The first tiers in Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, is that of physical needs of survival and safety. 

Without our basic health needs being met, it's hard to focus on our loftier aspirations.  Having adequate shelter, food, water, and other essential needs met is necessary for survival at the most basic level.  For most of today's world this requires financial resources. 

 

Conversely, health challenges can also lead to new social circles, seeking more knowledge, inner reflection, and even Spiritual awakening. 

 

The interaction between our Biological needs and our Psycho-Social-Spiritual needs are quite complex, without clearly defined lines of separation. Finances can have a significant impact on them all, as well.  Therefore, these topics will overlap into one another frequently.

 

We will focus on our attention to addressing biological needs here, but there will be much overlap with Psycho-Social-Spiritual-Financial needs as well.  This will especially be true in some of our preferred resources for addressing these issues, since we strive to find efficient ways to address as many needs as possible from our efforts.

 

When we think of being physically healthy, a few things come to mind, such as eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of rest, and exercising.  All of these are essential parts of a healthy lifestyle.   Beyond these core factors, there are some just as important,  but often overlooked, or neglected environmental factors that we all need to be aware of.

 

SDS is on a mission to help as many people as possible, to rid their bodies, homes, and the environment, of unnecessary toxins.

We can replace everyday exposure to toxins by getting back to basics, and using God's creations to replace harmful chemicals in our daily lives.

Essential oils can be used to replace man made chemicals in many areas of our daily routines.

 

Herbs, God's medicine cabinet, offer many healing properties. 

 

Our water supplies are full of all sorts of contaminates, as is the air we breath.

 

Below is a list of some the areas in which you can replace harmful chemicals with healthy, natural alternatives.  

Just start with a few, and over time, work at replacing all of these toxin loaded chemicals with healthier alternatives.

​​​​

Long before Dennis had been immersed into two years of in-depth training in Community Development, and the connections between Health, Education, Nutrition, and Violence Prevention, through the Greater Dallas Community of Churches AmeriCorps program, or Paula Englander-Goldens Say it Straight model, he had identified health, and nutrition, as well as, psychological, social, and Spiritual development, as priorities in his own life.

 

As mentioned in the "MLM as a tool" section of this website, after leaving his ex girlfriend and the Stained Glass studio they had created together, in 1992, he turned to MLM as a means to earn extra money, on top of his part time concert security gigs, while figuring out his next career move.  At that point and time, he had never considered MLM as a final career choice, though he met many peoplewho were doing it full time, and making good money at it.  For Dennis, at that time, it was merely a side hustle, and a bridge to help generate additional income during a transitional period.

 

The company he was first introduced to, was Reliv.  The powdered drinks Reliv offered tasted great, but more importantly, Dennis noticed that his fingernails became much stronger after he started drinking them.  This may not sound like a big deal, but it was sufficient evidence to Dennis that these drinks were indeed having a positive impact on his body.  That awareness sparked a keen interest in knowing more about MLM, Nutrition, and health in general. 

 

The next company Dennis became aware of, was Amway.  He loved the personal development resources Amway offered, even more than the actual products.  The positive, upbeat vibes of the MLM industry was quite helpful in getting Dennis through the emotional toll of leaving his ex, her son, and the business he had help create.  Having such an upbeat social network, which emphasized personal growth, along with reading the Holy Bible through cover to cover, were essential to getting him through this period of his life.  While Dennis loved the personal development resources, the product options, and the social network Amway offered, the income wasn't sufficient at the entry level, and Dennis didn't see himself as a master recruiter capable of earning the big bucks here, and hexdidnt have the discretionary income to buy monthly auto ship while building a team.  He loved the potential MLM offered, but he was looking for something that would allow him to earn some extra money right away, not cost him money.  So, his search continued. 

 

The next company Dennis looked into was Usana.  They have some great nutrition supplements, but again, Dennis wasn't able to make enough money with it to cover the autoship. 

 

The next MLM company he became aware of was Nikken.  Dennis was invited to a meeting where the host had volunteers come up and squeeze a device designed to measure the strength of one's grip.  After noting the results, the host then had the volunteer take off their shoes, and stand on a couple of their magnetic insoles, then squeeze the device again.  In every case, including Dennis, the volunteers registered a significantly stronger grip while standing on the magnetic insoles.  Dennis was blown away.  Here was a product with demonstrateable,  immediate results.  

 

In addition to the amazing benefits of their magnetic shoe inserts, and other products, Dennis was impressed with the company philosophy and priorities.

 

Since 1975, Nikken has provided innovative products and a lucrative income opportunity.  Their Eastern influenced focus is to live a life in balance and to share the message that every home should be a "Wellness Home." This is a similar focus as Melaleuca, but with a more Eastern philosophical emphasis. They have an easy-to-understand compensation plan that allows infinite possibilities of building a better future for everyone.  Dennis was impressed that Nikken is a business with a transforming purpose, a global company with an inclusive, equitable, and collaborative trading system. The spirit of entrepreneurship at Nikken is inspired by their 5 Pillars of Wellness™.

These 5 pillars promote a balanced lifestyle through:

Healthy Mind,

Healthy Body,

Healthy Family,

Healthy Society and

Healthy Finances.

 

Each product Nikken develops and produces is designed as a solution to promote wellness and to help benefit the Global Wellness Community. These products embody their 5 Pillars of Wellness™, which promote Active Wellness and help Nikken Consultants on their path to financial wellbeing.

 

As you can see, Nikken exposed Dennis to a Bio-Psycho-Social-Financial model even before college or AmeriCorps did.  Nikkens inclusion of Healthy Finances blends the Bio-Psycho-Social aspects of the BPSS and Economic Development models Dennis and SDS advocate.  Dennis credits this exposure to helping him make many of these connections in his own mind.

 

The next MLM Dennis researched was Young Living Essential Oils.  The story of how this company came about was enough to win Dennis over before he ever tried the products.

 

Dr. Gary Young founded YoungvLiving after years of research for his own personal reasons.