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Another Soapbox! Even More Fun!
Allie Knowlton and Evelyn Rysdyk are the Shamanic Practitioners at True North - and also my dear friends. They recently launched a wonderful e-zine called Spirit Living in which I write a monthly column called "The Gathering Basket" - thoughts on food, lifestyle, and such. It's a blast for me, and the whole 'zine is wonderful. You can view a sample issue at www.spiritliving.org. If sustainable living connected to the Earth and Spirit are important to you,
you'll love it. Check it out!
(And yes, I still have a column in The Maine Switch - "The Bright Side of Nutrition"! Look for it in the last issue of every month, or online at www.maineswitch.com.)
Firstline Therapy® Program - True North a Center of Excellence!
I was totally tickled last March when I learned that the FirstLine TherapyŽ program (FLT) I offer at True North had earned recognition as a "Center of Excellence." Please indulge me as I tell you AGAIN how effective and powerful this program is. If you are looking for a sensible, scientifically valid, effective, non-gimmicky DO-ABLE way to get and feel healthier, more energized, lose your sugar cravings, balance your hormones, reduce your risk for the
chronic diseases afflicting your relatives, and get to a healthy weight: let's talk! I've been helping people improve their health with a better lifestyle for quite a few years, but the particular combination of interventions we offer in FirstLine Therapy® work better than any approach I've come across. FLT-ers accomplish things they did not believe were possible for them. Details of how the program works are online at
www.truenorthhealthcenter.org.
You can also call me to set up a free "is it right for me?" consultation anytime - this can be in person or on the phone. Really, FirstLine Therapy® rocks!
Great Books
I have a strong background in nutrition but less formal training in fitness and exercise. Yet, I am convinced that moving your body regularly is essential - no whining, no doubt about it - if you want a happy body that will age well. I spend a lot of time exploring resources for clients who want to start a movement program or resuscitate one that's gotten dull. Over the past couple years, I have become a big fan of a guy named Jorge Cruise, a fitness
trainer who has gotten famous by virtue of his allegiances with Oprah and Dr. David Katz MD, a Yale physician who is an expert on lifestyle medicine. Cruise's book Eight Minutes in the Morning is the hot ticket for anyone who pulls a pickleface at the idea of going to the gym, or who complains to me that they "just don't have time for exercise." When you look past the miracle weight loss stuff (which I believe is forced upon any author writing about
wellness nowadays, in order to sell books), you'll find a sensible, simple approach to getting the habit of a quick workout every morning. Warm up, three sets of two different resistance exercises, and some stretching. That's it. It takes me more like 15 minutes, but still - that's pretty quick! The exercises work you out well but don't feel at all difficult while you're doing them. You do not need a bunch of equipment - you're using your body mostly, and a chair, and
some light hand weights that you can pick up at Target for cheap. I also like the inspirational bits in the
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book - and the nutrition advice meets my fairly stringent criteria. Seriously, combined with a walking program that reads like "a half hour, briskly, most days, not necessarily all at once" you'll be noticing changes in your energy level and sense of personal strength. And isn't that what it's all about? This book is very popular among FirstLine Therapyâ participants, who find it easy to do these exercises at home in their pajamas (or naked!), then hop in the
shower to start the day. We stock this book in the True North store.
Need a Great Baby Shower Gift?
The Pocket Midwife: Affirmations for Healthy Pregnancy and Normal Birthing ($15.00) is my hand-crafted spiral-bound book of 70 affirmations for pregnant women. It's designed to stand on a table top for ready viewing. I collected these affirmations for years, inspired by the issues that came up most often for my pregnant patients. Now in its second printing, the book has been endorsed by women's health expert Christiane Northrup MD, and also by Barbara
Harper RN, author of the bestselling classic Gentle Birth Choices. The Pocket Midwife makes a great gift for any pregnant (or pre-pregnant!) woman who wants to stay positive and confident. It's available n the True North Store and at www.pocketmidwife.com.
Upcoming Classes
You know what - I'm taking the summer off from teaching this year. Watch the Pathfinder for new stuff coming in the fall! (See ya at the beach!)
Great Food
I was recently invited to a magical potluck supper and brought this "essence of summer" salad to share. It holds well, so it would be great for any picnics you have coming up - plus it's yummy, will help you use up the abundance of squash which will be comin'atcha in a few short weeks, and is versatile - you can include other crunchy vegetables if you have some you need to "use or lose." Plus it's pretty. Enjoy!
Summer Squash Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette (Adapted from Cooking Light magazine)
Vinaigrette:
3 T fresh orange juice
1-1/2 T fresh lime juice
2-1/2 t extra virgin olive oil
1 t red wine vinegar
2 t honey or agave nectar
1/4 t salt
1/8 t fresh ground black pepper
Salad:
1-1/2 cups julienned zucchini (1 inch long, 1/4 inch wide)
1-1/2 cups julienned yellow squash, ditto
1 cup fresh corn kernels (about 2 ears)
2 T finely chopped red onion
1 T finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
1 T finely chopped fresh basil.
Whisk up the vinaigrette. Mix up the veggies and pour the vinaigrette on top. Cover and chill. Makes about 4 one-cup servings.
To your best health,
Susan Fekety RN, MSN, CNM
Women's Health, Lifestyle Counseling |
