Donna's Healthy Living Tips


Kid’s Self-Protection
August 31, 2009, 1:20 pm
Filed under: Self Protection | Tags: , ,

We just awarded two youth black belts at our martial arts school (Quest-MartialArts.com) in Ann Arbor and over the weekend we hosted a “Back To School” event that focused on how to have a successful school year.  All of that has gotten me to thinking about what kind of self-defense our kids need.

Let’s face it, kids today are more likely to be injured in an accident or create lifetime health habits that down the road will cause an earlier-than-necessary death (like obesity, heart disease, diabetes, etc.).  That being said, I thought I would focus this post on preventing child abductions.

I’ll start with the same piece of advise I give in women’s self defense courses: “Who you know and who you hang around with has the biggest influence on whether you will ever need to be able to physically protect yourself.”  The same is true for kids getting kidnapped.  RANDOM child abductions have actually DECREASED in the last 30 years (although you wouldn’t think that by watching the news) while child abductions done by parents, grand parents or other relatives have increased in the same time frame.

We have a program we offer at Quest called “Steal-Proof Master” where the children learn about the ten different types of random abductors and how to tell if the are an “Evil Warrior”.  Then they learn how to deal with each of the ten evil warriors and the primary point that is stressed over and over again is, “Don’t go with anyone unless you have your mom or dad’s permission.” 

Knowing that accidents can happen to grown ups, I encourage all parents to have two or three trusted friends or family members that the child knows are always safe to go with if there has been an emergency.  These people should also be listed as emergency contacts at school and at all the child’s extra-curricular activities.

Have a conversation with your kids today on why it is important that they never go with anyone without your permission, whether they know them or not.  Share with your child who the trusted adults are that they can turn to if there is an emergency and they can’t reach you (and make sure you give your child those people’s phone numbers).  And finally, make sure you talk to those trusted adults so they know that you are counting on them to help out in an emergency.

If you would like an electronic copy of the Ten Evil Warriors and how to deal with them, please contact Quest directly at www.Quest-MartialArts.com and be sure to give your e-mail address so it can be e-mailed to you.

Donna Copeland is an Independent Shaklee Distributor who also presents “Children’s Self-Defense, Inside and Out,” a seminar for children and parents which focuses both on protection against abductors but also focuses on developing healthy nutrition and lifestyle habits to create a vibrant life.  See more information on nutritional supplements at: www.DonnaCopeland.MyShaklee.com



Raising Confident Kids-Cooking
August 26, 2009, 1:40 pm
Filed under: Healthy Nutrition, Natural Kids | Tags: ,

Over the past several years I have had quite a few twenty-somethings approach me for information on eating healthy.  As I talk to them about their daily diets it amazes me that about 90% + of them don’t know how to cook.  Maybe it shouldn’t amaze me but it does.

I’m not talking about making a meal fit for a five star restaurant, I’m talking about following a simple recipe and making a soup or casserole or a pan of brownies.  Cooking, to me, is one of those lifeskills that everyone should possess, regardless of gender, race, or economic background.  Even if you have a houseful of servants, there may be a day that you need to be able to make a meal for yourself that is relatively nutritious.

Okay, I’m off the soapbox and I will move on to share HOW to help kids (and adults) learn how to cook.  Cooking is something you DO so it is important that you learn it by doing.  I like to have people join me in preparing a meal and starting with choosing a couple recipes, then inventory the kitchen to see what you have and what you need, then shopping, then cooking, and then, EATING!  That is the best part of cooking, in my opinion.

For children, start them with their interest level.  When my step-daughter was three we had her standing on a chair by the stove flipping pancakes.  She was quite good.  By the time she was 12 she could prepare eggs all on her own (and better than I do, I might add).  She doesn’t care much for baking so we focused more on cooking “real” food.

As a role model it is important to allow mistakes to happen and accept that preparing a meal with a newbie is going to take about three times as long.  This is a community service!  Give yourself plenty of time and help them to keep it simple.  For children, the exercises of halving or doubling a recipe is excellent for math practice and helps them to follow a sequence.  Give them as much free reign as you can in the kitchen to allow them to problem solve and work through the issues (for example, the recipe says “softened butter” but we forgot to take it out of the fridge, how do YOU think we can fix that?).

If you don’t like to cook, find a friend (like me) who does and ask them to apprentice your child.  This year thousands of teens will be heading off to college and I would wager that many of them don’t know any more about cooking then operating the microwave.  That practically forces them to eat highly processed foods. 

