Navigator January 2014 Article
By David Keiski
Heather Smith grew up all over Minnesota, from Albert Lea to Alexandria. “I have lived on a lake and enjoyed Minnesota activities all year round," she says. For this mother of two boys, five and six years old who attend a Minnetonka School, Lake Minnetonka is heaven. “This past fall both my boys started full time school, up until then, I have been a stay at home mom working only in my free time, so the past few months have been a big change for all of us."
Heather's career prior to her starting a family was in Nuclear Medicine. "I worked along side radiologists to perform diagnostic imaging that shows the function of organs," she explains. “I was hired by Fairview Southdale Hospital while still at my college internship at Loyola University Medical Center and then joined the Cardiologists at The Minnesota Heart Clinic. As the need for technologists around town increased, I accepted a traveling position to provide coverage to various hospitals and clinics around the Twin Cities. In 2004, I was offered the position at Suburban Imaging Clinic."
Heather's passion for Health and interest in science and medicine has been a foundation for new ventures in business. "I was fortunate enough to be able to stay home with my two sons full time," she says. “And have loved spending every day with my boys. From ECFE at MCEC to the Treehouse at Williston, we made friends with other moms and children around the community. As they got older, I started looking ahead to what I would be doing when they were in school."
That's when a friend shared Juice Plus+ with her. "It made sense to me right away. I ordered all three blends plus the 'Complete Drink Mix Powder' the same day that I signed up as a distributor. I knew that even though I loved fresh fruits and vegetables, I did not always eat, nor feed my boys the amount of produce our body needs everyday. Since I was also looking for a career that was flexible enough to work while still at home with my boys, that also has enough potential to grow into a full-time career, Juice Plus+ was able to bridge both my nutritional and career gaps that I had in my life." Heather has been taking Juice Plus+ and working alongside The Juice Plus+ Company for 2 years. "To my surprise, the Tower Garden was launched in April, 2012, only a few short months after I joined." The Tower Garden is a state of the art aeroponic garden system that is small enough to fit on a porch, deck, and even indoors with grow lights for year round gardening.
Heather has always been interested in the human body and how it functions. "I find the body fascinating, the fact that if given the right tools the body can function seamlessly and is able to heal itself. I was raised in Minnesota with white creamy foods, processed foods, and microwavable dinners. Eating was very unconscious to me. I ate to get rid of hunger, not to fuel my body to work. When I began the process of starting a family, I had a difficult time keeping my pregnancies, so I dug deep and started trying to solve any possible problems. Nutrition and lifestyle changes are the easiest and first suggested things to change when you are trying to get pregnant. So began my journey of learning how food can influence me, the baby in my belly, and both of our lives from here forward. My career in Nuclear Medicine was needed and allowed me to help with diagnosing people after they were all ready not well, but moving forward I would like to help educate people on ways to make sure they and their loved ones never have to end up on the imaging table."
Heather says that she has watched her friends and family get sick and even die from lifestyle diseases. "Most of which would have been preventable," she says. "I have made so many little changes over a long amount of time that have made a big impact on my health. And believe me, I am not perfect with myself or my children, but I have been able to educate my boys about what they are eating and what it does when it goes into their bodies. They ask me, ‘If I eat this, will I run faster at soccer?' or 'Does this have bad sugar or good sugar?' The Juice Plus+ Company has provided me with so much free education, that I was inspired to take it one step further." Heather decided to become a Health Coach. "Not only could I share this amazing product, but I can also help people make the changes they are ready to make to live a healthier life," she adds.
Heather doesn't know of a product that compares to Juice Plus+. "It is made out of high quality, vine ripened, fruits and vegetables that are hand picked at the peak of freshness. The facility to dry and dehydrate them is near the farm. Everything in it has a purpose and is added with the customers health in mind," she explains about this wonderful, healthy product.
