health

The Healing Power of Forgiveness

Posted on May 29, 2009 in health | 3 comments

The other day I had my first appointment with a chiropractor that my friend recommended. And to my surprise she talked about how gratitude and forgiveness are extremely important elements to our health. Right up there with a healthy, balanced diet.

This is the first time I ever heard a doctor say this. She even tossed in the power of visualization. I instantly warmed to her as she verified what I’ve been practicing for almost a year now.

I told her I get the gratitude and visualization thing, but what’s this about forgiveness? I know to let things go, water off a duck’s back, move on, don’t look back. But are there actual steps to forgiving?

She handed me this simple print:

Steps to Forgiveness

1. Forgive the other person for causing you the feeling.
2. Give the other person permission to forgive you for having the feeling.
3. Forgive yourself for any harm that has come from that feeling.
4. Wish the person well.

I instantly made forgiveness part of my daily routine. Anytime someone pushes my buttons, I turn around and forgive. At the end of the day when I’m recapping the greatness in my life, I forgive the not so great things. And sometimes I go way back to people who riled me years ago and I forgive.

Each time I forgive it’s as if a big bag of bricks is taken off my back. I feel lighter, relieved, and well, healthier.

What I love about the forgiveness steps is that I’m not just forgiving others for their actions, I’m also forgiving myself for mine. Something I failed to do before.

Imagine a world where everyone is filled with gratitude and forgiveness. To simple things that cost us nothing but a few moments time and some sincere thoughts. Yet powerful enough to change everything.

Just Say No to Aging

Posted on Apr 21, 2009 in health | 3 comments

Quite a few years ago I became friends this amazing woman who was in her 70′s but had more vitality than any of my 20 year old friends. She went salsa dancing every night, had men chasing her, and looked amazing. To her, age was mental not chronological.

I recently discovered a Newsweek article saying that my friend’s belief has actually been proven. Harvard psychologist Ellen Langer did a study with some elderly men. She had them stay in a hotel retrofitted with complete 80′s decor. She told them not to reminisce about the past, but to actually act as if they had traveled back in time.

After just one week, the men in the experimental group (compared with controls of the same age) had more joint flexibility, increased dexterity and less arthritis in their hands.

Langer have been running similarly experiments for decades, and her theory is that we are all victims of our own stereotypes about aging and health. We simply accept our society’s negative beliefs about disease and old age effecting our behavior.

If we can disregard the negative clichés about health and believe we are youthful, we can mindfully open ourselves to more productive lives.

Start telling yourself that you have the mind and body of a 20 year old and you will feel the difference. And while you’re at it, pull out those old Farah Fawcett or Rick Springsteen posters to really throw you back in time.

Easy Low Fat Low Sugar Homemade Granola

Posted on Apr 19, 2009 in health | 1 comment

Instead of paying $7.95 for a 10oz bag of granola, I like to make it myself. It costs a fraction of the price, is a whole lot better for you, and tastes far better too. I’m just about to bake up a batch for our Sunday morning feast.

Easy Low Fat Low Sugar Homemade Granola

Dry:

4 cups old fashion (not quick) oats
1/2 cup ground flax
1 tsp cinnamon

Extra Ingredients (for example):

- 1/2 cup coconut flakes
- 1/2 cup almond slivers
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup of any kind of dried fruit

Liquid:

1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup low sugar maple syrup
1 cup water
1 tsp vanilla

Line two baking sheets with wax paper. Mix all the dry ingredients together except for the dried fruit. In a separate bowl mix the liquids. Gradually add the liquid to the dry, giving it a good stir each time. When all the dry ingredients is coated, spread out on the baking sheets using a rubber spatula.

Bake at 350F for 30 minutes, removing it every 10 minutes to stir. I lift the wax paper on each end to get it to unstick. After 30 minutes let it stand for 10-15 to cool then add the dry fruit. Store in a cool dry place and it will keep about 2 weeks.

How I Kicked my Caffeine Habit

Posted on Mar 27, 2009 in health | 3 comments

When I was 20 I was fortunate enough to study in Germany for a year. Not only did I learn how to speak the language, but I also discovered how to open bottles with lighters, flip beer mats with one hand, and roll cigarettes. I picked up all sorts of vices, including the taste of good beer and strong coffee.

I tried to kick this caffeine habit a few times in the past. The closest I came was while I lived in London and substituted my morning mocha for two cups of black tea.

After moving back to the States, we found a great little coffee shop called Scooters where we would treat ourselves before heading to work. This led to ground beans to take home and before you know it we were drinking mugs of it every morning.

Recently I decided to substitute my morning jolt with a shot of wheat grass instead. I felt an instant surge of energy after drinking the chalky grass clippings. Not that nervous, jittery energy — just alertness.

The first two days came with late afternoon headaches which made me a bear to be around. I just wanted to shut out the lights and sleep. Worse yet, I was getting the 3am “what-if” sessions. What if this, what if that, what if I suddenly get fat.

Mostly, I missed the warm mug coffee and tea in the morning pulling me out of bed before the sun comes up. Praise be to my two favorite latest discoveries — Decaffeinated English Breakfast Tea by Twinnings. It tastes just like my PG Tips. And Teeccino , a delicious herbal tea that tastes like coffee! I recommend the Hazelnut flavor.

