Why I'm passionate about spreading health

Being healthy isn't hard, it's just that being unhealthy is SO much easier!

It is human nature to take the easy road.  It's built into our DNA to help us conserve energy for survival. So is a taste for dense calorie foods with sugars and fats (to fuel our long pioneer treks across many lands when food could be scarce).  So it's totally natural to want what we now consider "treats".  The danger now it that they are so readily available.

You would think that since nutrition has been my hobby and passion for about two decades, and I've been a fitness instructor and coach for years, that all this healthy stuff would come easy for me.  And I'll admit, it's much easier than it used to be.  In college I remember only being able to afford one zucchini as my vegetable for the grocery trip, and then throwing it away when it rotted.  As a new mom I remember realizing one day that I hadn't exercised for about 3 months (I couldn't actually remember the last time I had).  And I do much better now!

And though early in my health journey I was mostly motivated by vanity (I wanted to look good in those pants again dangit!), I have come to realize the blessing of health and how valuable it is.  Especially when you begin to see the lack.  And when it hits home.

Last fall, a business associate called me asking for help with his health.  I took the time to meet with him, assess his needs and make recommendations.  He decided it wasn't quite the right time to make big changes and start a whole program.  So I honored his decision and kept in touch loosely, suggesting small, positive lifestyle changes.  I was shocked to hear of him less than two months later hospitalized for a "hypertensive event" which eventually lead to the replacement of a kidney.  I can't make choices for other people, but I realized then that I could have done more.  I stepped up my coaching business, and became more bold about suggesting changes.

Last week my 2nd grade son came home from school using lots of big words and talking about diabetes, a concept he could barely grasp.  He said his friend at school got it (almost like it was like chicken pox), the teacher had been talking to the class.  My heart went out to him for having to handle such a difficult concept like his friend getting shots all the time, when they should both be carefree children on the playground, bursting with life and health.  I was sad for the child that would have to deal with this disease daily and for a mother that no doubt feels like a failure for allowing this to happen.

These days even a "home-cooked" meal will often come from a box or a deli.  School lunch in my town doesn't usually go a good direction, even with recent changes.  There is candy for incentives from the classroom to the doctors office.  Healthy habits need to start and become natural at home.  But what about working parents, all the games and activities, and everything that seems to keep us from quality time at the kitchen table?  It seems our modern world is geared away from the healthy, whole foods that could heal us.

What finally has sparked this post is the recent death of a friend this week.  It came as quite a shock, he was only 47 years old.  He too had asked me for help several months ago, we had talked, and he decided to do a high protein "paleo" style plan and then get back to me.  I have never want to come across as a sales person, so I didn't push.  I didn't want him to feel like I didn't care.

He was a great person, but had some unhealthy habits.  Now he has no more option to change.  All the things in life that were waiting for him, he will never get to experience.  Again, I realized I could have been stronger in my approach.  I could have emphasized the need for whole foods, which for centuries have been recognized as the best medicine.  I could have given him easy recipes, taught him to use time saving tools.  It's hard to look back sometimes.  All you really can do is move forward.

Now it's time to be more bold.  It's time to get LOUD about doing things that will change people and literally give life!  "Being healthy" is not just something cool, or something to put on you to-do list.  This is a life and death matter.  The people I work with are not just clients, they are friends and beyond that they are people that deserve a life where they have time to become who they can be, serve others, spread joy and memories, be a friend, discover their potential, make an impact and experience all that is offered to us in this existence.  Taking care of your body matters!

It can be hard if you have never done it or if you are out of the habit.  This is where I have a chance to help make changes, help start new patterns.  It's not just about losing pounds for a reunion or squeezing into the dress.  This is about teaching real people that need help how to take responsibility for the temple that carries their amazing soul through this life.  And hopefully creating a ripple effect that will spread far beyond.

