Start 2011 Off With A Bang!

January is BIG. I mean really really BIG! For the past five years I have been managing the Sunshine Shoppe under the guidance of my grandmother Linda Adams. But now my training is over and as of January 1, 2011 my husband and I are the new owners of this sweet family business. There are not enough words to express my gratitude to my grandmother for giving me the opportunity to run a business that not only is strong and stable but also meets a great need in our community for natural health. I feel incredibly blessed to have such sweet, understanding customers who have taught me, been patient with me, tolerated my kiddos running around, and continued to see the value in buying high quality natural health supplements.



We are starting this chapter in our business off right by offering Health Screening Events every three months. With just a prick of the finger you can see vitamin and mineral deficiencies, the health of white and red blood cells, fungus, cholesterol levels, pH, glucose levels and much more! We are continuing these events on a quarterly basis so that you can track the progress of your health. Saturday, January 15 will be our first Health Screening Event of the year. We are taking appointments by phone and email if you don't want to wait or you can come in any time between 10am and 4pm for a 20 minute health consultation.



Not only are we having our Health Screening Event this month but we are also offering our top 5 supplements at a discount!!! During our TOP 5 SUPER SALE is a great time to either start taking control of your health or stocking up on the wonderful supplements you know and trust.

The most complete once daily multivitamin for adults with 26 fruits and vegetables, 24 vitamins and minerals, 14 green foods, 12 organic mushrooms, and 12 digestive enzymes.

Only Nature's Plus Cal/Mag/VitD3/with K2 comes supercharged with 1000 IU of Vitamin D3 and 100 mcg of K2 for superior absorption and deposition of essential bone minerals.

Essential Enzymes is highly effective because it is a Bio-Aligned formula that contains a wide array of enzymes that break down proteins, fats, milk sugars, fiber, and carbohydrates in a wide pH range. It aids the body's natural digestive process, maximizing the body's utilization of the nutrients in the diet while decreasing digestive discomforts,

Omega-3 supports cardiovascular health, neurological function, balanced moods, and stress management.

CoQ10 is a key component of the mitochondria, the energy producing units of the cells. Since your heart cells can't function without energy, they can't function without CoQ10. As you age, your body's natural production of CoQ10 declines, making CoQ10 supplementation even more important.

So there you have it. 2011 is starting off with a bang and it is my greatest desire for the Sunshine Shoppe to continue on with the same goals as it was founded on...to provide quality natural health supplements to our customers, provide vast information on the always expanding knowledge of health and supplementation, and lastly to be a fair, honest, and respected part of our community.

Naturally yours,

Jessica Pope

Owner

Start Your New Year's Resolution Today

Despite the twinkling lights and Christmas cheer December can be a difficult and stressful month. Our diets definitely take a hit during this busy time. We are so busy decorating, shopping, baking and wrapping that we don't really pay much attention to what we are eating as long as it quiets the embarrassing growling so that we can get to the next thing on our "to do" lists. And lets face it, it is practically impossible to turn down your favorite desert at Christmas dinner. And guess what...that's okay! With Metabolism by LifeSeasons you can remain guilt free when you indulge in the chocolate pie with extra whipped cream.

This amazing list of ingredients will turn your stressed out season to a time to enjoy.

Kidney bean extract: Inhibits excess carbohydrates from being converted into fat by helping remove carbohydrates before they enter the blood stream.

Cocoa bean extract: Supports the nervous system, promotes fat burning and helps enhance mood by boosting serotonin levels in the brain.

Glucomannan: This soluble fiber helps slow glucose absorption and creates a feeling of satiety and fullness.

Chromium: Moves blood sugar out of the blood stream and into cells, helping stabilize insulin spikes.

Theobromine: Boosts energy levels and has a powerful appetite-suppressing effect.

L-Theanine: Reduces stress and anxiety therefore decreasing stress eating and cravings.

Through the month of December the entire LifeSeasons line will be 20% off. Take advantage of this great special and get a head start on your New Year's Resolution today!

HUGE SALE!!!!!!!!

