Category: Health News & Tidbits

Begin Your Day With Positive Thoughts to Create an Exceptional Life, Louise Hay Urges

How do you begin each and every day?
What are the very first thoughts you think?
What ideas fill your head as you get out of bed, hop in the shower, make breakfast, and prepare for the day ahead?
Do you dread the projects and duties that lie ahead of you? Or do you approach your day with happy anticipation?
No matter what challenges you are facing — whether it’s sugar addiction, financial issues, or other family situations — If you begin your day joyously and gratefully, you’ll have a fabulous day — and life.
Lately, I’ve been giving quite a bit of thought to how I begin my day, thanks to the fabulous new book, You Can Create an Exceptional Life, from two of my heroines, Louise Hay and Cheryl Richardson, both mega-best-selling authors, who’ve helped millions around the world. (Follow these amazing ladies on Facebook — just click the links I just gave.)
Both of these remarkable women are living proof that the spiritual principles they discuss in their new book really do work. As you read You Can Create an Exceptional Life, you’ll discover that you, too, can create an exceptional life, too.
In fact, I now follow their wonderful advice religiously, and I urge you to do that, too.
In You Can Create an Exceptional Life, which features the collective wisdom of Louise and Cheryl, you get many wonderful tidbits of advice on how lead a glorious life.
For instance, Louise suggests that you begin your day by looking at yourself lovingly in the mirror and telling yourself how much you love yourself and how awesome you are. Try it! You’ll find that this simple little tool works amazing wonders!
Also, see this wonderful YouTube video with Louise and Cheryl.
Anyhow, in this fabulous new book, You Can Create an Exceptional Life, you get many wonderful affirmations to use as you begin and go through your day. (There’s an amazing Collected Affirmations section in the back of the book, which you’ll love, I predict.)
By the way, another one of my absolute favorite CDs/books is, I Can Do It: How to Use Affirmations to Change Your Life, also from Louise Hay.
Since June — after getting quite exhausted, rundown, headachy, low on energy, and really burnt out (I developied electropollution from working long hours on my book, Beyond Sugar Shock) — I’ve been listening to I Can Do It or another Louise Hay CD every morning.
My daily Louise Hay booster shot helped to quickly bring back my natural energy, enthusiasm and joe de vivre. Wow! If you’re facing any kind of challenge, I urge you to check it out!
Let us know here what you think of both of these fabulous books, You Can Create an Exceptional Life and I Can Do It: How to Use Affirmations to Change Your Life.
Stay tuned for photos of me with Louise and Cheryl at Louise’s recent 85th birthday party.
So what new affirmations and thoughts are you having as you begin your day?
(Full Disclosure: My next book, Beyond Sugar Shock, is for Hay House, which is the same publisher for both You Can Create an Exceptional Life and I Can Do It: How to Use Affirmations to Change Your Life, but just because we’re in the same publishing family does not affect my thoughts about these books. Both of these books are amazing, and I’d be raving about them no matter what. Get them now to change your life, and tell us what you think!)

The Dark Side of Sugar

Learn more about the Sour Side of Sugar in this fascinating article on DailyRx.com from reporter Laurie Stoneham.
FYI, I’m one of the experts quoted in this story, “The Dark Side of Sweet: Sugar is everywhere and it may just be killing you.”
Read this important article on DailyRx now.
Then, tell us: Does this article help inspire you to quit the stuff — or at least reduce your consumption?
If you’re stumped as to how to let go of your sugar habit, join me next Thursday week in a free teleseminar.
Sign up here for the program, Fast-Track Secrets to Release Your Sugar Addiction & Shed Excess Weight.
Now, tell us why do you want to quit your sugar addiction?

