Janice Thompson's Blog, page 12

To Everything Turn, Turn, Turn…

It’s Fall and change is in the air! Soon the leaves will be changing and we will turn our thoughts to the impending winter season. We’re not worried about the shift in seasons; in fact we welcome it. And why not? Change isn’t a bad thing. In fact, it’s often necessary.

I’ve been through a lot of changes over the years, but few as radical as the one I’m currently going through. Over the past twenty months I’ve dropped ninety-one pounds–doing it the old-fashioned way (through diet, exercise and good nutrition/supplements).

Many would argue that I was fine just the way I was. After all, I’m the resident “funny girl,” a laugh a minute…right? Don’t the words “jolly” and “chubby” go together? Isn’t there more to giggle about when there’s more of you?

Not necessarily.

It might surprise my readers to know that my personal journey hasn’t always been as light-hearted as my stories. Just the opposite, in fact. I’ve been riddled with health problems (sleep apnea, arthritis, high blood pressure, etc.). That’s why I finally decided to drop the weight and begin to focus on my health. I dove right in and haven’t looked back. In fact, I’m convinced this new attitude is really a life shift.

So many people have come to me, asking the “What are you doing?” question that I blogged about my journey. I even wrote a funny story about my exercise experience.

Today I decided to add something else to my repertoire. . .a video, which I posted to youtube. In it, I chronicled my journey and recommended some products (vitamins/supplements) that have proved very helpful. You can learn more by checking out the video. I’m tickled to call you my friends, my readers. . .and now my weight-loss cheering squad! Bless you all!

Keeping Dreams Alive in the Golden Years

Today I’m featuring my good friend Bud Harmon! Enjoy this press release about his latest project.

HOUSTON, TEXAS, August 20, 2012: Many would argue that folks in their sixties, seventies and beyond are well past their “dreaming” years. Houston businessman Bud Harmon respectfully disagrees. As he approaches his octogenarian years, this enthusiastic entrepreneur balances life as owner of El Bolillo bakery—one of Houston’s hottest spots for sweets—with his other great passion: music. Bud recently hit the studios to record Workin’ Man, his first easy-listening country CD, which has received great reviews from listeners, both local and national. Crooning favorite tunes like “Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone” and “Today I Started Loving You Again,” this Texas-based musician strikes a chord—both literally and figuratively—with music lovers of all ages.

The driving force behind this project is the song “Workin’ Man Blues,” which pretty much describes Bud Harmon in total—a man who puts in the hours to make his dreams come true, despite his age. He’s not singin’ the blues, though. No sir. This enthusiastic Texan enjoys a hard day’s work, and plans to keep on keepin’ on well into his eighties and beyond. Bud’s advice to other seniors? Don’t give up on your dreams. Keep them alive and believe they can still come true. They will, if you press toward the goal.

Of course, he’s not solely focused on work. In spite of his strong work ethic, Bud’s passion for family comes first. He hails from a long line of musicians who managed to merge their love of great music with a heart for family. That’s why he’s so keen on leaving a legacy for his granddaughters, who are all singers, as well. Songs like “It Had to be You” and “Anytime” reflect his emotional side. And the gospel medley, which includes favorites like “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” “Leave it There,” and “In the Sweet By and By,” draws the listener back to a simpler time, when family and faith meant everything.

Yes, Bud’s a man who believes in dreaming, and he plans to keep the dream alive for many years to come. He invites music lovers to do the same by checking out his website at www.budharmon.com. There, they can listen to samples and download songs to enjoy.

His parting words to listeners? “Don’t let age hold you back! Do the work. Live the dream. Make it happen.”

About the Artist

Bud Harmon is a successful Houston businessman and entrepreneur who enjoys a rich family heritage filled with lots of singing and guitar picking. These talents earned him opportunities over the years to perform on many Texas venues with various Gospel artists. At the Music Hall (now the Hobby Center), Bud sang Tenor with The Gospelaires, a gospel quartet, fronting other gospel groups such as the Blackwood Brothers, Gospel Singing Concerts. His lead guitar work landed him place on The Forester Sisters album (also of Houston). Still singing, he and his grand daughters, Michaelis, who sing backup on the album, continue the family tradition.

