• Statistics- 47% of women over 50 are single and responsible for their own finances.  Women’s retirement benefits are about 1/4 of men due to staying out of the workplace  longer from raising children and the fact that women still get paid less than men generally.  Women usually outlive men by 7-10 years and  married baby-boomer women outlive their husbands by 15- 20 years on average.  3 out of 4 elderly people living in poverty are women and 7 out of 10 women will live in poverty sometime in their life.  These are eye opening statistics!
• Avoid Dependency-creating your own wealth assures that through divorce or job loss you will still be able to take care of yourself financially.
• No Glass Ceiling- in corporate America women encounter the glass ceiling due to gender many times.  It is especially hard for women over 50.  In network marketing, there is no bias due to age or gender.
• No Limits on Income- Your salary depends on your work skills and effort.  There are no limits as to how much you can make.
• Increased Self-Esteem-when becoming financially independent , you also increase your self-esteem.  Most network marketing companies emphasize personal development as a way to succeed.  The bonus is you grow as a person too!
• Control of Your Time- with your own business you can create the hours you want to work allowing yourself time for your family, friends and other areas important to your quality of  life.

Network marketing is a great vehicle for women since most of the business is centered around relationships where women tend to excel.  It is a fun way to make money especially if you are involved with a company you are passionate about!

• peak acne years are ages 14-17 in females and 16-19 in males
• 40% of females and 35% of males are affected during this time
•  major changes in hormones ( pregnancy, menopause,etc.) can trigger acne breakouts
• touching skin helps spread bacteria/excess oils causing breakouts
• too much cleaning and scrubbing can make acne worse

Acne begions at puberty. It is caused by an increase in the male sex hormone, androgens, which is produced by the testes as well as the ovaries. The hormone increases sebum secretion, an oil that goes through the hair follicles to lubricate the skin. When it is produced so fast, it accumulates in the pores and creates the condition known as acne. If it combines with dead skin cells and bacteria it forms a whitehead.

One common form of treatment for acne is the use of antibiotics, like tetracycline or Accutane.  These produce quick results, but if used long-term it can dry the skin and cause sun sensitivity.  Antibiotics can also weaken the immune system and impair the ability to fight off serious conditions.

One of the most common ingredients  in retail acne treatments is benzoyl peroxide which kills the bacteria but it doesn’t remove the dead skin cells or unclog the pores filled with oil. It is less expensive than other products and works quickly, but it can be very irritating causing redness and dryness of the skin. Dry skin can lead to faster aging of the skin.

 Another product that is registered with the FDA for the treatment and prevention of acne is salicylic acid. It is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that kills bacteria as well as breaking down the dead cells that clog the pores and create long-term acne. It takes longer to “erase ” the acne, but it is more gentle and has a longer effect on the prevention of acne. There are also nutritional supplements that contain vitamin A ( beta-carotene), zinc, and L-lysine that help control the acne from the inside out.

If you are interested in a  source of acne treatment using salicylic acid, please contact me. Arbonne’s  Clear Advantage Back to School Set which includes a wash, toner ,lotion and spot treatment( reduces the appearance of redness and dark marks) is on sale for $60 through 8-31-10.

• Makeup Primer- smooths, tones and minimizes the look of fine lines and wrinkles ; creates a velvety, matte , radiant finish; use a cosmetic wedge and start in the T-zone; add a little extra around eyes  and over any frown or laugh lines( Arbonne’s primer is safe to use around the eyes and on the lips); when selecting a primer test it on your hand for a velvety finish and a matte look; the primer creates a barrier between your skin and foundation so the true color of the foundation shows and reduces the oil throughout the day from your skin
• Foundation-use a cosmetic wedge when applying to create a smoother finish and a more natural look; if using mineral makeup use a good eye cream to soften the lines where the makeup has settled; use loose powder to set the makeup but use sparingly only in the T-zone with a cosmetic wedge( brushes can leave brush marks in your foundation
• Mister-use a mister to set your makeup and give a dewy look ( Arbonne’s Awaken Rejuvenating Mist is great and the Unwind is even better for dry skin)
• Eye shadows -on mature skin only use matte tones( no frost in them); matte tones do not reflect light easily and show less wrinkles  
• Bronzer- should not be too orange or have too much frost in it- Arbonne has developed the  “perfect” product for that sun-kissed look; it can be used on all skin tones year-round
• Mattifying Powder- minimizes pores ;  translucent;  can be used in the place of compact powder; as a highlighter on the planes of the face (top of cheekbones, bridge of nose, jaw line) ; works on all skin types and does not build up on the skin

Come join me for a fun Makeup Party and learn how to use these tricks and more to create a great looking “youthful” face on Tuesday, 1-12-10 . 7pm . Contact me at 919-380-3798 or annmckenzie01@yahoo.com for directions or to RSVP.

