Prevention has always been my passion in sharing my wellness journey but I just had to learn how to share it. Well, I’m sharing now since I lost nearly 100 pounds and my health markers are on point. I’ve been on this healthy prevention journey close to 20 years. Proof is in the blood and my health markers are remarkable. They are even better since I joined the R3 Challenge last June. Prior to 2004, I did nothing to improve my health I was pretty healthy overall. .My bloodwork was fine, so I had allergies and asthma, but they were under control.
Some of you may know know that Dr. John Folts, BSEE, MS, PhD. Professor of Medicine and Nutritional Science, Director of Coronary Thrombosis Research and Vascular Biology at The University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin studied for forty-four years of what he called “fun research” in cardiology. He introduced Provex CV to my online shopping club years ago. Provex CV which is one of those life changing products that does a whole lot more than an “aspirin a day”.ProvexCV delivers a powerful and diverse dose of polyphenols for unparalleled antioxidant protection, optimal cardiovascular health, and a healthy immune response!
I Googled this below and thought of sharing it with those that are healthy now (me included):
“Seemingly healthy people are “suddenly” having heart attacks because, as it turns out, their arteries are not perfectly healthy and they don’t know it. With the proper noninvasive tests, these diseased arteries would have been identified, and the heart attacks wouldn’t have happened.”— April 22, 2019
I believe taking ProvexCV is what has kept my blood pressure at super healthy levels and my heart in good shape. I wouldn’t be without it!
Two years ago the home loan interest rate was 3.0% allowing you to own a $700,000 home. That same interest rate is now 7.2% allowing you to own a $400,000 home. Maybe you bought that $700,000 home two years ago, but with rising inflation causing groceries and fuel to soar, you could probably use some additional residual income about now.
I’m been earning residual income for over 18 years with my wellness company—a totally debt-free company offering safer, more natural, American-made products at Target prices. It never hurts to look at ways to earn some additional residual income and save on your day-to-day consumer products.
Are you open to a cup of coffee and some valuable information?
Today is NATIONAL COMPLIMENT DAY. What a wonderful way to brighten someone’s day or to give credit for a job well done! Today’s the day to give an extra compliment to anyone and everyone you meet.. A compliment has a powerful effect. It can instill confidence in a child, or validate someone’s hard work. A compliment not only improves the receiver’s mood, but it also says something about the giver. It tells them you noticed.
Whether we recognize someone’s achievement or their classic style, a compliment can go a long way. To give a great compliment, first be sincere. People have a way of knowing when we are fake. If you don’t mean it, it’s worse than getting a thoughtless birthday gift.
Complimenting character versus a new haircut are different rewards. The first says you respect the person and the other tells them you paid attention. Sometimes the receiver needs to hear one or the other, or both. Human beings like to be unique, original. Strive to compliment what makes a person stand out above the rest. Take the time to reflect on what you admire about the person and go for it.
Compassion and self care is something I’ve been so mindful of lately. We love our families, our pets, our friends and so many other things in life but how often do we love ourselves? The way self-care is portrayed today is completely and utterly backward.
First, self-care as a concept is almost exclusively aimed at women because, after all, women are busy caring of everyone. Unfortunately there is always the underlying suggestion that while women should be taking care of themselves, it doesn’t absolve them from taking care of everyone else.
Secondly, self-care is often characterized as an indulgence. This means both that the practice of self-care is something that is only occasionally allowed and that it should feel like an indulgence.
If we are being honest, self-care is actually kind of boring. Self-care is a actually a discipline—it takes discipline to continually make “good for you” as opposed to doing what feels good right here, right now. It’s takes discipline to refuse to take on the responsibility for other people’s emotional well-being—and, it takes discipline to take full and complete responsibility for your own well-being.
Samples of self care include:
Turning off the TV instead of watching another episode of “The Crown” because the alarm is going off at 5am so you can get to the gym.
Declining the second drink at the office holiday party. It might even be declining the first drink.
Saying “no” to things you don’t want to do even if it causes someone to be angry with you.
Maintaining financial independence.
Doing work that matters.
Letting others manage their own affairs and take care of themselves.
