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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 |
I am one with Mother Earth and grateful to her for my sustenance.
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Man must feel the earth to know himself and recognize his values...God made life simple. It is man who complicates it.
-Charles A. Lindbergh
Dear Friends,
June has arrived and is in full swing, although for many of us in the northeast the weather has not accompnanied us into the start of summer. Soon enough, though, the hot weather will be upon us and it's the perfect time for the cooling effects of fresh fruits. The bounty has begun...who hasn't been strawberry picking yet? Get out there!!! It's truly beneficial on so many levels. Not only are we picking our great treat right off the bush, but we are communing with nature and our planet.
The recipe possibilities for the berries of the season are endless, some simple ones are listed below. Make it a family event, pick your berries, take them home and cook them up together - a great way to spend a family Sunday. See who can come up with the most unusual way to cook the berry and e-mail it to me. The winner's recipe will be printed in next month's newsletter!!
If you haven't checked out my new website ( www.simplyleda.com) yet, log on and don't forget to check in with my blog. I want to hear from you so write in!
Thanks again for the warm welcome back!
In gratitude and love...I remain,
Leda |
| Snack Attack |
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The world belongs to those with the most energy.
-Alexis de Tocqueville
There's no denying that everyone, at one time or another, has had a snack attack. Views on snacking differ. Some of us feel that snacking is bad and that eating between meals leads to weight gain. Others believe that eating many small meals and snacks throughout the day is healthy for maintaining energy levels and optimal weight. If there were one way of snacking that was right for everyone, we would all be doing it!
To alleviate snack attack guilt, try to understand why you are snacking and what snacks work best for your body. Perhaps you snack because your daily diet is missing nutrition, or because you are eating too little at meals. You might be snacking to soothe jangled nerves when you are emotional, or to entertain yourself when you are bored. Whatever your reason, acknowledge it and start thinking about how to create a life that is nourishing and truly satisfying.
Although snacks are no substitute for loving your life, they can be great energy boosters, mood lifters and a healthy and fun way to keep your body fully nourished, as long as you use a little common sense. So many convenient snacks foods are highly processed and full of chemicals, additives, damaging fats and refined sugars. When a snack attack hits you, try foods that are filling and satisfying, but also nutritious. Snack on things that don't come in a plastic wrapper or a box, like fresh fruit, leftover vegetables or rice cakes with almond butter and fruit spread. Make your own signature trail mix, organic hot chocolate made with almond milk sweetened with agave nectar, or blue corn chips with hummus.
You can also try "upgrading". If you are craving something crunchy, upgrade form potato chips to raw carrots, apples or whole grain crackers; if you are craving a candy bar, upgrade to a handful of nuts and dried fruit; instead of a cup of coffee, upgrade to green tea; instead of ice cream, upgrade to applesauce with cinnamon. Upgraded snacks are high in nutrition and give you a greater sense of satiety and satisfaction; you won't feel physically or psychologically deprived, and you'll have plenty of energy to sustain your activities for hours.
Snacking is enjoyable and there are a wide variety of healthful goodies for whatever your're craving, be it sweet, crunchy, salty, creamy or spicy. Dive in, be creative and enjoy your snack attack. |
| Food Focus: Fruit |
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A healthy lifestyle is the key to longevity, optimum weight, abundant energy and balance. By using fruit to satisfy our taste for sweetness, we can leave behind the use of chemical, processed and refined sweetners. Fruits are easy to digest, are cleansing and cooling and are great for those who are overstressed and overheated from excessive mental strain or hot climates. Fruits are filled with fiber and liver stimulants, which act as natural, gentle laxatives. Whenever possible, buy fresh locally grown fruit as opposed to imported fruits shipped from far-off places. This keeps you eating in season and more in harmony with your environment and climate.
Eating raw fruit in summer months is highly cooling, while baking it in the winter months neutralizes the cooling effect. Fruit in the form of juice is a great choice for cleansing the body, but be aware that juice rapidly raises blood sugar levels, leading to an energy crash soon after. Frozen, whole, pureed or juiced fruit can make great summertime cool-down treats. Try frozen grapes, banana-coconut smoothie popsicles or lime juice ice cubes in iced tea!
Whether you are having fresh fruit for a light early morning breakfast, a midday snack or evening treat, enjoy nature's sweetness and whenever possible buy organic. Here are a few summer fruits and their health benefits.
Apricots: Great for lung conditions and asthma; used to help treat anemia due to their high copper and cobalt content.
Bananas: Help to lubricate the intestines, treat ulcers, detoxify the body, and manage sugar cravings; are rich in potassium (which helps hypertension).
Cherries: Slightly warming in nature, increase overall body energy, remedy arthritis and rheumatism, and are rich in iron, which improves the blood.
Grapefruits: Treats poor digestion, increase appetitie during pregnancy, alleviate intestinal gas and reduce mucus conditions of the lungs.
Papayas: Tone the stomach, act as digestive aid, moisten the lungs and alleviate coughing; contain carpaine, an anti-tumor compound.
Raspberries: Benefit the liver and kidneys, cleanse blood of toxins, regulate menstrual cycles, treat anemia and can promote labor at childbirth. | |
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| Recipe of the Month |
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| Fruit Nut Smoothie
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 2 servings 
Ingredients:
1 banana
1 cup soy, rice or almond milk
1 cup berries
1 cup diced melon
1/2 cup almonds
2-4 ice cubes
Directions:
Mix in blender for 1-2 minutes and serve immediately.
Note For added nutrition you can mix in flax seed, coconut or a scoop of protein powder
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| Kids Recipe of the Month |
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Growing up Greek we always had fruit for "dessert" after dinner. Now I have coupled it with yogurt, nuts and honey and I eat it after dinner, as a snack, for breakfast or even lunch on occasion. You can mix it up anyway you desire which is why kid's love it. Let them got to town with the toppings and experiment. Have fun!
(In this recipe I have used a power fruit and an "in season" fruit.)
 Yogurt with Honey, Fruits and Nuts Prep Time: 5 minutes
Yields: 1 serving
Ingredients:
1 6-8oz container non-fat Greek Yogurt
(my favorite are Fage, from Greece or Chobani, from the US)
1 tablespoon thyme honey (or more if desired)
1 banana, sliced
1/2 cup halved strawberries
1/4 cup chopped walnuts or almonds
Directions:
In an ice cream bowl place yogurt. Drizzle with honey. Top with fruit and nuts.
Variations:
- Drizzle with maple syrup and top with bananas, bluberries and pecans
- Drizzle with honey and top with toasted wheat germ and apples
- Drizzle with honey and top with fresh peaches and walnuts
- Drizzle with honey and top with bananas and flax seed
Most importantly, let kids choose the toppings 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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