Stop making New Year’s resolutions!  If you are like many people who make some resolutions or at least weak goals for the new year, statistically, this is a set-up for failure.  While none of us would intentionally start on a path if we knew that failure was the outcome.  The curious thing is that many are repeat offenders of the same intentions/resolutions every year.

It is time for something different.  There is more to creating a resolution or intention for the year than merely stating it or writing it down.  That is a good first step.  Many start out with the “What” of their intention.  While this is important to name the outcome, unless it is specific, it is only an idea without strength.  You may recognize some of these resolutions:

• Lose weight
• Save money
• Have more leisure time
• Get physically fit
• Get healthy
• Have a creative hobby

Good things to do, however they will likely not happen.  The reasons are this, they are not specific, time-bounded, measurable or have a clear outcome to celebrate.  Some of you actually have resolutions/intentions that have a high likelihood of success.  They do because the completion is clear. i.e. finishing a ½ marathon by the end of summer.    Unless a clear outcome is visualized or has an “Ideal Scene” the intended outcome does not have “pulling power”.

One of the most important factors in having your resolutions/intentions manifest is in determining the “WHY” factor.  Why do you want whatever it is?  How will you be showing up having realized your intention?  What does it feel like in the “winner’s circle”?  Who is there with you?  What does it look like?  What impact will it have on your immediate world?  How will you share your accomplishment that will serve mankind?

These are all powerful considerations when an intention/resolution is set.  In my opinion and experience, it is better to set a few big hairy, scary, challenging intentions/resolutions or targets that have powerful outcomes that can change the world than a few selfish resolutions that have little drawing effect on the heat of my fire.  Personally, to use a fire analogy, I want to create enough draw on the fire of my soul to literally burn out any indecision, distraction or disturbance from the defined and planned journey through the next year and beyond!

Over forty years of business and life experience have taught me the principles expressed here.  I have had the good fortune to create connections with some of the finest mentors in North America, not by accident.  The essence of what I am stating is this:

• Decide clearly what it is that must be done in the near term, mid-term and long-term to fully expand awareness and experience through service to life.
• Create a written picture of how you will be at each stage along the way.
• Determine what tools, support or materials may be required to make the journey.
• Assemble your team to make the journey (no one gets through major change without a team of ardent supporters)
• Get started, take definite action forward if not massive action depending on the size of your intention.  Pick up speed as you go, no jack rabbit starts.  Give it all you have!
• Stay with it until you have succeeded long enough to assure there is minimal likelihood of backsliding or diminishment of results.
• Keep moving forward to bigger, better, more impactful life experience of service.

When it comes to living fully, I put my health at the forefront.  I am busily working on my goals and targets for 2017.  Nutritional and physical health targets are areas that I set first because without great health, everything else is harder.  Robust Life Center is the outward expression of my goal to create a community that vibrates with healthy people on purpose.

Join us and catch fire with Sustainable Vibrant Health!  The world needs people on fire with their personal health and intention to make a difference!

Have a very Happy New Year!

Vibrantly,

Samuel C Zeiler MS CC

• Insomnia
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Hypertension
• Atherosclerosis
• Stroke
• Heart Attack
• Ulcers
• Fibromyalgia
• Irritable and Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome

• Headaches
• Migraines
• Memory Loss
• Hand Tremor
• Muscle Pain
• Muscle Tenderness
• Depression
• Autism
• ADD/ADHD
• Raynaud’s
• Cancer

• Pre-Eclampsia
• Alzheimer’s
• Parkinson’s
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Bi-Polar Disorder
• Down’s Syndrome
• Post-Menopausal Breast Cancer
• Recurrent Miscarriages
• Decreased Dopamine
• Decrease Serotonin

Do any of these conditions sound familiar?  Do onions and garlic cause you more intestinal distress than flavorful enjoyment?  There is growing evidence of a condition that is occurring at an alarming rate.  In fact, it is reported that approximately 40% of the North American population may already suffer from this condition.

