Coping, Stress and Anxiety Summit Giveaway

I'm not sure how many times I can say this but, "where did the time go?!"

This year has been a busy one between traveling, work, organizing the GP Walk, home life, and of course my own self-care.  The summer is coming to an end and I hope to have some time soon to share more stories, updates, and photos.  However, today I have a wonderful giveaway and event that I am very excited to tell you about!  

SmaryPants Wellness Package Giveaway

"We are on a delicious mission to put health in reach of more children and grown-ups by bringing simplicity and sanity to our supplement routines."

As someone with digestive trouble, you most likely know how difficult it can be to get the important nutrients in when eating food and even drinking at times can be such a challenge.  We are advised to take vitamins but how do we do that when many of them are enormous, chalky, hard to swallow pills, ones that come back up with fish-burps, or require 4-6 a day?!  And can we trust the ingredients and the bio-availability?

Blendtec Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to Lin M., you are the owner of a brand new Blendtec!  Your name was chosen through random.org for the A-wear-ness Package giveaway.  An email will be sent to you with details regarding shipping.

Thanks to everyone who participated, how much I wish I could send everyone a blender.  You should receive your lovely awareness packages in the mail by Monday but hopefully Saturday (tomorrow!), the day of the 2nd Annual GP Awareness Walk.

Look for lots of pictures to be posted on FB as the event goes on and a followup on the blog soon after.

Wish us luck and sunshine!

$3000 Giveaway and Help Give Me Hope!

Well, it's not exactly a giveaway but it might as well be for what you have the chance of winning!

Hmm, where do I start?  This is honestly a bit awkward for me, that is to ask for help.  My focus for so long has been to help others, to find answers for those of you who are having such a challenging time finding hope and ways to live with this illness.  In fact, I'm still convinced there is hope because I have personally met those who have overcome gastroparesis.  I am more determined than ever to one day be one of these stories because I truly believe our bodies can heal.

So now I must ask you for your help on my own journey AND give you the chance to win a $3000 Kona Cadabra mountain bike!  Not interested or able to take on mountain biking (I personally had to give this up when I got sick)?  Recycle this prize and use it to raise money for your own journey to wellness by selling it or having another auction.

Awareness Walk Donation = Exciting A-wear-ness Package!

The Awareness Walk for Gastroparesis 2013 is right around the corner with only 7 weeks to go!  This year we are doing our best to raise funds for research but even more motivated to spread awareness around the globe.  Friends, family, doctors, dentists, grocery store checkers, you name it...they need to see this invisible illness that lives inside us and realize the affect it has on millions of lives.  Do you or a loved one battle with GP?  By wearing it on the outside those around us become curious, ask questions and eventually may want to do something about it.

July Giveaway: Barlean's Coconut Oil

When I was initially diagnosed with GP fat, became an instant fear as I'm sure many of you can relate to.  However, with the encouragement of the right dietitians and friends, I learned how to include the right fats in small amounts.  After doing some research, coconut oil seemed to be the friendliest one to incorporate and I have been hooked since.  For myself and those I've worked with this seems to digest the best out of most choices for fats.  It is rich in lauric and caprylic acids, great source of medium-chain triglycerides (easier to break down than long-chain), and may support the structure and function of the immune system, cardiovascular system healthy metabolism and energy production, as well as body, skin and hair care.  

Barlean's is a local company here in Bellingham that supplies high quality, organic, non-GMO and gluten free products.  Not only have they been a big supporter of the GP Walk but have generously donated a 16 oz jar for this months giveaway!

For a chance to win you must be subscribed to the newsletter.  Just leave a comment below, either on your favorite way to use coconut oil or what you would like to try using it for.  Look for the name randomly picked on July 16th!

***Note, changed date from 15th to Tuesday the 16th.

To read more about the benefits of coconut oil you can go to the last year's blog post for lots of delicious details.  Look forward to hearing your ideas!

