Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts

Sunday, April 30, 2023

#ad A #SelfcareSunday for your Gut! Show your tummy some love with amazing products from Pure Encapsulations. #PureAmbassador

A Self Care Sunday for your Gut!


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

I know the internet tries to sell you on a SelfCare Sunday that's all face masks and wine, but taking a step toward a healthier you is important too! Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the joys of a good mental health day too, but I am also here for taking small steps towards my physical health.

If you have been considering doing a 'cleanse' I am trying to two products from Pure that you should definitely consider!

馃 PRODUCT ONE:


PureDefense Collagen with Bone Broth Powder The hardest part of a cleanse is feeling *deprived*, but how about a way to enjoy your cleanse and still get protein in addition to these benefits:

馃 Immune system support with fermented EpiCor postbiotic

馃 Promotion of barrier integrity - specifically your G.I. mucosal lining

馃 Cell health and joint support from natural, bioactive compounds (including plant-based flavoniods)

馃 15 grams of protein from grass-fed beef bone broth AND collagen peptides

Includes immune-supportive mushrooms (fellow Horror/SciFi loving entertainment watchers, no worries you won't turn into a cordycep zombie), enhanced absorption turmeric extract, fermented black garlic extract (this is not my first time featuring black garlic extract, it is incredibly beneficial in so many ways) and an organic vegetable blend, offering both flavor and immune-supporting phytonutrients

Combine a scoop of this powder with hot water for comforting and savory goodness that has health benefits and won't leave you feeling deprived. I would do a smoothie for breakfast, this for lunch and dinner on your cleanse days. If you are trying to reduce meat in your diet, this is also an excellent option for your *meatless mondays* or a meal for Fridays during Lent.

馃 PRODUCT TWO:


 

Probiotic G.I. - Helping to promote support digestive function and immune function is something I personally do daily. A Probiotic is definitely helpful before, during and well past a cleanse. This one helps:

馃 Promote G.I. health

馃 Helps maintain healthy cellular activity in the G.I. tract

馃 Supports healthy barrier function, cell health and immune function in the G.I. tract

Provides 10 billion colony forming units (CFU) per capsule of the beneficial strains Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium lactis and Streptococcus thermophilus

Note: It is suggested to refrigerate this one and it arrived to me cool (the package had a ice pack in it) - so put this in your refrigerator or beauty fridge if you have one!

Pill Size:


MY TAKE:  

The only other thing I would add to this list is keeping a pot of ginger tea brewed and at the ready (I like to buy organic ginger and make this tea myself but you can also buy a Ginger tea on the market!)

I enjoy bone broth even when I am not on a cleanse of any type. This is a perfect product to keep in your desk at work, especially in winter when you don't want to go out or get so busy you do not have time to order in. Just get a cup of hot water from the water cooler and add a scoop of this to it, instant lunch that has protein, is super comforting, and won't weigh you down!



ROCK THE VOTE:

I still need testimonials to help me advance to the voting round for my Sephora Squad application, literally 10-15 words and you get ZERO emails in conjunction with your support! Remember Ambassadorships for your favorite blogger always mean fun stuff for readers too! VOTE: https://www.sephorasquad.com/leave_testimonial/114319

Readers Sound Off: What does a typical Selfcare Sunday look like for you?


 聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 ●•●•贍·˙˙·贍•● 聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 ●•●•贍·˙˙·贍•● 聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 ●•●•贍·˙

FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post. However I am a brand ambassador for Pure Encapsulations and products were provided for Editorial Consideration. All opinions are 100% my own! I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure. 

If you like this article treat me to a coffee, a caffeinated writer is a happy writer! 

paypal.me/TracyIglesias

https://cash.app/$ascendingbutterfly

Venmo: Ascending1

Monday, August 22, 2016

In the Mail Monday: Check out the Goodies inside my @InfluensterVox #BonitaVoxBox #Health #Beauty #Lifestyle #spon

Disclosure: Influenster Vox has provided products for Editorial Consideration free of charge. All opinions however are exclusively my own.

