Make This Season of Life a Healthy One

Our busy lives are full of such complicated stories that our choices are rarely due to just one thing.  The health of your body is the compilation of events, choices and circumstances.  There is a theme, however, in those with general good health.  That health is a priority for them.  Yes, some inherit better DNA than others.  Yes, sometimes we are victims of accidents or events completely out of our control.  But wherever your beginning, a portion of health can be preserved by making healthy choices a priority.

In our American society, we are conditioned to think that our family has to have and do everything, but demand a healthy lifestyle.  None of us are promised tomorrow and yet so many are getting hundreds and thousands of tomorrows, but too many tomorrows are filled with chronic disease and pain that is hindering real living.  It's time to make your health a PRIORITY!

If you've wondered why joining an IN.FORM session would ever be right for you, consider this.

-Our culture is largely against healthy choices and going against the grain alone is hard.

-Going on a diet will NOT give you the long-term results you're after.  A lifestyle change is required and that involves time, a lot of restarts and support.

-The resources available to you, like herb education, the BioTracker, quality supplements, cleansing basics, and clean eating tips, are all in one spot!  And available to you for as long as you like!

The bottom line is that we believe in healthy living and its ability to change the quality of our lives.  Excess weight and subsequent health problems are ruining (and shortening) lives everywhere.  We know what it takes to turn the car of your life around and we want you to find that success!  Doing it together exponentially increases your chances of success too!

A new group is forming now with hopes of starting next month some time.  We would love for you to join us!  Even if you're just considering it, please get on our waiting list.  Questions? Give us a call! (405) 634-HERB

Next IN.FORM Session Begins in January

Are you ready to change the direction of your health? Too much of our 'modern' society leads to disease and a poor quality of life.  We would love to help you navigate the sometimes murky waters toward a healthier, happier life.

Beginning in January, the next IN.FORM session starts up and you are invited to join us!  The ways this class can benefit you and your family are endless if you are ready for a better way.  Get registered today and you have several discounts possible.  If you bring a spouse or family member, your fees are discounted.  For every friend of yours that registers for this session as well, you'll get $25 off of your fee.  Changing a lifestyle is so much easier and long lasting when we do it as a community.  Bring your community and come be a part of ours!

The Details:

IN.FORM is a new, breakthrough weight-management and healthy lifestyle program from Nature’s Sunshine.  Imagine a 13-week journey that features: 

• Health Education. Gain knowledge and life skills to achieve lasting health. 
• Social Support. Get an instant social network! Friends with similar goals help you achieve success. 
• Weekly Accountability Sessions. Our unique BioTracker measures weight, body fat percentage, hydration levels, lean muscle mass, metabolic age, bone mass and more! 
• Personalized, Flexible Programs. Eat what you want, and we’ll customize a Nature’s Sunshine products supplement program to meet your individual needs.    No pre-packaged meals!

The most exciting tool IN.FORM has to offer is the unique BioTracker.  Metabolic age, Hydration levels, bone mass - this is information for overall health, not just a weight-loss program!

The cost is $250 for the first 13 week session and every session you attend after is only $25.  Throughout each 13 weeks there are free smoothies, regular giveaways, and weekly prizes for the most successful participant! Not to mention access to a wealth of resources, techniques and a variety of natural health information.  Don't forget there are family discounts and bring a friend discounts!
We are so excited about this program and its long term effectiveness for healthy change! Give us a call at (405) 634-HERB to register!  Follow us on facebook to keep informed of specials, dates and news.

IN.FORM Registration - Get 10% OFF

The Herb Garden proudly invites you to reshape your lifestyle, to burn fat, and be fit for life!  Another IN.FORM session is beginning soon and you want to be a part of it!  We are in the middle of our Fall session with a great group who are changing their health, size and life!  Starting November 17th, we are accepting registration for our next session starting after the new year.  And, if you register with full payment by December 1st, you'll get 10% OFF! Getting healthy and changing your life is absolutely worth one night a week!

