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THANKSGIVING
I look forward every year to producing the newsletter for Thanksgiving. I love this holiday and feel compelled every year to write about it because it speaks to gratitude, which is ever-present in my heart and mind.
Too often days or weeks go by when we are so wrapped up in the craziness of our lives we forget what we have and are too focused on what we do not have. Or we look back with regret some decision or event and it eats away at us. Meanwhile all around us in the moment is evidence that we have a life worth cherishing. Sometimes we don't realize it until it's too late..."don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you got 'til it's gone" (Joni Mitchell reference...). Well I propose in this week of THANKS giving that we give thanks, lots of thanks, to whatever and whomever you are grateful to have in your life.
Sometimes it's hard to feel grateful in difficult situations, or dark times. There is so much anger and sadness, how can one be thankful? When we are in the throes of depression it is difficult to see any way out. Our brain sees only negative. However our mind is our strongest muscle. Just like all the other muscles in our body, it needs exercises to make change. Consider trying to find appreciation and acknowledgement of even small things. This can shift one's perspective in a valuable way. Notice the changes you make, the lessons you are learning, the little special things around you or about you worth noting.
READ MORE
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RECIPES
My brother and I have an age-old debate during the holidays. Having been trained as a gourmet chef he believes massive amounts of butter are necessary to make stuffing taste good. I beg to differ. I have made stuffing many times with minimal butter and the family raves about it. I don't think they're just being nice... And I am including a recipe I am making in place of sweet potatoes for this holiday. We already have stuffing, mashed potatoes and likely bread...Do we really need yams or sweet potatoes?? Try this instead. You will be the hit of the dinner, and you will save yourself and your family a few hundred calories. JANET'S STUFFING
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FOOD "HACKS"
I am not sure why they use the term "hack" to refer to clever ideas for things to do with food...shortcuts or clever ways to cut, cook or serve. Below is my version of eggs in an onion ring, which is my new favorite way to cook eggs. These have a teensy bit of Parmesan sprinkled on top. I also tried the tortilla idea and it works too. Very fun!! 
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NO SUGAR FOR A YEAR
This is a very inspiring, down-to-earth article about a family who went sugar-less for a year. Impressive and ultimately a very valuable decision.
NO SUGAR FOR A YEAR
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CLEVER ANIMATION
Well done stop motion animation for this holiday...enjoy...
 | | Happy Thanksgiving |
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DIET CAN REVERSE ALZHEIMERS?
A study at UCLA indicates that diet, sleep, stress all play a part in onset of Alzheimer's and are experimenting with patients to reverse their memory losses through lifestyle changes. Here is one more way in which our diets affect our overall health. Wow... 
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NATURE TAKES OVER
I love this series of images of deserted places which the land took back. Beautiful and haunting... 
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JACK LALANNE TELLS IT LIKE IT IS...
In this old clip of Jack Lalanne (I wish I knew the date...I am guessing it is from the 70's based on his age) he expounds on happiness and why people are not as happy as they could be. This guy was a visionary! Wow!
 | | Jack Lalanne - Unhappy people |
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AGAVE IS NOT A HEALTHY SUGAR ALTERNATIVE
I have known this since everyone began raving about this syrup. It really is just another form of sugar...
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BEGINNER'S BICYCLING CLASSES!!
 Have you been reading my posts about riding a bike and thinking how you'd like to do that but you have no idea how to begin? Maybe you never learned as a child, or it has been 30 years since you climbed on a bike. Or maybe you have a teeny bit of knowledge but feel you would benefit from a few classes. Well here's the plan...
In January we intend to begin Beginner's Bike Classes at Sebastopol Bike Center. These will be once a week, one hour lessons which will cover everything from the very basics (how to actually ride a bike) to how to use your gearing, how to brake, how to deal with traffic, cross streets, and other road etiquette. You'll learn some basic skills like changing a tire and little fixes you can do yourself.
The first 10-20 minutes of each class will be inside, discussing various bike issues, watching videos, etc. Each week will be different. The rest of the class will be in the parking lot on bikes and on the Joe Rodota trail where we will ride as far as the group feels comfortable riding.
These classes are designed to get anyone and everyone who wants to ride on a bike. If you have a bike you can bring your own. If you do not you can rent one from us. The cost will be $15/hr without bike rental: $30 with the rental. Sign up for multiple classes and get a discount.
The hope is that people who take these classes feel more comfortable getting out and riding, and that they meet like minded folks in the class who are at their same level so they could ride together. The surest way to getting out on a regular basis is to have friends you ride with.
We have not fully decided on a day/time as yet (proposed is Wed 9:30-10:30am) and would like to hear from you!! If this sounds appealing let me know what days/times work for you.
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WHAT ARE YOU GETTING YOUR BIKING HUSBAND OR WIFE THIS HOLIDAY?
6731 SEBASTOPOL AVE (HWY 12 at MORRIS ST)
Yes, Sebastopol Bike Center not only rents bikes...we sell them! Whether you want a comfy, easy, casual cruiser, a fun retro bike for road or trail, or a high performance, carbon-fiber road bike, we have them, both new and used.
We have just gotten in one of the coolest bikes I have ever seen, which I suspect will appeal to many people. It is called a Space Horse and it is made by All City Cycles. It is designed as an urban commuter/touring bike. It has a steel frame, road bike handle bars, and the tires are 32", as opposed to standard road bike of 25-28", so ideal for gravel or dirt trails. We have added a wooden pannier holder and have upgraded it in other ways. The steel frame makes it more solid-feeling than a carbon-fiber ride, and its sleek design and top-of-the-line components make it not only an excellent bike for anyone who wants a cross between a road bike and a "townie" but a true collector's bike.  Our Breezer Cruiser bikes are inexpensive and are the perfect upright bike for the casual rider. Our used top-of-the-line carbon fiber road bikes run the gamut in size and brand and we are selling off on third of our rental fleet for great prices! We are also a dealer for Ridley, and have a wonderful collection of awesome 2015 Ridleys available new! As we get close to the holidays thinking about the gift of a bike, or bike accessories, which we have an abundance of, makes for giving a gift of fun and good health to your loved one(s). Think about a fun Christmas stocking filled with all things bike...(gloves, head warmer, socks, lights, bells, tubes, Cats Eye computer, patch kit....) I'll bet you have someone in your life who would love that! Come check out the newest and coolest bike shop in the county!
www.sebastopolbike.com
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LIFE COACHING/WEIGHT COUNSELING
So many people ditch this time of year as a time to get serious about your weight and health, though in reality it is the time we need to think about it most. Consider getting some direction and focus going into the holidays.
jciel@sbcglobal.net
WEBSITE COACHING/COUNSELING PAGE
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