InfluensterVox,  #BonitaVoxBox
Nothing better than an 'In The Mail Monday' when it's a box overflowing with health and beauty goodness!
 
I have to admit two of the items are regular favorites of mine that I purchase regularly, so lets start there!
 
Dickinson's Enhanced Witch Hazel Alcohol-Free Hydrating Toner - On the label it mentions that this product is 'Self Approved' but I think its a way higher honor, that it's 'great-grandma approved'! My Great Grandma loved this Witch Hazel and now I use it regularly too! This newest formulation has hyaluronic acid and Vitamin E to help Hydrate your skin in addition to removing impurities, reducing pore size and leaving skin fresh and clean without tightness. I have always found it scary that even after washing my face or using a makeup remover how much stuff shows on a cottonball after I use this toner! And I also say they get kudos for giving a FULL size sample in the Vox Box!
 
Fiber One Chocolate Fudge Brownie - I got to sample these awhile ago and it was love at first bite! I keep these regularly stocked in my pantry so I was happy to see a sample pack included in my Influenster #BonitaVoxBox I had no idea there was an ice cream with this flavor but I will be on the lookout for it during my next shopping trip. If you haven't tried these yet, give them a go! They are perfect to stash in your desk, car and purse to always have one handy in case of a sweet tooth snack attack!
 
Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lip Color + Super Lustrous Lipstick - This was on a piece of paper, much like a magazine tester and I have never once tried lipstick this way before. I think Revlon could have sprung for putting in a full size sample of each color. Not even going to link to them, why should I do the work for a piece of paper? Sorry guys but this was a 'fail' in my book. I am not game for swiping cardboard across my lips.
 
Sinful Colors Nail Polish - I recieved a Limited Edition Porcelain Matte in a color called We're All Matte Here from Kylie Jenner's Sinful Colors Nail Collection. It didn't really photograph true to color for some reason, it's a 'coral/pink' with great pigment, it's not a muted of soft pink, it's got body and I really like it! And again, Kudos for Full Size Product! (ahem Revlon!) I have been really wanting to try her lipsticks and this definitely makes me want to give them a go! You know I am all about a signature red lip so I am going to check out her reds and report back to you once I've tried them! Sorry, no mani shot with this one yet, but I will post once my nails are 'photo ready' (trust when I tell you that you really don't want to see them right now!)
 
Madam CJ. Walker Beauty Culture Dream Come True Wonderful Deep Conditioning Mask - I wish they would have put full size product in the Vox Box (I have super long hair right now so I hope the packet will cover it - not to mention trying to rip open foil packets in the shower always proves to be quite the challenge doesn't it?), but props for also including their Dream Come True Wonderful Pre-Wash Protein Treatment.

My Take:

'Bonita' is the Spanish Word for 'Pretty' - I love that Influenster named this the 'Bonita' Vox Box! I already love Dickinson's Witch Hazel so I loved getting to try their newest 'hydrating' formulation. Fiber One already has a permanent home in my pantry but I would like to branch out and try a few other flavors as well as their ice cream. This introduction to Sinful Colors will definitely have me checking out other colors in the line and I also want to check out Kylie's lip kits which I hope are as nicely pigmented as the nail colors are! (If any of you have tried them already, let me know what you think!)
 
Readers Sound Off: Which Product in the Influenster #BonitaVoxBox would you most like to try and why?

 ˙·贍•● 聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 ●•●•贍·˙˙·贍•● 聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 ●•●•贍·˙˙·贍•● 聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 ●•●•贍·˙

FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed herein are 100% my own and do not reflect those of Influenster or it's sponsor brands. Ascending Butterfly partners with brands that would be of interest and offer values to our readers. See our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for full information.

