Have you had enough fruits and vegetables this week?

The month of June has flown by and it all felt a bit like Ground Hog day, it was a funky month and all the days and nights seemed to roll into one and every weekend seemed to be full of cookouts and cook "ins" with spurts of rain and moments of sun to cool and warm us throughout the day. It was definitely a month for "layers" and the weather peeps sure had their hands full with forecasting. "Its raining, no wait it's 80 degrees and sunny no wait its hailing, no wait I see a thunderstorm ahead". All that forecasting sounded plain exhausting, let alone all the "products" I had to pull out to defrizz and plump my hair. It was a month of some very exciting events though. In the beginning of the month I was fortunate to see Dr. Mitra Ray talk about the "Science of Nutrition" and how certain foods respond or react with our bodies and then Dr. Benitez came to Newburyport to talk about the "Recipe for Great Health". In addition, Dr. Jennah's Wellness Workshop Series presented on "Why do I feel so Lousy and What Can I do about it?" and "5 Secrets to Extraordinary Health" along with the Grand Re-Opening and Health Fair this past weekend. It was a time to really connect with my own health as well as the community's health as a whole. There were several times when I wanted to speak with folks about what they eat or what type of nutritional supplements they take. I know in our busy, hectic lives we simply do not get enough fruits and vegetables in our diet and I have found a way that has helped me bridge that gap. I have been taking Juice Plus+ for almost two months and already I feel a significant change. I am noticing that I am craving less sugar and eating more fresh fruits and vegetables along the way. It has helped me tremendously in my Zumba class, (which by the way if you ever want to take a Zumba class in the Andover, MA area, visit www.Zumbadancewwithamy.com and tell her that Stephanie referred you, she offers a free intro class and you will love it!) I have been able to sustain the energy I need in the class and recoup better after the class as well. I know this is will take me a little more time but I can feel a wonderful change already and I am so excited to be getting back in shape and enjoying the outdoors again. Now if only it could stay sunny one weekend, I could try out my new TYR swimsuit diggs and show off my crazy free stroke. To learn more about Juice Plus+ feel free to view this video and see why I connected to this whole food nutrition.

The Recipe for Great Health- Choosing the Right Ingredients

This past Thursday night at the beautiful Firehouse Theater Arts in Newburyport, MA; I had the privilege to be part of this informative Prevention Plus presentation with Dr. Pamela Benitez; a breast care surgeon at the Rose Cancer Center of William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, MI. The primary focus was on what you eat and the food in your diet are essential in preventing a large number of serious health diseases (mainly from oxidative stress), including cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, arthritis, macular degeneration, dementia and asthma to name a few. The good news is that some peope are eating more positively with whole food based nutrition., Studies have shown that whole food nutrition is a benefit to primary and secondary prevention and death from heart disease. In addition studies have shown that failure of beta carotene, vitamin E and multivitamins alone to reverse the damage of oxidative stress and lastly there is no research that shows that vitamin pills actually do what antioxidants can do for human beings. (not lab animals), Research has shown that a diet rich in whole foods including; whole grains (with added benefits of fiber, selenium, potassium, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin E, magnesium, phosphorous, zinc and iron) are grains like Barley, Brown Rice, Millet, Oatmeal, Whole Wheat bread, Bulgar (cracked wheat). The rights fats; Omega 3 ALA (Alpha-linolenic acid) found in dark leafy greens, flax seed oil and walnuts, DHA and EPA found in fatty cold water fish, salmon, tuna and mackerel. Vitamin D found in eggs, butter, liver fatty fish, and milk and 15 min of sunlight a day. Tumeric (Curcumin) an antioxidant which is being explored as a cancer treatment to reduce inflammation. Fruits and Vegetables- 7-13 servings per day, it is so important to get these plant based whole foods in our diet because of the macro nutrients, phytonutrients, plant compounds, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. These phytonutrients along with endogenous antioxidants provide a network of buffers against free radiacal damage.

