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Monday, April 12, 2010

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!!)

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

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

Thursday, March 18, 2010

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.

Friday, February 26, 2010

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...

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

"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.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

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...

Monday, February 15, 2010

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

Friday, February 5, 2010

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!!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

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.