"As a Health Coach, I stand apart from competitors because of the variety of life and career skills that I've acquired, " she says. "I have worked in a variety of health care settings and I have had my fair share of personal losses, from losing both my sister and my mom to becoming a single mother. When I work with a client, I look at each persons bio individuality and their Primary Nutrition that feeds their soul. I work one on one to help solve one problem at a time, because these changes are meant to last a lifetime. I also teach group workshops to families and children who are interested in more general health education. I have had the pleasure of learning alongside Dr. Bill Sears and the Dr. Sears Wellness Institute. I officially became certified last summer as a L.E.A.N. Coach. (Lifestyle, Exercise, Attitude, and Nutrition). I have shared L.E.A.N. workshops with students at our local Minnetonka schools. I am also currently studying with the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, which focuses on Holistic Health."
Heather likes to hear the big picture of what people are looking to change. "And where they see themselves in the future," she adds. "Their health, career, relationships, and activities. If your goal is to be around for your child’s wedding, or grandchild’s graduation, you are giving your loved ones the gift of your health. The gift of health is a gift that keeps giving, your loved ones see you care about them and then the ripple effect occurs. They start to take care of themselves and so forth. This can help people find closer relationships with the ones they love which also leads to better health."
Heather says that The Tower Garden is a great gift. "It's so easy to use and can be used inside year round with grow lights. No green thumb required. I have successfully grown crops for 2 years, both outdoors and indoors. It is a great way to get all members of the family involved. Kids love to grow their own food and when they do they also like to eat it. I have a Tower Garden in an elementary school right now and the teachers and children enjoy having it in their classrooms. The kids eat the produce for snacks… varieties of lettuce, kale, green beans, herbs… with nothing added."
Heather says that their company just launched a cleanse program that uses the Juice Plus+ Blends and Complete Drink Mix. “This program also incorporates clean eating and exercise, balanced with rest. It is simple and very easy to implement into busy lives. There have been some amazing results in a short amount of time, which include; increased energy, improved immunity, better digestions, sleep better, fewer allergies, healthier hair, skin, nails, and gums, healthier DNA, improved heart health, peak athletic performance and recovery, optimal mental, emotional, and physical health."
Sound good to you? Heather's work experience in medicine and her investigation of these products, have not only inspired her to share them and see results with her own family, but she's also building a team. "My team consists of chiropractors, friends, family, and people I have met through networking," she says. "They're all very different from each other, and they don’t always have a medical background. To name a few, Susie Schroder worked in HR at Target Corp. Allen Swenson is a server for Manny’s Steakhouse. Dr. Jean Ciola is a chiropractor and owns The Dr.s of Chiropractic in Minnetonka. My team is very diverse and ranges from a Fed Ex Driver to a Digital Artist. The one thing they all have in common, is their goal to share the message of healthy living, and to offer an easy way to help bridge your nutritional gap."
Heather's love of Minnesota and lake life has shown her a great appreciation for our lake community. "I have lived in the Lake Minnetonka area for nine years, and of all the places I have lived, this is the place that feels like home to me. The people are what make this community so different and a great place to call home."
Heather is here to help you with your health. Her team would love to share new fresh and healthy options for you and your family. If you understand the concept of hiring a personal trainer, with education that benefits scripting a workout routine toward better fitness, consider meeting with Heather for your health coaching. People go to the doctor and get a prescription and suggestions of things to do to get healthy. Doctors are so busy and only have enough time to prescribe the pills, and as a health coach, Heather can help you follow through with the life changing skills.
Heather's Health Coach company is called, "Eat. Play. Grow." The slogan that she and her team live by is, “Eat Healthy, Play Often, and Never Stop Growing.” Check out their website at www.eat-play-grow.com and make sure to see the links to; Juice Plus, Tower Garden, Health Coaching and even South Hill Designs, creative custom jewelry. Call Heather Smith for more healthy information at 612-508-6767. Like her Facebook page at Facebook.com/eatplaygrow.
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