Isagenix. Not JUST a weight loss program, a way of life!

 

My mom (Berni Hansen), after just two months... she's on her 3rd month now and loving it! In this photo she had lost 20 pounds and a TON of inches!

Yes! I'm starting Isagenix in January. After watching my mom and dad, along with other friends and family do this amazing program and see unbelievable results, it would be stupid not to dive in.
A lot of people think this is a quick weight loss program... that's the farthest thing from the truth.

In fact, it helps rejuvenate every area of your life. Yes, you lose weight. But you'l also gain copious amounts of energy, less anxiety, stress and many other areas. Mentally, physically and emotionally. Even Spiritually. 
I've personally not been on the thirty day program yet. But I did go on a two week trial and the products are tasty and filling.
There are a ton of programs you can go on ranging from gaining weight to loosing weight to a program just for stress or aging.

I'll be starting in the beginning of January, and Glen will be starting mid January on a program to build muscle/weight. There are so many athletes on this program simply because it's the best nutrition you can put into your body. The programs are a bit pricey ranging from 266-310... but you've to remember that you're paying for 2/3 of your meals for a entire month. Not only that but you're paying for the highest nutrition you can possibly get.
The creator of these products actually has been in the health industry and made products for over 600 companies, but got tired of putting cheap substitutes in, so he created his own products that are of the highest nutrition and quality. ( Please correct me if I'm wrong with the numbers, Isagenix Pro's
 )

I get really tired of feeling like a bag of potatoes. So exhausted all the time, short tempered and anxiety that sores through the roof.  If you're skeptical still I encourage you to watch my journey as I'll be posting here every 1-2 weeks of my progress and once I learn more and have taken the products for a while I'd love to help  you get started to a new and healthier life!

I've seen a lot of people that are on Isagenix state that they felt dead before and have started living now... I'm excited to start living, enjoying my life more and being active!

I'll post a few links below and the site so you can research a bit for yourself. Please contact me if you're interested in starting up with me in a week! I'll be signing up under my mom who is a lot more knowledgeable on this amazing product!
Main Site: http://www.isagenix.com/ca/en/home.dhtml
Toxins Video: http://www.isagenix.com/ca/en/areyoutoxic-promo.dhtml

I know you think, well she saw results It wont happen to me... but everyone I know who's been on Isagenix have had unbelieveable results!
I can ask permission for pictures from my family/friends too!

Contact me if interested!

Starbucks Verismo Machine

For all of you who are wondering about the new Verismo coffee maker, this is the post for you!
I decided to do a review after having a lot of comments and messages on how I like the machine.

First off you've to decide how much you love coffee and how much the taste means to you.
If you drink coffee for quantity and don't care much what it tastes like, this machine is NOT for you.

One coffee pod makes about 6 OZ. So 3/4 of a Tall coffee from Starbucks. You could use two, but I like to save money. One pod costs .99 cents. A box of twelve is 11.99 plus HST.
There's three buttons on the machine.
-Latte
-Espresso
-Coffee/Hot Water

This photo shows the pod running through again, that's why it looks so watery.

I've started pushing the Espresso button and also the coffee button, it gives you just a bit more coffee in your cup.
I've been asked if you can use the same pod twice. No. I tried this the other day and it made very watered down coffee.

The coffee that comes from the pods are amazing. Simply amazing. We've gone through a few coffee makers, and we've tried many different coffees. We usually always grind our beans first thing in the morning, use filtered water and keep our beans in a air sealed container.. but it never tasted like the coffee you would get in Starbucks.
Well, with this machine it achieves that amazing taste, but I find it better.

Did you know that a espresso shot is timed? It must be poured into a coffee/latte within 17-22 seconds or it can dramatically affect the taste? You know how busy Starbucks is... so now you know why your drink taste different from time to time.
Each Pod has its own filter to help with this amazing taste.

My only negative point for this coffee maker is it can't fit a lot of my mugs into the cup slot. You can take the water drip tray out, but it wont be a flat surface then.

The Instant Coffee maker comes in 4 colors. Black, Silver, Beige and Red. I desperately wanted the Beige, but our coffee maker happened to explode that morning, so the only color Starbucks carries is the silver.

I wont be reviewing how this machine lattes because I wont be using it to make lattes. I prefer 1% or soy milk. The latte pods only come with 2% milk ( for now ). I'll be buying a frother in the new year ( once they go on sale, because this lady is cheap ).
We purely bought this machine for Starbucks quality coffee from home. We only live 300 meters from the nearest Starbucks but to take both of my kiddos in there isn't the most fun experience ever... now we can make amazing coffee with the click of a button!

