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Hey All,
I was thinking about indulgence today. It occurred to me that my attitude about indulging has completely shifted over the years and I wondered if this could be a big factor in long term weight maintenance.
When I was at my heaviest I loved super cheesy pizza and thick onion rings. I ate hot fudge sundaes, not just regular ice cream, because that hot fudge...oooh...My favorite sandwich was a patty melt, with extra cheese and lots of greasy fried onions. My coffee was not drinkable unless it had massive quantities of half and half and sugar. Some of you reading this are drooling. And some of you have expressions of disgust. If you are the former my bet is you are struggling with your weight.
I think this business of how we perceive indulgence, and what we choose to indulge in, is something which plays a big role in our weight challenges. And I think we have to be willing to make some changes in this realm in order to really lose the weight and keep it off.
Those of you who gave off a collective "ugh" to the list of foods above, think back. What were your favorite indulgences? I'll bet what you considered indulgent foods back then are not at all what they are now. Am I right?
These days a big indulgence for me, and one I do almost daily, is a good salad bar. I could move into Whole Foods on Steele Lane, or the Olivers in Cotati. My salads are piled high with all sorts of odds and ends, most would be low or zero on the point scale, and the few which would be true indulgences (the quinoa salad with cranberries and walnuts, or the Greek salad with feta and olives) I have little bits of, and mix throughout. Pure dark chocolate is another daily indulgence, in reasonable quantities, and I also love a good bagel, though I cut the middle out so I make myself a "bagel thin", and skip the butter or cream cheese, eating it piled high with my scrambled eggs.
I lost my taste for over-the-top cheesy stuff years ago. If I see grease on any food my stomach turns. I haven't had a hot fudge sundae in years, and if I did I likely would be able to down a few bites before feeling kind of sick. Somehow all this food I used to love has managed to become disgusting to me.
So how does this happen? Well first you have to stop eating it on a regular basis. In fact, you might tell yourself, and anyone else who will listen, that you no longer like that food. I did this with pizza for years. When I was working on losing weight I told friends who suggested going out for pizza that I didn't like it and could we eat something else. This was a lie. I definitely liked pizza, but knew there was no way I would have just one piece. These days I really can't eat more than a piece, and even that is not particularly desirable. So I guess the "fake it 'til you make it" concept is at play here. Pretend you don't like it and eventually it comes true. Maybe those of you heading off to the county fair in the next week or two might experiment with this...Say to your family, nope, don't like corndogs or churros anymore. Pack some yummy, healthy food to take along instead. Just an idea...
I also think eating lots of good, healthy well-prepared foods will alter your tastebuds, and eventually something swimming in grease and heavy breading will seem repulsive. This is of course the ideal.
Another thing we need to alter in our thinking in terms of indulgence is portion size. For many of us it is not the specific food so much as the amount. Why does having a huge plate of food seem just so indulgent and satisfying? Why can't we look at that and feel overwhelmed and desirous of a doggie bag? We can change this if we make ourselves knowledgeable of portion sizes and eat within that framework most of the time. Our stomachs will shrink and we simply will not be able to eat like that.
So think about how you define indulgence and then look at your waistline. Maybe an indulgence-mindset alteration is in order...
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Come to a meeting and find out about the unique and valuable program I teach which will empower you to get those pounds off and keep them off for good! No counting, just a sensible formula and down to earth ideas and motivation.
Weigh-ins are optional, and the program is actually easy, sensible, and will get you eating healthier than you ever thought you could.
 PERSPECTIVES
Maybe you read the blurb above and realized you were still hanging on to your regular favorite foods and were not willing to let go of them. Maybe you're unsure you could ever lose the weight. Maybe you have a fear of success in this realm. This meeting will take the coaching approach to our fears, stories and all the things which internally hold us back from losing weight and keeping it off.
 OUR WHOLE LIVES
Our weight issues do not occur in a vacuum. Our behaviors are the product of our upbringing and our life experiences, as well as everything that is happening in our lives today. This meeting will also be coaching focused on looking at our lives, what we have manifested for ourselves, and what we really really want.