My body had been caffeine free for a few weeks now and I’m loving it. I’m filled with natural energy, deep sleep, and no late afternoon crashes. I’m still doing wheat grass shots each morning. I also get my blood pumping with some yoga.

Spring is a good time for change; to break old habits and try a new way of living. We‚Äôre all creatures of habit. Even if we know that a certain activity does nothing for us, we continue doing it anyway. We may think it’s easier to do the same thing everyday, but in the long run is it? Sacrifice is simply giving something up for something better.

Easy and Delicious Strawberry Sorbet

Posted on Aug 10, 2008 in health | 0 comments

I came across a gorgeous tub of strawberry sorbet in the supermarket going for $5.99 for a wee little container. I figured I could spend that on berries and make a bucket of it myself.

I read a hundred different recipes and came up with one of my own. It was so easy to make. And perfect for a hot summer day. Let me know how your sorbet turns out!

Low Fat and Yummy Strawberry Sorbet

1 container of strawberries sliced.
Splash of Vodka
Splash of Vermouth
1/4 C Water
Sweetener

Slice and freeze the strawberries in a sealed plastic container. After a few hours, blend the berries in an electric blender with vodka, vermouth and some water. Add sweetener to your liking (I used two spoonfuls). Serve with whipped topping.

Other Variations

Use honey instead of sweetener
Use watermelon instead of sweetener. Reduce the amount of water.
Use any other type of fruit instead of strawberries

In the Defense of Food

Posted on Aug 4, 2008 in health | 0 comments

If you want to be enlightened about what you’re eating and its effects, I suggest you pick up “In the Defense of Food” by Micheal Pollen. In it, he discusses how most of what we’re eating is not food but “edible foodlike substances” Рfreaks of nature food science packaged in “good for you!” labels. This “food” has lead to an increase in heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Why is it the more we concern ourselves with nutrition, the less healthy we become?

Some Interesting Facts

• In 1960 Americans spent 17.5% of their income on food and 5.2% on health care. Now we spend 9.9% on food and 16% on health care. Hmmm‚Ķ
• We now have to eat 3 apples to get the same amount of iron as you would have gotten from a single 1940 apple.
• The body is starved of critical nutrients so it will keep eating in hope of obtaining them.
• For the first time in history, we have people who are overfed and undernourished.
• In America, nearly a fifth of all eating takes place in the car.

Some of Pollen’s Advice

• Eat food. Not too much. Mostly Plants.
• Avoid food products with ingredients that are A) unfamiliar, B) unpronounceable, C) more than five in number, or D) include high-fructose corn syrup.
• Avoid food that makes health claims.
• Shop the peripheries of the supermarket and stay out of the middle.
• Eat mostly plants, especially leaves.
• Pay more, eat less.
• Eat meals.
• Don‚Äôt get your fuel from the same place your car does.

This book is filled with amazing insight and great advice. Pick up a copy and then be sure to visit your local farmers market for some whole food! Bon appetit!

Pimms, England’s Gift to Summer

Posted on Aug 1, 2008 in health | 0 comments

If I was still living in London and we had weather like today’s, you would find me sitting by the river enjoying a refreshing glass of Pimms. “What is Pimms?” you ask. Well, my friend, Pimms is the traditional English summertime drink that makes up for their rainy weather. And, thankfully, it can be found at a liquor store near you. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Ingredients

mint sprigs
lemon slices
orange slices
cucumber slices
strawberry, halved
4 ounces fresh lemon juice
Ice
Pimm’s No. 1
chilled ginger beer

Directions

In a pitcher, muddle the leaves of mint sprig with half of the lemon slices, orange slice, cucumber slice, and half of the strawberry and the lemon juice. Add ice and Pimm’s. Shake well and pour into an ice-filled pilsner glass 2/3 full. Stir in the ginger beer and garnish with the remaining mint sprig, lemon slice, orange slice, cucumber spear, cucumber ribbon and strawberry half.

Tomato, Basil & Olive Feta Skewers

Posted on Jul 24, 2008 in health | 0 comments

This is an easy and delicious starter. The original recipe only used tomatoes and feta, but I made some with olives instead and they’re delicious. Very good with an ice cold beer!

Ingredients

6 ripe cherry tomatoes
6 Kalamata olives pitted
12 cubes of feta
12 fresh basil leaves
1 clove garlic, crushed
Extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp dried thyme
12 toothpicks

Method

If you have bought the feta as a block, cut your 12 cubes – carefully so that the cheese does not crumble. Place the cubes in a shallow dish. Mix a few tablespoons of olive oil, garlic and thyme together and pour over the cheese cubes. Cover and refrigerate overnight, turning the cubes once or twice for even coating.

When you are ready to serve, rinse the tomatoes and thread onto each skewer: 1 tomato or olive, 1 basil leaf, and 1 cube of feta (again, be careful that the cheese does not crumble and fall apart). Balance each skewer on its block of cheese and serve with drinks.

(source: Cook Sister!)