So all in all. I give this instant coffee maker a 9/10. I've had the Tassimo, and although it made more coffee per pod, the taste was so gross. 
I'd rather have a amazing small cup of coffee than a big crappy cup of coffee!

Hope this review helped you, I did hours of research before buying this and I'm glad I took the plunge.. a lot "coffee drinkers" gave it a lower score because of the pods not making a ton of coffee..
The most important thing to me is that I know I can get amazing coffee from my home, and if I want two pods of coffee that day, it still costs the same as it would in stores except I don't have to pack my kids up and drive to go get it!




Did you like how many times I said "Amazing"??!

The Mommy I Want Them To Remember.

I read this article a while back about how we as moms either don't take photos of ourselves or only take photos at certain angles or with makeup on. It's because we don't like to see how we really look. After having kids our self esteem and confidence are already low enough. Why take a photo so we can pull apart ourselves further?
The article talked about taking photos of ourselves because when we pass, our kids can look back and see us for who we were. How they remembered us. They don't want to see a photo of their mom all done up, that's not how they remember us.
They remember us for who we are/were. I personally rarely get out of my PJ's. My hair is normally in a messy top bun and no makeup is ever on my face. But my boys don't care. They would rather me get on the floor with them, build forts, bake for them, color, paint- GET MESSY.
I've decided that when/if I'm to pass I want my boys to remember me for ME. Not the done up mommy they only see once in a blue moon. But the mommy that looks a little rough around the edges, the mommy that they love, the mommy that kisses their boo-boo's, is covered in flour from baking cinnamon buns. The mommy thats hair looks like a crazy lady because she doesn't have a spare moment to brush it out, the mommy that lays with them until they fall asleep, the mommy that snuggles them on the couch and chases them around the house to catch them, out of breath, exhausted.
This is the mommy that they love. So I've decided to embrace myself. The only three people I need to impress are my husband and my two beautiful boys. ( and they already think I rock )

Do you find yourself deleting photos of yourself, or not taking any at all? You're beautiful because you're you. No amount of makeup can change what your insides look like.
Embrace yourself! 

Short and Sweet post today...but I was just reminded to care less today as I was hesitant to add a photo to Facebook because I critiqued myself as looking "manly" .
I've to go get back to making snow angels... Have a beautiful December 19th!

Feel free to comment, I love to read your feedback good and bad!

I'm a better mother than you.

The title sais it all. In the last few weeks this has really hit me hard. To the point that it makes me want to leave Facebook.
So why do I stay?
Facebook is a amazing tool to keep in contact with old friends, family and really, anyone you're not close with in real life. I don't have the luxury of living near family and my friends I grew up with, so it's so convenient to just hop on Facebook and send a message. People rarely have time to sit down for a long phone call these days..But that's where it ends. It can be toxic.
Women especially are unbelievable. Moms to be more specific. I've no idea why this is. Being a mother is one of the hardest jobs, ever. So why do we judge each other so harshly?
It sickens me.
A Page I "liked" on Facebook recently put up a post that asked us followers this:
"Do you feel sorry for formula fed babies?"
At first glance I thought it was pretty normal, formula fed babies have been taking critisizim for a while now... so it was nothing new. But the responses were unbelievable.
Of course I breastfed both boys, and I feel that that was the right choice for my family..... but why do you NEED to care about someone else's baby? I just don't get it.
Why do you need to sit behind your computer screen and be SO harsh to a mom that's most likely trying her hardest!? Would you really say that in real life? Probably not...unless you've no manners and really don't care about anyones feelings.
So why does a screen change this? You're still talking to real people and hurting REAL peoples feeling.
 As I write this I'm quite angry... so maybe getting the "word" out will calm me down a bit.
Back in the 50/60/70's it was normal to formula feed. Breastfeeding was almost looked down on as gross. But yet millions of babies survived and went to lead a very successful generation.
There again, I'm not saying you should formula feed, or let your child eat chalk for breakfast.. but give a mom a break.
You were given the privilege of  mothering your child ( children ).. so why do you feel the need to voice your opinion and parent everyone else's?
This really relates to everything. I'm just using milk as a example..

