Positive Advertising Verses Competitive Bashing

Here's my thought for the day; and I see this all the time, which is what inspired me to write about it. I think there's such a significant difference in marketing your business, verses bashing your competition. If your product or service is worth investing in, you shouldn't have to highlight the flaws of your competitors. This goes the same for politicians. I don't care how good your policies are, or your records...I will have so much more respect for you and a willingness to vote for you if you are concentrating more on showing the public what good qualities you can bring to the people, instead of bringing out the opposing team's dirty laundry. 

I am a consultant for Arbonne, and I love the company and the products. I stand behind everything Arbonne believes in because I have seen the high standards Arbonne stands by. Their integrity seems to be unmatched. We have no animal products or by-products, and it is 100% vegan certified. I could go on for hours on why I believe Arbonne is scientifically second to none. That difference is what made me start using the products in the first place- long before I made the decision to join the company. We have no rendered products, and I have personally seen life changing results in myself, my family, and my clients. I am tremendously proud of this company, and love sharing the products and what I have learned with others. 

Because of the biased opinion I've developed for Arbonne, it is safe to say you will not catch me buying other popular brands for very specific scientifically researched reasons. I do not, however, feel the need to point out those brands on my facebook posts, or mention the companies in my presentations. Arbonne International stresses greatly to we consultants a high code of ethics, another reason I love Arbonne. They do not want us pointing out flaws of other companies. We have products that speak for themselves, and there's just really no need. 

I tell you this, not to promote my Arbonne business, (but hey, if you want to check it out, who am I to stop you?)  but to show you that when you are truly passionate about whatever product you are selling, or service you provide, that is enough. Your passion shows. I am truly in love with Arbonne, and I believe that when I talk about Arbonne, the positive light will have more of an influence on my sales than if I went around bashing other companies. Sure, it can be tempting, but it is not as effective. Doing what is right always wins in the end.

Cheesy Kale Chips

One of my all time favorite snack recipes! Anytime we have a movie night..or I'm just in a snacking mood, I turn to this simple snack! It's healthy, and has that salty satisfying taste like potato chips give you. You can play with different variations (roasted red pepper flakes, garlic...) but here's my favorite- garlic and parmesan cheese!

• Set the oven to 350 degrees.
• Spread the kale out on a sheet pan (I like to put aluminum foil down so there is less mess!) and use BIG pieces! 
• Spray/drizzle with olive oil evenly over kale
• Use a little bit of salt/pepper
• Cover with fresh parmesan (you can use the other kind too but it doesn't bake quite as well!)
• Sprinkle with a bit of garlic salt
• It depends on your oven, but I usually bake mine about 12 minutes, check often! I also rotate mine half way through.

YUM!

Vegan Protein

Recently, I have switched off of my whey protein to vegan. Am I totally vegan? Heck no! I love meat. This protein source is the bomb though! (are people still saying the bomb? ...hmm)

I switched to Arbonne Essentials Chocolate Protein Mix. 

At first I was a little skeptical how it was going to taste, and I'm not going to lie...it has a different taste to it. Its pretty dang good though! And way better than whatever beefhead crap my brother drinks after his workouts. 

So here's why I like it-

When it says vegan, it is actually a pea protein- made of pea, rice, and cranberry proteins. Sounds strange, I know, but it is highly absorbable and easily digestible. When the pea protein is combined with the cranberry and rice proteins, it provides a full amino acid score- very important! Pea protein provides essential amino acids and is a good source of the amino acids arginine and glutamine (those words sound familiar, my fitness enthusiasts?). It is also a good source of glutamic acid and branched chain amino acids (leucine + valine + isoleucine). Arginine participates in the supply of nitric acid and branched chain amino acids, which are essential amino acids that need to be supplied by the diet. 

In this protein, there are 20 grams of protein (which has been proven is the amount your body needs after a good workout!) and 21 essential vitamins and minerals and plenty of other beneficial nutrients. Also included in the ingredients are coenzyme 20 and ginseng. 

It contains no artificial sweeteners, colors or flavors; as well as no cholesterol. It is also forumulated with no gluten or fructose. That is awesome! I hate when all these big name whey proteins boast about all the good stuff in their product, but fail to mention all the chemicals they add. NO THANKS!

Here are some other sources you can find vegan protein-

• legumes
• nuts and seeds (almonds, cashews, filberts, hemp seeds, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, walnuts-black)
• spirulina (nutrient-rich, blue-green algae)

Arbonne

I do my research. My skin has been horrible my entire teenage/adult life. Until now. I tried everything under the sun and nothing ever helped. I didn't think Arbonne would either, but it did. When I learned what made Arbonne so different, I made the decision right then I was switching everything over. So did my mom, my aunt, my other aunt..even my 19 year old brother who is "too manly" to use products uses Arbonne now.

This is why we love it!

ARBONNE PRODUCTS

Arbonne's premium skin care products are formulated in Switzerland at the Arbonne Institute of Research and Development (AIRD) and made in the U.S.A.

Our proprietary formulas are:
*Botanically-based
*PH correct- not just PH balanced
*Hypoallergenic
*Dermatologist tested
*Never tested on animals
*Formulated without animal products or by-products
*Formulated without mineral oil
*Formulated without dyes or chemical fragrances

Arbonnes product line is represented by Independent Consultants who used to be employed in the following fields: Dermatologists, Aestheticians, Plastic Surgeons, Massage Therapists, Chiropractors, and Professional Makeup Artists.

Scientifically Advanced Nutritional Products:

Based on the same principles that propelled the success of our skin care products, Arbonne expanded into total body care with the introduction of Arbonne Essentials. Developed for every stage of life, these nutrition, weight management, fitness products are convenient, safe, backed by the latest scientific research and contain:

*The finest pharmaceutical grade ingredients
*Standarized botanicals and herbs-(Meaning you get the same quality and strength every time)
*Proprietary herbal blends that work synergistically with active components for optimal results.

Arbonne offers a complete line of Skin Care, Aromassentials, Men's Care, Baby Care, Glamour products.
IF YOU ARE GOING TO USE PRODUCTS ON YOUR BODY, WHY WOULD YOU NOT USE THE PRODUCTS THAT ARE PROVEN TO BE PURE, SAFE, AND BENEFICIAL TO YOU!!!

Now to the gross part...which is always my favorite part to tell people!

I love Arbonne because it works so well, obviously. But what if other products work....why would I still use Arbonne?

In Europe, they have banned over 1500 chemicals and ingredients, and considered so bad, you could go to jail or receive a huge fine....America has only banned TEN of these. Thankfully, Arbonne goes by European standards!

And if that isn't enough...who has heard of a rendering plant?

I hadn't ever heard of this either. But its where they send leftover parts from slaughterhouses, roadkill, and restaurant grease....they boil it down, and the fat that rises is called the "good juice." That's what is shipped to all of your cosmetic companies as fillers. It is in your lotions, shampoos, makeup, you name it. They have a whole episode on Dirty Jobs on rendering plants. 100 years ago, this was how the cosmetic industry got started- it was too expensive for companies to not use fillers. They don't even have to tell you there is animal in your product either unless it is an active ingredient. The word you're looking for is "propyl-paraben." Most people don't even know what it is, so when I first heard this, I found it plainly listed on almost all my products- Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body Works, and Jergens were a few that I checked. 

And you know how they say to throw your makeup out after 6 months? That's how long it takes the animal in your bottle to go rancid. You know when your bottle of liquid foundation gets that line in it, and you have to shake it up? That's the animal fat separating. Unless your product says "100% Vegan," there is animal in there. 

Grossed out yet? Gotta love FDA standards.