And then there were none

My Brussels Griffon, Ranger, was neutered last week.  He is so hyper and humps everything, I really thought this was going to change that.  I heard about a FREE neutering via Twitter a while back and I called to see if Ranger would qualify.  Unfortunately they had filled up their quota for small male dogs.  However, they did offer a $20 neuter service through their PALS program.  I was quoted $200+ from my vet.  When I was in San Antonio I got my other dog neutered for around $30 because they based the cost on your income, and I was a waitress, so I was poor.  I'm not so poor anymore, but I'm still stingy so I wanted a good alternative.  

We ended up at the TCAP they have inexpensive vaccines and everything!  They are located in Fort Worth, Burleson and Denton (where Ranger and I went) but they also have mobile vaccines that you probably see around the DFW metroplex.  We are really fortunate to have these opportunities so close by.  Out in west Texas, where I've been spending alot of my time, there aren't as many resources like this.


Poor Ranger was drugged up when we left the clinic, which was nice on the 1 hour car ride home.  When we got home, he was so confused by the cone on his head he got stuck facing a wall and couldn't figure out where to go.  Poor thing!


He was also a little aggressive while still on the medication, which I wasn't aware was going to happen.  (If I had read my post-Op instructions I would have found this out).  I did noticed I treated him like a baby more than he needed.  I thought he couldn't reach the food in his bowl so I hand fed him, but I missed a piece on the floor and he was able to reach that!  I also carried him up the stairs, but the next day he ran right up like nothing had happened.  A nice life lesson for me when it comes to the next living thing I take care of.  Whatever and when ever that is!  

Consumer Report follow up

So I did a little more digging into the Consumer Lab Report....they tested 60 vitamins and 12 didn't pass.

Some of the brands that they tested include: One A Day, GNC, Melaluca, Natures Way and other familiar names.  The only Usana vitamin tested PASSED.  So take what you'd like out of the links and reports above and make an education decision about your body and your future.

I didn't want to come across as one-sided....I'm an open book so if you have questions or concerns feel free to ask!

Remember, not all of the 48 vitamins that passed provide the opportunity for you to start your own business while getting healthy!!  http://www.livinglifetothefullest.usana.com/

-Rachel

ACE OUT HUNGER with WTA and USANA

USANA HEALTH SCIENCES AND WTA LAUNCH “ACE OUT HUNGER” PROGRAM

100% of Proceeds to Benefit Children’s Hunger Fund

USANA Health Sciences, Inc. announced that it will donate $10 for every ace served at WTA events throughout the 2011 season, beginning with The Championships at Wimbledon. The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) will support USANA’s contribution with a $25,000 donation. All proceeds from the “Ace Out Hunger” program will benefit Children’s Hunger Fund (CHF), a global nonprofit organization fighting hunger in impoverished regions around the world. 

Source

 

source








Yep, THAT Wimbledon


“In tennis, an ace is a point‐winning serve that isn’t returned by the opposing player,” says Dan Macuga, USANA’s VP of Marketing and Public Relations. “It is considered a demonstration of strength and strategy—qualities that represent USANA. Through this charitable program, we’re able to provide food, nutrients and vital resources to children in need. This is a program that is meaningful to us in many ways.”

“When you consider that an estimated 1.4 billion people live on less than $1.25 a day, $10 can really go a long way,” says Dave Philips, CHF president. “We will be tuning in closely to every match, cheering whenever an ace is scored, knowing what a difference that single serve can make. We cannot thank USANA and the WTA enough for their compassion and generosity.”

“We are thrilled to contribute to the Children’s Hunger Fund through the efforts of our world‐class athletes,” said Stacey Allaster, CEO & Chairman of the WTA. “USANA is a fantastic partner of the WTA and this program will make a real difference in helping children in dire need.”

“I’ve had a chance to learn more about Children’s Hunger Fund and am impressed by how effective they are at distributing resources,” says Liezel Huber, former WTA No.1 doubles player and USANA brand ambassador. “About 99% of CHF’s total contributions go directly into their programs. This is a charity that is doing what it promises to do, and I’m proud to support them.”

In 2010, over 12,000 aces were scored in the season and as many as 596 in a single tournament.  Do the math: at $10 per ace that's $120,000 towards the Children's Hunger fund.  What an AMAZING company USANA is!!  To date, USANA has donated over $11 million in monetary and in‐kind contributions to Children’s Hunger Fund.

