In May we announced our first product give-away promotion.. Drawing entries were collected from the last week in May through the month of June. On July 5th Jessica drew our winner’s name from 30 entries.

Liz is a Shaklee Kid. When she was Jessica’s age (and even younger) her parents were giving Liz and her sisters Shaklee vitamins, Shaklee snack bars, Shaklee protein shakes . . . you get the point.

I only just recently met Liz. She was introduced to me by Donna Stief. -you gotta hear Donna’s story, click on her name now- Liz and Donna work together. One day Donna sends me an e-mail introducing me to Liz. Later we talked on the phone. . . so we’ve never actually met in person. But she told me about growing up with Shaklee, how her sister used to hide her vitamins under the table (in a space between the table leaves) and when her family was preparing to move they took the table apart - out falls all these old, dusty, mildewing vitamins - HA! LOL. Sounds so familiar; only I flushed all the evidence down the toilet when I was a kid. Oh, I just know how mad her mom must have been. I was too when our son tried to pull the same stunt. We laughed, Liz and I. Then she told me about her parents mission work and about how many sisters she has. Great connecting with other women!!!!

When Liz placed her order she was excited to get back to her Shaklee, never imagining she was going to win free product. Actually she didn’t think about it at all since she wasn’t even aware of the drawing. Promotion. Promotion. Promotion. Seems like we could spend all our time on promoting the benefits of ordering with our group OR making those connections, one-on-one, with those who want to learn more about how Shaklee can help them. We’ve been doing more of the latter. SO BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR E-MAILS AND, if you haven’t already, SIGN UP AS A SHAKLEE INSIDER (register at the top right of your screen: “e-News & Updates”)

For promotion details email me at: Drawing Details: ottohouse@dejazzd.com

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONFIDENCE IN THE SHAKLEE PRODUCT & ALLOWING US TO SERVE YOU.

Melissa

]]> http://www.melissaotto.com/100-free-product-winner/feed/ http://www.melissaotto.com/new-shaklee-members/ http://www.melissaotto.com/new-shaklee-members/#comments Thu, 05 Jun 2008 17:15:17 +0000 melissa http://www.shakleeinsider.com/?p=70

Kimberly Goss

WELCOME! Kimberly and I have been friends for a really long time. Wow. How time does fly. Even more cool is how friendships reconnect when we are in different seasons of life. Kim told me that she was interested in getting better nutrition for her family. When we talked about her specific needs we laughed. . . would you believe we cried a little too - women! so emotional. OK - so we got her order together. I believe she is excited to start using her Shaklee supplements but I’ll let her comment on that. Kim can be quite the comedian; I sure hope she leaves us all something really funny to read.

When our Shaklee order is delivered, Jessica always wants to be the first one to open up the box. Not because she loves to take her vitamins but because she wants to get her Chocolate Chip Meal Bars. To her they are like a candy bar but to her body they mean 20 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber, & 35% of her Daily Value for 21 essential vitamins and minerals.

Have you ever read the book Rich Dad, Poor Dad (by Robert T. Kiyosaki)? Mr. Kiyosaki says:

I am concerned that too many people are focused too much on money and not their greatest wealth, which is their education. If people are prepared to be flexible, keep an open mind and learn, they will grow richer through the changes.

(continued)

Author Robert Kiyosaki goes on to illustrate how this is best when we are young and taught through experience (work). I am certainly not an expert, but what I am learning through my Shaklee business is to be teachable. My mind is stretched, I am challenged to step out of my comfort zone, I make mistakes, I also experience some successes, and along the way I involve our children.

Jessica checks in the packing slip to be sure everything is in the order. Of course I double check it. That takes extra time. But I know that probably this time next year she will have that job under control and then I won’t have to do it at all. We also pay her for her work. I know she would love to take the money and spend it any way she wants - NO!, that doesn’t happen. We teach her to give back to her church, to save for her future needs/wants, and to balance the spending of the rest. A future business woman in the making.

And all of that paints a perfect picture I’m sure. But it isn’t. That is where I sometimes make mistakes, I get lazy. But I work at it. That is what is so awesome about owning my Shaklee distributorship. It is my business. But I’m not in business alone. There is excellent training available from various resources. Great people, with lots of experience who find it in their best interest to come along side you. And all the backings of a billion dollar business like McDonald’s; I own a franchise store. There is a huge learning curve but their is no ceiling to the level of success you can reach for.

Part of our routine is to also divide our vitamins. We would not have to do this because Shaklee offers a great basic combination of daily nutrition in a convenient blister pack, already divided for each day; Shaklee Vitalizer. Jay loves the convenience of the Vitalizer pack and I have to admit that because he likes it so much he takes his vitamins without me reminding him (very nice benefit).

