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FOOD FUN FACT: Stupendously Delicious Chocolate |
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STUPENDOUSLY DELICIOUS CHOCOLATE While media and scientists continue to debate the health benefits of chocolate, there's one simple reason why I indulge in good chocolate for an occasional treat:
CHOCOLATE TASTES DELICIOUS!
I recently purchased a brand of high quality chocolate that rocked my world (even Ben raved about it, and he's not typically a sweets kind of guy). I know that chocolate isn't exactly the kind of food I usually write about in my newsletter.
The brand is John and Kira's... and I got a 28-piece sampler kit. Warning: if you like chocolate a lot, I recommend buying a very, very small sampler box (you won't be able to just have just one piece, trust me). In addition to the amazing taste, the reason I love this chocolate is because John & Kira's works with local schools and farmers to produce the flavors in their chocolate (the mint was SO pure that Ben and I almost didn't recognize it - it was so different from the chemical, fabricated mint flavors that most big companies use). My personal favorites? The coffee whiskey and pistachio (but don't take my word for it, try a sampler and decide for yourself!). If you are going to indulge, though, please take a look at the Chewing Article I have on my website. If you're going to eat chocolate, you may as well eat it slowly and savor it, right?
A CLIENT'S INSPIRING INTERVIEW
This is the time of year when we all start making inspiring promises to ourselves about the way we're going to improve our health in 2007. To me, there's nothing more inspiring than a real-life success story from a normal person... someone like you and me... who set an intention to live a healthier life... and has succeeded in making steady, realistic changes that have produced life-changing results. So, when I received some unexpected email update from one of my favorite former clients this past November, I asked her to share more details of her personal success stories. This amazing woman, named Noelle, sent me concrete examples of how she's practicing guilt-free self-care, and gave me permission to share her story with all of you. So, this newsletter highlights Noelle's health journey. The story below is written in her words, not mine.
Noelle's Story Christi's Note: I first met Noelle several years ago when she joined my Wild and Well group program. I was so impressed with Noelle's passion for anything health and wellness-related. She was committed to creating a healthy life for her family (including 3 kids), but she also wanted to make her own health and self-care a top priority. Noelle's enthusiastic participation in our Wild and Well group was extremely motivating - I loved her energy and spirit... and I loved watching her create major changes for herself and her health. Noelle is 42 years old and lives in Wayland, MA. I am honored to share her story with you...
Christi: Can you talk a bit about the space you were in before you came to the Wild and Well group? Noelle: "I had started to walk regularly and was trying to find a more balanced diet. There seemed to be so many theories on eating that it was difficult to know what was right for me. I had been working on losing weight but although I had been making modifications to my diet and exercise I had not lost much at all. I was unsure about how or if I could lose the weight I wanted to lose. My main goals were to overcome my sugar addiction and to be healthier." What was the group experience like for you? "I really enjoyed the group. I seem to think I need to do everything on my own. Being part of the group made me realize maybe that wasn’t necessary. I felt like maybe I did not have to be so hard on myself. It was a terrific group of women, I learned so much from each of them. It made me feel good that I contributed to the group, too. I finally realize it’s more effective to create a support team for myself." What are some of the changes you’ve made to your foods since the group finished? "I have made a lot of changes. I chew my food! That has been terrific. Chewing makes me take my time eating and I enjoy my food more. That one change has made a significant difference for me.
Also, I do not eat dairy. I eat way less breads and carbohydrates. I eat a wider variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains than I used to eat.