Monday, February 8, 2016

@JennyCraig 5 day weight loss starter kit available exclusively at @Walmart #JennyCraigKit #spon

Jenny Craig's new weight loss starter kits being sold exclusively at Walmart

If you checked out Friday's Instagram and Blog Post Teaser, then you know I am going to spill the tea today on Jenny Craig's new weight loss kits being sold exclusively at Walmart in participating stores. (right now in store only)

Last year I entered a blog contest over at The Chatty Momma for one month of Jenny Craig which included weekly one-on-one consultations with a dedicated consultant who would help identify challenges, map out goals and track my progress as well as a one month supply of food. Shout out to Tonia for the amazing giveaway, it really helped me get a good running start to re-vamping my Lifestyle Choices when it comes to meals and portion control.

That was my first ever intro to Jenny Craig, I had never tried a program like this prior to this experience and I am happy to report I was successful at losing weight with the program - Members following the Jenny Craig program on average lose 1-2 lbs. a week.

Out of the four weeks, I had only one 'un-successful' week and it is because I didn't stick with it, I was away from the meals most of that week because of my insane schedule - that is the only week I gained, not much, but it proved without a shadow of a doubt that if you stick to it, the program really does yield results. I wasn't just 'out and about' I was traveling so I couldn't take the food with me, if only this kit had been available then, I could have just purchased one when I landed!

As promised, I am going to prove to you that this average sized box actually contains 3 meals a day PLUS a snack for FIVE days (here is the kit 'un-boxed'):

Jenny Craig's new weight loss starter kits being sold exclusively at Walmart un-boxed to show contents

Contents:

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - Five healthy Breakfasts! (Very Left with the Yellow Labels)

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - Five Healthy Lunches! (Second to Left with Orange Coded Labels)

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - Five Healthy Dinners! (Second to Right with Green Labels)

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - Five Tasty Snacks! (Far Right with Purple Labels - a little salty and a little sampling of sweet - because sometimes you want chocolate other times chips!)

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - One month free consultation at any Jenny Craig Center or Jenny Craig Anywhere

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - ***Special $50 food savings when you join a Jenny Craig Center***

The Jenny Craig Weight Loss Starter Kit is available exclusively at Walmart - right now in store only - there are also three day kits available (the three day kits retail for $44.98) - those kits have the chocolate dream shakes in them which I highly recommend! (If you buy both kits you'll have the weekend covered too! PERK)

For the truly observant you may notice my kit accidentally contained 4 dinners and 6 lunches but if that happens to you don't worry you can substitute - I just used one of the lunches for dinner.

and one of the things I love about the program is that you can add a salad to any lunch or dinner - now just remember, it's NOT the salad that does folks in, it's the dressing - the plan comes with a pre-portioned balsamic dressing that I really love. They also offer 'anytime' items. 

MY TAKE:

Advantages/Loves/Pros:

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - The fact that this kit does NOT require refrigeration and can be stored at room temp makes it perfect for my 'cubicle chicks' - no worries about stuff disappearing from the office fridge. (In my younger days I worked on a Trading Floor and lunches constantly disappeared from the Fridge - not cool, especially in winter!) - Just store them in your desk and you have all your meals literally at your fingertips. And with having the dinners with you, if you work late, you are covered and don't have to worry about being starved by the time you get home.

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - Hate meal planning? - BOOM, this kit plans for you - it literally doesn't get easier than that.

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 -  Hate shopping for a ton of ingredients you don't end up using or having food go bad? Not going to happen with this kit. With me being a single gal in the city with no kids I don't want to prepare elaborate meals just for me - lunches especially - I don't have time for it, so this is absolutely perfect for me. I also tend to skip breakfast if left to my own devices, this system helps me start my day with something in my system making me less likely to snack before lunch and give me more energy. PERK!

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - Even as a SOHO (small office/home office) I love that I can always have something portion controlled, healthy and TASTY at my disposal. They are super fast to prepare which is perfect and some of the lunches that don't even require heating like the salad kits (chicken or tuna salad with whole wheat crackers and apple sauce) can be tucked into your purse for a meal on the go so you are less likely to cheat while out.