Think about the oxygen mask on a plane. In case of emergency, you are instructed to put yours on first—before helping family and fellow passengers—so you can better care for others. Life works the same way; when we exercise self-compassion, love, and care, we show up bigger and brighter for ourselves and for others. Self-care is not something that’s done once in awhile when the world gets crazy. It’s what should be done every day, every week, month in and month out. It’s taking care of oneself in a way that doesn’t require “indulging” in order to restore balance. It’s a commitment to stay healthy and balanced as a regular practice.
Time is often cited as an issue for lack of self-care, but self-care and me time can be scheduled it in, just like a meeting, lunch with a friend, or a doctor appointment. Ironically, most people find that when they truly care for themselves—exercising all the discipline that it requires—they are finding they are in a much stronger place to give to those around them. They note they are a fully engaged colleague, a more grateful spouse, and happier parents. Those who take care of themselves find they have the energy to take care of others joyfully because caregiving doesn’t come at their own expense.
Self-compassion is something we all need to do. It’s easy to get wrapped up in self-limiting beliefs and fears—those who take care of themselves also have the energy to work with meaning and purpose toward a worthy goal. Which means they are also the people most likely to make the world a better place for all of us
Did you know that 60% of teachers cannot survive on their salary!
It’s not that U.S. teachers are underpaid; the median income for the country’s 1 million high-school teachers, for example, is more than 50 percent higher than that of the general population. But relative to peers with similar levels of education, teachers are falling behind. In 1994, public-school teachers made only 2 percent less than college graduates in other fields; by 2015, the gap was 17 percent.
In more than half of the country, after adjusting for inflation, average teacher salaries have declined since the start of the century. In West Virginia, where pay has dropped by 8.9 percent since 2000, teachers went on strike in late February, forcing lawmakers to pass a 5 percent pay increase for the next school year. Teachers’ unions in Arizona, Oklahoma and Kentucky plan similar walkouts if their demands aren’t met.
Many have had to take 2nd jobs just to survive—this is true of many respectable careers that just cannot provide for a family these days without the help of a 2nd or 3rd income. Teachers shouldn’t have to work second and third jobs to make ends meet, as many say they do, even in states with low costs of living.
Have you considered seeking that additional job? Rather than have to add many more hours to your already stretched day, or change careers, there is an answer to helping supplement your family/personal income by helping others to be healthier from the comfort of your own home. One that I and many others are enjoying every day! Sometimes it is just a matter of educating the educator!
The fastest (and easiest) way to achieve your own goals is by helping others reach theirs. You’ve heard it said since you were a child, “it is better to give than to receive”. The article below from Forbes Magazine points that out in some detail.
Whether it is sharing the knowledge of how the products your company offers can help them or listening (instead of talking) in order to discover what is important to them or sharing the resources of a website that you subscribe to that can assist them in their business, these things all constitute helping them achieve their own goals.
You can also help others by making them aware of opportunities that they may not have considered. Giving them valuable feedback about your observations of their own activities, in a non-critical way can improve their effectiveness. Show them how advocating for their own company’s brand, in a whole-hearted way, can improve their own posture and that of their company, as well.
Don’t be reluctant to share your own networking connections. They may be able to nurture some new connections. And offer and give freely of your time, whenever you can. Remember, also, to recognize their achievements in a genuine way. Finally, keep your attention out for a particular “gift” (not expensive) that would be meaningful to them in a personal way.
Helping others can be inconvenient at times. It takes time and requires subordinating your own goals in the short-run. In the long run, it will pay significant dividends as you strive for your own goals. Never, never be reluctant to help, you will gain and you will feel better about yourself and that AWAYS makes YOU better.
Do you want to create additional income? You’re probably well aware that there are others like yourself who are seeking the same thing. There are so many options available, but basically only four different kinds of business models, each having its own set of pros and cons.
Conventional employers offer commissions or wages and small private businesses typically are all based on exchanging your time for ‘transactional’ revenue. Neither of those allows much of a chance for you to ‘leverage’ or ‘scale’ your business.
Franchise ownership typically requires substantial cash investments and expertise that most people do not have.
