Quote
"Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint."
- Mark Twain
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Welcome
 I just recently returned from a wonderful weekend at Kripalu Yoga center. What fun! I took classes in Kripalu Yoga, NIA, Yoga Dance and Qi Gong with some of the best teachers around. Ate lots of healthy foods and spent time in nature enjoying the beautiful Berkshires in Lennox, MA. One of my favorite spots was the labyrinth (see picture), with its stones, trees and flowers. The first morning I walked the labyrinth, there was dew on everything, and these beautiful spruce trees were covered in sparkling colored lights where the light prismed through the dewdrops. Now I know where the idea for lights on trees came from at Christmas time!
Kripalu is a great resource (being there feels like you died and went to "yoga heaven"!) Here's the web site: http://www.kripalu.org/
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Feature Article: Being in Balance
I've been reading a book called The Death of Chaos, by L. E. Modesitt Jr., in which the main character is a wizard of "order", fighting the forces of "chaos". He learns that there's something called The Balance, which says that both chaos and order have the potential to be positive or negative, depending upon whether they're in balance or not. In other words, if they're fairly equal, then they're in balance and so in a positive expression.
It's got me to thinking about balance in my own life, about extremes, and how things in moderation can be "good", and things in the extreme, "bad". And that being healthy means being in balance as we move through our lives, through the seasons, through varying demands on our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual selves.
When you get sick, it's a sign that you’ve become out of balance. When you get seriously out of balance, it’s also an OPPORTUNITY to not only eliminate symptoms, but to actually lift your health to another level. It can be an opening – a message you can take as a key - and if you listen to the message, the whispers, you can go beyond just eliminating symptoms. You can seek to understand the underlying issues, and work there - to heal the real issue - not just medicate the symptoms.
When you look at your health this way, illnesses become a gift from your body, pointing out where you need to look, where you need more healing. And responding to that message becomes a journey to wellness. It becomes an adventure. And it's at that point, when problems go from painful and scary to fascinating adventures, that you know it's just a matter of time until the problem is solved.
Have you ever had an adventure like this? I'd love to hear about it. Just reply to this email. I enjoy hearing from readers about your experiences and also any feedback on topics you'd like to hear more about.
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Food Focus: Root Vegetables
The roots of any plant are its anchor and foundation; they are the essential parts that support and nourish the plant. Root vegetables lend these properties to us when we eat them, making us feel physically and mentally grounded and rooted, increasing our stability, stamina and endurance. Roots are a rich source of nutritious complex carbohydrates, providing a steady source of necessary sugars to the body. Instead of upsetting blood sugar levels like refined sweet foods, they regulate them. Since they absorb, assimilate and supply plants with vital nutrients, roots likewise increase absorption and assimilation in our digestive tracts.
Long roots, like burdock, carrots, parsnips and daikon radish, are excellent blood purifiers and can help improve circulation in the body and increase mental clarity . Round roots, like turnips, radishes, beets and rutabagas, are nourishing to the stomach, spleen, pancreas and reproductive organs and can help regulate blood sugar and moods, and alleviate cravings.
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Recipe of the Month: Roasted Root Vegetables
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 25-35 minutes
Yield: 4-6 servings
Ingredients:
1 sweet potato
2 parsnips
2 carrots
2 turnips or 1 large rutabaga
1 daikon radish (or substitute/add in your favorites, like squash)
olive oil
salt and pepper
herbs: rosemary, thyme or sage (fresh if possible)
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Wash and chop all vegetables into large bite-sized pieces.
3. Place in a large baking dish with sides.
4. Drizzle with olive oil; mix well to coat each vegetable lightly with oil.
5. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and herbs.
6. Bake uncovered for 25-35 minutes until vegetables are tender and golden brown, checking every 10 minutes to stir and make sure veggies are not sticking.
Note: Any combination of vegetables will work. Roasting only one kind of vegetable also makes a nice side dish.
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News & Events
Want to grow some of your own food but don't have a yard?
here's a cool site to help: http://www.windowfarms.org/
"WindowfarmsTM are vertical, hydroponic, modular, low-energy, high-yield edible window gardens built using low-impact or recycled local materials. "
IIN Offer:
Let's Start a Food Fight: Join us as we speak with Food Fight founder Carolyn Cohen on how her organization is changing the way students and educators think about food in schools. Carolyn is not only the founder of this amazing organization but she is also an Integrative Nutrition student who will be graduating this spring. http://www.integrativenutrition.com/get-started/attend-info-session
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About Us
Laura Brown is a Certified Health Coach (CHC) and the founder of Intuitive Wellness. Combining the principles of Integrative Nutrition and years of hands-on experience, Laura Brown helps clients tap into the healing power of food in their lives – one meal at a time.
Call or email to schedule a free health consultation with Laura:
770-953-0534, or laura@intuitive-wellness.com.
See www.intuitive-wellness.com for more information.
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