mediterranean diet
September Newsletter 2012
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Center Your Health Newsletter September 2012
Thai Noodles
CYH Blog - Breaking up with GLUTEN, UnTuna Salad, Stiff Neck, and more.
3HCs Healthy Happy Hour
 Greetings!

laurbeachheadshotThis September is my 8th year (whoa!) working at Amscan, Inc. in Westchester, NY.  What started as a month-long design intern turned into 5 years of product designing, and then most recently (3 years ago) becoming Amscan's Wellness Director.  Being the director of a large corporate wellness program is more than a dream come true and certainly something I had never imagined.  I love offering employees stress relieving yoga classes, educating them on nourishing foods and how to live a healthy life.  I especially love hiring other like-minded wellness instructors to encourage overall wellness throughout our company.  Most of all, it's so rewarding to observe people around me caring about their health, shuffling off to wellness classes during the day, eating more fresh whole foods, losing weight, coming off or lowering their medications, and most of all feeling better.

September is also the time of year where sniffle-season rears its head and leaves us faced with the question, do I get the flu shot or not?  I'm a strong believer that for most of us, if you take good care of yourself, a flu shot isn't necessary because a strong immune system should be able to take down funky bugs (that's its job!).  However, it's up to you to decide. I did some research on the ingredients in the flu shot:  FLULAVAL, Influenza Virus Vaccine Ingredients: Thimerosal, a mercury derivative, is added as a preservative. Each 0.5-mL dose contains 50 mcg thimerosal (<25 mcg mercury). Each 0.5-mL dose may also contain residual amounts of ovalbumin (0.3 mcg), formaldehyde (25 mcg), and sodium deoxycholate (50 mcg) from the manufacturing process. Antibiotics are not used in the manufacture of this vaccine.  The vial stopper does not contain latex.

Well, thank heavens no antibiotics were used in manufacturing this vaccine and that the vial is latex-free!  Who the heck cares about that when the vaccine contains MERCURY, a neurotoxin, with a toxicity level 1,000 times that of lead.
It also contains FORMALDEHYDE, a known cancer-causing agent used to inactivate the virus.  Are you freakin' kidding me?  If you're still in question, bring this harmful information up to your doctor to further help your decision.  I invite you to download & read the file here for more information about the flu shot but more importantly how to protect you and your family from the flu: 
 

I appreciate being able to share my newsletter with you.  Feel free to pass this along to anyone you feel may be interested.  Wishing you health & happiness!  


Namaste,

Lauren Forney, HHC, RYT
Holistic Health Coach
Registered Yoga Teacher

For more information please visit my website at Center Your Health & follow me on Find us on Facebook
Are you located in the Monmouth County area?  Stop in to one of my yoga classes
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Thai Noodles
I don't know what it is lately, but I've been craving Thai food like mad.  If you don't feel like having this dish with the cellophane noodles, try it with soba noodles or even some brown rice (my favorite way to have it).  The picture below is one of the many deliciously fresh dishes that my cousin and I sat down to while I was visiting him this past March in Thailand.  After experiencing authentic Thai food while I was out there, I've been hooked ever since!  Hope you enjoy-

Ingredients:
8 -10 ounces cellophane (bean thread) noodles
1 cup unsalted organic peanuts
1-inch thick piece ginger root about 4" long, minced
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil or mint
1/2 cup lime juice, lemon juice or white vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce (I use low sodium Bragg's)
2 tablespoons honey (raw, local preferred!)
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for kick)

Directions: 
Bring a pot of water to a boil.  Meanwhile, in a large bowl, soak cellophane noodles in hot tap water for about 5 minutes.  Drain noodles, then soak in boiling water for an additional 5 minutes, or until they are softened and clear.  Drain well and, using kitchen shears, cut into shorter lengths.  Set noodles aside to cool.  If you're opting to use brown rice instead, have brown rice cooking on the stove or in your rice cooker while you're preparing the sauce. 
My cousin Jay and I riding a 45 year old elephant in Thailand during my trip.  Totally amazing experience!
In a food processor or blender, combine peanuts, ginger and red pepper.  Process until well mixed.  In a large bowl, toss mixture with noodles and throw in basil and/or mint.  In another small bowl, combine remaining ingredients, stir well.  Pour over noodles until all is evenly distributed.  Taste test to see if you need a bit more honey or red pepper flakes.  Garnish with a handful of peanuts.  YUM! 

About Cellophane Noodles:  Cellophane noodles are extremely thin translucent noodles used extensively in Asian cuisine - should be one of those items you keep in your pantry to use in a pinch. Made from mung beans, yam, or potato starch, the gluten-free noodles are quite versatile. They are equally good tepid as they are warm, and they can be served in soups, used in stir-fries in place of wheat noodles, or served cold in salads. They are available in Oriental food stores and in most health food stores. 
Center Your Health's BLOG
If you haven't gotten around to checking out my blog, here are some of the things I've been blogging about this past month.  I hope you enjoy!

What makes me happy right now:  Good books, snacks on the go & fall beach days.
UnTuna Salad Recipe
 Sean's Spicy Curry Shrimp with Veggies
September = National Yoga Month
Stiff Neck Frustration
Breaking Up with GLUTEN

 
Stay tuned for next
3 Healthy Chicks Healthy Happy Hour!

Our August HHH was a complete success!  Check out pics below.