Grateful for Gifts of Love in all Shapes and Sizes!

My heart is still overflowing with gratitude for the gifts of love I experienced on Tuesday, two days ago.

It all started last month when Wild's business card was drawn, at a Lakewood Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting, for him to be in the Business Spotlight this month with a 5-7 minute speech. We were excited because it is quite an honor to have that opportunity to speak about our business in front of 60-75 other business people. As this week approached I keep mentioning that we needed to organize a speech. Several times I asked him if he wanted to speak by himself since it was his business card that was drawn. He liked the idea of us speaking together. When Monday night rolled around we had no idea what we were going to say the next morning. He was clearly frustrated with the process I was using, which is perfect for me...but not for him. I gave Wild another chance to do it by himself, his way. He agreed he'd do it on his own and just speak from his heart. I knew he would be great, just being himself.

What happened the next morning was a total surprise. A magical gift we could never have expected in a million years. After he was introduced he spoke from his heart about what he is passionate about, and has been since he was a little kid, helping other people. He shared his love and humor with everyone in the room, as he mentioned with a twinkle in his eye, that at times he had even been accused of being a rescuer. People laughed. He went on to tell about why our life and our business fulfills his desire to help people in ways that matter and he wrapped it all up after only a few minutes.

As he was handing the microphone back to Mary Ann an amazing thing happened. Dr. David stood up and reached for the microphone. He asked if there was anyone in the room that had a testimonial they might wish to share. I could feel my heart swelling with love and it completely spilled over when hands went up around the room. Oh my, I couldn't believe what was happening. First our friend Shawn took the mic and shared, what she called, her skeptical nature and how she had been helped. Then the mic was passed to Patty and she shared a story of her own. Finally Ken took the mic and shared his story of meeting Wild and what that led to. As Mary Ann wrapped it up our friend Mary was sitting next to me wanting to share her story and knowing the time was up. There we were, surrounded by dear friends coming to Wild's aid to help him fill his time with gifts of love. I knew that Wild was as moved by the events, of the minutes before, as much as I was. Love filled the room and spilled out the doors of the Great American Casino.

We always have drawings at these events and Mary Ann was showing us all the gifts of love brought by members. Here's how it works: members bring in items to share and business cards are drawn. The first person whose card is drawn chooses which gift they want. The next person who's card is drawn is 2nd to choose from the gifts and so on. When I saw that Dotty, owner of Northwest Optical, had donated a beautiful pair of black sunglasses I knew I would love to have them. Mary Ann asked someone to draw a card and mine was drawn first. The sunglasses were mine! Thank you Dotty!

A few hours later, that same day, I was a table host at a monthly Networking Unplugged luncheon. I chose September to be a table host because our convention is in August and I thought I might pick up some special things I could share with some of my friends that I would invite to sit at my table. I had room for seven women to join me. I invited a lot of friends hoping some were available that day for lunch. I spent the weekend before the event sorting and choosing the perfect items that I would pack into each gift bag. I had such fun putting them all together not knowing yet who would actually be able to join me. I also made a gift basket to be won from a drawing during the luncheon. As we all settled in for lunch my name was called. Kia was announcing that I brought the most guests and I was handed a $100 bill as my reward. WOW! I was just treating some friends to sit with me, and enjoy a gift bag of special things I love, and I received an unexpected gift of my own! Then my name was called again, as my card was drawn, to receive yet another gift of love that was donated by a luncheon vendor...a necklace and matching earrings. Such abundance!

The magnitude of my day wasn't totally clear at the moment because I was fully present at the luncheon and not thinking about the breakfast I was at only hours earlier. It wasn't until later, when I had an opportunity to reflect on the day, that I realized how many gifts were materializing before my very eyes in such a short period of time. The greatest gifts, of course, being the loving gift of friendship. Sunglasses, jewelry and money are wonderful but the gift of friendship is priceless! I am incredibly grateful for all our dear friends. Some show up in the most amazing ways and at the most unexpected times.

My heart is overflowing with love and gratitude,
Dyann

Gratitude and the Abundant Life!

WOW...What a wonderful evening! I am feeling so filled with gratitude that my heart is vibrating with joy! Wild and I just finished our first of eight weekly evenings with our newest Healthy Edge group. These people seem to all be perfectly matched. There was open, authentic and vulnerable sharing this evening, from the very start. I am so excited about what lies ahead of us as we take this journey together with these delightful people. I sensed a tremendous amount of support among this group and I see wonderful relationships forming and continuing to blossom.