Cons: (these are actually not 'bad' - totally personal preference stuff)

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - In the beginning it takes getting used to the smaller sizes, especially for the snacks. Re-training my brain can be hard, especially when I am up late at night trying to meet deadlines - that is my snacktime danger zone. I know enough to know it can be exhaustion from working solid so many hours coupled with de-hydration from not taking enough breaks that make me crave the bad for me snacks. I wish the snack portion sizing were a bit bigger but that's the point - not to cut out snacking completely, just learn to cut back. By the way, while it was not included in this kit - the triple chocolate cheesecake from Jenny Craig's is addictive and rivals any of my favorite cheesecakes hands down. A pro and a con indeed! Delicious - total pro, the fact that I want to eat at least four of them in one sitting a con! LOL

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - I am a grab and go if at all Breakfast person - the chocolate dream shake is PERFECT, but it is not included in this particular kit (I am at an advantage and dis-advantage that I am familiar with the entire range of meals offered and have my favorites!) I do wish this five day kit included the shakes as the shakes can also be used for a boost mid-day if you are craving something and are far from your next meal time, the shakes are considered 'anytime' items (as well as many of the bars like the Chocolate Peanut Butter Anytime Bar). Nothing to count, just follow along the menu plan and it outlines how to incorporate anytime items into your day.

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - Now I don't know if all the kits are like that, but I wish mine hadn't repeated meals more than once, and had given me total variety with something different each day but I have a feeling that most of the other meals are ones that require refrigeration so that is why they weren't included.

Now I know what you are thinking butterflies, "but butterfly if the program worked for you, why didn't you stay on it longer than the trial month?"

Good Question, simply put the weekly meetings were really hard to fit into my schedule. I am a Life Coach, Social Media Consultant, Freelance Writer and Blogger and commuting to the city as there is no branch closer to me just for the consultations got harder and harder to schedule, now that the kits can be picked up at MY convenience I can see myself picking it up again to jump start my way into Spring and get myself back on track eating wise and portion control wise. Also, with the beverages, hauling the food from the branch to my home as someone who does not drive and was taking public transportation was also a challenge for me, this kit is way lighter and much more compact and can be picked up during a regular shopping trip closer to home so it's a total win/win in my book.

For those of you who decide to become full members after trying the weight loss kit, here are my personal food faves from the Jenny Craig Menu:

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - Breakfast Faves: Egg, Cheese & Turkey Sausage Burrito, Florentine Breakfast Pizzas (Whole Wheat Crust, Scrambled Egg White, Spinach and a blend of cheeses and BACON, yes Bacon!) and for me I used the Chocolate Dream Shakes often for Breakfast as well.

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - Lunch Faves: Baja Style Chicken Quesadilla, Creamy Chicken and Corn Chowder, Stuffed Pizza Bites, White Bean Chicken Chili (this one is included in the kit! PERK!)

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - Dinner Faves: Turkey Chili, Chicken Carbonara (which has BACON!), Chicken Fettucini, White Fish and Mushroom Risotto

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - Snack Faves: Bruschetta Veggie Chips, Black Bean Taco Chips, Chocolate Lava Cake and Gold Stars to the Triple Chocolate Cheesecake!

When following the program, I lost just under 2 pounds per week each week, so I hope that the new kits at Walmart will also be made available soon at Walmart.com because having it delivered right to my door would definitely make an already good thing - that much better!

What say YOU? Do you shop at Walmart? Will you be making a bee line for the diet/weight loss aisle to try the new Jenny Craig 5 day Weight Loss Starter Kit exclusively at Walmart? The Ground hog says Spring is coming early and you know what that means - summer isn't far behind!