In the 1940’s, Francis Pottenger MD, conducted an extensive study involving cats who were originally used in his father’s research center.  Pottenger’s Cats is a well-documented study, and available as a book by the same name.  The summary of Pottenger’s study, and subsequent discovery, is that “Experimental” cats whose diets were almost entirely composed of processed food (cooked meat, table scraps, and pasteurized milk) began to suffer detrimental genetic mutations over several generations, while “Control” cats who were fed a diet comprised exclusively of raw food (raw meat and milk) maintained perfectly healthy, vibrant, and viable offspring throughout each subsequent generation.  In as little as the second and third Experimental generation, offspring began displaying such conditions as lethargy, poor eyesight, abnormal skeletal structures, skin conditions, allergies, and significant behavioral abnormalities – none of which had been present in the first, or “Parent”, generation.  By the fourth and fifth Experimental generation, degenerative conditions had manifested into degenerative diseases, and these offspring suffered severe health issues such as bone and joint deformity (with bones no longer hard and rigid, but soft and rubbery), lackluster skin and hair, internal and external parasites, infections or deformations of internal organs (often leading to organ failure), blindness or near-blindness, nervous system malfunctions, abnormal mental states (disoriented, uncoordinated, irritable, aggressive, and disappearance of playfulness), decreased libido, inability to reproduce, and early death.  The more stressed the animals were – either from outside environmental stressors or the perception of stressful situations by the altered mental functioning – the more swift the degeneration.  The good news in this story (yes, there is some!) is that once the Experimental cats were fed whole, appropriately prepared food, optimal health returned in about six generations.

How does this experiment, conducted with cats over 70 years ago, relate to 21^st century humans in North America?  There is a consensus among nutritional leaders that we are experiencing the same decline in health as witnessed in the cats of Pottenger’s study.  But why?

In today’s society, the following factors plague our North American population, and continue to worsen annually rather than improve:

1. Stress continues to be the number ONE cause for physician visits.
2. We are inundated with Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and processed foods that our bodies struggle to use.
3. Sleep deprivation is epidemic.
4. Our environment is more toxic than ever (pollution, radiation, electromagnetic etc.).
5. Pharmaceuticals and nutriceuticals are in rampant use, overriding our normal physiology.
6. We are more sedentary and overweight.
7. Regular physical exercise is not the norm.

How are these issues impacting our health?  Some of you may have heard of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene mutation, which causes an interruption, or complete shutdown, of methylation in the body.  When it is functioning properly, the MTHFR gene begins a multi-step chemical breakdown process, known as methylation.  Proper methylation pathways in the body are essential for eliminating toxins and heavy metals, which can reduce the risk for cancer and other health issues, and put less stress on the adrenals.  An MTHFR defect dramatically increases the risk of any, or all, of the conditions listed at the beginning of this article.

This genetic mutation is an adaptive change that is increasing in occurrence at an alarming rate.  It is adaptive in that the body is attempting to compensate for changes caused by external factors; those factors such as stress, sleep deprivation, and exposure to toxins.  The problem is that the attempt to adapt is not occurring in a positive way.  In fact, what is happening actually appears to be quite the opposite – the body is losing its ability to adapt, and undesirable symptoms are showing up with no apparent resolution.

I have observed this phenomenon within my own diverse clientele:  There are individuals with whom great progress is made, yet for some unknown reason another issue suddenly presents itself, or the prior condition returns.  This caused me to delve deeper into research as to what may be causing these seemingly random occurrences.  The therapy I have been using as a result is showing promise, but only time will tell.

The first three major causes of this problem that I have identified are actually quite simple:

1. Stress
2. Toxicity
3. Diet

If you identify with any of the conditions listed at the beginning of this article, you may fit into a growing group of individuals who dramatically benefit from making clearly-defined changes, and receiving appropriate nutritional care.  Unless the causes of degeneration are handled in our current generation, it is likely that the health challenges that follow will affect our very existence.

