Moving to TuffPhit.com

It's been a while since I have posted on YHH. I apologize for that. I have been spending a lot of time getting TuffPhit.com up and running.

With almost 700 email subscribers on Your Happy Hearts, I am encouraging you all to subscribe to TuffPhit.com. Ok, maybe begging is more like it. Just being honest! :)

I am not only posting about my journey back into fitness, but about my daily struggles with overcoming breast cancer and all the wonderful doors God continues to open for me. I am working on a book and as soon as I feel my journey has slowed to somewhat of an end, I will get it ready to be an ebook for a more in-depth personal look at my story of survivorship.

I recently decided to walk in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer this coming Saturday May 5th. (Donations welcome!) God opened yet another AMAZING door, and I was asked on Friday to be the Survivor Speaker to kick off the walk. This is a huge honor. It's a great platform to be able to speak to others about early detection, and how finding cancer soon enough really can save your life. I'm LIVING proof.

Each one of us who struggle with breast cancer do it in a unique way. There is no right or wrong answer. Many women have had to endure chemo and radiation (or still are) while losing all their hair. While others lose their boobs and go through the reconstruction, as I did, and physically and mentally struggle to find themselves again. Then their are those who have lumpectomies and the cancer tumors are removed. Each journey is different but still so life changing. As each women's emotions are unique and their own, we are viewed by others as handling the situations different and maybe not how "they" would deal with it. Many women cry out loud for the world to see while others hide in a dark closet and let only God and family see them struggle. Neither one is wrong! It's a horrible experience that must stop with finding a cure.

On TuffPhit.com I am now doing youtube vlogging as well!! Get to know me on a personal level and workout with me. I may be limited in what I can do, but I won't stop. These videos and workout plans are great for the fitness beginner or breast cancer survivors who can finally get off that couch and back into life. I also have several amazing giveaways coming up. GymBoss being one of them. It's a personal interval timer to keep you moving throughout your workout. Look for that giveaway on TuffPhit.com soon!

Here's a TuffPhit.com vlog preview:


I have made this a very easy transition for all my beloved Your Happy Hearts blog fans. Just fill in your email address in the box below. Then remember to go to your email and click on the verification link. You will then receive TuffPhit.com posts and videos. (Check your trash as sometimes they have a nasty habit of landing there.) Now you are ready to continue this wonderful journey with me. And I Thank You!

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Don't forget to "like" me on Facebook. I try and post inspirational quotes, comments, and my personal stories throughout the week. You can always contact me there for questions, suggestions or share your story. If you have a more personal note, you can send it to my inbox and I ALWAYS reply.


 God bless and I hope to see you on the other side. TuffPhit.com that is! Angie Christine

Susan G. Komen and Planned Parenthood

Susan G. Komen has funded mammograms through Planned Parenthood for years. Their relationship looked to be coming to an abrupt end this past week. Thousands voiced their opinion one way or the other and SGK retracted their statement.

As many of you know, I've worked closely with SGK over this past year. Not only did I participate in the Race for the Cure in September, raising over $1,000, but I did some speaking events, modeling, and a photo shoot/survivor story was published on their web page.

SGK introduced me to New Balance Shoes and the "Lace Up For the Cure" program. I was soon named Honorary Team New Balance Member of 2011 for my community. SGK reached out to me from day one supplying my husband and I with the "black bag". The day of my diagnosis we were given this black bag which adorned a SGK pink ribbon. It was full of binders, books, and pamphlets on how to adjust and cope to our new life's situation. Although I didn't want anything to do with this black bag the first couple weeks, I eventually found the information helpful and comforting.

I knew Susan G. Komen was supplying grant money to Planned Parenthood. I was told it was for mammograms only and the donations were closely watched to make sure they were not used on abortions. I never wanted to support or fund raise for abortions!!!

Nancy Brinker, CEO/Founder 

As much as SGK didn't want their relationship with PP to become political, at some point, how could it not havet? When did they tell themselves sending grant money to PP would not upset American Women one way or the other? Most women either didn't support SGK from day one, fully supported this relationship, OR they turned and looked the other way on this one topic, as was with me. Then this last week a major event happened, changing the face of SGK for what I believe to be permanent.