TOP 5 SUPER SALE

We are having our biggest sale of the year throughout the month of October. Our top 5 products are on sale now through the 31st.

Stock up now on...

Nordic Naturals Omega-3

Supports cardiovascular health, neurological function, balanced moods, and stress management.

Source Naturals Essential Enzymes (all sizes)
Essential Enzymes is highly effective because it is a Bio-Aligned formula that contains a wide array of enzymes that break down proteins, fats, milk sugars, fiber, and carbohydrates in a wide pH range. It aids the body's natural digestive process, maximizing the body's utilization of the nutrients in the diet while decreasing digestive discomforts.


Enzymatic Therapy CoQ10 (all sizes)

CoQ10 is a key component of the mitochondria, the energy producing units of the cells. Since your heart cells can't function without energy, they can't function without CoQ10. As you age, your body's natural production of CoQ10 declines, making CoQ10 supplementation even more important.

Nature's Plus Cal/Mag/VitD (tablets and chewable)

Only Nature's Plus Cal/Mag/VitD3 with K2 comes supercharged with 1000 IU of Vitamin D3 and 100 mcg of K2 the most effective for of Vitamin K, for superior absorption and deposition of essential bone minerals.


Nature's Way Alive Whole Food Multivitamin

Alive! is the most complete daily multivitamin for adults, with 26 fruits and vegetables, 24 vitamins and minerals, 14 green foods, 12 organic mushrooms, and 12 digestive enzymes.

SUCCESS!

Our first Health Screening Event was a huge success!

I was so thrilled to see that despite the rainy morning we had a great turnout. I was very impressed with the amount of information that was provided by Optimum Screening Services. Everyone loved getting to see their blood on the monitor. We were able to see how round and plump our red blood cells were, count the number of white blood cells, see fungus, candida, signs of parasites and much more. For most of our customers it was confirmation that their focus on preventative health is paying off. James, the lab tech, was able to show us not only our total cholesterol but LDL, HDL, and Triglyceride levels as well.

I have decided to make this a regular event. We will be having our next Health Screening Event Saturday, January 15. We are taking appointments from 10am to 5pm. I will be sending out email reminders closer to the date so if you would like to be added to our email list shoot me an email at www.thesunshineshoppe.com. We will be holding Health Screening Events every 3 months so you can keep track of your progress and see how much improvement your supplements are making in your blood!

HEALTH SCREENING EVENT!!!!!!!!

Health Screening Event

Saturday, September 25

Are you healthy inside and out? Gain insight in as little as 20 minutes with...

• 
  
  Free pH Testing


• 
  
  Free Total Cholesterol Screening with any paid test


• 
  
  Free Glucose (Diabetes) Screening with any paid test


• 
  
  Complete Nutritional Blood Analysis available


• 
  
  Health Information and More!

Nutritional Blood Analysis is a fascinating window to your wellness. See the LIVE activity of you own blood cells and the inner environment of your body displayed for you on a video monitor. This unique blood analysis can reveal:

• How well you are digesting proteins


• Oxidized forms of cholesterol, plaque, or uric acid


• The relative strength and activity of your immune system


• Bacterial Parasites


• Fungal forms like candida


• Free radical damaged red blood cells


• Vitamin or iron deficiencies


• Hormone system imbalance


• How well your body recovers from illness or hard physical workouts

Call or email us today to schedule your appointment to avoid the wait or just stop in any time from 9:30 to 5:00.

The School Supply Not on Your List

If your child is like most, he or she is creative, energetic, ans spontaneous, but sometimes has a hard time focusing on requested activities. Children who have difficulty filtering out distractions, staying on task, paying attention, and controlling their bodies invariably do not do well in school. Because of this negative school experience, these children often incorrectly conclude that they are "slow learners."

This does not have to be the experience of your child. EuroPharma has created a formula that offers both immediate and long-term benefits. Berry Calm Kids supports brain function and the overall central nervous system. This complete synergistic formula will provide children with a healthy focus, concentration and attentiveness. Children can now enjoy a sense of well-being along with emotional tranquility. Berry Calm Kids paired with Nordic Naturals' Children's DHA (an essential fatty acid found to be deficient in children with ADD and ADHD) can make your child's school experience a much happier one.

