Life is the real thing.

Life is the real thing, and you get one chance at it. Do not live your life as if you can ask for a do-over. We all have one chance to make our mark. Leave the legacy you believe in. Find out what it is that makes you tick. The passions in your heart are there for a reason! Find your abilities, talents, and gifts that make your life unique and special and use them to better yourself and the world around you!

Chocolate Crisp Protein Bars

 1 cup Almond Butter
3/4 cup Agave Nectar
2 scoops Vanilla Protein Powder ( Arbonne)
2 scoops Chocolate Protein Powder (Arbonne)
3 cups of Whole Grain Crispy Rice Cereal (organic)
 Mix the almond butter and agave nectar in a bowl in microwave for 60-90 seconds....or can melt in saucepan on stove.
Add protein powders to melted mixture and mix well. Add crispy rice cereal and mix gently.
Spread in 9x13 pan. Can form into small balls if you choose. Refrigerate 1 hour.
Each ball or bar- 68 calories, 3 g fat, 9 g carbs, 2 g protein, 1 g fiber.

 Once again another great recipe to get more protein in a yummy and healthy snack!

photo:hece.edublogs.org

Take Action! Today!

The critical ingredient is getting off your butt and doing something. It's as simple as that. A lot of people have ideas, but there are few who decide to do something about them now. Not tomorrow. Not next week. But today. The true entrepreneur is a doer, not a dreamer.  - Robert Browning 

 I just love this...I had to share this today. Too many times we put off things until someday...
Some day is today!

Character, what is it?

Over the past several years, since I began life coaching one of the things you depend upon when working with other people is that you would hope they are being honest with you. Even in a relationship or friendship we all desire honesty and transparency but we do not live in a perfect world. For many reasons people lie, most of the time it is to protect themselves, to gain some sort of personal gratification, to hide, or to even have some control over a situation they feel is out of control. Of course, none of it is actually valid but in the moment, it happens.
So what is character? Is someone's character really shown by their actions? I believe character is shown when someone lives their life as if nothing is a secret. What you do in secret when you think no one is watching defines who you really are and what you are actually all about.

Pumpkin Spice and Cinnamon Protein Bread

I am always looking for ways to include more protein in my recipes. I have tweaked all of these recipes and you can as well. I did not come up with the original ideas, Jamie Eason actually has some great ideas on her website. However, I have changed them according to what I had on hand and  these are great additions for snacking, breakfast, or on the go mini meals. Keep in mind you can add or take away certain ingredients for your preference (nuts, raisins,seeds etc.)  Check them out and enjoy!!!

Pumpkin Spice Protein Bread

1/2 cup Stevia or Truvia
 1/2 cup organic applesauce or plain yogurt
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (optional)
1/2 tsp ground clove
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla
4 egg whites
1 (15 oz) can of pumpkin
2 1/2 scoops vanilla protein
2 cups wheat flour (can use oat flour too, comes out better with oat)
1/4 cup raw oatmeal
1 cup skim milk
1/2 cup walnuts (optional)
1/4 cup raisins(optional)
Spray 13x9 baking dish and preheat oven to 350F. 
Combine all ingredients and add the protein,milk, raisins, and walnuts last. Mix together and pour into pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes.

Cut into 30 bars. 3.5 grams protein per bar. 6 grams of carb.

Cinnamon Protein Bread
1/3 cup Stevia or Truvia
2 tsp cinnamon
COMBINE ABOVE TWO AND SET ASIDE in a small bowl

1 1/2 cups wheat flour (can use oat flour too if you have it)
2 scoops vanilla protein
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup Stevia
2 egg whites
1 cup skim organic milk
1/3 cup plain greek yogurt
2 tsp vanilla

 Preheat oven to 350F. Spray an 8 x8 inch pan with non stick spray.
Combine the ingredients together with a spoon. Once mixed together, add half of the batter to the dish and sprinkle half of the stevia and cinnamon mixture on top, then add the rest of the batter, and sprinkle the remaining mixture over the top. Bake.20-25 minutes.  Cut into 16 squares.
This recipe is a heavier bread, please note.
6 grams protein per bar, 10 grams carbs.

