Hi, I'm Rachel Graham, Health Coach and this is my blog. I will share my secrets to a healthy life -- from recipes to stress-relieving exercises. Etc.....
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Live Healthy NYC: Happy Healthy Sweet New Year!
Live Healthy NYC: Happy Healthy Sweet New Year!: Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is a time to reflect upon the past year, reunite with family and friends, and celebrate the happy year t...
Happy Healthy Sweet New Year!
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New
Year, is a time to reflect upon the past year, reunite with family and friends,
and celebrate the happy year to come. It is a time for both joy and
self-reflection.There are many traditional foods that are eaten on this holiday. Many of the foods symbolize the goodness and happiness that we aspire to be and do in the coming year. Most prominent on the family table are APPLES AND HONEY. The apples (fruits of our labor) are typically dipped into honey, symbolizing the sweetness of the year to come. Did you know that many family meals also feature pomegranates? It symbolizes the numerous good deeds that have been performed over the year.
There are many healthy foods that you can prepare and eat during this holiday. Sweet roasted veggies, dried fruits, baked fish, and slow roasted meat are easy and healthy choices.
I have included a favorite sweet to end the meal!
Apple Honey Bundt Cake:
Ingredients
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 3 apples - peeled, cored and shredded
- 3/4 cup chopped walnuts
Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9 inch Bundt pan. In a large bowl, stir together the sugar and oil. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and allspice; stir into the batter just until moistened. Fold in the apples and nuts. Bake 50-65 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool for 10-15 minutes before inverting onto a plate and tapping out.
You can also make a honey cream cheese frosting to lightly glaze the top of the cake. You need 2 packages of cream cheese softend. 1/3 cup honey, 2 tsp vanilla extract. Beat all until light and fluffy. Chill until stiff enough to spread.
For more healthy treats (vegan, gluten-free) and how to get though the holidays without the guilt, contact me at rachel@livehealthynyc.com
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Live Healthy NYC: Every Journey begins with a First Step
Live Healthy NYC: Every Journey begins with a First Step: This past weekend I attended a fabulous health conference sponsored by The Institute for Integrative Nutrition. I actively listene...
Every Journey begins with a First Step
This past weekend I attended a fabulous health conference
sponsored by The Institute for Integrative Nutrition. I actively listened to
men and women, doctors of medicine, and accomplished authors, speak about the
importance of real food, mind-body healing, various nutritional theories,
chronic illnesses, and preventing and reversing disease through nutrition and natural methods. When we weren’t sitting, I also had the experience to
participate in cross cultural fitness as we danced to Indian wedding music,
expressed ourselves thru movement and music, and trained for strength with
several well known coaches.
The two full days were awesome and I felt energized in my mind,
body, and spirit.
But, I have to share with you that there was one person, in
particular, one man who really moved me. His name is Joe Cross. He is a 43 year
old, Australian business man who recently documented his journey to health
(titled Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead). He was 100 lbs overweight, loaded up on
steroids, and suffered from a debilitating autoimmune disease. It was an
inspiring film that chronicles his personal mission to regain his health. As he
trades in the junk food, he packs up his car and head across America vowing to
save himself by juicing fresh fruits and veggies for 60 days. He realized that
the only person who can save himself is himself.
I am neither advocating nor opposing juicing. There are
plenty of health benefits that come from juicing. When you squeeze out the
juice of the fruit or vegetable, you receive a concentration of minerals,
vitamins, and enzymes. It could be considered “good” to juice, when for
example, you don’t have the time or motivation to eat your fruits or veggies. A
great benefit of juicing is that it allows your digestive system to rest,
including the stomach, intestines, pancreas, gallbladder and liver. Juicing
allows your body to repair itself (the cells that are always working so hard to
keep you functioning). It also allows you to experience new energy, a clearer
complexion, and clarity of mind and body. Be aware that juicing is not the same
as fasting! Fasting means that you are not eating. Juicing should not be used
as a weight loss technique. It is better to eat the fruits and vegetables
whole, and therefore gain the fiber, and the increased metabolism resulting
from digesting the whole food. It may be beneficial to include a veggie or
fruit juice in your diet, but not as a complete replacement of solid food.
If you do decide to juice for a day or even for a few days
(1-3), you should consult your medical doctor before going on a juicing diet.
It is not an easy task to make something happen. You have to
want it bad enough. Doors don’t open automatically- you have to push the door open.
You have to pursue what it is you want. Living healthy doesn’t come
automatically. You have to learn how to eat, drink, play, love, work, and
breathe.
For more on this, contact me at Rachel@livehealthynyc.com
I am attaching a juice recipe. When you don’t have the time
(or even when you do) it’s a great way to start your day healthy and to feel
good about what you put in your body!
Monday, September 12, 2011
Live Healthy NYC: FALL INTO A HEALTHY GROOVE!
Live Healthy NYC: FALL INTO A HEALTHY GROOVE!: As summer quickly came to an end, and my kids went back to school, I realized how great it felt to "fall" into this season! The cool autumn ...
FALL INTO A HEALTHY GROOVE!
As summer quickly came to an end, and my kids went back to school, I realized how great it felt to "fall" into this season! The cool autumn air makes is easier to breathe, the taste of this season's fruits and veggies are crisp, new fall clothes and shoes are fun to wear, and with adrenaline pumping, getting in shape is never easier!Let's start with some great fall foods- apples, figs, cranberries, broccoli, beans, eggplant, okra, parsnips, pears, pumpkins, and fall squash to name a few. These super foods can be combined in great recipes to make the tastiest of snacks and meals.
Diet alone won't get you into the new fall clothes that are hanging in the stores (or in your closest as a result of a pre-shop you did when you got bored of summer clothes!). You need an exercise routine. Start your day off with a power yoga class, weight training or a brisk walk or jog around the park. If you live in an area where there are hills, what better way to get the most out of the outdoors then to go mountain biking, hiking or running!
Make the most out of this season of renewal! If you lost track of yourself on the beach while soaking up the sun and sipping chilled wine on the beach at sunset, now is the right time to fall into a healthy groove!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
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