In this Issue - 1/1/11 Contact Me Upcoming Events Article: Ditch the Diet Monthly Recipe: Dahl Upcoming Events I actually love new year's resolutions and hanging up a calendar for a new year. Ever since I was a kid I loved, loved, loved flipping the calendar page when a new month had arrived (never mind a new year, that was even better, ok, it's the simple things in life that amuse me). Anyway, I don't know why exactly, I always felt like I had a "clean slate", a new start with that blank page. I never really have anything in specific in mind that I wanted to happen, it was the "unknown" that got my attention. I hear a lot of people say they "hate new years resolutions" because it sets you up for failure. And I agree, some failed resolutions can make you feel bad, but really, who cares, at least you tried, right....... In the article below "Ditch the Diet in 2011", I'll suggest changes you can make in your lifestyle and your diet that are simple, accessible and fun (and will set you up for success)! But first check out the classes that are going on with Hastings Healthy Living in January..... Contact Me Thanks for taking the time to read my newsletter! If you have any questions or want more information on any of the classes just click on the link to your right. To your health and happiness, Renee For more information Upcoming Events Here's what's going on this month: Post Holiday Sugar Detox When: Thursday January 13, 2011 Time: 7:30 pm- 9:00 pm Location: Heartsong Yoga Center 264 North Main St East Longmeadow Ma 01028 Cost: $20/person Winter Detox and Yoga Workshop When: Sunday January 23, 2011 Time: 11 am-1:30 pm Location: Heartsong Yoga Center 264 North Main St East Longmeadow Ma 01028 Cost: $30/person prepaid. $35/person at the door For more information or to register Article: Ditch the Diet In January almost every magazine article talks about "getting in shape" or "the newest diet that will help you loose weight forever". And while these titles can be intriguing, they can also be misleading and confusing..... Well, I"m going offer you a different piece of advice, I say you ditch the diet this January! Listen, how many years have you told yourself this is the year I'll loose the weight, or run more, or walk more or eat more salad... And because of whatever restrictive resolution you chose, you failed. I am not saying you're a failure, no way! But rather when we put huge goals and restrictions on ourselves this time of year our body does not agree. The winter is the worst time of year to try to loose weight, it's like trying to "push on a pull door" (if you get what I mean). This is because in the Northeast it's natural for our bodies to want to conserve energy rather than burn it when it's 30 degrees or colder outside! Spring is actually the time to cut calories and I'll fill you in on why that is in a few months. Now, now, this is not a free for all, I'm not saying that it's ok to binge on sugar or eat crappy food all winter and "dig yourself out" in the spring. But I am saying the last thing you should do is to go on low calorie, restrictive diet and beat yourself up if you don't get the results you want. So, instead of throwing your body out of balance by cutting calories when you need them most (in the winter), try something simpler or try adding new healthy foods in! For example: - Make a resolution to drink more water and buy yourself a new, fancy water bottle to make it fun. - Resolve to kick your refined sugar habit for good!!! Kick the sugar habit - Get off the processed food OR buy higher quality prepackaged foods. You can do this by switching Quaker granola bars for Kashi or Odwalla bars. - Eat more sweet root vegetables such as butternut squash, carrots, rutabaga or parsnips (just turn your oven on 350, chop up the veggies, drizzle with olive oil and roast for 45 minutes to 1 hour). - Eat some dried fruit for a treat instead of candy - Switch out a few conventional grown vegetables (that means veggies grown with pesticides) for organic ones where the budget allows. When to go organic These are just a few suggestions for healthy changes in the new year, but the point is to take it easy on yourself and rather than make a huge resolution that leaves you feeling sad if you don't accomplish it, resolve to take it one step at a time and choose a goal that allows you to add something good to your life, not take anything away. For more informaiton on health counseling Monthly Recipe: Dahl During the cold winter months we should be fueling our bodies with warming foods. This means consuming foods that are both physically warm (soup) and naturally warm (ginger or cayenne pepper). The recipe this month is for a traditional Indian dish called Dahl. It is a lentil based "soup" and you can adjust the amount of heat in it by adding more or less of the cayenne pepper. It is delicious!!!!! Dahl Ingredients: 1 T. sesame oil or, alternatively, olive oil 1 cup finely chopped white onion 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 T. finely chopped fresh ginger 4 cups water or vegetable broth 1 cup dried red lentils, rinsed and picked over 1 t. cumin 1 t. coriander 1 t. tumeric t. cardamom t. cinnamon t. cayenne pepper 1 t. salt, or to taste 2 T. tomato paste Preparation: 1. In a 3-quart stockpot or other medium-sized soup pot, heat the sesame oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the onion, garlic and ginger. Cook, stirring often, until the onions are translucent, about 6 minutes. 2. Stirring constantly, add the water or broth, lentils, spices and salt. Bring to a low boil, then turn down the heat to low, cover and let the soup simmer for about 20 minutes, or until lentils are very tender. 3. Stir in the tomato paste until well combined. Cook several minutes more, or until the soup is desired temperature and consistency, adding more water to the dahl if needed. For more recipes