IN.FORM is a new, breakthrough weight-management and healthy lifestyle program from Nature’s Sunshine.  Imagine a 13-week journey that features: 

• Health Education. Gain knowledge and life skills to achieve lasting health. 
• Social Support. Get an instant social network! Friends with similar goals help you achieve success. 
• Weekly Accountability Sessions. Our unique BioTracker measures weight, body fat percentage, hydration levels, lean muscle mass, metabolic age, bone mass and more! 
• Personalized, Flexible Programs. Eat what you want, and we’ll customize a Nature’s Sunshine products supplement program to meet your individual needs.    No pre-packaged meals!

The most exciting tool IN.FORM has to offer is the unique BioTracker.  Metabolic age, Hydration levels, bone mass - this is information for overall health, not just a weight-loss program!

We are so excited about this program and its long term effectiveness for healthy change! Give us a call at (405) 634-HERB for more information!  Follow us on facebook to keep informed of specials, dates and news.

Tips for Healthy Traveling

Do you have plans to travel sometime this fall/winter season?  The strong threat of sickness has been weighing on all of our minds, I'm sure.  Some things in this life are completely out of our control, but here are a few things that we've found to be helpful in the task of boosting immunity.

1) Vitamins, Vitamins, Vitamins! It may sound redundant, but Vitamin C and Vitamin D are super important for optimal health, especially when fighting off invaders!  These should be a part of our daily routine in the cold season, but especially the week before your traveling plans and all throughout a trip.  NSP's Chewable Vitamin C is easy to digest, delicious and great for adults and kids alike. Vitamin D is best consumed by going outside every day, but especially as it gets colder that's not always possible.  In those cases, here are a couple of options.  For kids, consider Calcium Plus D3.  For adults (or kids who can swallow pills), there's also a Calcium Plus D, but for extra protection Vitamin D3 is highly recommended.

2) Don't forget to SLEEP! When preparing for a trip and certainly on a trip, adequate sleep often gets the boot.  If you're trying to avoid illness, losing sleep is the worst thing you can do!  Sleeping helps the body fight infections and can determine how fast you recover if you do get sick. If you struggle with sleep or expect some stress surrounding your trip that might affect your sleep, here are a few supplements to consider:

• Valerian Root - This single herb helps with relaxation and supports sleep.
• STRESS-J - This herbal formula promotes feelings of calm and helps with occasional stress. A racing brain or overstimulated body can certainly prevent sleep.  STRESS-J can help with that!
• 5-HTP Power - Drinking a lot of caffeine? Caffeine wipes out serotonin and can definitely disrupt sleep patterns.  Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is an important neurotransmitter that is converted into serotonin in the body. Improve your appetite, mood and sleep!
• Melatonin Extra - Melatonin encourages restful sleep and helps fight jet lag by promoting the body's natural sleep rhythm.

3) Elderberry - The health benefits of elderberries are powerful! Anytime you expect to be or fear you were exposed to something contagious (cold, virus, flu, etc.) we recommend Elderberry D3fense or Elderberry Immune (chewables for the kids).  It's a power punch to whatever is lurking in the air!  

4) Silver Shield Liquid/Gel - NSP's Silver Shield is a wonderful safe and effective product that reduces exposure to disease-causing agents while leaving the good bacteria in tact.  Taken internally before and after a plane ride would be a smart line of defense.  The Silver Shield Gel takes immune boosting to another level! This gel can be safely place in any opening of the body so in or around the nose would be great protection from airborne invaders.  It also works as a great hand sanitizer! Both are great for kids too.

Also, Essential Shield  is a terrific topical essential oil blend that contains pure essential oils of clove, cinnamon, thyme, eucalyptus, grapefruit, lavender, rosemary, lemon, pine and peppermint that could be used to keep the air around you (in a car, hotel room, or even an airplane!) boosted with proactive forces!

5) Clean, Colorful Eating.  Whatever goes into your body either adds or takes away from the health of your immune system.  The cleaner and more colorful your diet is, the better position you are in to fight off colds and viruses. Plan ahead.  Just because you're on/going on vacation doesn't mean you have to eat junk!

Most trips aren't worth getting sick over so do yourself some favors as travel season starts to pick up!

5 Salad Dressings Made Healthier

Salad dressings are stuffed full of chemicals and unfriendly ingredients these days!  Here are 5 great dressing recipes that we use at our dinner table regularly!

