My Review of Reliv Nutritional Products...So Far

So, with this past year of trying to deal with the pain and overall crappyness of fibromyalgia and having meds prescribed to me that I really don't want to take, I decided that I was going to take a little different route for me. I had tried Reliv Nutritional products a few years back when I was fairly healthy. I decided back then that it was too expensive for me. Now here I am with a health issue I need to deal with and an option to either take meds or find another alternative to deal with the symptoms of fibro. I had done my research on things to try. I made the decision to give Reliv a try since I have heard many great things about it.

About Reliv...it is a perfect blend of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other goodies that our bodies need for optimal nutrition. You know, all of the good stuff that we need in our bodies to fight away all the diseases and other stuff that makes us tired and icky. For more info, check it out at http://www.reliv.com/US/EN/home.html. All info can be found there. And yes, it is a MLM company. But so is Miche Bags and women buy those by the bundles because they are cute.

Why am I promoting this?  Because it's my blog and I can? No seriously, I am not promoting but just doing a review about the product and telling my experiences so far while I am taking Reliv.

What I know so far...I have been on Reliv for a month now, mostly drinking 2 shakes a day, although I have had days where I  just forget to make it.  I have had a couple people  ask how it's going with it. At first I really didn't know or feel anything. Now, there are a few subtle things that I can think of that have changed a bit for the better. First, I have not been experiencing those "completely exhausting days where I can not do anything at all but sit in the chair and vegetate" days. Not to say that I am not still tired and have those moments of exhaustion, especially after working 8 hrs.on my feet. But the full days of not being able to do anything are few and far between. Second, I just happened to wake up this morning and realized that I am sleeping more soundly than I was and waking up not completely exhausted, just tired. Does that make sense? As for the pain? Yeah, I still have loads of pain but what I do find is that I may go an extra hour at work before it really hits hard than it used to. All of this doesn't sound huge for others but for me who has to deal with it, it makes a big difference in being able to get a few more things done on my days off.

The downside? There always seems to be a downside to pretty much everything in life. There are two with Reliv products.  First is the cost.It costs about $70 a month to use the basic nutrition. Truthfully, that was the reason I stopped using it years ago. But the way I look at it, everyone spends money on something. Some on cigerettes, others on eating out every night. I could always sacrifice my book buying (GULP!). It is now worth it to me to buy it if I know it will help me. Second is having to mix it up and some may not like the taste of it. I will admit that it took quite a few tries before I found a combination I could live with. You can mix it with juice, milk, water, make it into a smoothie, add fruit or yogurt...whatever combination you can live with. I have had times when it was tough getting down but when I think of the benefits of this stuff, I gulp it down. I am a picky person, too.

Distributorship...Like I said, you have to buy this product from a distributor and yes, they do make money from the sales of  the products. In fact, I signed up to be a distributor. However, I did that just so I could get the discount so it saves me a few bucks. It does help a bit. What I choose to do with the business side of it may happen or it may not. For now, I am happy just to enjoy the benefits I see in taking this product as a big step in improving my health and dealing with this fibro stuff. What I will do is to continue to keep others informed in how Reliv is helping me and maybe if it helps my symptoms, others may be helped by this product, too. I see so many people taking way too many meds.  And working in the pharmacy, people are always asking about certain vitamins and supplements that will help them. I figure why take all of those when Reliv has all of that and more. But that is just me. I am lazy and do not have the time to figure out which combinations work best.

So...I will keep updating because I am so hopeful that this is what I am looking for. It may or may not be my answer. All I can do is wait and see. And if it does continue to help me, I will be shouting from the rooftops about this product. Getting balanced nutrition in my body the way it is supposed to and not having side effects from the meds while maybe getting some relief from the pain and exhaustion? Yeah, you can bet that I will be telling everyone about it. We will see. So, there is my review so far. Stay tuned!