NEW MEETING ADDED: THURSDAYS 5:15pm, ANNADEL FITNESS CENTER: 4283 MONTGOMERY
(at Mission) SANTA ROSA I have a new meeting at Annadel Fitness Center! 5:15pm, so those of you who work can come afterwards. Annadel Fitness is a wonderful place featuring lots of Zumba, Body Conditioning and other types of classes. You do not have to join to go there, nor do you have to take any of the classes there in order to come to my meetings, but I will say there are wonderful teachers and opportunities here including a great class which will follow mine: Zumba with Ali.MEETING SCHEDULE: MONDAYS: 5:30 PM: TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH 275 E SPAIN ST SONOMA
TUESDAYS 9:30AM LOMITAS SCHOOLHOUSE
2421 LOMITAS AVE SANTA ROSA
WEDNESDAYS 9:30AM: TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH 275 E SPAIN ST SONOMA
4:30PM LOMITAS SCHOOLHOUSE
2421 LOMITAS AVE SANTA ROSA
THURSDAYS 5:15PM ANNADEL FITNESS
4283 MONTGOMERY SANTA ROSA
FRIDAYS 9:30AM SEBASTOPOL CENTER FOR THE ARTS
DEPOT ST SEBASTOPOL
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RECIPES FOR THIS ISSUE
This time of year summer fruit is at its peak, so I felt a summer fruit recipe was in order.
And the zucchinis are taking over the garden. Here is a way to prepare them that everyone in the family will love.
CLICK HERE FOR MY WEBSITE RECIPE PAGE
PEACH BLUEBERRY CRISP
Ingredients
- 4 large, ripe peaches or nectarines, peeled, pitted and sliced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1/4 cup sugar or xylitol
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 3/4 cup oats
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 2 tsp melted butter
- 1 tbsp canola oil
Instructions
1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2) Lay sliced peaches in an 8-inch square glass baking dish, followed by lemon juice. Scatter blueberries over the pears. 3) Stir sugar and cornstarch together and sprinkle over fruit.
4) In a small bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and ginger. Add melted butter and oil and blend well.
5) Spoon oat mixture over the fruit. Bake for 30-35 minutes until fruit is bubbling and top is brown.
Serves 6.
5 pts per serving
This is a treat food on the Healthy & Happy program
TURKEY STUFFED ZUCCHINI
Ingredients: - 4 (6 oz each) medium zucchini
- 1 tsp butter
- 1/2 small onion, finely diced
- 1/2 red pepper, minced
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 oz white wine
- 1lb lean ground turkey
- 1 large egg white
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup fat free chicken broth
- 2 tbsp whole wheat seasoned breadcrumbs or oatbran
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp fresh chopped rosemary
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp marjoram
- 1 tsp dried basil
- Salt and fresh pepper
Directions: 1) Preheat oven to 400�.
2) Cut zucchini in half lengthwise and using a spoon or melon baller, scoop out flesh, leaving 1/4" thick. Arrange in a baking dish. Chop the scooped out flesh of the zucchini in small pieces.
3) In a large saute pan, melt butter and add onion, pepper and garlic. Cook on a medium-low flame for about 2-3 minutes, until onions are translucent. Add chopped zucchini and season with a pinch of salt, cook about 2-3 minutes. Add wine and cook until it reduces. Add ground turkey and season with salt and pepper, cooking until turkey is white, breaking up in smaller pieces. Add paprika, rosemary, garlic powder, marjoram and basil. Mix well and cook another minute.
4) Place turkey mixture in a large mixing bowl and set aside to cool. When cooled, add Parmesan cheese and egg white, mix well. Using a spoon, fill hollowed zucchinis with stuffing, pressing firmly and top with bread crumbs. Place chicken broth in bottom of the baking dish and cover tightly with foil.
Bake 35 minutes.
Serves 4 (2 halves)
5 points per serving
This recipe has 1.5 serving of lean protein, 1/2 serving of healthy carbohydrate, 1/2 serving diary, 1/3 treat food and 2 servings vegetables.