Wild and I love facilitating Dyann and Wild's Healthy Edge and we do this for several selfish reasons. 1. We love to entertain and by having this be centered around dinner, and pot-lucks where participants all learn to prepare Healthy Edge dishes, we are able to create a community of Dyann and Wild's Healthy Edge Graduates while we entertain. 2. I love to educate and Wild loves to take care of people. We get to satisfy both those desires while creating our own version of The Healthy Edge. 3. Wild and I have a huge commitment to stay healthy and be the best that we can be for each other. Having these classes allows us to keep ourselves continually in the conversation of health and wellness as we share it with others.

This is our third Dyann and Wild's Healthy Edge group, this year, and I can see a wonderful pattern forming. We like doing this for the New Year, in the Spring and in the Fall. As we become more relaxed and confident, with each series of classes we do, I believe it is easier for the participants to relax and enjoy the process even more. That makes my heart smile!

You can learn more about us and The Healthy Edge at: http://dlyon.getthehealthyedge.com/ where you can also enjoy taking a free 14 day test drive.

We would be honored for you to take a look at Dyann and Wild's Healthy Edge at our Facebook page and we would love it if you 'like' us: http://www.facebook.com/DyannandWildsHealthyEdge

With heartfelt gratitude,
Dyann

Gratitude is Spilling Over on the Eve of Our Eighth Wedding Anniversary!

Tonight I received an email from a dear friend announcing she is creating a Gratitude Club. I love the idea and sent her a note to thank her for the idea and her invitation to join. Then I thought of all the ways I have let my acknowledgment of gratitude go by the wayside. I think of it, speak of it and believe in being grateful daily. However the piece I missed the most was being here in The Gratitude Room and sharing what's on my mind. I have been in the process of trying to create a new blog with my husband, Wild, and that has kept me from being here. I am happy and grateful to be back!

When I start to write I never quite know where I am headed. Tonight is no different. As I write this I am reminded that tonight is the eve of our eighth wedding anniversary and there is no one I am more grateful for having in my life than my dear husband, partner and best friend, Wild.

This is a photo taken almost exactly one year ago. It was taken by a passer-by on the beach two days before our seventh wedding anniversary. This particular beach is easily identified by anyone who has ever been there as this is the famous Haystack Rock behind us at Cannon Beach, Oregon.

Wishing Wild a happy anniversary, on the eve of that special day eight years ago, seems perfect here in The Gratitude Room. With loving gratitude to you my dear and delightful husband for the most wonderful, exciting, adventurous, loving, happy, creative, joyful, supportive, close, meaningful, fun, surprising, humorous, delicious and yummy marriage I could ever possibly imagine!

With deeply loving gratitude for the past eight years and for the many amazing years ahead! We still have much to experience and create together!

With love,
Dyann

Project Purpose is Back!

Patti Roney, and her annual event called Project Purpose, is back! This is the third year I have had the opportunity to join Patti and I am looking forward to the next 90 days!

Our first assignment was to identify 5 ways I have let myself down and disappoint myself. I can't believe I am going to share them here but I am committed to positive change and getting out of my comfort zone.

Here are the five things I wrote last night in a journal.
1. Not following up with people who have shown an interest in a product or service I offer.
2. Not sharing what I do with enough people.
3. Not exercising 3-5 days a week.
4. Not treating my husband with gentle kindness at all times.
5. Not keeping in touch with friends and family.

Here is what I have committed to do from the list above.
1. Be gentle and kind with my husband by stopping what I am doing and listen to what he has to say.
2. Call 1-2 people every day just to say Hi and check in.
3. Make at least one follow-up call per day.

I look forward to these phone calls and building stronger relationships with friends, family, clients and business associates. I have already seen the difference in my conversations with Wild since yesterday. Instead of continuing with whatever I am doing at the computer I have stopped to sit and focus on him and what he has to say. Prior to this I was finding that we would have to go into the living room to talk without interference from work, since we work at home in an office. Now I believe we can still stay in the office and I can focus on a conversation without having to detach myself from my computer. It is another example of seeing what the problem may be and finding a solution to make it better. I love that we can make changes immediately whenever we recognize a situation that is not serving us.

Here's to the next 90 days of Project Purpose!

With joy and purpose,
Dyann

Grateful the Healthy Home Book Tour is Coming to Seattle!

I was so happy to recently learn that on March 28, 2011 Dr. Myron Wentz and his son, Dave Wentz, will be in Seattle for the second stop of their North American book tour for The Healthy Home. Learn more at: http://www.myhealthyhome.com   

Seattle, Washington! That's only 30 miles from my home in Tacoma, where I live with my husband, Wild Bill Jones, overlooking lovely Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. When I saw the line up of tour stops I was blown away that Seattle was on the tour. Vancouver BC is only three hours away and I would have been happy with that...but Seattle! Whoohoo!