But for me old habbits die hard AND I will often adjust the amount of one nutrient or the other depending on my need. For example: B-complex is great for balancing hormones - our body does not store the Bs, nor does it make Bs when they are needed. They are water soluble nutrients so you can not overdose on it either. In a perfect world we could have the right balance of Bs with every meal, feeding our hormones exactly what they need and we’d never get tired, or grouchy, or weird cravings, or just craving to eat everything in the frig . . . but we don’t live in a perfect world. So I take more Bs when I am stressed, close to my period, drinking alcohol or all of the above.

What in the world?

Living in The Land of And was how Shaklee owner Roger Barnett described his vision for all Shaklee Distributors.

It means I can own my own busines

• AND be home for the kids
• AND take the dog for a walk everyday
• AND have my quiet time (meditation) everyday
• AND only work the weekends I choose to work
• AND exertions to West Virginia on the motorcycle
• AND trips to Fell’s Point, MD for Mother’s Day

Fells Point, MD

I could be a workaholic but Jay won’t let me. He loves to have fun; aren’t I the lucky girl he loves to have fun with. I love my work. I love learning about new ways to reach people and I especially love the people I connect with; people who tell me they love their Shaklee products. And let me tell you, once they try them they usually love them.

Everywhere we go - because Jay takes me there - we meet people. And every time I tell them I am crazy about my Shaklee products they want to know more. Why do they do that? Have you ever told someone about something you were excited about? Did they blow you off? More likely they asked you tell them more.

Amy

While we were in Fells Point we met Amy. Turns out that she lives in Harrisburg, PA - not too far from us - WOW! how much fun is that. We get to know each other, exchange contact info, share something we are passionate about, and now we have new friends.

Jay always wants to get me away and I always want to make new connections with people. Sometime we have to open our minds to others who influence our lives. Sometimes we have to see each new circumstance with new eyes.

Dance

What else does it mean to Live in the Land Of And?

Dancing. Our daughter Jessica loves to dance. And so do I. Instead of enrolling Jessica in the more traditional tap or jazz or even gymnastics, she and I enrolled together to do Oriental Dance (ie Belly Dance) lessons. This past April we participated in our first Hafla. It was so awesome. We plan to practice more together at home and do more lessons.

Hafla

Happy Birthday Melissa

Today is my birthday. I turn 38. No big deal, really. But it is my birthday so I get to take a few liberties and tell some things about me.

Funny! Shaklee has been in my life so long that it seems quite appropriate to “celebrate” my birthday the same month we launch Shaklee Insider.

When I was born my parents were missionaries in Mexico. They preferred the American doctors and traveled across the boarder to have their babies. So instead of being born in Juarez, Mexico I was born in El Paso, Texas. . . in a hospital named El Diablo!!! (look it up in your Spanish Google - it means The Devil).

HA! So very appropriate!

I have heard my parents described as nomads, hippies, and granola people - wonder if they know that - this may be the first. I’m sure it was because of their free lifestyle. More importantly they are people with True Spirits; they know, with confidence, The Source of life. They are people who seek Truth and are willing to admit when they have been wrong. But they are willing to step out into unknown territory and try new things. I admire their conviction and their freedom.

Shaklee isn’t a divine calling or the originator of any hidden truth. But, in my parent’s pursuit of authenticity they also found value in things that maximized life. There is so much freedom in that pursuit. Can you imagine being taught from a young age that you don’t have to live by social rules? Instead you are free to find the rules that govern your purpose in life. For my parents, Shaklee was a part of that free thinking.

I’m only 38 today. I have a desire in me to do so much more; a desire I believe was planted in me before I was born. It may be in my family genes because I can see this same sort of desire still in both my parents who are 67 & 71.

• At 14 my parents moved me from Petaluma, California to Alexandria, Virginia.
• At 14 and a half I met my husband - Jay was 4 years older than me and in college.
• At 17 I graduated from Thomas A. Edison High School
• At 18 I married Jay P. Otto
• At 24 we had our first child, a son, Sean Paul
• At 28 we had our second child, a daughter, Jessica Ruth
• I spent a lot of years growing up, learning to be a mom, & learning what freedom really meant
• At 37 I began to pursue growth in the market place

Why Shaklee?

• My “granola” parents taught me to pursue health & wellness in order that you may optimize your chances of enjoying life many years.
• When I tried the cheaper versions of the health & wellness market they never made a difference in my life
• More recently, as our world begins to enter a new era - one where we are learning from our mistakes in the past 50 years - it is easy to see the need for a more conscientious way of living
• Shaklee has been with us through the past 50 years; they have been time tested and they are consistent with their mission to Live In Harmony With Nature.
• Five years ago Roger Barnett took over the Shaklee steering wheel and has brought a new energy to fuel the Shaklee mission.
• Roger Barnett is on a mission to help people feel better and live better; one person at a time, one life touched by another.

