Let yourself be silently drawn by the stronger pull of what you really love.
Rumi
Since my father was originally from Belgium, while I was growing up we often had Leonidas or Godiva chocolates in the house. They weren't widely known nor available like today and to have them was a real treat (actually, it still is). After dinner we would have the ceremony of going to the fridge and bringing out the golden box with the fancy dainty papers. My sister and I would carefully open the box and examine each praline, choosing "the right one" to eat at that moment. We would nibble it very slowly, treating it almost as though it were a precious jewel. Relishing each bite.
Without paying much attention, my father would just take a chocolate and quickly pop the whole thing into his mouth, while we would howl every time, not understanding his hastiness. He would laugh, swallowing it soon after.
I haven't had that kind of specialty chocolate for years. Even though today I make my own healthy chocolate, maybe it's time to have some Leonidas again. I wonder what memories might be stirred up...
Soul Food
Think for a moment of a food from your past, one that makes you feel great after you eat it for no specific reason. Maybe it is white bread with chocolate spread, spaghetti with tomato sauce and yellow cheese, banana-strawberry ice cream in a cone or pancakes with cream cheese and jam. Eating foods like these (every now and then) can be incredibly healing, even though your rational brain might not consider it highly nutritious.
Food has the power to affect us on a level deeper than just our physical well-being. What we eat can reconnect us to precious memories, like childhood playtimes, first dates, holidays, our grandmother's cooking or our country of ancestry. Our bodies remember foods from the past on an emotional and cellular level. Eating a certain food connects us to our roots and has rejuvenating and nurturing effects that go far beyond the food's biochemical make-up.
Acknowledging what different foods mean to us is an important part of cultivating a good relationship with food. During this month which some of us celebrate Valentine's Day, lovers and relationships, it's important to notice that we each have a relationship with food - and that this relationship is often far from loving. Many of us restrict food, attempting to control our weight. We often abuse food, substituting it for emotional well-being. Others ignore food, swallowing it whole before we've even tasted it.
What would our life be like if we treated food and our body as we would treat our beloved? With gentleness, playfulness, communication, honesty, respect and love? The next time you eat your soul food, do so with awareness and without guilt, and enjoy all the healing and nourishment it brings you.
Food Focus: Beans
Beans, or legumes, including peas and lentils, are an excellent source of plant-based protein. Legumes are found in most traditional cultures as a staple food, offering grounding and strengthening properties that enhance endurance. They offer a highly usable, highly absorbable source of calcium and protein for the body. A very inexpensive source of high nutrition, legumes can be rich, delicious and satisfying.
Lack of sexual energy is often due to overtaxed adrenal glands and kidneys. Beans are notorious for strengthening these organs (ever noticed the shape of a bean?) and can help restore vital energy as well as sexual energy.
Beans have a reputation for causing digestive distress, but this is usually because they have been undercooked or improperly prepared. Good tips: To help reduce gas-forming properties: soak beans overnight prior to cooking; at beginning of the cooking skim off the foam, increase cooking time; add spices like bay leaf, oregano or cumin, or add kombu (a sea vegetable) when cooking.
Recipe of the Month: Easy Beans and Greens
You can either cook your own beans (I recommend using a pressure cooker - it makes life so much easier) or use canned beans.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Yield: 2-3 servings
Ingredients:
1.5 cups of cooked beans (black, pinto, red or kidney - your choice)
1 bunch fresh greens (mangold or Swiss chard, spinach, celery - your choice)
your favorite toppings, such as salsa, avocado (or guacamole), techina, or plain olive oil and soy sauce.
you can also try some coconut oil, putting it on top and letting it melt into the hot cooked beans, giving them a special Indian taste.
Directions:
1. In a medium saucepan, heat drained beans. Add your favorite seasonings, if desired (mine are: cumin, turmeric, cayenne pepper and cinnamon)
2. Wash and chop greens (you can use the stems, too).
3. Place them on a vegetable steamer in a separate saucepan, over an inch (2.5 cm) of boiling water.
4. Cook greens for 1-2 minutes until tender but still bright green. (water can be used in soups or drink it just like that as it's full of nutrients).
5. On a plate, arrange a portion of the greens, top with a portion of the beans and finish with toppings of your choice.
resource: IIN
Have a YUMMY month!!
Talya Lewin
Holistic Health Counselor
www.talyalewin.com
Bulletin Board
Health Food Store Tour
February 19th
Do you ever wonder what they sell in health food stores?
And what do you do with all that healthy stuff?
Please join me for an informative and fun tour in my favorite store 
Where? Teva Sport Castel - Hamanofim 5, Herzliya Pituach
www.tevasport.com/stores.asp
When? Thursday, February 19th
What time? 18:30 - 20:00
How much? NIS 25
Please book ahead
For participants in the Nutrition Program the tour is free
For information and reservation: 054-4670239
Healthy Chocolate Making Class - February 22nd
Put "eat chocolate" at the top of your list of things to do today. That way, at least you'll get one thing done.
(from "The Rules of Chocolate" author unknown)
I make the healthiest, tastiest, least fattening chocolate on the planet
and I would love to teach you how to make it too.
No sugar, no milk products, no guilt,
just pure cacao, health and love!
We will also learn: Health benefits of chocolate; How to make almond milk; How to make a great morning drink (with almond milk and cacao); Who is the white thief and its effect on us; How to alleviate sugar cravings; and more....
Where? Roy Chocolate - Yad Harutzim 15, Tel Aviv
www.shokoladim.co.il
When? February 22nd
What time? 20:30 - 22:00
How much? NIS 150
Please book ahead
For information and reservation: 054-4670239
New!!
Cooking class - How to Eat Healthy, Simple and Tasty, too.
Friday morning, Feb 27th
It is so easy to eat healthy - let me teach you my basic meal and tricks!
A few healthy ingredients, some spices, good oils, a pressure cooker and lots of Vitamin L&H
(Love & Home made food)
We will make:
Brown rice with lemon, Orange lentil stew, 
My 7 green salad, Baked veggies and
The best home made tchina.
Includes enjoying a meal together.
All ingredients are organic and vegetarian.
Where? In my home in Herzliya
When? Friday, February 27th
What time? 9:30 - 13:30
How much? NIS 250
For participants in the Nutrition Program the price is 200 NIS
Please book ahead
For information and reservation: 054-4670239
Health and Wellness Workshop for Corporations
As a Certified Health Counselor, I facilitate a fun and informative Employee Health and Wellness Workshop. This workshop includes education on how to implement better nutrition and life choices to create a healthier life, a more efficient day and reduce stress in the work environment. It serves as a first step in living a healthier more balanced life.
I would be happy to discuss and mail my information package to whomever is interested.
Forward to a Friend
It's such a pleasure to help those closest to us become happier and healthier. Please forward to friends, family members or colleagues, to whomever might be interested and inspired by it.
Feel free to check my website
www.talyalewin.com
I would be happy to schedule a free Nutrition breakthrough session.
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