EuroPharma's Berry Calm Kids and Nordic Natural's DHA are now 20% off through the month of August.

Statements made here are for informational purposes only and have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent disease.

Lower your blood pressure...GUARANTEED!

In one of my favorite reference books, Healthy Healing by Linda Page, it says, "Hypertension or High Blood Pressure is a silent condition that steals health and can steal life. It causes 60,000 deaths a year and directly relates to more than 25,000 deaths from stroke. It increases risk for heart attack, congestive heart failure, and kidney malfunction. Hypertension accelerates atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), damages the heart and block vessels and speeds up the aging process of the brain."

Hyper-T by LifeSeasons is just the answer to this deadly dilemma.

Its key ingredients are:

• Arjuna-known as a cardio-tonic, this herb is used to soothe cardiac stressors, as well as facilitate a healthy balance between HDL and LDL cholesterol.
• Ashwagandha-this ayurvedic Indian herb is used to alleviate the effects of stress-induced fatigue, exhaustion, and insomnia.
• Hawthorn-commonly used to regulate blood pressure and strengthen the heart by protecting arterial walls from damage caused by plaque build-up.

Hyper-T is on sale through the month of July at 20% off. Now is the perfect time to come in and talk to us about lowering your blood pressure and taking control of your health. We guarantee Hyper-T will work for you. If you are unsatisfied we will give you a full refund. We want you to have the best health and we want to work with you to achieve this goal!

Tummy Troubles

We have entered Summer and that means cookouts. And let's face it, those hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, potato chips, dips full of mayo and mountains of desert does not always settle well on the tummy. And many of us have digestion issues regardless of our love for greasy burgers. This month we are promoting 3 great products all focused on stomach and digestive health.

DGL or Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice boosts the production of mucin, a natural compound which coats and protects the lining of the stomach and intestines.
Glycine helps keep the stomach lining strong.
(A personal note-this product is one of the only stomach aids that has given a particular member of my family any relief from his constant stomach burn.)


Peppermint soothes the intestines and has anti-spasmodic effects.
Rosemary supports gastric tone.
Thyme helps relieve gas.

This product is perfect for anyone with IBS. These softgels are enteric coated for delivery to the small intestine therefore reducing risk of heartburn. Results will be noticed as quickly as first use.


Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium longum alleviates occasional gas, bloating, and constipation. These small pearls are convenient to use with no refrigeration necessary. Cultures are guaranteed to be alive at time of use.

Purchase one or all of these great products through the month of June and receive 10% off.

Get Countrol of Your Cholesterol Naturally

Red Yeast Rice is the fermented product obtained when certain strains of yeast grow on rice. It is beneficial to those with cholesterol problems because it contains a compound (HMG_COA reductase inhibitor) that inhibits the production of cholesterol in the liver. The statin drug lovastatin (Mevacor) contains the same material.

This supplement has shown to improve the ratio of HDL to LDL and to lower triglycerides. It was also found that in certain respects Red Yeast Rice was superior to the drug lovastatin. It is important to note that unlike prescription drugs, Red Yeast Rice has shown no serious adverse side effects in clinical trials. Like statin drugs, Red Yeast Rice does deplete the body of CoQ10, which is very useful in various types of cardiovascular disease. Supplemental CoQ10 (100-300mg) should be taken along with Red Yeast Rice or statin drugs.

Through the month of May we have our top cholesterol lowering supplements on sale. You do not have to risk the statin drug side effects. You can safely and effectively lower your cholesterol with natural products such as Red Yeast Rice.

Weight Loss Tips...#4

Reduce Stress!!!!!!!!!

