Conscious Eating...

After all the hubbub of Oprah's 'One Week of Vegan' eating, I wanted to share these websites that have some great recipes as well as other good information. I watched Oprah's show and hold the same feelings as some critics of the shopping excursion.  So much processed "non-meat" products were focused on.  Personally I view eating a vegan diet as choosing food in it's natural form - fruits and vegetables, and beans and grain. The tofu turkey and sausage should be used for variety in small portions - just like we are to use meat products.  And honestly I believe eating meat in moderation - particularly grass fed meat is okay.  It is that key word moderation. 

Michelle O'Bama was on the 'Today Show' this morning with Matt Lauer and he read her menu for Superbowl Sunday - wings and deep dish pizza were among the foods.  When questioned by Matt she said that removing these 'desired foods' from you diet forever is an impossible task - so she is a proponent of 'moderation'.

As you know - I believe in baby steps, so eating meatless meals a few times a week is a great start.  I like to cook one or two meals on Sunday to have for the week - and that could be six meals.  I found a great vegetarian chili recipe - (since we were all about turkey chili and this satisfies just as well),  lentil soup, kale with whole wheat pasta and grape tomatoes, spaghetti squash, baked sweet potatoes, beets are among the staple meals.

http://news.cancerconnect.com/wellness-kitchen/

http://www.cancerproject.org/recipes/index.php

Of course, there are many many more websites with great recipes - and here is Chef Kathryn's- my high school friend...

http://www.thehealthchef.com/recipes.asp

"Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet. "
~Albert Einstein

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And can you take this two minute challenge to clear your head:

http://www.donothingfor2minutes.com/

World Health Organization reports......

"Physical inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for all global deaths, with 31% of the world's population not physically active."

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/notes/2011/world_cancer_day_20110204/en/index.html

I may be preaching to the faithful and if so that is your cue to share the news with others.  The American College of Sports Medicine in 2010 said the same thing as the World Health Organization - 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic activity a week...(22 minutes a day, 45 minutes very other day, how about 1 1/4 hours twice a week) - reduces the risk of breast and colon cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

In this time of the Biggest Loser - where we see so many Americans - obese - we can't sit back and think - well that's not me, so I am okay.  Sedentary is NOT OK!

Just start... get out and walk - a few times a day - just get it in...you will progress quickly once you take a step.

For those of you who like statistics:

Increase in inactivity (from the WHO report):

Physical inactivity is increasing in many countries and has major implications for these cancers, along with other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Physical inactivity is associated with:

3.2 million deaths per year, including 2.6 million in low- and middle-income countries;

over 670 000 premature deaths (people aged under 60 years);

around 30% of diabetes and ischaemic heart disease burden

Enough said?

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"Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it." ~Plato





Had enough snow?....don't be a hater!

I just knew that would stir you up.

So - it is February - how are you doing?  How are you moving towards your goals?  Excuse me - didn't decide on one...heaven forbid.

Well I decided I would put the Strength for Life goals out there for you to see.  We have very ambitious plans - so jump in and help if you can.  Lord knows - we can use it.  But we are moving forward and that is because we have put many things in place and some of the pieces are fitting together.  YES!

First and foremost, we have found three additional locations to hold our classes - so bring on the participants. Islip, Deer Park and Island Park - we will continue to look for convenient locations with interested parties. How can you help ? .... share the news. 

Just like the inaugural run haunted us for a very  long time - and we accomplished a very successful event - an exercise video has gnawed at us.  The class participants (sorry I don't have the right word - not patients, not clients - more like friends - but you wouldn't know who I was talking about) have asked from day one for a DVD they can refer to at home.  Somehow in their own environment -they forget that we exercise biceps and triceps, chest and back, quads and hamstrings etc - so they only do what they like.  The excuse overwhelms them. Our concern is that they forget how to properly execute the exercise and breathe - subtle reminders are necessary.

So - a video is planned for early this year.  Lisa Mancini Johnson of Body in Balance has allowed us to use her facility to film and Shannon Conboy of Shantastic films is ready, willing and very capable of dealing with us. YES!

We have already contracted for three wellness weekend retreats at the Hyatt Windwatch for March, June and December and we are considering a full day event for cancer patients/survivors and caregivers.  We have been asked on many occasions if a caregiver can attend the wellness weekend and we are not in  the position to offer that at this time - so we thought a full day event with no overnight stay will reach a greater number.

We are considering a July date for the Skydive event - come on you know how great it is to face your fears! Tell your friends, family and co-workers to ' jump out of a plane!' all for a good cause.  With fundraising they can offset the cost and  FREEfall!