References:  Pottenger’s Cats: A Study in Nutrition, Francis Marion Pottenger Jr.; “MTHFR Gene Mutation,” http://mthfr.net/; “What a Healthy Gene Does for You,” http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/mthfr/.

Vitamin D is the “sunshine” vitamin because it is an  essential byproduct of sun exposure.  This is clearly  represented through photo-synthesis in green  plants.  Without sunshine, the plants wither.  Our  bodies are much the same.  We attempt to  supplement Vitamin D by consuming dairy products  that have been fortified.  However, due to many of  us restricting whole milk and fat containing dairy, we  lose a common channel of delivery.

How big is the low Vitamin D issue?  It is huge!   Anyone living north of a line that goes across North  America through Los Angeles, Phoenix and St. Louis  does not make enough Vitamin D from November  through February at least.  If you live in Canada, the  issue is extended from September through March.

You may ask yourself what happens if we do not get enough Vitamin D? The list is long. Every cell in the body is affected. To begin, “D” is essential for helping our bodies absorb calcium and send it to the bones. “D” is also vital in improving balance and muscle strength. Chronic inflammation is reduced by having adequate Vitamin D in the system. Harvard University researchers found that Vitamin D also reduces tumor growth.

Insulin regulation and diabetes are possibly affected  by adequate amounts of “D”.  The immune system is  clearly affected by Vitamin D.  Syndromes of Type 1  Diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and  Osteo Arthritis are in the class of auto-immune  conditions helped by this essential fat-soluble  vitamin.  Researchers estimate that our current  systemic levels of Vitamin D are about 10-15% of the  levels in our ancestors.

The older we are, the more Vitamin D we need.  How  much is enough?  This varies to some degree.  Most  dietary supplements provide 400 IU at suggested  intake levels.  Compare this with sun exposure at  10,000 -30,000 IU per day.  Unfortunately, our  dietary sources are inadequate in the winter.  I  strongly recommend supplementation with Vitamin D,  Essential Fatty Acids and Calcium.

The need is well researched and documented.  Easy- to-use Vitamin D drops are the supplement of  choice.  Call today, 206-365-1030 to set an  appointment to determine the amount of Vitamin D  for you to maintain Vibrant Health this winter and all  year long.

Until a person changes the habits that led to or perpetuated the prior condition, any help offered is likely to fail.  Our habits actually dictate the direction of our lives and outcome.  The word “HABIT” can be defined as an acronym:  Highly Addictive Behaviors Intensified over Time.  We all have habits of things we do or do not do.  Some of our habits are constructive while others are destructive.  It may be that our “supportive habits” offer a “long-term payoff” while our “non-supportive habits” offer a “short-term payoff”.

This can mean something like a habit of regular exercise over time that improves physical capacity over all.  This is in contrast to a weekend warrior experience that feels great while doing the action followed by days of pain from over-exertion.  The important aspect of recognizing the habit patterns is to determine the direction of one’s life.

The prospect of changing habits is terrifying to some, difficult or for others, just need to take place.  Here is a question to contemplate when looking at the effect of one’s habits:  Do my current habits take me in the direction of my dream or ideal life?

There are known obstacles & experiences that show up when one attempts to change a habit:

• Comfortable / Complacency
• Change is painful
• Social effects on circle of friends
• Consistency – self identity with need to change
• Immediacy of payoff – desire of instant gratification

The way to effectively change a habit is to “do your homework” on exactly what needs to change.  Many try to change all habits at once.  This can be disappointing.  A better approach is to take it one habit at a time and follow a road map for change.  It is much like taking a trip to a desired destination.  Here are six steps to long-lasting habit change that will increase the likelihood of reaching the dream or ideal life:

1. Pre-contemplation – making the decision of necessity to change
2. Contemplation  —  determining what needs to be changed – creating a list is helpful
3. Preparation – deciding what steps to take on a gradient – avoid doing everything at once
4. Action – start small with step 1, step 2, etc. – be patient
5. Maintenance – lock in the process of positive change over time
6. Completion –The change is integrate in your being

The late Stephen Covey came up with a list primary habits that can lead to a effective life experience.  These are universal and I work on them personally.  One of my other mentors left me with this gem that further enhances these seven habits, “work harder on yourself than you do on your job!”