The Healthy Home book will be released on March 22, 2011. I can hardly wait to read it because I know these two will be sharing great information in an entertaining way. I have had the pleasure of hearing Dr. Wentz speak on many occasions and I have heard Dave too. I always come away with a sense of wonder and new found knowledge after I hear Dr. Wentz speak. He is the 2007 recipient of the Albert Einstein Award for his work in the Life Sciences and has written other books too. What makes this one so special is that it is written with his son, Dave.  I hope you will get the opportunity to see them at one of their many stops. Perhaps one will be near you too! Below is information for the upcoming book tour. Look for a stop near you or someone you love!

Invite your friends and family (and their friends too) to see Dr. Wentz and Dave Wentz live on The Healthy Home Book Tour. The tour will be an event to remember, with audience participation and engaging presentations to demonstrate the science behind the solutions in the book. More importantly, you will walk away armed with information to start protecting your family from the toxic burdens society has created, packaged, and sold to you as “necessities” for everyday life.

To top it off, ADMISSION IS FREE to this life-changing event. 

Take this chance to discover what you can do to improve your family’s most important resource—your health. You don’t want to miss it. Book Tour Downloadable Flyer (English) • (Spanish) • (French) • (Chinese) 

March
	25	Vancouver
	28	Seattle
	29	San Francisco Bay Area
	30	Los Angeles
	31	San Diego

April
	2	Tijuana
	5	San Antonio
	7	Orlando
	9	Boston
	11	New York
	13	Montreal
	14	Toronto
	15	Naperville/Chicago Area
	18	Winnipeg
	20	Denver
	21	Salt Lake City

   

Grateful for a Healthy Heart on Heart Month and All Year Long!

After my late husband died of a heart attack, at 50 years old, and after meeting the man I love, and am now happily married to, to find out that he was on heart medication for high blood pressure, I knew I needed to learn some things that would enable me to help him stay alive for a long time to come. 

Have you ever heard of the phrase that goes; "When the student is ready the teacher shall appear"? Well, in this case the teacher showed up in the form of an old friend who introduced me to USANA Health Sciences back in 2002. I am so grateful for all I have learned since then and continue to learn. Below is a sample of some of the important work that USANA is doing in the area of heart health. 

I share this in the middle of National Heart Month, and as Valentine's Day approaches, in the hopes of helping people become more aware of taking control of their health. Heart disease is the number one killer across the world. Every day 2,500 people die, in the US alone, of some form of heart disease. 38% of all women who die, die of heart disease, it is 25% for men. 

There is good news! 80% - 90% of all heart disease can be prevented. It is a lifestyle disease, not something you catch. Making some simple changes in your lifestyle can give you huge rewards of excellent health. 

Why would you want to avoid heart disease? Is it to spend more time with your loved ones? Your grandkids? Your loving spouse? To be around to finish a project you are passionate about? To watch your great grandkids grow up? What is it about life that is so worth living for? For me it is to spend as much valuable time as I can with my dear husband, make a difference in the world, be with family and friends and travel the world.

Here's the article that was published by USANA Health Sciences last week:

"A Smart Approach to Heart Health

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Image from Human Anatomy & Physiology, fifth edition.

A collaborative study between USANA and Boston University shows that supplementing with grape-seed extract and vitamin C can help improve cardiovascular disease. For full details, visit USANA’s Science Posters page. 

Recently, some studies have suggested prescribing statin drugs to patients, all in the name of “preventing” cardiovascular disease (CVD). Does anyone else think this preventive treatment is a little heart dumb?

To further support USANA’s philosophy of using nutritional supplements as part of a heart smart lifestyle, the amazing USANA scientists recently conducted a study in conjunction with a research team at the Boston University School of Medicine. The study showed that some key nutrients in dietary supplements can actually be beneficial for patients who already have a form of CVD. 

Study Background
Oxidative stress appears to impact the heart’s ability to effectively pump blood through arteries and blood vessels. We all know cutting down blood flow is NOT a good thing. Over time, this impaired function has been shown to be a critical factor in the progression of CVD.

Grape-seed extract and vitamin C have both been widely shown to provide significant protection against oxidative stress, as well as to have positive effects on blood pressure. The USANA/BU team suspected that the powerful antioxidants could support healthy blood flow through supplementation of these two key nutrients together. 

What They Did
Researchers gave study participants, who were already diagnosed with CVD, either a placebo or 450 mg of grape-seed extract and 1500 mg of vitamin C, divided into two daily doses of two tablets. Blood samples were taken four hours after receiving the first dose, then again four weeks after taking the same dosage every day.

