2018 New Product Launch!

So pumped coming back from our Global Training Conference! We have so much to be thankful for with Arbonne. We are committed to being the leading health and wellness brand, as evidenced by our "Not Allowed List." This list includes 2000 ingredients that are not allowed in any of our products, helping us to be healthy inside and out! Arbonne so understands the connection between what we are eating to nourish our bodies and what we are putting on our skin. Using our nutrition line in connection with skin care and cosmetics is a winning combination!

Let's get to the new products!

RE9 Advanced Prepwork
New skin care line for the Millennials, but can also be combined for us who are a bit <cough> older :-) Everyone should be taking care of their skin, after all, we wear it out EVERY DAY! This line is skin care line is targeted to woemen ages 18-35. Check out the video below, but this line includes a Superfood Cocktail of ingredients across four steps of the process:

1. Cleansing Polish: Gently exfoliates to buff your skin and also cleans of makeup and oils

2. Gel Eye Mask: These are amazing. Put them in the fridge. Then when you wake up, put them on. Puffiness and bags considerably reduced!

3. Hydrating Dew Cream: Airy hydration with a creme to gel formula.

4. Soft Focus Veil Mineral Sunscreen: Blur baby lines and protect your skin before you go out! 

As someone who has been using Arbonne for the past two years, I use the Calm wash daily, for one of the washes, but can definitely see including the Prepwork wash as well. The Gel eye masks will be a nice addition to the rest of my routine! I'll probably stick to the RE9 Advance for the toner, serum, eye cream, and day/night cream. I also incorporate the Intelligence facial oil, especially in the winter months when my skin is dry.

Mind Health
Our nutrition line has created this amazing product I could have never predicted, Mind Health. This is a nutrition supplement meant to be taken once a day. It's purpose is to produce focus, concentration, and enhance memory...it's there to nourish our minds! One of the ingredients it's formulated with is phosphatidylserine, a key ingredient in all our cells. We get this mineral from food, but usually not enough of it; it's a "key building block for the billions of cells in your brain!" (source). Arbonne knew this and created Mind Health. I've had this as my drink for lunch the past three days, and even though my to do list is insane this week, I notice a calm sense about it for sure. Must collect more information, but in the meant time, it tastes great - a very light cherry lime flavor, and even better with fresh lime!

Blackberry Fizz
These won't be out until June first, but a third flavor is added to our nutrition line! Fizz sticks are an awesome pop and coffee replacement, and provide clean energy via B6, B12, and chromium. The new Blackberry adds to our others of Citrus and Pomegranate, and are great in the morning or afternoon to deal with the sleepies. Check out our adorable Dr. Tanda Cook (Arbonne Independent Consultant and Holistic Health Coach) as she tells you more about the Fizz...

Reformulated Body Cleanse
Our Cleanse has also been reformulated! Formerly a liquid, it's now a powder. It has a lemon ginger flavor. Aloe soothes the gastrointestinal track, ginger supports healthy digestion, and choline supports liver function. As we know, the thing about Arbonne is that we are putting out supplements to support our organs of elimination, to continually eliminate those things that don't serve us. This cleanse is meant to be used along a whole-foods, clean eating plan, and is gentle enough to be used daily! Arbonne recommends using this quarterly to feel your best! Jump into our 30 Days to Healthy Living group and they will cover all of our nutrition supplements more in depth, and also teach you about why we eliminate those acidic, addictive, and allergenic foods!

Essential Oils
We've added two more Essential Oils to our line, Tea Tree and a Focus Blend. Many people were missing our Tea Tree shampoo from the intelligence line, but now you can simply add a few drops of the oil to your shampoo! Tea Tree Oil is also a great one ot use on acne and cleaning, and a range of other uses, as blogged about here. 

Our Focus Blend is for just that - getting things done. Diffuse this one, or place on your pulse points to be reinvigorated, and add to energy and mindfulness with this earthy blend.

Check out both of them on the video below, and just a note from me, our oils are in such large bottles that some from another brand - I'm talking 3 times as much fluid (0.5 vs. 0.17 fluid ounces) for a way more affordable price point! We also offer lemon, peppermint, lavender, and a harmony blend!

It's quite the lineup, right? I'd love to have you over to try out some of these new products! If you're local to Chicago, I will have a Healthy Happy Hour on Friday, May 4th, hope to you can join me! And some of my Preferred Clients have a free gift on their accounts now, so hope you are able to take advantage of that and try something new! Our Free Gift list has changed just a bit, so be sure to check out the new one below.

