4.2018

Zion Nat'l Park, Columbine

Can Meditation Change Your Brain?

Compassion and empathy become predominant personality traits with the practice of routine quieting of our busy brains. Exciting neuroscience in this recently released article.

Roasted Cauliflower

Delicious and nutritious!

Ingredients:

  • 1 head of cauliflower
  • olive oil
  • a pinch of salt
  • a larger pinch of black pepper

Preparation:

  • pre-heat the oven to 400.
  • cut the head of cauli into 1/2 inch thick slices. Small pieces will break off of the slices, no worries–they’ll taste just as fabulous!
  • place the slices on a cookie sheet or flat pan.
  • drizzle with olive oil, spreading the oil around on both sides.
  • sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  • bake for 5 – 8 minutes, turn the pieces over, and repeat.
  • Enjoy the rich, buttery taste and crunchy texture! Let the kids pick up the slices with their hands to bite off delicious mouthfuls!

Note: I’ve been bringing home orange cauliflower whenever I find it at Briarpatch, my local natural foods co-op. It’s got a fuller flavor than it’s white cousin and offers an intriguing viewing variation.

This delightful side dish was introduced to me by my colleague and friend, Wendy Van Wagner of In the Kitchen.

BOO-Nanners, a Healthy Halloween Treat

This clever treat for children (and their parents!) is a delicious, healthy, and fun alternative to big-bag Halloween treats.

Boo-Nanners

Servings: 2 per banana

Ingredients:
*peeled banana, cut in half
*orange juice
*dried shredded coconut
*currants or raisins
*popsicle sticks

Preparation:
1. Sprinkle banana with orange juice
2. Roll in coconut, you may find it a little easier and neater to use a zip top bag for this step if the little ones are making these
3. Gently press in currant eyes
4. Place on popsicle stick

These boo-nanners can be frozen to be served as a popsicle or eaten fresh. Either way, the kids will love it!

Shared from California Wellness Task Force, Fit for the Holidays newsletter.

Holiday Survival: A Cooking and Eating Class

This is the cooking and eating class you’ve been waiting for! Back by popular demand, I am partnering with Wendy Van Wagner of In the Kitchen to present this special class–just in time for the holidays.

Do the holidays seem like a food-free-for-all? Around the family table at Thanksgiving, do you have to loosen your belt in between dinner and dessert? Do you stumble to the couch for a post-meal nap? Are you tempted by the endless supply of “goodies” that magically show up on December 1st–homemade cookies, fudge, caramel popcorn balls, veggies and rich dips, sweet and fruity punch (that you wouldn’t drink any other time of year), parties, parties, and more eating parties…?

The Holiday Survival Cooking and Eating Class will support your intention to maintain a nourishing balance in your life over the holidays. We’ll talk strategies for making sane–and still satisfying–choices at parties and family gatherings; how to shop for and cook healthy dishes for your own table and to take to parties; and how to bring a sense of balance by incorporating physical activity, positive affirmation, and the practice of quieting your mind.

All of this while we eat, drink, and be merry around the chop block table! Join in the fun on Thursday, November 11 at 6:00 PM, come away divinely satiated, and with confidence that you can Survive the Holidays! Space is limited, click here to register, scroll down to November 11th… See you there.

10/26/10 Nevada Joint Union High School District

I am honored to be part of the amazing efforts of the High School District in Nevada County to support the health and well-being of their teachers and staff. In follow up to the annual health appraisal that is offered, I will be providing a workshop entitled, Know Your Numbers, at which we will review the results of the health appraisal and I will share strategies for healthful behaviors that will keep or bring their numbers within normal ranges. How wonderful it is that those that care for, nurture, and teach our children are in turn, cared for and nurtured by the District. Knowing their numbers is the first step towards engaging in daily choices that support optimal health and well-being. I’ll be providing a group workshop and several one-on-one sessions to participants on both High School campuses. Hooray for teachers and staff, Hooray for the District for their forward thinking!

10/22/10 Eat To Your Heart’s Content

In this ongoing seasonal cooking class series, Wendy Van Wagner of In the Kitchen, and I will be partnering up again to offer another informative, fun, and delicious heart-healthy cooking class. This class, which will focus on Fall Foods, has filled up quickly! I am thrilled with the enthusiastic response to what has become a series–we’ll offer these heart-healthy cooking classes four times a year (at least!) to take advantage of the variety of delightful and delicious foods that are available on a seasonal basis. Stay tuned for the winter class to be offered in January, 2011!

10/16/10 Soroptimist of Colfax, Women’s Health Fair

I am looking forward to my upcoming presentation at the Women’s Health Fair sponsored by the Colfax chapter of Soroptimist International. My one-hour workshop will afford the opportunity to share the concepts of optimal health management by discussing the benefits of eating well, eliciting the relaxation response, and engaging in regular physical activity. Most importantly, I will be sharing strategies to motivate the participants to incorporate new, healthful behaviors using pleasant, small-step daily goals to achieve optimal health and well-being.

"There aren't many people with your combination of medical expertise and caring for the whole person. Your incremental approach to helping me develop better health habits really works. I never feel judged and always feel encouraged and cared about. Thank you!"
---S.R., Nevada County

recipe link
nowhearthis
mindful more
more...balancedlife
more...quietingbusybrain
more...real food
justmove
Blog Categories