[image error]

Katie Sue, Heading West (Helping Your Child Through Change)

Katie Sue, Heading West

Thoughts from my wonderful friend, author Eleanor Clark, on the release of her new book, Katie Sue, Heading West.  

Eleanor, can you tell us a little about your new book, Katie Sue, Heading West?

Sure! Thanks for asking. I love this story. It is (mostly) Set in the mid 1800′s when Americans were heading west, and (like the other stories in The Eleanor Series) loosely based on my family’s real story. In this sweet tale, seven-year-old Chelsea Marie isn’t happy about the fact that her family is getting ready to move all the way across the country. Why does she have to start all over again, making new Friends? When Grand Doll shares the story of Katie Sue – a young relative who traveled by wagon train with her family from Tennessee to Texas in 1850 – Chelsea learns that she can truly trust the Lord with all of the changes in her life, even the really big ones. (NOTE: From August 15th – 19th this book will be free on kindle!)

So, this story is a story about the changes that children go through? Can you elaborate?

Yes, sometimes we get so comfortable in our own little world. It’s hard to move from that comfortable place into something new. Transitioning to a new home (and a new school) is especially difficult on children. I dealt with that issue in this story. Katie Sue moves (by wagon train) from Tennessee to Texas. Along the way, she learns to trust God with the changes she’s going through. That is the resounding message of the story: trusting God as you go through changes. What a great message for girls, but what a great message for grown-ups, too!

What advice would you give parents as their children transition from one home (or school) to another?

Always assure them that they will make new friends and that they are not alone. This is the key thing. Kids need to know that God is right there beside them, even when everything else is changing. In Katie Sue, Heading West, the primary character is given a locket with her best friend’s picture in it. In a way, this locket was a reminder that her “best friend” (Jesus) was always with her, no matter where she went.

You mentioned the locket that Katie Sue wore. Can you tell us more about that?

I’m partial to this story because of the locket that Katie Sue wears. You see, that locket is very real! When my mother was a little girl she was given the locket that Katie Sue wore on her neck from Tennessee to Texas. I always loved it as a child. I wanted to wear it! However, I lost my mama’s locket! Talk about devastated. I cried and prayed but never found it. After my mother passed away, we went to close out her house. While going through her things, I found the locket and rushed home to put it on!

Eleanor, congratulations on the release of this book. It’s the third in the series, is that right?

Yes. The Eleanor Series is comprised of seven books that all released in print form a few years back. They are being released in e-book form (one per month) between now and Christmas. I’m tickled to share that the first two books in the series are already on kindle. Click the links to discover more!

Mary Elizabeth, Welcome to America (.99)

Victoria Grace, Courageous Patriot (3.99)

What are you offering my readers today?

One lucky person will have an opportunity to win a hardback copy of Victoria Grace, Courageous Patriot when they leave a comment at the end of this blog!

You’ve been a delight to interview, Eleanor! How can we stay in touch with you?

Thank you so much for having me! Readers can reach me at:

My website: www.eleanorseries.com

My facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/eleanor.clark.50

My Eleanor Series facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheEleanorSeries

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Eleanor_Clark

NOTE FROM JANICE:

Friends, please check out Eleanor’s series. I think you’ll love it. The Eleanor Series will be a wonderful addition to any library. It will also inspire parents and grandparents to research their family’s history. So, as you’re setting your sites to the school year ahead. . .take a moment to look back at where you’ve come from. No matter what changes you’re going through, God will be right there beside you. You can trust Him.

 

A Conversation with my Thighs

The images you see here are real. Note: No body parts were harmed in the writing of this post.

I’ve had a love/hate relationship with my thighs most of my life. Love, because they’ve always been strong. They served me well during my formative gymnastics/acrobatics years. Hate, because they’ve always been larger than the average person’s. You could spot me in a dance recital, even though the outfit matched the ones worn by all of the other cute little dancers. How?