For those of you who didn't hear or didn't follow Fox News, MSNBC.com,  Las Angeles Times, your local news, the Susan G. Komen facebook page, or the Planned Parenthood FB page, let me give you a quick summary:

Susan G. Komen implemented a new "rule" for their grant programs. If a foundation is under investigation for the misuse of funds, Komen would not provide a new grant upon their contract renewal. Since the Republican party has now started an investigation on Planned Parenthood for possible misuse of federal tax dollars, believed to be used for abortions, (which is illegal), SGK announced Tuesday they were going to stop future grants from being renewed with PP.

Political or not, I agree with this move. Think of it this way. Your Uncle needed help and for the past few years you have financially supported him. Then you find out he is being charged with Retail Fraud, Breaking and Entering a Building w/Intent to Rob/Steal While Armed, and Welfare Fraud. Do you really think you are going to give him any more money until these charges are taken care of? Innocent or Guilty, you may think twice!

When SGK announced Tuesday they were not renewing their grant contract with PP, shit hit the fan. There's no other way to put it. Women from either side came out of the wood work to voice their opinion. PP quickly received over $3 million in donations within 3 days and over 10,000 new FB likes.

SGK received backlash due to their decision. FB fans were giving them hell for their announcement. While few were giving them praise. Self-declared democrats stated in several different comments: "SGK has bowed down to the republican party and didn't stand up for what was right." "They caved in to the pressure from the republican party."

Now lets look at some numbers: SGK granted $620,000 to PP this past year. Out of 4 million mammograms PP performed over a 5 year period, 140,000 of those were paid for by grant money from SGK. 4 MILLION, and 140,000 were from SGK? For those so upset that mammograms would not have been available, I think PP would have been able to continue on. And where's the proof that PP was only using the money for mammo's and not abortions? Thus the investigation by the government.

So with continued pressure and media outbreaks, Friday SGK retracted their statement saying that "PP would still receive the grants. They were retracting their statement.  They changed the new "rule" to state "Political investigations did not count and only criminal investigations that were PROVEN would stop a grant." They apologized for any miscommunication on their part and the confusion. PP replied: "We are enormously grateful that the Susan G. Komen Foundation has clarified its grantmaking criteria, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with Komen partners, leaders and volunteers."

Now I say they caved to the Democrats!

So no matter your view point on this, political or not, abortion or not, I personally am not happy with their quick announcement, the pressure of the public, and the quick change back of their minds.

I don't believe Nancy Brinker has lost site of her sister's dream, as seen in this video she released 2 days ago. You can see her tearing up as she talks about her promise to Susan. But I do feel that damage control is not going touch the backlash of their decision with funds and Planned Parenthood.

(1,330 likes and 6,425 dislikes as of the posting of this article.)


Please comment and share your opinion. Because I know you have one.

From my heart to yours,
Angie Christine.

beautisol Self Tanning Product Review

beautisol offers a natural alternative to sunless self-tanners. So many of us who are now trying to make a conscious effort to be healthier and make better choices, still love the feel of a healthy glow.  We could debate for hours if tanning beds are safe. I continue to use one on the occasion for Vitamin D and to keep a nice color all year long. It also helps with the winter blues/seasonal depression. But you can't argue the fact, that sunless tanning sprays and lotions are full of chemicals that not only die your skin but then run through your blood stream. Chances are you're inhaling them as you're sprayed. Even if you hold your breath you are standing in a cloud of chemicals. And who knows what the long term effects of that can be? Hollywood has been spray tanning for years as they believe tanning beds are bad for you. But there just isn't enough research done on the sprays either. So I guess you have to ultimately choose what is right for you. 

Body Self-Tanning Lotion, Dark Tan

With beautisol sunless tanners you can get a healthy glow without all the added nasty chemicals. These are not organic or 100% natural, but are paraben free, propylene glycol free, and cruelty free. With ingredients like Honeysuckle, KuKui seed oil, and Vitamin E. It also contains: Dihydroxyacetone - A simple carbohydrate from plant sources like sugar cane that together with your skin’s amino acids create a deep, golden brown tan within hours. This is a much better alternative to other over the counter-pharmacy sunless tanners.

