7/30/2008

Mind and Energy

As the Health and Nutrition store manager, I have the desire to be a product of the product. In my nine months of being a Market America employee, I have tried many of the health and nutrition products we offer. Two in particular that I heard a lot of buzz about around the office were Bliss and Isotonix Acai. So I decided to order them and give them a try. Man! I was amazed at how they made me feel! With International Convention soon approaching, long hours and stress filled my days at the office. I knew I needed something to help deal with the stress and my daily dose of Isotonix Advanced B-Complex just wasn’t enough. When I took two Bliss, it was like nothing could get in my way. I was more relaxed and better able to tackle my job responsibilities. It also helped to boost my mental clarity so that I could focus. Now when I encounter anyone who is stressed out and needs to relax, I tell them to relax, enjoy life, and give your body the gift of Bliss!

I didn’t really know that much about Acai until I came to Market America. I heard the buzz about it, but just passed it off as merely another energy supplement. I have a very active lifestyle that includes daily trips to the gym, daily walks with my dog, and a nine hour workday. I often find myself winding down in the middle of the afternoon and needing that extra boost to get me through the day. I checked out Isotonix Acai and decided to give it a try. Not only did it taste great, but I felt the boost of energy almost instantly. I took some right before I went on a jog with my dog and I think she was tired before I was! I recommend Isotonix Acai to all my friends and family who are looking for that quick energy boost – not to mention all the antioxidant properties that it has. It’s a really great product for everyone – especially those that live an active lifestyle.


These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

7/29/2008

Attending MA Events on a Budget - Restaurant.com

As we mentioned earlier, there are a number of way’s to attend MA Events without breaking the bank! Did you know that Restaurant.com, a Market America partner store, is currently offering 70% off on purchases?



What this means is that you can purchase a $25 Restaurant.com certificate, good at hundreds of restaurants around the Greensboro, North Carolina area for a mere $3!

To receive this special offer, use coupon code: CRAVE

Hurry, this special deal expires July 31, 2008!

7/27/2008

Amber Ridinger - The Hip Chick's IT Girl

The Hip Chick.com is delighted to announce that Amber Ridinger will be our exclusive model for The Hip Chick fashions. When Alexa Skrudland, founder of the chic boutique The Hip Chick, saw Amber Ridinger’s photo shoot in the April issue of Ocean Drive Magazine where the young woman was dubbed as Miami’s “IT” Girl, she thought there was a perfect match between the fashionista and her trendy store.

Amber is a native of Miami, Florida and the daughter of JR and Loren Ridinger, founders of the Internet shopping website marketamerica.com. Market America is a product brokerage and Internet marketing company that specializes in One-to-One Marketing. With more than three million customers and 180,000 Distributors worldwide, the company has generated over $2.4 billion in accumulated retail sales.

Click here for more.

7/22/2008

Ma Partner Stores

Once again, we are growing. Check-out the latest partner store additions along with many others at www.marketamerica.com.

6pm.com
6pm.com carries a wide range of footwear and apparel. They carry shoes for women, men and even children and toddlers.

Checks In the Mail
The next time some tells you the ‘checks in the mail,’ you can tell them they certainly are. Checks In the Mail allows you to bypass ordering replacement checks from your financial institution and save time and money by ordering online at a lower price.

Joann Fabrics
Joann Fabrics is the place to go for all arts and crafts projects. They carry a complete line of arts and crafts for kids, fabrics, sewing and quilting accessories, books, scrapbook accessories needlework and cross stitch products.

LensMart
LensMart carries contact lens products. They carry disposables, bifocal and color lenses.

PCRush.com
PCRush.com carries a complete line of electronics and home office products. They offer computers, projectors, televisions, camcorders, MP3 players along with GPS systems and printers.

The New York Pass
The New York Pass offers New York Sightseeing purchases. Save on entrance fees or find free passes to over 40 attractions with The New York Pass.

Undergear
Undergear carries a complete line of men’s workout apparel. They offer tops and bottoms that rival much more expensive brands at affordable pricing.

