Greetings!
Happy New Year! I spent day 1 of 2009 listening to an eclectic music mix
DJ'd by Raymond and taking a b risk walk in the bright cold. I've been
relishing the memories of the terrific New Year's Eve celebration we took part
in: a big, festive potluck dinner involving lots of great food, drink,
discussion and laughs. This annual tradition started in the mid '90s with
a couple of dear friends and this year we grew to a group of 9. We
feasted on champagne cocktails, balsamic chicken, Brussels sprouts, salad,
frittata, olives, pepperoni, provolone, healthy fried rice, baked artichoke
hearts (my contribution, read on); plus fruit salad, cranberry pie, ice
cream, whipped cream, and trendy fleur de sel caramels.
I can hear the exclamations now about some of these dishes... "what,
YOU ate those 'bad' foods?" Well, I believe there's room
for almost anything in your overall diet, in moderation or as an
occasional special treat. The key is to figure out what
health-supportive foods and lifestyle habits are really going to serve your
long-term goals the best, and make those your focus. Once you've
put this into practice on a regular basis, you'll have more flexibility to
indulge, guilt-free, in other favorites, and quickly get back on track.
It's all about balance, about proportion, and taking the long view. It's
pace, not race.
Not sure how to make this happen? Feel overwhelmed at the start of yet
another year where you're not looking/feeling/acting your best? Not to
worry. You can do it! Let's talk about how 2009 can be your year to
let your life truly shine. I believe in your potential for success, and
can help you get to where you want to be.
And now? Time to tune in and get clear on goals and intentions -- for
your self, your work, your world. I've set a big fitness goal for the
first half of the year, and I invite you to join me (or create one of your
own) -- see below. Let's make this a fantastic year!
Be well and shine on,
Bernadette
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Food Focus: Artichokes
I LOVE artichokes. They're among my all-time favorite
vegetables, and they're so good for you.
We eat first with our eyes, and they look really beautiful -- like big
flower buds (which they ar e), with a soft green color, sometimes tipped with
purple, and sensuous shape. Naturally
low in calories, and high in fiber, vitamin C, folate and magnesium, artichokes
are a healthy eater's good friend. For
some people, whole artichokes are a little intimidating - where to begin? --
but they're easy to prepare and really versatile (they even have their own website that's
loaded with great visuals on preparation).
I like them steamed, with a light vinaigrette as a dip. Another plus is
that eating them like this takes a lot of time, causing you to be more mindful, since you have to pull each
leaf off the base and then scrape it between your teeth, working your way inward till you
get to the delectable heart. Yum!
One special treat of my growing up years was stuffed
artichokes, a specialty of my Aunt Gerty's, one of the many women in my family who inspired my love of food and cooking.
They're a little labor intensive, so it was kind of a big deal when she
made them for me. So, why when I found
the following recipe I was so excited, because it's actually a deconstructed
stuffed artichoke, easy to throw together using frozen artichoke hearts. When I made it for New Year's Eve, one friend
(who shall remain nameless) literally licked the empty dish, it was so good!
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Recipe: Baked Artichoke Hearts
Serves 8
Ingredients
1 1/2 C
fresh breadcrumbs
1/4 C finely
chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
2 oz.
Parmesan cheese, grated (1/4 C)
2 oz.
Pecorino Romano, grated (1/4 C)
1 T
mixed dried herbs such as thyme, oregano, and savory, or Italian seasoning
blend
1 T
coarse salt
Freshly ground
pepper
3 packages (9
ounces each) frozen artichoke hearts, thawed and drained
2/3 C extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for baking dishes
1/4 C fresh
lemon juice (from 2 lemons)
1 t finely grated lemon zest
2 garlic
cloves, minced (2 t)
Directions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Combine breadcrumbs, parsley,
cheeses, herbs, and salt in a medium bowl, and season with pepper.
-
Brush oil inside two 4-cup, 9 1/2-inch glass or ceramic
baking dishes, or one 9-by-13-inch dish. Divide artichoke hearts between dishes,
and spread into a single layer. Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture over artichokes,
pushing it into cracks between hearts. Tap bottom of dishes on counter to
settle breadcrumb mixture.
-
Whisk oil, lemon juice and zest, and garlic in a small
bowl. Drizzle dressing evenly over breadcrumb topping. Cover dishes with
parchment, then foil, and bake for 30 minutes. Increase temperature to 375
degrees. Uncover, and bake until breadcrumbs are golden brown, 20 to 25
minutes. Serve immediately
From Martha Stewart Living TV
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Free Live Teleclass on January 9
Start your new year right!
Simple Solutions for Your Healthy Eating Challenges
I'll be kicking off 2009 with a Neat and Simple Living Cafe Call on "Simple Solutions for Your Healthy Eating
Challenges." You'll be able to ask
me anything you want about how to eat healthier, save money through smarter
meal planning, incorporate exercise into a busy life, the latest nutrition
news... you name it. Plus, my esteemed
Neat and Simple Living Cafe co-hosts, Ariane Benefit and Ellen Shapiro, will be
on hand as well, so you'll get their wisdom too! Can't make it live? The
call will be recorded so you can listen to it later.
DATE: Friday,
January 9, 2009
TIME: 1.00 p.m. -
2.30 p.m. ET
2 WAYS TO LISTEN:
via teleconference: (712)
432-0600 PIN: 285167# (this will allow you to ask questions); or online via
Blog Talk Radio
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The More Half Marathon
You CAN do it! We'll do it together!
Are
you ready to set an ambitious fitness goal with other motivated women,
and experience great accountability/support, training tips, camaraderie
and a fantastic sense of accomplishment when you achieve it? Then join me in training for the 2009 More 1/2 Marathon, slated for April 26. The 13.1 mile race, which will be held in Central Park, is sponsored by More and Fitness magazines and is for women only. If you've never done a race like this before, you 're in for a treat -- there's amazing energy in the crowds of runners and onlookers, and it's a blast to be there with thousands of other healthy, empowered women.
Not a runner? I'm planning to fast-walk it (as I did the 1997 NYC
Marathon), and even if you've never done this distance, there is plenty
of time to train. LET ME KNOW
if you are interested... I would love to form "Team Shining
Life!" For all the details, including registration info and to
sign up for training tips, go here. I'll be updating you on my experiences in future newsletters.
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About Shining Life Nutrition
ARE YOU READY to improve your eating habits, feel
confident in choosing and preparing better food, reach your ideal weight, find
balance in all areas of your life -- and finally get a handle on your most
pressing health issues? Not sure where
to begin...or how to stay on course?
I'll be your guide and advocate on the path toward vibrant health and
lasting changes -- without crazy diets and deprivation. I'll help you clear away
the clutter of old food and lifestyle habits so that your best self can shine
out to the world. With a customized health counseling program, you'll learn to
tune into your body's innate wisdom, find clarity about what truly nourishes
you, and move closer to the balance that's essential for accomplishing your
goals. Please contact me to schedule a complimentary get-acquainted
conversation.
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Shining Life Jump
Start!
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Do
you want to get going immediately on the road to vibrant health in the
new year? Jump right in with a one-month intensive
counseling program designed to quickly get
you on the path to vibrant health and see progress fast.
Includes: 3
hours of counseling sessions in person or by phone (your choice);
Private
online collaboration forum to track progress and results; Unlimited
email support between sessions, a bonus 30-minute wrap-up session you
can keep "in the bank" for future use, and other surprises. Call 973.944.4878 for details or visit my website to learn more.
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Offer Expires: 1/31/09
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NOW is the right TIME.
-Lotus Sutra
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News to Help Your Life Shine