That leaves a host of business opportunities that are very popular offering independent status as a ‘representative’ or ‘agent’ under the broad category of ‘marketing’ and requiring some degree of team building and leadership.
There are many questionable and unrealistic opportunities being pitched these days. One of your first priorities should be to work with a team that has carefully investigated many of the various business models that are out there. You should have a clear ‘roadmap’ to find and work with a successful business that brings proven value to the marketplace, fits one of your areas of interest and has developed a proven program for on-the-job training so you can earn income while you learn the strategies for succeeding at your business.
You’ll need to learn how to increase the number of people who say yes to becoming a life-long customer and/or decide to work with you as a business partner. That means you also need to find the ingredients necessary to have a sustainable product line that will generate passive income for a life-long business. Then there’s the most important question: What role does value play in a product line with a business attached to it and how do you spot it?
When it’s appropriate to talk with a business person about the search that many people are doing right now to find a reliable business opportunity, they will appreciate having this list of Success Factors. The logical question to ask next, after a thoughtful review of these 12 points, is my question at the end.
1. Company track record. How long has the company been in business? What are the company’s annual sales statistics each year since they began their business? Does the company print average income statistics for business builders? It should and you should ask for them. Proof of long term sales, success and growth is critical in choosing any business.
2. Financially sound. Does the company have outstanding debt? Joining a company that is debt free is highly recommend to lessen any risk.
3. Strong management team. What are the backgrounds and credentials of the management team? Look to join a company run with integrity and strong leadership.
4.Unique consumable products. Are the company’s products products that people actually need, use, run out of and repurchase month after month? Do the products have any trademarks or patents allowing for exclusive rights (meaning no other company can copy them)? If the products are not consumable, meaning something that a person would only buy once, then that is a business that will not be viable long term. If the products are consumable but not necessarily a genuine need, that will reduce your chance for long term success. Products that are truly needed and consumed monthly make for a solid business model.
5. Wide market appeal. Are the products something everyone needs and uses? If the products are specific for a certain gender, age group or body size for example, you reduce your market potential. It’s not something for everyone. If you choose a narrow niche product, you must ask yourself if you are comfortable excluding customers that are not attracted to that niche.
6. Competitive prices. Are the products comparable in price or less expensive than the competition? If they are too expensive, this is not a business that will produce ongoing great results. What will you do when you find competitors with equally high quality products that are reputably offered for a lot less cost? You may be loyal out of sheer stubbornness but your customers will run to the competitors.
7. High customer reorder rate. Does the company share its reorder rate? This means one thing. How many customers that purchased from the company last month, reorder again the following month? If the re-order rate is low, the business will not be viable as new customers simply replace your old customers producing no real growth or a secure, residual income. Know that it will be difficult to find this information from most companies directly. Don’t make a decision until you know this important piece of the business model you are considering joining.
8. Low initial investment. If the cost to join or start your business is too high it makes for more risk and difficulty in attracting customers and business partners. If a start up fee is high and a ‘customer acquisition bonus’ is also high, beware of what might be a “Ponzi scheme.” Many so-called ‘ground-floor opportunities’ have attracted many hopeful participants, only to tragically end in the loss of much time and money for the vast majority of eager business partners.
9. Low monthly requirement. If there is a high monthly requirement, customers and business builders may end up storing an inventory of products they do not need. If there is a low monthly product purchase requirement, then customers are getting what they need for personal use each month. From a business standpoint, you know customers are purchasing each month. That creates the freedom of true residual income.
10. Rewards for leadership development. Does the company reward you for helping others in your business succeed? If there is any way the company could remove business building partners from your business because of their success, be very careful about joining. There should never be potential for you to lose great partners. Also, be sure that you receive a reward for the business created by all of the customers that you personally bring to the company. There are many companies that cleverly take away productive customers and business partners from hard working people just like you.
11. Risk-free – Is everything 100% guaranteed? If not, could you seriously advise someone to join you? Be sure the guarantee is long enough to adequately test-drive the product. Check to see how the company handles returns and refunds. You will be so much more satisfied with your company when you can confidently tell your prospective customers that you know from personal experience about their excellent customer service and refund policy.