7/21/2008

Feeling Pain at the Pump

Gas prices are at an all-time high. They are affecting everyone, from the poorest among us to the wealthiest. Of course, the best way to increase your gas mileage is to drive a hybrid, but this isn't an option for all of us. Here are a few things you can do now to increase your fuel economy:

  • Give your car a tune up; making sure your car is properly tuned according to your owner's manual can increase your gas mileage by an average of up to 4%.
  • Check your tires.Make sure your tires are properly inflated and aligned. Properly inflated and aligned tires can increase your gas mileage by to 3%.
  • Check your air filter. Replacing a dirty air filter with a clean one can increase your gas mileage by to 10%.

Don’t be fooled by gimmicks and devices that claim to significantly increase your gas mileage. They are popping up everywhere and many fail to deliver.

Instead, consider adding Friction Free 3000™ to your oil reservoir.* Friction Free 3000 is an engine oil additive lubricant made of soft ductile metals, uniform and spherical in shape, ranging from 5 to 15 microns in size. These soft metals are coupled with special suspension agents to provide a solid boundary lubrication that can provide enhanced engine performance even under extreme conditions.

When two hard metal surfaces collide, conventional fluid film lubrication can fail. Friction forces generate tremendous heat, creating intense lubrication demands. Unfulfilled demand and inadequate lubrication can result in:

  • Poor engine performance
  • Lower compression
  • Increased oil consumption
  • Poor mileage
  • Dry starts
  • Increased engine wear and shorter engine life

As metal moves against metal, microscopic soft-metal particles migrate into pits, crevices, and scratches caused by friction wear. Unlike conventional film lubricants, which cannot properly protect against these conditions, Friction Free 3000's micro-metals fill, pack and plate the imperfect surfaces. The remaining micro-metals constantly circulate to provide added lubrication while seeking out new areas of surface wear.

*Not recommended for oil filters with a pore size of less than 20 microns

7/17/2008

How much are you paying for vet care?

I came across this article today about rising vet care costs. It begins with a startling opening: "Every six seconds, a pet owner is faced with a veterinary bill of more than $1,000." $1,000! That’s pretty steep, even for a beloved member of the family. Pet insurance is on the rise now as well to combat the steadily increasing cost of veterinary services.

While a healthy diet, supplementation and exercise are no substitute for veterinary care, shouldn't you be doing everything you can to keep your pets healthy and maybe avoid a $1,000 vet bill?

Here are a few simple steps you can take to keep your pets in tiptop shape:
  • A good diet. Your pet is part of your family, and you wouldn't feed your children half of the stuff that's in commercial dog and cat foods. Instead of picking up a bag of economy pet food, opt for a premium bag with human grade ingredients - fortified with a good protein source, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. (Check out Wellness® at petfooddirect.com on the Portal).
  • Supplementation. PetHealth Multivitamins for Dogs (code: 5606) and Cats (code: 5608) supply your pets with key vitamins and minerals to work, grow and develop properly. Some of the key vitamins include:
    • Vitamin A for healthy vision and healthy skin
    • Vitamin D for strong bones and teeth
    • Vitamin E for the normal growth and repair of body tissues
    • B-vitamins (B1, B2, B6, B12, niacin, folic acid and pantothenic acid) for healthy red blood cell formation, promoting normal energy levels, supporting a healthy nervous system and promoting digestive health
PetHealth OPC Formula with Glucosamine (code: 5602) provides an antioxidant defense against free radicals, promotes healthy joints and supports the normal regeneration of cartilage.
  • Exercise. Make sure your pets get plenty of exercise. Take your dog for a walk after work or in the morning before you get ready for work. Set some time aside to let your cat chase a laser pen (this is actually pretty funny).
These are just a few simple ways to keep your pets healthy. Take control of your pet's health and show them that you care. If you have any additional suggestions, please feel free to post them here.

Journaling Increases Weight Loss

A brand-new study being published in the August issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that individuals trying to lose weight who write down everything they eat each day lose twice as much weight as those who don’t write down what they are eating. In this study, 1,685 overweight adults weighing an average of 200+ lbs were offered 20 weekly group sessions led by nutritionist and were encouraged to lose at least 9 lbs in six months. They were told to watch their intake, exercise about 180 minutes a week and to keep a daily food and exercise log.The study found that dieters who kept a food log six or more days a week lost an average of about 18 pounds in six months, compared with about 9 pounds for those who didn't keep food diaries. The individuals who lost the most weight went to most of the group sessions and did more exercise than those who did not lose as much weight.