This is why I am passionate about spreading health with tools that will make it easier.  I'm busy too.  I'm a mom of four beautiful children, and we all want to eat every single day.  That's a lot to do!  I want to share what's helped me get to this point where I feel good about myself, healthy and strong,  even ways to make exercise an automatic part of who you are.  Yes, there are still holiday treats right now (more than there should be), but what you focus on expands in your life.  My goal is to help as many people as possible focus and expand health in their life and help others to do the same.

So much of the pain of living and of losing loved ones can be attributed to the diseases above.  We can change it!  We can take the biggest risks completely off the list!  But it starts with one choice at a time.  

I hope you consider joining me, both in creating a life of abundant health for yourself, and in helping others that are clinging to a sinking ship because they don't know how to get into the life boat.  If you found this post, maybe it's time.  

Please contact me, and begin to learn how whole, raw food, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds and give you the life, the health and the nutrition that is your birthright from your Creator.  Click here to learn more about Blendfresh and Blentec, two of my favorite tools for bringing excellent nutrition into your own life the easiest and most economical way possible.  Let's talk and find how to make real, vibrant health a part of your daily life too!

Winter Wassail

Winter Wassail 

1 C warm or tap water

1 apple (seeded, peeling is optional)

2 sprinkles pumpkin pie spice

1 squeeze agave syrup

1 scoop Blendfresh Reds (optional)

Combine in your blender jar and use the soup setting or blend 90 seconds until very warm if you have a high powered blender like Blendtec that spins fast enough to heat your food.  Enjoy with a cinnamon stick if desired.  And be merry!  You can make this recipe without the Blendfresh if you don't have yours yet, but I really like the red color from the berries and the flavor with it.

Super easy, warm and comforting.  Nothing beats a toasty drink on a chilly evening.

I got tired of feeling guilty after indulging in hot chocolate.  I'm not a coffee drinker and I'm not always in the mood for herbal tea, so I modified this Wassail recipe and it's technically more of a health drink, but you'll never know it!  13 whole fruits and veggies with the Blendfresh, plus cinnamon that helps regulate blood sugar and the fiber of a whole apple.  Only share if you want to, but your really should!

180º Smoothie by Blendfresh

 The 180º Smoothie

1 C water or almond milk

1 C ice

1 Scoop Blendfresh Protein

1 Scoop Blendfresh Fruit and Vegetable Color Blend

1/2 tsp Blendfresh Probiotic

1 C fresh or frozen fruit

Blend on the large smoothie setting for about 40 seconds.  It blends best in a Blendtec blender.  If you want to follow the format of the Blendfresh Clinical Trials, use this smoothie twice daily for 10 days, then once daily for 20 days.  Omit the probiotic on the second smoothie of the day.  At night take the 15 Sprouted Fiber blend in water before bed.  Repeat this 30 day cycle 3 times.  

Blendfresh is not a weight loss product, but a whole foods program that will help you achieve better health through proper nutrition and elimination of excess.  A positive side effect of this program is often weight loss in those that carry excess fat or toxins.

Full Power Caesar Dressing

Full Power Caesar Dressing

1 C olive oil (or Mediterranean blend oil)
1/4 C water
2 Tbsp lemon juice (fresh is best, I used bottled this time)
1 Tbsp white wine vinegar (or sub your own if you don't have it)
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp Dijon mustard (I didn't have any so I used regular mustard)
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1 large egg yolk*
2 cloves fresh garlic
1/4 C Parmesan cheese (fresh is best, I used a bottled version this time)
2 Scoops Blendfresh Greens (raw, whole food, powdered fruit and veggie mix) (optional)

Add ingredients to your blender jar and blend until creamy.  Its best to let the flavors sit and come together for a day.  It can also be a dip.  Because of the use of raw egg yolk (as is traditional for Caesar dressing), use within a week or according to common sense and be aware that *Consuming raw or undercooked eggs or egg products can increase your risk of foodborne illness.  