“Oh, right. She’s the one on the left with the big thighs.”

Now, here I am–53 years old, trying to get in shape, and still having a daily conversation with my thighs. If you’ve been following my weight-loss journey, you know that I’m diligent about exercise, particularly biking. Every morning at the crack of dawn (or the “crack of stupid” as some here in the south are prone to call it) I get on my bike. The same thing happens every single morning, at about the 1/4 point in my ride. . .

My thighs begin to cry.

I can hear them. They speak to me with tears lacing their words: “What did we ever do to you? Did we not support you during your formative years? Did we not stick with you when you put on weight? Did we not sit on the sofa with a laptop on top of us for countless hours while you typed, typed, typed that last book? Why then should we suffer?”

On and on the conversation goes. The thighs have their say. I argue back: “But this is good for us! Look how much smaller you’re getting! Don’t you want to be smaller? And think toning, guys! You’ll be the talk of the neighborhood if we keep this up. . .and I don’t mean that in a bad way!”

At this point, my mind gets involved and sides with my thighs: “You look like a goober, riding through the neighborhood on this bike every morning. Do you see that man over there watering his lawn? He’s looking at you like you’ve got two heads.”

I argue back, now speaking to my thighs once again: “Yes, but that man over there will be whistling at us in just a few months if we keep this up.”

My thighs cease their argument. They seem to like that idea.

The sun peeks through the clouds. Janice rides on!

At this point I realize I’m at the halfway point in my ride. The sun is out. My spirits are lifted. The wind is at my back and I’m buzzing along, my thoughts now shifting to the blissful day ahead. On and on I go, all hurdles lifted.

Until I reach the 2/3 point. I round a familiar corner and the wind “strong enough to knock a buzzard off a death wagon” (as my ex-husband was prone to say) hits me in the face. At once, my thighs revolt. “No! We were doing so well!”

They refuse to play along and, in Hitler-esque fashion, I force them to march: “1-2-3-4! Don’t stop! Don’t stop! This is just a hurdle! You’ve faced hurdles before!”

“Yes, but we would rather be sitting on the sofa with a laptop on top of us!” they argue back.

“Soon,” I counter. “Soon we will be home. You can rest.” (I’m lying to them, of course. When we get home, I’ll crank up the WiiFit for round two. But they don’t need to know that. Yet.)

We round another corner and the wind slows. My street comes into view. My thighs breath a visible sigh of relief. (I would show you a photograph of this, but it might alarm you.) By the time we arrive at the house, all angst between us is lifted and we’re friends once again. I climb off of my bike, glance down at my (shrinking) thighs and smile. We are, after all, on the same team. I offer them a congratulatory cheer and we head into the house, where I coax them into working out once more.

Hurdles, anyone?

As I ponder the situation with my thighs, I’m reminded of the hurdles I faced as a young woman, (say, in my 20s and 30s). They seemed huge at the time (like the hurdle at the 1/4 point in my daily morning bike ride). So many times I wanted to stop. The argument between mind and heart took a toll on me. But I jumped those hurdles. I kept riding. And though the arguments/hurdles continued, I kept riding. SO much of what I faced needed to be conquered in the mind, (not the proverbial “thighs” as it were).

What about you? Are you still riding, or have you tossed your bike (metaphorically speaking) into a far corner of the garage? No matter what hurdles you face, no matter how tough the challenge, the only way you will ever overcome it is to get back up on that bike and ride. Yes, your “thighs” will argue with you. No, they will not win. Not if you press your way through!

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

(Hebrews 12:1-3)

Press on! And may your thighs be with you!

Become a Courageous Patriot!

Interview with Eleanor Clark, author of Victoria Grace: Courageous Patriot

Eleanor, welcome! I’m so excited to have you as my special visitor today. Can you tell my readers a little about yourself?

