Monday, March 31, 2008

Sweet Spring ~ Seasonal Eating

Well, Spring may have sprung, but our bodies may still be adapting. Despite the "springing forward" of the clocks three weeks ago, the weather is still in a state of flux, so us humans may be a bit confused. If you're familiar with seasonal eating, you may have already noticed this change in your appetite; instead of the heavier, heartier and warmer foods of winter, you may be suddenly craving something lighter to eat or feel the need for a detox of sorts. No wonder Spring is a time of cleaning; not just for our homes, but for our bodies. Spring is an important time for the eating of greens, a food group that most Americans don't get enough of. Bitter greens like arugula, endive, dandelion greens and radicchio are great this time of year. Afraid to step out of your comfort zone? Just gradually add in some of these greens to your spinach or lettuce based salad (arugula is a favorite of mine). Dandelion greens can be eaten cooked or raw and can be found on the menu in Greek restaurants this time of year. Since this is a time of cleansing, dandelion greens are great because they are known to cleanse the liver and kidneys, creating balance in the body. Dandelion greens are actually a traditional Spring food in many cultures.

Another way to get in some greens is wheatgrass. A shot of wheatgrass is sweet and delicious. And very cleansing! A little hesitant to try it? Well, add some spinach to your fruit smoothie and get some greens in that way; the fruit sweetens it and you still get the added benefit of the iron, vitamins A, C & E (antioxidants) and other nutrients.

For Spring eating, I also recommend that people limit the amount of dairy they consume, if not avoid it altogether. During the winter, your body was drying out. To counteract that, you ate heavier, more protein-laden foods. By the end of a long winter season, your body has dried out and thus created excessive mucus. Come Spring, Mother Nature begins creating moisture, as mud and water becomes prominent, to help germinate seeds and prepare for the growing season. If you continue to eat the same way in Spring as you did in winter, you risk creating excess moisture and mucus, which results in congestion and exacerbates problems such as colds and allergies. Dairy contributes to this, thus it should be limited or altogether avoided. Since Mother Nature is softening and opening up this time of year, so are our bodies, which makes it the perfect opportunity to cleanse and detox.

In winter, you may have also opted for more sweet and comforting foods as well. And now you might find you can't manage the sweet cravings anymore. If you want to have a Sweet Spring, but want to better manage your sweet cravings, please attend one of my Sugar Solutions Workshops and find out ways to get back on track and tame that sweet tooth. Too many sweets can sap your energy and cause many other issues, including sleep deprivation, fatigue, weight gain and irritability. Upcoming Sugar Solutions workshops include:

Thursday, April 10th at Boston Athletic Club (South Boston)

Wednesday, April 23rd at Healthworks Back Bay (Boston) - CURRENTLY FULL; contact Healthworks front desk, to be added to the Wait List

Monday, April 28th at Shape Up Personal Training (Cambridge)

Thursday, May 15th at Boston Athletic Club (South Boston)

These workshops start at 6:00 PM and are about 75 minutes long. These are FREE to attend, but you must pre-register, as space is very limited!

For more information, please visit the EVENTS tab on my website at http://www.kmoriarty.com/ or by CLICKING HERE

Sunday, March 9, 2008

A NEW EARTH - Part II

Did you miss last week's inaugural webcast for the 10-week "A New Earth" class? Not to worry! If you weren't able to participate last Monday evening, or if you tried to participate but had connection problems, don't give up! Oprah and Eckhart Tolle are committed to making this free course available to everyone, regardless of your schedule, because if you are unable to participate in the live Monday evening program, you can simply view the webcast at your leisure via Oprah.com and iTunes. Each week, the Monday night webcast will be available the following day on both sites. On iTunes, you can download the audio podcast or video podcast. On Oprah.com you can simply stream the video and watch or listen from the comfort of you own home, at your own pace.

Are you concerned that you won't have time to finish the book? Again, not to worry! The class is designed for 10 weeks because only one chapter per week is discussed, so again, you can do it at your own pace, regardless of how busy you are.

I urge people to participate because this is a great opportunity that doesn't happen very often. It's free or charge, but extremely valuable. See what all the buzz is about... and become part of the worldwide "New Earth" event today!

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IMPORTANT DATES

Here's a list of important dates that are coming up. Want to be inspired? Check these out!

March 18th - April 22nd
"Nutrition Made Simple"
6-week nutrition course at the Boston Center for Adult Education
Is your New Year's Resolution to eat healthier stuck in a rut? Kick-start a healthy new you without making drastic lifestyle and diet changes you can't stick with. Holistic Health Counselor Kathleen Moriarty, will work on deconstructing your cravings, learning how to understand food labels and identify healthy food choices in the aisles of the grocery store, setting practical goals and how to eat for energy and optimum health, even if you're pressed for time, have a demanding schedule or have very limited experience in the kitchen. Achieve your ideal weight, and feel better in your body and mind. Become more confident in choosing and preparing food, stop cravings and binges for good, and experience a remarkable increase in your energy and vitality. If health is wealth, this class will make you a millionaire!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

March 26th
Sugar Solutions: How to Tame Your Sweet Tooth
75-minute workshop at Healthworks Porter Square, Cambridge
You don't have to be a member to attend, but you must pre-register!
Non-members register with me at kathleen@kmoriarty.com
Members register at the front desk -- SPACE IS LIMITED!

March 28th - March 30th
Down:2:Earth Sustainable Living Expo
Hynes Convention Center in Boston's Back Bay
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

April 21st
The Boston Marathon
Be inspired! Watch the marathon, live, in-person right from the sidelines!
Many places to watch along the 26-mile route, from the suburbs to the city

April 22nd
Earth Day
This will be the 38th annual celebration of Earth Day! Google your local Earth Day events, as it is typically celebrated throughout the week, not just on the 22nd!

April 23rd
Sugar Solutions: How to Tame Your Sweet Tooth
75-minute workshop at Healthworks Back Bay, Boston
You don't have to be a member to attend, but you must pre-register!
Non-members register with me at kathleen@kmoriarty.com
Members register at the front desk -- SPACE IS LIMITED!

May 13th - June 17th
"Nutrition Made Simple"
6-week nutrition course at the Boston Center for Adult Education
Is your New Year's Resolution to eat healthier stuck in a rut? Kick-start a healthy new you without making drastic lifestyle and diet changes you can't stick with. Holistic Health Counselor Kathleen Moriarty, will work on deconstructing your cravings, learning how to understand food labels and identify healthy food choices in the aisles of the grocery store, setting practical goals and how to eat for energy and optimum health, even if you're pressed for time, have a demanding schedule or have very limited experience in the kitchen. Achieve your ideal weight, and feel better in your body and mind. Become more confident in choosing and preparing food, stop cravings and binges for good, and experience a remarkable increase in your energy and vitality. If health is wealth, this class will make you a millionaire!
REGISTRATION WILL BE AVAILABLE IN APRIL

June 1st
AIDS Action Committee's AIDS Walk Boston
Once again, I will be raising money for the AIDS Action Committee. To sponsor me, please CLICK HERE. To learn more about this wonderful organization and this very worthy event, or to register to walk yourself, please go to www.AAC.org