May 2007 – Vol 2, Issue 5 
 
In This Issue
 
Why Weight? Diets Don’t Work
Food Focus: Sprouts
Recipe of the Month: Spring Sprouting Steamer
May Events
May is American Stroke Month
Are You Ready for a Change?
 
  
Time and time again, clients come to me with a list of diets they’ve tried over the years to lose weight. They have eliminated foods, restricted calories, increased fat, decreased fat, reduced carbs – you name it, they’ve pretty much tried it. Unfortunately, most of them haven’t been successful despite their best efforts, intentions and willpower.

This begs the question about the best way to lose weight. The truth is, dieting is not the key to a healthy, sustainable life. Rather, the answer is really in looking inside and making small but lasting lifestyle changes that affect not only what you’re eating, but the rest of your life too. I encourage you to take a broad look at your life and think about where you are most happy and where you’d like to make some changes. A holistic approach to your health will lead you on the path to greater satisfaction with your body, weight and entire life.

In great health,

Wendy
Getting my weight under control has come from a process of treating myself as well as I treat others in every way.
- Oprah Winfrey 
 
 
Why Weight? Diets Don’t Work
 
You can’t turn on the TV, drive down the road or go to a party without being confronted with America’s hottest obsession: weight. Diets are a billion-dollar industry; companies spend millions and millions luring you to try the latest diet (low carb, high protein, low fat, no fat, you name it) with promises that this will (finally!) be the solution-your shortcut to a thinner body. Advertising efforts also deeply affect our children, who develop distorted body images and are often on diets as early as age 9 or 10.

Our culture touts diet pills, celebrity workouts, convenience foods, and trendy diets to help us achieve our desired weight, but these quick fix solutions have backfired. America’s populace has reached its highest weight in history. About half of Americans are overweight; one third are obese. Diets steer us away from our common sense and dip deeply into our pocketbooks, while eliciting few, if any, lasting results.
Diets don’t work because each person is unique, with different needs based on gender, age, ancestry and lifestyle; how could one diet be right for everyone?
Diets don’t work because they are extreme solutions. Like in physics, if a pendulum swings to one extreme, it has to swing equally to the other. A diet might work for a short amount of time, but research shows that almost all diets result in a 10 pound gain after all the pendulum swinging is done.
Diets don’t work because they are too restrictive. People who fail on diet plans are not flawed and weak. Diets by nature require discipline and restriction at levels that are unsustainable by a healthy human body.

Most people are disconnected from why they gain weight, seeing diet as the only culprit. For example, ignoring or discounting emotions is often the first thing to cause weight imbalances. In our fast paced world, we have lost sight of many aspects of life that truly nourish and balance our bodies, such as slowing down, eating a home-cooked meal, and spending quality time with loving people. Eating consciously and making simple lifestyle changes will create positive results and release you from endless cycle of dieting.

Balance and a sustainable weight are your birthright. Given half a chance, your body will balance itself by itself, but this is only possible by getting out of the diet mentality and listening to what you truly need. Imagine taking all of the outward energy you expend on diets, fads and gimmicks and turning it inward, so that you can listen to your heart and inner wisdom. There is no such thing as a quick fix-but you already have everything you need within you. With careful thought and loving reflection you can feed yourself wisely and purposefully and feel completely nourished. Working with your body rather than against it will bring about increased energy, stabilized weight, and sustainable, lasting health.
 

Food Focus: Sprouts
 
In the spring season, seeds flaunt their vitality and energy by sprouting. Sprouts of all varieties contain the building blocks of life in the form of vitamins, enzymes, amino acids and simple sugars. In their early growth state, sprouts are very easy to digest, allowing our bodies to access many wonderful nutrients. Recent research by the American Cancer Society has backed what holistic nutrition has known for years-that sprouts contain anti-cancer properties, high levels of active antioxidants, concentrated amounts of phytochemicals and significant amounts of vitamins A, C and D.

Here are some great ways to serve up sprouts: add to salads; combine with other vegetables in wraps, roll- ups or stir-fries; use as garnish on top of soups, stews, omelets or scrambled eggs; add to rice or whole grain dishes; use in sandwiches instead of lettuce.
Spring has arrived! Eat sprouts and feel alive!
Recipe of the Month: Spring Sprouting Steamer
 
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
1 zucchini
1 summer squash
1 package mixed crunchy sprouts (lentil, adzuki, mung, garbanzo)
3 tablespoons of freshly chopped tarragon
1 tablespoon of ghee (clarified butter) or butter
4 lemon wedges
salt to taste

Directions:
1. Slice zucchini and summer squash in circles, about 1/4 inch thick and steam with sprouts for about 5 minutes or until desired tenderness.
2. Toss with tarragon, ghee and salt in bowl.
3. Serve with lemon wedges.