1. Exercise – move the body every day
2. Study – never stop learning
3. Serve – fully employ your skills and talents to help others
4. Prioritize – Choose the important from the urgent and non-important
5. Finish what you start – take all cycles to completion
6. Be pro-active – motivate yourself to action
7. Sharpen the Saw – constantly improve the way you do things

Leading a life of “Sustainable Vibrant Health” means changing the way one journeys forward through life.  There is great joy, peace and happiness once on the journey.  Working on changing health habits is probably the most effective way to begin changing the outcome.  The staff at Robust Life Center is trained and skilled at helping to make the experience fulfilling and productive.

Since I am currently on day 10 of my cleanse, I thought I would share how my experience is going and things I have learned during these past ten days that may help you in your own purification journey, should you choose to travel down this path.

Without a doubt, some foods or beverages will be difficult for you to give up for 21 days.  For some it may be bread, others, dairy products.  Or it may be that glass of wine you like to enjoy after a long day at work.  The two items that were most difficult to cut out of my diet were coffee and nuts.  I love to have my steaming cup of Joe in the morning while I get ready for work, or grab that handful of almonds when I’m on the go and have no time to prepare a meal.  Unfortunately, neither fit into the Purification regimen, so I had to bid them farewell.  These new dietary restrictions have not been all bad however; I have learned to replace my two favorite things with healthier alternatives.  Rather than coffee in the morning, I sip on decaf herbal teas or water.  Instead of grabbing as many almonds as will fit in my hand and scarfing them down while I decide what to make for dinner, I have been preparing healthy meals and snacks ahead of time so that the choice is made for me.  The purification program is not meant to punish or torture by banishing those favorite foods from your diet.  On the contrary, it is meant to teach you which foods to turn to before you reach for that French baguette or block of cheddar, and hopefully reduce your cravings for them altogether. By eliminating the things we find ourselves commonly addicted to – sugar, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco – we are ridding our bodies of toxic buildup while opening our minds to a new concept of what a healthy diet truly consists of.

It has not been easy smelling the espresso machine kick on every morning, or watching Sam and Vicki sample the new Almond Hammer Bars recently delivered to the office – but it has gotten easier.  Every time I resist a temptation, I inwardly congratulate myself and am reminded of why I am doing the program:  To reduce my toxic load and optimize my health.  You, too, will have your moments of weakness and success.  You too will remind yourself of why the program is important to you.  And you, too, will emerge from the 21 days a healthier, happier version of you. In my case, I will emerge a less caffeinated version

Whom do you see?  Can you connect deeply with that person and clearly state, “I am responsible.”  As we want things to be different or better, individually and collectively, more can happen if each person takes responsibility to bring about change.  The commitment to connect with “self” first opens the door to the possibility and probability of positive change.  William Shakespeare said some 400 years ago, “to thine own self be true…”  This statement says it all.

One of my mentors said early in my career, “for things to change, you’ve got to change”. Relating to health, until one takes full responsibility for changing the outcome, lasting change is unlikely.  In our society today, much blame is placed on government, big pharma, big agriculture, chemical companies, etc.  While these entities have created dependencies and problems, ultimately, the one we see in the mirror is responsible for maintaining the status quo or creating a different outcome.

How does this work?  Here are some ideas to get connected to self :

• What is my purpose?
• How do I impact my life by my choices?
• How do I impact the lives of my family and friends by my choices?
• How do I impact my community through my choices?
• What changes would serve me to live and express “Sustainable Vibrant Health?”
• What can I do to interest others in taking personal responsibility for changing the outcome?
• What commitments am I making or have made that serve or not?
  • Can I let go of that which does not serve and causes clutter?
  • Where can I focus my energy to increase my productivity and morale?

