Personal Vision for 2010

Hi! Happy New Year!!
I thought most of us would enjoy this Cherokee fable for our own personal vision of 2010. May yours be healthy, content and filled with laughter and love.


TWO WOLVES

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.

He said, "My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all.

"One is Evil - It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

"The other is Good - It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

Holistic Holiday - How To "Get Slow"

You rush through the holidays, running here and there, and end up exhausted. Somehow these days full of duties, obligations and busyness have begun to build up and become expected in out lives. You spend your time doing things you don't really want to do, yet feel you should. You've come to believe that being productive and crossing things off your to-do list is the ultimate goal - including helping everyone else with their holiday tasks, which doesn't allow you much time to breathe.

The truth is, life on this Earth is a brief gift, and your time is too precious to be used like this. If you want your holiday season to be balanced and healthy, you need to lessen your load and increase your down time. This means planning less in a day, prioritizing those things that make your heart sing and de-prioirtizing those things that are not imperative.

If you must accomplish many things each remaining day of this year, you can still change the quality with which you do things. Where can you find ease in the midst of stress? How can you cultivate the art of going slowly?

Take a few moments before you climb out of bed in the morning to remember your dreams and to think about what you want from the upcoming holiday weeks. Leave your watch on the bedside table. Take the scenic route to do your shopping. Sit for a moment with your eyes closed and listen to some instrumental holiday music - without all of the commercials. Don't pack your party schedule so tightly that there is no time for a short walk. Light candles before you start to cook dinner with your family and friends. As you unpack the ornaments that your family has created over time, take a few minutes to reflect on all that has happened since then and how much they have grown.

Add one moment here and there for slowness; it can be done simply and will have a profound effect on your well-being. Enjoy the journey of the 2009 season.

How can I help you live better for life? livebetter4life.com

A Tasty and Easy Soup for Cold and Flu Prevention!!!

This recipe comes from a fellow Institute of Integrative Nutrition graduate who focuses on the Macrobiotic way of cooking. This soup is a home remedy that works wonders when you are under the weather. It helps with colds and flu, as well as with overindulgence in food and drink. The cayenne, garlic and ginger work synergistically to stimulate circulation and mild sweating, and are helpful at moving fevers out of the body.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ quarts vegetable stock
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger root, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon (about 3 cloves) garlic, finely chopped
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon tamari, or to taste
• 2 cups kale leaves, chopped
• ½ block tofu, about 8 ounces, cut in 1/2 –inch cubes (optional)
• 1 tablespoon scallions, chopped fine

Preparation:

Heat vegetable stock with ginger, garlic and cayenne. Simmer 15 minutes over low flame.

Increase heat to medium, add tamari and kale and cook 5 minutes.

Add tofu, heat through, ladle into bowls and top with scallions.

Serves 4

Copyright 2006 by Jen Hoy

www.about.macrobiotic.com

Natural Ways To Boost Your Immune System This Season!!!

Your immune system is a powerful, complex network of living cells that work together to combat harmful bacteria, viruses and other pathogens that enter the body. Your immune cells need daily nourishment to stay strong. The following are several attainable ways to strengthen your body and maintain good health during this upcoming season.

Supplements:

Vitamin C: This is probably the most common known nutritional supplement and has been shown to be both antiviral and antibacterial which means it kills the microorganisms on contact. Vitamin C may enhance immune system function by decreasing the duration or reduce the severity of the symptoms. The best Vitamin C supplements contain bioflavonoids and are buffered in order to prevent intestinal discomfort.

Zinc: This mineral has been shown to support the immune system and has antiviral properties. If used lozenge form, use one that contains glycine as a sweetener because sorbitol, mannitol, and citric acid can reduce zinc's effectiveness. It is not recommended to use longer than seven days because after this time it may actually impair immune function.

Echinacea: P. purpurea is considered to be the most effective. Echinacea has been used in the United States and Europe to support the immune system because it is thought to increase the production of white blood cells and to have a positive effect on the lymph system. It may also stimulate cellular activity to support healthy respiratory function.

Vitamin D3: The immune system contains Vitamin D receptors. If there is not enough Vitamin D present in the body to bind with these receptors (common especially in Northern Climates), immune cells become weak and cannot protect the body from infection. Vitamin D3 has been recognized as the most active form.

Probiotics: Probiotics are live microorganisms that are basically good bacteria found in the human gut. Friendly bacteria are vital to the proper development of the immune system to protect the body against disease and to promote healthy digestion and absorption of food and nutrients. This bacterial balance in the body can be thrown off in two major ways:
1. By taking antibiotics which kill both the good and unfriendly bacteria. 2. Having too many "unfriendly" microorganisms in the body such as yeasts, fungi and parasites.

Attainable Foods To Support Your Immune System:

Sambucus Nigra Black Elderberry Extract: This is an all natural, liquid formula that may help to promote immune health. It is made of a potent, concentrated extract of black elderberries from the European elder tree that is rich in immune enhancing antioxidants. It can be taken by both adults and children.