Calling Sugar-Free Bloggers: Join Our Growing Community

Calling all Sugar-Free Bloggers!
I want to tell the world about your blog so we can spread the word together about the health benefits and Sweetness of Being Sugar-Free.
If you have a sugar-free blog, just share your URL here and provide a one-or-two-sentence description of your sugar-free and/or weight loss journey and goal for your blog.
If your blog is listed below, please give some information, too.
If you haven’t created a Sugar-Free Blog yet, I invite you to start one to publicly chronicle your sugar-shunning journey. Blogging can help you stay on the healthy path and create a life you love. Plus, you can help yourself and others at the same time.
So join the growing community of Sugar-Free Bloggers.
Here are a few Sugar-Free Bloggers I’ve found so far.
* Dana Kennedy: A Year Without Candy – www.yearwithoutcandy.com – Read my previous post about Dana’s exciting blog.
* David Vanadia: www.vanadia.com/stopbeingsweet
* Amy F.: http://myyearwithout.blogspot.com
* Maureen Flores: My Sugar Free Sweet Life – www.maureenflores.com
* Angie: http://gluten-dairy-sugarfree.com
* Amy Green: http://www.simplysugarandglutenfree.com
* Alex: http://spoonfulofsugarfree.com/about/
If you’re a blogger, who writes about being being sugar-free from time to time, you’re invited to join us, too. Here are some bloggers like this:
* Australian media personality and journalist Sarah Wilson: http://www.sarahwilson.com.au/category/i-quit-sugar/
* Susan Mernit: http://www.susanmernit.com/blog/2008/07/why-i-quit-sugar-and-how-this.html
* Amy Beth O’Brien: http://www.amybethobrien.com/home/i-quit-sugar/
If I’ve forgotten your blog, don’t fret. Just post a comment, I’ll add it to this master list.
I look forward to joining together to spread the word about the joy of sugar-free living.
By the way, have you seen the amazing story from Gary Taubes, Is Sugar Toxic?
Guidelines to be Included: Please note that blogs to be listed here advocate using healthy products only. We will not feature blogs that promote the use of artificial sweeteners, agave, honey, sugar or high fructose corn syrup.
Sugar-Free Bloggers, hope to hear from you soon!

Healthy Vending Machines on the Rise

Note from Connie: Today, the Sugar Shock Blog presents a guest post from fellow writer/health coach/IIN grad Suzanne Boothby about new vending machines that healthier foods than you usually find. Full Disclosure: Suzanne is a spokesperson for HUMAN Healthy Vending, the company about which she is writing. In this instance, HUMAN stands for Helping Unite Man and Nutrition.
Human_machine_jofemar Snacking Made Easy & Healthier
By Suzanne Boothby
There’s been a lot of buzz recently about school nutrition and, in particular, the problem with junk-filled vending machines in schools.
“Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years,” writes Dr. Oz Garcia in The Huffington Post. “Statistics show that nearly one in three American children are either overweight or obese.”
Dr. Garcia points out that while parents play the most important role in teaching children healthy habits, the U.S. school system plays a very central part in developing a child’s eating habits.
Another article on BusinessWeek, “School Vending Machines Undermine Student Nutrition,” referenced a report from the Journal of Adolescent Health, showing the negative impact vending machine foods had on the purchasing choices of students at about 150 different U.S. schools.
More than 80% of the schools studied carried vending machines offering foods with minimal nutritional value, including chips, soda and candy bars.
Enter Sean Kelly and Andy Mackensen, co-founders of HUMAN Healthy Vending machines, which offer healthier fare in the 30-billion vending machine industry.
HUMAN Healthy Vending Machines offer foods that cater to various dietary needs, including those that look for foods that are 100% organic, no-sugar-added, gluten-free, allergen-free, low-fat and carb.
Some of the vending machine’s bestselling snacks include PopChips!, TERRA Chips, Larabars, and BARE FRUIT snacks. Drinks include Fiji water, Poland Spring water, Perrier, Horizon Organic Milk and Vita Coco water.
The new digitally interactive, eco-friendly Healthy Vending machines have some unique features. They display all ingredients via LCD before you purchase it. What this means is that you can select a product from a touch screen keypad, and then before you make your purchase, the machine shows you the nutritional info on that same touch-screen. Therefore, you don’t have to lose change by buying snacks that don’t work for your particular diet.
In addition to providing healthier choices, HUMAN Healthy Vending machines include an eco-component with remote monitoring systems to ensure eco-friendly refilling. Plus, they contain LED lighting and energy-efficient refrigeration units to save power. In addition, the company donates 10% of proceeds to charitable causes that fight childhood obesity and malnutrition.
You can find these HUMAN Healthy Vending machines in schools, offices, hotels and hospitals, as well as health clubs, gyms and spas. In New York City, you can find these machines at the Aveda New York Institute, Mt. Sinai Medical Center and in the new offshoot of Equinox, Blink.
Suzanne Boothby is currently a spokesperson for HUMAN Healthy Vending, as wells as a Brooklyn-based wellness author and writing coach who dabbles in social media and marketing. She is a proud graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and The Institute for Integrative Nutrition.
Note from Connie: What a welcome development! These machines do seem to contain something for everyone. Please note, however, that while these snacks are far healthier than what you find in traditional vending machines, not all of these foods are healthy by everyone’s standards. So just follow your doctor’s guidelines and eat what works for you. By the way, I’m thrilled with the feature that you can save yourself time and money by being able to check out the ingredients first via LCD screen. What a unique, cutting-edge feature!

