Monday, February 25, 2013

Feel Good Monday Post: Unplugging and Recharging


Hi Everyone,

There seems to be a consistent theme that I have become aware of this month.  The need to "unplug" and the challenge of actually following through with this is my lesson right now.  When I work with people, I not only work with what people are feeding themselves foodwise but also look at the broader picture of what they are "feeding" themselves.  I often suggest developing some kind of relaxation practice, exercise routine not only for weight loss but also for a sense of well being.  I encourage people to eat mindfully, sitting down, creating awareness around not just what they are eating, but how.  The goal is to help people feel their healthiest and happiest.

What I am finding for myself is that I need to practice these simple life changing rituals myself.  For the most part my diet is just fine, and the way I eat is more often relaxed than not.  It is the "unplugging" from the internet (even for work) and my time management skills that need attention.  Two weeks ago I was racing to a nutrition workshop so I wouldn't be late. I felt so stressed that I was hit over the head by the impact of my pattern of always racing around on my nervous system.  All the good eating, exercising, water drinking won't make up for the self induced stress I put on my adrenal glands when I try to do a unrealistic amount of things in one day.

So....for this week, I am going to commit to working on "unplugging and recharging".  For me, this will mean turning my computer off by 9pm, taking time to breathe and fit in at least 5 minutes of stretching, walking a few times this week and giving myself enough space to be on time to my appointments.

How will you unplug and recharge this week?

Here is a great recipe I cooked with a client this week.  If you are a vegetarian, I would just use tofu or tempeh instead of chicken and veggie broth instead of chicken broth. This is very child friendly (without ginger unless your child is a ginger fan). The sauce is really yummy and is simple to make.

Be well!
Lysa

Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry from www.healthyseasonalrecipes.com

Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup

  • 2 tablespoons tahini
  • 
2 tablespoons tamari 
  • 4 teaspoons sesame oil, divided

  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed

  • ¼ teaspoon ground white pepper or black pepper

  • 1 bunch scallions, sliced, white and green parts separated

  • 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger root (or you can mince it if you don't have a microplane)

  • 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • 
4 cups broccoli florets, about 2 small crowns
  • 2 cups sliced carrots

  • 1 tablespoon lime juice

  • 2 teaspoon sesame seeds, for garnish, optional
Instructions:
  • Whisk maple syrup, tahini, tamari or soy sauce in a small bowl and set aside.
  •  Heat large skillet over high heat. Add 2 teaspoons oil and swirl to coat bottom of skillet.  Add chicken, sprinkle with pepper and cook, turning once or twice until browned, 5 to 6 minutes.  Note* the chicken will not be fully cooked and will continue cooking in the sauce in step 4.  Remove the chicken to a plate.

  • Add the remaining 2 teaspoons canola to the skillet, followed by the scallion whites and ginger.  Cook, stirring until fragrant, 15 to 30 seconds.  Add broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits. Add broccoli and carrots, cover and simmer, stirring once or twice until the broccoli is bright green and the vegetables are still crisp but starting to soften slightly, 4 to 5 minutes.
  • Stir sauce, the chicken and any accumulated juices from the plate into the vegetables and continue cooking, stirring often until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is thickened, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in reserved scallion greens, lime juice and sesame seeds.

Note: Serve with brown rice or whole-grain noodles.




Monday, February 11, 2013

Feel Good Monday Post: Surrender and Lemony Eggplant dish)


Hi Everyone,

Greetings on this mixed weather wintry day (sleet, freezing rain, snow). 
When thinking about what to write about today, the topic of "surrender" came to mind.
I chose this because clearly it has been the lesson for me the last couple of weeks with having an assortment of ailments at my house ( children with stomach bugs, fevers, head colds, etc) and then school closings due to winter weather.  