We are hurting our children in so many ways by not fully preparing them for the world.  Learning how to cook raises a child’s self-esteem and confidence in their own abilities.  Let’s work together to put an end to handicapping our children.

Donna Copeland is an Independent Shaklee Distributor who believes that health begins in the home.  Along with a balanced diet, 97% of us will benefit from added nutrients that we are not getting from the foods we eat.  You can find those nutrients at: www.DonnaCopeland.MyShaklee.com



What is Not Gluten-Free?
August 24, 2009, 2:37 pm
Filed under: gluten-free | Tags: ,

The question of “What is not gluten-free?” gets tricky for people new to gluten-free.  To begin with, gluten shows up in more than simply “wheat” (so know that wheat-free does not equal gluten-free).  To further complicate matters, wheat has a variety of names so you need to know all of them for appropriate label-reading.

Here is a list of both names of wheat and common ingredients that I have found that fall under “gluten-containing”:

¨     Wheat

¨     Kamut

¨     Semolina

¨     Triticale

¨     Bulgar

¨     Orzo (looks like rice)

¨     Emmer

¨   Einkorn

¨   Graham

¨   Spelt

¨   Rye

¨   Matzo

¨   “Multi-grain” bread/chips/crackers

¨      Durum

¨      Faro/farro

¨      Barley (in any form)

¨      Malt (including malt vinegar)

¨      Couscous

¨      Groats

NOTE: Some people may call themselves “gluten-free” and still eat spelt or rye products.  Those with Celiac should never consume anything on this list above.

The following items most likely contain wheat or gluten, do not consume unless you are certain they are gluten-free:

¨     Beers, ales, lager

¨     Breading and coating mixtures

¨     Communion wafers

¨     Croutons

¨     Marinades

¨     Thickeners (roux)

¨     Creamed soups

¨     Oats/oat flour (unless certified gluten-free)

¨     Granola

¨     Deli dips (i.e. spinach/artichoke)

¨     Food Starch

¨   Cereal products

¨   Flour/baking mixes (including cornbread)

¨   Imitation bacon

¨   Imitation seafood

¨   Energy bars

¨   Meal/diet bars

¨   Ice cream toppings or mixes (i.e. cookie dough)

¨      Gravy/sauces

¨     Granola bars

¨     “Grain sweetened” chocolate (likely barley)

¨     Tamari Sauce

¨      Vegetarian proteins

¨      Pastas

¨      Soy sauce or soy sauce solids (in a spice mix)

¨      Teriyaki sauce

¨      Dressing/stuffing

¨      Candy (especially licorice, malted milk balls, etc)

¨      Spiced/coated corn chips

¨      Crackers

¨      Barley syrup (always contains gluten)

 

 This list MAY contain gluten:

¨     Supplements (nutritional, herbal, and vitamin/mineral)

¨     Brown rice syrup

¨     Potato chips

¨     Brewers or Nutritional Yeast

¨      Envelope adhesive

¨      Marinades

¨      Soup bases

¨     Canned soups

¨     Salad dressing

¨     Chocolate candies

¨     TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein)

¨      Processed luncheon meats

¨     Processed cheese/cheese spread

¨     Shortening

¨     Stabilizers

¨      MSG

Always keep in mind that “wheat free” does not equal “gluten-free”.  Manufacturers can change ingredients so it is important to read labels every time before purchasing a food.  It is also simple to be reading labels and then at the last minute decide on one item and put the wrong (gluten-containing) item into your grocery basket.  Double check before you check out.

The world of gluten-free living doesn’t need to be horribly complex but it does involve a new language and a new way of relating to the rest of the world.  Living gluten-free can be a wonderful adventure full of tasty new foods and grains you may not have otherwise experienced.  Please contact me for additional information about making a “Delicious Gluten-Free Transition”.

Donna Copeland is an Independent Shaklee Distributor who is also gluten-free.  She enjoyes sharing tips and recipes and loves that most of Shaklee’s supplements and meal-replacement products are gluten-free. You can find out more at: www.Shaklee.net/DonnaCopeland



Supplements to Support Stress Relief
August 21, 2009, 2:03 pm
Filed under: mental health, supplements | Tags:

During a particularly stressful time in the first couple years of opening our martial arts school, Keith’s hair turned grey in a matter of months.  I always used to get sick while home on “post finals break” during college.  Many people find themselves ill when grieving (whether loss of a person, a job, a marriage, etc.).  Stress is hard on our bodies and there are simply times that no matter how well we manage our lives, we are still going to be under stress.

