Sparklehearts Forever – For Vibrant Skin And Hair

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RECAP: Hilary Orr found it impossible to raise her daughters without organic and clean personal care products. All her attempts to find anything chemical-free were dead ended. So, she started her own company – Sparklehearts – with amazing eco-friendly and glam products for girls of all ages.

Hilary shares details and uniqueness of the Sparklehearts shampoos, and lotions, and bath washes with all of us here.

Long Live Healthy Personal Care for Girls... Of All Ages!

CelebrateWoman (CW) Who is the primary target for Sparklehearts product?

Hilary Orr (Hilary) Girls everywhere that want a fun, all natural and effective bath care product.

CW What is the #1 reason someone should buy your product?

Hilary Because it is fun, effective and all natural. Anyone can feel like they are treating their body right when using Sparklehearts.

Findings show that 60% of what is put on a body is absorbed into your system. Sparklehearts has nothing harmful.
 CW How is Sparklehearts product different than your #1 competitor?

Hilary We are different because we are fun. Natural and organic seems to have a stigma of not very exciting and a bit bland. We wanted to add glamor to green and fun to natural products.
 CW What benefits will a person receive when using SparkleHearts regularly?

Hilary They will have gorgeous hair and skin without having to worry about harmful toxins.
 CW How does the price of Sparklehearts compare to others in your category?

Hilary In regards to other children's products we are on the high end at $12.49 for 10oz. In regards to general natural products we are right in line.

CW Everyone is talking these days about being green. To me, that includes being Fair Trade, being sustainable, and organic. It might even include using alternative energy, or buying energy offsets. How does your company, your product, measure-up on these important issues?

Hilary Sparklehearts is very passionate about the environment. We wanted to take this into consideration in every aspect of our business.

For starters all of our ingredients are natural and thus biodegradable. Our packaging is 100 % post consumer recycled plastic. We are one of few that actually incorporate the 100%.

We carefully chose a green warehousing facility that uses green transportation and solar power.

Our boxes are made from recycled sources, and we never use unnecessary packaging.
 CW When someone reads the ingredients from the label on your product, what would you like them to notice?

Hilary That there is nothing synthetic or harmful. That we use a lot of botanicals.
 
CW Where can my readers find Sparklehearts product to buy it?

Hilary We are in brick-and-mortar retailers all across the country and will be in Southern California Whole Foods by September. We are also available on line at www.Sparklehearts.com
 
PS: If you have any questions to Hilary Orr, please leave them in the comments below. She will definitely read and answer them.
PPS: If you know a woman-entrepreneur who has created healthy product(s), please let me know, so we could spread the word about her and her contribution to this planet.

Disclosure: I only write about products I believe in personally. I am not compensated for my opinions.


Founder, CelebrateLifeNutrition.com
Curb Your Appetite – Stop Your Cravings
VP Programs Development, ScaleDown for Life
VP Education, GoZonkers Inc.
©2010 Laura Gontchar. All Rights Reserved.

Weight Loss Motivation Tips by Harshita Lohia, The Silk Designer Guru

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RECAP: Harshita Lohia has mastered a unique technique of creating masterful designs on silk. Her wear pieces exude colorful happiness and joy for everyone who takes a chance to wear them.

Being in business and leading a super intense schedule daily, I invited Harshita to share with all of us how she manages to stay fit and healthy.

CelebrateWoman (CW) Have you had your weight challenges along the way, especially when you started being involved with your business?

Harshita Lohia (Harshita) Yes. I have slow metabolism. I need to remind myself to eat when I get really busy with my projects.

Staying fit and healthy is my priority. If I want to create for a long time, I need to be healthy and strong inside. Weight loss management has always been a priority to me.

CW What is your Number 1 tip for weight loss motivation for yourself?

Harshita My motivation is to have health and vigor in order to keep doing what I am. The  tip I use for myself is to eat frequently. I am a vegetarian. Getting plenty of fruit and vegetables is my priority.

Plus I am a believer in physical activity. Being as crazily busy as I am, this can be challenging. Still, I strive to get in shape no matter what.

Oh, yes, plenty of water every day keeps me alive and energetic.

CW Any personal word for all my women readers who go through their weight loss and weight management issues?

Harshita Live your life Stress Free. Is it possible? No. But we have a lot of tools available to us which we need to adopt, adapt to, and exercise in getting rid of stress.

Stress produces unhealthy desires for food munching and eventually makes us lethargic and inactive in our life’s endeavors.

I think that food should be an inspiration and fuel for our creative work, rather than being a comfort to mask problems we need to overcome. We eat to be healed, not get unhealthy.

*****

More on Harshita's Business and Product:

Can Silk Canvas Speak?

Dreams Never Burn Out By Fire Flames

PS: If you have any questions to Harshita Lohia, please leave them in the comments below. She will definitely read and answer them.
PPS: If you know a woman-entrepreneur who has created healthy product(s), please let me know, so we could spread the word about her and her contribution to this planet.

Disclosure: I only write about products I believe in personally. I am not compensated for my opinions. 

Founder, CelebrateLifeNutrition.com
Curb Your Appetite – Stop Your Cravings
VP Programs Development, ScaleDown for Life
VP Education, GoZonkers Inc.
©2010 Laura Gontchar. All Rights Reserved.

Dreams Never Burn Out By Fire Flames

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RECAP: Harshita Lohia is an amazing artist who has created masterpieces of clothing made out of silk. But the road to success was never without tribulations.

You need to understand that though being talented and industrious in all of her hobbies, Harshita’s success was truly created by her perseverance and strong belief in herself.

During our interview, Harshita continued to amaze me in how many times and through many tribulations she got through with flying colors. Here’s an excerpt of the interview where you could learn more about this powerful woman.

*****

CelebrateWoman (CW) What got you started on the path of developing

Harshita Lohia (Harshita) You need to know that I have two major lines in my silk design: one is dedicated to the tea, the other has the delicate floral theme as its leitmotif.

