Busy weeks and healthy dinners

I just finished catching up with a friend of mine. She was telling me about her challenge to eat healthy during the week, while working long hours. She admitted to grabbing a bucket of chicken on the way home, if she didn't have dinner already prepared. We had a great conversation about the use of a crock pot to have dinner ready and the option to prep and cook on a Sunday afternoon. There is no doubt that planning, shopping and cooking is a lot of work. But my body is worth it and I know yours is too. What tips and tricks do you have to eat healthy during a busy week? Lynna

The High Line in NYC

If you ever get to New York City, take a walk on the High Line. It's on the east side, with access stairs at various streets running down 10th Ave. It's close to my job, so I try to take a walk at lunch time and it's great for people watching.
This is what I saw last summer,

It's a great walk with lot's to see.

Already missed a day!

Yesterday was one of the most stressful days ever. Being a parent is one of the hardest jobs ever.

I love my kids, but there are times when I just don't like them.

There is no doubt in my mind, stress kicks my blood sugar into high gear. I took more insulin yesterday then in probably ever and my BG level would nit come down,

I rode my bike for 14 miles this morning and there is nothing like a bike ride to manage stress levels.

I gave my Dexcom a work out yeterday.

Biking in the rain, and lovin it!

31 Days in August

...and I am going to Blog every single day. I have always had a difficult time being consistent. I think it's a personal feeling of not having enough to say of value, that anyone would want to bother reading. I am going to make it a point to follow along with Effy Wild and blog each day this month.
So, here is August 1st! -



 You can follow along here or go to http://www.lifestoolkit.com/blog-lynna-demay


To kick off the start of the blogalong with Effy I would like to share this Raw Food Guide

Diabetes Sisters: this is a organization created to help women manage diabetes.
I went to the conference in Raleigh North Carolina. It was a great opportunity to spend time with
woment living with diabetes.
The concept of planting a seed was talked about. I want to start a support group, called PODS or( Part of Diabetes Sisters). This will give me an opportunity to interact and share with women that are navigating life with diabetes.
The next conference is in October and I want to have had my first support group meeting by then.

Lynna

A great start to 2013

 

This is what I woke up to on January 1, 2013. What a beautiful start to a hopeful year.
I have set my intentions and have a plan to move them forward in a thoughtful way.
How about you? Do you have intentions for the year? What are your plans? Is this the year of you?

What one word will represent this year for you?

2013 Intentions

One of my intentions for 2013 is to make blogging a part of my day, week and month.
I want this to be my go to place to share and store my memories, thoughts and ideas.
I want to share my experiences in hopes that they resonate with others.

I want to share in words, pictures and art.

Count Down December 7th

Eat a healthy meal prior to going to a holiday party so you  will eat less while you are there.

Enjoy

Lynna

Count Down December 6th.

Bring a healthy dish to a family event, party or work function. This way you know at least one healthy option is available.

Enjoy

Lynna

Count Down December 5th.

Focus on keeping work/life/relationships and spirituality in balance.
If they are not, you may be try to use food to fill a void.

Enjoy

Lynna

Count Down December 4th.

Drink plenty of water! Easily forgotten when days get hectic.

Enjoy

Lynna

Count Down December 3rd.

Make time for yourself each day. Remember, self care is important and easy to lose sight of during busy times of the year.

Enjoy

Lynna

Count Down Day # 2

Develop new traditions that do not revolve around food!

Enjoy

Lynna

Self Care while counting down to the Holidays

December is always such a busy month. It's so important to practice self care while helping others and preparing for the Holidays.

I am going to provide a count down. Each day I will share another tip to think about. Some may resonate with you and some may not. Use what works and skip the rest.

Day 1: Buy sweets at the last possible moment, or better yet stick with healthy treats. This time of the year is often full of over indulgence.

I will also be posting these on my website: www.lifestoolkit.com

Enjoy


Lynna

Count Down December 8th

Don't sacrifice your exercise time. It will help relieve stress and burn calories. You may need to change it up and walk the mall while shopping, but don't give it up.

Enjoy

Lynna

Are you at a cross road? Contact me for a comprehensive review of you health and nutrition habits. We can create new ways for you to improve your overall health and happiness. My email is lynnademay@lifestoolkit.com

Maple Fruit Compote

Recipe of the Month: Maple Fruit Compote with Honey-Ginger Toasted Nuts


Prep time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 20 minutes

Serves: 4



Ingredients:

2-3 apples

2-3 peaches or pears

2 tablespoons maple syrup

1/2 cup raisins

juice of 1 lemon

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup walnuts or nuts of your choice

1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced

2 tablespoons honey



Directions:

1. Wash, core and chop fruit into slices or chunks.

2. Place in a large saucepan with 1/3 cup of water. Add the maple syrup and raisins.

3. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes.