Okay, I feel ridiculous for even mentioning reducing stress because I know that stress basically goes hand in hand with breathing. Trust me, I understand that your immediate reaction is, "I would love to reduce my stress. So are you going to go to work for me, pay my bills, spend hours pulling gum from my daughter's hair, make my grown husband's doctor's appointments and shave my legs for me?" Seriously people, I get it. I am not advocating you join a yoga class and attempt to fit another hour long "to do" into your schedule, but there are some no brainer stress reducing activities that I think you could fit into the busiest of schedules.

• GO OUTSIDE!!!!!!! Breathe some fresh air. It doesn't take long. Just stop typing, folding laundry, texting, whatever and walk outside and just take a few deep breaths. Then go back and finish whatever it was that you left. You will find that you may have a better attitude and clearer head and may even be able to perform your task better.


• Do something for you. This is big people...especially for you moms out there. I don't care what it is, running, scrapbooking, fishing, hiking, napping, reading, facebook, anything. Just make it a priority to fit it in during your week. And if possible get away from everyone else when doing your special activity. This is for you and you only. It is okay to not share sometimes.

• Eat chocolate. That's right. I am now officially everyone's favorite person. But it is proven that DARK chocolate stimulates endorphins which gives pleasure feelings, contains serotonin that works as an antidepressant, and even lowers blood pressure and LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol). Don't go crazy with the chocolate though. Limit yourself to one or two squares a day.

• Take something. There are so many options for natural and safe stress lowering supplements. L-theanine, GABA, Kava Kava, SAMe, B-Complex are all just some examples. It is also important to note that stress reduces a body's immune function and a multivitamin would be useful to counteract the depletion.

Weight Loss Tips...#3

#3 Cleanse Your Colon



We have all heard horror stories about crazy cleanses or detoxes that resulted in small alien forms being expelled from the body or the rigorous fasting juice diet that you have to do while detoxing and this scares people away from ever even trying. And those stories are probably true, at least some of them but here's the deal...not all cleanses are that extreme especially those focused toward weight loss. If you want to do a parasite or metal detox then yes, you may see some more extreme results but those just are not necessary for a good internal cleansing.



Cleanses do not have to be scary. In fact, there are many out there that are super simple. But I know you have some questions so I'll try to cover them. The answers are...

• No, you will not be in the bathroom all day long. In fact, you will most likely only add one or two more bathroom breaks to your daily routine.


• No, you will not have sudden urges to go to the bathroom and you should not fear any seriously embarrassing accidents.


• No, you do not have to change your diet. It would increase the effects of the cleanse if you tried to eliminate refined foods, sugars, most carbs, and other junk but not a necessity. It would also be more beneficial if you supplemented with fiber and a flax or borage oil while doing a cleanse...but again, you don't HAVE to.


• Yes, you will feel pretty yucky around day three. But don't stop...this is a good thing. It means all those toxins are pulled out and are swimming around ready to be expelled. You shouldn't feel so bad that you wouldn't be able to go on with your regular activities, just kind of poopie. Haha.


• Yes, you have options. There are two brands of cleanses that I do regularly. The first one is by Body Dynamics. I like it because it can be bought in 3 day supplies so that customers can try it out before jumping in feet first. I also love that it is made to be customized. By that I mean that each individual decides for him or herself their body's need. You start with one a day and after three days you increase your dose. You continue increasing every three days until you have loose stool. Then you know that was too many and you stick to the last dosage amount. You also get to decide how long you want the cleanse to last and can even stick with it (at a small dose) to keep you regular for as long as you need. I also really like Renew Life's cl easing line. This company makes it sooooo easy. There are many to choose from depending on the need and there is one specific for weight loss. The entire cleanse comes in a nicely packaged box. You get a morning formula and evening formula, take for the required amount of time and you are done. Very simple. And Renew Life doesn't use any psyllium which can sometimes cause stomach cramping. YAY!

Weight Loss Tips...#2

2.) Eat More Fiber



Fiber is really a very cool thing when it comes to losing weight. It works in several ways. It makes you feel fuller quicker. So if you are eating slowly enough and listening to your body you will take in less calories. It also attaches itself to calories and flushes them out of you. COOL! And it helps you go to the bathroom. I know, not a pretty topic but less face it, it is pretty darn important. The less "regular" you are in the bathroom area, the more plaque you will build up in your intestines and the more bloated and sluggish you will feel.


