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Rooftop chillaxing on Mystery Date.
Hello Again!
Well, I must confess, I’m kind of happy to move out of June and into July. Personally, I was out of commission for close to 3-weeks with a bad case of conjunctivitis, bronchitis, and who knows what else. In fact, I had so many and such severe coughing fits, that I injured my lower back discs. Thankfully, I’m back now with a vengeance to breathe in deeply, appreciate, and enjoy my daily life. Certainly, the old saying, “When you have your health, you have everything,” is absolutely right on the money. That’s why I love what I do. Helping and working with people to gain and maintain health and a more positive relationship with themselves, eating, food, and their bodies, makes my happy hormones flood.
Despite my illness, Janet and I had our Mystery Date on June 1st. (Probably a mistake in hind sight because I think going out when I wasn't up to it was detrimental to my health.) We ended up at the Spa Castle Premier 57 in Manhattan and enjoyed a day of relax and simple, peaceful, luxuriating. The super surprise of the day for Janet was she had no idea our friends Jeanne and Louise would be there. Imagine the smile on her face as we walked towards the outdoor pool, and there they were chaise lounging it. Simple pleasures are the very best my friends. Make time and plan for pleasure, fun, and calm. It supports our health and authentic body-size when insulin and cortisol are not running rampant contributing to fat gain and lean tissue loss.
Oh, shucks! My lack of good health also meant I needed to postpone my presentation Them’s the Fats that was scheduled for June 7th at The Yard. I’ll follow-up with the make-up date when it’s set.
June also was a time of unfathomable tragedy in Orlando, FL. In such overwhelming times of loss, sadness, grief, and anger, it frequently helps to come together as a community to mourn, remember, and honor those hurt and fallen. Love, strength, and resilience prevail in collective community.
With regard to happier considerations, it’s July, and we’re celebrating National Blueberry Month. Yay! I love to eat blueberries, (always organic or wild). Low on the glycemic scale, they’re a super food that have a strong reputation for protecting our memory. Besides being loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, blueberries actually assist our brain neurons to communicate more effectively with one another! (The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth, J. Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S., Beverly, MA, Fair Winds Press, 2007)
There are so many luscious ways to enjoy blueberries, including straight up. But, in this month’s Nourishing Recipes section, I’ve selected a fun, easy to make and super delicious/healthy Big Blue Crumble. If you want, feel free to add some raspberries to the mix! And, for a real, Red, White, and Blue, 4th of July crowd pleaser, top the crumble with a dollop of freshly whipped, organic cream. In short: Heaven. (I hope I’m convincing you that healthy eating doesn’t have to mean less flavor and enjoyment!)
The first day of July is known as International Joke Day. Well, in This Month, we take a look at how 21-year-old Lesley Miller has the last laugh. She certainly has come up with an empowering way to deal with societal demand with regard to her body and its shape. Yay Lesley! For our Feature Article, Beautiful Olive Oyl, Ugly Me: Part 1, I reveal my early personal story regarding food, eating, and my body. I hope you’ll feel free to comment on this article or any part of this newsletter. I love to hear from you!
All the best in good health!
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Susan D’Addario, LCSW
Founder, The HealthShrink
Certified Eating Psychology Coach
Licensed HeartMath Certified Coach
If you like From The HealthShrink, please share it with your family and friends!
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Heart-Warming Video: Rosie, the mutt daughter, makes us laugh!
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Can't wait to get back to Pine Lake for shuffleboard and other fun.
What's New?
July 1st: International Joke Day - Let’s start off the month with smiles, laughter and a super natural health booster! It’s well documented that laughter helps us to be in the relaxation mode by decreasing our stress hormones. We’re talking about genuine tension soothing. What else is good about laughing? It enhances our intake of oxygen, and stimulates our heart, lungs and muscles. As if that weren’t already enough, laughter increases our immune cells and antibodies that fight infection. Even endorphins, our body's natural feel-good chemicals which promote a general sense of well-being, get fired with laughter. So, what are you waiting for? Run, don’t walk, and tell that hysterical joke or funny story ASAP! Thanks to you, the world just got a little better. : D
July 3rd: International Plastic Bag Free Day - Today is the day to help out our beloved environment by keeping it plastic free. It’s probably no surprise to hear that the plastic bags we get when shopping are commonly used for a very short time – about 25 minutes - before being thrown away. Well, FYI: Plastic bags take approximately 100-500 years before completely disintegrating. Understandably, they have a profound negative impact upon our environment, and consequently us. Ever consider springing for your own personal shopping bag? Today may be the perfect day to do so. Grab it here.
July 4th: Independence Day, USA – Fire crackers, b-b-ques, outside fun, good company, and gratefulness. Enjoy it all in outstanding health. Happy Birthday USA!
July 6th: International Kissing Day - I frequently mention the health benefits of slowing things down. Well, here’s yet another life area where relieving the hectic pace, even for a few moments, can go a very, very, long, wonderful way. Pucker up my friends! Whether with a significant other, child, best friend, parent, friends, pet, etc., get ready to exchange affection. And, please don’t feel left out if you don’t have a life partner. The concept of a kiss has many meanings. A first kiss. A formal kiss. A passionate kiss. A kiss in friendship. A kiss goodbye. It all counts towards our good health blessings and positive connections with others. Did you get to see, Science of Love: Kissing, in our Valentines issue of From The HealthShrink? If not, click here. xxxxx
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July 16th-23rd: Pine Lake Manor – Yesiree friends, it’s that time of year again. Janet and I will be packing our bags and driving to the Catskill Mountains in NY State to share time with family members. I love going to Pine Lake and I’ve been doing so since I’ve been 2 years old. Vacationing here, is a wonderful family tradition my parents began so many years ago. And, as time has passed, more and more family members hopped on the Pine Lake vacation band wagon. There have been times when the number of folks in our clan grew to be more than 70. Holy smokes! So, it’s fun to see the family and hang out poolside by day and recreation hall by eve. There’s still plenty of opportunity for quiet country walks, golfing, tennis, reading a good book, and more. Having a tribe given or chosen is a gift.