I should start by telling you that I just celebrated a very important birthday—my 80th! And yes, I’m still very active! I’ve spent years researching my family’s lineage. After discovering some exciting stories, I decided to write them down in The Eleanor Series, a series of seven books for girls of all ages (and good for boys, too). I spend every day telling others about my books and sharing my love of faith, patriotism and godly character. What a wonderful life I lead!

All seven books have released?

In print form, yes! And now the books are releasing in e-book form. The first, Mary Elizabeth: Welcome to America, released last month. This month I’m releasing the second book in the series in e-book form. Victoria Grace: Courageous Patriot just went live on kindle!

Tell us about the book you’re featuring this week.

I’m so excited about the e-book release of Victoria Grace. The story is set during the time period of America’s War for Independence and is loosely based on a real family story. Here’s the official blurb: Eight-year-old Sara Elizabeth has just started a brand new year of school, but doesn’t like it. If she had her way, she would just quit and never return. She’s just too scared, to be honest. However, when Grand Doll visits the school and shares the story of Victoria Grace, a little girl from their family who lived during the time of the Revolutionary war, Sara learns that God can give her the courage she needs to face life’s many challenges.

I understand this story really hits home for you.

Yes. My great-grandfather (several times over), David Spence, fought for my freedom during the American Revolutionary war. That’s why it’s so important to me to write a book set during that time period. I’m so proud to have a lineage of courageous patriots and pray my readers will catch the vision!

I love that the stories in this series are based on real family history. What fun you must have had researching!

Oh yes, I had the time of my life. Distant relatives (great-great grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, granddaughters…all played a role in building the characters in this series).

I understand you’ve been very active in political circles and feel strongly about courage and patriotism. Can you tell me more about what freedom means to you?

High on the list are these two things: Enjoying freedom of speech and the freedom to worship as I please. When I talk to my grandchildren about freedom I remind them that we live in a country where we can come and go as we please, buy as equals, and worship as we want. We can speak our thoughts/beliefs freely.

Eleanor, what are your thoughts on the phrase “Freedom isn’t really free”?

Our freedom cost a lot and that price is still being paid today by modern-day courageous patriots like Victoria Grace! I don’t even want to imagine the difference between the freedoms we face as Americans and what people in another countries go through. I hope my story, Victoria Grace: Courageous Patriot, shares my gratitude to those who paved the way so that we can enjoy our freedoms!

Speaking of freedom, we just celebrated the 4th of July. What do you think of when you celebrate this special day? 

The fourth of July is usually about family, watermelon, picnics and fireworks. To me, it’s so symbolic of the freedoms we enjoy! Think about it: in other countries people stand in food lines to get a crust of bread and in America we have all this abundance. We need to freely share what we’ve been given.

What can we do to be modern-day patriots?

Show your patriotism. Stay loyal to the flag and the Constitution. Remember our forefathers (like the brave men in my story) who fought so hard for our freedom so that we can be free.

How do I order a copy of the book?

Victoria Grace: Courageous Patriot is immediately available on kindle. It will be free from July 16th – 20th, $3.99 after that), or in hardback (through my website).

Will the other books in The Eleanor Series release as e-books as well?

Yes, and I’m so excited about the adventure ahead! The books will release one per month over the next several months with the final story, a Christmas story, releasing in early December. Here’s a list of the titles and release dates:

Mary Elizabeth: Welcome to America (now selling for .99)
Victoria Grace: Courageous Patriot (just released/free from the 16th – 20th)
Katie Sue: Heading West (August 15th)
Sarah Jane: Liberty’s Torch (September 15th)
Eleanor Jo: The Farmer’s Daughter (October 15th)
Melanie Ann: A Legacy of Love (November 15th)
Eleanor Jo: A Christmas to Remember (December 1st)

 

What are you offering my bloggers today?

One lucky person will have an opportunity to win a hardback copy of Victoria Grace, Courageous Patriot when they leave a comment at the end of this blog!

 

You’ve been a delight to interview, Eleanor! How can we stay in touch with you?