Beyond all of that I have a desire in me to make a difference in the world; to be a difference maker. When you begin to see the world through the eyes of your heart you see things that you were blind to before. I never thought of myself as one who could build a business and help others do the same, until I let go of the things that held me back.

Beyond the fears of “what will others say” and “I am not a salesperson” and “I don’t want to bother people” etc, etc. I could not dampen my desire to tell people what I know and what I’ve seen.

• Health is not found at your doctors office
• Long lasting energy is not found at Star Bucks
• I am a living example of what supplements and lifestyle can do for you, for your family
• It is never too late to start
• Healthy weight involves good nutrition
• Energy that comes from good nutrition is not found in the discount isle of your favorite buying club
• Only you are responsible for your health - not your doctor
• If you have all the money in the world and all the friends in the world but not your health, how will you enjoy what you have?

I don’t know if Shaklee is the vehicle for you to find your hidden dreams and abilities. But you won’t know until you open your mind to the possibilities. Your dreams may be completely different than mine - I still know that if you are not taking care of your health you may not be able to pursue your dreams.

I have to be grateful for many things in my life; there are things we just don’t get to choose and therefore need to be respectful of how blessed we are. I am grateful to be born in the greatest country in the world - the United States of America. I am grateful that my parents were people who loved God enough to be loving to others. I am grateful to have met my husband Jay. I am grateful that he has proven to be the sort of man who also loves deeply, with much grace. I am grateful for our son, Sean, and our daughter, Jessica; life is so full with their influence. I am grateful for the things taught to me when I was too young to understand their value. And if you have read this far, I am grateful for you; it is wonderful to be heard.

Please let us know your thoughts on what I have shared. Leave your comments in the box below and feel free to be honest.

MUSCLE

Did you know muscle weighs more than fat?

Weighs more?

Most of us are really sensitive about what number comes up on the scale. Be honest. Do you wait to weigh yourself in the morning until you have pooped and are naked? When you visit your doctor you wear your lightest clothing and take your shoes off before stepping on the scale at the doctors office. Yes, I know, I do these things too.

But look at these scales. Both say 5 pounds. 5 pounds of what? The bottom photo is muscle. The top photo is fat.

When you go on a diet and lose 5 pounds you should be asking yourself, “5 pounds of what?”

Does it really matter? Why do I care as long as I’m losing weight?

The obvious reason: 5 pounds of fat looks like it is twice the size of the muscle. Losing 5 pounds of fat would give you more room in your jeans. But there is more to it than that.

• muscle at rest burns more calories; that means when you are sleeping your muscle burns up more calories than the fat.
• fat is stored energy - if you are loosing muscle and storing up fat then your body gets good at storing fat no matter how much you reduce your calorie intake.
• yo-yo dieting is caused by losing muscle when you diet and then gaining back more weight in the form of fat when you go off the diet.

How do you know if you are losing fat or muscle?

Shaklee’s system uses Leucine; an amino acid that helps your body retain muscle. Watch the video below to hear from the pros.

Click the Weight Loss link (right of your screen) to get started.

We couldn’t be more proud of our nephew. Ryon is 20yrs old and lives in Auburn, California.

In April he signed up to with Shaklee’s Gold Distributor program. He and his friends love the sports nutrition products offered by Shaklee and Ryon figured they might as well start their own buying club to get the best discounts.

All that is kinda boring when you consider how much fun he must be having on that wake board. I gotta go get all my details straight - straight from him . . . (more to come)

Three months later I was pregnant again. I took Shaklee to help with my morning sickness. I had a good pregnancy. My son, Stephen was born healthy. When he was about 18 months, I started him on lots of supplements that I blended up into his oatmeal. Then we switched to Shaklee chewable vitamins. When he was 2 ½, we noticed he wasn’t progressing as he should developmentally. When Stephen was 3 he showed signs of autism. Our doctors did all the blood work, MRI’s, and testing. We even entered him into a special preschool. That first year he progressed 20 months of development in only 8 months. I believe that he could have been worse had we not been on Shaklee products. I believe the Lord healed him. Stephen is now 7, in the 1st grade getting As and Bs. His only issue is Social.

We had another son, Andrew, when Stephen was 20 months. Andrew was tested and has had speech issues. This last year I have been concerned about Andrew being ADD, so I started him on a strong regiment of new vitamins. We also got rid of our standard household cleaners; we only use Shaklee’s non-toxic/biodegradable products called Get Clean. I can see a difference in his behavior. I am determined to find something that helps him focus in school without medication.
One thing I am very thankful, Shaklee helped us all avoid getting sick. My kids didn’t have any ear infections. Even in preschool, they rarely got sick.
Sara is our third child. She is our little princess. She has not had any developmental issues at all. She actually is above her age level. When she was 18months old, she did have a case of Respiratory Airway Disease. It is like pre-asthma. I immediately started her on more supplements. She has not had episode like that since. I am so thankful to God for Shaklee.