Top Tips for a Healthy Winter: December 2010 Newsletter What did winter feel like to you when you were growing up? I remember bubbling with excitement the first time it snowed enough that my family could go sledding at Cathedral High School. It didn't matter how cold it was, how many times I had to climb that hill (my Dad may disagree seeing that he had to haul our sleds up when we were to tired, which was basically after the first run, but he was a good sport about it as most Dad's are), how cold my feet were or how hungry I was, all I wanted to do was stay outside and be in the snow! For most of us that feeling of "bubbling with excitement" at the first snowfall is may be just a memory, and as an adult you may be filled with thoughts like these: "Ugh, time to get out the snowblower" "When will this snow stop, I have a long commute in the morning" "Great I can't get my walk in, it's snowing and it's way to cold!" "I could just sleep all day" "Here we go, flu season, I know I'm going to get sick" I hope I don't get the winter blues again" The list could go on and on, right? Well here's the thing, winter is coming (like an unwanted house guest) and like it or not it's staying for about 4 months. So the way I see it you have to options; one, you can curl up and feel yucky for the next few months OR two, you can keep on reading and find out how you can make this a winter to remember, just like when you were a kid (and maybe even learn a few tips on how to avoid your yearly cold or flu)! But FIRST, here's what's happening with Hastings Healthy Living this December! Newsletter Content 1. UPCOMING EVENTS 2. Article: Top Tips for a Healthy (and Happy) Winter 3. Recipe of the Month: Super Simple Chicken Soup 4. Contact Renee Upcoming Events Here's what's happening in December! Click Here For Details On All Upcoming Classes Thursday December 9, 2010 Workshop: Winter Wellness Workshop Time: 7:30 pm- 9 pm Location: Heartsong Yoga 264 North Main St East Longmeadow Ma 01028 Cost: $20/person The winter season is a fact of life in New England, but wouldn't it be fantastic if you could look forward to the holiday season and see it in a whole new light! During this workshop we will explore everything you need to know to avoid the "winter blues" and how to keep your immune system strong! You'll Learn: - The top 12 foods that support the immune system - The #1 food that suppresses the immune system for up to 4 hours! - Specific vitamins and minerals that strengthen the immune system and how to get these from food) - The activities that are crucial to the immune system and keep your body energized and balanced - 3 easy recipes that contain immune system boosting ingredients - A flow of yoga poses that strengthen the body, immune system and lift the spirit Click here to REGISTER Article: Top Tips for a Healthy (and Happy) Winter! As Americans we are surrounded by a culture that is in fast forward mode all of the time. You can see it in the way we think, act and even the way we drive, speeding off in a million directions stressed and tired most of the time, right?.... And when the season of winter settles upon us it forces us to slow down and for some of us that can feel a little uneasy. So we continue to go 'full speed ahead', not paying attention to the gift of winter that Nature gives us. For those of you who read my newsletter every month you will notice something different in my "upcoming events" section from December-February. Most months you will find anywhere from 2-5 events going on, but come December that slows significantly to 1 or 2 events and it'll stay that way until late February or early March. This is because I've (finally) learned to listen to Nature and put the breaks on for a few months to take care of myself and 'go inside' (both literally, by staying in my house more and figuratively, by checking in with myself about what's going on emotionally) and take stock of what's gone on in the past year and prepare for the Spring. When we go against Nature and push through the winter, moving at the same speed as we do in the spring and summer we set ourselves up for exhaustion, depression and sickness, I know I sound like "Debbie Downer", but it's true. (When I use that phrase I always feel bad for all those named Debbie, why did their name get stuck with that saying). Anyway, below I've listed some of my "top tips" to keep you healthy and happy all winter long! And if you want a fool proof flu plan, come to my class this Thursday at Heartsong yoga,Click here to REGISTER. I swear by the foods and activities I'll be discussing, I've literally dogged 4 colds and 1 flu since last year with this plan. In fact, I'm not being cocky, but I no longer get nervous when a co-worker, family member or friend is sick, I just go home and start my 'flu plan'! Enjoy! Top 5 Winter Wellness Tips: 1. Make a date with your bed. (ok this could sound a little weird), but what I mean is one or two nights a week make it a priority to be in bed by 10:00 p.m. This is because your body is most ready for sleep around 10:00 p.m., after that you may find that you get your "second wind". 2. Was your hands. Ok, I know you're thinking this one is a given, but here's a twist on it, DO NOT use antibacterial soap! When you use antibacterial soap over and over you kill not only the bad bacteria on your hands, but also the good bacteria and this can leave you vulnerable for catching MORE colds and the flu! Try, Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day hand soap. It has a great lavender sent and is available at Stop and Shop. 3. Eat Garlic. Garlic has a compound in it called allicin, it functions like a broad-spectrum antibiotic against bacteria and viruses in the body. Just remember to slice or crush the garlic, that's how the allicin is released and you can absorb it! 4. Eat Chicken Soup. Eating warm foods naturally keeps the body's core temperature up. Keeping your internal temperature up in the winter is a natural defense against colds and flu viruses. Also adding foods like ginger to soups warms the body and helps to break up mucous. Check out the recipe below! 5. Exercise. Try to get outside even just for 15 minutes for a quick walk everyday (even when it's freezing out). This will increase blood flow and circulation so you can move out any germs you may have come into contact with and will toughen your body against viruses! So there you have it my top 5 tips to keep you happy and healthy this winter. If you want to learn more and get a specific flu plan for winter, Click here to REGISTER for the Winter Wellness Class this Thursday Dec 9th! Recipe of the Month: Chicken and Ginger Soup Almost everyone loves a good homemade chicken soup and this recipes is easy and it rocks!! It's great on a cold winter day and also good for building your body during or after a cold. Enjoy! 2 1/2 pounds Chicken skinned (I use a mixture of breasts and legs) 3 long stocks of celery, diced 1 bunch scallions or 1 small onion, chopped 1 3-inch piece of ginger peeled and cut into matchsticks 1 bunch parsley (optional) 2 large carrots, diced 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 tsp cumin 1 tsp coriander salt and pepper to taste 2 tsp fresh lemon juice 1. Place chicken in water (enough to cover chicken) then cover and bring to a boil over medium high heat. 2. Add celery, carrot, onion or scallions, ginger, garlic, cumin, coriander, salt, pepper and reduce heat and simmer, covered for 2 1/2 hours. 3. Remove chicken and cool slightly, pull meat from the bones add add meat back to pot. 4. Add more salt pepper if needed and add lemon juice and parsley. Contact Me Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter! I hope you enjoyed it! The time is here to make a positive change in your health, I am available for health history consultations, just click here for more information about health counseling or to schedule an appointment. To your health and happiness, Renee Hastings, HCC