Thank you so much for having me! Readers can reach me at:

My website: www.eleanorseries.com

My facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/eleanor.clark.50

My Eleanor Series facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheEleanorSeries

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Eleanor_Clark

 

Friends, please check out Eleanor’s series. I think you’ll love it. The Eleanor Series will be a wonderful addition to any library. It will also inspire parents and grandparents to research their family’s history. So, this summer, as you’re setting your sites to the school year ahead. . .take a moment to look back at where you’ve come from. Then, be prepared to leave behind a legacy of love and enjoy your freedoms as a courageous patriot!

My Weight Loss Journey

Hola, friends! It’s a stormy day here in Texas but the sun is shining my my heart. Those who’ve been following my personal journey to “get healthy” probably know what I’m about to share, but others might not. I’m here to endorse a product, one that I truly believe has changed my life for the better. 

So, here’s the deal: Not so long ago, I was seriously overweight and in severe pain with psoriatic arthritis. I had sleep apnea, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and chronic, debilitating pain. I truly didn’t know if I could stand it much longer. The decision was made to start losing weight. Not the first time, obviously. If you read my book I Must Decrease, you know that I’ve cut calories before (both losing and then gaining weight). This time I needed things to be different.

Don’t believe me? Here are a few “before” photos.

Ouch! (Can’t believe I just put those out there for everyone to see!)

The weight has been MUCH slower to come off this time. SO slow, that I kept plateauing. A few months back I ran into an old friend and she shared her passion for an energy drink called Spark. She gave me one and I loved it.

I recognized the name of the company that put out Spark (Advocare) because I’d been on Advocare supplements years ago. My friend (Mary Anne) looked a lot trimmer/healthier than she had the time I’d seen her prior, so I asked what she’d been doing. (Remember, I was on a plateau at this point and pretty desperate to break it. I’d tried EVERYTHING – counting calories, carbs, the HCG diet…everything.)

Mary Anne told me that she was doing the 24-day challenge from Advocare. I went to her site and looked at it, but (honestly) balked at the price. A couple of days later (disgusted with myself for slipping back into unhealthy eating patterns) I decided to buy it. (Nothing like making a major investment to make you want to behave, right? I mean, seriously…if you spend money of something, you’re more likely to do the right thing.) I bought the 24-day challenge and lost seven pounds in the first four days. Holy smokes, right? It slowed down after that, but definitely jump-started me and got the ball rolling again, for which I’m extremely grateful. I added some Catalyst to the regimen. (It’s for belly fat, basically. Pardon me for being so blunt.) Loved it.

At that point I knew I needed to sign on as a distributor and pay my $79 because it was clear I was going to love these products. Results, results, results! (And speaking of which, I’m adding a recent photo of me. Yay!) I not only fit better into airplane seats (yes, this was a “huge” issue for me before), I now fit into “normal-sized” clothing, something that never really seemed possible before. What fun!

Next thing you know, my daughters are interested. Megan, who works as a nanny, has been looking for ways to make $$ above and beyond what she’s already earning. She’s also struggled with serious health issues most of her life so I knew she would be a good candidate. Like me, she’d been “plateaued” for a while.

Megan! “After” weight loss!

Well, check out her most recent photo after taking the 24-day challenge! I’m so stinkin’ proud of her. She’s done great and I’m tickled pink. SO…we both recently got more involved in the program as advisors. I’m not at all interested in selling this stuff, folks. Just want to get a 40% discount (which I now receive).

Megan, on the other hand, needs to sell, sell, sell! She’s got a great site where you can look at the product.

IF you’re struggling with your weight, check out the “Trim” line.

The “active” line is where you’ll find most of the drinks (like Spark and Rehydrate) that folks are so addicted to.

IF you want to improve your health (i.e. you struggle with immune issues, arthritis, lupus, high blood pressure, etc.), check out the “well” line.

IF you want to build muscle mass (especially if you’re involved in sports), you’ll love the Performance Elite line.

