As we approach celebratory times we can indulge a little without gaining a lot. Holidays are a time for fun and family, and food can be a healthy part of any celebration. Here are a few ways to enjoy your parties without lasting reminders of what you ate.
o Choose wisely! Don’t eat anything that isn’t absolutely delicious to all your senses. Why waste calories on fake and artificially colored candy and processed desserts. Make something yummy from scratch with real whole ingredients. Your body will appreciate it much more and not give you fanatical cravings afterward.
o Enjoy it thoroughly. So you ate it, now feeling guilty is not going to help, it’s going to confirm every bite turns to fat! I am adamant that we get what we think about, so instead know that the indulgence will be easily burned off.
o With that being said.. if you are attending a party in the evening do your workout earlier in the day and focus on lean proteins and un-starchy veggies. Have some protein and a big plate of fiber-full veggies right before the party to fill your tummy.
o Bring a dish that you know you can enjoy.
o Just say no thank you! To extra invites or food or beverages you know will add stress to your life. We don’t have to go to every party out of obligation. Choose the few you know will be delightful.
o If you eat it, it goes to waist twice! If you don’t eat it, it’s still not going to feed hungry children. Don’t join the clean the plate club.
o Chew slowly, be mindful and be thankful for the wonderful bounty that is all around us.
Pumpkin Soup
1 small sugar pumpkin
2 cups un-sweet soy milk
2 cups low- sodium stock
1 cup carrot juice
1 T. coconut oil
4 organic chicken sausages
1 apple
1 fennel bulb
1 medium onion
3 stalks celery
1 T. grated ginger
2 tsp. minced garlic
2 tsp. curry powder
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. sea salt
Bake pumpkin in oven on 400 for 2-3 hours until very tender. Chop apple, fennel, chicken sausage, celery and onion into small pieces and sauté in coconut oil until tender. Add spices, garlic and ginger and sauté for a few minutes longer. When pumpkin is done, cool and puree with soymilk and broth and transfer to large pot. Add sautéed mixture and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Mix in carrot juice. Add more liquid if necessary to desired consistency. Makes about 8-10 servings. Freeze half, now you have lunch for the future!
Don’t wait until the next year to get on a Health Kick… If you make your wellness a priority now you will ease through the hustle and bustle with lightness and peace knowing your body is running optimally.
I have appointments available in Snohomish, Lake Stevens or Stanwood. Let’s get you feeling good today.
Happy Holidays! I have much gratitude for the opportunity to serve the community and for all my current clients and their new found wellness.
Cheri Soraparu, MS, CN
Certified Clinical Nutritionist & Personal Trainer
BeWellBalanced.org
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
What are we feeding our children?
What are we feeding our children?
Pop Tarts, apple juice, a bowl of Fruit Loops with milk, maybe a banana for breakfast. Jiff peanut butter (which contains high fructose corn syrup) and jelly on “wheat” bread, fruit roll-up, an apple and Cheetos or crackers for lunch. Top Raman and a coke as an after school snack and Mac n Cheese for dinner with canned green beans or take out. If this doesn’t resemble your child’s food intake then good for you, however at school there are plenty of sugary, processed foods with lots of artificial additives available for them to choose from.
Even more so than adults, children need whole fresh foods filled with nutrients, Phytochemicals and essential fats for proper brain and body development. The nutrients in whole foods help their bodies mature optimally, the Phytochemicals protect their growing cells from premature damage and the essential fats are crucial for learning, attention and memory. If we look to our grocery stores they have more processed foods, which lack these components and have ample amount of artificial ingredients, than whole fresh foods.
One explanation for the increasing number of children with ADD and hyperactivity are these additives… they are in everything… except whole unprocessed foods. If your child has ADD/ADHD I challenger you do an experiment. For three weeks take them off everything processed and replace it with only fresh veggies, fruits, meats, un-milled or sprouted grains, legumes, seafood and healthy fats like nuts and seeds, avocado and olives… see how they do. If this alone doesn’t solve most of the problem add extra omega 3’s to their diet like wild salmon, ground flax seeds or oil, sardines (mix it up just like tuna) or consider a high quality supplement from Nordic Naturals or Designs for Health.
“But, my child won’t eat that….” Only because they are not used to it! Start slowly introducing new foods or incorporating them into the routine and eliminating the processed foods. Do this over a few months and they will adapt, the younger this happens the easier and better.
Remember, children are even more sensitive to food additives, sugars and refined grains and fats than adults and they need a wide range of nutrients for all cells of the body, including the brain, to function properly and optimally. Don’t trust the health of your child to packaging and advertising; get advice from a qualified source. Together we can work to get the two million children that are on drugs for ADD/ADHD, drug free!
Click here to make an appointment now.
Cheri Soraparu, MS, CN
Certified Clinical Nutritionist
Certified Personal Trainer
Cheri@bewellbalanced.org
Pop Tarts, apple juice, a bowl of Fruit Loops with milk, maybe a banana for breakfast. Jiff peanut butter (which contains high fructose corn syrup) and jelly on “wheat” bread, fruit roll-up, an apple and Cheetos or crackers for lunch. Top Raman and a coke as an after school snack and Mac n Cheese for dinner with canned green beans or take out. If this doesn’t resemble your child’s food intake then good for you, however at school there are plenty of sugary, processed foods with lots of artificial additives available for them to choose from.
Even more so than adults, children need whole fresh foods filled with nutrients, Phytochemicals and essential fats for proper brain and body development. The nutrients in whole foods help their bodies mature optimally, the Phytochemicals protect their growing cells from premature damage and the essential fats are crucial for learning, attention and memory. If we look to our grocery stores they have more processed foods, which lack these components and have ample amount of artificial ingredients, than whole fresh foods.
One explanation for the increasing number of children with ADD and hyperactivity are these additives… they are in everything… except whole unprocessed foods. If your child has ADD/ADHD I challenger you do an experiment. For three weeks take them off everything processed and replace it with only fresh veggies, fruits, meats, un-milled or sprouted grains, legumes, seafood and healthy fats like nuts and seeds, avocado and olives… see how they do. If this alone doesn’t solve most of the problem add extra omega 3’s to their diet like wild salmon, ground flax seeds or oil, sardines (mix it up just like tuna) or consider a high quality supplement from Nordic Naturals or Designs for Health.
“But, my child won’t eat that….” Only because they are not used to it! Start slowly introducing new foods or incorporating them into the routine and eliminating the processed foods. Do this over a few months and they will adapt, the younger this happens the easier and better.
Remember, children are even more sensitive to food additives, sugars and refined grains and fats than adults and they need a wide range of nutrients for all cells of the body, including the brain, to function properly and optimally. Don’t trust the health of your child to packaging and advertising; get advice from a qualified source. Together we can work to get the two million children that are on drugs for ADD/ADHD, drug free!
Click here to make an appointment now.
Cheri Soraparu, MS, CN
Certified Clinical Nutritionist
Certified Personal Trainer
Cheri@bewellbalanced.org
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)