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Hi Everyone,
I had a strange dream the other night. I was sitting in a room waiting for people to show up for a meeting and no one did. I got kind of upset and walked out into the street and began saying to people that they needed to get healthy and come to my meetings. Everyone just walked by and ignored me. One man said to me "no one wants to get healthy" and continued walking. Needless to say I woke up feeling less than happy and thought about the dream the whole day.
I thought about this idea that people don't want to get healthy and realized for many people this is kind of true. I think people do want be healthy but they do not want to have to do anything to make that happen. They want to magically wake up one morning 40 lbs thinner with no blood pressure or cholesterol problems and their diabetes in check. They want to continue consuming the cheeseburgers and fries with no detrimental effects. And since that is not possible they basically put blinders up to all the information out there that might spur them towards action, or in the very least make them question their choices.
So what is the solution? My answer is attitude...change your attitude and you change your life. Right now a majority of society looks at getting healthy as having to give up all your favorite foods, go to the gym at 5am every day, and become a vegetarian or the like. They believe it requires huge amounts of work, discipline and will power. I am speaking in extremes here, but let's face it, there is a substantial swath of the population who do not stray too far from this mindset. Do you think you will take action from that perspective?
But what if you began to think that it really wasn't that hard? What if you saw it like you were taking a class at a community college, only with no grades, just lots of information and fun people around you who like to talk about what they eat and other topics related to health and fitness. In fact, let's play with the idea that it could be fun. Oh yes, I said fun! 4 people in my meetings this week said they were cooking for the first time in their lives! And loving it! They were shopping and looking at recipes and were over the moon at learning to do this. Are they having fun? You bet! Several other commented on eating lots more vegetables and also excited at how they were learning to love these foods that they never imagined having any attraction to. And the laughter at meetings, the ideas and support makes it an ideal place to make friends, and feel a sense of community.
I want to prove that dream wrong. I want the path towards good health to be one most people decide to follow, and those who do not are seen as the rare ones. I want there to be no junk food zones like there are no smoking zones. I want products with high fructose corn syrup and trans fats to be labeled as dangerous to your health, like cigarettes. And I long for the day when most people don't even have weight issues: when I am out of work because almost everyone is healthy.
I think that day is a ways in the future, and I suppose for my pocketbook that is a good thing. But I will continue to work towards those goals, and hope in however many years I have left to create an environment which helps as many people as possible find their healthiest selves. I hope you'll be one of them.
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My meetings are going well, except I am sad to announce the decision to close my Petaluma meetings. For some reason that location just was not getting enough attendance to warrant keeping them going. I am looking for a new location in the area, ideally connected with a gym or workout facility, with its own clientele. I will keep you all in the loop when I have established something in the area.
I am also in talks about doing a class at Fierce Fitness, which is a wonderful Zumba and workout facility up by KMart in northern Santa Rosa. If you have not been this place it has an enormous dance area and gets huge groups, because the teachers are excellent. So look for announcements about that in the very near future I hope. This will open up a new time and day for a meeting, and will be led in English and Spanish, so if you know someone who does not speak English well and could benefit from what I teach this will be the location.
I am adding a new element to my meetings...Field Trips! Our first one will be going out to eat at a restaurant! The idea is to get first hand experience in how to eat out and what are the smartest choices. Each meeting will go out as a group...see below.
As much as possible I want to give you the tools to be successful in your goals towards becoming healthier...and happier!
MEETING DATES/TIMES/TOPICS:
The meeting topic is the same for all locations.
The week of April 23rd: EATING AT ETHNIC RESTAURANTS Have you been confused when you go to a Thai or Italian restaurant if it is at all possible to eat in a healthy way? Is it possible to get something reasonable when going to a Mexican restaurant? There are healthy choices, even in the most indulgent of ethnic foods. Come find out what are the best choices and what might be items to avoid.
The week of April 30th: FIELD TRIP!! LET'S GO OUT TO EAT! I had this brainstorm last week that it is one thing to sit in a meeting and discuss how we should eat in a restaurant and it is another to actually do it. So I thought it would be a great adventure to have each group pick a restaurant (we will do this in the previous meeting and I will send out an announcement next weekend as to where each meeting will be held) where we will meet and we will not only make choices off of their menus, we will peruse other menus I will bring and discuss what would be the best choices on those as well. So you will get a hands-on lesson in healthy restaurant eating. Even those of you who have been doing this for years may learn something, so come enjoy a meal with us!
ACTIVITY GUEST INSTRUCTORS Tuesday, April 24th 9:30am Lomitas Schoolhouse 2421 Lomitas Ave Santa Rosa
ALI QUATTROCCHI DEMO-ING ZUMBA
Ali Quattrocchi grew up in a large Hispanic family, and her parents introduced her to their love for Latin music at a very young age. Growing up to her native Mexican music and then on to dancing salsa, merengue and other Latin styles made her fall instantly in love with Zumba. What Zumba has brought to her and her students is not only a passion, but an addiction.She has designed her class for everyone - of any fitness level and any age. The music, steps, class, the feel...are like no other." Please visit her website for additional information: www.zumbawithali.vpweb.com
Friday, April 27th
9:30am
Sebastopol Center for the Arts
Depot St Sebastopol
JO BADEN DEMO-ING PILATES AND BELLYDANCE
The demo will combine Pilates conditioning with Bellydance drills to give a comprehensive and fun workout!