Face Self-Tanner

I received a sampler kit. This was a nice way to check which product can work best for your skin type and natural color. With this kit came the Body Self-Tanning Lotion in dark tan, the face self-tanner for dry skin, and the face self-tanner for oily skin. I also received two pairs of gloves ( a must! ) and instructional post cards for proper application.

My personal overall experience with this product was good. The first time I applied it, I used very little and was careful to use my gloves. It comes out of the bottle very dark allowing me the ability to see where I was applying the product. This helped with creating an even glow. The scent is almost a floral smell which faded over time. I tend to apply before bed and let is do it's work while I sleep. The second time I applied, I had not exfoliated and learned quickly this is a must. I also used quite a bit more and it didn't really soak in that well. After trying to get it to smooth out on my face, I removed my gloves to spread better with my hands. I did stain my hands a bit. Also, within about a half hour or so I rubbed my face and was rubbing the product off with my skin that should have been exfoliated. So learn from my mistake. Clean, exfoliate, dry, and then apply a nice thin layer. Don't try to put a ton on at once. It's better to do thin layers and do it a few times, if you want a darker end result.

I have attached their first video in a series of instructional videos for perfecting the application of sunless tanners. They are very educational and well done. So check them out, then hop on over to beautisol to get your summer glow during the winter blues.

A Torn Heart

My heart is torn in two. Your Happy Hearts.com or Tuff Phit.com? I guess with all things in life you have to be willing to divide your time. For those of you who are new to reading YHH.com due to my BC summer, Welcome! I wanted to give you a little background information and update you on future things to come.

I started YHH several years ago as a blog to keep myself accountable to a healthier lifestyle. Through the years, YHH saw several changes in post styles as well as appearance. (I thank my long time readers for going through the changes with me.) I hopefully have grown in my writing over the years and kept you entertained. I look back at some of my old posts and wonder how I ever had companies agree to work with me in product reviews. I believe I have come a long way since then. I have tested several fitness items, as well as organic products on YHH. It's fun to bring readers an honest review on products as well as to test them.

This past April, as many of you already know, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. After two surgeries (and maybe more to come) plus a daily pill, I am able to move forward. It's not as easy as that last comment makes it appear, but that's the most general I can be.... unless I write a book. (Which I am working on too!)

All summer I dedicated myself to Your Happy Hearts by changing it up to become organic, bringing cancer awareness, and sharing God's healing power. I shared with you my Susan G. Komen photo shoot, the Race for the Cure, as well as my New Balance new title of "Honorary Team New Balance Member of the Year".

Now, finally being able to get back in the gym, I am posting again at Tuff Phit.com. Without anything to write about, while being away from fitness for eight months, my Tuff Phit blog sat and waited for me to be able to workout again.  I am ready to get moving and follow my original dream of being more involved in the fitness industry. I am studying again to be certified as a Personal Trainer (with NFPT) as well! I am hoping in the next few months, I will be posting YouTube videos on exercise movements, healthy cooking in the kitchen, and photos of myself as I build my muscle and regain my strength.  Tuff Phit can also be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/tuffphit. Please "like" Tuff Phit for more interaction and see a more personal side of me. I love questions and comments too. (Of course YHH has a facebook too!) Tuff Phit will be setting up a twitter account for those who tweet!

Your Happy Hearts will continue to bring you organic living/health related posts. So don't go anywhere.

Please subscribe to Tuff Phit.com for fitness and gym equipment related reviews!

From my heart to yours,
Angie Christine.

How To Make Toothpaste

A dear friend of mine, Diane Kidman, writes and runs DK Mommyspot and An Uncommon Thread and is also the author of "Herbs Gone Wild; Ancient Remedies Turned Lose". You can now purchase her book as an ebook on Amazon for only $.99! I trust Diane to always bring great remedies and recipes to her articles and posts, and that they have been tested and tried.

So when she posted on how to make toothpaste, I thought this was something I really needed to share with my readers. So I do not take credit for this recipe and give it all back to Diane. We must take Fluoride out of our lives as well. Don't let anyone tell you it's good for you. It was, back in the day, when it wasn't IN anything. But now it's not only in your toothpaste but tons in your water. (Unless you are on well water as I am). Having a filter on your faucet is the best protection from too much Fluoride.