This is the new favorite at my house!  My teens who were almost dragging their feet to eat their salad are now looking at me and asking "What did you do?!".  I'm hearing "This is the best salad dressing I've ever had!".  High praise from the family dinner table :)

I was experimenting with ways to use Blendfresh Green raw food powder.  I've recently been speaking more with chefs and caterers about using Blendfresh from a taste perspective.  It really adds so much more depth and dimension to recipes.

This dressing I've adapted from the Blendtec cookbook.  At first I made it without Blendfresh and tasted.  Then I added one scoop of Blendfresh Greens and liked it better, but thought the flavors would be good with a little more intensity.  So I added a second scoop, and that's the magic!  It's hard to describe how a hint of sweet from the lime and a touch of asparagus and other raw vegetables come together to create this whole amazing flavor.

Instinctively we add oil based dressings to our green salads.  The good oils actually aid in the uptake of minerals found in green plants.  So here is an even more powerful way to do it - add the veggies right into the dressing!  Enjoy and comment below how you like it.

Does Blendtec really make the most advanced blender in the world?

The answer is yes.  But don't take my word for it.  I'll show you why and you can decide for yourself.  If you want the short version, here are a couple of videos:

The 5 Differentiators of Blendtec (2 minutes)

Blendtec Engineer speaks on differences between blenders (12 minutes)

Click here to Join and save hundreds on your own Blendtec

Click here to learn more about Blendfresh foods by Blendtec

Blendtec is an innovator company.  They don't just see what's out there and make small improvements. They lead with original ideas and inventions.  10% of the Blendtec employees (about 40-50 total) are engineers.  Compare this to a major competitor like Vitamix who has about 6 engineers, but 50 marketers on staff.  You can see where the emphasis lies.  This creative and cutting edge focus has lead to innovations like the following;

The Blendtec blade is blunt.  It doesn't cut your food, it hammers the heck out of it!  Since it doesn't need to be sharp and can never dull with this philosophy, it can be much thicker and stronger.  This means it will not break off when cutting through hard ice and frozen fruit, or even rake handles and iPads (as seen on the Will It Blend? show).  The engineer talks about this in detail in the video.  Other blenders that cut food instead, must be sharp.  Sharp blades must be thin.  What happens when something thin and hard and is forced into another hard object like ice?  It will break.  In the middle of blending.  And that is a huge safety issue.  

Actual blender blades

This article is to educate, not bash any other brand, so I'll let you do your own research on blade related blender recalls.  Just know you are safe with the Blendtec blade, and won't cut yourself with it either, whether you are cleaning it (doesn't come apart) or if you're reaching in to grab the bread dough you just kneaded in your blender!  (Always follow common sense safety guidelines and unplug before reaching in).

Because of the patented design of Blendtec's Wildside Jar, the ingredients inside spin around and then drop back down toward the blade.  You don't need to use a plunger or anything else to shove the food down to continue blending.  One less thing to clean, and safer too since plungers can get nicked and leave cuts that collect bacteria and food inside. 

For years Blendtec was only available to the commercial market.  This means restaurants and smoothie shops like Baskin Robbins and Planet Smoothie and coffee shops like Starbucks.  Working with the owners of these businesses, Blendtec learned to respond to what they needed in terms of programming.  How many seconds at what speed does it take to make the perfect macchiato?  Blendtec knows because through years of trial and error and talking with businesses that have to get it perfect, they have learned.  Now consumers get the benefits of all this feedback.

Blendtec blenders come programmed so you can touch a program button and walk away.  The blender will change gears and complete the cycle, then stop on its own.  Very useful for someone at home with a busy morning.  It is the only "smart" blender with shutoff safeties built in.

The smart touch interface is just like your smart phone, a touch screen that can quickly be wiped clean.  No knobs or buttons to have to push or turn, which collect food grime and can be unsanitary.