***NOTE: $50 Food Discount to be used in $10 increments with minimum food purchase of $90 (US) $95 (CAN), plus the cost of shipping, if applicable. Membership is required to redeem the $50 Food Discount. Enrollment fees and monthly fees may be required and vary by location. Valid at participating centers, Jenny Craig Anywhere and jennycraig.com - Valid for food purchase only;  may NOT be used for shipping costs. No Cash Value. Not Transferable. Restrictions Apply.***

˙·贍•● 聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 ●•●•贍·˙˙·贍•● 聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 ●•●•贍·˙˙·贍•● 聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 ●•●•贍·˙

FTC Disclosure:  This is a sponsored/compensated Post in conjunction with Acorn Influence and Walmart, however all opinions are 100% my own! The Weight Loss and The Love Is Real Folks - Portion Control really is KING. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure. Check with your Doctor before starting this or any weight loss program. Some meal/snack items contain tree nuts, read ingredient labels carefully before purchasing.

Friday, February 5, 2016

#JennyCraigKit now available @walmart #ad


Fresh off Ascending Butterfly's Instagram Feed: Hard to believe this is 5 days worth of breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks too! The #JennyCraigKit is now available at EXCLUSIVELY at Walmart and I had the chance to try it out! Look for a full post on Monday so you can see what's in the box! This is just a teaser! :-)

˙·贍•●♥ 聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 ♥●•●•贍·˙˙·贍•●♥ 聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 ♥●•●•贍·˙˙·贍•●♥ 聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 ♥●•●•贍·˙

FTC Disclosure: This is a compensated/sponsored Campaign, All opinions are 100% my own! I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

Saturday, June 28, 2014

#Sponsored: #PGeveryday is committed to making every day just a little easier + Coupons & Samples from trusted brands!



After 2 weeks of back-to-back Press Trips and a ton of time away from my own bed, my sleep pattern is having trouble re-adjusting to reality. Even if I feel 'bone tired' getting my mind to 'turn off' for the night has been virtually impossible, putting me on the hunt for sleep tips and ideas to get me back on track.

I found a few solid ideas while checking out the P&G everyday™ website! Much like Ascending Butterfly, they are committed to making every day just a little easier and more rewarding, they aim to inspire, support and empower you to unlock the extraordinary potential in your EVERYDAY life.

It's not about that 'one big moment' butterflies, it's making the most of those sweet little day-to-day pleasures! That's what it's all about.

With content and resources from beauty, family, food, health, home and more + product ratings and reviews, this online platform developed by Procter & Gamble is sure to be one you will want to bookmark! I found a great article called "8 Great Ways to Beat Fatigue" that is helping me to get my sleep routine back on track!



My Take:

P&G is definitely a household name for my family and with a plethora of recipes, product reviews, and coupons this site is definitely on my list of bookmarks!

What is your favorite article from the P&G everyday™ website Butterfly?

˙·贍•● 聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 ●•●•贍·˙˙·贍•● 聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 ●•●•贍·˙˙·贍•● 聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 ●•●•贍·˙

FTC Disclosure: This is a Sponsored Post. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Monday, March 17, 2014

{#MotivationMonday} The importance of diet & heart health + highlights from the @GoRedForWomen Luncheon in NYC!

Go Red for Women American Heart Association Logo


My Great-Grandmother never got a cold, never battled the Flu and ate like a bird, but she suffered a Stroke. While heart disease does not necessarily run in my family, my Great-Grandmother's Stroke does make me more cautious about ways to reduce my own risk. I have also experienced peers who have suffered Strokes, and it is not just something that happens to those who are 'older'.

I recently attended the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women Luncheon in New York City, where I learned that more WOMEN die of heart disease than of any other cause. Yet only 1 in every 5 women actually believes Heart Disease is actually a threat.

Heart Disease is the Number One killer of women in the United States, claiming more lives than all forms of CANCER combined!

1 of 3 women suffer in silence, and almost one dies every minute making this preventable disease a silent killer! Heart Disease is the Number 1 killer of women, and Stroke is Number 3. The 2014 Go Red for Women Luncheon celebrates New York City women joining together to raise awareness and funds and is the premiere luncheon in the country. This year the luncheon with over 1,300 in attendance is expected to raise over $1,400,000 for research and education aimed at fighting heart disease and stroke in women.