Recording your intake and activity is the best way to track your progress. Using your Transitions™ Daily Journal you will be able to see patterns and trends in your eating: whether you are a stress eater, a person who eats when they are bored, or a person who eats based on emotion. You can track your exercise, beverage and food intake as well as your mood, which will help you become more self-aware and thus more successful.You can see the abbreviated version of Weight Loss During the Intensive Intervention Phase of the Weight-Loss Maintenance Trial for yourself, at the following link.

7/16/2008

The Cradle-to-Grave Drugging of America

The Cradle-to-Grave Drugging of America
by Mark Lange, PhD

On July 7th, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended children as young as two years of age have cholesterol screening if there is a family history of high cholesterol or heart disease. AAP also recommends children over the age of eight be given statin (cholesterol lowering) drugs. You can read the New York Times article here.

For several years there has been controversy about the increasingly lower thresholds for “normal” blood pressure and serum cholesterol levels, common risk factors for cardiovascular disease. In 1999, more than 800 doctors, pharmacists, and scientists from 58 nations signed an open letter to the World Health Organization, stating that their new hypertension guidelines would result in increased use of prescription drugs with great expense and little benefit. Furthermore, the letter states, “In our view it is necessary to prove benefit, not lack of harm, when making such a recommendation.” (read the full letter here)

When the medical community decides to make a far-reaching recommendation such as the AAP’s, the benefits must be demonstrated and the lack of harm proven. Medical researchers often extrapolate research results to produce guidelines doctors and patients follow unquestioningly. Children are not little adults. It is questionable at best to extrapolate the possible benefit of statins in adults to their use in children.

Do we know for certain that statins work? We know they bring down cholesterol levels. But do they reduce the incidence of heart disease? There is good evidence that they reduce the chances of a second heart attack. But for primary prevention the evidence is less compelling. In other words, in treating people who are well, or at least thought they were. Between 1997 and 2002, the number of elderly on statins more than doubled. With the current trend, soon they will be debating statins in our tap water!

There are many learned articles saying statins "work". But the usual definition of "work" revolves around reducing cholesterol levels. There is more to it than that; you must balance the cost of intervening to alter the risk profile of large numbers of healthy people against the time and resources it takes away from tending to people who are truly sick or of unquestionable high risk. We must, as individuals, take personal responsibility for our health and consider alternatives to drug therapy such as exercise and good nutrition. Many drugs have side effects, both immediate and long-term. For example, statins lower CoQ10 levels by as much as 40%. CoQ10 is essential for cellular energy production and proper heart function. If an eight year old child goes on a statin drug, when can he or she be taken off the drug? Once the child has been classified as being high risk, likely they will be on statins for the rest of their life.

Chlorine in Shower Water

I saw this article today about the effects of chlorine in pools and wanted to share. Many of you may not be aware of the effects of chlorine in our water, except maybe the taste and odor when it's in your drinking water. But consider this: when you take your morning shower, all of the chemicals (including chlorine) that are in municipal water systems come through the shower head. A warm shower opens the pores of the skin and allows a high rate of absorption of chlorine and other chemicals. The steam we inhale while showering can contain up to 20 times the level of chlorine and other synthetic chemicals as tap water. Inhalation of chlorine and chemical vapors is known to be a strong irritant to the tissues in our lungs. When chemicals are inhaled, they enter the lungs and then directly into the bloodstream, with magnified adverse effects when compared to ingested chemicals (which are partially filtered out by the liver and kidneys). The PureH2O Shower Filter (code: 14035) is an intelligent and effective way to reduce the levels of chlorine and other chemicals present in shower water.

