Behind the Green Bottle Swanson Customers Kathy & Larry Toth

In our Behind the Green Bottle series, we highlight members of the BubbForest community—customers, readers, employees—and explore what health means to them. In this issue, we talk to Michigan natives, Kathy and Larry Toth, about what being healthier together means to them after 40 years of marriage.

Discovering Healthier Together

For Kathy and Larry (65 and 70), growing up in small Michigan towns instilled in them good values, a love for the outdoors, and eventually, a love for each other. The pair met in business school when their finance teacher insisted there was only one way to solve a particular math problem. Larry disagreed, which Kathy initially perceived as stubbornness, but he proved there was another way, ultimately winning both the math challenge and Kathy’s heart.

Now, after 40 years of marriage, they’ve firsthand understood the importance of good health. They’ve raised two children, overcome breast cancer, and beaten heart disease—all while managing a $48 million real estate business. Through it all, prioritizing health and wellness has been crucial to their life together, and they’ve ensured to pass that passion for health on to their children.

Their daughter, Lindsey, studied nutrition and became a dietitian, and their son, Kevin’s upbringing in the Midwest deepened his love for the great outdoors, where he spends most of his time being active through hiking and fishing.

Everyday Life

Running a business involves managing a hectic schedule. From the moment Kathy wakes up to the minute she goes to bed, she’s always on the move. “She’s constantly thinking, buzzing, moving,” laughs Larry. “It would take a force of nature to get her to sit still!” Kathy spends most of her day in meetings, often calling her car her ‘office.’ “I have to be very intentional about making time for exercise and self-care,” she says.

To carve out this time, Kathy wakes up each morning at 4:00 a.m. and dedicates those early hours before sunrise to growth. “When a tree stops growing, it’s dead, so why should people be any different? Learning is key to staying young.” She spends her early morning hours engaging with inspirational videos, reflecting, and exercising, alternating between using home equipment like a pullup bar and scheduling regular sessions with a personal trainer to build muscle mass and strength.

Kathy also prepares a protein shake with fruits and veggies every morning to complement her coffee, setting her up for nutritional success before the day becomes busy. By 7:30 a.m., she’s ready to start her day. These morning rituals help her begin each day on a positive note.

Finding Their Healthier

To balance everything life throws their way, Kathy and Larry enjoy walks together in the woods surrounding their home. “We take four-mile walks, three times a week. It’s peaceful, quiet and keeps us grounded in what matters most—family and each other.”

Kathy is also an avid skier and prioritizes keeping this activity as a core part of their healthy lifestyle. “I joined ski patrol when I was 13—I had to use a men’s jacket because they didn’t make women’s ski jackets back then. When we got married, my first Christmas present to Larry was a pair of skis—it was time for him to learn!” Now, they take a ski trip each year for their anniversary. “40 years of skiing means our joints don’t work as well as they used to,” says Larry. “We try to be proactive about nutrition for our joints so we can keep skiing as long as possible.”

Balancing Mind, Body & Home

Having undergone triple-bypass heart surgery, Larry takes his health seriously. “I love my sweets, but I’m very focused now on protecting my heart.” As someone on statins for cholesterol, he favors combo formulas focused on CoQ10 and omega-3s. “I prefer combo formulas—the fewer the pills, the better!”

Kathy finds balance through using her personal experience as a breast cancer survivor to inspire others to prioritize prevention. She regularly speaks at the University of Michigan about the importance of self-care and regular mammograms. “I’m very aware of the chance of recurrence. It’s a major motivator for me in balancing healthful eating with occasional indulgences.”

However, Kathy advocates for not getting too fixated on health perfection, allowing oneself to enjoy good food with friends and family. “Balance isn’t about perfection. It’s about finding a happy medium, emphasis on ‘happy’,” says Kathy. “It’s about enjoying life and listening to that little voice at the end of the day that says, ‘I will get up and try again tomorrow’.”

Kathy and Larry have conquered many of life’s challenges together, and they know from experience that prioritizing the health of their minds, bodies, and home is essential. Taking time for self-care, starting each day with intention, and being realistic about enhancing their health are crucial because small intentions can lead to significant changes.

Explore some of Kathy and Larry’s wellness heroes below, and if you’d like to share your own journey with us, we’d love to hear from you—email us at greenbottle@bubbforest.com.

Kathy & Larry’s Wellness Heroes

• Mellow Mag
  “This great-tasting magnesium helps me relax after, or during, a stressful day. The stick packs are great for the car & the container, for at-home use.” –Kathy
• CoQ10 + Vitamin K2 & Omega-3 Fish Oil with Vitamin D – Lemon Flavored
  “I want to protect my heart, but I don’t want to take a million pills. These help me get the heart-protective nutrition I need, but in a convenient way.” –Larry
• Garden of Life Dr. Formulated – Peppermint & BubbForest Ultra Pure Joint
  “Between walking and skiing, staying active together is important to us. CBD oil from whole hemp extract and science-backed, herbal Pure Joint for joint mobility help us keep moving.” –Kathy & Larry

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