Table 14 Grain Foods Foundation Silver Heart Sponsors of Go Red For Women Luncheon 2014 in New York City. charity, charitable initiatives, philanthropy
Table 14, Grain Foods Foundation Table at the Go Red for Women Luncheon in NYC - That's ME, Ascending Butterfly second from left side (wearing black jacket (Jones New York) and red shirt (Top is by IGIGI)) and second from the right is Christine Cochran, Executive Director of the Grain Foods Foundation  (wearing a white shirt collar over the top of the red dress.)

I had the pleasure of attending the Health Expo and Go Red for Women Luncheon with 'Heart of Silver' Sponsors, Grain Foods Foundation. Their sponsorship of the event will reach 2,000 high-risk minority women through Have Faith in Heart Events. 

Grain Foods Foundation has heart-healthy recipes in the Grains in Your Kitchen section of GrainsForYourBrain.org, and also includes expert nutrition advice from Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum who is a Grain Foods Foundation Scientific Advisory Board Member and American Heart Association Go Red For Women Spokesperson.

Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum a Grain Foods Foundation Scientific Advisory Board Member and American Heart Association Go Red For Women Spokesperson
“It is essential for consumers to understand the importance of balance to achieving heart health, and that includes diet, For example, eating whole grains will help you become healthier and is a great way to reduce risk factors for heart disease, like high cholesterol. It’s estimated that 80 percent of all cardiovascular events are preventable and treatable, and whole grains’ contribution should not be overlooked.” ~ Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum
As a Latina I know our community has a high propensity for Diabetes, and as 65% of people with Diabetes die from heart disease and stroke it is important to me that the Ascending Butterfly Community be empowered in ALL ways - Mind, Body and Soul to keep our overall health and wellness at it's peak efficiency. I have always felt that if one area is deficient, they all will be. And it's super important to know the facts about your level of risk! Latinas the campaign is also in Spanish, it's called Go Red por tu corazon There are also Recetas Favoritas/Favorite Recipes in Spanish made in a more hearth healthy way, so we can make small changes that will add up to better heart health not just for us, but the generations coming up behind us as well.





Heart Attack Warning Signs:

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or Pain.

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - Discomfort in Other Areas of the Upper Body:  Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - Shortness of Breath: With or Without Chest Discomfort

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - Other Signs: may include: breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or light-headedness

Cardiac Arrest Warning Signs:

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - Sudden loss of Responsiveness - No response to tapping on the shoulders

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - No Normal Breathing - The victim does not take a normal breath when you tilt the head up and check for at least five seconds.

Stroke Warning Signs:

Spot a Stroke F.A.S.T.:

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - Face Drooping - Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - Arm Weakness - Is one weak or numb? As the person to raise both arms. Watch them, does one arm drift downward?

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - Speech Difficulty - Is speech slurred, are they unable to speak, or hard to understand? As the person to repeat a simple sentence, like 'the sky is blue.' - Did they repeat the sentence correctly?

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 - Time to call 9-1-1 if the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get them to the hospital immediately


Christine Cochran, Executive Director of the Grain Foods Foundation
Christine Cochran, Executive Director of the Grain Foods Foundation raises her glass and gives a toast to the survivors and all the strong women in the room  who are out to help make difference!



Sponsors for the luncheon included: Grain Foods Foundation, Macys, North Shore LIJ, Geoffrey Beene Gives Back, GIII, Seiko, TransPerfect, Valerie Wilson Travel, Amarin Pharma Inc, Clear Channel Media, Estee Lauder, Planet Gold Clothing Company, Mashable Inc., Nautica, Amerex Group, Baltimore Sun Media Group, The Boston Globe, Bulkley Dunton, Carat USA, CBA Industries, Duane Reade, Forest Laboratories, Google, Interstate General Media, Levi Strauss & Co., NBC Universal, New York Daily News, New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center - Ronald O. Perelman Heart Institute, The New York Post, & The New York Times. Great to see brands I already know and trust banning together to offer their support to this amazing cause! (And a special shout out to Macys who also does amazing work with Ronald McDonald Children's Charities, they have donated furniture to the New York City House which I think is amazing as well. I am an Ambassador for Ronald McDonald Children's Charities and would love to see more brands get involved with them as well!). I wear Levi Strauss so I was glad to see them there as well!

