Just Lose it with Berta Newsletter                                                                                                    
Issue 51                                                                                                                                                                  12/23/2010         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
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 Hi

 

Happy Holidays Everyone!  Here we are, almost through the end of the year, and once again, possibly entering one of the most dangerous times: that last week before the end of the year when everyone solemnly proclaims her New Year's resolution to "start the diet." Ah, all the promises we make to ourselves that never come true. But not this year! Not for you, anyway, because this year is going to be different. This year, you will not wait until the end of the year. This year, you are going to get started taking care of yourself today, right now.  Let's go for it! Let's make this year different! Get started or stay started with a brand new way of thinking and doing. Right now, baby!  Admit it: if it isn't now, it surely won't be tomorrow, and it certainly won't be Monday, and it really will never be January 1st.  So, are you with me?

 

Keeping in the spirit of this opening message, I have written about how to get through the rest of the year despite the parties yet to come.  Read on and get some tips on how to make it through a cocktail or dinner party without falling on your sword.

 

And "Did You Know" that coconut water is one of the most perfect beverages on earth?  Let me tell you why...

 

Lastly, I have chosen a little holiday dessert that won't leave you feeling guilty at the end of the day. Why not give it a try?

 

In addition to whatever else you are celebrating at the end of this year, I hope you are celebrating the new-found you!

 

Enjoy!


 
              Tea Time with Berta                  
 

 

Berta cup   of tea photo

 

"Towanda"

 

 Based on feedback from the e-zines before Thanksgiving, I thought I would again throw out a lifesaver of specific tips to help you get through the last hoorahs of the year.  I am specifically speaking about the countless get-togethers, parties and dinners that will culminate with the New Year celebration that is looming just around the corner.  So let's look at what we've got going on and make a plan!

 

Now is another of those times when it is crucial that you roll up your sleeves and get ready to do battle. Oh, yeah, "Hoo-hah!" Think Al Pacino, in The Scent of a Woman, if you have seen it, that is.  If you haven't, Towanda from Fried Green Tomatoes works, too.  We are going in and taking no prisoners.  No time for the weary. Oh no! It is not the time to roll over; it is time to stand and take up arms! Ready? Hoo-hah!!

 

So, it's Thursday, and tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Whether you celebrate this holiday or not, you will still be mixed up in holiday parties and festivities, since it is also the weekend before New Year's and everyone is going out.  If you are planning to just throw in that towel and start up on the first of the year, I will tell you this: the only thing you will be doing on the first of the year will be losing the weight you have decided to put on this week.  That would be a real drag, and I have personally decided not to partake in that behavior-been there, done that. Thanks, but I pass.   Perhaps this will be the year you have the courage of your convictions; perhaps this will be the year you commit to honoring the words and actions that defined this entire year of choosing yourself over food; perhaps this will be the year you choose, maybe for the first time, to do it differently...Towanda!  Hoo-hah!

 

Let's start by going over the holiday party.  Don't panic! It's only one evening, and it's not the time to think about another party you might have the following night.  We are going to do this one party at a time.  To start off, what are you going to wear?  That's right, this part can throw your entire evening off before you even leave the house!  If you don't feel good about how you look, you'll be starting off on a bad note right from the get-go.  Do yourself a favor! Most of the time, bloating is the reason you feel uncomfortable in your clothes.  If you're bloated, you'll feel big in anything you put on, no matter what your weight.  So, if the party is tonight or tomorrow or a few days from now, start by eating and drinking natural diuretics; also drink plenty of water. 

 

Eat light on the day you are going out-obviously, that is what you should be doing every day-and make sure you choose an outfit that makes you love the way you feel.  I would rather you feel comfortable, feeling like yourself, rather than see you in "up-tight" clothes that make walking and moving uncomfortable. Your clothing is a really important aspect of your evening and your level of enjoyment, so make sure you feel pretty.  This is not being vain or superficial. Don't think, "Oh, who really cares?" or "No one will notice me, anyway."   In truth, no one notices anyone but herself!  Everyone is very self-conscious. Everyone! So, don't join in the folly. Do your hair and nails and select the perfect clothes-a new outfit or a favorite oldie.  Towanda!

 

Next, plan out the day.  Make sure you have had a decent breakfast (a green drink would be perfect to add here), a light lunch, and lots of water throughout the day.  This will help get rid of the bloating and make you feel better in your skin and clothes.  Now, if you are headed for a cocktail party,  you are probably having thoughts that sound very much like a negotiation. "If I eat a light dinner before I go, then I will easily stay away from the hors d'oeuvres."  NO!  This has never worked! You will cave at some point: either because it is just too hard, or the wine gets to you and you say, "What the hay!"  It might happen when someone pressures you to have "just a bite" and you think, "Oh well, I blew it already, so might as well."  Be reasonable with yourself. Go through your day with the same clean eating rules that you always follow.  Then dress up feeling and looking good, and go to the shindig.  And I do hope you will go and not opt to stay at home.  Remember that no one cares about what is going on with anyone else; they are only thinking about themselves.  Go to the party!  Hoo-hah!  Enjoy yourself! But, try to follow some simple rules.