Be sure to keep up with me daily in my prive facebook group, weekly on Instagram, and of course here on my blog!

If it's Arbonne, or another brand, wishing you health, wellness, and happiness, friends!

xo,

thinking about croutons, dreaming of tortilla chips

Three years ago, on this day, I finished a Whole 30 (thanks, Timehop!) Today I'm starting another one... modified. Here's my plan:

1. Eat whole, clean food: fruit, veggies, meat, berries, nuts
2. Eliminate toxins: gluten, anything processed, sugar, alcohol, coffee
3. Add Arbonne supplements - protein powder, fiber boost, digestive enzymes, fizz sticks, detox tea, and a 7 day body cleanse
4. Workout (already did two miles today!)
5. Mind my mind - pay attention to the emotional stress that comes with all of this, and
6. Blog as I go, because it makes me more accountable and your comments motivate me (hint, hint) : )

Have you read It Starts with Food? I had to order another copy of the book because I'm already living the emotional hell of this food challenge, but it's definitely necessary since I had such a great time over the Easter holiday and gained 4 pounds in 4 days. #GrowUpMichelle

Today, I sat there at lunch eating a super healthy Greek Salad, with homemade dressing, and all I could think about were the croutons that were not in the salad. (Even though the salad was delicious.)

And then, I just came home, and had some guacamole left over and was seriously considering the tortilla chips - Just a few, I told myself - and was even reaching for and grabbing the bag.

I'm only on DAY ONE of this 30 days to healthy living!

(I put the chips back.)

Anyways, I know I always feel so much better when I am more proactive with my health and summer is coming so it is certainly time to do so. If you read my blogs the next few weeks, I'll be sharing from the book I mentioned above and also reporting on my status. Stay tuned for more!

good to glow

Our Liquid Sunshine line has awesome products from chapstick to sunscreen to a tinted self-tanner that I've been using the past few months of this gloomy time of year in Chicago. I just did four applications this weekend and at school today, got some pretty great reviews!

First I saw a teacher in the lunchroom, and she asked me, "Have you been tanning? You look great!" I told her no, just using a sunless tanner, and she said, "It looks so natural!"

And then, walking into my classroom after lunch, one of my kids blurts out, "Have you been tanning again?" You know, they just speak what's on their mind!

Definitely noticeable, but not in a Ross kind of way...

So what sets Arbonne apart?
We are formulated to be pure, safe, and beneficial. We're the best of nature with a little bit of safe science on the end. No need to worry about hormone disrupting ingredients in any of our products, you know you're safe and taken care of with Arbonne!

Features

• Lightweight, non-oily, quick drying formula provides a natural-looking tan, visible within 2 hours after application
• Lightly scented, creamy lotion rubs in with no sticky residue, streaking or color transfer
• Tan can be built to a deeper tone with continued application, delivering a healthy, natural glow to the face and body
• Hydrating, refreshing formula recommended for ages 18+
• Allergy and dermatologist tested

Personal Experience

When I first used it, I didn't notice much difference after one application. After two, there was a barely noticeable change. Personally, I've found that four applications is the magic number. Over the weekends, I will usually do one application in the morning and another before bed on Saturday and Sunday- that seems to be the sweet spot for the perfect bronze look.

You can learn more about the Liquid Sunshine Tinted Self-Tanner here. And I'd love to share with you how you can shop Arbonne anywhere from 20-80% off!

Be well!

Sweet Reviews on my Christmas "Fudge"

This Christmas, I made some cookies and other goodies to share with family and friends. I sent some of them off to my parents in Michigan. On Christmas, I talked to my dad, and at the end of our conversation, he said, "Oh, and thanks for the fudge!"

"Huh?" I asked him. "I didn't send you any fudge! Those were protein bars!"

"Oh, well they were good. Seemed pretty fancy, like maybe you got it in River North or something?"

I had to laugh at that, and also appreciate the review. I've been loving these protein bars for a few months. I usually have a few small ones after a salad at lunch and that helps with sugar cravings.

If you are like millions of others creating new years resolutions and healthy lifestyle is part of that, I encourage you to give these a shot. They will definitely give you a little sweetness and help you slay that sugar dragon!