* These recipes use protein that is vegan based, you can use whey but it is harder to digest. If you are interested in alternative protein instead of the whey, please see below: 

Order protein here!

The Only Real Way To Lose Weight

When people think of losing weight they often think of restrictive diets and magic "guaranteed" weight loss supplements or drugs. This is actually an unhealthy way to lose weight and often just shows results in the short term, and can seriously affect your health in a bad way. Even some of the weight loss strategies that just involve depriving your body of necessary vitamins and nutrients is enough to get you sick. Many people have lost weight by consuming only liquids or the liquid diets, and this is very dangerous. It is important to always remember the goal is to lose weight, but it should also be done as healthy as possible.

What everyone should be thinking of is long term significant lifestyle changes that can not only better your mood, increase your energy, keep you young, and help you lose weight. This can include regular walks around the block or at your favorite park. When I say that though I don't mean go walk around until your legs hurt and you feel miserable the next day. Instead enjoy your walk. Walk until you at least break a sweat. Most of all though make sure you enjoy your walk. This will ensure that you will eventually look forward to your afternoon or morning walk. Eventually you might end up walking at both times. The key is creating the habit. If you can do it every day for a month you will find that it becomes routine. This is an example of a small change you can make that can not only help you lose weight, but have dramatic impact on your overall health, in a good way.

Mostly anything that you do that is healthy for you can help you lose weight. Eating vegetables, drastically cutting back on sugar, and curbing your appetite of sweets to fruits. It is most important though instead of depriving yourself of food, try to make healthy choices. Don't eat something that you don't want, but try to change your mindset. Don't worry you can start to convert slowly at first, but remember when you cheat yourself you are just dooming yourself to fail. Throughout your journey of thinking healthy and making wiser choices do not weigh yourself. All you are doing is discouraging yourself, and it won't be helping you. Get your satisfaction when people begin to notice your healthy weight loss through your changing your habits and making healthier choices (even if they are small at first).

Make sure on top of all of the healthy choices to make remember, the only real way to lose weight and burn calories is through regular exercise. Find that routine you love, and don't try to kill yourself with it, enjoy it so you do it everyday. Don't make excuses for yourself, the only one that gets hurt by this is you. When you make excuses those will be the reasons you are not losing weight.

Chocolate Mint Protein Smoothie

Protein shakes sometimes get a negative reaction. However, the protein I use and also with my clients is an excellent source of all natural vegan protein. It is not whey based so your body does not have to process any harsh diary bi-products. My husband and I are always trying to come up with delicious new ways to make a protein shake. Last night I think he created one of the most delicious versions yet! Here is the quick and easy way to make your healthy smoothie. Thank you Matt! ;)

2 scoops Chocolate Protein Powder
5-6 almonds
Water or Almond Milk (whatever you prefer)
Crushed Ice
2-4 drops of Peppermint Extract ( to taste)
Fresh Mint ( for garnish, not necessary) 
Blend in Vita Mix or blender

If you are interested in ordering the Protein Powder, let me know or visit the website and order online. HERE!

Staying Fit and Eating Healthy Also Helps Overall Mental Health

So many people wait until they are faced with a health problem before they start becoming physically healthy and start making healthy eating choices. What most people don't know is that being healthy can also greatly increase your happiness and overall mood. So many people nowadays are taking anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medication because they feel that they have a chemical imbalance in their brains, while at the same time don't have healthy eating habits and don't workout at all. I believe that just a small change at first, might make you reconsider the benefits of being healthy and staying healthy. Don't wait until you have a medical condition! Get out there and enjoy life! Stay healthy and eat right....you will be happy that you did. Here are a few tips to get started on your road to not only being more healthy but also having a better outlook on life, without needing all those "feel good" medications that doctors try to shove down our throats. Here are some tips to get started living a healthy lifestyle. Remember start off with small changes and work it into your daily routine. Don't try to kill yourself and over working out. The next day might discourage you from doing in the long run because your body isn't used to it yet. It is best to ease yourself into a routine that you will enjoy and gradually increase your energy level.