But it always goes back to the time issue. We are so used to running through the drive-thrus or heating up a frozen meal that we forget about the importance of actually knowing what is in our food, including how much fiber is in it. So make it simple by adding fiber to your lifestyle a little bit at a time.

• Sprinkle flax meal into EVERYTHING! Add it to your hamburger patties, oatmeal, cold cereal, yogurt, taco meat, brownies, muffins, cookies, smoothies, pasta. Heck, sprinkle some in your Taco Bell burrito.
• Taste the rainbow. I don't mean Skittles. Eat colorful foods. Just 1 cup of raspberries or black berries has 8 grams of fiber. Throw some raw carrots, broccoli or apple slices into a baggie to take to work to munch on when the 3 o'clock snack cravings take over.
• BEANS BEANS THEY ARE MAGICAL FRUIT. Just 1 cup of cooked chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, is 12 grams of fiber. Throw chickpeas into your salad. Mash beans with roasted garlic to make a dip and eat with Triscuits (not the reduced fat Triscuits because they replace the fat with lots of sodium.) Black beans contain more antioxidants and provide lots of folate which reduces the risk of heart attack. Beans are high in protein and iron, inexpensive, yummy, and very versatile.
• Eat the healthy cereal such as Kashi GOLEAN or All-Bran. Add nuts and strawberries. If you still can't get it down add half a cup of your favorite unhealthy cereal to make it more enjoyable.
• Take a fiber supplement such as Renew Life's Fiber Smart or Lewis Labs Fabulous Fiber. But drink lots and lots of water!

Weight Loss Tips...#1

1. Get Active. I know, I know...easier said than done. It isn't that we want to sit all day, it is just that there is no time to actually go to the gym or for a bicycle ride. Instead of stressing over trying to fit in an hour workout session try to incoroporate activity into the everyday chores, such as:

• Instead of driving around for 10 minutes looking for the closest parking spot, park as far away as possible and use those 10 minutes to powerwalk to the entrance.


• While sitting at your desk, in front of your computer (just like you are doing now) concentrate on keeping your tummy tucked in and your shoulders back.


• Keep a five pound weight by the phone so while you are "uh-huhing" through your conversations you can also work on toning your arm muscles.


• When standing in line at the grocery store squeeze your booty muscles while holding in your tummy. I promise, no one will notice. =)

• When given the options of stairs or elevator, choose stairs. Concentrate on each step while squeezing your booty mucsles and holding in your tummy. Try taking two at a time or squating low with each step.

No More Excuses

I have deemed April as weight control month at the Sunshine Shoppe. We have a super cool new weight loss product, Metabolism by LifeSeasons on sale at 20% off through the month of April and I just know it is going to fly off the shelves.



There are very few people that are completely satisfied with the way they look in a bathing suit and well folks, it is about that time. Even if you managed to not overeat through the holidays, you probably still put on a few LBs just from lack of activity due to the winter season. But that is okay because now there is this wonderful multi-faceted nutritional support supplement, Metabolism.

Check out these awesome ingredients...

Kidney Bean Extract: Inhibits excess carbs from being converted into fat.

Cocoa Bean Extract: Supports the nervous system, promotes fat burning and helps enhance mood by boosting serotonin levels in the brain.

Glucomannan: This soluble fiber helps slow glucose absorption and creates a feeling of satiety and fullness.

Chromium: Effectively moves blood sugar out of the blood stream and into the cells, helping stabilize insulin spikes and reduces sugar cravings.

Theobromine: Boosts energy levels and has a powerful appetite-suppressing effect.

L-theanine: Reduces stress and anxiety, therefore decreasing stress eating and cravings.

Every time I read through those ingredients I get excited because we finally have a weight loss product that makes sense. Don't get me wrong, all of our weight loss supplements are good, but this one combines the benefits of all of them into one bottle.