I'm just a Mama that loves Pilates and dance, and I want to share my passion with you! I teach weekly Pilates + Bellydance classes, Pre/Post-Natal Pilates classes, and Pilates classes and private trainings. I am also available for workshops, and often teach when I travel. Come work out with me and have fun!
9:30am
Sebastopol Center for the Arts
Depot St Sebastopol
KRISTEN IUPPENLATZ DEMO-ING PILATES
Kristen began her study of Pilates in 1993 to alleviate chronic pain from two car accidents. She trained in the PhysicalMind Method then attended the Pilates Teacher Training Intensive at the San Francisco Ellie Herman Studios in 2000. She owned Resilience Pilates Studio for four years before joining forces with Chantill to create Pilates Collective. Kristen is passionate about her continuing exploration of Pilates and has studied with four of the Pilates elders who were taught directly by Joseph and Clara Pilates.
Kristen creates an individualized Pilates program to address the needs of each of her clients. She is especially excited about integrating the Pilates work into everyday movement such as walking.
9:30am
Lomitas Schoolhouse
2421 Lomitas Ave Santa Rosa
DIANE MADERO DEMOING YOGA
My name is Diane Madero
my certifications include ACSM, ACE, Yoga, and a post rehab certification.
My class demo will include some basic yoga stretches and a balance pose or two, the body conditioning will include some standing exercises, balance, exercise band work, light dumbbells and maybe some gliding. Look forward to showing you what I do.
MEETING SCHEDULE:
MONDAYS 5:30 PM
TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH
275 E SPAIN ST SONOMA
LOMITAS SCHOOLHOUSE
2421 LOMITAS AVE SANTA ROSA
WEDNESDAYS 9:30 AM
TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH
275 E SPAIN ST SONOMA
WEDNESDAYS 4:30 PM
LOMITAS SCHOOLHOUSE
2421 LOMITAS AVE SANTA ROSA
FRIDAYS 9:30 AM
SEBASTOPOL CENTER FOR THE ARTS
6780 DEPOT ST SEBASTOPOL
$10 / per meeting. Hope to see you at a meeting!
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RECIPE FOR THIS ISSUE
Jean in Santa Rosa sent this divine sounding recipe for a South African Meat Pie. And D'Ann in Santa Rosa sent a yummy tomato and squash dish...ummmmm
Go to my website for my favorite recipes
CLICK HERE FOR MY WEBSITE RECIPE PAGE
BOBOTIE (South African Meat Pie)
Ingredients:
Cooking spray 1 lb lean ground beef or turkey, raw 1 cup onion, finely chopped 1 medium apple, peeled and finely chopped ½ cup carrots, finely chopped ½ cup raisins 2 leaves bay leaf 2 cloves garlic, minced 1½ tsp Kosher salt 1 tsp chili powder ½ tsp cumin seeds, ground ½ tsp ground coriander 1 Tbsp curry powder ¼ tsp cloves, ground ¼ tsp pepper, freshly ground ¼ cup dry red wine 3 Tbsp mango chutney 2 large eggs ½ cup low fat, non fat or almond milk Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Coat a 9-inch loaf pan with cooking spray. 2. In a large nonstick skillet, over medium-high heat, cook meat until no longer pink, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks, about 3 to 5 minutes. Drain meat; set aside. 3. In same skillet (do not wipe out pan), over medium-low heat, combine onion, apple, carrot, raisins and bay leaves; cook, stirring frequently until soft, about 10 minutes. Stir in garlic and spices and cook for 2 minutes. 4. Stir meat into vegetable mixture; pour in wine and scrape bottom and sides of pan with a spoon to loosen any stuck pieces of food. Simmer mixture for 5 minutes; remove from heat. Remove bay leaves; stir in chutney. Spoon meat mixture into prepared pan. 5. In a small bowl, thoroughly whisk together eggs and milk; pour over meat mixture, tilting pan to evenly cover top. Bake until egg layer is set, about 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool slightly before cutting into 8 pieces. Yields 1 piece per serving. 8 servings.
Calories: 224
Total Fat: 8.8g
Sodium: 85 mg
Cholesterol: 100 mg Carbohydrates: 15.4 g Protein: 18g Sugar: 9g Fiber: 2g
ROASTED CHERRY TOMATOES AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH
Ingredients: 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes halved
1 cup (or more if you want) cubed butternut squash (Trader Joes sells cubed if you do not want to do it yourself)
4 cloves garlic, crushed
Sprinkle of ground oregano
2 tbs (maybe a little more depending on how much squash you added) extra virgin olive oil
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1 tbs brown sugar Instructions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Place the cherry tomatoes, butternut squash and garlic in a large baking dish (I sprayed my glass casserole dish with spray oil first) in a single layer.