Setting your mind doing something healthy you like to do
The first thing you should do is decide what it is you think you would enjoy doing. You don't have to run 3 miles a day, especially if you are starting out. You are only going to wake up super sore and in pain. That is no way to start a healthy routine. Instead think of something that you already enjoy doing, but just don't do enough of. Some examples would be running, jogging, walking your favorite park, yoga, lifting weights or riding a bike. Just remember starting out you need to start small. Set small goals and increase your goals after  a couple of weeks.

Changing your lifestyle
It is not always about exercising. Try to make lifestyle changes that are healthy for you such as quitting smoking, doing healthy eating habits, and being more active in your day. For example if you work a desk job, and you tend to eat your lunch at your desk try eating lunch on the go, or going to a healthy place to eat your lunch. If it is close, don't drive your car try walking. That way you are getting a mini work out as well. Also drinking energy drinks is a big no-no. They have tons of sugar and sodium that are both terrible if you are trying to stay healthy. Especially the dreaded Redbull. I know they work, but they just are not good for you. Try drinking a 5 hour energy instead. It has less sugar, and it even has some vitamins. Ginseng, and green tea are also a healthy energy alternative. Don't forget to drink lots of water. It does a body good to stay hydrated throughout the day.

Getting plenty of rest
Many people push themselves to hard in this regard. Remember you are not a superhero. Sleep is a good thing. I have heard many people tell me that are hard workers that "They will sleep when they are dead" etc etc. This is not a good way to think. Your body needs 7-8 hours of rest every night. Try to make that one of your goals. A body that gets good rest will put you in a great mood just in itself. It will also help keep that routine going. Don't downplay the need to get plenty of rest. It refreshes the mind, body and soul.

Body work
Have you ever thought about meditation? This is great for the body and spirit. This also helps with increasing your overall good mood. If that doesn't work for you try yoga, or a deep tissue massage. This is great for the body and the soul. It will also help you while you are being more active.

Try to lower your stress level
It is a proven fact that stress can kill you. Try not to let things get to you. Blow it off. Take a deep breath and even try to blow off steam by walking a few blocks around your house. You will be surprised how much your mood increases by finding ways to vent your stress. Nothing is worth dwelling on the negative. Try to find the positive side of things. Stay away from medication. Try to find a healthy way to increase your mood that is all natural. Stress is a hard thing to deal with, but in time you will find healthy natural ways to combat the things that stress you out the most.

I hope you take some of my advice and find a good routine that works for you. All of us are different and some things work well for others than they might for you. I have faith in you my friend. Want to change, once you do, the people that care about you the most, and even your boss at work will notice the difference. Maybe you will get that long overdue promotion. Take care! Love and light! Leave comments and let me know what you think!

Leave the NOT POSSIBLE, behind!

Success is not a far off dream that you cannot attain.Success is not a dream that doesn’t happen.
Success is not a “maybe”.... Success is leaving that, "NOT POSSIBLE" behind. Turn all of the obstacles into stepping stones.Get out of your own way, sometimes you are the biggest reason things have not changed. Never accept defeat.Get excited.Think big.Make it happen.Be part of the one percent that DO IT! Leaving behind the people or the things that make you believe that your dreams are not possible....can be a very tough thing to do. Obstacles come in all kinds of forms. I have really had my share of obstacles, too many to write on here and honestly, I really do not want to focus on them anymore. Learn to use the things that trip you up as a tool to get higher to your ultimate goals and dreams. It does not matter what town you are from, it does not matter what family you had or did not have, it does not matter who has come against you, what matters is that you make a choice today to never be the same. Look to the future. Know that the plans and purposes are planted deep in your heart and it is up to you to fulfill them and get out of your own way.

