XS Gold: Energy Plus-Functional Energy

About six years ago, I was introduced to XS Energy Drink. I was not a Starbucks drinker nor an energy drink consumer. So at first glance, this XS thing didn't really grab my attention.

Then I read the ingredients, particularly the large amount of B12 as well as the adaptogenic herbs.

No sugars, no or low carbs, plus the fact that all the flavors actually taste good, separated XS from other energy drinks on the market.

Coming from the land of television and movies, I was educated on the virtues of vitamin B12. I received my first B12 shot back in 1992. The set medic came in our office and administered a shot to anyone who was interested in increasing energy and decreasing stress. Considering that we were working 14-hour days, everyone was interested!

Sixteen years later, I'm glad there's an easier, less expensive, less painful, and a tasty way of getting my B12.

And now as a mom of twins, needing energy and ridding myself of stress seem to be two high priorities for me--and my family, 'cause when mama's happy, everybody's happy!

Now comes XS Gold: Energy Plus. This is not a new flavor of XS. This is a whole new beverage. I've had a few cans over the last week and I have to say, it is powerful.

It's like XS Energy Drink is the foundation, and then some:

The amount of B12 has been increased to 480 mcg (8000% of the RDI). For comparison, a typical B12 shot is 1,000 mcg.

It contains 125 mg of the functional food, Essentra. I'm impressed by the natural way Essentra helps the body to:
reduce stress,
gain mental clarity,
support emotional balance,
and
enhance energy.

(This translates for me and my world: How to happily answer 349 questions from two 5-year-olds as I prepare breakfast, get them ready for school, unload the dishwasher, brush my teeth, kiss my husband good-bye, send him off with a smile and a wave, remember the 27 errands to be done, etc. etc. etc.)

And if all that weren't enough, XS Gold: Energy Plus also has a half-dose of the RDI of vitamins and minerals, plus acai, blackberries, blueberries, mangosteen, pomegranates, and red grapes.

It tastes pretty terrific too. It's lightly carbonated and has a rich berry flavor.

XS created this comparison chart of their competitors. (click on the chart to enlarge it)

I've not tried any of these. I'm sure they are good products. I just don't see how any of these are XS Gold: Energy Plus' competition. To me it looks like XS Gold: Energy Plus is all three of these products combined.

In other words, wouldn't I have to drink all three products to get similar benefits from one can of XS Gold: Energy Plus? Looking online, I would pay a total of $7.50 for these three drinks compared to $2.99 for XS Gold: Energy Plus.

I like the effect and I like the price of XS Gold: Energy Plus. I'm gonna go for the Gold.

My Attitude About the Details

Life is so much about details. I’ve heard that to be “successful” it’s 2% details and 98% attitude. I must admit that it wasn’t until today that I realized I was minimizing the importance of details, rather than maximizing the importance of attitude.

In the past, I would focus on big-picture stuff, while neglecting the details. I would think that keeping a huge vision in front of me meant that I could ignore the details. That somehow they’d all work themselves out, because life was 2% detail and 98% attitude, right?

To be honest, I just didn’t want to deal with the details. I’m not a detail person. Talking and thinking about big stuff and fun stuff is far more exciting than actually doing the work!

Well, the result of this neglect is I would get so far behind, buried in the minutiae of stuff that had piled up, and my attitude would turn sour. Then I’d have to stop everything, unbury myself, deal with any cranky feelings, work to resume my great attitude, ignore the details, get buried, stop everything, unbury myself, and on and on the not-so-merry-go-round I would go.

The latest example is that I just got done, three days ago, with our 2007 taxes. I filed an extension six months ago, because I was just too busy with big-picture stuff to do the taxes. Yeah, right.

This way of life has been an ongoing cycle for a long, long time.

And today, that cycle has been broken. Details are extremely important and necessary. It’s not about not doing the details. It’s to do them, do them well, and in addition, work on having a great attitude. It is not an either/or proposition.

Because I’ve finally come to understand details’ incalculable value, I’m learning to appreciate and embrace them.

What comes to mind was this past summer, when we taught the kids to ride their bikes. I remember how frustrated our daughter was when she couldn’t seem to get herself moving. She couldn’t get the pedals to turn from a standstill position.

With great detail I walked her through the positioning of her foot, with her toe pointed up, and her heel on the top pedal, lifting her body up, and pushing down on that heel with all her might, as she held on to the handle bars, and used her other heel to continue the momentum, while looking straight ahead.

On top of this detail, I also walked her through having a great attitude. Teaching her to replace words like “I can’t. This is too hard. No!” with words like, “I can do this! I’m a winner! I’m a champion! Yes!”

I could be cheering my daughter on, jumping up and down with great enthusiasm. But without the detail, we’d be at a standstill, wouldn’t we?

Tina Turner: One Hot Ticket

Have you ever tried to explain an amazing event to someone? You end up saying, "Well, you just had to be there."

That's how I feel about the Tina Turner Concert. We saw Tina (from the eighth row!--Thanks Amway Global!) on Monday at the Allstate Arena. Without spoiling it for those who will be catching her tour around the country, and the world, here are some pictures and videos.

Tina knows how to put on a show. Theatrics were high on Monday, with the spectacular sets changing almost as often as Tina's outfits.


Tina on stage, and up close on the screen behind her.


Look at those gams!


More than keeping up with her dancers.


Walking in heels, twenty feet in the air, above the audience.

A video of Tina getting the crowd involved with "What's Love Got to Do With It":





A video of nostalgic film clips, energetic Tina, and a packed house:

The Show Before The Show

Last night Amway Global, sponsor of the Tina Turner Concert tour, treated Matt and me to her electric performance at the Allstate Arena.

We got to the stadium ahead of time to see the Mobile Brand Experience vehicles which I wrote about in my last post. I had seen these as they were being prepped.

But last night, we got to experience them.The two MoBEs were parked on either side of the arena entrance.

The Nutrilite semi-trailer is so massive, it could be seen clear across the arena parking lot.

The entrance had pictures of some of the Nutrilite ambassadors, volleyball queen Gabrielle Reece and soccer superstar Ronaldinho.

Matt checked out the display showing the process of Nutrilite supplements--from the seed in the ground, to the product in the bottle (seed to serving).

I checked out a well-crafted brochure highlighting Nutrilite's:
*70-year history
*6,400 acres of organic farmland
*procedures of processing plants within hours of harvest to maintain their nutrients
*cutting-edge technology with 150 patents
*180-day money-back satisfaction guarantee

The 1,000 square feet inside the semi-trailer looked like one big farm of fresh plants, fruits, and veggies.

Outside, Bob Tully from the Center for Optimal Health, showed us the interactive LCDs--here picturing Team Nutrilite athletes, including recent Olympians.

By the time we left the trailer, the sun had set in Chicagoland.

We then headed over to the Artistry motor coach, a mini spa salon.

We stepped on board and there was a lovely display of many of the Artistry products. There were drawers and cabinets filled with beautiful samples in frilly gift pouches for visitors.

Jessica, who I know from her blog All Dolled Up, was hostess extraordinaire.

The candles set the tone, with their calming smell and soft light.

Matt received a pampering paraffin treatment.

And here's a short video documenting the "procedure".



We waved good-bye to the Artistry ladies, and headed inside the arena to experience the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll.

Stay tuned...