So here's Diane's recipe:

While it may sound like a complicated process, learning how to make your own natural homemade toothpaste couldn’t be easier. Chances are, you already have some of the ingredients rattling around your kitchen; and if you don’t, they’re easy to find and inexpensive.
Here’s the recipe:
2 Tbs. baking soda
2 Tbs. organic coconut oil
1/2 tsp. organic raw honey
3 – 5 drops essential oil such as spearmint, peppermint, cinnamon or clove
Just a dash of sea salt or Kosher salt
Dump all these ingredients into a bowl and smash it all with a fork, mushing the coconut oil into the mixture until it looks just like – well, just like toothpaste. Scrape all the well-mixed paste into a glass container with a tight fitting lid and use just as you would your regular, expensive, and not-so-natural paste.
That’s it! You’ve just learned how to make a natural and homemade toothpaste at a fraction of the cost of store bought brands and is safe enough for even the youngest teeth in the family.


So with that..... I am off to the kitchen to make some toothpaste. Enjoy!
From my heart to yours ~ Angie Christine

Homemade Apple Chips

Homemade Apple Chips everyone in the family will love! I was making these in the fall and they are also great for the holidays.

Here's how to make your own healthy apple chips:

First use a small amount of olive oil to lightly grease your pans. Smear it around evenly with your finger tips. If you don't use the oil the apples will NOT come off. Believe me, I have tried both ways. You can use stone or metal cookie sheets. Both work nicely.

Next, slice up your apples. I use the Pampered Chef slicer. No I am not using the guard. But I do recommend it! (If you cut yourself, you can't say I didn't warn you! :) I rotate the apple around the core. Some pieces will be bigger than others. If you feel they are too big just break them in half. I use red and green apples for variation in flavor.

Thermography Breast Exams

Thermography Breast Exams are an up and coming way of replacing Mammograms. Every women is at risk for breast cancer these days. It is on the rise in younger women and not your "grandmother's disease" anymore. In the 1950's it was 1 in every 20 women ages 50 and up. Today it is 1 in every 8 women and as low as age early 20's. We must take time to do self exams and make those appointments to be checked by a physician.

I have talked in the past about self exams. As these are good for finding the tumors, by the time you find one on your own, it would have to be about 1" in diameter. That means it's already well advanced. So yes, finding it within the time span of one exam and another is important, but so is using technology to find it before you do. Meaning it would be even smaller and easier to treat.

What choice do you have when it comes to the detection device used? Here's a few tid bits on each machine and what it does.

 

Report: BPA in Kids' Canned Food

This report is taken from the Breast Cancer Fund's site. I subscribe to their updates and received this email on BPA's found in Kids' canned foods. Of course I believe all foods should be eaten as natural and as raw as possible. No processed foods! What is a processed food? If you bought it and it was made up for you already, it was processed by someone else and loaded with chemicals to keep it "fresh" on the shelf longer.

What happen to the old fashion days of making our dinner on our own? Oh yes, we are to busy. But are you to busy to be sick? Are you to busy to fight some disease in your family and make numerous trips to the doctor? I am.

Please take time to read the report below and take it to heart. It's not only for your heart's health but your children's as well.

Product testing by the Breast Cancer Fund has uncovered bisphenol A, the estrogenic chemical linked to breast cancer in lab studies, in canned foods marketed directly to young kids. BPA in Kids' Canned Food, the Breast Cancer Fund tested six different canned foods marketed to and consumed by kids:
• Annie's Homegrown Cheesy Ravioli
• Campbell's Disney Princess Cool Shapes, Shaped Pasta with Chicken in Chicken Broth
• Campbell's Spaghettios with Meatballs
• Campbell's Toy Story Fun Shapes, Shaped Pasta with Chicken in Chicken Broth
• Chef Boyardee Whole Grain Pasta, Mini ABC's & 123's with Meatballs
• Earth's Best Organic Elmo Noodlemania Soup

Jane Iredale does it again!

Oh how do I write a quick review? I just can't on this one. So please take the time to read it. It could be the best holiday gift you find for that PERFECT someone. 

