True life is lived when tiny changes occur. -Leo Tolstoy
NEW YEAR NEW YOU
I know you are hearing this through every media outlet. May I share a few thoughts with you?
A lot of people begin the New Year by making resolutions. We’ve all been there. We take a vow to lose weight, exercise more or spend more time with our family. We start the year with great plans but then we quickly relapse into old habits.
Why is it so darned hard to stick to those New Year’s resolutions?
I like to make an intention. Here are some ways you can make your intentions a reality this year:
- Write down your intentions and keep them in a visible place, like taped to your bedroom mirror or the dashboard of your car.
- Get to the source of whatever is keeping you in a rut. Are you in a stressful relationship that causes you to eat a pint of Ben & Jerry’s every night? Are you stressed at your job and feel too tired to exercise after work? If you don’t tackle the root of the behavior, it will be much harder to accomplish your goal.
- Be clear about what your life would look like once you achieve your goal. If you resolve to go to the gym more, how will this benefit you? Get connected to the result of your action, and you will be more likely to stick with your plan.
- Share your resolutions with friends and family. Hold each other accountable for achieving your goals. If you want to go to the gym more, have a friend call you two or three times a week to check on you or invite them to join you.
- Reward yourself with every little accomplishment. If your intention is to lose weight and you lose 1 pound a week, pamper yourself with a massage.
- Be kind to yourself:
Big changes do not require big leaps. Permanent change is more likely to happen gradually than through one big restrictive plan. Allow yourself to climb the ladder one rung at a time. Happy New Year!
Warmest, 
Food Focus: Sea Vegetables
In traditional Chinese healing, sea vegetables 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 (or seaweeds) 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
- 1-2 inch strip of wakame, rinsed and soaked 5 minute in 1 cup of water until softened
- 1-2 cups thinly sliced vegetables of your choice (see notes)
- 2-3 teaspoons barley or miso (GF use rice miso)
- 2 scallions, finely chopped
Directions:
- Chop soaked wakame.
- Discard soaking water or use on houseplants for a boost of minerals.
- Place water and wakame in a soup pot and bring to a boil.
- Add root vegetables first and simmer gently for 5 minutes or until tender.
- Add leafy vegetables and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove about 1/2 cup of liquid from pot and dissolve miso into it. Return it to the pot.
- Reduce heat to very low; do not boil or simmer miso broth.
- Allow soup to cook 2-3 minutes.
- Garnish with scallions and serve.
Elaine’s Tips for Variations:
Any combination of vegetables can be used in miso soup. Here are some classic combinations:
- onion-carrot-cleansing
- onion-winter squash-cabbage: great in wintertime
- leek-corn-broccoli: great in summertime
- shiitake mushroom-
- kale: mildly sweet
- onion-winter squash-cabbage: great in wintertime
- leek-corn-broccoli: great in summertime
- Add bean sprouts toward the end.
- Season with 1/2 teaspoon ginger juice for an interesting twist.
- If using dry shiitake mushrooms, let them soak for 20 minutes, slice and add at the beginning.
Forward to a Friend It’s such a pleasure to help those closest to us become happier and healthier. Please forward this newsletter to friends, family members or colleagues who might be interested and inspired by it.
If you liked today’s issue, you’ll love the transformations you’ll experience with
Your Better Living Coach Wellness Programs to help you quickly break through into higher levels of health and happiness for eating clean without the guilt
Share your story with me? SCHEDULE NOW
Putting the “F” into FUN with FOOD to increase energy and decrease the guilt
You are receiving this newsletter because you expressed interest in receiving it, subscribed or are enrolled in Your Better Living Coach Wellness Programs. If you no longer wish to receive this simply unsubscribe. We will welcome you back anytime!
NOTE : This post is not intended to be used for the diagnosis or treatment of a health problem or as a substitute for consulting a licensed medical professional. Its always the best practice to consult your doctor for a comprehensive guide/advice on health problems.
c) 2014 Your Better Living Coach All rights reserved.
Elaine Cooper Your Better Living Coach 