4. Add lemon juice and cinnamon. Cook for another 10 minutes, until soft.

5. While fruit is cooking, place chopped nuts in a skillet over medium heat and toast, stirring often, for 5 minutes.

6. Drizzle honey over the nuts and add ginger, but keep stirring since the honey can easily burn.

7. Top warm fruit with toasted nuts and enjoy!

Natural Sweeteners

Food Focus: Natural Sweeteners



Who among us doesn’t love sweets? The sweet flavor releases serotonin in our brains, the chemical responsible for our sense of well-being and contentment. But when it comes to sweeteners, not all are created equal. There are side effects and health risks from refined sweeteners like white table sugar and high-fructose corn syrup, and from artificial sweeteners like NutraSweet, saccharin and Splenda. Since refined sweeteners have been stripped of vitamins, minerals and fiber, they can spike blood sugar, which can often lead to cravings and mood and energy fluctuations. Instead, using naturally and minimally processed sweeteners can reduce cravings for sugary things.


Here are a few natural sweeteners to substitute in drinks, food and baking. Since they are all approximately 1.5 times sweeter than refined sugar, you can use less. You can find them in most supermarkets or natural food stores. When replacing sugar with liquid sweeteners in a recipe, reduce the amounts of other liquids.


Raw Honey

Everyone seems to love honey, one of the oldest natural sweeteners on the market. Honey will have a different flavor depending on the plant source. Some are very dark and intensely flavored. Wherever possible, choose raw honey, as it is unrefined and contains small amounts of enzymes, minerals and vitamins.

Agave Nectar

Agave is made through the extraction and purification of the juice of the agave cactus. It does not stimulate insulin secretion as other sugars do, so it does not create a "sugar rush." It has a delightfully light and mild flavor.


Maple Syrup

Maple syrup is the concentrated extract of the sap of maple trees. It adds a rich, deep flavor to foods and drinks. Make sure to look for 100% pure maple syrup, not maple-flavored corn syrup. As with all sweeteners, organic varieties are best.


Adapted from "The Cane Mutiny," New Age Magazine

Deconstructing Cravings

Deconstructing Cravings



The body is an amazing source of intelligence. It is always there for you, pumping blood, never skipping a heartbeat, digesting whatever food you put in it and maintaining homeostasis. Is this reliable, intelligent bio-computer making a mistake by craving ice cream or a hamburger or chocolate? Are cravings due to lack of will-power or discipline? I’d like to suggest that cravings are not a problem. They are critical pieces of information that tell you what your body needs.

The important thing is to understand why you crave what you crave. Perhaps your diet is too restrictive or devoid of essential nutrients. Perhaps you are living a lifestyle that is too boring or stressful. Your body tries to correct the imbalance by sending you a message: a craving. A craving for something sweet could mean you need more protein, more exercise, more water or more love in your life. The key to stopping the sugar craving is to understand and deliver what your body really needs.

No book or theory can tell you what to eat. Only awareness of your body and its needs can tell you. Of all the relationships in our lives, the one with our body is the most essential. It takes communication, love and time to cultivate a relationship with your body. As you learn to decipher and respond to your body’s cravings, you will create a deep and lasting level of health and balance.

The next time you have a craving, treat it as a loving message from your body instead of a weakness. Try these tips to respond to your body:



•Have a glass of water and wait 10 minutes.

•Eat a healthier version of what you crave. For example, if you crave sweets, try eating more fruit and sweet or root vegetables.

•What is out of balance in your life? Is there something you need to express, or is something being repressed? What happened in your life just before you had this craving?

•When you eat the food you are craving, enjoy it, taste it, savor it; notice its effect. Then you will become more aware and free to decide if you really want it next time.

We are one month in to 2012 already. What are your intentions? Have you done any thing to move forward with them.

One of my intentions is to Move more/Eat well. I've been really good about the eat well part but continue to struggle with the move more part. I can't get to the gym consistently and have so many excuses why I can't exercise at home.

It will be my focus for February. I talk myself out of going to the gym, but when I do make it there I feel great after my workout. Why is that? If anyone as the answer, I would love to hear it.