Basic Ranch Dressing Recipe

INGREDIENTS

1 cup well-shaken buttermilk

1/4 cup mayonnaise

3 tablespoons sour cream

3 tablespoons finely chopped Italian parsley

2 tablespoons finely chopped chives

4 teaspoons white wine vinegar or lemon juice

1 medium garlic clove, finely chopped

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more as needed

INSTRUCTIONS

Place all of the ingredients in a 2-cup Mason jar or other container with a tight-fitting lid. Seal tightly and shake to evenly distribute all the ingredients. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper as desired. Refrigerate until chilled and the flavors have melded, about 1 hour. The dressing will last up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

Honey mustard dressing

1 cup - plain yogurt

1/2 cup - raw honey

1/2 cup - Dijon mustard

1/4 cup - mayonnaise

1 Tbsp white wine vinegar

1 Tbsp tarragon, dried and crushed

Mix and serve. 

Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing

Ingredients:

2 small garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon anchovy paste (found near the tuna fish in the supermarket)

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, from one lemon

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (I like the brand Maille)

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 cup mayonnaise, best quality such as Hellmann's Real

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions:

In a medium bowl, whisk together the garlic, anchovy paste, lemon juice, Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Add the mayonnaise, Parmigiano-Reggiano, salt and pepper and whisk until well combined. Taste and adjust to your liking.

I add a little water to make it the consistency I want.

Avocado dressing

1 large avocado

2 tsp lemon juice

1/2 cup greek yogurt

1/4 cup olive oil

2 cloves garlic

3/4 tsp salt

Dash of chili flakes

Blend in food processor.  Add water for right consistency. 

Poppyseed dressing

1/3 cup xylitol

1/2 cup white vinegar

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground dry mustard

1 teaspoon grated onion

1 cup vegetable oil

1 tablespoon poppy seeds

Directions:

In a blender or food processor, combine sugar, vinegar, salt, mustard and onion and process for 20 seconds. With blender or food processor on high, gradually add oil in a slow, steady stream. Stir in poppy seeds.

IN.FORM: Fall Session Kick-Off

The Herb Garden proudly invites you to reshape your lifestyle, to burn fat, and be fit for life!  IN.FORM is beginning soon and you want to be a part of it!  We just finished up our summer session with some really great results.  Now, we're gearing up for the Fall 2014 session, beginning September 15th. Getting healthy and changing your life is absolutely worth one night a week!

IN.FORM is a new, breakthrough weight-management and healthy lifestyle program from Nature’s Sunshine.  Imagine a 13-week journey that features: 
• Health Education. Gain knowledge and life skills to achieve lasting health. 
• Social Support. Get an instant social network! Friends with similar goals    help you achieve success. 
• Weekly Accountability Sessions. Our unique BioTracker measures weight, body fat percentage, hydration levels, lean muscle mass, metabolic age, bone mass and more! 
• Personalized, Flexible Programs. Eat what you want, and we’ll customize a    Nature’s Sunshine products supplement program to meet your individual needs.    No pre-packaged meals!

The most exciting tool IN.FORM has to offer is the unique BioTracker.  Metabolic age, Hydration levels, bone mass - this is information for overall health, not just a weight-loss program!

We are so excited about this program and its long term effectiveness for healthy change! Give us a call at (405) 634-HERB for more information!

IN.FORM & Transform Your Life

The Herb Garden proudly invites you to reshape your lifestyle, to burn fat, and be fit for life!  IN.FORM is beginning soon and you want to be a part of it!

IN.FORM is a new, breakthrough weight-management and healthy lifestyle program from Nature’s Sunshine.  Imagine a 13-week journey that features: 
• Health Education. Gain knowledge and life skills to achieve lasting health. 
• Social Support. Get an instant social network! Friends with similar goals    help you achieve success. 
• Weekly Accountability Sessions. Our unique BioTracker measures weight, body fat percentage, hydration levels, lean muscle mass, metabolic age, bone mass and more! 
• Personalized, Flexible Programs. Eat what you want, and we’ll customize a    Nature’s Sunshine products supplement program to meet your individual needs.    No pre-packaged meals!

The most exciting tool IN.FORM has to offer is the unique BioTracker.  Metabolic age, Hydration levels, bone mass - this is information for overall health, not just a weight-loss program! Would you like a free evaluation on this awesome asset?  Join us Monday, May 5th at our informational meeting, IN.FORM & Transform where you'll receive a free evaluation with the BioTracker, a free meal replacement smoothie, chances to receive free product and LOADS of information.  