 

Cocktail Parties

Rules - Think about how you look, all dressed up and feeling confidant.  Then envision yourself stuffing a huge appetizer into your mouth.  Maybe there's a glob of cream rolling down your chin?  Nice? Or, a little grease stain on the front of your dress?  Nicer?  Thoughts like these generally stop me. Think about also adopting the following rules:

a.   No creamy puffs

b.   No flaky food

c.    Nothing that can drip

d.   Nothing that can't be put in the mouth in one clean "pop" 

e.    One hand always free. You are holding either a glass of wine, water, or white wine spritzer; or you've got a small appetizer that is easy to eat. Do not hold a drink and napkin and try to eat an appetizer that's too big to fit in your mouth!  Visualize it.

f.    Hydrodrink! 

 

 

Vanity is not always a bad thing! Hoo-hah!

 

Dinner Parties

Rules - You do not have to eat everything they give you!  I don't like to tell people when I am trying to lose weight.  It's my business, and I don't relish unsolicited advice or others trying to get me to eat, or even worse, taking notes on what I do eat!  It becomes too confusing.  I say that I have had enough, or I might even lie a little and say that my stomach is a bit off. This tends to do the trick.  Meanwhile:

a.   Talk more; eat less!

b.   Fill your plate with mostly veggies! They're better for you, you will feel as if you are participating guiltlessly, and it will keep most people off your back.

c.    Talk more; eat less!  Oh, I said that already, but that's because it works!  Before you even know it, they're clearing the table and you are victorious!

d.   Pass on dessert?  Ah, easier said than done.  All you really need is something in your hand.  Order a cup of tea, or even better, if you're still enjoying some wine, then keep enjoying it, slowly.

e.    Don't trust yourself, ever!  If you can't take your eyes off something looming in front of you, then just move it.  Pass it down the table and fill the empty spot with the salad. 

f.    Hydrodrink!

g.   Do not add salt to anything!

h.   Slow your eating; taste your food; enjoy every bite!  One delicious bite savored mindfully is more satisfying than five inhaled mindlessly. 

 

I hope this helps you get through the next week. It will pass before you know it, and on the 1st of January you'll be thrilled that you have nothing in common with the rest of the world dreading the start of yet another ineffective diet! 

 

Towanda!

 

 

 

Did you know...

 

that coconut water could be the best of all drinking water?  I have been hearing about the amazing benefits of coconut water for a while now. Although I did know a bit about it, I never really explored the wonders of coconut water, and I thought this might be a good time to start. Was I ever surprised!

 

I learned that coconut water comes from the green coconuts, the young ones.  Eventually they ripen into the brown hairy variety that we eat, but before they ripen, while they are still young and green, the coconut water within is abundant with minerals and loaded with nutritional benefits.  Coconut water has been used in the tropics for centuries. It is actually the best choice of fluid for re-hydrating the body. Pretty interesting, so far, but there is much more...

Coconut water is one of the purest of all waters.  It has no cholesterol, which was a surprise to me since the coconut is among a very small group of fruits that provide cholesterol.  It has more electrolytes than any fruit, vegetable juice, or sports drink.  It is biologically pure, and perfect for any athlete.  It also contains trace amounts of copper, sulfur, and phosphorus that help with balancing electrolytes.

This water contains enough vitamin C to meet the body's daily requirements; that's pretty impressive, if you ask me!  It also contains vitamins in the B group, like niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, riboflavin, folic acid, and thiamin.  So forget those other vitamin waters!

Incredibly, with so much goodness packed into it, coconut water is still naturally fat free, low in carbohydrates and low in calories! Coconut water helps keep the body's natural fluid levels balanced, and it carries vital nutrients and oxygen to our cells!

Now here is some really cool information that continually impresses me.  Coconut water is identical to human blood plasma!  In many countries, people would substitute coconut water for plasma when performing a blood transfusion.  During World War I, it was used to replace plasma: it is naturally sterile, and it does not produce heat or destroy red blood cells. Amazing, no?

If all that weren't enough, coconut water also improves digestion and helps with the absorption of nutrients such as a variety of vitamins, amino acids, and minerals, calcium and magnesium. The last two, in turn, help support strong bones and teeth and help you to avoid osteoporosis.  This amazing water will also help with insulin secretion and blood glucose levels.