We bought Sunshine Radian carseats when Cai was three months old and Hudson was eighteen months because Cai was simply squashed in his bucket. He was eighteen pounds at three months, and so uncomfortable. At twelve months I switched Cai to forward facing because he was thirty-one pounds and LONG. I had so many moms on my Facebook email to tell me this was a wrong decision and that if I was in a car accident I would be sorry.
I'm sorry, did I ask for your opinion? Eff off. ( That's what I thought...Christians still have thoughts folks! )
I had Hudson rear facing until he was twenty-five months and prior to having Cai I was one of those Crunchy moms. Do well and be better. Meaning I cloth diapered, breastfed, co slept, rear faced ( had planned on it until they were four ) Made all natural foods from scratch, every meal and oh and the list goes on...
But when my twelve month old started to scream entire car rides, pushing his big chunky legs on the seat, flailing his arms and crying so hard he would stop breathing, I decided it was time to turn him around.
Best choice ever. I mean, I could of kept him rear facing, but that would of required YOU to run all my errands, I wasn't ready to be stuck in a vehicle with him any longer.Especially since he was still getting up every thirty minutes a night to breastfeed. Holy Cheese, I was cranky!

I'm sick and tired of YOU. You, if you're reading... Stop judging. Stop thinking you're better. Life can change in a second and you with your perfect methods and perfect parenting might be forced to look at a different way of parenting, and you may be judged for it.

Here's a wake up call. You'll never be a perfect parent. You may be the best parent  your child could have, but you'll never be a perfect parent, and certainly not the best parent for my kids. Someone will always have something to say. Why don't we as moms come to a collective agreement to start loving?
I've come to terms with this, and I've decided that when I see hurt flood my page, that friend will get unfriended, or that "liked" page will be deleted.. Because no one needs more negative in their life.  No one.

I know personally I try my hardest, I love my kids more than another person could love them. I try to be creative and caring. I try to feed them to the best to my ability.. as hard as it is to feed a child who only wants to eat pizza all the time.
My kids aren't perfect, I'm not perfect... but neither are you.


Footnote: Just to clarify, I love opinions... but opinions that are shared with love and if asked. Opinions are fantastic and I'm friends with a lot of different mothers who discipline, eat, sleep and think different. What counts is that you when you open your mouth, you think, how would I like to be talked to? How would I like to feel?

You're Worth it.

I'm starting over. I just wrote a entire blog realizing that it wasn't coming from my heart. I'm not here to sound like a author.. I'm hear to dig deep and speak from my heart.
I started this blog thinking not many would be interested in the read. I'm writing this blog to help me sort through my own feelings and thoughts. To help pave a way for my children and give them the best of me.

Today at church a awesome sermon was preached. You can be used, you're not worthless. God can mold even the most sinful into a tool to serve him. That was the jist of it.

I often feel like I'm a terrible person. I feel like I've been through too much to ever be used by God or to be a example to others. I've even felt, as I raise my hands in church, that it's not a right of mine.
I know this may sound silly to you, because if you're reading this and you're a Christian you know that sin is sin. God died so we may have life in him and freedom.
So why do we place these chains in our mind? Why do we not allow his death to heal us?
The sin in our lives is there because we're human. Satan likes to use this against us. Even though that sin can be forgiven in a second through our creator. Satan doesn't want us to ask for forgiveness. It's his tool to ruins us and create a life that leads no where. Is dark, angry and helpless.

My life, although not very long has been chalked full of amazing experiences, but some also very terrible, heart wrenching and painful experiences. These experiences have left me angry and sad, I also constantly feel judged. I feel judged by those who don't even know my past. These thoughts are purely put there by Satan.

He doesn't want to see me succeed or be happy. Everyday is a constant battle to ask God to override these thoughts and fill me with joy and peace, and he does!

I'm not worthless, and God WILL use me. He has and will surround me with people that love me and need me. He will use me to help the hurting the lost and empty. He will also put me in peoples lives so I may be loved and saved.

Does this sound like a bunch of jumble to you? I'm sorry but I just wanted to write down my thoughts on today's sermon and where it took my thoughts.
It gives me so much hope that I am not broken, I'm worth it. I'm glad that I've a God who doesn't care that I'm so cracked and broken. He sees me as perfect and forgives me and wants to mold me into a beautiful masterpiece. What a amazing and wonderful God I have.

*Sorry my thoughts are all over the place. As stated in one of my first posts.. my writing will be all over the place. This is a more emotional subject for me.

Love Your Neighbor.

Judgement. It could possibly be one of the most hurtful things in our world today. Judgement can cause suicide, sickness, guilt, sadness, fear and many other emotions.