I eat red meat occasionally, which is a big change for me. I had given up eating red meat for over 20 years. But I had been wondering if that was the best choice for me. In our group class, I learned that according to my blood type I might need more meat than others. My ancestors would have been hunter-gatherers. I decided to try eating a bit of red meat. Now when I feel like biting someone’s head off I eat red meat, it seems to ground me. When I feel aggressive, I eat a couple of ounces of meat and I am able to be my calm self again." What are some of the changes you’ve made to your exercise routines (what works, what’s fun, how do you fit it in)? "I like to try different classes. I do Bikram Yoga, it’s a hot yoga. I have been doing yoga regularly over the past year and I plan to continue, I love it. I do an outdoor fitness class that I love too. We use things like trees for stretching and strengthening. It's so nice to be outside that the time goes by quickly, it also reminds me I can be outside even if it rains. I got a pogo stick - I used to love to pogo when I was a kid. And I got roller blades last summer for my kids and me to learn something new. I have taken a rebounding class, which are mini trampolines. I also use my bike sometimes. I always walk, cheap, easy and again... outside. It’s interesting to actually wear out my sneakers! I had my old sneakers for 10 years, because I hardly used them. I am adding a weight training class next and a snow shoeing class for the winter. I put regular exercise into my schedule now. I love living an active life (that’s been my affirmation and now it’s true). I have had to get equipment because I had almost nothing. Even my bike had been in storage for like 10+ years. I exercise on vacation even. I really enjoy finding new ways to incorporate exercise and movement into everyday; I am open to trying just about anything." What are some ways you create sweetness in your life? "My life is very sweet now in every way. I don’t eat nearly as much sugar but I still love sweet foods. I love eating squashes and yams. I used to love them but I didn’t really eat them much, just occasionally. Now I eat them a lot. It is so cool to eat something I used to think of as only for special occasions. In addition to the squashes, I eat fruits, raisins, dates, whole grains, vegetables, and maple syrup. It’s interesting that my enjoyment of the sweets I do eat has gone way up. I enjoy exercise and caring for myself, I enjoy the sweetness of my friendships, my family, and my children. I enjoy being outside and taking in nature’s splendor. The sweetness of making time for reading is something I appreciate too. My life is sweet in so many ways. I think I am sweeter now too. At our first meeting we talked about how I was eating sugar because I thought I wasn’t sweet. That’s not true for me anymore. I am sweet without sugar. Now I realize how much it was actually working against me in terms of making me sweet." How do you stay motivated? "I used to make myself get up and move. I’d say to myself “Would an active person do that?” and if I answered yes I would make myself do it. Planning helps me stay motivated. I look forward to the next season and I think about how I can get through it well. For example, I know that although generally I love to be outside when I exercise, in the cold of winter I like to take classes instead. In the summer, when I tend to get more scattered, I create myself a schedule to keep me on track. I also have my “bootstraps list” I created during Christi's group program. It lists the ways I pulled myself up when I went into a funk during the group. Having a list of what works for me written down has really helped me. It reminds me of little things that keep me on track or get me back, like drinking enough water. Just drinking more water & going to bed early one night can keep me thinking clearly & making good choices. Another thing that has helped me is to do an internal cleanse twice a year, Spring and Fall. If I am way off track I don’t stay that way. The cleanse helps to bring me back. I use the time I cleanse to get myself moving in any areas of my life where I may have gotten off track. I clear out clutter, take a break from TV and rest more. I like to learn something new when I cleanse too. I read a lot, especially about health. I also like to exercise a lot when I cleanse, sometimes a bit more gently but everyday or nearly everyday. That makes it easier to add more exercise when I am done with the cleanse. When I know I will be starting a cleanse soon I can sort of enjoy and notice more about what it’s like to be out of balance too. I am not so hard on myself about being out of balance, I just try to learn from it." How has your family reacted to the changes you've made? "My kids say I seem younger. They hug and kiss me a lot more too and if I get stressed (which is way less often now) they do not seem to back away, instead they give me a hug and help out. They also get more exercise, they now expect to walk or ride to school (two days last week there was a light dusting of snow on the ground and my kids' were the only scooters in the bike rack, that made me feel good.) They also listen more when I tell them they need to eat more veggies. I am less stressed about them eating food that aren't good for them