Natural Products Expo West is back – 2016!

I must express how valuable this annual expo is for a stroke survivor turned wellness blogger through personal testimony. Therefore I will keep this post in the first person perspective.

Throughout this life altering health crisis my weight has fluctuated on both ends of the spectrum. I withered to a size zero where my clothes were falling off my body and inflated to a fourteen where I can not fit any of my clothes.  Such fluctuations were emotional in my case but throughout life people fluctuate.  That does not negate the fact that abnormal fluctuations is the presence of imbalance. That imbalance for me, takes me to urgent care more than I’d like to admit.  My immune system causes viruses to be present such as influenza in 75 degree weather. My skin takes longer to recover from dark blemishes. And I am nauseous when I don’t eat rather than just being hungry.  According to my physician I must now watch my “sugar” intake as I’m testing higher than average but not enough to be worried and I am overweight for my height and build. In short I’m a mess and I must pull it together to get myself bak in balance.

When I attend the annual expo and listen to the education as well as participate in the sessions, I learn so much more about how to become and stay well.  I try many of the samples as well as share them when I get home with others who are seeking a specific product based on their health goals.

The fun activities and samples are only a part of the experience.  No matter what lifestyle I choose I have options and am constantly gaining knowledge about the products and services to support those options.

In efforts to study my own healing [dark spots and weight issues, fainting spells and falls at home due to core balance issues] I am leaning into a vegan lifestyle as I have gone through my vegan phases over the years since having a stroke.  The vegans whom I know, discuss the praises of such a lifestyle [improved skin quality, mental focus, regulated weight and zero cravings and more energy].  One of my favorite pavilions to attend is the new organic product tent.  There I found butter alternatives that were not margarine.  Cheese alternatives, great sauces and protein sources.  Vegans have many options!

I’m willing to boldly try it for 1 year, [of course taking each day as it comes].  I plan to document my efforts living as a person who has consciously chosen a vegan diet kicking it off at the 2016 NPEW [Natural Products Expo West].

Anticipating 4 days of networking, sampling products and interviewing vendors & writing, it is an exhausting event but is so worth the investment of my time.