I come from a family of organic tea producers. Naturally, I wanted to incorporate tea motifs into what I do professionally. That’s why tea cups, tea pots, tea leaves, and textured printing play the dominant role in my creations.

My love for travel, ancient and modern architecture, and my cultural background of my native India prompted me to develop my floral line of silks. This line could be described as delicate flowers with architectural impressions inside petals. I love doing something that’s out of ordinary. It is truly who I am when I create unique patterns in seasonal colors that reflect my personal experiences of what I’ve done and what I’ve seen.

CW What was your life before you started this company ... and after ...?

Harshita From as far as I remember myself, I always wanted to have my own business. At school, I always participated in craft shows bringing my own creations that included scarves, bags, pieces of clothing, and even paintings. I held my first personal exhibition in Chitrakoot Art Gallery in Kolkata when I was 15-years-old. I loved painting and wanted to pursue it further on.

I got my Masters in Digital Printing from Philadelphia University. And that’s when I truly started to think of creating my personal business.

Now that I am submerged in my own company, there’s no free moment in my life. I always work on new colors and patterns for each season. My designs are of limited numbers which make them collectibles.

Coming up with something new required a lot of quiet, thinking time, and time of inspiration. I plan my travels to different places and countries to find inspiration for my future designs. That keeps me busy.

CW Who are those remarkable people that influenced your creative, professional, and personal life that lead you to starting and sustaining this company?

Harshita My both parents and my husband, who is an active manager of my business, always supported my ideas and actions.

My dad who travels the world with his tea business, once brought me some paints that I could use for my silk creations. That allowed me to move forward with my what I wanted to do for my personal business.

My husband has been so pro-active and encouraging, teaching me marketing and customer focus. In the beginning, he forced me to go to museums in Londong, Paris, visit Art Galleries to get my own ideas the world’s treasury of masterpieces. I am so thankful to him for doing that. Now, I cannot live without submerging myself into cultural achievements of all sorts.

My grandmother taught me how to be graceful and musical, and creative. Thanks to her, I always play music in the background while I am creating something.

CW Has your involvement with Harshita Designs products and company changed your self-image, and your relationships with family, friends, romantic involvement?

Harshita Yes, my involvement with my company has changed my life. Being busy all the time, I still make time for socializing and networking.

For example, I open my house for crafts shows when a lot of people can come over and see what I do, how I do some things while I create a design. Also, they try on various clothes that I created right in that same house.

I did become more confident in myself as I started seeing people liking my designs and asking for more. That is the most inspiring thing I can ever get!

Having a business also allowed me to contribute to the multiple charities in my area. My favorite are those that involve women and kids. During the year, I usually donate to ten-twelve charities. My last two raised money for little cancer patients and eye-glasses for kids.

CW If you had to do it all over again, would you? And why?

Harshita Yes, I would do it because my passion is so great for what I do. This is the love of my life. My sole sings when I create my designs.

I was fortunate to have supportive husband and parents. Again, I am so thankful to them.

After I graduated from the University and was looking for a job, all my creative portfolio with all of my research of nine years, sketches, paintings was destroyed in a house fire. I was so devastated to be left with nothing to show and present myself to a future employer that I was at a loss what to do. Nobody would hire me without seeing my work. And all of that work was wiped out in one day.

I had to pick myself up and start all over again. Only this time, I became my own employer. It took me some time to get organized, but now I am reaping off results of that hard work.

CW Is there anything that was a surprise to you that you did not expect on your way creating Harshita Designs?

Harshita I was caught by surprise at the speed my business grew. Now, Harshita Designs can be found in over 80 stores and museums nation-wide. Plus, tea-rooms are really interested in my tea pot designs and sell my silks to their customers.

By growing so fast, I want to make sure that the product is never compromised. We use high-end dyes in India and sew garments in New York.

CW How do you see Harshita Designs will effect your life in the future?

Harshita It will keep me very busy, as I am focusing on new designs and new product lines all the time.

I continue to draw and create new things. Would never like to see my silk creations go out of style. That’s why I’m on the creative move all the time.

CW What is the #1 Thing you would like your customers to know about your products?

Harshita That it is unique and hand-made. No mass production for each item.

CW If we talked to All of your family and friends – imagine them in one room at the same time – what would you tell them about what you do? – What would they tell Me about your involvement with your company?

Harshita They would tell you that I love my creative work and have a lot of passion and creativity for what I do.

I came to this country at seventeen. Though my family was conservative, the blessings of my grandparents got me here. All that my maternal grandmother taught me to do (painting, sewing, dancing) got me started working on my career. My father’s side always pushed me to do what I intended to do. That was a great balance I always admired from my grandparents.

CW What keeps you going day after day?

Harshita Passion. I exhibit all the time. For my inspiration, I travel. My last year’s Spring collection was inspired by my trip to Bermuda. My Fall collection happened from my ideas I got by traveling to Spain.

During my travel I just absorb and be.

A lot of colors come from my culture. But I like to blend East and West. So far, I have over 100 designs in clothing and scarves.

CW How do you celebrate: your achievements; mistakes and miscalculations; and even failures?

Harshita I take constructive criticism very well. It helps me growing. I want to resolve mistakes and have a quick resolution, when such mishaps happen.

CW After a long day, when you close your eyes and reflect on the day, just before you go to sleep, what goes through your heart and mind?

Harshita I am very pleased and satisfied with any day. I feel peace, calm, enjoyment, pleasure. It is so empowering to feel that I can do it all.

*****

This woman never stop going and growing and creating her inspirational designs that keep bringing joy and happiness to so many women. Check Harshita’s products in this post: Can Silk Canvas Speak?
http://celebratewomantoday.blogspot.com/2010/07/can-silk-canvas-speak.html

PS: If you have any questions to Harshita Lohia, please leave them in the comments below. She will definitely read and answer them.
PPS: If you know a woman-entrepreneur who has created healthy product(s), please let me know, so we could spread the word about her and her contribution to this planet.