So, here's my plan for surrender.  While my story is focused on the challenges of motherhood right now,  I think this plan could be used for any challenging moment in life.
  • Breathe deeply when I feel overwhelmed 
  • Love what is before me & dedicate time to expressing gratitude for what I have ( play with my children for however much time I can carve out of the day)
  • Know that this too shall pass (the house will be restored to its non messy state and I will get what I need to get done soon enough)
  • Have fun in the process!
On another note, I went to a friend's house for a Chinese New Year's Party over the weekend.  Among the delicious food served was an eggplant dish I LOVED.    Here is a recipe that included the ingredients of the dish (it is not the exact recipe).  It is from www.foodwanderings.com .  It is a little more complicated of a recipe than I usually post, but it was truly delicious. 

Enjoy!  
Lysa

Burnt Eggplant with Garlic, Lemon and Pomegranate Seeds (from FoodWandering blog)
adapted from Jerusalem: A Cookbook

Ingredients:
2 large eggplants (2lbs)
2 gloves garlic, minced
Grated zest of 1/2 large lemon
3 tablespoons lemon
3 tablespoon olive oil
4 tablespoons parsley
2 tablespoons mint leaves, chopped
Seeds of 1/2 pomegranate
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste

Char eggplants on a stove top, grill or on a broil mode in the oven. Turn around so it is charred all around. When broiling, I removed the stem and forked the eggplant all over the surface of the skin.

Let eggplant cool once charred all around. Peel and with a fork separate into strands. Add 2 tablespoons of lemon, mix and let strain in a fine mesh strainer for up to an hour. Cook's note: I add the lemon immediately so the eggplant won't oxidize too much. I let it strain for 20 minutes only.

Add the rest of the ingredients including 1 tablespoon of leftover lemon juice , mix, adjust for salt and refrigerate until serving.  

Monday, February 4, 2013

Feel Good Monday Post: What are you craving?

Hi Everyone,

I hope this note finds you all happy and well!
This month I have been lucky enough to be hired to lead workshops for Adirondack Trailways bus drivers. The workshops started last week.  What I found myself emphasizing to them was the importance of "investigating what works for them food and exercise wise".  It has occurred to me recently that so many of us eat a certain way because we read it in a book or were told to do so by a nutritionist or some other health practitioner.  It is rare that we are encouraged to experiment and tune into our own "inner nutrition expert".   This is a process that takes trial and error but is so worth it because it will ultimately lead us to eating in a way that helps us feel excellent.  Experimenting with a variety of foods and different dietary approaches is one of the best ways to figure out your optimal "fuel".

The trickiest part of the journey is trying to figure out cravings.
Sugar cravings are especially hard because they come in disguise of many other needs.  I want to encourage you to ask yourself these questions when a sugar craving attack comes:

1. Did I drink enough water today?
2. Did I eat enough protein/fat today?
3. Did I get enough sleep?

The above are among a long list of what your body might actually be looking for when you get a sugar craving.  If you struggle with sugar cravings, please join me on February 19th, 7pm at the Stone Ridge Healing Arts in Stone Ridge, NY.  You can email me to register:  Lysa.Ingalsbe@gmail.com or call 845 679-5881. Cost is $20.  
We will spend the evening looking into sugar cravings and how to deconstruct them. We also will explore using a variety of gentle sweetners  that are kinder to your body and still taste great.

Please check out the Grain Free Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe from the Paleo Plan Diet Website:


  • Grain Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • 3 cups almond flour
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
  • 1/2 cup raw honey
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
  • If dough seems runny, try adding some shredded coconut or rolled oats (can use gluten free if you want the cookies gluten free).

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375℉.
  2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  3. In a small mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients. Set aside.
  4. In a medium mixing bowl, beat the eggs, honey, and vanilla extract with a hand mixer, or wire whisk.
  5. Pour wet ingredients slowly into dry ingredients and beat with mixer or fork until combined.
  6. Add the melted coconut oil and continue to blend until combined.  Stir in chocolate chips.
  7. Drop Tablespoon size balls of cookie dough onto prepared baking sheet.
  8. Bake for approximately 8-10 minutes.