Finding Gluten Free Makeup

There is an increasing number of people developing gluten allergies. The options are starting to improve in finding makeup and wellness products that are gluten free. A great option and good company that makes gluten free products, is Arbonne. Arbonne is known to have pure, safe, and beneficial ingredients. One great thing is that their products are gluten free and vegan (no animal products). If you want to know more information, I am a distributor and can tell you more. See my site at :
http://purehealthybeauty.myarbonne.com/

Arbonne offers weight loss, skincare, makeup, and a variety of wellness products.

Safe, Pure Perfume

I love perfume. However, many times the content contains harmful ingredients. I usually spray perfume on my clothing and if I use it, most of the time spray it on my clothing . I try to limit as many harmful ingredients on my skin as possible. I was so excited to find and also be able to sell this new perfume and cologne which is made purely from botanical ingredients and grain alcohol.
SD-40 is a high-grade purified grain alcohol, not synthetically produced. So pure is this specific type of alcohol that it would actually be drinkable, except that it has been mixed with a Denatonium salt, a colorless and odorless bittering agent not known to pose any health risks. By law, any cosmetic product sold in the United States using alcohol must also include a bittering agent, making it too bitter for internal consumption, taking it out of the liquor category.
These products are amazing, there is a perfume and cologne and if anyone is looking for healthier alternatives, these are a great choice.

Check out the site below and under the product section, select: fragrance :to check them out.
http://purehealthybeauty.myarbonne.com/

Power breakfast on the go

Every morning I run around making sure that the people and my house all get taken care of,and most of the time it is all before 7 am. Way too early for me. I loved being a morning person for years, then I had kids. The entire concept changed for me, it was no longer mornings to have quiet time and get ready in peace for the day. My mornings became quite crazy, intense, and at times almost in tears by 9 am. I needed to figure out how to eat healthy and not skimp on meals. I do protein shakes and make my own protein bars occasionally but most mornings I make myself this power breakfast that is quick and easy and I can do it in between getting dressed, changing kids, and cleaning up all kinds of disasters. The best part about it is that you can throw it in a bag if you need to run out the door for work.

Slice of multigrain bread toasted- Spread with almond butter and sprinkle with chia seed.
Grab a banana and slice on top or eat on the go.
If you are really in a hurry fold the bread in half to make it less messy and eat on the go.
Protein bars are also a great way to start your day or snack. Recipe and links for protein are under the label to the right. "Recipes"

Peanut Butter Sauce

Growing up my mom made an amazing peanut butter sauce that she would drizzle over ice cream. Well to say it was amazing is an understatement. However, now that I am looking into healthier options I have created my own version of the delight and put it on our ice cream now. When I saw ice cream, i do not mean the conventional term either. If you have a vita mix, or high powered blender you can make your own version of ice cream with some ice, fruit, vanilla bean, water/milk. Substitutions are key when creating healthy recipes. Just because you are choosing to live healthier does not mean there is less flavor, less fun, or less taste. It is still alll of that and more because your body does not get all the fat and sugar.
Ok, so here is my take on this tasty treat.
Peanut Butter Sauce ( revamped. ;)... )
1 Tablespoon of Agave Nectar
1 teaspoon of Stevia
1 teaspoon of Coconut Oil
Heat in small sauce pain till combined and smooth
Remove from heat and Add: 2-3 Tablespoons of Smart Balance or Organic Peanut Butter
and 2 tablespoons of low fat milk (could be almond milk too)
Stir together till smooth and enjoy over your treat.

Hope you all like it....Share your comments and ideas.

First Aid Tips - Always Be Prepared!

I have been a cub scout, a boy scout, and a regular camper all my life. Now you see where I get my title of this article from. Be Prepared is one of the boy scout's many sayings that holds true to anyone both boy and girl, human or otherwise. No matter what happens with politics, with new diseases every day, we simply don't know what our fates are going to be. The best thing you can do is be prepared in the most practical way possible. One of the most obvious ways is with a first aid kit as shown above, but there are also other tips I would like to share. After all first aid kits are not magic wands. Reading instructions, and having basic knowledge will get you through the hard times.

