Feel Good Monday New Year's Eve Post

December 31st, 2012

Feel Good Monday New Year's Eve Post

Hi Everyone,

Here we are at the end of another year!  As you make your New Year's resolutions for 2013,
keep this gem in mind that I learned about in my women's group.  Focus on the feeling of what you want  in 2013 instead of the form.  So, if you want to feel great in your body, focus on that and then consider how you will create "feeling great".  For me that  might look like in addition to eating well (lots of veggies, high quality proteins, small amount of grains) running/walking a couple of times a week, getting to my favorite spin class and incorporating some abdominal work and light weightlifting when I am at home.  Go for how you want to feel and then let that lead you to the actual doing to help get you there.  Make sense? Hope so!

Here is a great green smoothie recipe from Kris Carr's Crazy Sexy Kitchen .  For more on her book check out my post from last week.

Crazy Sexy Goddess Smoothie
1 avocado (or almond butter, nut milk, coconut meat instead)
1 banana
1 cucumber
1 fistful of kale, romaine lettuce or spinach
coconut water or purified water (enough so you can blend)
Stevia to taste and or cinnamon/cacoa

Place all in blender and blend until ingredients are smooth.

Lysa's version of this ( I made this one day last year in an effort to nourish myself and be able to get out the door to work in 5 minutes. Was so happy I did, it was delicious!)
PS. I do a version of this with:
1 scoop Amazing Grass Berry Green Superfood powder
1 banana
1 handful of kale
1 tbsp almond butter
enough almond milk to be able to blend

It is a great energy booster and sweet treat/snack.

That's all for now!  Wishing you all a very happy and super healthy 2013!
Lysa

Feel Good Monday Merry Christmas Eve Post

Greetings Everyone,

Today I want to share a book with you that I bought for my niece who recently moved into
her first apartment in NYC.  It's called Crazy Sexy Kitchen by Kris Carr.  I could go on and on about Kris Carr and this book but I have vowed to keep my posts short and sweet and it is Christmas eve
and I have a lot to do, so I want to just share a paragraph of the book that I loved.  This is something
that I try so hard to share with clients and anyone who will listen but I never say it as powerfully as Kris does here.

"The kitchen has heart, soul, and powerful medicine.  It's not only fun to get to know this sacred space, it's truly liberating.  The goodness born in the kitchen will reach deep into the rest of your life- enriching your health, your home, and the planet."

How beautifully said is that?  And the coolest part is that is really true, I have experienced it first hand!

Kris is a vegan, I am not but I love vegetables intensely and make it my business to eat lots of them often.  I encourage to do the same!

In the spirit of Christmas, I am sharing two recipes today (instead of one).  Here is one from the Kris' book:

Crazy Sexy Kale Recipe:
1 bunch kale, shredded by hand
1 cup diced peppers, red, yellow or orange
1/4 cup parsley chopped
1 1/2 cup avocado, pit removed and chopped
2 tablespoons flax oil
1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
sea salt to taste
pinch of cayenne

In a medium mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Massage and mix with your hands to "wilt" the kale and cream the avocado (this should only take a minute or two) and serve.

Here is a great recipe from a nutritionist Whitney Gerschke Johnson from www.trustyourgutnutrition.com

Merry Christmas Everyone!
xoLysa

Citrus Beet Salad

• Beets
• Basil
• Beet greens
• Orange-infused olive oil (or plain olive oil)
• An orange

To Make:

• Cut the greens off the beets.  Chop them and the basil finely.
• Bake the beets until tender. (depending on size can take up to an hour).
• Slice the beets into 1-inch size pieces.  Place in a bowl with the greens and basil.
• Mix the juice from an orange and some orange-infused olive oil together and pour over the beets, greens, & basil.
• Top with a touch of salt and orange zest.
• Enjoy!

Light a candle today

Hi Everyone,

I promised last week to post each Monday with the goal of providing inspiration for your week.
Today, it is hard to post something in light of Friday's tragedy.  The only thought I keep wanting to
share is something that I did on Friday after hearing the news and I hope to continue to do when I can.

Light a candle for those who have lost their life.
Light a candle for those who are suffering an unspeakable loss.
Light a candle for all of us as we are all connected.

Be the light and reach out as much as you can this week and always.
Our life is precious, especially when we share it with the world around us.

And don't forget to eat your greens, they will help your sense of well being even during this
heartbreaking time.

Be well,
Lysa

Feel Good Monday Weekly Post

December 10th, 2012

Happy Monday Everyone,

One of my clients (who is also a great friend) recommended that I start sending out a "Feel Good Monday" blog post. I love this idea as sometimes we all need a little inspiration to get our head "in the game" in the beginning of the week.  

This week seemed especially appropriate since we are the midst in the holiday season.

With Chanukah already here and Christmas vastly approaching, it's an easy time to get stressed out and let ourselves be consumed by all of the "to do's" on our list.

Here are some tools to help you navigate through this hectic time:

 Take the time to do the following:

a. Organize yourself: Make your list, keeping in mind simple is great!

b. Focus on the joy of the moment.  All of our moments add up to a lifetime.  Get in as much joy as you can!

c. Remember even during this season you need to eat regularly and healthily. Greens, protein, and lots of water will go a long way to help you feel your best.  

d. Gratitude for a life well lived and loved is the greatest gift we can give to ourselves and others.  

If you enjoyed this post, send it to a friend and or add a comment. 

Enjoy your week and here is a recipe for you to try,

Lysa 

The Greenest Salad (from Heidi Swanson's 101 Cookbooks blog)

1 medium head of broccoli / 8 oz / TK g or equivalent broccolini, florets and stalks cut into small bite-sized pieces

1 small avocado, sliced

1/3 cup toasted pistachios

a bit of crumbled feta

a big splash of balsamic tarragon vinaigrette*

Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil, salt as you would pasta water, add the broccoli and simmer for just a minute or so until the broccoli is bright and just tender. Drain, run under cold water to stop cooking, pat dry with a clean cloth, and set aside.

Trim the base off the head of romaine, then slice it crosswise into 1/2-inch strips of lettuce. Wash well and dry gently but completely. Set aside someplace cold until ready to use.

Just before serving, in a large bowl, combine the broccoli, lettuce, and pistachios with a generous slug of vinaigrette. Toss well, add the avocado, and gently toss once or twice more, Serve topped with the feta, and a pinch of salt if needed. You can use any remaining vinaigrette drizzle over all sorts of vegetables, frittatas, bread, savory tarts, and the like.

Serves 4.

*Balsamic tarragon vinaigrette: In a blender or food processor, combine 1 small peeled shallot, 1/4 cup tarragon, 1/3 cup flat-leaf parsley, 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, scant 1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt, and 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Pulse until smooth, taste, and adjust with more lemon juice, salt, (or a kiss of something sweet), if needed. Makes about one cup of dressing.

Prep time: 10 min