I know how judgement feels. I've been there. It hurts. I swear I've a disorder now where I feel everyone judges me. But in reality, I'm probably making it up in my mind.
How can we grow and succeed when we're judged or judge. Does anyone know the point of judgement?
I'm not saying I'm perfect. In fact before my first husband left me in the middle of the night I was quite judgmental. I judged failed marriages, pregnancies before marriage, drug addicts, people who were in debt, fake Christians. It hurts me to type this. How could someone have been so judgmental? Oh and the list goes on. I'm sure I judged everything. EVERYTHING.
But God calls us to love and accept. But do we really? Now that I'm in my happy little marriage with my two perfect boys it's easy to slip back into that comfortable life where you can sit in your dark room and judge. But don't let yourself.
Judgement hurts.

Something I like to do is this: When I see/hear something that I don't agree with my first reaction is to judge it.... but I try to put myself in that/their situation. I swear, it makes a world of difference.
Don't be fooled you could easily be put in that position. Life is never concrete. Remember this.

Footnote: Sorry for the over use of the word "Judge". 

Now that I've this off my chest, I'm going to go enjoy a cup of hot coco by the fireplace and watch the big chunks of snow fall.

A Grownup Christmas

You know that feeling, the first time you hear Christmas music, or see a sparkling, warm and dazzling isle with Christmas decor, garlands and snow globes? Or, taste a Gingerbread latte for the first time?
It's no secret that I'm a fan of Christmas. I'm a fan of what it symbolizes. Time with family, good food, love and laughter. Oh, and don't think I forgot about the true meaning, the birth of baby Jesus.
But for some reason that "special" feeling is no longer there. It seems every year it is there less and less... until it hit, I no longer have that feeling.

Why is it so important that I've that "feeling"?

It's a warm and inviting time of year that despite whatever is going on in your life, Christmas Magic takes over.

Well, after searching for that feeling for the last month or so, I realized, I now get the privledge to pass that feeling along to my children. So they can one day pass all their memories and traditions along to their families.
That thought in itself is so exciting, but I still have a longing for my old self.

I think when you have to deal with grownup problems in and around Christmas, it takes away from the joy and makes the wonder of Christmas dissipate.

Glen along with all the guys who were hired at the end of September, when we first moved here, were all layed off for two weeks, after the two weeks the boss finally called them up ( on November 28th ) and told them that there was no longer any work or contracts and that they would all be let go.
Thank God that Glen has a fantastic resume, and the big man is looking out for us, because Glen found a even BETTER job two days later, and started the following monday after.
But we've had to go 5 weeks living off 1/3 of a pay cheque. It really makes you appreciate how hard it is this time of year for the homeless and the needy.
This is our grown up Christmas, what's yours?

This song is so true and really describes how I feel.

Amy Grant- Grownup Christmas 

I was going to copy and paste it for you, but it's so incredibly long, I don't want to bore you... so I'll post a link, what's better than a video?! Enjoy, her entire Christmas album is fantastic!

I'm not broken.

I'm not broken, I'm a overtired, overworked mother of two adorable little men. Complaining? No, not in the slightest! I brought them into the world, and I would NEVER change a thing.
Being a mother is the hardest and most exhausting thing I've ever done or will do. How do I know this? Because being a parent is the hardest job, ever and I've talked to a lot of people..
I'm on duty 24/7. I don't get a break. I love the snuggles, the love, the need that my little men have for me, but that's not to say that I don't want to rip their heads off sometimes.
Being a mother has tried my patience ( and I had little to begin with ). It's taught me that they will always come before me, my wants, my dreams. I'm okay with that, because I'm raising little men that will one day be heros, husbands, fathers, and yet still, my little boys.

Why does it crank my wheel when you complain about your double shifts at work, and then how exhausted you are because you went and partied all night? Because, I work JUST as hard, if not more....and I don't get paid, don't get to go buy new shoes... and I beg for sleep, the cup of coffee in the morning isn't a luxury it's NEEDED.

I keep my house so clean that you could eat out of my toilets. You'll always find clean clothes, baking and hot meals in my kitchen. I try, hard.... and go to bed exhausted every night. But yet, I'm excited ( most days ) to get up and do it all over again.

When was that day that you contacted me and I was offended? Oh that day.... right, I was probably overtired and REALLY sensitive. I get that way, when I don't get a full night of sleep.

My anxiety really leaves me debilitated to NOT want to leave the house without my husband, because well, that stresses me out. My boys are well behaved, but the thought of one of them darting or being taken, grips me with fear. But maybe this is a excuse. I just have anxiety attacks because that's just what having more than one child does to you. Thank you to my wonderful little bundle of joy ( Cai ), I no longer wake up every morning calm. I've to pray for that to come, and sometimes it doesn't. I can't deal with everyday situations well. AKA, stress.
I love to just chill in my PJS all day long, bake and cook....but then again, that's stresses me out. Some days, I just take care of my boys, because that in itself is a full time job and I'm too tired to do anything else.

