Janna Sosensky is on a mission to help curb the high consumption of soft drinks (refrescos) around Lakeside – especially among Mexican children – while spreading her idea of what a healthy soda alternative could look like.
And she’s starting with the local running teams.
What jump-started her into action was an article in the August 17 issue of the Guadalajara Reporter by Elaine Halleck, suggesting a link between refrescos and the high rate of kidney disease in Mexican children, particularly in the lakeshore town of Poncitlan.
Mexican children, as young as 0 to 6 months old, are given refrescos in lieu of healthier alternatives, and there’s a growing concern about this practice with the more “health conscious” Mexicans and expats.
Sosensky is one of these expats. Feeling moved to do something about the alarming rise in obesity levels and kidney failure among children, she decided to act on it.
“Reading the article touched me deeply,” says Sosensky, “and I knew that I had to do something. Mexico and the United States rate ‘number one’ in child obesity, with Mexico coming out ahead. Parents encourage young children from an early age to drink refrescos, particularly Coca-Cola. I hear directly from children that parents will add tequila or vodka to refresco so that their children can sleep. I doubt that this generation of children fed a diet of Coca-Cola will live as long as their parents or grandparents.
“When you read this kind of information and really take it in, those of us who live in this Ajijic paradise can choose to say, ‘too bad, it doesn’t effect me.’ Or, we can choose to act.”
As a first step, Sosensky invited 20 guests to her home last Saturday night for a Russian-style dinner at 300 pesos apiece. Also included were five representatives from an Ajijic running team, plus a member’s mother, Aurora, and her sister, Rosario.
After a hearty meal of wine, appetizers, borscht, savory crepes and dessert, Sosensky introduced the runners, then used a chart to point out the ill effects one experiences when drinking soda. She also demonstrated the results that ‘good’ drinks versus ‘bad’ drinks have on the body, using kinesiology (muscle testing) on three willing participants.
Lastly, she shared her idea on how to make plain water taste more appealing for those hooked on soft drinks with a product that she’s been consuming for years, with positive effects.
Sosensky learned about Isagenix 13 years ago. With a line of health products, this U.S.-based company has been in Mexico for only three years. One of their products, Amped Hydrate, is a flavored solution made for athletes and toted as a natural electrolyte drink for hydration and increased energy.
“Only a few drops are needed in order to work its magic,” adds Sosensky. “In my opinion, this is the best alternative to refrescos.”
After Sosensky’s presentation, Aurora and Rosario were busy adding a few drops of this citrus-flavored solution into small cups of water for guests to sample. With a pleasant, slightly sweet citrus taste, both women have been drinking this solution and admit that it motivates them to choose water over Coca-Cola, which is a first for them.
Sosensky says the “seed” money raised at the dinner event will be used for future presentations. “There are one or two running teams training and competing around Lakeside. You can understand the impact if we start with one team of forty runners and educate them. I plan on getting the team together to do the same presentation I did at my dinner event. This time, I’ll pass out forty bottles of hydrated water for each runner to sample.”
She adds: “Many locals who drink refresco throw away the plastic bottles, sometimes multiple times a day. We want to teach them about reusing and refilling their bottles, thus keeping all that plastic out of the landfill.”
Originally from Moscow, Sosensky is an energetic, 70-something retiree with 20 years of experience in the wellness and nutritional industry. She is also the author of “I Never Met My Mother,” a true story about growing up in Moscow during World War II. Three and a half years ago, she came to Ajijic from Canada to finish her book, and never left.
“When attempting to educate people about the negative health effects of drinking soda, one can’t accomplish much alone,” she says. “That’s why I’m trying to bring this idea to the table. If we have a few people, we can do this. I encourage everyone I know to read the articles and see if this is something that resonates with them. As likeminded people, we can start small and see where it can go. Eventually, my goal is to apply for available grants because this health issue is both a governmental and a medical concern.”
To contact Janna Sosensky, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">.