Disclosure: I only write about products I believe in personally. I am not compensated for my opinions. 

Founder, CelebrateLifeNutrition.com
Curb Your Appetite – Stop Your Cravings
VP Programs Development, ScaleDown for Life
VP Education, GoZonkers Inc.
©2010 Laura Gontchar. All Rights Reserved.

Personal Care Products for Girls Make Them Sparkle...

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Yes, these amazing shampoos, lotions, body washes have been designed without any harmful chemicals. And this alone makes your beauty princess radiate – sparkle – with health and happiness, and go about her day focusing on her important stuff.

All that became possible thanks to Sparklehearts – naturally beautiful personal care line for girls of any age.

It is so hard to design an eco-friendly product that is effective as well. I’ve tried a zillion of products that boast of natural ingredients. Regretfully, they do not perform as I wish they could.

Even harder to find a way to the market for a new product. I was so inspired by two women who did such a tremendous job creating an absolutely healthy product for girls in addition to successfully introducing it to the mass market.

Sparklehearts is the baby of Hilary Orr and Darcy McMahon, two moms who tirelessly wove together their inspiration and need for natural beauty products for girls.

Our guest today is Hilary Orr, who willingly agreed to open up a curtain of mystery of how ALL that has been done, accomplished, delivered for all the girls to enjoy.

*****

CelebrateWoman (CW) What got you started on the path of developing Sparklehearts products?

Hilary Orr (Hilary) My girls! I have always used natural and organic products on my children as babies. When they got older, my daughters wanted to use the "fun" bath products. Unfortunately these fun products contain horrible chemicals that are both harmful for their bodies and the environment.

There was a complete void in the market for a all natural, yet fun bath products. My good friend Darcy was in the same position with her two girls. I asked her to join me on my mission, and she said yes. We were off and running.

CW What was your life before you started this company ... and after ...?

Hilary Life before and after is pretty much the same.

CW Who are those remarkable people that influenced your creative, professional, and personal life that lead you to starting and sustaining this company?

Hilary My girls were definitely my inspiration for starting Sparklehearts. I am thankful to my partner Darcy for sustaining the company, as she keeps me motivated.

CW Has your involvement with your SparkleHearts products and company changed your self-image, and your relationships with family, friends, romantic involvement?

Hilary I surround myself with amazing people who love and support me. All has pretty much remained the same. I have an amazing husband too!

CW If you had to do it all over again, would you? And why?

Hilary Absolutely, I would do it again. I strongly believe in my products and feel that I am helping young girls make healthy choices with what they are putting on their bodies.

CW Is there anything that was a surprise to you that you did not expect on your way creating SparkleHearts?

Hilary Of course. I should have listened to everyone that said plan on investing three times as much money and twice the time!

So many instances where I felt I would take a step forward then five steps back. It took a lot of perseverance to actually get ahead and make progress in the product development and launch.

CW How do you see Sparklehearts will effect your life in the future?

Hilary I see it effecting my life in a very positive way. The more I see young girls across America using Sparklehearts, I can't help but feel responsible for creating a fun natural alternative to the chemical laden products out there that so many girls want to use.

CW What is the #1 Thing you would like your customers to know about your SparkleHearts product?

Hilary That it is safe and effective!

CW What keeps you going day after day?

Hilary Knowing all of the time and money that has been invested in my company. The birth of Sparklehearts has happened, now I must nurture this baby every day or it will not survive.

CW How do you celebrate: your achievements; mistakes and miscalculations; and even failures?

Hilary Achievements... I love to celebrate with my family and friends. I love to keep positive people around me that I know will support and love me.

As far as mistakes and miscalculations... I have had many, but everyone needs to move on and not dwell and what could have been. I try to stay focused on the end result. Same with failures – everyone learns by failure, I can forgive myself easy and always learn by failure.

CW After a long day, when you close your eyes and reflect on the day, just before you go to sleep, what goes through your heart and mind?

Hilary Always my family and how thankful I am for them.

*****

What’s Next: Disclosure Unnecessary for Sparklehearts Products

PS: If you have any questions to HIlary Orr, please leave them in the comments below. She will definitely read and answer them.
PPS: If you know a woman-entrepreneur who has created healthy product(s), please let me know, so we could spread the word about her and her contribution to this planet.

Disclosure: I only write about products I believe in personally. I am not compensated for my opinions. 

Founder, CelebrateLifeNutrition.com
Curb Your Appetite – Stop Your Cravings
VP Programs Development, ScaleDown for Life
VP Education, GoZonkers Inc.
©2010 Laura Gontchar. All Rights Reserved.

Can Silk Canvas Speak?

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Usually I profile women who are creating healthy products in food, cosmetics, and home usage. Today, it is going to be an exception. For the beauty and inspiration I got from these colors and vibrant designs are beyond any WOW. The pictures for this post will give you a quick idea what I mean.

Chiffon, Crepe, Georgette, Charmeuse silk

These are the fabrics you see below in the pictures

Of course the pictures cannot bring total justice. But the designs and colors do speak their own language – the language of inspiration, peace, love, beauty. And the woman who designs the fabrics has an amazing story to tell: about what she does and how she got where she is now.

Harshita Lohia, originally from Kolkata, India is an amazing artist that pours her heart and soul into her individually designed silk pieces. She chooses to combine colors and elements from her native India, nature, ancient symbols, and modern man-made architectural structures in her skillfully orchestrated creations – scarves, tunics, jackets, shawls.

The designer pieces created by Harshita’s artful eye and hand touches hearts and souls of many women world-wide. In Sanskrit, Harshita means “full of happiness.” This designer, artist, woman infuses her creations with exactly Happiness her name means.

And today, I’d like to bring out the story of Harshita Lohia’s designs for you – to get inspired.

*****

CelebrateWoman (CW) Harshita, who is the primary target for your products?

