Here's to a Happy Heart!

It's Valentine's Day.  Love is in the air, right?  Live, laugh, love and all that good stuff!  But, how can you live a fulfilling life, laugh a lot and love with all your heart if your heart is literally broken or on it's way to being broken? Of course, we all know that when you eat a crappy diet, or smoke, or don't exercise or all of these combined, your heart is breaking (and you are dying).....I know, sad, right?  Why are people so reluctant to do something about it?  As Americans, we're always looking for a quick, easy fix (or a pill) for what ails us.  Hard work is just, well.......too much work, right?  I say "Get off your mushy butts, America and DO SOMETHING"!!!  Here's some fantastic news for those who want better nutrition and don't know where to turn.  Shakeology  is here to save the day (or at least your dietary woes)!!  What's Shakeology, you ask?  Well, in one word - AWESOMENESS - and it's one of my very favorite things in the whole wide world (next to diamonds and my Keurig coffee maker).  It is a delicious, vitamin/mineral packed powerhouse meal replacement/supplement.  Go to the Shakeology page of this blog to see more information or check out my website. 

Participants in a 90 day independent study were asked to do two simple things:
1.  Exercise moderately (as in 3 times a week, nothing too too rigorous)
2.  Replace one meal a day with Shakeology

The results of the study were astounding!  People in the study reported that using Shakeology

 ~gave them the feeling of being full and satisfied,
~had lots of energy
~gained mental clarity
~lost weight
~reduced appetite
~reduced cravings
~improved digestion. 

The most stunning facts were those of heart related nature.

~Those on Shakeology were found to have reduced oxidative stress (a risk factor for degenerative diseases) by 90% (bet the pharmaceutical industry can't say that about any of their products!)
~People lowered their total cholesterol by 30% and their "bad" cholesterol by 38% (hello, cholesterol lowering medication, what do you have to say about that?)
~They reduced their cardiovascular risk factors by 24%

Forgive the corny reference, but Shakeology is very near and dear to my heart - ha ha!  My husband comes from a long line of heart disease sufferers.  People who have dropped dead suddenly from heart attacks at or around the age of 60.  I'm pretty sure we don't want that same fate for him.  Of course, none of us knows when our time ultimately is up, but you can bet we will do everything we can to prevent a preventable early demise.   Shakeology is our insurance that our hearts and health will be protected and (hopefully) last as long as they should.  

Beachbody and Shakeology studies aside,  here's some other good news and positive numbers happening in our own home........

~Both of us dropped our total cholesterol by more than 30 points
~My husband's MD told him to "continue to do whatever you're doing" as he is healthier than he's been in his adult life
~Our skin is better than ever before (smaller pores and no more zits!)
~I've suffered from a "sensitive stomach" most of my adult life......not anymore!!
~We've both lost weight
~At Halloween, there were 3 giant bags of candy sitting in the house for weeks.  I didn't break into it once.  That's saying something
~Random friends we've run into (and haven't seen in a while) are wondering what we're doing, why we look younger, what's our "secret".

So here it is, everyone.  My FAVORITE "go to" Shakeology recipe (which just so happens to be their Valentine recipe too)!!

CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES

(with banana for good measure)

1/2 Cup Unsweetened Almond Milk

1/2 Cup Cold Water

1/2 Cup Frozen Whole Strawberries

1 Scoop of Chocolate Shakeology

1/2 Cup Ice (this is key)

(1 banana - optional)

Add all ingredients into a blender and blend for a few minutes!  The banana adds a creamy, frothy texture and makes it more like a milk shake!  Tasty!!!!!





So, on this special day, forget the flowers (which will just die anyway) and forget the candy (which raises your blood sugar and expands your waistline) and order your sweetheart a beautiful bag of chocolate Shakeology!!!  You both will benefit!!

Happy Valentine's Day and be good to your heart!!