When I was in boy scouts, and cub scouts we had to do many different activities outside in order to earn our badges. We did canoeing, cycling, jogging, hiking, and when any of us got a cut, scrape, or bruise, we were taught to take care of it as soon as possible. I will tell the same thing to you. Here are some things you should always keep in mind...

• Wash the area real good with CLEAN water. I cannot stress clean water enough here. Using dirty water will cause more problems with infection.
• Apply some sort of antiseptic solution. Try to use a clean cotton ball here. You don't want to use your dirty fingers.
• If the scratch or scrape is not that deep, just apply some antiseptic cream and let it heal. Don't cover it up with a band-aid let it breathe as much as possible.
• If blood is still flowing apply pressure and hold it until you can stop the bleeding. Once the bleeding stops apply a band-aid or wrap it up with something.

I know these sounds like crude tips everyone should know, but in a survival situation, these tips can help a bad situation from turning even worse.

Why Does Everyone Drink So Much Water?

Why does everyone insist on drinking so much water? I am not saying that water is a bad thing, in fact, water is life and we all need it to survive. Many people have heard the advice, we should all be drinking 8 glasses of water a day. This is a lot of water. Where did the 8 glasses number come from? So many people drink so much water every single day, and they say to themselves that they are doing it to get their "8 glasses". They do not do it because they are thirsty.

The 8 glasses a day figure comes from Dr. Valtin who is a kidney specialist (original source). He states that the recommendation of 8 x 8 ounce glasses of water really comes from the Nutrition Board of the National Research council. I know it sounds scary. The actual recommendation however was not for 8, 8 ounce glasses of water, it was for 1 milliliter of water for each calorie of food. So that should be around 60-80 ounces of liquid. The reason why most of us remember 8 glasses of water is because a lot of the media forgot to leave out the part of the quote where it says we get most of this water from our prepared foods. How convenient for the water bottle companies wouldn't you say? Collectively those bottled water companies made something like 7.7 billion last year.

People are constantly trying to push how much water they can drink in a day. This is not always a healthy thing to do. Did you know that you can die from too much water? A lady by the name of Jennifer Strange took part in a radio contest that was called "Hold your wee, for a Wii". The goal was to drink as much water as you can, and at the same time keep from going to the bathroom. She won the contest, but later that day she lost her life. She was complaining of a headache and nausea before she died. These are the symptoms of what is called hyponatremia. This is because she had water intoxication, or too much water and not enough pee.

Remember, water is not a bad thing. The best thing to do is listen to your body. If you're thirsty try to stay away from the sodas. Try grabbing an ice cold water instead. 8 glasses a day might be a bit too much, but hey it won't kill you. Just don't push it.

Great Juice Fasting Method

Everyone is trying to lose weight and stay healthy. Many people have turned to weight loss pills, extreme workouts, and even drugs both legal and illegal. I am here to tell you one of the best most under-rated methods of weight loss....The juice fast. Many people have tried the all juice no solid food diet but have failed because of how hard it is to train your brain to let go of solid foods for a while. This is a method I have used for months at a time to lose weight and to feel great. Not only is the juice fast a great method to lose weight, it is also a great way to clean out your body of toxins, and to improve your mood! This method is safe and you don't have to worry about other unsafe juice methods. This is simply the best way to do it.

Before you start your juice fast you need to prepare your body for a juice fast. Two days before the fast make sure you eat nothing but fruits and vegetables in their solid form. It is best if you can start your fast by getting an enema, or a purgative (a natural laxative). Everyday while you are fasting, if you don't have a bowel movement it is a good idea to get another enema, this is so dangerous toxins don't build up in your body if you have never done this before especially. Before you start you want to try to do a bowel movement as much as possible. This is to remove as many contaminants as possible before starting. It is a good idea to drink some hot tea with lemon in the morning. Researchers have proven that this is a great way to stimulate your bowels to move. Remember being regular with your bowel movements is key!