because now I know that when they are ready to make changes I can help them do that. I still want them to eat more veggies and fruit etc but for I know I am a good role modeland I know I have healthy foods available for them too. Small and gradual changes for them is what seems to work best... and education. My husband likes that I am happier. He says it doesn't matter to him much that I am thinner now but he appreciates that I like that I am thinner. I know he appreciates that I have the energy to make it throught the day and night with the three boys." What are some of the changes you’ve seen in yourself (physical, emotional, etc.) after learning to take such great care of yourself? "The changes I have made in my eating have led to changes in all areas of my life. Actually when I look back to where I was two years ago it is quite amazing how much I have changed. I am much more peaceful, I don’t have the internal struggles I had. Physically, I am a lot thinner and I have lots more energy. Listening to my emotions instead of eating to numb them is another change for me. Food doesn’t take center stage anymore. I couldn’t believe how much my life revolved around food and eating until I tried to find alternatives. I thought I would always be addicted to sugar. I cannot tell you what a huge difference it is for me to not be addicted to sugar anymore. The changes I have made have created a supportive, nourishing relationship with food. I prioritize me: my self-care, exercise, and doing what I want. I often blow everything off and enjoy nothingness. In the past I may have allowed myself some time if I was really wiped out. Now I make time regularly. Not only that but I allow myself exercise time and me time, not one or the other. I ask for what I want and need. When I started the group program, I didn’t even know what I wanted or needed. I am much better at taking support. I feel much more connected, with myself and with others. I feel younger, I feel like me again. I am happy! I am blessed to have you in my life to assist me on this journey. A most sincere thank you. And thank you for this interview; it has helped me to realize and clarify how much I have accomplished. What you offer is unique. Your focus on self-care and the appreciation of our lives is very different from others. I feel very fortunate to have worked with you because that is what has made the difference for me. I have used many tools: exercise, supplements, meditation, yoga.... but they all come from the place of loving my life and caring for myself, which I learned to focus on in my work with you. Someone once told me being in balance is like walking a tight rope or a balance beam. We need to be actively making small adjustments to stay in balance, we need to stay focused on staying in balance, it is not that we get in balance and then we can relax and do nothing. I'm not sure if you still have my bootstaps list but I am happy to share it and give people a place to start when they get in a funk themselves."
Christi's Note: Noelle, of course I do still have your bootstraps list! For those of you who'd like to use Noelle's list to get out of a post-holiday funk, here it is! As a new mom, it's really motivating to read how other moms fit their health and self-care into their busy lives. I particularly love that you allow yourself exercise time AND "you time." They're both extremely important. I hope Noelle's real life health journey will inspire you to take a look at your own health in 2007 and decide what your focus will be.
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If you need help motivating in 2007... please email me and let me know how I can help. If you would like to share a health victory story with my readers, please email me and let me know what you’ve done to improve your health. Your story may just inspire someone else, so don't be shy or humble... now's the time to brag!
Loved this Christi's Commentary? Hated it? Let me know...
I’d absolutely, positively love to hear from you!
P.S. If you liked this issue of "Nourishing Nuggets" please forward it along to friends, family, and colleagues. It's a great way to show people you care about their health.
WINTER EVENTS
Business Coaching Teleclass (for holistic health counselors and other business owners): "Top Teleclass Secrets: Everything You Need to Know to Make Money From Teleclasses" Wednesday, January 24th at 7:30 p.m. East Coast Time In this teleclass, I will share the secrets of facilitating successful teleclasses. If you've wanted to learn how to lead a teleclass of your own, this call will be very helpful for you. To learn more about the teleclass, click here.
*********************************************************** If you are looking for inspiration around healthy living, please check out the archived copy of all past teleclasses that I keep on my website.
Online Nutrition Program for Marathon Runners Are you a marathon runner who wants to learn how to use food to improve your performance during your training season? The "Peak Performance Nutrition Program" (PPNP) is a 13-week online program that teaches you the dietary changes you need to make during your training season in order to avoid bonking, gaining weight, getting an upset stomach, or getting sick of carbs! To learn more about this program, Click here.
