what is beauty?

Most of us know that photoshopping is standard in the modeling industry - but do we know to what extent? 




Does this change your perception about our standard of beauty?

quinoa pie with butternut squash

Did you know that Quinoa is the only grain that is considered a complete protein?  This means that it offers every "essential" amino acid we as humans need from our diet.  But despite the description I just provided, quinoa is not boring!  It is delicious.  Try this recipe to find out. 

quinoa pie with butternut squash 
serves 8


ingredients
1 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil
1 butternut squash (about 1 1/2 lbs)
18 fresh sage leaves, plus 1 tsp finely chopped
1/2 onion, cut into 1/4 in dice (about 3/4 c)
1 garlic clove, minced
1 c quinoa
2 c low-sodium vegetable stock
4 oz Parmesan cheese
1 tsp coarse salt (such as sea salt)
1/8 tsp freshly ground pepper
cooking spray or pan oil of choice


Preheat oven to 375 F.  Brush 2 baking sheets with 1 tsp oil.  Peel the squash with a vegetable peeler, removing all skin.  Cut the squash in half length-wise, and remove seeds with a spoon.  Beginning at the ends where you removed the seeds, cut five slices (1/4 inch thick each).  This creates a "C" shape.  Cut the slices from both halves, giving you 10 total slices (of halves).  Place the slices on the baking sheets.  Brush with 1 tsp olive oil; sprinkle with 12 sage leaves.  Bake until tender and just golden, 15-20 minutes. Let cool completely.  Keep oven on. 


Heat remaining teaspoon oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.  Add onion and garlic.  Cook, stirring, until translucent, 3-5 minutes.  Add quinoa and stock; bring to a boil.  Cover; reduce heat.  Simmer until liquid has been absorbed, about 15 minutes.  Remove from heat.  Let stand, covered, 2 minutes.  


Stir together quinoa, dices squash, chopped sage, Parmesan, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl.  


Coat a 9 in glass pie plate with cooking spray.  Arrange 6 sage leaves face down in plate; top with squash rings.  Press quinoa mixture on top.  


Bake 20 minutes.  Let cool 5 minutes, then invert onto a serving platter.  Cut into slices (like a pie).  Serve wedges warm or at room temperature.  

couscous, lentil & arugula salad with garlic-dijon vinaigrette

eatingwell.com (see a picture of the salad at this link, too!)

Last year Eating Well magazine did this amazing spread on salads - I got several great recipes from just one article!  This is the first one I am sharing here...more to come.

I love this salad because it is easy, hearty enough for a meal, and the flavors are bright and fresh. 

VINAIGRETTE

• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 1/2 cup red-wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 4 small cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste

SALAD

• 1 1/4 cups vegetable broth, or water
• 1 cup whole-wheat couscous
• 2 1/2 cups water
• 1 cup French green lentils, or brown lentils, rinsed
• 4 cups arugula, any tough stems removed, or mixed salad greens
• 1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 
  

1. To prepare vinaigrette: combine oil, lemon juice, vinegar, mustard and garlic in a blender, a jar with a tight-fitting lid or a medium bowl. Blend, shake or whisk until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
2. To prepare salad: Bring 1 1/4 cups broth (or water) to a boil in a small saucepan. Add couscous, cover, remove from the heat and let stand until the liquid is absorbed, about 5 minutes.
3. Combine 2 1/2 cups water and lentils in another saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, cover and cook until just tender, 15 to 25 minutes. (Green lentils will be done sooner than brown lentils.) Be careful not to overcook the lentils or they will fall apart in the salad. Drain any excess water and let cool for about 10 minutes.
4. If arugula leaves are large, tear into bite-size pieces. Toss arugula (or greens) with 1/4 cup of the vinaigrette in a large bowl, then divide among 4 large plates. In the same bowl, toss the couscous and lentils with another 1/4 cup vinaigrette; divide the mixture among the plates. Top each salad with cucumber, tomatoes and feta and drizzle each with 1 tablespoon vinaigrette. (Cover and refrigerate the remaining 1 cup vinaigrette for up to 1 week.)

obese monkeys to discover magic weight loss pill?