Lynda Baquero ‏(left) of News 4 New York and  Chelsea Clinton (keynote speaker) at the 2014 Go Red for Women Luncheon in New York City!

Did you know?

Over 36,000 babies are born every year with a heart defect. There are currently more than 9 million kids overweight. Worse still 1 in every 4,000 infants has a stroke!

My Take:

Studies show that maintaining a healthy diet and physical activity can reduce the risk of heart disease by as much as 80 percent! That's huge! Doing something so simple can add so many QUALITY years of life and get you more quality time with those you love and those who love you. Do it for your heart, do it for their hearts, do it for those who were not so lucky, embrace a healthier diet, increase your physical activity and for those who still do it, STOP SMOKING! Keep your heart healthy! I hope you will join the cause and support the movement, in fact, this page outlines specific ways to GET INVOLVED, choose one or more! Seeing what my Great-Grandmother went through and now recently a former co-worker, peer and friend who is still in rehabilitation to re-gain both speech and mobility again, I know I don't want to live that myself. I plan to more careful with my diet, memorize those warning signs, and be sure to get a checkup regularly, I don't want to fall victim to the silent killer!

Big shout out to Grain Foods Foundation for Sponsoring a Table and sharing the word on easy ways we can improve our diets to help prevent heart disease, and for inviting Ascending Butterfly to break bread with them and help spread the word.

Have any of our butterflies experienced a Heart Attack or Stroke First Hand? Were you able to identify the warning signs and get treatment on time? Please tell us about your experience!


˙·贍•● 聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 ●•●•贍·˙˙·贍•● 聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 ●•●•贍·˙˙·贍•● 聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 ●•●•贍·˙

FTC Disclosure: Grain Foods Foundation (a Not-For-Profit organization) provided us with passes to the Health Expo and Go Red for Women Luncheon experience for editorial consideration. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure. All opinions are 100% my own! No monetary compensation has been exchanged!

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

#ad: Starting a Business Takes More than just 'Ganas'/Desire, it takes Planning + a #Giveaway too! @AmwayUS #SomosAmway

#ad: This is a Compensated/Sponsored Post in collaboration with Amway and Latina Bloggers Connect, as always, all opinons are 100% my own, additional disclosure information below post.

Amway English Logo


I've been an entrepreneur in some form or another for as long as I can remember, in fact I worked three jobs to get myself through College (in addition to several academic merit scholarships!). My original major was Biological Sciences (because I was pre-med and an aspiring Cardiologist at the time), but I was already a freelance writer contributing articles to a Bronx Newspaper (no, folks not just the Campus paper), and I ran my own Transcription and Translation Service, it started small and the word-of-mouth eventually landed me a Major Magazine Client whose editors would use both services, they would send me the tapes of the interviews editors would conduct with Spanish Speaking Celebrities and have me translate them because the magazine published articles solely in English at the time with some peppering of Spanish in some articles, so I would not only transcribe all interviews, (both the English and Spanish ones), but also translate the Spanish articles. It was my first lesson in just how long the hours are when you work for yourself. I would get a lot of 'overnight' turn around requests. Tapes would sometimes arrive to me via a messenger service up until 1 am (the latest time those services ran in my city) and I would have to translate, transcribe, proof read and get the tape returned and story sent to the editor hours later for same day rush service. Yes I was smart enough to charge additional fees for same day service and turn around, but I had to be up all night sometimes to complete those jobs. And still get up early for an office day job and a FULL TIME, NOT PART TIME class schedule.

Was it easy? NO, not at all.

Was I always tired? Indeed.