Harshita Lohia (Harshita) There is a choice of color, design, fashion almost for anybody who likes silks, crepe, georgette, and chiffon fabrics. My wear pieces use vibrant colors. The combinations of them are unique for each individual piece.

Every season, my customers can count on new color combos and design elements. Scarves, shawls, shrugs, blouses, tunics, and jackets, woven design pieces are just a few items that are available for those who celebrate uniqueness in clothing.

In a few words, my customers are women of all ages who love non traditional blend of color and unique design.

CW What is the Number 1 reason someone should buy your products?

Harshita There are a lot of women who would like to make a statement with what they wear. Harshita Designs offers them this opportunity with bold, hand-made, small production numbers for each item. My customers can rest assured that what they get won’t be found anywhere else.

CW Harshita, how is your product different than your #1 competitor?

Harshita The technique of printing for all of my silk pieces is very unique and cannot be reproduced easily. It is very labor intensive and each piece is hand-crafted. To emulate such a process will require a lot of time and money.

CW What benefits will a person receive when using your design pieces?

Harshita All of my pieces like scarves, blouses, skirts are versatile. They can be worn with a lot of different colors, for casual or formal wear. And you can get more use out of one piece of clothing by combining it with your existing wardrobe.

CW How does the price of your designer pieces compare to others in your category?

Harshita Our prices are very competitive with designer pieces sold else where. Naturally, when you get a hand-made piece that is of limited edition, you pay a bit more than for those mass manufactured. But then again, you shall appreciate the love and care it’s made with.

CW Everyone is talking these days about being green. To me, that includes being Fair Trade, being sustainable, and organic. It might even include using alternative energy, or buying energy offsets. How does your company, your product, measure-up on these important issues?

Harshita We recycle a lot, finding use for every single piece of fabric. Our colors are derived from nature. And we work constantly on figuring out how to transfer my working technique with silk onto other organic materials.

Currently, we work with different grades of silk. I use chiffon, crepe, georgette and charmeuse silk for my designs.

CW Where can my readers find your product and learn more about it?

Harshita The website www.HarshitaDesigns.com will give you ideas what I’m working with and where I showcase my designs. Here, you could see more vividly my items worn by models.

*****

Again, the designs and colors of Harshita’s eye and technique are superbly mesmerizing! They call to wear them. To touch them. To get inspired by them.

The silk under Harshita’s masterful hand truly speaks the language of Universal Happiness and Joy.

When was the last time you got inspired by looking at the designer printed silk?

Celebrate Your Senses Today!

What’s Next: Harshita Lohia brings forward a heart-breaking story of her business endeavors.

PS: If you have any questions to Harshita Lohia, please leave them in the comments below. She will definitely read and answer them.
PPS: If you know a woman-entrepreneur who has created healthy product(s), please let me know, so we could spread the word about her and her contribution to this planet.

Disclosure: I only write about products I believe in personally. I am not compensated for my opinions.


Founder, CelebrateLifeNutrition.com
Curb Your Appetite – Stop Your Cravings
VP Programs Development, ScaleDown for Life
VP Education, GoZonkers Inc.
©2010 Laura Gontchar. All Rights Reserved.

Get Teenagers To Eat Veggies Burritos

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I always ask my interviewees to share their favorite recipe they make either for themselves or their kids. SaraJean Cameranesi offered the healthy eating recipe she’s been specializing in for years for her daughter and her friends. Enjoy!

*****

When my daughter was in high school, her friends loved coming over for Burrito Night.  Little did they know….this is also a great meal for leftovers!

Vegetable Burritos

Ingredients:
Large Tortillas
Cooked rice of your preference (brown rice is the best)
Black beans (cooked, rinsed, slightly mashed)
Vegetables (broccoli, carrots, zucchini, cucumbers, mushrooms, corn, cabbage – whatever you have in the fridge – VERY finely chopped)
Optional: leftover chicken/meat/fish, shredded
Cheese, shredded (Mozzarella, Jack, or Colby)

Fresh Pico de Gallo – mix together the following:
½ tomato, chopped
1 T onion, chopped
Lots of cilantro, chopped
Avocado, sliced
Sour Cream
Salsa

Preparation:
1. In an open tortilla, layer all ingredients putting the rice first. 
2. The last layer is the salsa and 1 tsp of sour cream for extra flavor.  Be careful not to overfill.
3. Wrap tightly and heat in a dry pan/griddle, turning the burrito every minute or so to heat all sides. 
4. It helps to heat some of the ingredients, like the rice, beans, and meat, prior to layering. Or if layering is too much work, mix all ingredients together before putting in the tortilla.

If you'd like to learn more about SaraJean Cameranesi, please read here:
A Woman Who Never Stops Moving
Healthy Foods Are Great For Blood Sugar Levels
Weight Loss Motivation Tips by SaraJean Cameranesi, the Coconut World Founder 

PS: If you have any questions to SaraJean Cameranesi, please leave them in the comments below. She will definitely read and answer them.
PPS: If you know a woman-entrepreneur who has created healthy product(s), please let me know, so we could spread the word about her and her contribution to this planet.

Disclosure: I only write about products I believe in personally. I am not compensated for my opinions.


Founder, CelebrateLifeNutrition.com
Curb Your Appetite – Stop Your Cravings
VP Programs Development, ScaleDown for Life
VP Education, GoZonkers Inc.
©2010 Laura Gontchar. All Rights Reserved.

Weight Loss Motivation Tips by SaraJean Cameranesi, the Coconut World Founder

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 RECAP: Business world of coconut industry is huge. To make a mark on the industry, as well as on the lives of millions of people, is an incredible achievement. SaraJean Cameranesi is doing it every day of her life with her Coconut World company that specializes on production and distribution of the coconut sugar.

*****

I have a few additional questions to ask you, of a more personal nature.

My blog was originally directed at weight loss motivation. My readers, however, are constantly asking me about healthy products that I may recommend. When I told the story of a woman who struggled starting a business to create a healthy product, my readers jumped in and asked for more.

