Why Search for a Substitute?

I have never been one to diet or go in for nutritional fads, protein drinks or anything like that, but I have always taken a daily multivitamin.  Needless to say, if you've read any of my previous posts, you'll have noticed that I am not big on fruit and veggie department, meaning, my diet could use improvement.

Enter Shakeology. I know I've mentioned it before, and lately, I have been raving about it to all of my friends and family members.  One thing I keep hearing is, "It's so expensive."  

Really? I know that it might sound expensive at first, but work with me here. First off, after breaking down the cost of a month's supply, it averages out to about $4 a shake. You can easily spend more than that at Starbucks or Peets.

Then there are the incomparable ingredients.  I'm talking about the more than 70 different ingredients that were chosen from around the world for their potency and bioavailability (the ability to deliver the nutrients your body needs). Things like yacon, sacha inchi, goji berries, green tea ... and on and on. If you are one of those people looking for a Shakeology alternative - it is time to think again. I have done a bunch of research online looking for possible substitutions, cheaper alternatives.  The products that I have found just cannot compete. Oh, there are plenty of meal replacement shakes that have very little vitamins, no protein, and contain either sugar or a sugar substitute. There are also were protein shakes only they have very few vitamins and contain sugar or sugar substitutes. None of the products contain any antioxidants. The only way you're going to come even close to getting everything that Shakeology gives you is to start combining several different products.  And believe me, that will get very expensive.  I defy you to find anything that comes even close to providing the nutritional and health benefits that you can get in Shakeology. Check out the ingredients list (pdf download here) and read everything you could possibly want to know about it right here.

Once you realize that Shakeology really is the healthiest meal of the day, I'd love to hear from you! Email me  branwen@beachbodycoach.com or leave a comment below.

It Doesn't Get Easier

I don't know what makes people say things like that; "It will get easier with time."  You know what? It doesn't.  It's been over three years since I left my kids in Kuwait and I miss them every single day and the ache of not being able to touch, hold, see, or speak to them is like a gaping hole in my heart that isn't going to heal.  There are days when I can talk about them and smile and laugh at the memories of fun times we had or silly things that we did together, but underneath that is always the raw, empty hurt.

I have tried to reach out to my oldest three with varying degrees of success.  The younger of the three wants nothing to do with me.  My eldest sent me an email telling me that she tried but just wasn't ready.  And the middle one, my eldest son - my baby who used to grab my feet and kiss them because he loved me so dearly - he's suddenly stopped communicating with me on Facebook.  Not that it was anything other than sporadic in the first place, but it was something.*heavy hearted sigh*

I know that I have been given blessings beyond measure in my son, Cernan, and his father, both of whom I love dearly. Still ... when is it finally going to be true? When is it going to be easier?