We are so excited about this program and its long term effectiveness for healthy change! Give us a call at (405) 634-HERB for more information!

Your Health: Get Involved!

Are you taking an active role in your health this year?  Do you pay attention to your body's needs?  There are few things in life that we are more responsible for than our own personal bodies.  Yet, it's so easy to expect others - like experts, like the media, like the majority - to inform us what to do about our health.  Sometimes, as with some majorities, the message we get is to do NOTHING about our health. Often, the other extreme is just as loud telling us to do everything imaginable to keep our bodies healthy.

The truth is we can learn from everyone and at the same time everyone is human and fallible.  We are all going to get it wrong every once in a while - at least!  The most important thing you can do for your health - as well as your family's - is to GET INVOLVED!

1) Ask Questions.  No matter the issue or the person you're consulting with, determine to understand completely what the problem is and all of the options available to correct it.

2) Eat. Sleep. Play.  A lot of our ailments can be improved with simple changes to how we eat, sleep and play (or exercise).  Before you try to mask a problem with pills or procedures, see if you can make some positive changes in a one of these areas.  Clean eating, plenty of water, adequate sleep and plenty of exercise does amazing things for your body.  Don't believe it?  Try it.

3) Research.  What do you know about the varying treatments available?  Look into the pros and cons of different areas, like herbal remedies, homeopathy, essential oils, physical therapy, acupuncture, chiropractors, medications, injections, surgeries, etc.

Your instincts and personal involvement are so important when it comes to your own health.  This year, determine to take action with your healthcare options.  In whatever way we can, we hope to support you in being the best and healthiest you in 2014!

How to Protect Your Immune System this Winter

How to Protect Your Immune System this Winter

When we think of winter weather (which we in Oklahoma just received a healthy dose of) we pretty quickly think of sickness, don't we?  Cold, flu, bronchitis and other germs going around and around.  And, in so many cases,  it just goes with the territory - especially those that work with children, such as teachers and child care workers.  There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution to ensure that you will never get sick.  However, there are a few things that, when addressed together with moderation and balance, have been known to decrease the number of illnesses and lighten the severity when illnesses do occur.  There are definitely some great products that are absolutely necessary to have on hand this time of year, but there is certainly more to it than just popping a few pills.

1) Sleep:  No matter your station in life, this is a busy time and we seem to find more ways to push the limitations of our body.  But without enough sleep, everything in your body has to work harder.  And the harder it is working, the more likely it can be taken over by invaders!  Get enough sleep!

2) Green Diet: Include a lot of green vegetables in your diet.  You know there will be a lot of less-than-health-conscious (although delicious) meals consumed over the next few weeks.  If you have the desire and willpower to abstain - awesome!  For the rest of us who are looking forward to some splurges, drown them with green! An easy way to build up your 'armor' is a great smoothie - any time of the day.  Spinach and Kale (frozen or fresh) make a great base that does not change the flavor of fruit or juice at all!

3) MOVE: It's easy to think you don't have time or it won't make much of a difference anyway, but that kind of thinking is just wrong.  Even just 10-15 minutes of dancing in the living room that gets your heart pounding and a little sweat brewing can better prepare you for all the invaders attacking you throughout the day.  Your lymphatic system's only pump is your exercise and a lazy lymph system is a breeding ground for virus and bacterias.

4) Silver Shield: If there is one thing you should bother to take when you are likely to be exposed to the invaders (germs), it is NSP's Silver Shield.  Silver Shield 'has been proven to effectively combat health issues caused by anthrax, yeast, food poisoning, fungal or bacterial infections of the skin, respiratory infections, pink eye and more.' It is non-toxic with no risk of heavy metal contamination, guaranteed pure and takes care of viral and bacterial issues without harming the good bacteria of the gut.

For more information check out these links:

Colloidal Silver Benefits from Silver Shield

Why You Can Trust Silver Shield from Nature's Sunshine

And now through Sunday, December 15th Silver Shield Liquid and Gel are both $2 off!  If you buy in greater quantities, you receive even more savings.  So, it's a great time to stock up!  And for a limited time - throughout the month of December:

Above all else, be good to your body in all areas.  When we neglect, overuse and ignore the needs of our body, illness will undoubtedly follow.