So when all else fails and you are under stress, what can you do to pump up your body’s defenses so you can stay healthy and productive while continuing to take care of those you love, especially yourself?

To have stress relief but feel alert:

  • Stress Relief Complex: Reduce your body’s production of cortisol (which has been shown to be harmful to our bodies) with a unique blend of L-Theanine, Aswagandha, Beta sitosterol, and L-Tyrosine.  This has been shown to work in as quickly as 30 minutes.

To sleep well:

  • Gentle Sleep Complex provides you with Valerian, Chamomile, and Passion Flower to help you stay calm and sleep well.
  • Calcium (especially chewable Calcium/Magnesium) just before bed serves as a natural relaxer.  NOTE: You can also try the chewable calcium instead of antacids.

For General Health and Vitality (also see posts on immunity):

  • B-Complex: Our bodies chew through B Vitamins when we are under stress like they are going out of style.  Get lots of extra B’s.
  • Vitamin C: Essential to keeping our cells happy and healthy, get extra Vitamin C and since it doesn’t stick around for long, take it multiple times during the day (you can get a sustained release that is good for five hours…see the website below).
  • An excellent multi-vitamin: This isn’t the time to choose the cheapest vitamin on the shelf; you want a comprehensive supplement that will provide your body with added support, antioxidants, and natural anti-inflammatory protection on a daily basis.
  • Soy Protein Shakes: The last thing you need under stress is to start having your blood sugar take dips and peaks.  Being under stress is an easy time to eat wrong.  Keep some convenience foods on hand (like shakes) and eat right.

Stress is part of life but there are many things we can do to reduce our stress.  Start with your calendar and what you can control and make sure you have good supplements on hand to help you stay healthy and productive when short term stress is unavoidable.  Take time for R & R (rest and relaxation) too!

Donna Copeland is an Independent Shaklee Distributor who has had her own experiences with stress that have sometimes ended badly and with ill health.  Learning from those experiences and making improvements in her own life, Donna is happy to share her lessons with you in the hope that you can live a longer, healthier, and more enjoyable life.  You can find the products mentioned in this blog at: www.Shaklee.net/DonnaCopeland



Stress Management
August 19, 2009, 1:31 pm
Filed under: mental health | Tags: , ,

You know how you feel when you are trying to cram three hours of tasks into one hour?  Or when you have an extra deadline at work on top of all your other tasks?  How about when you are on a motorcycle and you see green storm clouds right behind you?  Or a friend confesses to you a deep, dark secret they made you promise not to share?  Have you stared a skunk in the furry little face and watched him start to back up?  Have you had a grease fire start on the stove while you are making pancakes?

These are all moments of stress and how we manage our lives and how we choose to view them impact how much stress we actually experience and how much harm we do to our bodies.  There is a concept that I find very helpful called, “Circle of Influence” that was created by Stephen Covey (Seven Habits of Highly Effective People) which encourages us to consider what we can influence in our lives versus what we have no control over (even though it may concern us). 

Consider being on the back of a motorcycle with green clouds.  I couldn’t change the clouds but I could control if I stayed on the motorcycle or sought shelter in a safer place.  As it turns out I was two blocks from home so we went for it and made it inside just before the storm hit. 

So one message of today is to not add stress to your life about things you have no control over, even if they concern you.  The state of the world, other people’s lives, and the weather are all examples of things we cannot truly control.  Do focus on what is IN your control that may improve those situations (such as donate to a charity that supports developing nations or be a good role model for a friend) but don’t allow that worry to add stress to your own life. 

The second message for today is to set yourself up for success.  Consider your life, your decade, your year, your month, your week, your day, your hour.  What is truly important to you?  Make sure the tasks you are focusing on are taking care of what is truly important.  There are no “do-overs” in life.  We have this moment and this day.  Sometimes what is truly important competes with each other.  I want to grow two different businesses AND have great relationships AND nurture myself.  So I often need to look at my life and see how I am doing in my top five priorities to make sure none are being neglected. 

Donna’s Top Five Priorities:

  1. Have a great marriage and immediate family relationships.
  2. Have wonderful friendships and extended family relationships.
  3. Build a solid Shaklee business to help others live healthier and wealthier lives.
  4. Nurture myself and grow into my potential.
  5. Create an amazing Quest community that fills the surrounding communities with people making the world a safer place.

Sometimes something will come up that may temporarily throw the others out of whack and then life will readjust again. 