Here's where we get a little techy.  The drive socket is what spins the blade.  Because Blendtec warranties run 7-10 years (depending on your model), they don't want to see your blender back at the factory for a repair.  They want you blending happily on your way the whole time.  

Many other blenders are designed with a plastic piece here so as to strip itself over time (so you go buy another blender), or with a piece that's part rubber and designed to split in half under tremendous pressure (to hopefully stop blending before the blade breaks inside the jar).  Because the Blendtec blade is so thick and strong, and there is smart technology to stop the motor if needed, this piece can be made of hardened metal for long life.

Here's another shout-out to the engineering staff.  One thing they have been working on for years is a way to make blending more quiet, and they've done it.  This powerful motor spins upwards of 330 miles per hour and blends most anything your can imagine.  They can put more horsepower behind it (up to 3.8 horsepower) because of the metal drive socket and thick, strong blade.  In the last few years they have designed a duct and baffle system to quiet the motor and the fan that cools that powerful motor.  

The other thing that makes blending noisy is the fruit and ice or other ingredients hitting the sides of the jar during blending.  They've fixed that too with the Express Pro model.  You can find this in shops and restaurants, and in my kitchen too!  It's the one I have and LOVE.  See this post to learn more about different Blendtec models available and which one might be best for your lifestyle.

In a nutshell, these are a handful of the reasons I can say that Blendtec makes the most advanced blenders in the world.  If you have questions feel free to email me at jenn@coachjenngibbs.com.  

You should know just a few months ago, Blendtec spun off a sister company called Blendfresh.  This company makes a line of clean, raw, whole food powders to make recipes more healthful.  Take a look because if you'd like to get the best deal on a Blendtec, you can Join the Blendfresh Club, subscribe like so many others to Blendfresh foods and save hundreds!

As a side note, I lead a team of people getting the word out on how these tools can make healthy eating more economical and convenient and I'm currently seeking additional help.  If you or someone you know might enjoy promoting Blendtec or Blendfresh, please share this info.  My vision is to help as many people as possible enjoy incredible health.  Thank you!

Click for more info on Blendtec and Blendfresh!

Get the Black Friday deal - held over through Cyber Monday!

Click here to get yours now!

Wow!  This Twister Jar sells all year for $120, but for Black Friday you can get the Twister Jar for free, and get an amazing deal on a new Blendtec too!  This is advertised for the first 50 shoppers, but I am guaranteed by the company that everyone ordering through my link through Cyber Monday will get the free Twister Jar!!  Here's how it works;

Blendtec has spun off a new sister company of raw, whole foods called Blendfresh.  You'll love how Blendfresh saves you money on high quality produce (clean, pesticide free, non-GMO), it gives you diversity in your diet, and makes eating healthy so fast and convenient. Click to learn more.  

If you aren't sure why Blendtec makes the most advanced blenders in the world, or if you need help deciding which model is right for you, just click the links in this post for more details.  

 Much like a new smart phone is cheaper with mobile phone service, when you purchase a Blendtec through the Blendfresh subscription program, you get a BIG discount.  We guarantee you'll love it!

Get your deal!

1.  Click here for the ordering website

2A.  Join the Club (lifetime membership for $10 gets you huge discounts on Blendtecs and accessories, and $10 off every bottle of Blendfresh.  There is no minimum monthly order required unless you purchase a discounted blender)  OR

2B.  Join as a Consultant ($35 year let's you earn commission with a new business opportunity and you get access to all the same savings as a Club Member).

3.  Select your blender model and from the shopping page and click on the subscription button to see the discounted price (includes shipping).  Scroll down to add accessories if desired at the discounted Club price.  

4.  Select your Blendfresh foods.  Choose any combination you like as long as it totals the right amount for your blender.  90 day money back guarantee on all Blendfresh foods, just to make sure you love them!  It's the easiest way to eat healthy every day.

*If  you are purchasing the Refurbished Total Blender model for $99 ($329 suggested retail), you commit to buy one bottle of Blendfresh totaling at least $29 per month for 12 months.  