Concerned about aging? There’s a “Definite Difference” line for that, too. (And, FYI, Michael W. Smith uses these anti-aging products. I figure he looks pretty dang good for a guy his age, right? So I’ll have to look into these anti-aging products soon!)

I’m not the only one addicted to this stuff (and I am, I must confess). I join countless ranks of others by putting my stamp of approval on these products. Major Christian artists like Michael W. Smith and Kutlass are shameless promoters! And key Christian athletes like Colt McCoy, Jon Brockman, Chad Martin, Mike Rio, Natalie Burgener, and Brandon Slay  are onboard with endorsements, too.

Some people have asked me what products I’m taking, so I’ll list them here (along with their benefits).

10-day cleanse: Just wrapped up a cleanse. Love this phase, FYI. IF you’re not keen on fiber drinks, make a frozen fruit smoothie and add the fiber to it. I promise you won’t even take or feel it. It will just taste/feel like a regular fruit smoothie!

MNS-Max C: This is the “major player” for me. It’s a daily strip of vitamins that comes with the ten-day cleanse. The appetite suppressants are ALL natural. Nothing weird or dangerous. Most of them are teas.

Omega-Plex: Everyone needs to be taking omegas, but not all omegas are alike. If you don’t believe me, check out what Dr. Oz says about the Advocare omegas. If you can’t get any other products, please get this one, especially if you have immune system issues!

Catalyst: I take three of these at a time. It’s known as the belly-be-gone and I’m (thank You, Jesus!) seeing a difference in that (until recently) very problematic area.

Thermo-Plus: These capsules burn 75 calories apiece. You take one at a time, up to three times a day.

Immuno-Guard: Because I (until recently) struggled with an autoimmune disease, I take daily Immuno-Guard. I haven’t been sick since taking them.

Spark: I can’t say enough about this yummy drink! I buy it in the “to go” pouches, but you can get it in canisters, too. I drink it instead of coffee in the morning. (I can’t believe I’m actually saying that! I was so addicted to my morning coffee!) Other “drinks” from Advocare include Slam, Rehydrate and V-16. Plan to try most of them over the next few weeks.

Let me leave you with a video endorsement from New Orleans quarterback, Drew Brees:

So, there you have it. If you’re struggling with your weight (or health) I totally feel your pain. Well, not actually. Not anymore. But you get the idea.

To learn more, feel free to email Megan at megankimbrough (at) yahoo.com or visit her Advocare site. Thanks for taking the time to share in my journey with me!

Shameless Endorsement of Supplements

Hola, friends! It’s a stormy day here in Texas but the sun is shining my my heart. Those who’ve been following my personal journey to “get healthy” probably know what I’m about to share, but others might not. I’m here to endorse a product, one that I truly believe has changed my life for the better. 

So, here’s the deal: Not so long ago, I was seriously overweight and in severe pain with psoriatic arthritis. I had sleep apnea, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and chronic, debilitating pain. I truly didn’t know if I could stand it much longer. The decision was made to start losing weight. Not the first time, obviously. If you read my book I Must Decrease, you know that I’ve cut calories before (both losing and then gaining weight). This time I needed things to be different.

Don’t believe me? Here’s a “before” photo.

Ouch! (Can’t believe I just put that out there for everyone to see!)

The weight has been MUCH slower to come off this time. SO slow, that I kept plateauing. A few months back I ran into an old friend and she shared her passion for an energy drink called Spark. She gave me one and I loved it.

I recognized the name of the company that put out Spark (Advocare) because I’d been on Advocare supplements years ago. My friend (Mary Anne) looked a lot trimmer/healthier than she had the time I’d seen her prior, so I asked what she’d been doing. (Remember, I was on a plateau at this point and pretty desperate to break it. I’d tried EVERYTHING – counting calories, carbs, the HCG diet…everything.)

