The most popular winter squash contains vitamin E to protect against free radical damage, B6 to aid in brain function and potassium to help regulate muscle function. It is also naturally low in saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium and calories — only 45 calories per 100g serving. Add butternut squash to your diet by chopping one up for a pasta or stir-fry, slow cooking it in your next roast recipe or making butternut squash soup to warm up on those cool autumn nights. Try this! Many recipes with butternut squash call for sugar, instead of adding countless calories, try using Relivables® All-Natural Sweetener and get the sweet without the calories. Cranberries Cranberries are filled with vitamin K and manganese for your bone health, and vitamin C for your immune system. With this power fruit, you can have an entire cup for only 45 calories. Add cranberries to a salad, mix them into your bread recipe or into Reliv smoothies. Cranberry juice is a delicious option, but make sure to check the label so you aren’t buying a juice cocktail, which is typically filled with added sugar and water — diluting the nutrients. Try this! Add cranberries to your favorite Reliv smoothie recipes for a tart and tangy treat! Enjoy a healthier, more active lifestyle with Reliv.  Contact your Independent Reliv Distributor, Renee Vidor, with any questions, or to order: Name(required) Email(required) Contact Number Interests and Questions(required) This article was written by, and compliments of, Reliv International.

The Best Exercise

Cardio vs. Strength Training

With all the current workout fads — from Zumba to P90X — sometimes it’s difficult to decide what’s best for your fitness or weight loss goals. Here’s a breakdown so you get the most out of your time at the gym.Strength Training Strength training workouts — like weightlifting, resistance tubing — increase muscle mass and bone density. As you age, your muscle mass decreases even if your activity level stays the same, so it’s essential to add some form of strength exercises to your routine. Pros:Increased muscle mass takes more energy for your body to maintain, so your metabolism (and overall calorie burn) increases along with your muscle. Essentially, the more muscle you gain, the more efficient your body will be at burning calories. In fact, for every three pounds of muscle gained, you’ll burn an extra 120 calories each day.  Cons: At an average of 8-10 calories per minute, strength training burns less calories for your time than cardio. These workouts also require rest days between workouts to heal your muscles and prevent injury. Cardio Aerobic activities – like biking, swimming or jogging – raise your heart rate, increase your breathing and make you sweat for several minutes or longer. Pros: Cardio workouts burn an average of 10-12 calories per minute making it a reliable weight loss tool. Plus, cardio doesn’t require the recovery time of strength training so you can do it everyday. Cons: Many cardio activities also come with risks to your joints and ligaments. Also, cardio doesn’t offer the same muscle toning benefits of resistance exercises. And the Winner is…. Like everything else in life, you need to find balance in your workouts. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends alternating daily aerobic workouts with two to three strength training workouts per week to maximize your endurance, muscle tone and metabolism. Whether it’s weightlifting or water aerobics, make sure to follow each workout with a performance enhancing supplement like ProVantage®. Soy protein helps build and repair lean muscle tissue so you can perform at your peak. And if you want to continue the strength training vs. cardio debate, head on over to the Team Reliv Facebook page and connect with other athletes. Enjoy a healthier, more active lifestyle with Reliv. To Order, contact your Independent Reliv Distributor, Renee Vidor: Name(required) Email(required) Contact Number Questions and Interest(required) This article has been written by, and is compliments of, Reliv International.