While my three jobs were very different in scope they all taught me unique lessons that all specifically prepared me well for the future. They honed my discipline, my accounting skills, my time management skills, project management skills and client management skills. All skills you need in spades to turn your dreams of running your own business into a reality.

It takes more than 'Ganas'/'Desire', it takes more than wanting it to make it happen. Yes butterflies if you can dream it, you can achieve it, I have NO doubt about that, but don't forget that it takes planning, research, in some cases additional education and it does take financial preparation. When you work for yourself, you will work way LONGER hours than you've ever worked for anyone else. Trust me when I tell you no day job you've ever had will ever compete with the amount of hours you will have to work when you go into business for yourself.

Amway is partnering with various digital entrepreneurs to discuss and share our stories. They empower people everyday by enabling them to start a business, and they wanted us to share our perspective with being your own boss. Despite the fact this economy is still very much in a recession, it's exactly that reason that many people are exploring their options. Sometimes a 9-to-5 isn't quite enough to make ends meet these days and knowing that there are other options to empower yourself and your family is important.



My friends there is a cure out there for "The Common Cubicle"! Sales skills are an integral part of any business, so this is a great way to hone those skills in hours that are convenient for you. Check out the quick video below:



I for one think it's important to get first hand feedback from someone who is currently in a business, so I would suggest checking out the testimonials from happy Amway Family members including the Diaz Family, the St. John Family, the Avellaneda Family, the Veloz Family, the Kothapallis Family, and the Garcia Family. There are tons more!

I personally think it's good business to allow folks to 'try the goods' you know 'sample the merchandise', and thankfully our friends at Amway agree, there is no better way to help people understand just how great your products are than by giving them the chance to try them out for themselves! Amway wants YOU to do just that!

WIN IT:

Our friends at Amway want you to try out some of their most popular products including:

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄ - NUTRILITE Fruit & Vegetables 2Go Twist Tubes (We actually did a full review of this product HERE if you'd like to check that out)

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄ - NUTRILITE Men's Packs Dietary Supplements

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄ - NUTRILITE Women's Pack Dietary Supplements

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄ - NUTRILITE Perfect Pack for your Health

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄ - Artistry Youth Xtend Collection

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄ - Artistry Light Up Lip Gloss

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄ - Artistry Liquid Eyeliner

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄ - Legacy of Clean All Purpose Surface Wipes

聘̵̡訙̵̨̄ - Legacy of Clean SA8 Triple Liquid 3X Concentrated Laundry Detergent

The Approximate Value of this Prize Basket is $710.00! Can I get a Woot! Woot!

Enter using the Rafflecopter Widget Below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Please note Ascending Butterfly is NOT drawing the winner, the sponsor is, so please check back after the contest closes to see the winner's name announced on the widget as I won't be posting a winner's announcement for this since I'm not drawing it.

Tell us Butterflies, What part of the prize package interests you most?


˙·贍•● 聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 ●•●•贍·˙˙·贍•● 聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 ●•●•贍·˙˙·贍•● 聘̵̡訙̵̨̄品 ●•●•贍·˙

FTC Dislcosure: This is a Sponsored Giveaway in conjunction with Amway. All prizes are non-transferable with no cash redemption, equivalent or substitution except at Sponsor's Sole Discretion. Prize details and availability are subject to change and in the event that Sponsor is unable to provide a Winner with their Prize the Sponsor may elect to provide such Winner the approximate value of said prize in an alternate prize of comparable value. Prizes will be awarded via a random drawing and winners will be notified directly by Amway NOT by Ascending Butterfly. All Winners must respond to the notification within 24 hours or an alternate winner will be selected. Ascending Butterfly is NOT responsible for shipment of prizing, shipping fees or insurance, prizes will be fulfilled by Amway. Sponsor nor Ascending Butterfly will be held responsible for lost, late or mis-directed mail. Winners are responsible for any taxes on prizes awarded. Odds of winning are based on the number of  participants during respective entry period. No Purchase Necessary. Prizes will be honored and shipped to winners ages 18 + who are United States Residents.