Kathy Fannon
Certified Holistic Health Coach

Please be sure to visit my website, Be Real,
for more great information and recipes!

(c) Angela Dawn Photography

I am proud to announce that I have finished my classes at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and am now a fully-certified holistic health coach!

Try Something New

Summer is finally in full force! Do you notice in summertime how everything seems so promising? The plants are in full bloom and the sun feels glorious on your skin. The longer days give you boundless energy, making you feel like it's possible to achieve all your desires and dreams. Why not harness this energy, ride the wave of summer and try something new?

Throughout the year we live at an intense pace (physical, emotional and mental), and we often get stuck in routine, either for the sake of efficiency or out of fear of unfamiliar territory. The lack of variety in doing the same things over and over stagnates not only our minds, but also our bodies and hearts. Are you hesitant to break your routine? Fear and excitement have the same physiological expression in our bodies; it is our mind that classifies the feeling as either positive or negative. So the next time you consider a change in routine and your mind says “scary!” see if you can re-frame it as “exciting!”

What is something you have never done before or that you have wanted to do for a long time? Choose your own adventure: organize a kayak trip, take a dance class, do some exotic traveling or set a goal for a new personal challenge. Or try something simple, like playing flashlight tag with your kids and neighbors or reading in the sunshine. Maybe it’s time to discover a new vegetable dish or to visit a new town, restaurant or beach.

Whatever adventure calls to you, use this summer to make it happen and enjoy your life. Increasing new experiences and excitement in your life can decrease your dependence on artificial stimulants like caffeine and sugar, leading to more vibrant health. Watch for massive improvements in physical well-being, mental acuity and motivation, plus a full portfolio of fun!

Photo (c) 2009, Kathy Fannon

Food Focus: Raw and Cooling Salads
Why is it that in the summer we naturally crave more fresh and raw foods? These foods have a cooling effect on the body. The lightness and high water, fiber and vitamin content work together to act as our internal air conditioning during these warm months. At this time of year we also need less dense, high-energy food because we get so much energy from being outside in the fresh air and sunshine.

There is no better season than summer to have fun creating your own fresh, tasty, creative salad combinations. By simply tossing together several of your favorite raw veggies, naked or with a light dressing, you have a perfect meal for a hot summer’s day.

Try your favorite leafy lettuce with various sliced, diced or grated veggies. The possible combinations are endless.
Fresh herbs are a wonderful option to mix in, as they are packed full of flavor.
Experiment with adding diverse forms of protein to your salads, such as nuts, seeds, beans, tofu, fish or poultry.
Pick up a light and healthy dressing at your local health food store, or mix up something easy, like lemon juice, black pepper and olive oil.

This is a great opportunity to try a new vegetable from your market. What are some creative flavors you’ve never tried before? Fennel and mint? Daikon radish and arugula? Summer squash with watercress? Whatever you choose, have fun with your food and stay cool. Happy summer!

Green Salad
Camping on the cooling salad theme, I posted this Green Salad on my blog the other day. Try my version or make up one of your own. And be sure to tell me about it!

And here are a few more cooling foods from a blog post I wrote last summer.

Photo (c) 2011 by Kathy Fannon

Recommended Reading: "The Great American Detox Diet" by Alex Jamieson
Summer is the perfect time to do some healthy detox on your body because of the wide variety of fresh, local foods at the farmer's market. This book by Alex (wife of Morgan Spurlock of "Super Size Me" fame) shows you how to clean up your diet and get rid of the junk. She also teaches why you should eat a clean diet for optimum health, thus feeling better, having more energy and even losing weight!

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.