Here is the schedule to follow while you are fasting.

Breakfast: All you should have is a warm cup of herbal tea. Try not to use any fake teas. Herbal tea is key, and no sugar!

Mid-morning: Have a glass of freshly made juice. Make sure you dilute it with 50/50 water. This is so that you can make sure you are getting enough water throughout your day. This is important especially if you aren't a big water drinker. Stay away from sugar!

Mid-afternoon: A great cup of warm herbal tea.

Late afternoon: Go out and have a walk and breathe some fresh air.You could also even take a bath, or do a mild exercise. (Make sure not to over do it.)

Early evening: Make yourself a big glass of fruit or vegetable juice. Make sure to dilute it 50/50 with water.

One hour before your bedtime: Have a nice big cup of vegetable broth!

This is an example of a schedule I use when I juice fast. Remember you don't want to perform a juice fast for longer than 10 days. You want to make sure that if you feel thirsty to drink water. Nothing is wrong with water. If you want to do a juice fast for 10 days make sure you talk to your doctor to make sure it wont give you any problems later. With supervision, it is possible to do a juice fast for up to 30 days. Starting out I don't recommend doing more than 10 days its a shock to the body, and it should be done off and on until you can handle it for longer. Once you do this method you will feel absolutely great. I would recommend this to everyone if I could. Thank you for reading. Please post a comment about your juicing experiences, and let us know about your results.

Toxic Mercury: How to Keep Your Family Safe

We all know that mercury is extremely toxic to human beings, however you would be surprised in the places you can find it in. When you are over exposed to mercury it is close to impossible to detect the symptoms because there are very few of them until it is too late. Before doctors knew the danger of mercury exposure they were treating syphilis patients with the dangerous metal. Also, hat makers would use mercury when making hats. That is where the term "Mad Hatter" originated. I guess they went a little crazy...

People know about the obvious ways you can be exposed to mercury. I want to talk about 4 ways that you can be exposed that no one talks about. Why does no one talk about this? Some of these things are covered up for private interests. One thing is for sure this blog is about health, and real facts this needs to be included in our arsenal of helpful, and healthy information.

1. Did you know that dental amalgam has mercury in it? It sure does. This could be in your mouth, but it is not the only way we come in contact with dental amalgam. It is also found in sewage sludge. Something to remember if you are around sewage all day, or come in contact with it often.
2. Coal factories that burn coal emit mercury into the air, and it even collects on top of bodies of water (both big and small) and can even expose fish and other animal life to mercury. It is not a good idea to be over exposed to these coal burning places.
3. Anywhere people get cremated, there is a mercury emission that is sent out from their out gassing methods. This is something that people don't talk about, it is however pure fact.
4. There is a preservative used in many modern "new" vaccines (including the h1n1 vaccine) that is called "Thimerosol" this chemical found in vaccines contains mercury. This is also rarely talked about.

I hope this has helped you understand other ways that you could be exposed to mercury that aren't often talked about. I assume the reason why these things are not talked about is because of private interests. If you live around places such as these, or are afraid of over exposure, the best thing to do is move. People will lie to you all day and say that things like this are safe. Are you willing to take that chance?

Choosing the Right Person to be Your Personal Trainer

I don't have anything against personal trainers. They are essential for taking the right path to achieve your specific goals. Whether it be weight loss, gaining muscle mass, or losing baby weight, they can help you take the right path to maximize your results. They are also a great way to stay motivated, and keep you coming to the gym, everyone could use more of that.

Make sure your personal trainer has experience
One of the worst things you can do is get a personal trainer that just doesn't have the experience to be a personal trainer in the first place. Some gyms are notorious for assigning personal trainers that are new recruits and have no previous experience training anyone. You definitely don't want a person like this. Also be sure to check out how fit the personal trainer is themselves. Some of these new personal trainers aren't in shape in the first place, and have no business helping anyone get in shape or reach their ultimate goal. This is not a good sign for obvious reasons.