THE FOLLOWING PPNP PROGRAMS START NOW!
Running Big Lake on 5/12/07? Your PPNP starts Feb. 19. To sign up, click here. Running San Diego on 6/2/07? Your PPNP starts March 12. To sign up, click here. Running Anchorage Alaska on 6/23/07? Your PPNP starts April 2. To sign up, click here.
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A MUST-READ IF YOU WANT TO STAY HEALTHY THIS WINTER
Like it or not... winter is here. It's very frustrating for me to sit by and watch people's health suffer during the Winter. If you're not prepared for Winter, you can lose the healthy eating habits, exercise programs, and self-care routines that you worked so hard to build during the rest of the year. You don't have to feel cranky, bloated, unmotivated, or blue during the Winter months. If you don't like the way you feel during the Winter, then you deserve to treat yourself to a copy of my eBook: "Your Winter Survival Guide: How to Protect Your Health and Sanity This Winter." This eBook highlights all the specific changes you need to make to your food choices, workout routine, skincare habits, and self-care techniques during the Winter. To learn more about this eBook, click here. It would be a shame to le the Winter Blues get the best of you this year... let the "Winter Survival Guide" help you safeguard your health this winter.
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RECIPE: Chicken, Prosciutto and Zucchini Dish I just adapted this recipe from one I found in Real Simple magazine because it promised to be a 15-minute meal. It took me 20 minutes from start to scratch, but I still consider that to be pretty good for the first try. I cut the salt and oil in half (the original recipe was WAY too salty and oily for my family) and added some extra veggies. These changes are reflected in the recipe below.
Ingredients: - 4 boneless chicken breast - Romaine or arugula 1. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Rinse chicken and pat dry with paper towels. Season with 1/8 t. each of salt and pepper. 2.
Heat 1 T. oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 2 minutes per side. 5. Combine chicken, prosciutto, and zucchini together and serve over a bed of romaine or arugula.
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ABOUT CHRISTI
Christi Collins, H.H.C., AADP, is a Certified Holistic Health Counselor accredited by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. **Are you wondering what a Holistic Health Counselor is? This description may help! Christi studied Eastern/Western nutrition and modern health counseling at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City and earned a B.A. in Honors in Communication Arts from Villanova Universty. Christi's goal is to help people fall in love with "The Big Three": Healthy Eating, Juicy Living, and Guilt-Free Self-Care. She works with very busy women who are struggling to eat healthy and take insanely good care of themselves... without feeling stressed or guilty about it. Christi is a three-time marathoner and triathlete, an avid pianist, and a newly converted Red Sox and Patriots fan. She is the author of the forthcoming book "You Don't Have to be Superwoman to be Healthy: 50 Ways to Reclaim Your Health." To read more fun facts and stories about Christi, click here. Christi can be reached by email or phone (978.494.0144). To visit her website, click here. Here are recent pictures of Christi's baby, Evan!
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About "Christi's Nourishing Nuggets" To Access All Past Newsletter Issues: http://www.bostonhealthcoach.com/resources_newsletter.html
© 2007 Boston Health Coach, All rights reserved. You have my permission to use material from the Nourishing Nuggets newsletter in whole or in part, as long as you include the complete attribution as listed below, including live web site link. Please also notify me where the material will appear before you publish it. The attribution should read: "By Christi Collins of Boston Health Coach. Please visit Christi's web site at www.bostonhealthcoach.com for additional articles and resources on healthy eating, juicy living, and guilt-free self-care." (Make sure the link is live if placed in an eZine or in a web site.) Privacy Policy: I do not rent, trade or sell my email list to anyone for any reason whatsoever. You won't get an email from a stranger as a result of joining this list. Note: the information in this newsletter is presented for educational purposes only. This information is not intended as a substitute for diagnosis and treatment by a licensed professional. To suggest topics for future Christi's "Nourishing Nuggets " issues, please contact me. If you no longer wish to receive communication from us, click here.
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