The ability to connect powerfully with self and others to serve in a life-affirming way will go a long way to transform the world to a more loving and peaceful place.  This may sound unattainable, however, until we commit and attempt it, we are forever remanded to a declining experience.  The evidence is at hand, with things close to home:

70% of our population is overweight

33% of the population is obese

23% of children are overweight

There is no time to waste because the decline is accelerating.  Once you commit to improving the outcome, begin to take action and all manner of help will come your way to assist in your success.  One sure way to get connected to self is by taking better care of the body you have.  Get your nutrition in order as this is the stuff we are made of and rely on to stay in the game.

This why I created Robust Life Center to help as many people achieve “sustainable vibrant health” as possible to improve life on the planet.

Samuel C Zeiler MS CC

Your better health and state of well-being are directly related to these two questions.  Certainly, you took right action when you chose to connect to us at Robust Life Center.  The degree to which you are improving is the result of how you are answering these questions on a daily basis.

Over the last few weeks, I took an interest in the Wallenda family, particularly due to the event a few weeks ago when fifth generation, Nick Wallenda, walked 1800 feet across a part of the Grand Canyon.  The build-up to this event provided an in-depth look at Nick, his practice and preparation and the family history.  The family history certainly provided a foundation for being able to successfully walk on a wire.  However, doing it well and pushing the edge of possibility is an individual act.

For those of you who did not see this event, I recommend searching for it on the “Discovery Channel” and watching a truly remarkable feat.  Simply explained, Nick Wallenda stepped out on a 2-inch wide cable suspended 1500 feet over a part of the Grand Canyon and proceeded to walk 1800 feet across (the length of six football fields) the canyon with no safety devices (safety net, tether, etc.).  All he carried was a balance pole to help him stay on path with winds varying from 6 to 36 mph.  The amazing aspect of this event was watching as he consciously placed one foot in front of the other with a focus on where he was going and a full intention on reaching the destination.

One may ask, how does this relate to improving health?  There are many similarities to walking a wire:

• First is the decision to take definitive action to improve the outcome for a long life of “Sustainable Vibrant Health.
• Second, is learning how to integrate changes that move one forward.
• Third is developing and reinforcing the intention to reach the destination.  This is a tough one because our society and practices are filled with the winds of distraction that could blow you of the wire.
• Fourth, is taking action, one step at a time going forward while focusing on the goal.
• Fifth, keep your purpose in clear view and in mind as you keep taking steps to improve.

As Nick came near to the end of the walk, his delight at reaching the goal, was clearly evident as he lightly pranced on the wire up to the end.  I was truly inspired by this feat and the many messages that reminded me of my goals, purpose and intention that power what we do at Robust Life Center.  If you are “wobbling on the wire”, there is a safety net to help you.  Let us get you back on the wire and moving toward the goal of “Sustainable Vibrant Health”.

Robust Life Center has partnered with Haggen | Top Food grocery stores to teach free Nutrition and Health Classes in 3 different neighborhoods: Woodinville Top Food and Marysville & Shoreline Haggen stores. Classes are taught by Vicki Lunzford-Hartzog, Certified NTP, Body Ecology Coach and practitioner at Robust Life Center and by Sam Zeiler, MS Clinical Nutritional Counseling and Director of Robust Life Center.

Below is a full listing of their class line-up and attendance is free. You must sign up ahead of time in person at the stores, as class size is limited.

Thursday, June 13 from 6:30 – 7:30pm
Haggen – Shoreline: 1201 N 175^th Street, Shoreline WA
Grocery Tour with Sam. What are the best options for a healthy diet. Find out how to read food labels and find the hidden pitfalls. Get quick meal planning tips.

Thursday, June 20 from 6:30 – 7:30pm
Top Food – Woodinville: 17641 Garden Way NE  Woodinville, WA
Mommy & Me class with Vicki: Learn how to make your own healthy & organic baby food.

Thursday, June 27 from 6:30 – 7:30pm
Haggen – Marysville: 3711 88th St NE  Marysville, WA
Do you have the “Sugar Blues”? Sam shows you how to find the hidden sugars in food that may be keeping you from optimal health.