• Do you have a parent, brother or sister with diabetes?
•  Is your family background African-American, American Indian, Asian American, Pacific Islander or Hispanic American-Latino?
• Have you had diabetes during pregnancy or a baby weighing more than 9 pounds?
•  Do you exercise fewer than 3 times per week?

If so, you could be at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

In Type 2 diabetes, the body cannot produce enough insulin to respond to the food you eat. Insulin is the hormone made in the pancreas that helps convert glucose to energy. If your blood glucose remains high over the years it can lead to kidney disease, blindness and lower-limb amputation.

• There are more than 23 million people in the United States alone with diabetes.
• About one-fourth of these people do not even know they have diabetes.
• There are more than 180,000 people less than 20 years old with diabetes.

The first test used to diagnose diabetes is a blood glucose test. This test can be run anytime, but to get the best result , the person goes without food or drink for at least 8 hours prior to testing. If the fasting glucose is 126mg/dL or above and confirmed with a repeat test another day that indicates diabetes. If diagnosed , the next step is having the A1C test run twice a year.

The A1C measures the amount of glucose attached to the hemoglobin molecule in your red blood cells. Since the red blood cells live for several months, you can tell how well your glucose level has been controlled for the previous three months. You do NOT have to go without food or drink before this test is done. In general, lowering your A1C by 1% reduces the risk of developing  eye, kidney and nerve diseases by 40%.

After working in the laboratory for 34 years with the last 11 years being in public health, I feel that this information is too important not to share. As stated above, over 5 million people in the United States do not know they have diabetes. Do yourself, your family and friends a favor. If any of these conditions apply to you, go see your doctor to be tested.

How safe are the products you are buying for your loved ones? Approximately 60% of what you place on your skin is absorbed into the body.  According to the EPA, it takes 26 seconds from the time you place a toxic substance on your skin for it be absorbed into the body and reach all major organs.

Some things to consider when buying spa/bath products are:

• artificial dyes and fragrances: known irritants-can cause allergic reactions
• mineral oil (found in 98% of products formulated in U.S.A.): occlusive oil that can interfere with skin functions as well as advanced delivery systems(systems that deliver anti-oxidants into the skin)
• botanically based products: offer superior benefits as compared to animal based products or by-products
• correct pH: products should be between  pH 5.5 and 6.5 to avoid chaffing and irritation (most skin cleansers are pH 9.0 or higher)
• hypoallergenic: meet hypoallergenic substantiation claim criteria
• dermatologist tested: tests done under the supervision of an independent dermatologist

Another consideration is the concentration of the products.  Are you really getting the most for your money with an inexpensive item, if it is used up in a few weeks?

How about products that keep the bathroom clean? Since I filled my bathroom with only botanically based products , I never have soap scum! I am not the best house cleaner, so I am thrilled that it does not show in our tub. I only clean the main  bathtub thoroughly ( in my son’s bathroom) when having company.  It is lucky for my guests that I use products that keep the bathtub soap scum free !! 

When making your spa/bath purchases remember to consider the safety,  concentration and quality of ingredients before you buy a gift for your loved ones.  I can make your shopping stress free. Let me know if I can help you relax during this Holiday season!

First of all, make sure you’re getting enough rest, and that you’re eating right. Colorful foods, such as fruits and veggies, provide many of the nutrients your body needs to stay healthy. Beyond that, nature has also provided a wealth of anti-flu warriors in many herbs, such as Echinacea, which are natural immune boosters.  

How does that work? The herbs’ immune boosters help increase the production of cells (macrophages, phagocytes, T-cells, and white blood cells) that fight and digest viruses, fungi, and some bacteria. They also stimulate the production of defense substances (such as interferon), which protect your non-infected cells from viruses.

