WINTER WARMING FOODS AND EXERCISES 1/4/13

TGIF!!! I am so glad this was a short week. I am on day 4 of my New Year’s Cleanse (or getting back on track)!!! So far so good. I am back to my pre- holiday weight!!:)

Last night we actually had a Lentil soup instead of roasted veggies and quinoa. But, today for afternoon snack, I am making quinoa stuffed deviled eggs(still getting in the quinoa) and tonight when the family has their pizza, I am have baked french onion hummus with fennel for dipping!!!

Winter: A Time of Hibernation

Winter is known for a time to hibernate. Although, we normally think of animals who are the ones seeking a place to hibernate but, studies have shown that we humans seek a little hibernation ourselves.  The climate is cold and dark and it is natural to seek warming, grounding and oily foods and gravitate to the indoors to spend time with family and friends.

Tips on winter eating

• Cooked and baked foods are preferred over raw and cold
• Soup prepared in the crock-pot is a perfect way to free up time to spend with family!
• Sweet (meats and oils like coconut), salty (sea salt and sea vegetables) and sour foods (oranges and grapefruits) help pacify the cold and wet weather
• We naturally eat a little bit more in the winter to create heat and converse our energy

Winter foods

1. Grains: spelt, amaranth, barley, buckwheat, corn, millet, oat, quinoa, brown rice, rye, wheat, buckwheat
2. Proteins: Lentils, Quinoa, all beans and legumes. ( Lean meats) Tofu
3. Fats: olive oil, ghee or butter, sesame oil, coconut oil, avocado,
4. Nuts and seeds: almond, cashews, pecan, pistachio, walnut, pine nut, macadamia, flax, pumpkin, sesame, sunflower
5. Vegetables: Brussels sprouts, artichoke hearts, bok choy, broccoli, carrot, celery, peas, zucchini, seaweed, root veggies (yam, sweet potato, beets, winter squash, onions, turnips, parsnips) Kale.
6. Herbs and spices: ginger, cayenne, garlic, cloves, mustard seed, cardamom, cumin, cinnamon 
7. Fruits: pears, apples, cranberries, dates, grapes, mango, papaya, grapefruit, banana

So Pick and choose from each category: 1) Pick your Grain 2) Choose your protein 3)Choose your fat/(4)nut 5) Choose your vegetable 6) Choose your herb

***Keep your fruits as early morning carbs….Fats/nuts can be used as 1 category so, you can use your nut as your fat. It’s as easy as that!!!

 

 

Keeping your peace of mind

Stay home for some self nurturing activities. As the title says, winter is a time of hibernation, reflection, and creativity. So, read that book or take that bath or signing up for a class you have been longing to try. Winter is the time to recharge your battery before the arrival of spring!

 

Exercise to warm your heart

What a better way to finish the winter hibernation warming than with great warming exercises. January and February focus on warming yoga poses to create heat in the body. Try some great all over body workouts to include intense Intervals, creating heat without taking a lot of time.  If you have some time to spend and slow down, try some slower routines of resistance training. Try going slower and heavier.

ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND!!!