Thursday, November 18, 2010

Bad vs. Good side of the Supplement Industry

The Bad:

I saw this video yesterday and I had to share it with you as a warning. This is why I choose USANA Health Sciences as my supplement company of choice. I toured their facility and saw first hand the way they manufacture their supplements. It's a good feeling to know that they voluntarily take so many precautions during the process. Check out the following video to see why I trust my health to USANA.
The Good:

Thursday, October 7, 2010

My Innovative Results Workout Video!!!


I highly recommend checking out my friend's gym in Costa Mesa http://innovative-results.com
Go get your butt kicked and feel good about it!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

The only Supplement Company I Trust - USANA Health Sciences



I decided to take USANA supplements for many reasons and this video tells why. I've personally toured the facility and can tell you that USANA stands behind their products quality and potency. USANA supplements are the only supplements I recommend to my clients because of the difference they've made in my health. Contact me for samples. tvidal@usana.com

Monday, August 23, 2010

The Art of Self-Assertion

This is an awesome read that I found online today. With a little imagination and rewording, it can be applied to other areas of your life...not just at work.

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The Art of Self-Assertion
from WorkAwesome by Sarah Nagel


If you ask, you shall receive. It sounds simplistic, but it works in all kinds of ways.

If you’d like to make a sale, ask your customer if they’re ready to buy.

If you’d like to work on a new project, ask if you can get involved.

If you want a raise, ask for one.

Asking for what you want is often the quickest way to get it. Self-assertion allows you to take control, be proactive and grow as a person. Instead of seeing a world of limits, you see a world of opportunities. Instead of living small, you live large.

Being assertive is a critical skill, but many people are hesitant to try. If this is something you struggle with, read on for some helpful tips.
Excuses Won’t Get You Anywhere

There are so many excuses that keep us from being assertive. Speaking up can be scary, especially if you are shy. You really don’t want to bother anyone. And you may assume you will just get no for an answer anyway. You would rather not even try. Or you may be so bogged down by the day-to-day grind that you lack the energy to even think about what you really want and how to ask for it.

For many people, it may be much more comfortable to take on the role of the martyr, working away diligently, never asking for more. As long as you keep your head down, work hard, and play nice, you will be showered with rewards from on high, right? Not exactly.

The truth is that other people are busy. They may like you a lot. They may even want to help you, but they can’t read your mind. They aren’t going to sit around brainstorming ways to help you advance your personal goals. If you want to get ahead, you have to make it happen. You have to give yourself a chance.

Be Solution-Oriented

By taking the initiative, you can make important changes in your work environment. Instead of putting up with problems, you offer solutions. You make your job work for you.

This is especially helpful for people who find their jobs to be increasingly boring or unfulfilling. You could get stuck in a rut, become resentful, and start daydreaming about finding a new career, or you could brainstorm ways to expand your current role. Is another department overwhelmed and in need of extra help? Is there a promotion opening up? Could you propose a new project?

It’s important to allow yourself to think outside the box and avoid self-imposed limits. You just might have the perfect answer.

Why It’s Worth It

Just asking for what you want can change your whole working experience. You could get an exciting project that breathes fresh life into your job. You could get a promotion or a raise. You could make new connections, strike up friendships or learn valuable skills.

The best part is that you get empowered in the process. You realize it’s not so scary, after-all. You gain more confidence. You realize that you can make a difference.

It’s Not All About Taking

People tend to confuse assertiveness with aggressiveness. But they aren’t the same thing. You don’t have to throw elbows, step on toes, or make a spectacle to get what you want.

It doesn’t have to be a gimmee-gimmee situation. It’s all in your approach. The key is to find a way to meet someone else’s needs at the same time. Instead of pushing your own agenda, find a way to tie it to someone else’s. That way everyone benefits, and you give others a reason to say yes. With a little imagination, you can create a win-win situation and open the door to new opportunities – for yourself and others.

Get Over Your Fear of Rejection

If you are still hesitant, just start small. Find one thing that could make a real difference to you, and then ask for it. Becoming assertive is like working a muscle. The more you do it, the stronger you become.

If things don’t work out as you hoped, remember that failure is not a sign of weakness. It isn’t a sign that something is wrong with you. Failure just shows your pushing the boundaries.

Failure is not the end of the story. It is the beginning. When something is hard and you are really struggling with it, that is the point when you really begin to grow and learn. Stick with it. Have patience with yourself. Don’t give up.

Michael Jordan once said,

“I failed over and over in my life and that is why I succeed.”

Isn’t that the story of humanity right there? We are never going to be perfect, but if we have courage and determination and confidence, we can succeed.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Carrot Salad with Cumin and Garlic*

This can be served warm or cold. We had it warm, and it's quite yummy! Use older carrots, which have a better taste than young ones.

5 large carrots
4 Tbsp
4 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tsp
Salt and black pepper
juice of 1/2 lemon

Peel or wash and scrape the carrots and trim off the tops and tails. Cut them in quarters lengthwise and then cut each quarter in half to produce sticks. Boil in salted water for 10 to 15 minutes, until tender but not too soft, then drain.
In a large skillet, heat the oil and put in the carrots, garlic, cumin and some salt and pepper. Saute on a medium-high heat, stirring and turning the carrots over, until the garlic just begins to color.
Sprinkle with lemon juice and serve cold.

*taken from "Arabesque: A Taste of Morocco, Turkey and Lebanon" by Claudia Roden

Monday, August 9, 2010

RESET day 5 (Final)

Here's my final weigh in from Saturday night. I wasn't able to post the photo until now due to that fact I had family over for the weekend and it was non-stop fun. So in the end I lost a total of 5 lbs in 5 days with the USANA RESET. My stomach feel flatter, my skin feels and looks great and my metabolism is on track. I recommend the RESET cleanse to anyone that wants to lose weight or just get their digestive system back on track after years of bad eating habits.
I will be continuing with the transform phase of the RESET program. My goal is to get down to 170 lbs.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

RESET day 4

Things got a little busy last night with family coming into town to visit, but I did take my daily photo. I'm down to 179.8 lbs and feeling great. I don't feel bloated, my stomach is flatter, my skin feels and looks better than before. I love it. I plan on doing this ever 3 to 4 months for regular maintenance.
Today is my last day and I'll be taking one last photo tonight and posting it.