Try fresh herbs like parsley, dill, cilantro, or mint for a totally different taste.
May Events
 
“Supersize Me” and a Healthy Shopping Extravaganza
May 1 & 2, Common Ground HS, New Haven, CT
What’s better than viewing the documentary Supersize Me and facilitating a lively discussion with high school students about the perils of McDonalds? I’m teaming up with one of Common Ground’s amazing teachers to provide an engaging learning experience on May 1. And the following day we’re headed to the supermarket for some healthy shopping tips.
Oasis in the Overwhelm for Yale Graduate Students – FREE
May 8, 5:00 pm, Hall of Graduate Studies, New Haven, CT
Finals are almost here, stress levels are high so what better a time for stress reduction than right now? I’ll be working with a group of graduate students to learn easy techniques to de-stress, create calm and have more focus during finals.
Eating for Energy and Effectiveness – FREE
Monday, May 14, 6:00 pm, Unlimited Potential Skin Care Studio, 42 State Street, North Haven, CT
Do you have lasting energy throughout the day or do you suffer from frequent dips in energy? Join us for an interactive workshop where you’ll learn simple steps you can take for more energy, focus and effectiveness in all parts of your life. Please RSVP to 203.239.1966 to attend.
Health & Nutrition 101 for Busy Professionals
Friday, May 18, 1:00 pm, Community Health Network of Connecticut, Wallingford, CT
What’s better than sharing the gift of great health with others? I’ll be working with the marketing department at this fantastic organization that supports others in being healthy.
Organic Seedling Sale at Common Ground HS
Saturday, May 19, 12:00-4:00 pm, 358 Springside Avenue, New Haven, CT
Start planning your garden now! Many varieties of organically grown seedlings will be available, including heirloom and hybrid tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, kale, collards, cucumbers, herbs and more! Seedlings are $1-3. Planting and growing tips available.
The Ecstasy of Eating: Six Steps for Satisfying Self- Nourishment – FREE
Tuesday, May 22, 6:30 pm, AKAD’s Unisex Salon, 1382 Dixwell Avenue, Hamden, CT
How often do you rush through meals, mindlessly eating and paying little attention to how your food tastes? There’s an art to finding greater pleasure and ecstasy in our food and it’s not hard to do – just takes a little time, intention and consciousness! Learn simple steps you can take to enjoy your food, have greater satisfaction and control your weight at the same time. To reserve your space, call 203.287.0371.
Oasis in the Overwhelm: Simple Strategies to find Greater Balance and Calm – FREE
Wednesday, May 23, 1:00 pm., Dixwell- Newhallville Senior Center, 255 Goffe Street, New Haven, CT
Calling all senior citizens! Join us for a fun, interactive 30-minute session to learn simple stress management techniques that you can incorporate into your daily life.
Pioneering Healthy Communities – FREE
Thursday, May 24, 7:00-8:30 pm, Raphola Taylor Community Center/YMCA, Bridgeport, CT
Interested in learning the basics of great health? Want to know how you can make some simple changes that can have lasting health benefits? Then join us for this free workshop designed to give you an overview of a healthy lifestyle. And learn more about the group program that will be starting in June. For more information and to RSVP call 203.576.7449.
 
May is American Stroke Month
 
Do you know that stroke is the country’s No. 3 cause of death? Are you at risk?

Close to 700,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke annually. Nearly 28% of victims are under age 65. Women account for more than 6 in 10 stroke deaths annually.

The American Stroke Association is doing FREE stroke screenings May 18-25. Call 1-888-4-STROKE today to schedule your free screening at a site near you.
 
Are You Ready for a Change? 
  
Spring is finally here! Time to spring clean, increase our energy and feel better about ourselves. Are you ready to make a commitment to your health? Call me at 203.641.0653 and we can schedule a complimentary consultation to explore your health goals and how I can support you in leading a healthier lifestyle.
Read on… 
 
 
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.
Sincerely,
Wendy Battles
Healthy Endeavors
 

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