12. Anyone can be successful.Is the business plan set up for anyone to be successful at any time? If it’s a company that says Ground floor opportunity, or Get in Now, be wary. If only the people who join at the beginning can be successful, then eventually people will get hurt.
The only real question after considering this list is this: “which one of these factors would you take off the list if you were going to seriously consider working with the company?” If anyone seeing this list knows someone they care about is considering working with a company as an independent representative, they might be wise to consider: “how does that company measure up?” If we are honest with ourselves, nothing can match the conviction of ‘certainty’ that is backed up by verifiable data and experience. All the above points are relevant particularly to the one who has a long term commitment in mind. That’s why we should be just as eager to ‘prove all things’ in this part of life as we should be in any other.
If you are serious about researching further on this topic in preparation for making a decision about where to invest your valuable time, be sure to contact me at barbara@hayseedscreative.com or visit for more information.
A supplement company paid a third-party website to write misleading reviews about a weight-loss drug
The US Federal Trade Commission has successfully brought the first ever case against using fraudulent, paid Amazon reviews to falsely advertise an online product, the agency announced Tuesday evening. The company in question, named Cure Encapsulations, Inc. and owned by Naftula Jacobowitz, paid a third-party website to write five-star Amazon reviews for a weight-loss supplement called garcinia cambogia. The plant, native to Indonesia, is widely mischaracterized as contributing to weight loss, but is in fact known to cause acute liver failure.
Cure Encapsulations paid a website called amazonverifiedreviews.com to keep the product’s Amazon rating above 4.3 out of 5 stars, with reviews stating that the supplement worked as a “powerful appetite suppressant” and “literally blocks fat from forming.” The FTC found those claims to be false and unsubstantiated.
“People rely on reviews when they’re shopping online,” Andrew Smith, the FTC’s director of consumer protection, said in a statement. “When a company buys fake reviews to inflate its Amazon ratings, it hurts both shoppers and companies that play by the rules.” The FTC first filed its complaint on February 19th, and reached a settlement in just under a WEEK.
As part of the settlement, Cure Encapsulations has agreed to never again make a “weight-loss, appetite-suppression, fat-blocking, or disease-treatment claims for any dietary supplement, food, or drug” unless the company has “competent and reliable scientific evidence in the form of human clinical testing” to support its claims. The settlement also prohibits the company from misrepresenting endorsements, including whether a review or testimonial is from a real customer who purchased the product.
Cure Encapsulations must now inform Amazon that it paid for reviews, itself a violation of Amazon’s rules around promotional content, and must also notify all customers who purchased the weight-loss supplement. To keep the company in line, the FTC is imposing a $12.8 million fine, with only $50,000 due today and the remainder used as a way to enforce the judgement and in the event Cure Encapsulations misrepresents how much money it has on hand.
Amazon, in a statement given to The Verge, said its pleased the FTC is taking action. “We welcome the FTC’s work in this area. Amazon invests significant resources to protect the integrity of reviews in our store because we know customers value the insights and experiences shared by fellow shoppers,” a company spokesperson said. “Even one inauthentic review is one too many. We have clear participation guidelines for both reviewers and selling partners and we suspend, ban, and take legal action on those who violate our policies.”
Fake Amazon reviews have been known as a problem for years, but regulators have shown little interest in cracking down on the practice until this recent suit. That’s pushed Amazon to go after the review sellers themselves, including filing individual lawsuits against sellers on freelance job sites like Fiverr. Yet the FTC’s latest action sets a firm precedent that the agency is willing to go after companies that abuse online markets and platforms like this. It’s not clear whether the agency has the resources to curb the behavior behind some of the biggest bad actors on sites like Amazon, but the settlement sends a message that companies like this can’t rely on the trusted veneer of these marketplaces to excuse false advertising.
The FTC has shown a growing interest in abusive practices in the tech industry in recent months, far beyond the low-level scams of fake Amazon reviewers. Earlier today, the FTC announced it would be forming a task force with 17 staff attorneys to monitor and take action against anti-competitive behavior in US technology markets. The task force appears focused on the increasingly centralized power of a few Silicon Valley giants like Google and Facebook.
Hayseeds Creative 