Arbonne Protein Bars

Ingredients
2 Cups of Peanut Butter
1 1/4 Cup of Honey
3 Cups of Instant Oats
2 1/4 Cups of Chocolate or Vanilla Protein Powder

Directions
1. Microwave Peanut Butter and Honey for 1 minute in microwave safe bowl.
2. Mix in Protein Powder
3. Mis in Oats
4. Press into a 9 x 13 inch pan
5. Set in refrigerator for an hour or more.
6. Cut and enjoy!

Check out what makes Arbonne's Protein Powder so awesome by clicking here. What other creative things have you done with our protein powder?

Fave Summer Products

Hey everyone! Happy Summer! Are you enjoying the long days relaxing on your porch with a cold beverage? I am (minus the porch I so desperately wish I had...future goals!)

My last post about my favorite Arbonne products was so well received, I wanted to do another one with my favorite products for summer! Check out a few of these that I've been using religiously and a few others I still haven't tried yet, but that are on my wish list!

Before we begin, you might be new here, so just want to share that with Arbonne, everything is pure, safe, and beneficial. Each product contains carefully selected, botanically based ingredients. Our products are rigorously tested. We're vigilant about the latest research regarding chemicals to ensure we're being mindful and cautious. Our products deliver results. As trailblazers, we must educate, empower, and inspire people to make better choices for the beauty, health, and wellness of their family and friends.

With that, let's go!

Awaken Rejuvenating Body Mist

from our Aromassentials line 

Not only is this a lovely lemony scent to wake you up in the morning, but it also serves as an awesome bug spray! I've been using it instead of Off and it's working like a charm. A friend took it to the woods in Wisconsin with great results, too!

Key ingredients: Awaken Essential Oil Blend which is a balance of lemon and coriander, clover extract, and ginseng extract.

Energy Fizz Sticks

from our nutrition line

I love, LOVE the fizz sticks. They are meant to break the coffee & pop addictions, but as someone who has been working out in the mornings now that it's warm, I usually find myself coming home and not wanting coffee. So, I make one of these and it's cold and refreshing and lightly caffeinated too. They come in pomegranate and citrus.

Some other cool things to do with them: Fizztini, add some Malibu, mix them with our Herbal Detox Tea, or add them to the 7 day cleanse for a little more flavor.

Key ingredients: antioxidants and a botanical blend of green tea, ginseng, guarana, combined with B vitamins and  chromium which helps boost energy

Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 for Body

from our Liquid Sunshine Line

Water-resistant mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide that creates a barrier between your skin and the sun. Protects from UVA/UVB rays. Super lightweight and non-greasy. 

Tried this out the other day for the first time at Lake Michigan and worked like a charm. Laid out for about an hour and a half before finally going into the lake, and I could tell it was still good to go even after splashing a little water on myself.

I also have the sunscreen for face and the chapstick, which tastes like coconuts. I'm nuts about it :-)

I haven't tried the Sunless Tanner yet, but I heard that mixed with the body firming cream, it's amazing, too! I will definitely be getting that out when I get the winter blues next February!

Renewing Body Gelée

from our SeaSource Detox Spa

This is one that I have tried a few times, but it's still on my to-buy list. It's a cool, refreshing gel that hydrates for soft, smooth-feeling skin. 

When I tried it, I had three bug bites. I put it on one but not the others just for comparisons sake. Here are the results after 36 hours:

Ridiculous, right? I can't even with this one, not sure why I haven't purchased it yet! So, this is just one use of this product. Here are some others that I'm going to try out after I get this for myself:

Sun burns

Bee stings, any bug bites

Headaches

Carpal tunnel

Fever reducer

Arthritis

Hot flashes

Let me know if you're interested - I'm not sure where you'd put it for hot flashes, but like for headaches, on your temples and back of your neck. I know some of you are already believers of this "magic blue jelly." What else are you doing with it?

Key Ingredients: sea kelp extract, ivy leaf extract, Japanese green tea extract

PhytoSport

from our Sports Nutrition Line

So this is one I *haven't tried yet, but was just talking about it last night with some friends. I'm running my first half marathon in September with my sister and so the other girls who are also runners were telling me how if you're going to be out running for an hour or more, this is a great product to use.

Three steps, and lots of carbs, key amino acids, electrolytes and more help support your workouts. After I get a hold of this and try it out, I'll be back with more details!

So what are you already using? Are you using any of these products any differently? Do you have questions? You can keep the conversation going in the comments section below!

And, if you're in Chicago and would like to join me, send me an email and I can let you know about a few events (one I'm hosting later this week!) that you could attend to learn more. You can reach me at hellogoodgoodlife@gmail.com :-)

Thanks for reading, and be well, friends!