Dr. Jennah's Wellness Workshop Series

Please join us this Monday night June 15th at the Newburyport Library at 6:30 pm to enjoy a complimentary event; Dr. Jennah's Wellness Workshop Series "Why do I feel so Lousy and What can I do about it?". This is sure to be an excellent event and we hope to see you there!

BlueSky Marketing - Holistic Marketing for the Healthcare Market

Hi Everyone,

It's official. I have launched my new business and website; BlueSky Marketing www.blueskymktg.net and I’m also a distributor for Juice Plus+. I am enjoying the journey of connecting with healthcare practitioners and communicating their holistic health services to the community. Thank you for all your kind words and support ")

Stephanie Checchi
BlueSky Marketing - "The Sky's the limit, when Your Health's in it"
Holistic Marketing Consultant
www.blueskymktg.net
schecchi@blueskymktg.net

Juice Plus+ Distributor www.holisticnutritionjuiceplus.com

A Life of Harmonius Insight

A life of Harmonious Insight

With sparkling blue eyes and an exuberant amount of energy, Barbara J. Rich, born in 1934, teaches yoga at her private studio; Yoga for Daily Living in Groton, Massachusetts. She is also a Special Education advocate and consultant, working with families and school systems in Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. Her wellness classes are an inspiration to many of us who feel weary and worn from the full and often overbooked lives we live.

As I think about all the energy it takes to push through another day I am amazed as I sit in Barbara’s peaceful sunlit yoga studio, that I am feeling so much calm and relaxed. With a shift in attitude, a few minutes of scenery change and increased oxygen levels I am starting to feel at ease. Barbara is an experienced, certified Yoga instructor from the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Lenox, MA. She offers the community a fountain of yoga teachings right in her backyard. With a rainbow of wild flowers and a secluded getaway minutes from Groton center, you feel as if you have headed towards a wilderness retreat as you pull into the driveway to her studio.

The classes begin with slow, focused breathing and gentle joint and muscle movements which allows tense muscles to unwind. Once the body-mind feels safe and accepted, classic Yoga postures (asanas) are demonstrated and practiced. You are encouraged to pay attention to your own particular range of motion and flexibility while entering, holding and releasing the postures. During the classes you are taught a variety of breathing techniques (Pranayama) concentrating on the connections between body, mind and spirit.

It is while you are in the relaxed states that you are able to clear your mind of your days' thoughts and expectations. It is a time to simply be in the moment and absorb the natural peaceful surroundings.

In addition to weekly classes, Barbara offers one-to-one Yoga Mentoring sessions, as well as Life Coaching to help clarify your goals and guide you on your journey to your life’s purpose. She offers yoga classes on Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. and Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. The Studio is located at 104 Mill Street, Groton, MA. To attend a class; please call 978-448-3751 or email Barbara directly at barbararich@verizon.net. The studio (approx. 168 ft) is also available for rent for any type of yoga, meditation, workshops, massage or other holistic practices. If you are interested in renting the space for occasional use, (rent negotiable) please call Barbara directly at 978-448-3751.

A Healthy Dose of Ellen- Why Laughter is good for your Health

BlueSky Marketing is a holistic marketing communications company dedicated to communicating about the needs of holistic health in everyone's life. Gone are the days when people only had a massage for luxury reasons, or went to the Chiropractor when they could not move their neck, instead people are recognizing the huge impact on taking care of one's health regularly and committing to solutions that promote healthy living. That being said, I am in the process of building my client list of Chiropractors, Massage Therapists, Acupuncturists, Herbalists, Nutritionists, Holistic health care practitioners etc. and delivering them with marketing solutions through PR, blogs, content, e-News, e-Marketing, collateral, and event and lead management. As I reach out to people in the community (I live north of Boston, MA). I am making such incredible connections every day. My life has changed so much for the better and I feel alive again. I have such a burst of energy every morning and I enjoy being a woman owned business that is receiving so much support and love.