Book a Free Sweetness Strategy Session With Me this Weekend

If you’re around this weekend, you can book some free time with me to set you on a path to freedom from sugar, carbs or other bad habits.
You see, I’m around working on my next book, Beyond Sugar Shock, for Hay House. If you haven’t bought it yet, I recommend that you get my first book, Sugar Shock.
Anyhow, you get to benefit from my being home. Just nab me now for 20 minutes for a Sweetness Strategy Session.
Book your Sweetness Strategy Session now.
Just go to http://www.GenBook.com/coachingwithconnie

Sugar Addicts: Share Your Success Stories from Sadness to Sweetness

Calling former sugar addicts: Have you kicked sugar and refined carbs?
And are you a reader of SUGAR SHOCK! who was then inspired to remove refined sweets from your life?
Did cutting out sugar enable you to boost your energy, release weight, become more cheerful, have better relationships and get other amazing benefits? If your sugar addiction is a thing of the past — or is under control — we want to hear from you!
Share your Sugar-Free Success story with me so I can share it on this Sugar Shock Blog and other places. Please help me to encourage, educate and inspire other people.
Wondering what a Sugar-Free Success Story sounds like? Read motivational Kick-Sugar Success Stories shared previously on the Sugar Shock Blog.
* Jimmy Moore, who I interviewed recently on my Gab With the Gurus Radio Show
* Jaime Jackson
* Felicia DesRosiers
* Karly Pitman
To be featured as a Kick-Sugar Success Story on this Sugar Shock Blog and on other places, you should have either cut out or heavily cut back on your sugar and quickie-carb consumption for at least 3 months and achieved wonderful results. By sharing your story, you agree that I can publish all or parts of it on my Sugar Shock Blog, any other websites or in an upcoming book or books. You agree that I can use your name and photo and that I will edit your story for accuracy and readability. You agree that you are contributing this piece to help others and that you are sharing it without compensation. (Sorry!) To tell your sour-to-sweet story and to be considered for inclusion in this column, just write to me with answers to the following questions. Please also send photos — preferably before-and-after photos.
* Your Name (full or first name only), City, State & Country (or just list state, if you like) & Age (if you choose):
* Your Previous Weight & Height & Your Present Height:
* Favorite Hobbies & Activities Now:
* When did you kick sugar? Have you quit other foods, too? If so, what?
* What are the biggest BENEFITS you’ve received from kicking sugar?
* What was your rock-bottom moment before you decided you needed to change your diet?
* Just how bad were you feeling? What ailments did you have? Please be specific.
* Please describe any pivotal moments. For example, you could share something that happened in your doctor’s office, how you behaved towards a loved one (like I confessed in Chapter 1 of my book SUGAR SHOCK!), or what embarrassing event made you decide that it was high time to tackle your sugar habit, etc.
* What made you finally decide to eliminate sugar and refined carbs to help with your health issues?
* Describe the day that you finally decided it was time to break free!
* What were the very first 3 things that you did to prepare yourself to quit sweets?
* DS (During Your Sugar Days), what did you used to eat?
* Tell us how bad you felt. What was your lowest point? What was it like?
* What do you think most people don’t know about processed carbs that they need to know?
* How did you first learn about the dangers of sugars and refined carbs?
* Did you find a doctor or other health professional (acupuncturist, nutritionist, etc.), who understood all about how eating sugar triggers drastic blood sugar swings, etc. Tell us about him or her.
* What were your biggest challenges when kicking sugar and refined carbs? Please help prepare others for any potential pitfalls ahead.
* Do you have any favorite websites, blogs, books, organizations or support groups that have helped you to lick your habit?
* What are your best 3 tips and tactics to help other people kick sweets and quickie carbs?
* Please share some final words of wisdom, inspiration, encouragement or motivation to others who are thinking of cutting out sugar and simple carbs.
* Add your own question and response, if you like:
Please feel free to share this call for Confessions of Sugar Addicts No More on your blog or website, in your ezine, on your Facebook page or via Twitter. Please note that Connie Bennett, author of SUGAR SHOCK!, and the founder of the Sugar Shock Blog (http://www.SugarShockBlog.com) is compiling this collection. Please let me know if you’ve shared this call to action.
If you are not yet a success story but want to me, learn how to Break Free of Your Sugar Addiction in 6 Weeks.