USANA Convention

So you haven't heard from us for awhile. Wondering where we were?

Samuel and I were in Austin, TX with Memaw (Dad's mom).

Raymond and Suzy were somewhere much more exciting, the 2008 USANA International Convention!!! There were 8000 people there, representing 14 different countries. Now there are actually 15 countries - big news is the addition of

the Philippines!

Where should I start? It's kind of hard to rehash their trip for you, since I wasn't there, but I will do my best. *grins* I'm not going to give you a day-by-day like I did when they went to Cozumel. That would take too long, and their days kind of blended together in a whirl of intense training, exciting product launches (Rev3!), crazy pajama parties (well, 1), manufacturing plant tours, sushi, and much more! Where do I start?

As for training, they got to hear from Robert Kiyosaki. He is the author of the book Rich Dad, Poor Dad, which is supplemented by Cashflow Quadrant and Retire Young, Retire Rich, among others. (If you haven't read these books, we highly encourage you to do so. They are unconventional, yes, but that is desirable when the rat race has become conventional.)

They also heard from network marketing guru Tim Sales and others whose names are not coming to me quickly. Derrick Parra, Olympic gold medalist in speed skating, and Jennifer Azzi, Olympic gold medalist in women's basketball, were among the athletes who champion USANA and got up to speak.

As for pajama parties, they didn't wear any pajamas, but they did have a good time. I don't have any pictures of them at the party (yet), so you'll just have to imagine it. *grins* As for the sushi, it's becoming a Convention tradition for my parents to go, with the Sosa family, to eat sushi one of their nights there.

Here's a picture (below) of the manufacturing plant tour. (This picture was taken from stairs, so it is actually above floor level.) This is the warehouse.

And now you're just dying to know about the new product launches, aren't you? I've half a mind to keep you in aggravated suspense, but that wouldn't be nice, now, would it? *more grins* Well, USANA Health Sciences has introduced their answer to the Red Bull (and other energy drinks). If you didn't know, Red Bulls, and other energy drinks, are drinks packed full of sugars, caffeine, and other things that give you a high amount of energy...just before you crash to where you are lower than you were before. It's not healthy for your blood sugar to undergo that kind of fluctuation. The highlight of this convention was the introduction of Rev3, USANA's new healthy energy drink that contains NO artificial colors, NO artificial sweeteners, NO artificial preservatives, and NO artificial flavors. It has a slower incline, but it won't bring you down below normal levels - you won't crash and burn. The caffeine it uses is strictly from a blend of teas that also provide you with antioxidants. And it's low-glycemic. Beat that!

Another highlight was the introduction of a NutriMeal shake without soy. This one is made with whey.

And here is the team, because, in USANA, you're in business for yourself, but not by yourself!

As for the Valadez family, we are on a mission to start CHANGING LIVES!

~m~