If you'd like to join a winning team like USANA's call Rachel Kellar today!  www.livinglifetothefullest.usana.com

Article Source

Think Global Act Local

My University had a week dedicated to the "Think Global Act Local" message.  Silly me, I assumed my fellow friends in Universities were also exposed everything I learned about social awareness.  We're not only talking about the "green/Eco" theme going around the U.S.  I mean seriously thinking about other people before you buy that non-fair trade item, before you smoke your cigarette in a public place, before you throw away rather than give away and before you open your mouth!

I know this is just a little blog and maybe only 2 people read.  But writing this down and putting it out there helps me sleep better at night.  It reminds me of my past, allows me to contemplate my present and plan for my future. 

Back to Thinking Global and Acting Local....with a focus on recent conversations:  Naivety is only allowed prior to a certain age.  If you're still naive to the outside world by the age of 22 you are ignorant and, in my recent experience, prejudice.  It's sickening.  There are more people in this world than you and your loved ones.  Yes, of course, your family and friends are very important and can be put first.  But if there is a stranger in the room or a new experience waiting on the other side of a door you better open that door and invite that foreigner to join you!  You don't need to enjoy the experience or the person but I strongly feel you need to embrace the opportunity.  I think you'll be a better person to the ones you love most by experiencing new things everyday. 

If you experience new and different things, experiences outside your comfort zone, you can do one of two things: 1) you can choose to change accordingly or you can 2) stay the same.  Both options are great!  If you choose #1) It should be a positive change to help a negative aspect of you life.  With #2) Staying the same proves you had it right all along and deciding to stay concrete brings in confidence that only you can have in yourself.

So remember:  You are one citizen on the 6.778 billion people on earth.  Do your part to respect them and the favor will be returned.

Living life to the fullest...for each and every one of you

-Rachel Kellar

Reminder: Don't take anything for granted.

Yesterday at the Dallas Cowboys training camp we catered a meal to wounded Veterans.  These were guys in wheelchairs, missing arms and legs and still covered in fresh bandages.  One guy had 2 metal legs and looked like a robot from the waist down.  Another was covered from head to toe in a protective suit from what I assume was a burning accident.  He only had holes for his eyes, mouth and nose.  I had never seen these heros in person before.  It was the most humbling experience I've had in a long time. 
    One guy brought his 5 year old son with him.  The dad had lost his arm but his little boy was sitting next to him and you could just see the twinkle in his eye every time he looked at his dad the war hero.  Forget the Dallas Cowboys, my Daddy's home from overseas!  He didn't lose his life, just his arm.  We can still play catch and he'll see me grow up to be a football player or even a hero like him.  Wow...
     I've been in San Antonio for 6 years and I've respected the military men and women I see all over town but this experience was just what I needed before I leave to Dallas.  I will not have the opportunity to see this Dallas because there aren't any military bases.  But I will not forget the men and women who do serve my country and make sacrifices for my safety everyday.

I also just heard from my friend in Afganistan who told me the following story via facebook chat:
"today we had a major weather storm out here and we were out on mission.
so i wanted to finish first, which we did, but on the way back we saw a village near by was flooded
people everywhere and they ran to us asking for help cuz there were women and children stuck in houses and they had no way to get to them
so i made the decision to stay and help and we pulled out all the kids, infants, and women but one. we couldnt reach her in time
but they thanked us for trying our best and we took photos of the whole thing but my "bosses" only saw that my people were out of uniform
they didn't give my boys any credit for saving that village, all they said was where is his gloves, where is the eye protection, etc
we were in a flood the gloves were soaked and useless
the eye pro were fogging up and blinded us but they got mad cuz we didnt wear them"
It is unfortunate that leadership in every profession can be frustrating to deal with but the next time I hate on my boss for making me wear pantyhose, I'll think about how I'm just coordinating breakfast, lunch and dinners, not saving a village from a massage flood!
 
And (because good things come in 3's) I'm so happy my friend Tanya's brother is home safety from his active duty!!

My friend Ricky's Platoon

Living life to the fullest...and grateful for the freedom to do so!

-Rachel Kellar

Goodwill

My favorite new store is GoodWill!!

Check out these 'vintage' purses I bought for $8.00 total!  ($4.00 each).

I can just picture that straw clutch with my bright green 'golf' shorts, a flowy white top and bright wedges.     The colorful clutch would be great with an all white outfit or an all tan outfit.  I think it would really pop!  The bright pink sticker is just the price tag I haven't taken off yet.

Living life to the fullest...with Good Will