For example, this week we have an employee on vacation at our martial arts school so I am putting in extra hours to cover some of his responsibilities.  In addition, I have been feeling a little under the weather so my priority of “nurture myself” got bumped up to the top of the list. 

Consider your top priorities in life.  Do your daily tasks reflect what is truly important to you?  That exercise alone can show you where a lot of your stress may be coming from.  Take good care of yourself…remember there are no do-overs.

Donna Copeland is an Independent Shaklee Distributor who enjoys sharing what she has learned to support others leading the lives of their dreams.  You can see more at: www.Shaklee.net/DonnaCopeland



Stress
August 17, 2009, 12:02 pm
Filed under: mental health | Tags: ,

Have you heard the statistic about how many illnesses and doctors visits are attributed to stress?  I have heard anywhere from 50-90% of all illnesses and doctors visits have stress at their root.  It seems a little unbelievable at first but when you delve deeper into how the body operates and how being under stress undermines our immune systems (and how our health pretty much comes completely from how healthy our immune systems are) then it starts to make a little more sense.

As you likely know, I am not a scientist so I am not going to get into all the chemicals and such.  I will share the simplified way that I think about it.  When our bodies are under stress they are designed to have a single-focus and take care of the life-threatening situation.  Yes, I said life-threatening.  Let’s go back 100 years in time and imagine your farmer ancestors.  Their lives are subjected to the routines of the seasons and when do they have stress?  When bad weather comes in and puts a frost on their young seedlings (life threatening because without those plants they may not have enough food or money to get by).  Or perhaps for a few days or even a couple weeks when a variety of crops are coming in and they need to be preserved so they don’t spoil (life threatening because these foods are needed to make it through the winter).  You probably get the picture. 

Our ancestors had stress for brief periods of time when something was life threatening and once that was over they would go back to life as usual.  These days it seems like our “life as usual” is to try to cram 30 hours of things to do into a 24-hour day.

So how I think of stress is that it is partly physical, partly structural, and partly mental.  The mental part is that it is my choice to consider something stressful.  You probably know people who are so laid back a tornado going overhead wouldn’t phase them.  Likewise you may also know people who become undone if their child gets a scratch on their finger.  So I like to consider, “Is this going to matter in 5 years?”  “Is this life threatening?”  If the answer to either of those is “Yes” then it would probably be okay to allow myself to get a bit stressed.

The physical part is how our bodies respond under stress.  Our bodies are conditioned to have certain responses during stressful times so digestion doesn’t get in the way, our immune system is temporarily heightened, and we likely have increased energy and perhaps even an inability to sleep because we should be doing something.

The final part is structural.  This part is more about how our lives support stressful events occuring on a regular basis.  Do you tend to overbook yourself or your children?  Do you wait for the last minute to get a project done?  This is the part that we can have the most conscious control over and that can make the greatest difference.

Consider the stress in your life and see where it is coming from most often.  See if there are some structural changes you can make in your schedule and your priorities to decrease the likelihood of stress.  We will continue this discussion with other ways to manage stress and how stress can show up in our bodies.

Donna Copeland is an Independent Shaklee Distributor who thrives on helping people to live healthier lives naturally, through self-awareness and good nutrition.  Find out more at: www.Shaklee.net/DonnaCopeland



BREAKING RESEARCH SHOWS VITAMIN D LINKED TO HDL CHOLESTEROL
August 14, 2009, 12:32 pm
Filed under: supplements | Tags: ,

News you can use…(passing this along)

BREAKING RESEARCH SHOWS VITAMIN D LINKED TO HDL CHOLESTEROL Shaklee Corporation Research Suggests an Important Role of Vitamin D for Supporting Cardiovascular Health

PLEASANTON, Calif. – May 19, 2009 – Research supported by Shaklee Corporation, the number one natural nutrition company in the U.S., shows that a lower blood vitamin D level is associated with metabolic syndrome and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The study results were presented at the National Lipid Association Annual Scientific Sessions in Miami, Florida and suggest an important role of vitamin D nutrition for maintaining cardiovascular health.

“I am so proud to be associated with a company whose heritage has always been about improving people’s health and well-being. It’s very exciting that Shaklee has helped to bring this important research to the world,” says Independent Shaklee Distributor, Donna Copeland. “The findings may have significant public health implications related to new understanding about benefits related to vitamin D supplementation,” adds Copeland.