I previously wrote a review on an amazing little lip balm where Jane Iredale donates 100% of their profits to breast cancer awareness from each purchase. (Thank you Jane Iredale for your support!) So when they asked me to try their NEW, HOT OFF THE PRESSES lip balm, I didn't hesitate to say YES.

Beautifully wrapped with a sprig of lavender on the signature sealed Jane Iredale tissue paper, I was excited to open it up and see what this special holiday surprise was. Sugar & Spice ChoholoLicks! The case in which the lip balm slides in to, creates the illusion of a candy bar. As I slid the balm out, I was giddy (yes, I used the word giddy) about the packaging. I opened the case and was wowed by the scents which flooded my kitchen. Four smooth lip glosses in colors of Blood Orange, Espresso, Very Berry, and Chili Pepper. I picked up the lip wand and gazed for just a moment, trying to figure out just how it worked. When I pulled on the end of the wand and the brush popped out, I seriously made a little gasping sound. Yup, I was that impressed.

Warning: The only thing I would warn you about, and I don't think it's a flaw with the product, more a flaw with the user, was the unexpected softness of the lip-balm. I was expecting it to be more solid than it was. Usually the kind with wands are hard and you have to press down with the brush and wipe it across the surface over and over. I pushed a little too hard my first time. I put a deep gouge in my first color choice. It took a few uses to smoothed it out.

Tea Forte' Review

Tea Forte' "Tea over Ice" is a beautiful and TASTEful idea.  After opening the carefully packaged Brewing Pitcher Tea Set, and smelling the wonderful scents in the 12 Over - Ice Portico collection, I was excited to try it out for myself.

The larger pitcher on the bottom is filled with ice. The smaller top pitcher is filled with steaming water. Placing the pyramid tea bag in the hot water and steeping for 2-3 minutes, you can have amazing flavored tea. The adorable metal stem and paper leaf atop the tea bag, slide through the hole of the steeping jar's lid and hold the tea bag in an upright position. The first tea I tried was the Pomegranate Blueberry black tea. The smell was fantastic and it darkened quickly.

Nature's Gate Giveaway

Nature's Gate has just about anything you would need for an natural home.  Hair, Bath and Skin care, deodorants, oral, facial, acne, and sun care. These products are free of Sulfates, Parabens, Phthalates, PEG, EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Animal ingredients and no animal testing.

I am so pleased with the shampoo and conditioner from Nature's Gate. I finally found something I feel safe using, smells great, and foams up in the shower. Lavender and Aloe Shampoo is created for dry or damaged hair. My hair had been through the wringer with old coloring and then hi-lights to boot. So switching to an organic plant based color and using natural shampoo and conditioner, I have gotten my hair back into great shape. I have been using this shampoo for about a month and a half. As I don't shampoo my hair everyday, because of the length and style time, I am still using the same bottle. A little does go a long way. Nature's Gate price is only $7.99! May be a little more expensive than your grocery store shampoo but way less than salon prices. I feel they are reasonably priced for being a product made with mostly natural ingredients!

Lavera Naturkosmetik Giveaway

Lavera Naturkosmetik is another great site to get eco-chick makeup. They offer not only makeup up but hair care, body care, toothpaste, anti-aging, men's skin care, baby care, and much more.

Their makeup is designed for sensitive skin. No product is made with harsh chemicals. They are made of pure organic plant oils, herbs, flowers, and essential oils. This company is Cruelty Free and Gluten Free. Most importantly, for us cancer conquerors, they are free of parabens, petroleum and synthetic preservatives, emulsifiers, and fragrances.

I had the opportunity to try their Long Lash Mascara. Now I personally lack in the area of long lashes and am always seeking out something to extend those lashes. As this was a great mascara, and I do use it almost every day, I did not find it to make my lashes Kim Kardashian long. I believe you have to have some what of an eye lash for it to extend to a visible difference. With that aside, I DO like this product, the way it smells, and it's long lasting power. But wasn't 100% excited with the lengthening aspect of the mascara. The fact it is natural I will continue to use it. I do NOT use any store boughten, over the counter, chemical makeups. I am totally organic on all my cosmetics at this time! A side bonus, this mascara does not clump. I can't stand a mascara that leaves you with bunched together lashes. You do get a nice soft appearence with Lavera.  This mascara retails for $22.50.