Congratulations Trish O., your name was randomly chosen for the Barlean's giveaway!  Look for an email with details.  Thanks everyone for the comments, I might have to include another giveaway for coconut oil in the future :)

Blendtec Helping to Raise GP Awareness

It's only a few months away from the 2nd annual Awareness Walk for Gastroparesis and I'm so excited about this year's big sponsor.  Blendtec has generously donated 2 of their incredible "super" blenders,  as I like to call them, to help us raise money that will go towards research specifically for GP through the Digestive Health Alliance.

As you can see on the package, they like to say it will "Make Life Smoother," which I could not agree more.  One of the biggest challenges for anyone with digestive disorders is the ability to take in enough nutrition.  Healthy fruits like berries, and veggies such as spinach become a thing of the past for some.  Blendtec is beyond powerful with a blade that spins at over 300 mph and up to 5 times faster than other blenders.  This technology has serisously changed my life!  I'm able to toss in fresh grown strawberries from my garden, cook vegetables and puree them for soups or cubes to freeze and I've even made pumpkin coconut milk ice cream for a tasty treat.

I'm sure you are curious as to how we are going to use the blenders to raise money.  Aside from the sponsors donating funds and prizes, the money used for research needs to come from anyone and everyone we can reach out to.  In addition, it is all about spreading awareness.  To accomplish both we will be selling the t-shirts again this year, which have a funky design that will catch the attention of those around you AND every dollar spent goes directly towards research (see here for more about how last year's funds are being used).
Here is where the Blendtec comes in.  For every t-shirt donation your name will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win.  Not only are you getting a snazzy T that will have people asking more about GP, plus giving funds to a cause that will hopefully provide us with a cure one day, and there is a possibility to win one of these amazing blenders!
Note, this pre-sale will end August 15th in order to go to print.  Shirts will be mailed out first week of September.  This gives us an estimate of how many to purchase from American Apparel and the necessary funds ahead of time for the actual order.    

Options for donating: Cost - $20 + shipping ($5 ships up to 4 shirts)
-You can go to this link for information about a-wear-ness packages.
                                                 
Live in or near Bellingham?  Send me an email and I'm happy to meet up with you to save shipping costs!

To find out more about details for this year's walk go to this link.  Questions?  Please let me know by email or in the comments below.  Now let's spread awareness and raise some funds!

Click here for more about last years walk and to view photos.

Macrobar Giveaway

It's time for the monthly giveaway.  I'm so excited because Go Macro has kindly offered to participate by giving three of their most GP friendly Macrobars out to not only one, but THREE of you!

If you have been following me for awhile you are probably aware of my love for these delicious, protein packed, organic, non-GM0 bars.  Most of the GP'ers I've worked with and have been in contact with seem to tolerate them quite well, including myself.  In addition, Go Macro was a big sponsor of the first annual Awareness for Gastroparesis Walk last September, donating funds for GP research and boxes of bars for the walkers and volunteers.  

Winter Wellness Giveaway

I'm excited to once again share a wonderful product from Snow Lotus Aromatherapy.  Last April we gave away Digest Ease, used for relief of indigestion, gas, bloating and other digestive discomforts.  With winter upon us (is it really November already?), it's time to really focus on staying healthy and keeping our immune systems strong.  

The Winter Wellness Sampler includes 4 essential oils: 

Sinus Clear - Gently helps open congested sinuses, relieves nasal stuffiness and discomfort, combats any pathogens present and stop nasal discharge.

Immune Stim - May be used preventively as well as for actual infections, as needed. It may be helpful with chronic or recurrent conditions of lowered immunity, long-term fatigue and low stamina.

Vir-Away - Can sanitize and disinfect areas and spaces against pathogens, and especially viruses.

Spirit Lift - Promotes  optimism and is also helpful with worry, obsession and sleeping difficulties.

For a chance to win this giveaway sign up for the monthly Journey with GP newsletter, which also features updates and a recipe!  Winner will be posted on 11/15.  

For more information about these oils and Snow Lotus, visit www.snowlotus.org.

*Congratulations to Dorothy T on the Winter Wellness Essential Oil kit!

Sharing Scents

Congratulations Anna D. on winning the Digest Ease essential oil.
Thanks for participating, it makes me so happy to share items to help live our best with GP :)