Sprinkle them with the olive oil, oregano, sea salt, freshly ground black pepper and brown sugar (do NOT leave out the sugar...it brings out the most delicious sweetness to the dish).
Mix well. Roast for about 40 minutes. Calories: 62 Total Fat: 2.5g Sodium: 15 mg Cholesterol: 0 mg Carbohydrates: 10 g Protein: 1.2g Sugar: 1.9g Fiber: 2g
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THE HUMAN RACE!!

Saturday, May 5th the Human Race will happen and I hope many of you will be a part of it. There have been a group of us walking around the lake each Thursday in preparation, and I know several of you who have not been able to walk during the week do plan on being part of our group for the race itself. So here is the latest news...
I will not walk with the group, but will be there...with a booth promoting Healthy & Happy. Vicki Caven will be the point person for all the walkers so I need confirmation from you if you will be walking with our group so I can give her your names and contact numbers. You will see me beforehand (come in and say hi...I will be in the schoolyard at my booth) and afterwards come hang out.
At my booth I will be giving out cool recipe booklets, fresh fruit, and I will also have lightweight sweatshirts for sale with my logo on them. Below is a picture of what the sweatshirts will look like. They will be natural or grey, and lightweight so they can be layered underneath. I am asking walkers if they would like one to pay the wholesale cost, as I was originally going to print t-shirts and give them to you, but felt we most likely all have plenty of those, and the race gives you one when you complete it. These will hopefully be more useful and I think look really nice, but are obviously more expensive so need help covering the cost. The price for walkers is $17. I will sell them at retail for $35.
Please let me know if you will want one and what size. I will have med-XXL.
Hope to see you at the race! If you have never been it is an incredibly upbeat, wild, glorious party. You will never know you walked the distance you did because you are talking, laughing and looking at everyone around you. Don't miss it!
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SNOW QUILTS!
Sent by Nancy in Santa Rosa these designs are done in the snow by French artist Simon Beck. Outrageous...they take him 5-9 hours a day!
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MATERNAL OBESITY LINKED TO AUTISM
 Jim from Sonoma sent this bit of information which is pretty scary...Hope pregnant women will take note...
http://www.sonomanews.com/News-2012/Maternal-obesity-linked-to-autism/
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ANYONE FOR A SWIM IN THE NIGER?...anyone?? Jim (who else...) sent this. 22 feet long and 2500 lbs. They called the army in because it was threatening the village...
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ONE AT A TIME...
Ali sent this stunning image which came with a story...
This field was planted by one woman who began in 1958 and has planted 50,000 bulbs.
The lesson...learning to move toward our goals and desires one step at a time--often just one baby-step at time--and learning to love the doing, learning to use the accumulation of time. When we multiply tiny pieces of time with small increments of daily effort, we too will find we can accomplish magnificent things. We can change the world.
Start tomorrow!
Use the Daffodil Principle. Stop waiting..... Until your car or home is paid off...Until you get a new car or home...Until your kids leave the house...Until you go back to school...Until you finish school...Until you clean the house Until you organize the garage...Until you clean off your desk Until you lose 10 lbs...Until you gain 10 lbs...Until you get married...Until you get a divorce...Until you have kids Until the kids go to school...Until you retire...Until summer...Until spring...Until winter...Until fall... Until you die...
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DANGEROUS OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATION AND FOOD COMBINATIONS
JoRene sent this very informative article. I now know why when I eat grapefruit my allergy medication does not work!
Click here
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BIKER CHICKS!! 
Supervisor Shirley Zane has teamed up with Sandra Lupien of the Sonoma County Biking Coalition to create this new group. They just did a nice ride last weekend and have to 2 more planned in May and June. This photo really says it all: these are my kind of riders! No spandex racing gear and state-of-the-art road bikes, but just casual riders getting together and having a great time.
The next two Biker Chicks rides are May 6th and June 10th with a meet-up time at 1:45 p.m. and a ride time of 2p.m. - 5p.m. (including a break in the middle). Information about Biker Chicks rides can be found at www.BikeSonoma.org/BikerChicks. Biker Chicks rides are appropriate for women and girls age 10 and up.
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A FEEL GOOD VIDEO...
Val in Sonoma knows about my passion for dance and sent this wonderful video. It will make you want to dance!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mz3CPzdCDws
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LIFE COACHING
Most of you know I am a certified life coach. Although my new weekly meetings incorporate life coaching it is not the same as one on one help. If you are challenged in your life to make change: to make things happen, this is a path towards fulfilling your dreams.
I always do a free half hour sample session. Hope you'll check it out!
EMAIL ME FOR MORE INFORMATION:
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 "But what is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads?"
~Albert Camus
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