Every Essential Element [Kindle Edition]

Rhonda Lauritzen (Author), Milan Lauritzen (Illustrator)

Book Description

This triumphant memoir of guts, family and bucking the establishment traces a fifty-five-year journey that mirrors not only a movement but the nation. Beginning in a time when Wonder Bread® was health food, Gaye and Hartley Anderson leave security to pursue a crazy idea they could not ignore. Their friends snicker and the U.S. government bullies them, but they inspire each other through poverty, disasters, and the trials of family business. Starting at the kitchen table, they and their contemporaries grow into a multi-billion-dollar industry. Every Essential Element is the true story of the author's parents: a quirky, lovely reminder of how two people can make it—in marriage, business and life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"One of the most tender and honest love stories I have ever read. The underlying war between the FDA and nutritional industry has many heroes but none greater than Gaye and Hartley Anderson...a classic."
--Clinton Miller, retired Executive Director of the National Health Federation

An entertaining, emotional journey. It shows the family going through joys and struggles of starting a family business in an emerging industry. It shows them to be not only go-getters, but also pioneers with ups and downs. A wonderful story and a nice, smooth, easy read.
--Jeffrey Burke ND, MH, host of The Staying Healthy! Radio Show

Lauritzen has done a masterful job providing an intimate portrait of a very private man with a singular idea and the grit to see it eventually brought to full realization. There are many poignant moments scattered through this gem of a book...I highly recommend that it be read.
--John Heinerman, best-selling author of 67 health books

About the Author

Rhonda Lauritzen is the youngest of seven in the Hartley and Gaye Anderson family, and the only girl. The Andersons founded Mineral Resources International (MRI) before she was born so she had great adventures scampering around the natural health movement, taking naps under their booth table and sampling all carob-tofu delights a kid could enjoy. During her teenage years she watched the industry mature from mom-and-pop operations into the likes of Whole Foods. At age 23 she became general manager of the company, working alongside her big brothers followed by a stint away for an MBA. Upon return she took the helm as CEO for three years. In 2005 she branched out from the family to work in administration for a Utah technical college. When her father passed away she felt a tangible nudge to write what she believed was a story worth telling.

Product Details

• File Size: 315 KB
• Print Length: 217 pages
• Publisher: Like Rain Publishing (March 17, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B007VTY1R6
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #313,627 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I can't believe this is a first time author! May 1, 2012

By kris_eve

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This story is absolutely beautiful from beginning to end. The eloquence of the writing, and the depth of the people portrayed was striking. I was completely caught up in the story; the fact that it is non-fiction makes it even more amazing. Whether you love romance, biographies, are curious about Utah and Mormonism, or have an interest in the health industry this book has something for everyone. I'm not Mormon, not in the health industry, already know about Utah as it is my home, and STILL LOVED EVERYTHING about this book; I cannot recommend it highly enough!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone should read this book. April 23, 2012

By Dave

Format:Kindle Edition

I get the sense that most people going about their daily lives don't have a clear picture of just how dangerous it can be when well-meaning people allow the government to start regulating every aspect of their lives. If everyone would read this book, maybe they would start to catch a glimpse of just how easy it is to lose our simple freedoms. This book's value in exposing the FDA cannot be underestimated.

But if that's not enough, you really shouldn't miss the entertaining, emotional journey you will experience as you follow the author's family through the joys and struggles of starting and building their family business in an emerging industry. Everyone will relate to some aspect of their story, and the lessons it teaches--from the values of faith and hard work to the concept of not taking everything so seriously--should be passed down from generation to generation so we don't forget them.

It helps that I work in the industry and know most of the family individually, but I think you'll feel a personal connection yourself as you read Every Essential Element.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Charming and Inspirational May 1, 2012

By Smeg

Format:Paperback

I read this book in one sitting, mostly because I found Gaye Anderson to be so real and easy to relate to. At the beginning of the book,I could feel her guilt and pain when choosing between two loves. I think every mother could relate to being overwhelmed and feeling inadequate at times and also completely overcome with love for her family at times. When Gaye buried her beloved Hartley, her pain leapt from the pages, and I cried with her. Rhonda Lauritzen has done a fantastic job of capturing her mother's spirit. I was inspired throughout the book by her parents love for people, even those who believe differently from them. They didn't just give lip service to these ideals but lived them out in practical ways and were great examples to their children and everyone around them. I would recommend this book to anyone who could use a little inspiration in their life.

More About the Author

Recent interview on YouTube with Rhonda Lauritzen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_WVOSkXHIY

Rhonda Lauritzen is the youngest of seven in the Hartley and Gaye Anderson family, and the only girl. The Andersons founded Mineral Resources International (MRI) before she was born so she had great adventures scampering around the natural health movement, taking naps under their booth table and sampling all carob-tofu delights a kid could enjoy. During her teenage years she watched the industry mature from mom-and-pop operations into the likes of Whole Foods.

At age 23 she became general manager of the company working alongside her big brothers, followed by a stint away for an MBA. Upon return she took the helm as CEO. She now works in senior management within the state system of higher education and lives in Utah with her husband. They share a love of the outdoors and beautiful food.
www.rhondalauritzen.com