My Experience:

Okay, so those of you that know me also know that I'm small framed and don't really have a weight control problem but...I still am not thrilled with my bathing suit body. I recently stopped nursing my daughter and therefore no longer need the extra 500+ calories that were needed while breast-feeding, but I still feel hungry because I'm used to the extra food intake. I brought home a bottle of Metabolism last week and I can honestly say that it does curb my appetite. I already have a good metabolism (a mixture of good genes and still being fairly young) so I can't really judge on how well that aspect is working, but it most definitely gives me a feeling of fullness quicker and I have to admit that I feel like I have more energy, especially after lunch when I'm usually dragging. I haven't actually weighed myself to see if I've lost pounds but that isn't really my purpose and it has only been a week and a half.

I also like the fact that I just have to pop one capsule right before I put the first bite of food in my mouth. So many appetite suppressing supplements require you take it 30 minutes or an hour before eating which usually means it never gets taken because by the time you have found a few seconds to eat you are probably starving and not willing to wait another hour before actually eating.

In summary, if you are wanting to lose weight (a who isn't?) then Metabolism is a great place to start. Of course, diet and exercise are also important but Metabolism actually helps in those areas too because it helps cut cravings therefore aiding you in making better diet choices and it gives you energy so that you drop while on your way to the gym. And at 20% off you really have no good excuse not to try it!

Sambucus: AKA Black Elderberry

I'm a little late in announcing our March special but I guess late is better than never. This month we have Nature's Way Sambucus on sale. I have grown up on Sambucus and now my children are doing the same.

Nature's Way Bio-Certified Sambucus is the superior black elderberry extract. Sambucus strengthens the immune system, shortens the duration and decreases the severity of cold and flu symptoms and even attacks other viral infections as well.

We are still in the midst of cold and flu season and instead of just dealing with feeling miserable you can not only take this elderberry extract to shorten the cold or flu virus but to also guard against it and others.

Stop Pain Now

I am so excited to now carry EuroPharma products, specifically Curamin. I have so many customers that come to us looking for something that will help with their joint or muscle pain and most are willing to try anything once because the pain is just so...painful. Glucosamine & Chondroiton is always a great place to start for arthritis and joint pain but sometimes it is just not enough. I am happy to say that we now have a product that is enough.

The key ingredients to this supplement are curcumin, curcuminoid, dl phenylalanine (DLPA), boswellia and nattokinase. The basis of Curamin's formula is found in the spice turmeric which has been used for over 2500 years in cooking and healing. Turmeric's active component is curcumin. According to Nutrition News, "Curcumin has been shown to have six fundamental healing properties: 1) anti-inflammatory, 2) antioxidant, 3) antiviral, 4) antibacterial, 5) antifungal, and 6) anti-cancer." Researchers have isolated a tiny sub-particle known as curcuminoid in curcumin which is about 100 times more powerful as regular curcumin in regards to reducing inflammation when combined with DLPA and boswellia. Terry Lemerond, developer of Curamin says, "This formulation is stronger and more effective than aspirin or any other kind of medication in relieving pain and inflammation. In one double-blind study, curcumin matched cortisone as a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory."

Nutrition News states, "Research has pointed to inflammation as the foremost cause in the development of all major age-related diseases. As we age, our immune system runs amok, causing chronic inflammation. Referred to as inflammaging. The beginning is symptomless, low level inflammation. Both overweight and gum disease are clues to the presence of this type of inflammation. If not stopped or curbed, much worse effect can occur. Among these are increased risk of osteoporosis, loss of lean muscle mass after middle age, anemia in the elderly, and cognitive decline after 70. Common disorders such as atherosclerosis, colon cancer, and Alzheimer's disease are caused in part by a chronic inflammatory syndrome. Also involved are heart valve dysfunction and congestive heart failure, obesity, diabetes, digestive system disorders, and other.

Inflammation also increases the production of free radicals, indicating the need for effective antioxidant supplementation. The natural substances in our formula for pain relief have both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The potent antioxidants assist in the body's defenses. Studies show that relief from chronic inflammation results in a longer, healthier life."

