31 Day Holiday Warm-up Challenge

The first of October is upon us. It's a beautiful month of change. As the cool weather approaches we sense the end of the year right around the corner. Perhaps this is a good time to take stock before we turn the calendar to 2011.

How has your health been? What happened to those New Year's goals? Maybe this would be the perfect month to really accomplish something great.

For 31 days several of us are starting a Holiday Warm-up Challenge.

Choose one health related thing to change this month. Maybe you want to run every other day, or hit the gym 4 times a week. Maybe it is the time to give up dairy or added salt or sugar. Perhaps you want to see if you can have a month without restaurants or soda, or alcohol. You choose.

Rules? Only 1 rule: Choose ONE thing to change and stick to it.

Write in here, let us know your plans. Join this community of determined friends for 31 days to a new habit. Be curious about yourself. See what happens. Practice great will power, and lean on others for support.

My goal - (This is a hard one, I had to really think it through), no refined sweeteners in anything I eat for the entire month. Sweetness will come from fruit if at all. No honey, sugar, maple syrup etc. Ouch!

Okay. Your turn...

Well Done!

Congratulations on completing the Green Smoothie Challenge!

Many of you have spoken to me over the weeks about your growing addiction to the power of greens. I am encouraged by all the progress.

Here are the top comments:

1. "I can't believe how much I love the taste of these! You cannot taste the greens at all"

2. "I feel so satisfied! I completely gave up by cappuccinos from Wawa"

3. "It is amazing; I don't get hungry for hours after I have one."

4. "My husband is happy - my sexual desire is improving!"

5. "I have so much energy. It is steady too. I don't bottom out like I used to."

6. "This is weird, but I feel addicted."

7. " I really miss it if I can't have my smoothie everyday"

8. " My teenager started drinking little bits, but now she drinks a whole glass on the way to school."

There are many more. Many of you shared recipes and passed them on to friends. Almost everyone increased the amounts of kale, spinach or collards in their blender as the weeks went on.

Keep up the great work! I look forward to hearing from you.

Two Week Sprint

What can happen in 2 weeks?

You can jump start some significant and healthy weight loss!
Smoothies are huge sources of nutrients. They are very satisfying. You can stuff a lot of goodness into the blender pitcher. We often replace breakfast, snacks or lunch with them. Fourteen days focused on fruits, vegetables, whole grains (in moderation), no processed food and lots of smoothies will slim you right down for Memorial Day fun!

You can get healthy, real, sustainable energy!
As your nutrients increase, your body can heal. Toxins move out and healthy chlorophyll-rich molecules zoom into your blood stream ready to juice up those wanting cells. You feel clean, light, even and strong.

You get clearer, fresher skin!
As your cells are fed, your eyes and skin will begin to look clearer and brighter. When you first increase the good and purge the bad, an eruption or two may happen on your face. This is a normal detoxifying function of the skin, that means healing is happening. Keep up the greens. The healing will happen yielding a clear healthy glow.

Your pipes will do their job!
The increased levels of nutrients and fiber will help your digestive track preform beautifully. Wastes will move through and out as they should allowing for your body to detoxify with more efficiency.

The fourteen days will go by fast. Focus, explore recipes, and search out new vegetables to try. Let those sweets, heavy meats, cheeses and breads stay away for these two short weeks. The results will catapult you to even greater success!

Keep in touch. Let's really inspire and support each other through this two week sprint!

Green Jump Start

It is great to hear about so many people joining us this month. Lots of you have asked about recipes and ideas. Here you go.

The Smoothie Toolkit:
A blender that chops ice
Chopped frozen bananas - Keep a Zip-Lock bag of them in the freezer.
Other frozen fruit
Clean fresh fruit
Non-dairy milks - almond, rice, soy, coconut, hemp
Dark greens - kale, collard, Swiss chard, spinach, wheat grass
A nice big glass!!!

Recipes:

Use any combination of the fruits above and plenty of shredded greens - stems and all.
Add about 1/2 cup 'milk' to 3/4 cup water.
Use ice cubes if you want real coldness or are not using any frozen fruit.