In this study, intake of vitamin D from dietary supplements was strongly linked with vitamin D levels in the blood. The greater the intake of vitamin D from dietary supplements, the higher the amount of vitamin D found in the blood. More importantly, as vitamin D intakes increased, HDL cholesterol (or “good cholesterol”) levels increased as well. Future research is needed to determine if vitamin D from dietary supplements can lower risk levels for metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease.

“Our next study, which is already underway, is intended to confirm causality by showing that vitamin D supplementation improves cardiovascular risk factors,” says Dr. Jamie McManus M.D., Chairman of Medical Affairs, Health Sciences and Education, Shaklee Corporation. Kevin C. Maki, PhD, the study’s Principal Investigator and the Chief Science Officer of Provident Clinical Research, Glen Ellyn, IL, says, “Results from population studies suggest that a low serum vitamin D concentration is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular mortality, but this is the first study to evaluate the relationship between vitamin D status and cardiovascular risk factors in a group that includes a large number of vitamin D supplement users.” He continues, “Additional research is warranted to assess whether increasing vitamin D intake will improve the metabolic cardiovascular risk factor profile.”

For more information, contact Donna Copeland at 734-487-5864 or keithdonnacopeland@sbcglobal.net.

# # #

About Shaklee Corporation Founded more than 50 years ago, Shaklee has been a leading provider of premium-quality natural nutrition products, personal care products, and environmentally friendly home care products. In 2000, Shaklee became the first company in the world to be Climate Neutral™ certified to totally offset its CO2 emissions, resulting in a net-zero impact on the environment. With a robust product portfolio, including over 50 patents and patents pending worldwide, Shaklee has more than 750,000 Members and Distributors worldwide and operates in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, and China. For information about Shaklee, visit www.Shaklee.net/DonnaCopeland.



Natural Air Fresheners
August 12, 2009, 12:29 pm
Filed under: Green Living | Tags: , ,

You may have heard that there are some hazardous chemicals in the air fresheners we Americans are so obsessed with; or maybe you haven’t.  In case you are unaware, I will share with you briefly why you may want to consider switching air fresheners. 

First of all, the “fragrance” that is in many products (not just air fresheners) often contains phthalates and formaldehyde, both carcinogenic substances.  They are not required to be listed as ingredients because they are a by-product of the fragrance, not something the company added purposely.

Secondly, many people like to use candles as air fresheners and, they come with their own set of issues (besides the obvious fire hazard).  They often contain the same kinds of fragrances that have a by-product of phthalates and formaldehyde.  In addition, depending on the wax and wick used, the can also release additional carcinogens.  One thing that I always look for before I burn a candle is the wick.  Often there is a little piece of metal woven into the wick to slow down the burning of the candle.  I have been told (although I have not substantiated this information so do with it what you will) that the piece of metal is lead.  Regardless of whether it is lead or some other metal, I don’t think it is necessary to have those fumes entering my lungs.

We Americans tend to be obsessed with how our homes smell and the air freshener business is getting bigger all the time.  I think if we all recognized that clean doesn’t have a smell or a particular scent we could live healthier lives.  I like for my home to smell good though and I have been conditioned by the media and other folks to have it be “extra fresh.”  So what do I do?

  • Open the windows whenever possible.  Unless you live next to a garbage dump the outside air coming in will really freshen up your whole house.
  • Have fresh plants growing.  Plants do wonders to cleanse the air inside our homes and I especially appreciate them during the winter months when I do not open my windows.
  • Place a few drops of essential oil on a cotton ball and stash it behind a piece of furniture.  You may be surprised how much the scent carries.
  • Use Shaklee’s liquid fabric softener and dilute it with an equal amount of water in a spray bottle and spray like you would use Febreeze.  It has a fresh scent to it AND it helps to reduce static.  Be sure you test on a hidden part of the fabric first before doing your entire floor or couch.

 I once read that over 80% of the toxins we are exposed to are by inhaling them.  It is bad enough that we can’t avoid exhaust fumes and any number of other toxins in our daily lives; at least we can make a difference in our own homes and our own families.

Donna Copeland is an Independent Shaklee Distributor who is passionate about helping people to live healthier lives.  You can find the liquid fabric softener she referred to in this blog by going to: www.Shaklee.net/DonnaCopeland/GetClean



Rickets is on the Rise
August 10, 2009, 1:13 pm
Filed under: Healthy Nutrition, supplements | Tags: , ,

I didn’t know what rickets was until I googled it.  That is because it was believed to be pretty much eradicated for at least the past fifty years or so in “developed” countries.  It was at some of its highest levels during the depression of the 1930’s when many children were malnourished in the United States.  In case you don’t know either, I will share with you that rickets is a softening and weakening of the bones which causes pain, dental problems, stunted growth and other structural deformities.