For more information check out http://www.curamin.com/ or come in to the shoppe and we will answer whatever questions you have. Samples are also available. If you are interested in trying Curamin, email me at thesunshineshoppe@gmail.com and I will send you a 3 day sample for FREE!

These statement have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any diseases.

It's kind of weird but really cool!

Recently I have started to carry a really awesome new product...well, new for our store. I had two customers special order this product by the cases and it made me curious enough to do a little research into it which then led me to order a case for the store so that I could try it myself. This exciting product is called G.T.'s Kombucha Synergy and now that I have experienced it for myself I just love everything about it!

Kombucha is a living culture of beneficial micro-organisms. G.T.'s Kombucha is cultured for 30 days and in that time essential nutrients such as active enzymes, probiotics, amino acids, antioxidants, and polyphenols form. The website for G.T.'s Kombucha says the following about the health benefits of their drink, "Kombucha is not a supplement, drug, or medicine...it is simply a super healthy food that helps the body to find (or regain) its natural balance in the body, which promotes overall well being. Just like regular exercise, Kombucha is something that supports a healthy lifestyle. When the body is healthier, its natural defences are stronger. Kombucha has an

'adaptognic' ability that gives it a reputation for its widespread health properties. Its adaptogen effect is seen mostly through its influence on the liver, the blood and the digestive system, where it normalizes the acidity or pH. Metabolic balancing and detoxification is perhaps the most important function of Kombucha. To put it in simple terms, Kombucha will make you feel good."

And it is sooooo true! I was amazed at how I felt after drinking just one bottle. I had more energy than I knew what to do with, I didn't feel so foggy headed, and my overall mood was even more positive. We sold the entire case within a couple of days because once a customer would try one they were back buying several at a time. Everyone that has tried it just loves the way they feel when they drink the Kombucha. I am placing another order tomorrow and I plan to order at least 4 cases this time...maybe more if I can make room in the refrigerator.

I hope this encourages you to at least do a little research on your own about the Kombucha and maybe stop in a try a bottle...I don't think you will be disappointed. But be ready for a couple of surprises. When I first started to do my research I googled "Kombucha" and I was in shock at the disgusting pictures that came up. The culture resembles a light brown tough gelatinous disk and is kind of yucky looking. But don't freak out...that disk is not floating around in your bottled drink...just the microorganisms from it. The second surprise I got was when I first opened the bottle and took a drink it was pretty vinegary tasting a smelling. I grew up drinking apple cider vinegar so it didn't bother me but not everyone loves that taste. I have found that different flavors of the G.T.'s Kombucha Synergy drinks vary in the vinegary taste and smell.

One interesting side note...my mom is completely in love with the Kombucha too and she told me that my great grandmother, Willie Jo Miller, used to make her own Kombucha tea in her bathtub! For anyone that knew my grandmother, I'm sure you are not surprised.

Feel Alive! Again

I have been really amazed lately at my lack of energy and I just continued to ignore the cause and would pour myself another cup of coffee. But the light bulb finally went off and I realized that I have not been doing a good job of remembering to take my vitamins. Okay, that is not even true...the truth is that I haven't been taking any of my supplements since the holidays. So I pulled out my basket of supplements (it usually stays on the kitchen counter as a reminder but had been stored in the pantry during a Christmas party) and took inventory of what I still had. Luckily I had a new bottle of my personal favorite multivitamin, Nature's Way Alive!, and I have now been taking it religiously. I have been a little surprised at the difference it has made in my energy levels. It took a couple of weeks but I don't feel the drained and dragging feeling that always comes over me about 2 in the afternoon. I knew I always felt good when I took it before but I just didn't realize how good.

Through the month of February I want to give everyone that is experiencing the afternoon drag a chance to feel good again so I am discounting our entire Alive! multivitamin line. We will be handing out samples and product information as well.

Alive! supplements are the ultimate Whole Food Energizers with more invigorating nutrients from more natural sources than any other product.