Mary Anne told me that she was doing the 24-day challenge from Advocare. I went to her site and looked at it, but (honestly) balked at the price. A couple of days later (disgusted with myself for slipping back into unhealthy eating patterns) I decided to buy it. (Nothing like making a major investment to make you want to behave, right? I mean, seriously…if you spend money of something, you’re more likely to do the right thing.) I bought the 24-day challenge and lost seven pounds in the first four days. Holy smokes, right? It slowed down after that, but definitely jump-started me and got the ball rolling again, for which I’m extremely grateful. I added some Catalyst to the regimen. (It’s for belly fat, basically. Pardon me for being so blunt.) Loved it.

At that point I knew I needed to sign on as a distributor and pay my $79 because it was clear I was going to love these products. Results, results, results! (And speaking of which, I’m adding a recent photo of me. Yay!) I not only fit better into airplane seats (yes, this was a “huge” issue for me before), I now fit into “normal-sized” clothing, something that never really seemed possible before. What fun!

Next thing you know, my daughters are interested. Megan, who works as a nanny, has been looking for ways to make $$ above and beyond what she’s already earning. She’s also struggled with serious health issues most of her life so I knew she would be a good candidate. Like me, she’d been “plateaued” for a while.

Megan! "After" weight loss!

Well, check out her most recent photo after taking the 24-day challenge! I’m so stinkin’ proud of her. She’s done great and I’m tickled pink. SO…we both recently got more involved in the program as advisors. I’m not at all interested in selling this stuff, folks. Just want to get a 40% discount (which I now receive).

Megan, on the other hand, needs to sell, sell, sell! She’s got a great site where you can look at the product.

IF you’re struggling with your weight, check out the “Trim” line.

The “active” line is where you’ll find most of the drinks (like Spark and Rehydrate) that folks are so addicted to.

IF you want to improve your health (i.e. you struggle with immune issues, arthritis, lupus, high blood pressure, etc.), check out the “well” line.

IF you want to build muscle mass (especially if you’re involved in sports), you’ll love the Performance Elite line.

Concerned about aging? There’s a “Definite Difference” line for that, too. (And, FYI, Michael W. Smith uses these anti-aging products. I figure he looks pretty dang good for a guy his age, right? So I’ll have to look into these anti-aging products soon!)

I’m not the only one addicted to this stuff (and I am, I must confess). I join countless ranks of others by putting my stamp of approval on these products. Major Christian artists like Michael W. Smith and Kutlass are shameless promoters! And key Christian athletes like Colt McCoy, Jon Brockman, Chad Martin, Mike Rio, Natalie Burgener, and Brandon Slay  are onboard with endorsements, too.

Some people have asked me what products I’m taking, so I’ll list them here (along with their benefits).

10-day cleanse: Just wrapped up a cleanse. Love this phase, FYI. IF you’re not keen on fiber drinks, make a frozen fruit smoothie and add the fiber to it. I promise you won’t even take or feel it. It will just taste/feel like a regular fruit smoothie!

MNS-Max C: This is the “major player” for me. It’s a daily strip of vitamins that comes with the ten-day cleanse. The appetite suppressants are ALL natural. Nothing weird or dangerous. Most of them are teas.

Omega-Plex: Everyone needs to be taking omegas, but not all omegas are alike. If you don’t believe me, check out what Dr. Oz says about the Advocare omegas. If you can’t get any other products, please get this one, especially if you have immune system issues!

Catalyst: I take three of these at a time. It’s known as the belly-be-gone and I’m (thank You, Jesus!) seeing a difference in that (until recently) very problematic area.

Thermo-Plus: These capsules burn 75 calories apiece. You take one at a time, up to three times a day.

Immuno-Guard: Because I (until recently) struggled with an autoimmune disease, I take daily Immuno-Guard. I haven’t been sick since taking them.

Spark: I can’t say enough about this yummy drink! I buy it in the “to go” pouches, but you can get it in canisters, too. I drink it instead of coffee in the morning. (I can’t believe I’m actually saying that! I was so addicted to my morning coffee!) Other “drinks” from Advocare include Slam, Rehydrate and V-16. Plan to try most of them over the next few weeks.