Rickets is caused by not getting enough Vitamin D and/or calcium by diet or sunlight exposure.  If you live north of Atlanta or LA you have several months per year you CAN’T get enough Vitamin D by sunlight exposure because of the angle of the sun.  There are also concerns that air pollution could have an influence on the Vitamin D getting to us by sun. 

I was especially surprised to learn that children who are breastfed exclusively for a long period of time actually have a HIGHER possibility of developing rickets because mother’s milk doesn’t naturally contain a lot of Vitamin D (although it is extremely rich in many other necessary nutrients and I strongly support women breastfeeding for as long as they are able).  The main message there is for the woman to make sure she is having her own levels of Vitamin D monitored and, very likely, supplementing so there is plenty getting through to the baby.

So, how much should you get? 

  • Infants should be getting at least 400 IUs (international units) per day 
  • Children should be getting at least 600 IUs per day
  • Adults should be getting at least 800 (and will probably be healthier if they get at least 1,000) IUs per day

There has also been some very exciting research done regarding heart disease and protection from Vitamin D which I will share in a future blog.  In the meantime, know that you should look for Vitamin D3 (this is the most absorb-able type) and try to get it in a multi-vitamin supplement because as it was mentioned, you also need adequate levels of calcium and in general it is an excellent idea to take a good-quality multi-vitamin to provide good nutrition to our bodies.

Between my Vitalizer multi-vitamin supplement and my Osteomatrix bone health supplement, I get at least 1,400 IUs of Vitamin D3 per day.  When I was diagnosed as being Vitamin D deficient a couple years ago my doctor told me I could safely take 3,000 IUs per day to get my levels back up.  This doesn’t include any Vitamin D3 I get from my diet or sunlight…I just consider that a bonus.

How much Vitamin D do you take in each day?  How about your child?

Donna Copeland is an Independent Shaklee Distributor who likes to share her knowledge with others so they can live healthier and more fulfilling lives.  You can find more information on Vitalizer and Osteomatrix at www.Shaklee.net/DonnaCopelandYou can see a video on Vitalizer here: http://content.shaklee.com/shaklee/flash/show.php?video=Vitalizer and a video on Osteomatrix is here: http://content.shaklee.com/shaklee/flash/show.php?video=OsteoMatrix  If you have children, be sure to watch this video on infant supplementation: http://content.shaklee.com/shaklee/flash/show.php?video=Baby and this video on children’s supplementation: http://content.shaklee.com/shaklee/flash/show.php?video=Kids



Green Cleaners are in the White House
August 7, 2009, 1:33 pm
Filed under: Green Living | Tags: ,

There is a statistic that we spend up to 90% of our time in our homes.  I think that is especially true if your home is the White House.  I recall when there was discussion about getting a “First Dog” for the White House there was mention that one of the Obama girls has asthma.  Roger and Sloan Barnett’s son, Spencer, also has asthma and he hasn’t needed hospitalization nor has he had any signs of an asthma attack since his family switched to green cleaners.  Sloan wanted to make the White House safer for the new family residing there and all the staff.

Roger owns Shaklee Corporation, a company that I am an Independent Distributor for that has been around for over 53 years.  One of the things I love about Shaklee is that Shaklee was green when green was just a color, not a movement.  Back in 1960 Shaklee came out with one of the very first non-toxic, biodegradable cleaners.

Anyway, back to the present…Shaklee has a line of cleaners designed to take care of your entire home (and they are amazingly cost-effective too, in most cases cheaper than traditional cleaners) so Sloan went on a mission to get green cleaners into the White House and the Vice-President’s residence. 

The transition hadn’t yet happened between administrations and the woman in charge of that sort of thing during the Bush administration at the VP’s residence had been wanting to leave a more “green mark” on the house before she transitioned out with the administration.  At some point in my schooling I recall learning that the Navy takes care of the VP’s residence, including all the cleaning (although I had forgotten that fact until it was mentioned yesterday).  Sloan enjoyed doing the presentation to the Navy men and they got an education about the hazards of toxic chemicals and how they may be affecting their own families.  From there it was a short leap into the White House.

So, in some ways, the White House is now green.  What color is your home?

Donna Copeland is an Independent Shaklee Distributor and she first fell in love with Shaklee’s green cleaners in the early 90’s.  You can learn more and purchase the cleaners by going to: www.Shaklee.net/DonnaCopeland/GetClean