Thursday, July 11 from 6:30 – 7:30pm
Haggen – Shoreline: 1201 N 175^th Street, Shoreline WA
Sam teaches: You Are What You Eat! Learn the advantages of consuming whole foods in their original state, versus processed and refined products. Find out how to easily incorporate them into your meal planning.

Thursday, July 18 from 6:30 – 7:30pm
Top Food – Woodinville: 17641 Garden Way NE  Woodinville, WA
Mommy & Me class with Vicki: How to incorporate healthy foods into the “Picky Eaters” diet.

Thursday, July 25 from 6:30 – 7:30pm
Haggen – Marysville: 3711 88th St NE  Marysville, WA
Sam shows you “The Benefits of Seasonal Eating”.

Thursday, August 1 from 6:30 – 7:30pm
Top Food – Woodinville: 17641 Garden Way NE  Woodinville, WA
Mommy & Me class with Vicki: Healthy treats (they taste so good, your kids won’t know it’s good for them!)

© Iperl | Stockfreeimages.com

When we begin our journey to take control of our own health through diet and lifestyle changes, the big question that often arises is “What in the world should I eat for breakfast?”

I have often wondered why it’s this particular meal that most of us get stumped on. We have all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and that it is one that should never be skipped. In our culture however, most of us have turned our breakfast into a Halloween party in disguise. Our breakfasts are coming primarily from a bag or a box and contain so much sugar that we might as well be eating a bag of Halloween candy to start our day.

I don’t think any of us would actually sit down and eat handfuls of candy for breakfast, or let our children, so why then is it acceptable to drink a glass of orange juice, with a bowl of Captain Crunch, or a cinnamon roll, donut, or pop tart for breakfast? We need to rethink this. We need to think outside of the breakfast box! The reason we can’t figure out what to eat for breakfast is because we are not thinking of whole properly prepared foods. We have our heads stuck in the processed foods breakfast box.

Breakfast is indeed the most important meal of the day and it certainly should not come from a can, bag, or a box. It sets the stage for the rest of the day; if we start our days with sugar filled foods we will be craving sugar all day!! When we eat foods that cause a sharp rise in blood sugar (followed by a sharp drop in blood sugar) we will continue riding on the blood sugar roller coaster endlessly. We feel okay after breakfast and then a few hours later we’re dragging (blood sugar dropped). Now we need a pick me up BAD! We go for coffee, energy drinks, or run to the vending machine for some more sugar filled foods to get that rush of energy (blood sugar sky rockets) to get us through to lunch. After indulging we feel better again for an hour or two and then the whole cycle repeats over again until we drop in to bed often times so exhausted we can’t even sleep.

If we allow this lifestyle to go on long enough eventually our pancreas and adrenals will not be able to keep up with the demands we’re putting on them, they’ll start malfunctioning and eventually just give up all together!

So many of us these days suffer from blood sugar regulation issues and adrenal exhaustion that it’s beginning to be accepted as the norm.  Yes, this scenario is common, but it’s certainly not normal.

What is normal is for us to start our days off with a well balanced and properly prepared whole food breakfast that includes some protein and good fat so that we experience consistent and even energy levels and our blood sugar can rise and fall slowly in a controlled manner. This allows our pancreas to function normally and our adrenals to focus on more important things than trying to keep our out of control blood sugar patterns stable.

So starting today, get out of the breakfast box and get creative. If you need ideas or recipes, give us a call at Robust Life Center: 206-365-1030.

Here’s a healthy thirst quenching recipe from Vicki Lunsford-Hartzog, Certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and Body Ecology Coach.

BERRY GOOD LEMONADE

Juice of 2 lemons (some pulp is good)

I bottle mineral water

A few sprigs of mint (optional ~ other herbs can also be used)

Handful of blueberries

Handful of strawberries

Stevia to taste (vanilla cream is always good!)

Place mint, half the berries, lemon juice and stevia in pitcher. Muddle gently. Add mineral water and whole berries. Serve chilled