The researchers measured plasma levels of vitamin C, epicatechin (bioflavonoids), and plasma antioxidant reserve (PAR)—a measure of the blood’s resistance to oxidative stress. They also measured blood flow using fingertip peripheral tonometry (PAT). PAT is especially useful in measuring changes in blood flow because it focuses on the peripheral arteries in the fingertip. Making up the majority of the blood vessels in our bodies, peripheral arteries are those that are farthest from the heart. They are miniscule when compared to the arteries coming directly from the heart, so any noticeable changes are significant. Those with CVD generally do not show a healthy blood flow response when measured using PAT. 

What They Found
In the treatment group, vitamin C, epicatechin, and PAR increased to varying degrees at all three time points measured, meaning all the antioxidant levels were improved. PAT blood flow response also showed significant improvement following the 28-day treatment relative to the placebo group. 

These results suggest that grape-seed extract and vitamin C, working together, improve vascular function in patients with CVD, even in those tiny peripheral arteries. The results of this study were so impressive that they were presented to American Heart Association. 

Now, you can share these exciting results with your friends and family, as well.
For more information, including graphs that illustrate the results of the study, please visit theScience Posters section of USANAtoday. Go to “Prospecting” and select “Tools” from the drop-down menu. There you can find either large-format posters or a new 8.5X11, multiple-page format of “Grape Seed Extract Plus Vitamin C Improves Markers of Vascular Health” available for download. 

Now, don’t you feel heart smart?"
 

The two antioxidants referred to, grape seed-extract and vitamin C, are in USANA's exclusive new Profavanol C100. It is part of USANA Health Sciences new HYBRID technology that was introduced in the Summer of 2010. This is really exciting news to share because as a Go Red for Women Ambassador, with the American Heart Association, I am meeting so many people that tell me they feel they are on a path to heart disease. It is difficult sometimes to show them how they can prevent it by making positive lifestyle changes. Every bit of information helps.

With gratitude to USANA Health Sciences,

Dyann

Grateful for the Unexpected Honor!

The 8th Annual Go Red Luncheon in Tacoma, Washington was earlier this week. Prior to the luncheon there were two hours of VIP pampering for 100 of the 250 luncheon guests. The pampering included hand massages, parafin wraps, a light buffet, blood pressure tests and the first chance at the silent auction.

Our Go Red Ambassador program, which I am extremely grateful for as it gives me a place to serve in honor of my late husband, Lee Oberbeck, started late last year and this is the first year the Ambassadors were at the luncheon. I was moved and delighted by a very inspiring fashion show made up of our Go Red Ambassador survivors, ranging in age from about seven to seventy-six years of age. They each did a wonderful job of sharing their personal story of survival and walking across the stage in an adorable outfit from Macy's, one of the sponsors of the luncheon.

During the program I was surprised by an unexpected presentation. I was honored as the first, Go Red Ambassador of the Year. The words, Founding Go Red Ambassador, are inscribed on the beautiful Tiffany bowl I was given. It was an amazing and humbling honor to receive this award for doing something that I am so passionate about. I am grateful for the honor, the acknowledgment and for the pleasure I receive from being with and working with the many amazing women I am so honored to serve with.

Here is a video I made as a tribute to all the Go Red Ambassadors I have the pleasure of serving with. It explains "Why We Go Red". My husband, Wild Bill Jones, who is our Go Red Mascot and Guy Friday to all the ambassadors took the videos during the luncheon. Some of our ambassadors were not there, this is in honor of them too.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1-fTsl7Kyo

What do we do as Go Red Ambassadors? We give presentations to different organizations and businesses in the South Sound region. Our presentation consists of a short power point where we share the warning signs of heart disease, show what a heart attack is, share the risk factors and show what you can do to take actions to prevent heart disease. After that we share our personal stories. Each one of us has a very different story to share. I became a widow in an instant when Lee died suddently of a heart attack, Victoria is a heart transplant recipient, Tina is a heart attack survivor, Carol is a sudden cardiac arrest survivor, Lori is a stroke survivor and we have many more brave and courageous women who share their stories in the hopes of saving lives.

Most of us, including me, are not professional speakers. Here is a video of one of my Go Red presentations. Several of us spoke at the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency in Olympia, Washingtom on April 13, 2010.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZEx6-31zUI

Do you know that heart disese is largely preventable? Since January 2010 our Go Red Ambassadors have talked to over 1000 people in the greater Tacoma area. We have the intention of saving lives and we believe we have an impact of increasing awareness to the warning signs of heart disease and how to prevent one in the first place by choosing to live a heart healthy life. Please support any Go Red movement in your own community or start a Go Red program of your own. The life you help to save may be that of a loved one or someone you never meet. We never know who we will impact by sharing these stories of survival.

With Love and Gratitude,
Dyann