*If you purchase the discounted Express Blender for $199  (suggested retail $599), you commit to buy two bottles of Blendfresh totaling at least $69 per month for 12 months.

*If you purchase the discounted Express Pro Blender for $599  (suggested retail $1500), you commit to buy two bottles of Blendfresh totaling at least $69 per month for 12 months.

5.  DO NOT ADD A TWISTER JAR TO YOUR CART or you will be charged for it. Orders placed through my link on Black Friday will automatically be shipped the free Twister Jar separately  from Blendtec.  They are not changing the website for the Black Friday promo, so you will not see anything about a free Twister Jar, but every subscription blender order placed through my link on Black Friday is guaranteed the free Twister Jar!  (one per household).

6.  Complete your order and then count down the days until it arrives!  This will be the beginning of a new, easier, healthy way to eat and live.  I'm excited you're choosing to follow this path and I can't wait to hear how Blendtec and Blendfresh benefit you personally! 

7.  Stay connected.  I really care about the success of my customers.  When your purchase is complete I'll send you an email with recipes and a link to join my next Blendfresh Lifestyle Facebook group.   Through recipes and videos I'll teach you how to make the most of these great tools and really make them a part of your life.  It's easier than you think, especially when you have someone to guide you.  If you have questions at any time, email jenn@coachjenngibbs.com and I'm happy to assist. 

Click here to order and get your free Black Friday Twister Jar

and congrats on making a commitment to your health!

What is Blendfresh by Blendtec?

Click here to Join and Shop

Blendtec is the maker of the most advanced blenders in the world, and has been for almost 40 years. Their blenders run all of Starbucks, Baskin Robbins and the big name smoothie shops in 92 countries around the globe.  You may have even seen their viral "Will It Blend?" show.  Click here if you'd like to see a two minute video of why they absolutely lead the blender industry by miles.

Blendtec has hundreds of thousands of satisfied customers, and they began looking for more ways to serve them.  What do you do as soon as you invest in a high quality blender?  You go buy produce of course!  You'll quickly outspend the price of your blender at the market, especially buying foods that are organic, pesticide free, and not genetically engineered.  This is where they found they could help.

Instead of paying premium prices at the end of the supply chain for produce (that may have been in transport for weeks), we now have a choice.  Blendtec has spun off a sister company called Blendfresh.  It's product line is just fruits and vegetables with the water gently removed, no fillers or artificial ingredients of any kind.  It's exactly what you'd expect from a company with a world-wide reputation for the best quality.

Through their patented process, they use light (not heat) to remove water from fresh produce.  The water is what causes spoilage, so we are left with a shelf-stable raw powder, without the use of preservatives!  It is recommended you keep your Blendfresh refrigerated once open, but unopened it can last 20 years in emergency food storage (for optimal nutrition use within 3 years is preferred).

Because of the Blendfresh method, the nutritional value and enzymes remain preserved in this raw, whole food.  This is more healthy than eating canned or freeze dried food (free drying results in about 13% loss of nutrients as determined by independent studies).

It has now become fast and convenient to eat more healthfully than ever before!  Blendfresh is clean, free of artificial ingredients and pesticides and non-GMO.  Now in a quick scoop you can enjoy nutrition like never before.  Add to your smoothie or favorite recipe (click here for ideas on how to use Blendfresh).  Your first thought will likely be for nutrition, but caterers and chefs are taking a look at Blendfresh for the culinary value these flavors add too.

Let's talk price.  There are $200-$300 of fresh produce in each Color bottle (depending on seasonality).  Purple vegetables and fruits are particularly expensive, which is one reason you don't see them in stores more often.  Think about how much air is inside a bell pepper - all of that must be transported carefully to avoid bruising, in the right time-frame to avoid spoiling, and then stocked, shelved, refrigerated, weighed, etc.  When all these steps are cut out, the savings can be passed on to you, the customer.  You get all that produce for just $50, or just $39.99 as a Blendfresh Club member (just $10 on time fee).  Amazing value, but that's what Blendtec wanted to bring you.  That doesn't even take into account how much unused produce that is spoiling in your fridge that you just throw away.  Take a look.