7/15/2008

Attending MA Events on a Budget

We know that rising fuel prices and other increasing costs make it hard on all of us to travel but we want to see you all at our events so here are some suggestions to make your travel to Market America Events more economical:
· If flying, book flights early to save on rising fares.
· Most airlines are charging up to $15 per 50lb bag so bring only one and weigh it before you leave the house.
· If possible, coordinate with others traveling from your hometown to carpool or even organize a bus for a large group.
· Share a hotel room with one of your fellow travelers.
· Check with the local Convention and Visitors Bureau for coupons to receive discounts at local restaurants.
· Walk everywhere that you can.
· Buy food and snacks at the grocery store instead of eating out every meal.
· Order a regular coffee instead of a latte or make your own coffee in the hotel room.
· Drink water with meals instead of tea or soda.
· Have someone drop you off at the airport instead of paying for parking.
· Adjust your heating and cooling systems at home to save money and energy while you are not there.
· At International Convention, take advantage of discounted bus transportation to and from the Coliseum- call 800-344-1541 for more info.

Ma Partner Stores

BeyondBikes.com
BeyondBikes.com offers a complete line of parts and accessories for biking. They carry helmets, shoes and apparel in addition to complete bikes, build kits, cameras, wheels, frames and more.

FileMaker Pro
FileMaker Pro helps you manage people, projects and assets. They also offer a host of other FileMaker products to help you to get better organized. FileMaker computer software is available for both Windows and Macintosh computer platforms.

Mighty Leaf Tea
Mighty Leaf Tea carries hand crafted Artisan Teas. In addition, they carry gifts, teas and other wellness products in addition to the silken tea pouch to bring big, bold flavor to your tea.

Music123
Music123 carries a host of different musical instruments along with recording and sound equipment. They carry everything from guitars and drums to percussion, woodwind, brass and orchestral string instruments.

OnSale
OnSale is a leading electronics store. They carry computers, software, PDA’s, MP3 players and iPods along with a host of other consumer electronics and more.

Spencers Gifts
The joke could be on you! Spencer’s carries gifts for nearly any occasion. They also carry a complete line of t-shirts, music as well as many other novelty items.

The Walking Company
The Walking Company carries a complete line of footwear for men, women and children. They carry boots, casual and dress shoes, in addition to athletic shoes and cross-trainers.

Yoga Accessories
Yoga Accessories is the place to go for all of your yoga needs. They carry mats, blankets, blocks, straps thera-bands along with dvd’s for yoga beginner’s all the way up to more advanced techniques.

Environmentally-Friendly Air Fresheners

Air fresheners. We all use them, whether it is to clean up a pet’s accident or just to freshen up a room before company comes over. But did you know that GlobalCare™ S.O.S. (and Nursery Magic and Pet Magic) is so much more than that? GlobalCare S.O.S. is also a stain remover; the naturally-occurring enzymes in GlobalCare S.O.S. break down organic odors and stains into H2O (water) and CO2 (carbon dioxide). S.O.S virtually eliminates odors and smoke from the air, draperies, sofas and beds and leaves a pleasant, light fragrance. S.O.S. is perfect for the home, the office and your car. S.O.S. also eliminates many organic stains from carpets, rugs, linens and clothing quickly and safely without the need for potentially harmful chemicals. We offer it in four great varieties, Original (code: 6500) with a natural clean scent, Fresh (code: 6526) with a fresh herbal scent, Nursery Magic (code: 6508) with a light baby powder fragrance and Pet Magic (code: 6503) with a light pleasant scent. Before you reach for that air freshener with harmful chemicals, grab GlobalCare S.O.S., for a safer, more environmentally-friendly* odor eliminator.

*Made with non-toxic, biodegradable, naturally-occurring enzymes and bottled in recyclable bottles.

7/11/2008

Ma Partner Stores

Market America continues to bring you the most requested partner stores. Below are a few of the most recent additions to our evergerowing list.


Avis carries a complete inventory of rental vehicles for any consumer. They offer economy, compact and full-size cars, SUVs, vans wagons and convertibles.


BabyCenter is the leading place to go for prenatal and baby needs. They offer birthclubs, baby books, magazines and more for your new baby!


Dollar Rent A Car offers car rentals at competitive rates to get you around. They carry economy, compact and full-size cars, as well as SUVs and also feature a new StyleSeries.


New Balance carries New Balance, Dunham as well as Aravon shoes and boots.


PetFoodDirect.com carries food, treats, beds, toys, fish tanks, healthcare, grooming and accessories to keep your pet happy. They carry supplies for your fish, dog, cat, bird along with many other animals.