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MORE FITNESS IDEAS
Last issue the blurb on biking and various classes elicited some response from readers and some other suggestions. Here are some meet up groups which do a variety of activities, sent by Marlene in Santa Rosa.
SENIOR WALKABOUTS
http://www.meetup.com/Senior-Walkabouters/events/67163662/?gj=wc1d_e&a=wc1d_gnl&rv=wc1d_e
SONOMA COUNTY WANDERERS
http://www.meetup.com/Sonoma-County-Wanderers/events/66539242/?gj=wc1d_e&a=wc1d_gnl&rv=wc1d_e
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HOW TO BURN 800 CALORIES IN 30 MINUTES
Thanks to JoRene in Santa Rosa for this brilliant tip...
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| LET'S TRAVEL...
Jim in Sonoma sent these amazing photos of some astonishing places in the world. Makes me want to get on a plane right now...
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TOUR D'ORGANICS
 
Hey everyone...get your biking helmets out and your tires filled and let's all go on the wonderful Tour D'Organics on August 12th. They have 4 rides, including a completely flat 16 miler, all of which make stops at various organic farms along the way, including Traditional Medicinals, Golden Nectar Farm and Gabriel Farms. What a great opportunity to try a group ride, check out some wonderful local farms, and get some exercise.
This ride can be done in conjunction with the Biker Chicks ride and EVERYONE (yes, apparently even those of you who do not fall into the "chick" category) can use their 15% discount: the code is bikerchick.
And the next Biker Chicks ride will happen on the same day. Please email Sandra Lupien for more details: |
101 AND STILL GOING STRONG
My friend David in Point Reyes sent this inspiring and funny interview on Jay Leno with 100 year old Dorothy Custer. Subsequent videos of her can be found on line, zip-lining for her 101st birthday. I want to be her when I grow up!
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FLYING OVER AMERICA
Jim strikes again...LOVELY. Watch it full screen.
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ANOTHER INSPIRATIONAL SENIOR!
You all know how much I love swing dancing. Well check out the then and now videos of Jean Veloz. She is 88 and still dancing away.
 
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BODEGA SEAFOOD ART & WINE FESTIVAL!! 
Most of you know that this festival is my alter-ego. I created it with my ex-husband 18 years ago. (We were married then...and divorced 8 years ago, but still manage to do this together..). If you have never been let me tell you why you might like it and make it a regular summer event. First of all, the food is unique. Yes, we have the fried shrimp and funnel cakes (both great examples of indulgent foods I wish we would all say sayonara to), but there are chowders, grilled salmon, oysters, and many many other truly healthy dishes, including some wonderful vegetarian fare. If you enjoy drinking wines and beers our tasting is fantastic. And if you just want a single glass of wine or beer you can get it at our Wine/Beer Booth. The craft at our festival is of a higher quality and diversity than you will find anywhere in the county. We have 3 stages of entertainment, including some great dance bands like Wonderbread 5 and Mitch Woods, Steve Lucky, Gator Beat, etc. but we also have some performers you will likely never see anywhere but here. Mean Mary is coming from Tennessee to wow you with her banjo/mandolin fiddle prowess. Scott Huckabay manages to make a single guitar sound like an orchestra. Robert Strong has such great magic and mind reading skills he has been a TED speaker several times. And beyond all of that proceeds from the festival benefit Stewards of the Coast & Redwoods and the Bodega Volunteer Fire Department. DON'T MISS THE 3 TICKETS FOR THE PRICE OF 2 SPECIAL!! ONLY THROUGH AUGUST 1ST!
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LIFE COACHING
Besides these meetings most of you know I am a certified life coach. Although my the meetings incorporate life coaching on occasion, it is not the same as one on one help. If you are challenged in your life to make change: to really lose the weight, find that great job, have a fulfilling relationship, life coaching is a wonderful path towards manifesting your dreams.
I always do a free half hour sample session.I work primarily by phone so your location is not an issue. Hope you'll check it out! EMAIL ME FOR MORE INFORMATION:
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Marble Caves, Chile
Hubei, China
Poseidon Underwater Resort, Fiji ($15,000/week?!) 