As for me, I’ve been able to combat anything that comes my way with a number of products that Arbonne provides, including:

• Arbonne’s Get Well Soon Dietary Supplement has a Triple Shield Echinacea blend that is standardized to be four times stronger than a simple herbal supplement. The Herbal Vapor Soak and Vapor Rub also help respiratory symptoms associated with the flu, like stuffy nose and chest congestion.
• The new Clear Advantage Dietary Supplement contains CoEnzyme Q10, and Reservatrol in addition to Vitamin C and E. Reservatrol comes from plants that produce it to fight off bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.
• Arbonne’s Protein Powders are a perfect food source, with an expiration date of about two years (making it great to keep in store, just in case). Protein is essential to support the immune system. This product also has Omega 3 essential fatty acids, Coenyzme Q10, alpha-lipoic acid and more which all boost the immune system and help fight the flu. 
• Go Fizz Energy Tablets will make you feel almost human, even when you’re down with an infection! They contain the Vitamin B complex as well as green tea extract and guarana extract for energy. If you’re sick and there’s an errand that cannot wait until you feel better (though in reality, you should really just stay home), you can fizz up on energy with these energy tabs to get you through!
• The Herbal Lip Ointment and Dietary Supplement help provide relief from cold sores and fever blisters as well.
• The Sea Source Detox Spa line increases your immunity by increasing circulation that can help your body heal more quickly.
• The Detox Tea is great for sore throats, and it helps eliminate toxins (including those from fever-reducing drugs) in the kidneys and liver. This is a wonderful product to use after taking Motrin (metabolized in the kidney) or Tylenol ( metabolized in the liver).

So do your best to keep yourself in top shape, and if you still get sick, then know that when you’re feeling blah and just can’t muster enough energy to go to the grocery store, have your armory ready so you can sit back, rest, and kick that bug as quickly as possible!

I went to an Arbonne training in Burlington a few weeks ago on health and wellness. It was great. The speakers included a family medicine doctor who replaced and surpassed her income with Arbonne in one and one -half years.  She decided to do this because  Arbonne’s progesterone cream kept her from considering  a hysterectomy. She was anemic and severely affected by her periods. She had tried other progesterone creams ( in addition to other medical treatments) with no improvement.  She tried Arbonne’s Prolief (progesterone cream). Prolief was not formulated in mineral oil ( better absorption by the skin) and notcontained in an open jar(which can reduce the effectiveness of the hormone).  Prolief is also a  bio-identical hormone (molecular structure identical to the one found in humans).  Within 3 months her hemoglobin went from 8g/dl to 11g/dl and she had no PMS. She was  a wealth of information. I have always felt Arbonne had many more benefits for your health in addition to the great way it makes your skin look.  I now  have additional knowledge of what the products can do for you. 

Dr. Deanna Osborn also talked about the effect of  petrochemicals (that act like “false estrogen”) , the hormones and pesticides that animals consume before we eat them as food, and the active forms of hormones from the urine of women taking birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy that find their way to our water ways.  There are studies that show 30% of male fish in lakes and rivers in the U.S.  are able to produce eggs like females.  Also decreased sperm counts in human males, is being attributed to this. They think many people can be  affected by these hormones with a long list of symptoms that can adversely affect their health. For more information , go to Dr. Chris Osborn’s website www.DrChrisOsborn.com or read his book “Bio-identical Hormone Handbook”.

On Friday, we toured the city on bicycles. It was a great way to see the city, but my swimming and Pilates did not prepare me for 1 1/2 hours of bike riding. With only one mishap (somehow I landed in the road on one of my turns) and minor breathing issues ( high altitude) , we parked the bikes and headed for a leisurely lunch outside.

The afternoon brought our second breathtaking adventure, as we climbed the mountain at Spraddle Creek on horseback. We traveled through an Aspen grove high on the mountain which made me give thanks to this wonderful earth we live in. It was like being in a pristine world with nothing but us and the horses. We learned that Aspens are the largest living organism on earth, since they are all connected to the same root system underground. The powdery white outside bark can be used as  a natural sunscreen. The inner bark can be used for headaches , stomach aches and other aliments. I felt  like we had moved back in time. It is wonderful to stop and reconnect with nature and to realize what is truly important in our lives.

On Saturday we took off for No Name, a town near Glenwood Canyon for a day of white water rafting.  Traveling by car in the canyons and mountains is impressive, but seeing Glenwood Canyon from a raft in the Shoshone River  is beyond words. We made it through all the rapids (including Man Eater) with only a little chill from the 55 degree water splashing all over us. It was  a thrilling ride and a delight to see Melissa and  Wil on their first white water rafting trip.  We maneuvered Class III rapids like champs!