Xx,

Arbonne: My Why & First Fave Products

As many of you know, I have launched a business with Arbonne, and I'm loving it! I wanted to share about my favorite products so far and also a little about why I decided to link arms with amazing women in this company.

Why Arbonne?
As many of you know, I have a career I love, in education as a literacy coach. I serioulsy never dreamed of having such a rewarding gig, and I'm so thankful for the work I get to do every day!

But, teaching is never going to afford me the kind of life I envision for myself. For instance, I have three months off in the summer, but I'm usually too broke to go anywhere... especially not the places I want to see, like Napa, Cabo, and Tuscany.

But then I found Arbonne, which is a Mulit-Level Marketing (MLM) company. I always thought these kinds of companies were kinda a scam, I mean, what, you work your bum off and then the people above you collect all the money? But, since beginning with Arbonne, and reading lots about MLM, I have figured out a lot of misconceptions, and I now believe that people who get into this kind of work are pretty smart, working on something (else) they are passionate about in order to build a future full of opportunities.

Since beginning, I've not only collected a little bit in the way of a 'Thank You' check, but I've begun to switch over all my self-care products to Arbonne at a great discount. Also, and even better, I've been able to spend time with people who are so positive and uplifting, making new friendships and learning a whole new set of skills (which I also see transferring to my work as a coach). So why would I say no?

Aside from the business opportunity, I also love the products that Arbonne offers because of thieir ingredient policy. They formulate products on many lines: baby care, skin care (both men and women), nutrition, hair, makeup, and sun. All of their products are formulated to be pure, safe, and beneficial, which means they are formulated without:

• Animal products or by-products, including collagen, elastin, hydrolyzed animal protein, keratin, lanolin
• Benzene
• Diethanolomine (DEA)
• Hydroquinone
• Petroleum-based ingredients, such as mineral oil
• PABA
• Parabens
• Phthalates
• Propylene Glycol
• Sodium Laurel/Laureth Sulfate
• Triclosan
• Toluene

Anyways, I love that I can feel safe knowing that any product from Arbonne will be healthy for me. That is why I want to share with my friends and family!

That being said, here are a few of my favorite items from the various Arbonne lines!

Protein Powder - Chocolate and Vanilla

Stats: 20 grams of vegan protein, gluten free, fructose free, dairy free, low glycemic index (Diabetic-friendly) so it does not cause a spike in blood sugar, 20 vitamins and minerals, no saturated fats, trans fats, or cholesterol, and no artificial sweeteners, flavors and colors

Both options are delicious. I use the vanilla mix usually with berries, kale and/or spinach, fresh OJ, and ice. The chocolate I like just straight with water or almond milk, but have also added berries, cherries, and/or a banana. Oh, and I just realized I could freeze coffee into cubes and mix that with the chocolate for a mocha-flavored shake!

I began drinking these shakes for breakfast around April and haven't quit. They will keep you full for hours!

Herbal Detox Tea

I got this as part of the 30 Days to Healthy Living Plan (which is an awesome program to detox and clean up your eating for 30 days, including online support with holistic health coaches!)

Anyways, here are the stats on the tea:

• Helps support liver and kidney health
• Hydration supports toxin elimination
• These processes help support optimal health

Extra perk for me was it has been helping me sleep better. Usually I wake up a few times in the night, but not since starting this tea. I would also eat stuff (granola bars) and maybe OJ in the middle of the night, and that has also subsided! (Such bad habits I have had!)

I guess what I'm learning from Arbonne, is they want to drive beauty from the inside out, so their nutrition products all support that. I could go on and on about the nutrition products because I love them all, and they are my new daily essentials.

Arbonne Intelligence Genius

Moving on to skin care, I have to lead with the resurfacing pads. The Arbonne girls call this product 'botox in a bottle' and even though it's botanically based, it sure feels strong!

These are used at night after you wash you face. You swipe your skin (especially where there are wrinkles and color spots) upward to resurface skin.

I have those lines by my eyebrows from giving students 'the look' and I can see a change in them in just the last month that I have been using them. Of all the skin care, this is my favorite so far!

RE9 Intensive Renewal Serum

I also have begun using the RE9 line which is their anti-aging skin-care line. I have super dry skin which is the first reason I love the serum: Stabilized Vitamin C boosts and maintains moisture by supporting collagen, resulting in improvement in the appearance of fine lines as well as proving moisture barrier protection to restore a natural, youthful glow. And of course, it's formulated without synthetic fragrance, parabens, or dyes. Win!