• 29 Vitamins and Minerals
• 24 Fruits and Veggies
• 14 Green Foods
• 18 Amino Acids
• 12 Digestive Fatty Acids
• 10 Essential Fatty Acids
• 12 Organic Mushrooms

Alive! represents the new thinking in supplements for daily health and energy, with a greater diversity of specially balance nutrients from three important areas:

1. daily essentials
2. botanical energizers
3. system defenders including antioxidants

Alive! products are specially formulated for easy digestion and absorption into the bloodstream. Even the tablets break up quickly in the digestive tract. In comparison tests with other whole food brands, Alive! tablets were the only ones to completely disintegrate in 20 minutes or less (the proper time to ensure uptake into the body.) Other brands took up to 5 times longer.

This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease.

Healthy Reading

I have personally given up reading my beloved fiction novels and I'm focusing solely on plowing through all the supplement and nutrition magazines and books that have quickly piled up on my desk. I have recently enjoyed the latest publication of Better Nutrition. It had a very informative article on CoQ10 and its effect on our bodies' energy levels. Ribose was also highlighted in the magazine as an energy booster and useful for improving sleep, mental clarity and easing pain. This article got my attention immediately because I have recently taken notice of my great reliance on my giant pot of green tea or coffee in the afternoon to keep me going through the rest of the day. I'll be bringing home Source Natural's D-Ribose powder and hopefully I will actually be able to keep up with my kiddo's energy levels.

The magazine also had a coupon for $2.00 off any Derma e product. Derma e "offers a full line of natural, therapeutic skin and hair care formulations rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and botanical." Stop by the Sunshine Shoppe to pick up your free copy of Better Nutrition and check out all the wonderful and information-pack articles.

The Spark of Life

I determined that this year I was going to really focus on keeping this site up to date and full of good product info and sales. So here it is, the very end of January and I am just getting started. But a late start is better than no start, so here goes...

This January and February we, at the Sunshine Shoppe Health Food store, are focusing on heart health. CoQ10 is my new favorite product lately. Because I wanted to put this product on sale I decided to do some good research about CoQ10 and I have been amazed by this powerful coenzyme! Before all I had understood about this nutrient was that it was important for the heart and well, that was enough to convince me considering that heart disease is the number one cause of death in America. But this coenzyme does so much more. Not only does it prevent and treat heart diseases such as angina, arrhythmia, high blood pressure, and congestive heart failure, it also has shown to be very effective in reducing the side effects of chemotherapy and statin drugs, improving cognitive function in the elderly, and improving symptoms of gingivitis.

CoQ10 does not provide immediate and noticeable changes in our energy levels because its healing effects occur on a deeper, cellular level. I'll explain...Our bodies are made up of cellular energy and activity. In order for us to stay alive and well our cells need energy. Enzyme molecules speed up chemical reactions that produce this much needed cellular energy. Therefore, enzymes effect every cell of the body which all need assistance from coenzymes. CoQ10 is the most important coenzyme because it helps in the energy producing process that happens in the mitochondria, which is basically the energy "factory." Without CoQ10 the energy "factory" shuts down and the cell dies.

CoQ10 is also a very powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants are important because they offset the damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are simply molecules with electrons missing and their goal is to become whole again by seeking out other chemical structures in the body to steal an electron from, causing serious damage. "Free radical damage causes accelerated aging and has been implicated in the development of both heart disease and cancer." All antioxidants help protect us from this damage by giving up or taking an electron but CoQ10 not only neutralizes the free radicals but devours them all together so the body can eliminate them.

I hope that this little bit of information on CoQ10 at least sparks your curiosity and encourages you to look into this amazing supplement. I always recommend that you talk to your doctor if you have any concerns or questions. Come in the Sunshine Shoppe today and receive 10% off all Enzymatic Therapy CoQ10 through the end of February.



This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

References
Torkos, Sherry. CoenzymeQ10:Discover the Spark of Life. Better Nutrition Magazine, Vol.2, 2008