September 2007 – Vol 2, Issue 9

In This Issue
 
Momference: A Meeting of the Moms, October 1-6
Walking is Good Medicine
Food Focus: Tomatoes
Recipe of the Month: Tomatoes with Fresh Basil and Olive Oil
Upcoming Events
Are You Running on Empty?
Isn’t it easy to come up with excuses for not exercising? For those of us who aren’t in a regular exercise rhythm (believe me, I can be this way too sometimes), getting the motivation to get started can be tough. But it’s definitely not impossible and if I can do it, you can too.

What can you do? You can start with the simple art of walking. When it comes to worry-free health, it doesn’t get much easier than this. Check out this month’s article on walking and see just how simple it is. While you’re at it, read on about the benefits of tomatoes and check out my ultra simple recipe. And don’t forget to sign up for Momference, you won’t want to miss this exciting event, just for moms!

In great health,

Wendy
Momference: A Meeting of the Moms, October 1-6
 
Calling all moms!

Do you struggle with the art of balancing all your responsibilities?
Are you a new mom looking for tips and strategies to help you adjust to your new role?
Are you faced with the challenges of raising healthy teenagers in a complicated world?
Are you a divorced mom interested in dating?

These are just a taste of some of the topics you can explore and learn about as part of Momference, the first-ever weeklong global telesummit just for Moms! With 30 experts, including yours truly (I’ll be facilitating two very cool sessions on stress management and eating for optimal energy), you can listen at your convenience to get encouraged, informed, and inspired.

Listen live on your telephone, or download the audio and listen when you’re in your car or after the kids are in bed.

Sign up today to get access to all the great Momference extras like articles, contests and bonus prizes! Go to the Momference Quick Link for more information.
 
Walking is Good Medicine
 
I’m not an outdoorsy, let’s-go-hiking-for-the-weekend kind of woman but I do love a good walk. I’m an urban walker. I live in New Haven, in a great neighborhood chock full of walkers – people walking solo, with a friend or spouse or with their dog – and interesting architecture. It’s hard to go out early in the morning, right after work or just before dusk, and not see plenty of people getting into action and walking into great health.

I love walking because it’s so easy and good for you at the same time. I can decide on the spur of the moment to start the day with a quick walk or unwind after a stressful one. And because I’ve got slightly arthritic knees, it’s a good way for me to be active without the high impact of aerobics or kick-boxing which just don’t seem to agree with me.

Why’s walking so great? Research shows there are numerous health benefits including weight reduction, decreasing the risk of heart attack and stroke, reducing blood pressure, reducing the risk of certain cancers and diabetes and building muscle, bone and joint strength. And of course, it’s also a great stress reducer.

And there’s lot of other benefits as well:

• It’s free – no gym membership required!
• It’s a Do-It-Yourself sport – no special equipment is needed
• You get to be outside and enjoy nature
• Anyone can do it. Even if you feel you’re out of shape and think you can’t do it, you can. Simply start slowly and build from there. Ten minutes can quickly turn into twenty, and so on
• You can walk at your own pace – fast, slow or somewhere in between
• It’s a chance to connect with a friend or significant other away from the hubbub and fast pace of life
• Provides an opportunity to get quiet and calm your mind

Your Assignment: Get Walking! Challenge yourself to get into action and figure out how you can build this into your weekly routine – walk at lunchtime around the block, schedule it into your calendar and make it a priority, find a friend who wants to get active too and start walking together – there are endless possibilities. What is realistic for you to do and when can you start?
 

Food Focus: Tomatoes
 
Do you know that there are several thousand varieties of tomatoes? My all time favorite is the sun gold – a small, yellow cherry tomato bursting with flavor. When I buy them at the farmers’ market, I can eat half the basket before I even get home.

Often called a superfood, tomatoes have numerous health benefits. They contain lycopene, which is a powerful antioxidant, and helps prevent cancer, especially prostate cancer in men. They also have fiber, potassium, Vitamin C, beta-carotene and lutein, which is important for eye health. And they may even help reduce the risk of heart disease. On the flip side, tomatoes are part of the “nightshade” family (which also includes eggplants, peppers and potatoes) and have been linked to joint inflammation in some people.

Even with fall knocking on our door, you can still find copious amounts of locally grown tomatoes. Check out your local farm stand or market for varieties such as Cherokee Purple, Brandywine, Yellow Perfection and many more. Then get busy making your favorite recipe or simply eat them raw.
Recipe of the Month: Tomatoes with Fresh Basil and Olive Oil
 
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: None!

Ingredients:
1 or 2 ripe, native tomatoes – choose your favorites
Handful of fresh basil leaves
Extra virgin olive oil
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Directions:
1. Slice tomatoes and place on a platter.
2. Roughly chop basil and sprinkle on top of tomatoes.
3. Drizzle with olive oil.
4. Sprinkle with sea salt and pepper.
5. Take a deep breath, taste and enjoy!
P.S. Go to the Quick Links to check out my all time favorite tomato recipe from realsimple.com: Roasted Shrimp and Tomatoes with Feta…delicious!
 

Upcoming Events
 
For a full list of events, check out my website. Here are a few highlights:

Common Ground Harvest Celebration
Saturday, September 15, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm, 358 Springside Avenue, New Haven, CT

Join us to celebrate community, sustainability, and local farms. Learn about how local farms contribute to a healthy community as you tour Common Ground’s organic farm and learn tips and techniques for growing healthy food. Visit the garden tasting stations and sample over 25 varieties of vegetables, including 15 kinds of heirloom and hybrid tomatoes. Enjoy a tractor pulled hayride and visit the animals. On-site farm stand open during the celebration, specializing in fall greens and bunches of basil and garlic for home pesto-making! $3 per person ages 6 and up, ages 5 and under are free.
Tween Tribe: Social and Emotional Education for Girls
Tuesday, September 18 and ongoing on Tuesdays from 4:30-6:00 pm, Guilford, CT

If you have young daughters between 6-12, you’ll want to check out Tween Tribe. Facilitated by Kari Henley and Sarah Suatoni, this dynamic program is geared toward bringing girls together for activities that build social and emotional skills, confidence and provide an environment to unleash creativity and fun. Go to www.tweentribe.com for more details or call Kari at 203.453.4715.
First Baptist Church of Stratford Health Fair
Saturday, September 22, 10:00 – 3:00 pm, 1301 Stratford Avenue, Stratford, CT

Join me and other organizations for a day of information, tips and presentations about creating and maintaining great health.
Christian Tabernacle Church Health Fair
Saturday, October 6, 1:00 pm, 425 Newhall St., Hamden, CT

Join me for my How to Be Heart Healthy talk at the health fair. Come for the talk and stay to check out other health-related information.
 
Are You Running on Empty? 
 
Have you run out of gas? Do you want to have more energy but you’re just not sure how to get there from here? Are you running low on time and good ideas for improving your health? I understand, I’ve been there before too, but you can recharge with a little effort and inspiration.

If you’re feeling like your tank is on “E”, give me a call at 203.641.0653. I can help you figure out simple strategies to have you running at optimal efficiency in no time. 
 
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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