Credentials and paper work to back up their knowledge
Most of the great personal trainers all have college degrees to back up their line of work. For example a good personal trainer might have a degree in exercise physiology, exercise science, and even physical education. I am not saying that it should be required that they have degrees in all of these areas, however its a good thing to have if your looking into getting a great personal trainer, and is a great deciding factor when choosing between some you have already picked out.

Attitude and personality
Last thing you want is a personal trainer that conflicts with your own personality type. You don't want to make an enemy, and you want to make sure your personal trainer is going to keep you motivated. A good way to find out what a future training session might be like, before you have your first appointment, you might want to schedule a meeting and ask the personal trainer in question about their philosophy on personal training, and how they plan on helping you reach your desired goal.

Many trainers offer the first session for free. If you don't feel like that person is going to be able to help you, then the last thing you want to do is let them push you into a contract. Let them know that you don't think its going to work out. Remember you are the customer, you have the right to chose. Leave a comment about your experiences finding a personal trainer. Thank you for reading!

Signs You or Someone You Love Might Be Hearing Impaired

No one likes being told they can't hear anymore. No one wants to wear a hearing aid. The fact is so many people go without hearing everything and they don't even know it. Some people that have trouble hearing feel like they are all alone on an island with no one to talk to. It is extremely hard to be in social situations and attend parties with background noise, and you can't even understand what people are saying. Many people have issues with this. There are many ways you can help someone you love by seeing the warning signs of hearing impairment and maybe save them or you some grief. Here are some easy ways that you can tell someone is having trouble hearing.

Repetition Required
Do they need to have things repeated often? Are they constantly asking if something should be repeated over and over again. Sometimes even after repeated they still didn't hear what is said, but are acting like they did. This can be highly depressing to anyone that is going through this. Give them strength!

Conversations are difficult
Conversations for the hearing impaired can be extremely difficult. Just imagine how hard it is to hear 3 people talking at once at a social gathering when you can hear everything perfectly, that is not easy in itself. The hearing impaired have even more of a difficult time and it is very hard for them to engage in conversation.

Responses are out of context
When responses don't pertain to the conversation you know someone is hearing impaired. Most of the time people blow this off or don't realize it. If you are on the look out you can help someone that is hearing impaired get some help.

I hope this helps you spot someone that is hearing impaired. No one should be forced to live when they can't hear what is going on around them. This happens to more people than you think. It is nothing to be ashamed about. Love and light.

How to make protein bars

Most people buy protein bars at the grocery store or vitamin stores to provide extra energy, supplement meals, or to lose weight. Most over the counter protein bars do contain the added protein that maybe you are looking for but they also contain a wide range of preservatives and added ingredients that just are not necessary. By making the protein bars in your home you can add or take away ingredients and you can make a weeks worth at a time. By making the bars this way it not only saves you time but you can see what you are putting in your body.
I thought I would share one of my favorites. You can make your own recipes by adding or taking away certain ingredients. This one is super easy and fast and makes a great breakfast on the go or a snack.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Trail Mix Protein Bar
1 cup of organic peanut butter
1 cup of Agave nectar ( can also use one packet of Stevia dissolved in 1 cup lukewarm water)
6 scoops of vegan chocolate protein powder
2 cups of Oatmeal (uncooked)
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Melt the peanut butter and stir in the agave nectar then mix that into the remaining ingredients and blend on a low speed. You may need to add 1/2 cup water if your consistency is too dry.
Spread with a spatula in a 9x13 pan and refrigerate, cut into squares, and take on the go!
** I use a protein powder that is plant based protein, gluten free and vegan. You can use other brands but this one does not contain whey which most do and this is much healthier for your body. You can purchase the protein by visiting my websites and looking under products- Daily Fit Essentials-
www.mylittlelifecoach.com or
http://purehealthybeauty.myarbonne.com/

I hope you enjoy them. This one is delicious and it is hard to believe you are eating healthy!
photo:kendracannoy