Garlic: Garlic contains allicin which is a strong naturally occurring compound that is both antiviral and antibacterial. It may also fortify healthy cell function. Using fresh garlic whether cooking or raw is best.

Green Tea: This contains a great source of polyphenols, especially EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) which provides strong immune and antioxidant protection. Can be ingested both warm or cold.

Vitamin A Rich Foods: Include a lot of bright orange and green vegetables to help make the respiratory membranes strong. Choose from carrots, pumpkin, apricots, mangoes, spinach, cabbage, kale, collards, and swiss chard. These foods are plentiful during this time of year.

Vitamin C Rich Foods: Include green and citrus fruits that have natural anti-viral properties and help macrophage cells which consume the bad bugs. Choose from peppers, spinach, and organic berries.

As with any health recommendations, it is important to discuss the use of nutritional supplements with your physician, naturopath or certified nutritionist before using such products as presented in this article. However, only you can make healthy choices about how you live your life. By making wise decisions about how you eat, sleep, take time for exercise, de-stress, and by breathing deeply you can support your body to keep it functioning well.

(These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. The supplements mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.)

Excerpts from: Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine by Michael Murray, N.D., Eight Weeks to Optimum Health and Eating Well by Andrew Weil, M.D., Natural Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine and Vitacost.com.

If you or anyone you know is interested in how to become an advocate for your own health, please contact me for a 45 minute COMPLIMENTARY Health History Evaluation at: www.LiveBetter4Life.com.

The BEST Place to Buy Mums and Pumpkins for Fall!!

Hi Everyone:
If you live in Nashua or in the surrounding area and you would like to decorate your home and your yard for the fall - please check out "Sullivan Farms" on Colburn Ave off of Broad Street in Nashua - (No relation of course!!)
All of their mums in a variety of colors are locally grown right here in Nashua!! They are huge and healthy and are only $5.00 for the size that you see pictured here!! Can you believe it? I just saw the same size at Home Depot for - are you ready - $16.00. They also have a huge array of pumpkins, ornamental Kale (love those!) and great end of season veggies. I just bought their sugar cherry tomatoes they are sweet and are an awesome orange color.
Be sure to check out their 2009 Apple Fest on Sunday, October 11 from 9-4pm. You can multitask by having fun with your family and buying what you need. Enjoy!!

Welcome To Fall!

It's a little chillier in the mornings in New England now - calling for a little fleece to stay warm!! The kids are off to school and are beginning their own new journey. As I type this, I, too am growing and changing - trying to become a little more like who I am divinely designed to be in this world. Many of us will try out new things during this season - joining a gym, getting a new job, finally tackling cleaning out the basement, or really stepping out on a limb and challenging ourselves. As with all new experiences, one of the first emotions to usually surface is FEAR. Will it work out? What will others think if I try something outside of their expectations of me? Can I really do what I want deep down inside? These feelings can arise whether you are 10 or 30 or 50.
Well, during the last week I have learned a great definition to the word FEAR - it stands for False Evidence Appearing Real. Much as we may not want to admit it - this emotion is totally generated in our own minds. So, this week, every time I heard a familiar negative inner voice I reminded myself of the above and it totally diffused it - Try it out (and pass it on to your kids so they can learn it now) Wouldn't that give them a leg up?

As a Holistic Health Counselor, I help others reach their health goals, whether it be losing weight, gaining more energy, or creating more balance in their lives. What are your health goals? Contact me for a FREE 1 hr. health history consultation at www.livebetter4life.com

Ever Heard of Quinoa? (KEEN-wah)

How many of you have ever heard of Quinoa? Pronounced (KEEN-wah). According to the Incan people it was the "mother of all grains" and it's been eaten for 6,000 years. Gotta be pretty good right? It's becoming very popular now because of its amazing nutritional value. It has 11 grams of protein per 1/2 cup - more than any other grain - and it's Gluten Free and Kosher!! It contains all 8 essential amino acids, is high in fiber, and is a great source of iron, magnesium and potassium. You can purchase it at most grocery stores now in bulk or box - Trader Joe's has it, too.

Quinoa cooks in 12-15 minutes and is fun to watch cook because it swells to 4 times its original volume. Just be sure to rinse it in a strainer before cooking. It's great in salads and hot dishes - some people even eat it for breakfast like oatmeal. Try out the easy recipe below and share it with your family and friends.



Quinoa Salad
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8-12

Ingredients: 2 c. cooked quinoa (according to package directions)
1/2 c. chopped radishes
1/2 c. chopped cucumber ( I like the English ones)
1/2 c. chopped celery
1/2 c. chopped red onion
1/2 c. chopped cilantro (or regular parsley if you like)
1/2 c. chopped red bell pepper
3 tbsp. olive oil
3 tsp. balsamic vinegar
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.
Just a Note: My family really likes Newman's Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing in this.
Sometimes, before you serve it, you need to add a little more to moisten it.