For example:
1 rough cup frozen bananas
1/2 cup blueberries
1 cup kale
1/2 cup almond milk
3/4 cup water

Set on 'ice crusher' mode first, then blend until very smooth. Let it rest a minute so as not to ingest all bubbles. Enjoy!

Additions:
Try some unsweetened cocoa or carob powder to make a chocolate smoothie!
Add 2 dates (pitted) to sweeten.
Add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla for a vanilla shake feel
Add peanut or almond butter
Add shredded coconut

Please log on and share your ideas/fears/feelings etc.

Have a green day!!!

Green Smoothie Challenge

With Summer just around the corner the desire for cleanness, life and energy is everywhere. Whether it is the birds vigorously chirping at 5:00am or all the sudden bikers, joggers and dog walkers, life is happening all around us. What better time to rev up our own engines, than the lovey month of May!!!

This month join in the fun as we embark on the Green Smoothie Challenge.

Beginning Saturday May 1st, drink at least 16 ounces (1 pint) of your favorite smoothie each day. Use additional nutrient packed greens. You can use whatever you want. The greens add very little taste but a ton of tremendous benefits! Use collards, kale, Swiss chard, spinach - you name it. The only rule is NO DAIRY. Use plant based milks like almond, coconut, hemp or rice. Use water or juice, but no dairy in the smoothies.

Still not a believer? Watch this video (copy and paste this address into your address bar): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW5LUkeVA6s

We will use this blog to exchange recipes, tips, and results! Write in and share what you are learning, how you are feeling, and what is changing as the month progresses.

The results will blow your mind!

Spread the word...

Veggin' It Up In State College

Revive, Refresh and Renew were the themes for the PA Women's Retreat this weekend in State College. It was all that and more!

Well over 300 women came together for classes and workshops that inspired body, mind and spirit. I was honored to partner with Sheryl Glover and talk about beautiful God given food. Sheryl shared her personal health journey focusing a lot on diabetes. She made us stop and really think about ourselves - what we are doing/not doing to take care of the life God has given us. With gentleness and deep conviction she really inspired us.

After an introductory shower of Spring Mix Confetti, I was able to do my usual plant push while letting the women try some delicious concoctions. Enjoying lots of audience participation, we learned about incorporating FAR MORE whole plant foods into our daily diets.

I look forward to the Embrace Health Seasonal Supper this Saturday night,7:00pm at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Glenside. It is another night of inspiration, education, support and delicious real food! I hope a lot of you will come and bring friends. (By the way ladies these are great for guys. We will have several men sharing. Somehow forums like this seem to move the men way more than hearing it from their wives!!)

Simple Life Saving

Don't miss this fantastic and post on food and aging.

There is a lot of very useful information in a short easy to understand package. Pass it on!

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/four-food-habits-that-age-you

Starving

It amazes me how many people are literally starving due to the 'food' choices they are making. While many are teenagers - kids with a few dollars enticed by cheap edible substances bombarding them everyday, too many are poor women and young children without access to good food. The New York Times recently had an article on kids starving in the Bronx. (You can read the whole article here.) They are eating, but not being fed. Their bodies grow larger but not better. Their health is poor and they are at great risk for the diseases that are costing us billions.

We say, "How can I help? I don't live in the inner city." As the fantastic movie "Food Inc." points out - every dollar we spend is a vote. Those of us who do have grocery stores close by, and can get non-processed foods should. The definition of 'food', needs to change, the paradigm, shift. Every choice you make counts. Our "votes" will help advocate not only for education for those in need, but also for access.

March Monday

Most people love 'new starts'. Dieters and would be gym enthusiasts especially favor Mondays. This year I am trying to use my Retro Fitness membership a lot more. I always feel great when I leave the building after a workout, it's getting there that is the issue.

What wakes you up? Is it the thought of a new year, the results of your cholesterol test, or another young friend having a cardiac episode? Perhaps it's the first feel of a warm Spring breeze that sends the panic through your bones...bathing suit season is just around the corner! Beach or no beach, the layers we've been hiding under, have to be shed in just a few months. Eeeek!

Most of you know it is never about weight. Health and energy are the name of the game. The good news is, health looks great, energy is contageous and a spirit of control does wonders for our self esteem!

Seize the day. March is coming, and guess what? It starts on Monday!