Of course, I always pack my Arbonne Damage Control SPF 30 sunscreen, which kept all 5 of us from any sunburn on the river ( the air temperature was about 85 degrees). It can be used on the face without irritation as well as the body due to the formulation without artificial dyes or fragrances. We also used the Lip Saver SPF 30 to protect the lips, since they are even more prone to sun damage than the skin.  I added extra protection to my face with Arbonne’s new anti-aging skin care line Revelage. Revelage helps reduce the appearance of uneven pigmentation, age spots, and freckles.  Age Spot Brightening Day Cream with SPF 30 and Age Spot Brightening Hand Therapy with SPF 30 have UVA and UVB protection to prevent the signs of visible skin aging due to sun exposure. The Intensive Night Serum and Concentrated Age Spot Minimizer also help with these skin issues.

At night , I relaxed with a cup of Arbonne’s Detox Tea to help cleanse the liver and kidney. After all of this exercise, I admit had to resort to ibuprofen for  muscle soreness in additon to Arbonne’s Muscle Massage Gel and the Joint Formula…it’s tough getting older!  The Detox Tea helps flush the ibuprofen from your kidneys without so many side effects. The Herbal Muscle Massage Gel contains capsaicin, which provides immediate natural relief to sore muscles or joints. The Joint Formula contains glucosamine as well as boswellia, which are known to maintain healthy joints.

And last but not least, I packed my Go! Fizzing Beverage Tablets that help boost energy, control appetite and increase metabolism in order to aid in weight loss. This product was definitely needed the morning of our rafting trip, since we left early and stayed up late the night before. I was dragging when I got out of bed, but by the time we got to the river an hour later everyone was ready to get out of the car. Let’s just say that my energy and talking levels had increased after drinking my fizz beverage!

Well, we are off to Leadville this morning to ride the Leadville Colorado and Southern Railroad train. We will climb up to 11,000 feet in elevation to see more breathtaking scenery untouched by man.  You should definitely visit Colorado if you get the chance. It was always on my list of places to see during my lifetime. I am so thankful that  my Arbonne home-based business allows me the time to take off and travel whenever the opportunity arises.  It also provides the extra income for Wil and I to enjoy life to the fullest!

We are visiting my childhood friend, Diane.  She makes us feel like we are at our second home whenever we visit.  I just pack up Tag, our black lab, and Wil(and one of his buddies) then head for the coast whenever my schedule is clear and the beach starts calling.

Packing is a snap: bathing suit, a few clothes and sunscreen. I always  pack Arbonne’s Damage Control Water Resistant Sunscreen SPF 30,   Lip Saver Sunscreen SPF 30 and of course the Glow With It After Sun Lotion.  The Damage Control sunscreen is the only one I have found that does not make my face burn when in a chlorinated swimming pool.

I was on the beach from 11:30am to 5:30pm on Saturday and did not burn. I sat under an umbrella for part of the day but the rest of the time I was talking to people out on the beach or body surfing. The waves were fantastic. Nothing makes me feel more alive than being in the ocean and riding the waves.

Sun exposure accounts for 90% of  the visible signs of aging and can occur year round. Less than 30% of Americans apply sunscreen while on vacation even though the American Cancer Society thinks sunburn increases your risk of skin cancer. Most of the more than 1 million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer diagnosed yearly in the U.S.  are considered sun-related.

Arbonne’s products protect you from the harmful sun rays, do not irritate the skin and are formulated with RE9 anti-aging elements in addition to the powerful SPF ingredients . The products are botanically based and do not contain  phthalates, propylene glycol, mineral oil, PABA, petrolatum, paraffin, diethanolamine and animal-derived ingredients.  They are dermatologist tested to ensure the products are safe.

Tides roll in and tides roll out. Who knows when I will be back in the waves again? Hope to see you at the beach!

The Women’s Center of Wake County provides a place for homeless women with children and single women. It offers shelter, food and clothing for those in need. It helps  women become self-reliant and transition into living on their own.

Thursday June 4th from 5-8pm at the Shrine Club (6015 Lead Mine Road in Raleigh) – business expo sponsored by Coffee and Contacts (local organization  of businesswomen) to benefit the Women’s Center.  There will be tons of raffle prizes and other fun things to do.

I hope you will join us, have some fun and help the Women’s Center. You can donate  good, used clothing to Abbygail’s Closet-the Women’s Center thrift boutique at the expo.

I look forward to seeing you there.