So, there you have it. If you’re struggling with your weight (or health) I totally feel your pain. Well, not actually. Not anymore. But you get the idea.

To learn more, feel free to email Megan at megankimbrough (at) yahoo.com or visit her Advocare site. Thanks for taking the time to share in my journey with me!

And the Mirror Ball Trophy Winner Is. . .

Congrats to Tory Updegrave! Tory, your name was drawn as the winner of the giveaway! You will receive (the Janice Thompson version of) the mirror ball trophy, along with paperback copies of all books in the Backstage Pass series (unless you prefer different novels or books from me). There will also be a couple of little surprises in the box, as well! Please email me at booksbyjanice@aol.com to receive your prize.

The Director's Cut

Friends, it’s been a blast, sharing “Tales from the Director’s Chair” this past month. Thanks so much for helping me relive my glory days as both a theater director and writer! Hope your 4th of July was awesome!

Stay tuned for some fun blog posts in the month of July. I’ll be giving you some “teasers” about Bella, DJ and the Rossi family. Primo!

Win The Mirror Ball Trophy!

The Director's Cut

I can’t believe July is upon us! This past week I’ve spent time on the sunny shores of Mexico (Puerta Vallarta, to be exact). While out of the country, my book (The Director’s Cut) was on blog tour. What does that mean, exactly? It means that many of my readers, old and new, read the book and posted reviews at sites online.

I’m tickled pink to report that the reviews are overwhelmingly positive. Folks seem to enjoy Tia’s story, and that makes me very happy. So happy, in fact, that I might just have to join Brock Benson in doing the TANGO on DWTS (Dancing With the Stars)!

To celebrate the great reviews (and to cap off June’s post about my life in the director’s chair) I’m hosting a VERY special contest. On the 4th of July I’ll be giving away autographed copies of all books in the Backstage Pass series to one lucky reader, along with (my own version of) a mirror ball trophy (and some other fun goodies, too)! Who will win this “Director’s Cut” bundle from yours truly? To enter the contest, you must leave a comment below. Here’s what you must have IN the comment: 1). The name of your favorite character from the Backstage Pass series. 2). Which dance you would most love to see that person perform, should they appear on DWTS (Dancing with the Stars). 3). Which professional dancer on DWTS you would like to see him/her paired with (and why).

I know, I know! It’s a lot to ask. But diehard fans know I’m NUTS about DWTS and I’m nuts about my characters. I’m also prepping you for my next series, where Brock Benson gets paired with Cheryl Burke on DWTS! (Yep, it’s true! Well, at least in my fictional world, if not in reality.)

Leave your comment below and I’ll do a big drawing on the 4th of July and name the winner late that night. Thanks for your encouragement over the past month. So glad you’re all enjoying The Director’s Cut!

Quick Change Artists

The Director's Cut

Every actor/actress knows about costume mishaps. Every director (including yours truly) works hard to avoid them! You can prepare your cast for pretty much everything–except those quick costume changes!

In a recent production of “Foul Case of the Missing Pheasant,” one of my characters had approximately 30 seconds to change from one costume to another. I did everything I could to give her more time, but “no can do” was the phrase of the day. She only had so much music to get out of one costume and into another before magically appearing on the stage again.

In the scene prior to the change, I instructed her to leave the stage a few seconds ahead of the other characters. Only one problem: she had lines to deliver. So, on the night of the show, she delivered her lines. . .and took off running! The music kicked in and the next scene was set to begin. . .without the actress! Finally, from around the corner she came, barreling in with her new costume (sort of) on!

Ever feel like that in your own life? Like things are happening so fast you can’t control them? This happens to my  lead character, Tia Morales, in The Director’s Cut. She realizes that some things in her life (like that costume in our play) need to be changed. She’s not great with change. And, to complicate matters. . .change is coming in a hurry! She’s got to change her attitude. . .about family, about love, and about a particular fella she’s butted heads with in the past.

If you like a fun story will with quick changes, you’ll love The Director’s Cut. Follow the link below to get a copy for yourself!