I can tell you in the 15 minutes of typing this post I've ran up and down my stairs over thirty times making sure Cai hasn't run into the bathroom to play in the toilet water. He's pulled off his poopy diaper, resulting in me steaming the floor ( well, that's a lie, that was before I got on my computer... he's a fast one! ).... well, then I got the memo to put away my computer until I put them down for a nap.
I barely have the time to pee, let alone bath and make myself look presentable. Yes, that's why I don't want to see YOU. I don't want to see you looking happy and presentable. No, My boys accept me, they love me... and they think I'm perfect in my onsie, with my tummy hanging free, my bags under my eyes and my furry armpits..... LOL, okay, maybe not the furry armpits.

You must think I'm looking for a way to complain about my life. No not really. This is the life I choose. I get to snuggle with the two cutest little men, while we snack on smarties, watch cartoons, wrestle on the floor, build teepees, bake until we're all colored in flour, have glow bubble baths.. and best yet? They give me hair messages. You know, those messages that make your head feel amazing?
I'm writting this post because I get sick of the questions and the judgement. Every stay-at-home-mom feels this. The judgement that she's so lucky to stay at home every day because, well, it's so easy. The judgement that your shift at work was so much harder than our day with our screaming, disgusting, exhausting toddlers. The questions like "Do you work?" Me "Yes, I'm a SAHM" Them "No, Do you have a occupation?" Me "Umm.....Yes....I....Build tables and coffee tables....."
I shouldn't have to say this. Did you know that everything with kids is more stressful? Going over to someones house... forget it, that's too much.
Did you know that usually at some point in my day I think "wouldn't it have been nice to have gone to a out-of-home job today!" Yes, I've that thought... but I'm blessed to raise my boys. It's a BLESSING.

We plan to go up the mountain in two weeks for a one and a half days. We've to walk up a SUPER steep and long hill with our kids and all our luggage, sleep in a dead silent house which will resulting in probably zero sleep for Glen and I because we'll be trying to keep them quiet all night and try to keep our Cai-Monster away from the fire, and basically chase him around constantly because he thinks everything is a toy. EVERYTHING. Okay, sorry that was a GIANT run-on sentence!
 This stresses my husband and I out, so unbelievably.... and as we normally sacrifice what we want to do ( AKA the mountain ) and only go up for a short time... to help our sanity. This year is different, we're stepping out.We're going crazy!

I hope you realize I'm not broken. I'm a mother. Yes, I'm always tired, overly sensitive, stressed out, self conscience, and boring... but that's where I am in life... So stop pissing me off and be careful with me, because your judgement might of made me cry last week.

I love my boys, my life... and I've a lifetime to sleep and be Jess again. It's their turn to have a mommy who loves them, is devoted to them and who would give up her world for them.
Hope I didn't offend anyone, but these are true thoughts from me and there's not one day that goes by that I don't feel judged for just staying at home.

So now, if you're still sitting there thinking. Wow, she needs more exercise or something because she must be lazy or out of shape. My husband who works a hard laboring job ( as a welder ) He gets arc flash (burns your eyes), he's crouched down in awkward and painful positions welding overheard, under him... one time he welded in a box that was under 3 feet high.. He comes home exhausted! He was layed off for two weeks and he said on multiple occasions that he would go to work any day than be the one to stay home looking after the boys. Not to say he doesn't love being a father... but I think you get the point... have I convinced you yet?
No? Ahh...too bad, just wait until you're a PARENT and have two under two! ( Insert evil laughter )..No really, I hope God grants you all the serenity and sanity in the world!

I LOVE YOU HUDSON AND CAI! Now... I've to go put that little monster in bed, AGAIN...

Here I am.

For those who are wondering, what's with all her blogs? The simple answer is this: Someone hacked into my old account, leaving me with the only option, to delete the account because I could no longer access it.
I didn't start a blog right away because I thought, what's the point? They've heard what I've got to say.
But the reality of it is... I need a place to speak, vent, laugh and be ME!
Sometimes it's not appropriate to be all of those things on Facebook or to a friend.

There wont be proper grammar or spelling as I'm a stay at home mom and although I'd love to claim that I am somewhat educated still, lets face it, I talk to toddlers all day long. They think I'm awesome although I may use one super long run-on sentence and/or say than instead of then. Or forget to separate my 'alot' to a lot. Get it? Good.... so read on!



Things I'll share with you:

-My Voice
-My Rad DIY skills...... Or trying skills 
-My Faith
-The cutest boys in the world
-The hot husband
-and of course, my heart

Stay tuned for some awesome reads.