I had heard about Ellen DeGeneres and her infectious sense of humor and have known about her for years. The fact that I had not seen the Ellen DeGeneres show before was that I had been working full time every day for the last 10 years and I was never home at 9:00 am to sit with a cup of coffee and watch TV. The minute I saw her show I was howling on the floor with a fit of giggles. I couldn't stop laughing. I have never had that much fun or laughed that much watching TV. I noticed that the more I laughed the better I felt. I thought here is a Woman that I want to be like and would someday love to meet. I was thrilled to see a real, live, woman on TV who didn't look miserable or like she was completely wiped from the drains of everyday life. I saw this woman who was alive and well and happy in her skin and a joy to be around. I have since become a huge Ellen fan and joined her Facebook page and try to see as many episodes as I can. I love the fact that when I see Ellen I just light up and think about the possibilities. That is why the name BlueSky has always been with me and I named my company BlueSky Marketing, because "The Sky's the Limit when your Health's in it". I know that when you are healthy and aligned to what you are born to be and do in this world you can achieve anything. I know that when I look into Ellen's eyes she's always had that spark inside that said "I'm going to make it, I'm going to live the life I always dreamed of". It would be an honor to meet Ellen and when I connect with the money that I would win from this promotion, I would put it to great use for the start up costs for my company. I know in due time, I will be able to pay it back. I believe a helping hand to pay it forward will always result in an opportunity to pay it back...it's the law of nature :)

Steps to Success

This past Friday night I was blessed with the opportunity to see Jack Canfield live in the 8th row front and center at the Stadium in Woonsocket, RI along with my friend Courtney from LoonyBus, http://www.loonybus.com/. It was an event that was sponsored by Heavenly Goddess a fabulous Spa products company in RI that was enamored with Jacks awesome motivational speaking presentations and his amazing best selling book, the Success Principles http://www.thesuccessprinciples.com/. He was invited to speak in front of the sales team as well as many other avid fans. I have been following Jack's work for the past two years and I have seen a huge transformation in my own life. I know that with daily application of these principles I have seen healthy changes. I once was a stressed out corporate marketing professional that always felt harried and running on fumes trying to keep up with the multitasking fat rat race. I realized that I was not pacing myself and not in alignment with who I am, what I can offer and in touch with my intuitive health. Since the beginning of this year that I really have taken stock in who I am and how I can harness the power of all the talents I have inside of me in a way that flows and clarifies my vision for my ideal life. I am thrilled to be connecting to so many people in the health and wellness field and allowing myself to let the process unfold as it may. I have a strong belief that I can achieve my goals in a highly successful way. I know we tend to measure success by dollars and numbers, but the real success for me is the paradigm shift inside that has allowed me to be free of the anxiety that was holding me back from my true self and purpose. I understand we all need to make a living to survive, but it is in the "living" that the money will come. I have always known that I am in the right career it has just been a realization that I was not in the right environment. The right environment is key to any success and growth. As I look at the package of seeds I just received to plant flowers this spring and right on the back it says Care: "Growth is maximized in nutrient rich soil with moderate moisture and a sunny location. Remove fading plants and seed pods to promote further bloom". I think about the care I give my plants and how integral it is to do the same for me. I learned that I didn't perform well in a damp, dark, negative, poorly lit cubicle space with no windows and that I thrived when I could breathe fresh air, see the sun and spread out in a open and airy creative space. Every day I see more of my talents and insights begin to bloom and in due time I will see the fruit of my labor of love. I enjoy the journey every day of creating and building BlueSky Marketing and connecting with wellness professionals. I am learning so much about the market and the amazing holistic health and nutritional supplements that are available to live a more strong and vibrant life. As I continue to learn more I have connected with Yoga instructors, Zumba Dancers, Athletic trainers, and runners for a cause. As I type this blog, I see the Boston Marathon on TV and the determined faces of all the runners from different background and levels of experience. I know that every step lead to a longer distance and a better time for each runner. These runners didn't just wake up today and say I'm going to run 26 miles, but they all said I am going to take one step closer to completing the 26 mile Boston Marathon and I will cross the finish line. I am grateful for every step I take each day and with BlueSky in front of me I know I can see clearly now.....the rain is gone :)