Face it, the easier it is to eat healthy, the more likely we are to do it!  And Blendfresh is EASY.  Our bodies are complicated - they do thousands of things we don't realize every day.  And to keep that up for years on end, a body needs a large variety of foods to bring a broad spectrum of nutrients.  What fruits and veggies did you eat last week?  Is it the same 5-10 you ate the week before?  How can a body thrive long term with such a limited supply of phytonutrient fuel?  Nutrition experts all agree that diversity is key for health.  Eat the rainbow, right?

Blendfresh starts with "Colors", bottles of fruit and vegetables synergistically combined by their functions within the body.  Click here to read the ingredient labels.  Reds are a mix of red fruits and veggies that support circulation - veins, heart, athletic recovery, etc.  Purples have a sweet berry flavor (no added sugar) and purple produce is good for brain function.  Oranges support the immune system.  And Blendfresh Greens have a systems balancing effect, high in valuable minerals, and containing no grasses or fillers.  Click here for an article specifically about how to evaluate a Greens supplement.

Next their vegan Protein Powder.  As a fitness and nutrition coach I've tried MANY protein supplements, and it's hard to find a good one, especially a vegan one.  Most people do not get enough plant based nutrition in general, and especially plant proteins.  This is an easy, tasty way to do it.  Blendfresh Protein powder is a raw, whole food and provides nutrition from eight different sources, versus one source if you are eating meat as your protein.  It has a slightly sweet taste from honey, a healthy natural sweetener and it includes the fiber that occurs in these plants.

The Blendfresh Sprouted Fiber blend contains enough soluble and insoluble fiber in the right ratios to meet the FDA "cholesterol lowering" claim for the label.  It contains 15 different sprouts (the powerhouse of all foods) to provide excellent nutrition and keep digestion moving.  Since fiber binds with dietary fat, this is a great product to use for "damage control" if you know you have had a less than ideal nutrition day.  Of course, very few Americans get enough fiber daily, leaving room for disease and stomach issues to set in.

And lastly the Blendfresh Probiotic.  It is a variety of hearty good bacteria strains that can withstand the acidic journey through the stomach, and provide the most potent effect once in the gut.  Unlike many probiotics that begin to die once they are sealed into a jar, the Blendfresh Probiotic is
packaged with blackstrap molasses, an ideal food to help them thrive until they are put to use.  They are uniquely vegan grown (on fermented vegetables instead of yogurt). To equal this amount of good bacteria in a serving you would need to eat 10 cups of yogurt!

All of the Blendfresh products are gluten free, dairy free, and soy free, making them perfect for sensitive diet situations, especially in a family setting where only a few individuals have dietary restrictions and the dinner time dynamic is changed.

 We've only just scratched the surface of ways to use Blendfresh, but any way that gets more plant based nutrition into your body is the right way!  As you begin to explore and experiment with Blendfresh please pass along your favorite ways to use it.

Blendtec is sure you will LOVE Blendfresh, but just to make you feel great about trying it, they have a 90 day, bottom-of-the-bottle guarantee.  That means even if you use it all and aren't satisfied they will refund you.  People rave about their blenders, and now they want you to rave about their Blendfresh foods!  So give it a try, and if you need to upgrade your blender at the same time, you'll get a special deal for that too.

Click here to shop Blendfresh retail online

(not available in stores)

or better yet...

Click here to Join the Blendfresh Club for a one time $10 fee

You'll save $10 off every bottle of Blendfresh,

 plus get huge discounts on Blendtec blenders and accessories.

(There is no monthly minimum purchase unless you purchase a discounted blender)