I read the article, "Monkeys Fattened Up to Study Human Obesity" in the New York times

and I have to tell you that I am a little fired up.  

The article discusses how monkeys are being exposed to conditions that lead to obesity 

(basically the "American lifestyle" - too many calories, sugary and fatty foods, and little exercise)

with the intent of then doing trials of diet drugs to find their effectiveness

Now, for full disclosure: I support research on animals because I think it is important for scientific discovery (AIDS, cancer, and a myriad of other research is vital!)

But I find this situation to be reprehensible: 

pharmaceutical companies funding this research in order to develop the "magic weight loss pill" to make a profit

News flash!

we already have our magic solution: eat healthy, don't overindulge, and be active! 

it's hard.  it takes time. it is the only way. 

Developing the magic weight loss pill aside, I do see that there may be ways this research can help us improve our food systems and understanding of behaviors related to obesity. 

for example, "Dr. Grove and researchers at some other centers say the high-fructose corn syrup appears to accelerate the development of obesity and diabetes." 

Some studies found that this type of diet impacted the developing brains of the fetuses in pregnant monkeys and also lead to offspring with metabolic problems

results also indicated that the diet of the mother during pregnancy, 

"matters more than whether she is obese"

interesting findings, and important for 

helping us connect a desire to be healthy with other values

such as supporting the health and development of our children

and making sure food is safe

it is also an opportunity to think about larger social issues, 

such as the implications of the lack of access to healthy food in low-income communities, where mothers may not have access to nutritious food during pregnancy

All that said, 

I still believe that subjecting animals to these unnatural conditions for the specific goal of finding a quick fix drug (rather than taking responsibility for our own health) 

is an unprecedented low

the power of vulnerability

Have you listened to this talk by Dr. Brene Brown? 

In this talk Dr. Brown says, 

"Vulnerability is the birthplace of joy, love, belonging, creativity and faith"

I happen to think her talk is really extraordinary, and I hope you will listen!

...and try asking yourself:

where in your life are you avoiding being vulnerable, and what are you giving up in the process?

Watch live streaming video from tedxkc at livestream.com

today is tomorrow

I don't know about you, but for me January flew by without even the slightest attempt at accomplishing my New Year goal. Seriously, I didn't even try to fake it.

On my bus ride to work this morning I read an article in my new issue of Eating Well about a couple who were contestants on the Biggest Loser. One evening during a workout the husband was ready to head home and said he would "do more tomorrow". His wife responded by saying, "Today is tomorrow." While my goals aren't fitness related, it really made me stop and think.

Today is Tomorrow.

That really resonates with me. It's time to stop putting things off until later.

I've taken a little blogging hiatus. I'm certainly not getting myself down about not accomplishing the things I meant to get to -  in this time we bought a house, remodeled 2 bedrooms, a bathroom, and the living room, and enjoyed the holiday. The house is looking great! But I'm ready to break free from my house tunnel vision and give myself permission to spend some time with other interests.

Namely, coaching.

So, I'm back. And I would love to coach with you (maybe on "that thing" you've not gotten to in January yet either?) I coach clients on achieving the healthy bodies they deserve.  I also work with clients on a variety of other topics, addressing whatever calls each individual.  Through our coaching we identify and create goals, ultimately designing the path to achieve them.   

Email me for some free coaching! I heard that February is the new New Year anyway.


You can learn more about coaching with me at www.fyccoach.com

nyc health department anti-soda campaign

The New York City Health Department recently started a campaign to educate the public about the health impacts of drinking sweetened drinks.

Through the campaign they ask, "Are you pouring on the pounds?"

To me this is a powerful and necessary campaign. What do you think?