Of course, our Evelyn Knapp 5K 'Run to Remember' is already scheduled for November 20, 2011 - same venue - hopefully even more participants. How can you help - train for it, participate and tell your friends, family and co-workers...and, if possible, find a sponsor in your phone book. YES!

We are talking to groups outside of Long Island to host an exercise session and/or wellness weekend retreat. Regional to National - baby steps - the ultimate plan.

If you haven't read the post on the H3 Initiative - we have our first hiking FUNdraiser - I promise to share all about it.  Divine intervention - I do believe!  How can you help - spread the word - we will consider any FUNdraising idea to support.

Unfortunately, the Polar Bear Plunge is not happening this year.  The State Parks denied our application since there are no lifeguards.  Our friend, Lisa, was putting this together and the communications were delayed - perhaps she will pull it off next year. :( for all you daring to dip into the Atlantic through snow!

So I have laid out the Strength for Life goals for 2011 - check up on us, I promise to update you.  At any time feel free to suggest an idea, jump in and help with an event - and always keep us in your mind and share our services with others.

"Only she who attempts the absurd can achieve the impossible." ~Robin Morgan

Remember .....

 "Man is a goal seeking animal. His life only has meaning if he is reaching out

and striving for his goals." ~Aristotle

Law of Attraction - are you using it yet?

Tell me why some of the simplest things to do are the last on the list????

I recall asking clients about their weight loss success - and inevitably one of the answers was water!  WATER, really? Available to us all, not bad tasting, little cost - big reward.  Water, flushes out the toxins, makes you feel full, it is great for your skin and all your cells - water, and it is hard for some people to do. My advice was ( as you know me), a baby step - whatever your intake is now - add one glass. Then in a day or so add another - and another until you have reached the suggested amount of half your body weight in ounces.  Simple, try it!

Then there is the law of attraction. Desire (be clear about it).  Expect it (be open). Receive it! Simple enough? Where is the problem?  A quiet meditation during your day - realizing what you want. Be specific! And focus on your desire (not the lack or void you are trying to fill) .

No why did I start this? Because I am on the receiving end.  I shared in an earlier blog, how you should be specific about your desires because they do manifest.  On Sunday I was reading in the paper about Long Islanders pushing their limits...and read about Shari Zagorski of Oceanside who led a group that hiked the entire length of the Greenbelt Trail from Hecksher to Sunken Meadow - 32 miles. Oh, I cut it out, told Debbie about it and decided to have a hiking fundraiser.

Yesterday, I received notification that we had a new fundraiser. Someone decided, through Active.com, to raise funds for Strength for Life.  Well, usually we know about it, have asked people in a specific event .... or something.  This was out of the blue.  I quickly wrote a thank you  a "please tell us something about yourself and your event" email and let it go. 

I received an answer. A local hiker decided to do something for charity - and selected Strength for Life.

There are no coincidences!

There is definitely more to the story - and I will tell it all!

"Never let life impede on your ability to manifest your dreams. Dig deeper into your dreams and deeper into yourself and believe that anything is possible, and make it happen."  ~ Corin Nemec

Remembering Jack LaLanne

Let's recall the simplicity that Fitness guru Jack LaLanne suggested.  "While watching TV , during those commercial breaks, do something - ab crunches, bicycles, leg lifts.  For the average American watching 4 hours of TV a day you could get an hour or more of exercise. "

Hopefully you are not sitting and watching 4 hours of TV - but he is absolutely right on - that you can incorporate physical activity into your day - simply. 

Jack stated - "I spend two hours a day exercising. But the average person can do half an hour three or four times a week.. .. I lift weights for at least an hour. And I spend another hour swimming or doing other exercises in the water. It's all very vigorous."

Jack's 10 point plan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eB4cQO4sjo

some things never change....and then there are a few that do - girls, your hair....

Jack lived a vibrant 96 years - let's learn from him - get active!

"How do you build up your bank account? By putting something in it everyday.Your health account is no different. What I do today, I am wearing tomorrow. If I put inferior foods in my body today, I'm going to be inferior tomorrow, it's that simple."

~ Jack LaLanne

More and More Evidence ---

on the role of exercise.....

http://journals.lww.com/oncology-times/Fulltext/2010/07250/Benefits___Safety_of_Exercise_Showcased_at_Cancer.3.aspx

***

“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.”

~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

2011 Goals....

We are two weeks into the new year -and I would like to know if  you have selected any goals to accomplish this year?

If the answer is no!

Then please take this week and really decide on one or two. 

Your life will be richer when you set out and accomplish a goal. 

Make them achievable, measurable - and share them.

If the answer is YES!

Bravo!

"Goals are dreams with deadlines." ~Diana Scharf Hunt