~Kim~

Droid, Angry Birds and Texting

YES! I got a new phone! After a year of debating which one to get and the guilt of...do I really need a new phone, I got myself a new Droid X2 a week ago and I love it. It does pretty much everything I need it to do.  And I of course along with getting the new Droid, a friend suggested that I just HAVE to start playing angry birds. Yeah, guess who is hooked on it now??  And everyone else told me that I just HAD to start texting. Guess who loves to text now?? I am a little late but I feel like I am finally in the groove.

Oh, and I finally got my brakes on the van fixed! No more scraping and grinding for me.Overall, it's been a pretty good week. The weather was rockin', too!  I almost...and I mean almost but not really forgot about how upset I am about the trees. Okay, better get back to those angry birds. Everyone, have a great week!

~Kim~

A World Without Books?

I have to say that I am deeply saddened by the loss of the book stores in our town. In January, one closed. That wasn't that much of a surprise really. But then the announcement came that Borders was officially closing its doors permanently. Now, this was distressing news because I browse through my Waldenbooks about twice a week. They always send me coupons so I never had to pay full price. I got to know the employees a bit. They were all very friendly so I feel quite bad that they are losing their jobs. I have been trying to get in there to get some deals at their going out of business sale now but I get sad every time I walk through those doors. The book shelves are becoming quite empty.

Then last week, I read that our Christian book store at the mall is closing their doors, too.They have been around for many years. I have to admit that I haven't gone in there for a while because I can get the deals at Borders but I assumed they would always be there. Their shelves are even more bare right now.

How can 3 book stores close in just a few months? Yeah, those crazy Kindles have struck. I can't bring myself to have one. I refuse. I love books. I love to browse the book shelves. I love to hold an actual book in my hand. I love to turn the pages of a book. Shopping online for a book does not have the same feeling as browsing through a book store. So yes, I am very saddened by this whole thing. The only book store left in town is the dinky used book store downtown. So, I am building up my library so that I will have books to read for a while. My book case is stock full.

Maybe one day an actual book will be obsolete and there will not even be a need for a library in our world. I think that would be rather tragic. In the meantime, I will enjoy picking up a good book and get lost in it. Just wouldn't be the same for me if I were holding a Kindle. That is all.

~Kim~

I'm Still Here!!

I can't believe it has been this long since I have blogged. Not sure anyone has missed my ramblings but I have missed rambling on. What has been going on lately? Well, let's see...been working alot, Writing alot more. Crying over trees. Oh, well...let me explain here. You know how I ramble on about my favorite pastime, sitting on the deck? (Oh yeah, has anyone noticed the name change above?). I love everything about the deck. Not the deck itself but just being outside, watching and listening to the birds, watching the trees swaying in the light wind. Speaking of trees, we have four less trees than we did a month ago. And this is why I am crying over trees. I love my backyard because it is surrounded by trees. Well, it WAS but now there is a huge gap so now it is not all surrounded by trees anymore.

I am not liking it at all. In fact, I spent my time crying when I was out there until just recently. My whole sanctuary has been uprooted.I know it sounds stupid but that is how I feel. Here is the before picture although not a very good one. Notice how beautiful it was?

And here is the after picture. Wide open, gaping hole!

Clear blue sky instead of trees and a great view of the neighbor's yard, too.(Hope he doesn't mind that I took a pic of the gap into his yard!). Maybe some people would rather have that gaping hole but not me. I can barley look at it some days, Just doesn't look right. Well, it is over and done with now. They are gone. Nothing I can do about it. I am totally convinced that men have a thing against trees, although there was a good reason they had to convince me they needed to go. I now regret that decision but I do understand. But on the bright side...I got myself a new Droid X2! Now maybe I will post alot more pics.

So, sitting on the deck is not as it used to be. It doesn't feel...secluded or woodsey anymore. Maybe I should live out in the booneys with nothing but trees and wildlife around me. Now that would be awesome.

~Kim~