Popcap Games carries PC games. They offer downloadable boards, cards, puzzle and arcade and word games for everyone!

Dazzle the Crowd With Your Beautiful Glow!



Have you always wanted to achieve a fresh, natural-looking glow but don’t know how? Motives® Lip and Cheek Tints are precisely what you need. Available in three fabulous shades, these tints give you a natural glow from within. Apply the Lip and Cheek Tint to your cheeks and then brush on Motives Loose Mineral Blush and you will have a beautiful glow that lasts all day long. When using on your lips, begin with one of our wonderful Motives Lip Liners, then apply the Lip and Cheek Tint of your choice and follow with a decadent Motives Lip Gloss or Lip Shine! You will have everyone talking about your naturally beautiful glow!

Cleanse and Preserve With These Fabulous Skin Care Products!



Are you tired of looking in the mirror and seeing blemishes? We have the perfect solution for achieving healthy, clear skin. Timeless Prescription® Renewing Acne Cleanser is great for anyone who has acne prone skin. It contains micro-beads that gently exfoliate while stabilized, time-released benzoyl peroxide is absorbed by the pores to help control the bacteria that causes acne. Unlike many other acne cleansers, this will not strip your skin of moisture, formulated with botanical extracts of tea tree, lavender and lemon, this cleanser leaves your skin feeling fresh and hydrated. Follow this with the Timeless Prescription Acne Toner and Repair Lotion and you will love looking in the mirror!

7/08/2008

Is your pet obese?

Hi everyone, I came across this article in the Los Angeles Times about a new drug to combat obesity in pets.

The article got me to thinking about our pets' diet and their overall nutrition. If obesity in our pets is on the rise (estimated to be between 25 and 40 percent), what are we doing wrong?

First, let's look at their diet. Are you feeding Fido a premium dog food? As you well know, I am a proponent of Wellness brand dog food (they also have a complete line of feline products – but I'm a dog owner, so bear with me). Wellness Dry Dog Food is made with human-grade protein sources (not animal by-products), whole grains like oatmeal, barley and brown rice, carrots, apples, spinach, blueberries, sweet potatoes and flax seeds. Wellness is formulated without extra fat and calories. (You can find Wellness brand dog and cat foods through the Portal at our partner stores, dog.com and cat.com.)

Now supplementation. If you aren't already giving your pet PetHealth™ OPC Formula and the PetHealth™ Dog and Cat Multivitamin Formulas, you should really consider incorporating these into your pets diet. PetHealth food supplements are designed specifically for cats and dogs, not humans. Save the Isotonix® for you and your kids – pets have different nutritional requirements, so what may be a safe and beneficial amount for you, may be toxic for your pets. A lot of care and consideration has gone into the PetHealth formulas to ensure that they are providing the key vitamins and minerals necessary to promote the normal growth and development of your pets. PetHealth Multivitamin Formulas help promote normal energy levels, which should come in handy with an overweight pet. PetHealth OPC Formula also promotes joint health, which will definitely come in handy not only as they age, but throughout their active life.

Exercise, exercise, exercise! Think of all of the benefits exercise provides you. It keeps you healthy, keeps your energy levels up and puts you in a good mood. When was the last time you took your dog for a walk and it put him or her in a bad mood? My dog loves to go for walks. One of my goals for the summer was to go to the park everyday after work. It's great for Sebastian (my border collie), he gets a ton of guaranteed exercise everyday, and it's great for me too. Instead of parking my butt on the sofa when I get home, it's off to the park for a three mile walk. Even if you're at home all day, following you around the house is not exercise. So pick up that dusty leash and go for an invigorating walk.

Before you reach for a miracle diet pill for your pets, consider some of the safer alternatives.

Also, as a side note, if you can think of any ways to get your cat off the sofa and into shape, please feel free to post them here.

7/07/2008

Resveratrol Combats Obesity

Resveratrol is getting media attention again! According to a new study published at the annual meeting of U.S. Endocrine Society, Resveratrol may help battle obesity. In this study, they found that resveratrol inhibited the pre-fat cells from increasing and prevented them from converting into mature fat cells. Also, resveratrol hindered fat storage.