Not that I am doing an infomercial here, but coconut water is also a natural diuretic! It will support the thyroid, increase the body's metabolic rate, and help with weight loss, to boot!  This amazing product produces energy rather than storing it as body fat.  It is full of healthy fatty acids that do not circulate in the bloodstream like saturated fats. No, the fat in coconut water will go directly to the liver where it is converted to energy, just as a carbohydrate is utilized.  This provides a natural source of quick energy. Therefore, it will boost energy and endurance and enhance physical and athletic performance. Why aren't we drinking this like water?

Well, now you have the skinny on coconut water. This baby earns two thumbs up from this girl!  The only tiny down side is that it contains a little bit of natural salt and sugar.  This would make sense, since it can be used to replace human blood plasma.  While the amounts are low, there is salt in this water; however, that small negative is not enough to outweigh the benefits of coconut water. See for yourself.  I, for one, will be enjoying more of this amazing natural nutrient, and I will keep you abreast of anything more I learn from my future research. 

So for now, I think I will go cuckoo for coconuts! How about you?

 

 My Favorite Things to Eat!

winter fruit salad

 

 Winter Fruit Salad and Green Goddess Dip!


Since it is another holiday type of week, I thought I would add two easily prepared, healthy recipe ideas, just in case you need to bring or serve a healthy dessert or appetizer. This is great to pick from without guilt! 

Happy Eating!

Winter Fruit Salad

What you need:

- cup sugar

1 - 1 inch piece ginger, peeled and thinly sliced

1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise and seeds scraped out

lemon

5 large navel or blood oranges

2 mangoes, peeled and diced

2 firm bananas, peeled and diced

5 kiwis, peeled and diced

12 kumquats, very thinly sliced crosswise, seeds removed

1 cup pomegranate seeds (from 1 pomegranate)

 

What to do:

Combine the sugar, 2 cups water, the ginger and vanilla seeds and pod in a saucepan. Use a vegetable peeler to remove wide strips of zest from the lemon and one of the oranges, add to the saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer 5 minutes. Refrigerate until cold.

 

Meanwhile, peel the remaining oranges with a paring knife, cutting along the natural curve of the fruit. Hold an orange over a large bowl and cut along both sides of each membrane to free the segments, letting them fall into the bowl. Squeeze each empty membrane to release the juices. Repeat with the remaining oranges. Add the mangoes, bananas, kiwis, kumquats and pomegranate seeds and gently toss. Pour the syrup over the fruit and chill overnight.

 

*Before serving, remove the citrus zest, ginger and vanilla pod. Spoon the fruit            and syrup into bowls. 

 

To remove pomegranate seeds, cut the fruit into quarters, then break apart in a bowl of water. Skim off the pith that floats to the top and drain the seeds.

 

Green Goddess Dip

What you need:

1 ripe avocado, halved, pitted and peeled

2 scallions, green and white parts, coarsely chopped

 cup fresh tarragon

  cup fresh parsley

3 tablespoons white vinegar

 cup low-fat buttermilk

Sea Salt (if you must)

Vegetable sticks, for dipping - Use your imagination for this.  Use thinly sliced

celery, or cucumbers, or carrots!

What to do:

Place the avocado, scallions, tarragon, parsley, vinegar, low fat buttermilk and teaspoon salt  (if needed) in a blender; puree until smooth.

*Serve with vegetable sticks.

 

Recipes from the Food Network Magazine

 
    Bon App�tit!

  
Berta is a respected weight loss counselor who has educated and empowered hundreds of women JUST LIKE YOU to lose the excess weight that prevents them from living their dream and Berta by mantlebecoming the woman they were meant to be.

 

Her gift, and the reason her program is SO SUCCESSFUL, is her ability to break down every detail of your weight loss journey so you can be prepared for the challenges and understand the emotional components behind them. 

 

This on-line program has been designed to bring you the same experience of her methods and common sense explanations that Berta uses in her successful private practice, at a fraction

of the cost.  If you liked today's issue, you'll love her blog and the main site as it is being built, which you can find at JustLoseIt.com.


DON'T LET ANOTHER DAY GO BY!

 

Where to go and what to do to GET STARTED!

If you can say Yes! I am ready to get started!  this is the link to the blog page that will explain how to go about doing it. You don't have to read it all in one sitting! Please take your time, absorb my words, and when you fully understand where I intend to take you, read on.  The journey we will take together might be a long one, but it promises to be unforgettable. The first step is committing to yourself. From there, you will begin the work of finally identifying why you are where you are, and how you got there. The moment you can honestly own your personal truth, you will have reached your goal. The rest is simply a matter of time. 
Enjoy the ride!  
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