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July 24th: National Cousins Day - There are so many days to honor and celebrate many of the special people in our lives. Cousins Day for me though really stands out. I have a lot of cousins. And, with many of them, I’ve spent lots of time playing throughout our childhoods. Honestly, some of my fondest memories go back to those times. To this day, the cousins share a very special bond. So, here’s to all my cousins now and always. Hats off to each and every one of you! If this day resonates for you, then pick up the phone and let a cousin know they’re thought off. It’ll make you both feel great!
July 31st – National Mutt Day - Whomever has a mutt you love, raise your hands. (And, if haven’t yet experienced the joys of BFF Mutt Love, run, don’t walk to your nearest animal shelter or on-line rescue site.) Today all precious dogs of mixed breed origin are appreciated and raised high up on the pedestal.
When Janet and I rescued our gorgeous mutt, Rosie, a little more than 2 years ago, a dog trainer told us at the time that after having Rosie for 6 months, we'd never want to be without a dog again. Well friends, I must admit we love Rosie tremendously. She makes us laugh and brings us joy each and every day. Yes, it is a big commitment to care for a dog, but they can truly become a very special, family member. What a dog provides in terms of its owner’s emotional happiness, extends well beyond what we would need to give to care for them.
So, appreciating and adopting a mutt, goes beyond a beautiful thing to do for another living being. It brings psychic health to the home environment which will always translate into our improved physical well-being. Moreover, when it’s time for their walk, having a dog gets us out of the house and moving when we ordinarily might just sit. I can say without question that because of having Rosie, I’ve come to appreciate the beauty of our nearby park even in the dead of winter.
Love my mutt!
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This Month: Summer Inspiration
By Laura Beck, Cosmopolitan
Comments by Susan D'Addario, LCSW, Certified Eating Psychology Coach, Licensed HeartMath Certified Coach
So, the very first day of July starts us off with International Joke Day. Well, I say, the joke’s on those who laugh and make fun of others for any reason, including body-size. Do you have a hard time looking at your body in the mirror? If so, you’re absolutely not alone! Find out what imperfectly shaped, 21-year old, Lesley Miller has done to thrive and feel great. (If you think I insult when I write imperfectly shaped, make sure to check out our Healing Thought below.)
This was accomplished despite having to live with the prejudicial feelings and painful words from so many, including those who claimed to be in her corner. Sadly, the shape of the body distracts many of us from the beauty of the inner soul. Well, thankfully, Lesley persevered and triumphed and she now gets to have the last laugh. Read what she has to say below. Love heals.
Leslie:
I've spent the past 18 years of my life waiting.
I kept my body covered up and hidden away. I told myself that one day I would finally let myself be seen; I would finally do all of the things I dreamed of when I was enough. Thin enough, happy enough, confident enough. When my body looked the way that it was "supposed" to.
I fought my body every step of the way, continually ashamed and silent.
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Feature Article: Beautiful Olive Oyl, Ugly Me: Part 1
by
Susan D'Addario, LCSW, Certified Eating Psychology Coach, Licensed HeartMath Certified Coach
As I have frequently pointed out, “It’s important to change not only what we eat, (clean, single-ingredient foods including grass-fed, pasture-raised, wild, organic, local, in season, gluten-free), how we eat, (in the Relaxation Mode, non-distracted, slowed down, observing bio-circadian-nutrition rhythm), but also to address and enhance our relationship with food, eating, appetite, body-image, and ourselves.
In today’s article, I share my own experiences and relationship with eating, body-image, and myself in my younger years. In Part 2 of this series I focus on the evolution of my relationship with eating, food, appetite, my body, and my spirit.
My Background
Once upon a time…I ate whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, and as much as I wanted.
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Nourishing Recipes
(Organic, grass-fed, pasture-raised, local, wild, gluten-free, and love!)
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The Big Blue Crumble
(Recipe adapted from Fresh Blueberry Crumble, by Diane Sanfilippo in Practical Paleo.)
Summertime and fruit season go hand-in-hand. Well, the Big Blue Crumble is a great way to savor the wonderful blueberry and to recognize that July is National Blueberry Month. With just 1-2 tablespoons of grade-B maple syrup, this dessert is very low in added sweeteners. Plus blueberries, like most berries, are naturally low on the glycemic index. They are great for brain support and are loaded with anti-oxidants. All that, and delicious to boot, and we’ve got a grand slam big blue success!
For extra fun, add in raspberries with the blueberries. When ready to eat, top your masterpiece with a dollop of whipping cream from organic, pasture-raised cows to create a Red, White, and Blue - 4th of July Magic Crumble. This my friends absolutely promises to set off gorgeous fireworks in all of our mouths! I hope you enjoy.
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Time to close my friends with this month's,
Healing Thought: Embracing imperfection is key to our emotional, mental, and physical well-being.
-The HealthShrink
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It’s here!
We're delighted to present The HealthShrink’s very own brochure designed for your reading ease.
In it you’ll see:
• How Susan works and with whom
• Which life issues influence body size
• Why our services are unique from others
• What guides one to long-lasting health and weight results
You’re just a fingertip away from ground-breaking perspectives that nourish and enrich.
Questions? Let us know!
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