According to the study's lead author, Pamela Fischer-Posovszky: "Resveratrol has anti-obesity properties by exerting its effects directly on the fat cells. Thus, resveratrol might help to prevent development of obesity or might be suited to treating obesity."

The results of this study were filmed and can be seen in the webcast here. (To hear about resveratrol only, skip ahead to the 15:00 mark for Martin Wabitsch’s presentation)

All the more reasons to take in all the many benefits of Resveratrol!

7/03/2008

New Research on the Importance of Vitamin D

A recent study in the Archives of Internal Medicine reported the findings of Austrian researchers studying the possible association between low blood levels of vitamin D and an increased mortality from cardiovascular disease. A total of 3,258 patients scheduled for coronary angiography testing were recruited and had their blood levels of vitamin D measured. After 7.7 years of follow up, their findings clearly demonstrate people with low levels of vitamin D are more than twice as likely to die from cardiovascular disease as those with high levels. Click on the link below for more information.

Study Findings

7/02/2008

Women's Health

Between the ages of 45 and 50, a woman can experience another significant change in her life. Hot flashes, irregular periods, sleep disturbances, increased appetite, mood swings, and decreased fertility are just some of the symptoms of menopause. Technically, a woman doesn’t begin experiencing these menopausal symptoms till the one year anniversary of her final menstrual period. Naturally, menopause begins when the ovaries begin to make less estrogen and progesterone and the body begins to grow out of its child bearing years. When your progesterone production decreases, your fertility also declines. Until a woman is technically considered menopausal (aka postmenopausal), she's considered to be premenopausal, also referred to as perimenopause. It's during the perimenopausal phase that most women experience the worst symptoms. Menopause signals the end of fertility and the beginning of a new and potentially rewarding time in a woman's life.

It seems like it was just yesterday when my Mother was experiencing all these symptoms and beginning menopause herself. She researched many different natural hormone replacement therapy options to help with the hot flashes and hormonal changes she was experiencing, and she finally stumbled across black cohosh. Black cohosh is one of the more popular herbal remedies for menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood disturbances, and vaginal dryness. Many women take black cohosh to reduce hot flashes that affect so many menopausal women. It does this by reducing the lutenizing hormone in your body, which is associated with extreme temperature fluctuations. So, how effective is black cohosh? Well, in a recent study, 80% of women taking a black cohosh supplement experienced an improvement in their hot flashes and sweating.

Another option that my Mother chose to try was soy isoflavones. Not only are soy isoflavones beneficial for hot flashes, but they also help maintain bone density. Soy contains a high amount of phytochemicals called phytoestrogens. These phytoestrogens are a weaker form of our own natural estrogen, and seem to help combat the symptoms of menopause. Some studies show that taking 60 mg of soy everyday for three months can reduce hot flashes and night sweats by up to 45%. Some studies have also shown soy to be helpful in maintaining bone density, thereby reducing the risk of osteoporosis in menopausal women.

The mood swings and emotional changes that a women experiencing menopause can also cause a loss in sex drive. A woman’s body is going through so many changes that sexual desire and libido is easily neglected. There is also less estrogen circulating in your body, that too can bring your sex drive down for the count. Estrogen is responsible for keeping your libido in tune and elevated and with these estrogen levels beginning to fall during this dramatic change, your sexual desire can begin to fizzle fast. So how do you find your mojo again? Sensoril® is an ashwagandha root extract. Ashwagandha has been proven to act as an adaptogen by helping to inhibit fatigue, boost energy, promote emotional well-being and counteract the negative effects of stress. Independent of its adaptogen activities, ashwagandha has also been shown to support normal and induce nitric oxide synthase which promotes normal blood flow.

Feminene® Female Support Formula is a natural supplement combined of 11 specially selected herbs including black cohosh, don quai, soy extract, St. John’s Wort, evening primrose and additional vitamins to help to alleviate mild symptoms of menopause and help stabilize mood.*

In combination with Feminene, Prime™ Time Female Libido Formula will help to keep that spark to your love life. This multi-approach formula promotes normal sexual energy and interest, and supports normal blood flow for sensitivity.*



*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.