Who Are You Really Under All That Garbage?

In our first hand experiences, the body, especially the immune system,  behaves differently under varying circumstances.   When your insides are fed lots of stress, very little sleep, not enough real food, toxins (aluminum, bleach, BPA, lawn chemicals, etc.) no exercise or a combination of all, the result is usually far different than a healthy, clean body with a well-fed immune system.

If you suffer from chronic allergies or seem to be attacked by every bacteria or bug on the block, it's likely that you are suffering from a combination of these conditions in the body.  If you've never experienced what it's like to be fed well, sleep enough, be relatively free of toxins, then you don't know what you're missing!  More energy, less illness and often the decrease or elimination of smaller ailments like acne, body odor, weight gain and joint pain are some things you can begin to experience.

As summer is fast approaching, make a commitment with yourself to try cleaning up house, so to speak.

-Eat more real food (whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, locally raised meats) and cut out the white flour, sugar and fake processed foods.

-Get enough sleep.  Sleep is a cheap attitude adjustment!

-Find ways to eliminate or cope with stress.  Keep a journal.  Make a weekly date with yourself.

-Look for alternatives to aluminum, BPA and bleach in your cooking at home.

-Exercise!! Do anything that gets your heart rate up, blood pumping and starts you sweating!  This makes EVERYTHING work better.

How much better would your life be with these few adjustments?

The Road to Health Accepts Baby Steps

Until changes become habits, they do your body very little good.  A sustainable program, something you will continue for more than a week, is what brings abundant living.  Too often, especially at the beginning of a new year, we vow to lose weight, exercise more, eat better, etc., but by March everything is forgotten.   This year, why not choose a better road to personal success. No goal of better health can be achieved over night or with drastic changes that your body resists. Baby steps are steps just the same. 

Instead of changing everything this month, commit to just one.  As you find small successes, continuing isn’t so hard.

- Drink only water.

- Eat raw fruits or veggies with meals.

- Exercise somehow every day.

- Eat meals from home.

- Maintain a supplement regimen  

Focus on one thing you CAN do and don’t get bogged down by the things you can’t.  Doing any one of these consistently can bring drastic improvements!

Lasting Changes

Here at The Herb Garden we've taken a hiatus from a few things, such as this blog, but we're back at it now and ready to take on the health of the world!! :) 

One of the things that has been on our minds is healthy habits and why making lasting changes is so difficult.  In our experience, one of the biggest culprits is an 'All or Nothing' attitude.  During the holidays or some vicious reminder that you've got to make some changes in your life, vows of conviction and the strictest of intentions are uttered.  Changes WILL be made! Yet, not even 2 weeks later, you have slacked off, given in and have mostly forgotten what the big deal was about anyway.  Just another happy new year, right? What goes wrong year after year? Perhaps its simply a case of trying to do everything at once and thus going nothing at all.  Changes are hard and near impossible when you implement multiple ones at the same time.  If you'd like to run a marathon, need to lose 100 pounds  or just have a journey ahead that seems too big, then try thinking of it in steps.  Instead of trying to lose 100 pounds overnight, just try the 1 pound.  Maybe you don't drink enough water. Use all of that conviction to accomplish one tiny little task before you attack the mountain. Drink 8 glasses of water a day for a week. Maybe drink ONLY water for a week. Whatever your changes you need to make, start small and you'll be surprised at not only how good you feel about your accomplishment, but how easy it is to add one more goal afterwards.

Consider baby steps like these:

-Add raw fruits or veggies to every meal

-Walk Every Day

-Read Every Day

-Meditate/Pray 15 minutes every day

-Work on that project 15 minutes every day

-Cut out one bad habit food item (candy, white bread, packaged snacks)

-Eat dinner at home instead of going out

-Get 7-8 hours of sleep every night

All of these suggestions are things we need to be doing, but if you're not doing any of them and try to add them all at the same time, the average person will quit.  Unfortunately its partly our nature and our society that just doesn't emphasize discipline and self-control.  But that doesn't have to stop us! Try just one of these things or something you know you can handle this next week. You will be surprised how far you can go with baby steps!