What will you be doing differently? Perhaps it's time to eliminate all non-food, foods from your diet. Maybe it's time to invest in a great water bottle and go for close to a gallon a day. Who knows? Think it over and share it here on our blog. We would love to hear from you and lend some community support.

Visit The Embrace Heath website and consider signing up for one of the programs. Our Health Call's happen every other Sunday night. A real community is forming there, as we put into practice the fantastic things we are learning.


Spring is coming...

"Do you eat eggs?"

Start talking about food or healthy eating and in no time you get the "Do you eat..." questions. It is almost like talking about spiritual things. People ask " Do you believe...", trying to pin you down to the one comment that will give them a sure out.

I've asked those questions too. It's time to change the perspective.

Being conscience of my health is all about what I do eat. We need certain nutrients daily to keep our amazing body machine working and growing properly. When we become aware of truly feeding ourselves, nourishing our blood, bones and cells, the idea of putting a fake substance in seems ludicrous. The occasional treat is one thing but to feed on trash, to exist on chemicals and processed "foods" does not fit in the equation.

Our world is full of beautiful, delicious, bundles of nutrients. The colorful goodness of yams, beets, collard greens and blueberries cannot be duplicated by some foreign substance. Plants trap and convert the sun's abundant energy just for us! Through plants all creatures get their breath and their food. Do I eat eggs? Come taste and explore what I live on. That question will answer itself.

What's Cookin' ?

Saturday night will be a vegetable extravaganza at the Lombardi's. We are really looking forward to it!

The evening will focus on ways to prepare some very delicious grains and greens. For starters we will be nibbling on (all homemade) Roasted Root Vegetable Fries with Roasted Garlic Dip, and Dinosaur Kale Chips, as we learn to make Quinoa Tabbouleh.

Our Entrees will be a buffet. Guests will try Spicy Chickpea Tomato Ragout and Tempeh in Lemon Cream Sauce with Shiitake Mushrooms. These will be served over the grain of their choice, along with a Citrus and Fennel Winter Salad and Sauteed Greens.

Dessert I am still keeping a surprise!

Want to join us? www.embracehealth2010.com
See you there...

Saturday Embrace Health Dinner

Saturday February 20th is our next Embrace Health Interactive Cooking Class and Dinner.

Spaces are filling up, but there is still room for a few more...

I am working on the menu which will include two different saucy toppings to be served over a number of not-so-common, whole grains. My intention is that the gang really mix, match and sample. The plan is also to highlight beans in a few different forms, including a delicious appetizer spread. Dessert will be a healthy surprise "treat", and as always there will be an abundant and beautiful seasonal salad.

Naturally I have a few tricks up my sleeve. It will be a great night of learning and eating!

Registration is open until Friday at noon at www.embracehealth.com

Snowy Weekend

We hear it for days. The media drives me nuts. "Three to six, twelve to eighteen" Ugh!


Either way, time in for me means time to experiment and create. My trip to the market will include lots of raw sunflower and flax seeds a few special spices and some dark chocolate chips .

It will be time to experiment with the dehydrator whipping up some veggie 'breads' and chips for the Superbowl. I'll also grind my chipotle peppers and try my hand at a fantastic chili recipe from The Modern Vegetarian Kitchen cookbook. Naturally there will be cookies for the kids, lots of popcorn and probably a hearty barley risotto. Quite a variety. Can't wait!!

Getting started

Nothing like a new year, and new decade to make a NEW start!

This January Tom and I decided to finally put the myriad of information and convictions we have accumulated into a 'package' called Embrace Health 2010. This was the first of four we will be hosting this year. Early in the month we hosted a very successful kick off dinner. With 30 people in attendance we launched into our story and the basis behind the big changes our family has made in the last 5 years. I helped people understand the Power of Plants, discussing lots of tips on how to incorporate more vegetables and whole foods into our lives.

Tom , the motivator extraordinaire, encouraged us to 'get curious' about ourselves. We were asked to step aside, and be like a 3rd party observer of our behavior regarding food and exercise, and to really pay attention to what we eat and do. He also inspired us to get curious about food, and to open our minds to new, delicious (best of all healthy) options that can lead to dramatic changes in energy.

It was an inspiring night!

Mark your calendars for our next one - April 17, 2010.