Of particular interest to my readers is how women who start, or lead businesses dedicated to healthy products, manage their weight issues on a daily basis – especially when juggling the added roles of wife and mother.

So, would you mind sharing with us your weight issues and experiences?

*****

CelebrateWoman (CW) Have you had weight challenges along the way, especially when you started being involved with your business?

SaraJean Cameranesi (SaraJean) I really did not have any weight challenges in my life. I was an athlete since I was eight. I gained a lot within the first two years of college. That was the only time I struggled with my weight.

Regular exercises and my love for jogging and water sports have helped me to shed those extra pounds and keep me in shape ever since.

CW What is the #1 way you motivate yourself to control your weight?

SaraJean I always thought that whatever I do I need to enjoy it. Same with exercise. Running and dancing are great loves of my life. I also enjoy being outdoors and get advantage of fresh air, water, wild trails. Being outdoors relaxes me and provides energy for everything else I do in my life.

CW What would you tell my women readers who go through their own weight management issues in their busy lives?

SaraJean Getting more fit is hard. Find something that keeps you going and doing it daily. You need to enjoy the process if you want to make physical exercise part of your life. Then, you’re good to go for many, many years.

*****

If you would like to learn more about business and SaraJean Cameranesi, Please read here:
A Woman Who Never Stops Moving
Healthy Foods Are Great For Blood Sugar Levels
Get Teenagers To Eat Veggies Burritos

PS: If you have any questions to SaraJean Cameranesi, please leave them in the comments below. She will definitely read and answer them.
PPS: If you know a woman-entrepreneur who has created healthy product(s), please let me know, so we could spread the word about her and her contribution to this planet.

Disclosure: I only write about products I believe in personally. I am not compensated for my opinions. 

Founder, CelebrateLifeNutrition.com
Curb Your Appetite – Stop Your Cravings
VP Programs Development, ScaleDown for Life
VP Education, GoZonkers Inc.
©2010 Laura Gontchar. All Rights Reserved.

Healthy Foods Are Great For Blood Sugar Level Control

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RECAP: Business world of coconut industry is huge. To make a mark on the industry, as well as on the lives of millions of people, is an incredible achievement. SaraJean Cameranesi is doing it every day of her life with her Coconut World company that specializes on the production and distribution of the coconut sugar.

Never tasted coconut sugar? Read further.

*****

CelebrateWoman (CW) Who is the primary target for Coconut World sugar?

SaraJean Cameranesi (SaraJean) The target audience is the people who are health-conscious and are looking for products that would enhance their food quality intake.

Also, people with Type 2 diabetes may be interested, and those who are hypoglycemic.

CW What is the #1 reason someone should buy your Coconut World sugar?

SaraJeanThe Number 1 reason is that coconut sugar is very low glycemic – 35 on the white bread scale. That means it doesn’t allow huge up and down surges in your blood sugar.

CW How is Coconut World sugar product different than your #1 competitor?

SaraJean Coconut sugar is a very versatile product.

• First, it tastes great.

• Second, it could be used as a 1:1 substitute to sugar, without loosing sweetness for the dishes you make.
• Third, coconut sugar boasts rich mineral content. For each 100 grams of coconut sugar, there are 1,030 mg of Potassium and 79 mg of Phosphorus.

You make your own decision whether to include coconut sugar in your regular diet.

CW What benefits will a person receive when using Coconut World sugar regularly?

SaraJean To mention a few benefits of consuming coconut sugar regularly.

Coconut sugar is low glycemic and won’t give a person sugar highs and lows. The studies show that a low glycemic food regimen can contribute to weight loss and management; reduce the risk of heart disease and improve blood cholesterol levels.

You don’t have to give up your sweets either! People with Type 2 diabetes can consume coconut sugar instead of regular white cane sugar due to its low glycemic number.

And again, coconut sugar tastes great.

CW How does the price of Coconut World sugar compare to others in your category?

SaraJean Compared to regular cane sugar, coconut sugar is more expensive (about 3 times more).

However, if we take a look at all sweeteners that are available in the current market, coconut sugar is very competitive, and even less expensive than stevia.

CW Everyone is talking these days about being green. To me, that includes being Fair Trade, being sustainable, and organic. It might even include using alternative energy, or buying energy offsets. How does your company, your product, measure-up on these important issues?

SaraJean We are keeping in mind the carbon footprint on our planet at all times. Coconut sugar production is very sustainable, as coconut trees grow in abundance without any pesticides and chemicals. These trees do not deplete soil of nutrients.

Coconut sugar production is a year-round business and yields about 75% more crop per hectare than its counterpart cane sugar.

And yes, we are improving our transportation management for our product.

Coconut World is researching sustainable, green alternatives for packaging. There are so many companies that can help us in solving this.

Without being certified organic, the Coconut World coconut sugar is organic by the ways it’s raised and harvested. Yet, to be more competitive, we shall pursue the official organic certifications.

CW When someone reads the ingredients from the label on your product, what would you like them to notice?
 
SaraJean That there is only one ingredient found in our coconut sugar. It is granulated coconut sap. Nothing else is added to it.

CW Where can my readers go to learn more about Coconut World coconut sugar and buy it?

SaraJean Please go to our website www.coconutworld.biz. There, you’ll find a lot of fact about coconut sugar and also the stores it’s being currently sold at. There’s an option on our website to you to purchase the product as well.

*****

I personally use coconut sugar for my daily needs. My two-year-old loves dipping his finger into the pile of the coconut sugar and taste it!

Please take a note those my readers who watch their blood sugar, that coconut sugar is low glycemic. That’s a biggy in our lives when we all strive for a healthier way we eat and function.

Celebrate Your Way of Healthy Eating Today!
(Should I mention that 99% of naturally grown healthy foods are Low Glycemic?!)

PS: If you have any questions to SaraJean Cameranesi, please leave them in the comments below. She will definitely read and answer them.
PPS: If you know a woman-entrepreneur who has created healthy product(s), please let me know, so we could spread the word about her and her contribution to this planet.

