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Leda is the founder of Simply Leda. She is a Board Certified Holistic Health Counselor accredited by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP). She received her training from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in NYC and also holds a Certificate in Integrative Nutrition from Columbia University. She has studied all the different dietary theories from the top in their fields as well as both eastern and western nutritional philosophies. Leda also holds a BA in Journalism from NYU and a BA in French Studies from NYU, Paris.
Please see website for my services and more on my personal philosophy toward balanced healthy living.
www.simplyleda.com |
| Affirmation of the Month |
My vital energy resurfaces naturally.
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It is by knowing youself that your purpose is revealed.
-Carol Adrienne
Dear Friends,
It has been quite a long while since we have last spoken. I had to take a necessary hiatus for the greater part of the last year and a half. It was, personally, a time of enormous upheaval and testing. My entire being was undergoing a tremendous transformation. Of course, I do not mean only on the physical level but mostly on the emotional and spiritual levels. All that I have been, to date, had been severly tested, discarding in the process that which no longer served my higher good, or purpose. What emerged was a more confident, a more knowing, beautiful mother and woman. This has inspired my new company name and identity - for I am now just, Simply Leda, all that is. Simply Leda embodies more wholly the ideals on which I have always believed and will continue to build my future on. My path has been cleared, so I invite you to come on a journey with me into simple balanced living. nourish all aspects of yourself and watch as you blossom into all that you desire to be.
My newsletter will continue, as before, in bringing you information, recipes, "food for thought." I will also be incorporating some new changes along the way, so stay tuned.
I want to invite you to view my new website www.simplyleda.com and upcoming blog. It will be informational and fun for the whole family.
Thank you for the warm welcome - it's good to be back.
In gratitude and love...I remain,
Leda |
| Why weight? Diets Don't Work |
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Getting my weight under control has come from a process of treating myself as well as I treat others in every way.
-Oprah Winfrey
You can't turn on the TV, drive down the road or go to a party without being confronted with America's hottest obsession: weight. Diets are a billion dollar industry; companies spend millions and millions luring you to try the latest diet (low carb, high protein, low fat, no fat, you name it) with promises that this will (finally!) be the solution - your shortcut to a thinner body. Advertising efforts also deeply affect our children, who develop distorted body images and are often on diets as early as 9 or 10 years of age.
Our culture touts diet pills, celebrity workouts, convenience foods, and trendy diets to help us achieve our desired weight, but these quick fix solutions have backfired. America's populace has reached its highest weight in history. About half of Americans are overweight; one third are obese. Diets steer us away from our common sense and dig deeply into our pocketbooks while eliciting few, if any, lasting results.,
Diets don't work because each person is unique, with different needs based on gender, age, ancestry and lifestyle; how could one diet be right for everyone? Diets don't work because they are extreme solutions. As in physics, if a pendulum swings to one extreme, it has to swing equally to the other. A diet might work for a short amount of time, but research shows that almost all diets result in a 10-pound gain once off the diet. Diets don't work because they are too restrictive. People who fail on diet plans are not flawed and weak. Diets by nature require discipline and restriction at levels that are unsustainable by a healthy human body.
Most people are disconnected from why they gain weight, and see diet as the only culprit. For example, ignoring or discounting emotions is often the first thing to cause weight imbalances. In our fast paced world, we have lost sight of many aspects of life that truly nourish and balance our bodies, such as slowing down, eating a homecooked meal, and spending quality time with loving people. Eating consciously and making simple lifestyle changes will create positive results and release you from the endless cycle of dieting.