CC Cream

I am not someone who used to wear foundation, or even knew what a CC Cream or a BB Cream was. I did use a product from Benefit though called Erase Paste to cover up the bags under my eyes and the zits I would get. I have now switched that to the CC Cream and I'm loving it!

A CC Cream is a 10-in-one product: 1. Primer; 2. Protector; 3. Concealer; 4. Hydrator; 5. Mattifier; 6. Brightener; 7. Blemish Cover; 8. Pore Refiner; 9. Comforter; 10. Complexion Controller.

So my Benefit product I used to cover zits and bags under my eyes has been replaced with this all-over product. I was never one for lots of makeup, but this is a great base for the little extras I do put on after, like eye makeup and blush. The CC Cream feels like a light version of concealer and definitely feels hydrating. Color wise, I'm medium (third one down).

That's just a taste of the products so far. I love so many others, too - Digestion Plus, the Fizz Sticks, mascara, eye primer, Tea-Tree Oil Shampoo, and the Shea Butter lotion. Pretty soon there will be nothing left of the products I used to purchase at Target. Why not shop with a company that can give back to your family?

To see these products and others, check out my website. Do you shop with Arbonne? What are your favorites? Keep the conversation going in the comments section below! :-)

Be well,

What I'm Lovin' Monday

There's been so many wonderful things going on lately. Let me share!

I felt compelled to write right now because it's 6 in the evening, the sun in coming in my windows on one side of the apartment, and the wind has the trees rustling right outside the other side of the apartment, right through the window directly behind me. I love this time of day, in the summer, in this apartment, in this city. My seven year anniversary of moving to Chicago was just last Saturday! Still loving this amazing city, on this beautiful day, in this lovely apartment.

Loving that I was part of the 5th Grade Farewell last week. I actually coached two of our kiddos in publishing their memoirs about endings and beginnings. Check them out; I'm so proud of the writers that we're able to support with the high quality instruction that is given via the Writing Workshop and the Calkins' curriculum!

Also, I love middle school aged kids. Check us out doing the new dance that I just learned about: Lean and Dabb:

Loving Arbonne's Detox Tea. It's part of the 30 days to healthy living program that I'm doing this month. The tea is meant to be taken before bed and is to support healthy functioning of the liver and kidneys, but it's also been making me sleep so much better! Usually I wake up three or four times a night, but the past few nights, I've only woken up once! And not even until like 2:30 (Usually I'm up just an hour and a half or two hours after I go to sleep!)

Speaking of Arbonne, so excited for Jess to join our team share and recommend this wonderful brand this summer. It's so awesome to have someone who is such a great friend already at my side for a new adventure. As always with Arbonne, we're all about bringing the joy, positivity, and light out to be shared. Be sure to check out and follow Jess' new blog, too!

I'm loving being a coach. This is the third year I'm finishing up and it's a bit different. This year, more than one person has brought me a gift. And it's not about the stuff - although each gift I was given was so thoughtful, so me - it's the fact that I have done stuff over teh last year, and maybe last three years, that has made a difference. How lucky am I that I have a career path that allows me to make a difference every day? So amazing. Thank you for the gifts, my friends, and even more than that, for the words in the cards that were poured out from your heart. I will treasure those notes for years to come!

Lastly, I'm loving that I have.... wait for it.... only ONE MORE WAKE UP separating me from a fab summer break!

What are you lovin? Leave a comment and share!

Protein Shakes for Breakfast

I'm a creature of habit. With the exception of about 10 lunches, I've eaten salads every day for a whole school year. Breakfast wise, I spent half the year on egg whites and apple with peanut butter, and now I'm on to Protein Shakes. I want to tell you about how I am making them now, with awesome new products I've found with Arbonne!

To begin, you're going to get a bunch of berries - I've been using strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. Then, your protein powder - the Arbonne brand offers 20 grams of vegan protein, and more than 20 vitamins and minerals per serving. I also throw in another product I've recently started trying: Digestion Plus.

Digestion Plus is a supplement including prebiotics, probiotics and enzymes that support optimal digestive health. This also:

• Supports extensive digestion of carbs, fats, proteins, fiber, and lactose
• Supports healthy digestion to help minimize gas and bloating
• Promotes balance in the intestinal tract
• Supports nutrient uptake from the foods we eat

I top all of that off with fresh squeezed OJ and a little ice. Blend it up and you're set until your afternoon salad!

How do you do your favorite protein shakes?