Disclosure: I only write about products I believe in personally. I am not compensated for my opinions.


Founder, CelebrateLifeNutrition.com
Curb Your Appetite – Stop Your Cravings
VP Programs Development, ScaleDown for Life
VP Education, GoZonkers Inc.
©2010 Laura Gontchar. All Rights Reserved.

Weight Loss Motivation Tips by Susan O’Brien, The Hail Merry Founder (4)

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RECAP: Susan O’Brien is a raw food genius whose dream is to “create a national brand that can inspire a paradigm shift in the way America perceives and eats snack foods.”

*****

My readers are always talking and asking about women who are successful in their business careers and in their healthy weight maintenance tips.

Susan willingly opens up on her weight loss and weight maintenance points of view.

CelebrateWoman (CW) Susan, have you had weight challenges along the way, especially when you started being involved with your business?

Susan O’Brien (Susan) Absolutely. I am 45 and fighting my new metabolism is tricky. I eat well, so that helps.

My greatest challenge is finding time to work out. If I don’t practice yoga at least 2 times per week ,I really begin to break down mentally and physically. I made a commitment to myself over 10 years ago to make working out and yoga a priority in my life. I still continue to do this.

CW What is the #1 way you motivate yourself to control your weight?

Susan My motivation is a combination of vanity and wanting to feel good. Feeling good being number one. Besides, we all like to look good.

CW What would you tell my women readers who go through their own weight management issues in their busy lives?


Susan You will never be happy in the other aspects of your life if you are not healthy.

We all carry weight differently. I have never thought a super skinny woman looks good.

When you get to be my age, being really skinny makes you look older. Some plumpness is sexy in my opinion. My challenge has always to keep plump without getting a big belly. Once the belly starts to protrude, it’s time to run.....I love to run with my dog.

*****

That’s what Susan thinks and does when it comes down to her weight issues. Each of us is unique. But I think that examples of other women who are successful in their lives really help all of us to get motivated and know that we are beautiful when we are Healthy.

Celebrate Susan O’Brien Today!

Susan’s Way to Happiness and Success, more here:

Hail Merry Hypothesis and Living It Out Loud
What’s Easier: Saying Hail Merry Or Eating Raw?
Hail Merry Never Felt That Sweet!

PS: If you have any questions to Susan O’Brien, please leave them in the comments below. She will definitely read and answer them.
PPS: If you know a woman-entrepreneur who has created healthy product(s), please let me know, so we could spread the word about her and her contribution to this planet.

Disclosure: I only write about products I believe in personally. I am not compensated for my opinions. 

Founder, CelebrateLifeNutrition.com
Curb Your Appetite – Stop Your Cravings
VP Programs Development, ScaleDown for Life
VP Education, GoZonkers Inc.
©2010 Laura Gontchar. All Rights Reserved.

Healthy Living And Doing It Every Day

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As I was at the gym this morning, a powerful and exceptionally inspiring feeling overcame my whole body and soul. I felt incredibly thankful for the ability to exercise, to move, to express my feelings not only emotionally, but also physically.

Being physically active and giving my body a huge boost not only for this very day, but for many, many years is a grand idea in action: I am doing it. Today. Every Day.

My dear women, smart and beautiful, I celebrate the power of our bodies to live our dreams, to achieve, to love and live.

Thank you for being my readers and friends.

Celebrate A Powerful, Active Woman Today!

Founder, CelebrateLifeNutrition.com
Curb Your Appetite – Stop Your Cravings
VP Programs Development, ScaleDown for Life
VP Education, GoZonkers Inc.
©2010 Laura Gontchar. All Rights Reserved.

Hail Merry Never Felt That Sweet!

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RECAP: Susan O’Brien, a RAW woman entrepreneur, shared her dreams and tribulations, and encouragement she’s been receiving on her way to create a healthy raw alternative to everyday snacks.

Today, Susan opens up about her healthy living foods – snacks – the products that can make a huge difference in your and my health.

*****

CelebrateWoman (CW) Here are some questions for you about your product that my readers are truly interested in and talk about on their networks. All of them do care about the health of their families, kids especially. My women-readers do look actively for healthy, non-toxic, green, sustainable products on the market to incorporate them into their daily life, rather than once-a-month-type-of-thing occurrence.

Who is the primary target for Hail Merry products?

Susan O’Brien (Susan) People who seek higher health and great tasting food.

CW What is the #1 reason someone should buy your Hail Merry products?

Susan To heal their bodies.


CW How are Hail Merry products different than your #1 competitor?

Susan They actually taste great.  We work hard to break through the misconception that Raw foods taste bad.


CW What benefits will a person receive when using Hail Merry products regularly?

Susan Improved cholesterol profile, increased metabolism, glowing skin and more energy!

CW How does the price of Hail Merry products compare to others in your category?

Susan Better! We aspire to be the low cost producer of raw gluten free snacks.

CW Everyone is talking these days about being green. To me, that includes being Fair Trade, being sustainable, and organic. It might even include using alternative energy, or buying energy offsets. How does your company, your product, measure-up on these important issues?

Susan It is constantly on my mind. We evaluate our suppliers based on many different criteria all the while wanting to offer affordable healthy foods. A lot of our suppliers provide us organic raw ingredients but they are not certified because they don’t pay the hefty certification fees. Instead they offer the same quality products at a reduced price.

We like to combine our raw ingredients to include certified and non certified organic ingredients so that our prices are accessible to everyone. Our products are a lot more organic than we are able to claim. We cant take credit for these organic ingredients. But in my soul I know I am doing good to offer an outstanding product at the best possible price.

CW Where can my readers find Hail Merry products to buy?

Susan Whole Foods Markets or our online store. Check our website www.hailmerry.com for a full listing of our retailers.

*****

Susan is a dedicated enthusiast of raw and delicious. These two words go hand-in-hand not only in her vocabulary, but also in all of her amazingly tasty raw Hail Merry products. You just may guess that when we eat raw, we get more nutrients as they're intended to be by Mother Nature.