Balance and a sustainable weight are your birthright. Given half a chance, your body will balance out by itself, but this is only possible by getting out of the diet mentality and listening to what you truly need. Imagine taking all of the outward energy you expend on diets, fads and gimmicks and turing it inward, so that you can listen to your heart and inner wisdom. There is no such thing as a quick fix; you already have everything you need within you. With careful thought and loving reflection, you can feed yourself wisely and purposefully and be completely nourished. Working with your body rather than against it will bring increased energy, stabilized weight and sustainable health. |
| Food Focus: Sprouts |
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In the spring season, seeds flaunt their vitality and energy by sprouting. Sprouts of all varieties contain the building blocks of life in the form of vitamins, enzymes, amino acids and simple sugars. In their early growth state, sprouts are very easy to digest, allowing our bodies to access many wonderful nutrients. Recent research by the American Cancer Society has backed what holistic nutrition has know for years: that sprouts contain anti-cancer properties, high levels of active antioxidants, concentrated amounts of phytochemicals and significant amounts of vitamins A,C and D. In their raw form, sprouts have a cooling effect on the body, and therefore are best consumed in warm weather or by robust, warm body types. Those who tend to feel cool can try steaming sprouts or adding them to warm dishes such as stir-fries and soups, to reduce the cooling effect. There is a wide variety of edible and delicious sprouts, each with a different texture and flavor: alfafa, mung bean, lentil, radish, clover, sunflower, broccoli, garbanzo and adzuki. Here are some great ways to serve up sprouts:
- add to salads
- combine with other vegetables in wraps, roll-ups or stir-fries
- use as a garnish on top of soups, stews, omelets or scrambled eggs
- add to rice or whole grain dishes
- use in sandwiches instead of lettuce.
Spring has arrived!! Eat sprouts and feel alive!! | |
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| Recipe of the Month |
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| Spring Sprouting Steamer
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Cooking Time: 5 minutes  Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients:
1 zucchini
1 summer squash
1 pckg mixed crunchy sprouts (lentil, adzuki, ming, garbanzo)
3 tablespoons freshly chopped tarragon
1 tablespoon of ghee (clarified butter) or butter
4 lemon wedges
salt to taste
Directions:
Slice zucchini and summer squash into discs, about 1/4" thick. Steam with sprouts for about 5 minutes or until desired tenderness. Toss with tarragon, ghee and salt in bowl. Serve with lemon wedges.
Note: Try fresh herbs like parsley, dill, cilantro, or mint for a totally different taste.
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| Kids Recipe of the Month |
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It's back by popular demand!!!
This soup is something I concocted while trying to get my then 5 yr old son to eat some vegetables. It has become a staple ever since and his friends love it when they come over. But don't be fooled, it's great for adults, too and they love it - make a big pot!!
 Vegetable Soup for the whole Family
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 30-40 minutes
Yields: 6-8 servings
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped or minced
3 carrots, washed, cleaned and chopped
1 long celery stalk, washed and chopped
2- 3 zucchini, trimmed, washed and chopped (can subsitute any winter squash)
2-3 yukon gold potatoes, peeled, washed and chopped (can substitute sweet potatoes)
4-5 cups of spring water
2-3 ladles crushed organic can tomatoes
salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg
1-2 teaspoons ground cumin (to taste)
Directions:
In a large soup pot saute the onion in olive oil until translucent. Add the garlic and saute another 1-2 minutes. Add all remaining vegetables and toss to coat with olive oil. Continue to saute a few minutes more. The add 4-5 cups of spring water (to just cover vegetables) and bring to a boil. Once liquid comes to a boil, lower heat to a simmer and cover pot. Allow to simmer about 30 minutes or until all vegetables are tender. Turn off heat. and use a potato masher to begin to mash all vegetables. They should not be pureed but have texture. Once all vegetables are mashed, add crushed tomatoes. Then add all seasonings and stir. Serve warm with slice of crusty whole grain bread and slice of feta cheese, if desired.
Variations:
- To make soup heartier and more of a one dish meal, use about 1lb organic beef stew. Cut in small pieces and saute until browned just after onion begins to softened abit. Proceed with remaining recipe as directed.
- Try using any vegetable combo
- Add whole wheat orzo or any other small pasta during simmering process
- Add can of garbanzo beans after mashing for extra protein and meat alternative.
- Add fresh herbs at end with seasonings if desired, like parsley
Most important, let kids choose and have fun!!
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Simply Leda is a philosophy of nourishment that embodies your whole self thus enabling you to find balance and come home to your essence. For more information of my services, please log on to www.simplyleda.com.
Eat well and be happy and healthy.
Leda Anagnostopoulos
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