January
Let’s live more in pleasure and bring pleasure to others. Pleasure can escort us safely through very difficult times and give our spirits a place to replenish.
Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy (SARK)
There are many different kinds of personalities: party types, judging types, feelers, thinkers, introverts, extroverts… Are we each born this way or is it something we learn?
I don't exactly know when it happened, but somewhere along the way, I became a bit of a "work now, play later" type. When I was in public school, who even cared about homework and exams !? I remember my father making a "deal" with me, that if I do my homework I will get… can't remember what it was, but it was something pretty exciting. Because it worked. Looking back I can probably identify some of the steps and turning points that slowly made me this way. By high school no more deals were needed and I did my homework and studied for my exams very (if not too) seriously.
As we grow older we sometimes forget how to play and just have fun.
There is a word in the Yoga philosophy, "LILA", which means cosmic game.
Everything is actually a game.
In this cosmic game another civil year has changed and for the next 365 days we will be writing 2009. Wow! Time sure flies by when you are having fun!!
So, what about having more fun this year? What about playing and making this year the best ever?!
And for that I say: HalleLILA and Hallelujah!
This year's goal: Eating Less, Playing More
Remember when we were children and we got so wrapped up in playing, imagining or creating that we didn’t want to stop when it was time to eat? Do you remember leaving the meal half-finished to run off and continue playing? Children innately understand that food is secondary to what is most nutritious and primary in life: fun and play.
As adults we seem to have lost our instinct to prioritize play. In our busy world, with its emphasis on work and responsibility, to be healthy and balanced we must work on more than just our bodies; we must feed our hearts, minds and spirits. 
Have you noticed that when our body, mind and spirit are engaged in a creative project or happy relationship, our reliance on food seems to decrease? Likewise, when we are unsatisfied with our relationships, our job or other areas of our life, we may depend on food to cheer, soothe or numb us. When our life is out of balance, no amount of food can feed us where we truly need nourishment. The food that we eat is very important for health and balance, but what really feeds us—a full and fulfilling life—doesn’t come on a plate.
What is fun for you? What makes you light up? What excites you? Make time for it this week and this year. Even if you don’t have much time for fun, try approaching a “serious” activity with an attitude of play. This can greatly reduce stress and anxiety and bring more pleasure to your day.
Take your focus off food; try adding more fun into your life and watch the magic unfold.
Food Focus: Sea Vegetables
In traditional Chinese healing, sea vegetables (or seaweeds) correspond to the winter season and to the kidneys, adrenal glands, bladder and reproductive organs. The strengthening, balancing and cleansing properties of sea vegetables are known to help these organs as well as the hair, skin and nails. Sea vegetables provide a variety of minerals and vitamins, including calcium, iron and iodine, and can help balance hormone and thyroid levels in the body. Eating too many processed foods or foods grown in mineral-depleted soil can result in a lack of minerals in the body, leading to cravings for salty or sugary foods. Adding sea vegetables to your diet can help balance your energy levels and alleviate cravings.
Recipe of the Month: Mighty Miso Soup
Prep Time: 5-10 minutes
Cooking Time: 10-15 minutes
Yield: 4-5 servings
Ingredients:
4-5 cups spring water
5 cm strip of wakame, rinsed and soaked 5 minutes 
in 1 cup of water until softened
1-2 cups thinly sliced vegetables of your choice (see following note)
2-3 teaspoons miso
2 scallions (or green onions) finely chopped
Directions:
1. Chop soaked wakame.
2. Discard soaking water or use on houseplants for a boost of minerals.
3. Place water and wakame in a soup pot and bring to a boil.
4. Add root and ground vegetables first and simmer gently for 5 minutes or until tender.
5. Add leafy vegetables and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
6. Remove about 1/2 cup of liquid from pot and dissolve miso into it. Return it to the pot.
7. Reduce heat to very low; do not boil or simmer miso broth.
8. Allow soup to heat 2-3 minutes.
9. Garnish with scallions and serve.
Note:
Any combination of vegetables can be used in miso soup. Here are some classic combinations:
- onion-daikon: cleansing
- onion-carrot-shiitake mushroom: mildly sweet
- leek-corn-broccoli: great in summertime
- onion-pumpkin-cabbage: great in wintertime
Variations:
- Add cooked grains at the start of making the soup. They will become nice and soft.
- Add a tablespoon of uncooked quinoa or millet at the beginning and let it cook with vegetables for 20 minutes.
- Add bean sprouts towards the end.
- Season with grated ginger for an interesting twist.
- If using dry shiitake mushrooms, pre-soak for 20 minutes, slice and add at the beginning.
Remember, it is all LILA (a cosmic game).
Talya Lewin
Holistic Health Counselor
www.talyalewin.com
resource: IIN
Bulletin Board
Health Food Store Tour
January 22nd
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
http://www.tevasport.com/stores.asp
When? Thursday, Jan 22nd
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
For all Chocolate lovers!!
What is the connection between: Health, Chocolate and Love?
Put "eat chocolate" at the top of your list of things to do today. That way, at least you'll get one thing done.
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 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? January 7th (and one more coming up on Febuary 16th)
What time? 20:30 - 22:00
How much? NIS 150
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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