As for the personal note, I love raw. Half of my days are dedicated only to raw foods in my house. Yes, I still love to cook. But this is a topic for a different time.

What's Next: How does Susan manages to stay fit and trip. Her personal motivation tips are next.

If you would like to learn more about Susan O’Brien business endeavors, please read here:
Hail Merry Hypothesis and Living It Out Loud

PS: If you have any questions to Susan O’Brien, please leave them in the comments below. She will definitely read and answer them.
PPS: If you know a woman-entrepreneur who has created healthy product(s), please let me know, so we could spread the word about her and her contribution to this planet.

Disclosure: I only write about products I believe in personally. I am not compensated for my opinions. 

Founder, CelebrateLifeNutrition.com
Curb Your Appetite – Stop Your Cravings
VP Programs Development, ScaleDown for Life
VP Education, GoZonkers Inc.
©2010 Laura Gontchar. All Rights Reserved.

What’s Easier: Saying Hail Merry Or Eating Raw?

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(Actually, you can say and have it, too!)

RECAP: Susan O’Brien had it all in her life. Except, she wanted to share her raw cooking abilities with the world. She is the creator of the Hail Merry Hypothesis.

In this part of my interview with Susan, she shares her “aha” and “no-no” moments she encountered on her way of building her own venture of healthy eating by a working mom.

*****

CelebrateWoman (CW) Is there anything that was a surprise to you that you did not expect on your way creating Hail Merry products?

Susan O’Brien (Susan) OMG yes!  IT is the hardest job ever. Starting your own business is a 24/7 job. I work everyday!  Ignorance is bliss. Had I known this was going to be so hard, it probably would have scared me away. My previous life has definitely been highjacked. It is a good thing I am having a blast.

CW How do you see Hail Merry will effect your life in the future?

Susan Now that I have partners to help me, I can focus on the aspects of the business I love most which is meeting with our customers and retailers. Promoting the brand is really fun. Going to yoga events is actually part of my job description!

CW What is the #1 Thing you would like your customers to know about your Hail Merry products?

Susan That when enjoyed in reasonable amounts and on consistent basis, they will actually begin to heal the body.

CW If we talked to All of your family and friends – imagine them in one room at the same time – what would you tell them about what you do? – What would they tell Me about your involvement with your company?

Susan Well, if you are part of my inner circle of friends and family, you pretty much know what I do since I am all consumed. They would probably tell you I work all the time.

CW What keeps you going day after day?

Susan The opportunity to create a national brand that can inspire a paradigm shift in the way America perceives and eats snack foods.

CW How do you celebrate: your achievements; mistakes and miscalculations; and even failures?

Susan Everyday is a celebration for me! I am grateful to the bone for my husband, kids, business partners, Hail Merry employees, friends and good health.

CW After a long day, when you close your eyes and reflect on the day, just before you go to sleep, what goes through your heart and mind?

Susan I always say a prayer thanking God for my life. I think about each of my children – where they are and if they are sleeping yet. There is always business on my mind. That goes without saying.

*****

Susan is so busy that she has to schedule her time with her beautiful children, giving them what they need during the busiest times of Hail Merry. She is constantly involved in building something truly amazing, healthy, inspiring. She is always on the go with her headset ringing nonstop.

Never the less, Susan enjoys sharing healthy eating habits and recipes with her girls.

Here’s one for you to make and enjoy. Celebrate healthy eating recipes with us.

Hail Merry Macademia Dip Veggie Sandwich

2 slices toasted Udi’s Gluten-Free Whole Grain Bread
1-2 tablespoons Hail Merry Red Pepper Macademia Dip
4-5 thinly sliced cucumbers
Small handful of Microgreens

Preparation:
Spread red pepper macademia dip on your toasted bread slices
Arrange cucumber slices on one side
Top the cucumber with microgreens
Place the second toasted bread slice on your creation

Definition of Microgreens (Thank you, YouGrowGirl.com!)
Microgreens are tender and tangy lettuce and mustard greens that are chopped off young, usually when they are only an inch or so high at the most and barely a few weeks old. They’re smaller and younger than baby greens, which tend to be harvested later when the plants have grown a good three inches tall or more.

*****

Susan, you’re a moving, genius machine with the heart full of love and care. Not only for yourself and your loved ones, but for anybody who truly seeks alternatives to unhealthy eating and living.

Celebrate Susan O’Brien of Hail Merry Today!

What’s Next: In Susan’s own words what Hail Merry products are all about. Stay tuned.

PS: If you have any questions to Susan O’Brien, please leave them in the comments below. She will definitely read and answer them.
PPS: If you know a woman-entrepreneur who has created healthy product(s), please let me know, so we could spread the word about her and her contribution to this planet.

Disclosure: I only write about products I believe in personally. I am not compensated for my opinions. 

Founder, CelebrateLifeNutrition.com
Curb Your Appetite – Stop Your Cravings
VP Programs Development, ScaleDown for Life
VP Education, GoZonkers Inc.
©2010 Laura Gontchar. All Rights Reserved.

A Woman Who Never Stops Moving...

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Yes, you read it right. This petite, brown-eyed, athletically-built business woman has been on the move for the past twenty years. Literally.

She helped other working mothers stay in shape and feel good about what they do. More to that, she contributed to their successes, both in business and personal lives.

Who is this woman? Her name is SaraJean Cameranesi, the founder of the Coconut World – the USA company who offers sustainable coconut sugar to the masses: you and I.

SaraJean’s contribution to your and my health is incredible. As coconut sugar has something that cane sugar cannot deliver.

Before we indulge into the benefits of the coconut sugar, I invite you to peek into SaraJean’s personal and professional life. And be inspired. To do more for your health. To live a greener, cleaner life. To focus on and succeed in your own dreams.

*****

Healthy Living Begins With Dedication In Mind

CelebrateWoman (CW) What got you started on the path of developing Coconut World?

SaraJean Cameranesi (SaraJean) I’ve been enjoying an active life style all my life. For the past twenty years I’ve been a fitness instructor, promoting physical movement as one of the major ingredients to spice our daily lives.

A couple of years ago, I started spending more time with my mom, who helped the Phillippino farmers to increase the value of their crops they grew.

I was inspired by the process those farmers were educated and trained, and how they grew their crops that were the base for their food and non-food products.

After a while, I got so interested in the coconut products and their health benefits that I decided to start my own company and introduce coconut sugar to the American public. Besides, that would tremendously help the farmers.

CW What was your life before you started this company ... and after ...?

SaraJean My life could boast of a lot of exploration and learning, helping people in need. I’ve always been self-motivated and drove myself out of the security zone to accomplish more, to know what I didn’t know before.

Being an extreme athlete, I learned to love nature and physical movement. My love for new and adventure took me to many places to travel.

Opening Coconut World has changed my life tremendously. The company is like a baby requiring a constant attention and a lot of time. I need to be totally focused how to make this business successful by helping people.

Naturally, my family life called for a huge adjustment. From cooking for my family 4-5 times a week, it happens only once. I need to find time for my husband, my daughter, myself.

CW Who are those remarkable people that influenced your creative, professional, and personal life that lead you to starting and sustaining this company?

SaraJean My mom, Perla, is my inspiration and support. Her work with the farmers in the Philippines led me to places I never knew existed.

My business partner Ying is my confidante and huge moving force within the company. Without her, I wouldn’t be able to complete our multiple goals that led us to success.

And yes, my family constantly gives me reassurance that they’re out there for me in any given time, in any situation. That support truly moved me forward.

Personally, I followed smart people, asked “silly” questions. That alone helped me tremendously in my decision-making.

CW Has your involvement with Coconut World sugar products and company changed your self-image, and your relationships with family, friends, romantic involvement?

SaraJean Going into business for myself has added more self-confidence in dealing with different people and business structures. In addition, I learned how to be a better listener. When I keep my mind open to new ideas and practices, things always work out.

Being a fitness instructor, I always inspired others. What I am doing now effects a lot of farmers and their families in the Philippines, consumers here and in the whole world. It’s a huge responsibility and honor at the same time.

CW If you had to do it all over again, would you? And why?

SaraJean I would do it. However, I’d do it differently in the ways of communication. I would communicate more clearly to my family what I were up to. Would spend more time with each of them. This time, my business came first very frequently.

Now, my family life is much more balanced, as I learned to put them first no matter what. I am so thankful to all of them for their undivided support from the very first days of me opening the Coconut World company.

CW Is there anything that was a surprise to you that you did not expect on your way creating Coconut World?

SaraJean I knew nothing about the food industry. It’s been a huge learning experience.

When I started the company, coconut food products didn’t have a positive reputation. A lot has changed since then. Dietary changes influence this business tremendously. It effects how my company is being run and what we do with the product.

Another interesting thing that was a big surprise to me is trade show and expense that goes into them. But we find out that being at a trade show has advantages. They allow us to market our product directly to the interested parties. That’s a huge benefit.

CW How do you see Coconut World will effect your life in the future?

SaraJean I hope that one day Coconut World will create a culture, a viable force, a positive example for other businesses to follow. With that comes honesty in treating your partners and suppliers, integrity in marketing the product, and transparency in all we do.

As the company grows and matures, I do look forward to more time spent hiking and kayaking.

CW What is the #1 Thing you would like your customers to know about your Coconut World sugar product?

SaraJean The Number 1 thing that anybody need to know is that our coconut sugar could be used as a direct substitute to cane sugar without sugar’s high glycemic index.

CW If we talked to All of your family and friends – imagine them in one room at the same time – what would you tell them about what you do? – What would they tell Me about your involvement with your company?

SaraJean They probably would be very proud of me and not terribly surprised that I’m doing this new venture. They do know my dedication to helping as many people as possible.

CW What keeps you going day after day?

SaraJean I have a lot of people counting on me, trusting my business decisions. That is farmers in the Philippines, my family at home, and my business partner who is contributing to the success of the Coconut World in the market. All of them keep me going day after day.

And my active life style contributes to all the energy I get for all the things that need to be done. I love running and do 4 to 6 miles about three times a week. That is a great relaxation for me and helps me to be in great physical shape and mental form.

CW How do you celebrate: your achievements; mistakes and miscalculations; and even failures?

SaraJean I love food. And I do celebrate achievements with great food like Thai or Indian. Or simply I like open a bottle of champagne with my husband when something good happened in business.

When mistakes happen, I usually feel bad about it for a second. But then, I would go for a walk or a run. This way, I get rid of stress and make a better analysis of what happened. This way I learn a lot not to repeat that didn’t work.

CW After a long day, when you close your eyes and reflect on the day, just before you go to sleep, what goes through your heart and mind?

SaraJean I say a thankful prayer to all that helped me during the day. I am thinking how I could lead my life to be of a great example to my daughter and other people.

*****

Simplicity and focus – that’s how I would describe SaraJean’s dedication to better the lives of a great many people on this planet. She is a woman who never stops moving: in mind, in goal setting, in reaching her potential.

She is a true inspiration to me, my great fellow women. The best of all worlds to you, SaraJean, and to the Coconut World, with its most delicious and healthiest coconut sugar.

Celebrate SaraJean Today!

PS: If you have any questions to SaraJean Cameranesi, please leave them in the comments below. She will definitely read and answer them.
PPS: If you know a woman-entrepreneur who has created healthy product(s), please let me know, so we could spread the word about her and her contribution to this planet.

Disclosure: I only write about products I believe in personally. I am not compensated for my opinions. 

Founder, CelebrateLifeNutrition.com
Curb Your Appetite – Stop Your Cravings
VP Programs Development, ScaleDown for Life
VP Education, GoZonkers Inc.
©2010 Laura Gontchar. All Rights Reserved.