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NYC Nutritionista


Live to eat deliciously and eat to live healthfully!

Soul Food
  February 2010

Dear Julia,

We are smack, dab in the middle of the depths of winter here in New York City, where the cold temps and piles of slush can make even the best of us a little blue. I was very hopeful on Groundhog Day to receive a unanimous indication that things were taking a turn for the better, but it seems there was a a bit of a disagreement between the two weather forecasting rivals in our region. Let the record show, I stand firmly behind Staten Island Chuck because he is located much closer to where I live then Punxsutawney Phil (and not just because he voted my way).

Regardless of what the weather has in store for us this month we will likely be finding ourselves spending more time indoors and thus, more likely to feel under the weather or a bit glum. Make it a priority this month to care for yourself - mind, body and soul. Nourish yourself with healthy delicious foods in as many colors of the rainbow you can find locally and organically. Find a way to get moving that keeps you interested, motivated and fit. Calm the mind with meditation or your own preferred relaxation ritual.  Most importantly, feed your heart and soul with time spent in the loving company of a partner, family and friends.

Keep your fingers crossed that spring is on it's way!

Yours in health,

Julia K. Haramis
NYC Nutritionista



                   



Soul Food


Think for a moment of a food from your past, one that makes you feel great after you eat it for no specific reason. Maybe it is macaroni and cheese, slow-simmered tomato sauce, ice cream cones or potato pancakes. Eating comfort foods (every now and then) can be incredibly healing, even though your rational brain might not consider it highly nutritious.
 
Food has the power to impact us on a level deeper than just our physical well-being. What we eat can reconnect us to precious memories, like childhood playtimes, first dates, holidays, our grandmother's cooking or our country of ancestry. Our bodies remember foods from the past on an emotional and cellular level. Eating this food connects us to our roots and has youthening and nurturing effects that go far beyond the food's biochemical make-up.
 
Acknowledging what different foods mean to us is an important part of cultivating a good relationship with food. This month when we celebrate lovers and relationships, it's important to notice that we each have a relationship with food-and that this relationship is often far from loving. Many of us restrict food, attempting to control our weight. We often abuse food, substituting it for emotional well-being. Others ignore food, swallowing it whole before we've even tasted it.
 
What would your life be like if you treated food and your body as you would treat your beloved - with gentleness, playfulness, communication, honesty, respect and love? The next time you eat your soul food, do so with awareness and without guilt, and enjoy all the healing and nourishment it brings you.



Food Focus: Beans

Beans, or legumes, including peas and lentils, are an excellent source of plant-based protein. Beans are found in most traditional cultures as a staple food, offering grounding and strengthening properties that enhance endurance. They offer a highly usable, highly absorbable source of calcium for the body. A very inexpensive source of high nutrition, beans can be rich, delicious and satisfying,
 
Lack of sexual energy is often due to overtaxed adrenal glands and kidneys. Beans are known for strengthening these organs (ever noticed the shape of a bean?) and can help restore vital energy as well as sexual energy.
 
Beans have a reputation for causing digestive distress, but this is usually because they have been undercooked or improperly prepared. To help reduce gas-forming properties, soak beans overnight prior to cooking, increase cooking time, add spices like bay leaf, oregano or cumin, or add kombu (a sea vegetable) when cooking.



                   



Recipe of the Month
Easy Beans and Greens

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 10-15 minutes
Yield: 2-3 servings
 
Ingredients:
1 can black beans (or pinto, red, chickpea, lentil  - your choice)
1 bunch kale (or collard greens, spinach, arugula - your choice)
Your favorite toppings such as salsa, avocado or guacamole
 
Directions:
1. In a medium saucepan heat rinsed and drained beans. Add your favorite seasonings and a little bit of water or stock and simmer.
2. Fill a separate saucepan with 1-2 inches of water and bring to a boil.
3. Wash and chop greens (you can use the stems too, just chop them in smaller pieces so they cook faster) and add to boiling water. 
4. Cook for 3-10 minutes until greens are bright green and tender. Drain off water (collards are heartier and will take longer, most other greens cook fairly quickly).
5. Arrange a portion of the greens on a plate, top with the beans and finish with toppings of your choice.
 
Variations:
* Saute onion and garlic in olive oil in the pan and then add the beans.
* Cook greens in vegetable stock instead of water and add the seasoned beans to the greens for a hearty veggie soup.
* Spice it up with peppers - sweet, hot or both!
* Indulge yourself and sprinkle a little of your favorite cheese on the completed dish - I often go for feta or a tangy blue cheese.

Enjoy!





Are you a Nutritionista?

A Nutritionista is...

A person devoted to eating fresh and delicious whole foods, living a healthy lifestyle, being considerate to our environment, staying active in fun ways and constantly striving to be happy while living life to its fullest!





Yoga with the Brooklyn Yogini


Have you been feeling stressed out lately?
Do you feel like you are out of balance?
Are you always wishing you were stronger and more flexible?

  Yoga could be the answer!

Increase your flexibility and strength, have fun, start a new practice or refine a current practice with the Brooklyn Yogini. Check out our recent feature in Time Out New York's special fitness issue.

Check out the current teaching schedule



GREECE RETREAT


Sun, Sand, Yoga, Repeat
June 18-25, 2010

Join the Brooklyn Yogini on the picturesque Island of Crete this summer!



Trip includes: Eight Days and Seven Nights Luxury Accommodations, Daily Yoga, Cultural Excursions, Deliciously Healthy Mediterranean Cuisine, Private Beach Access and much, much more!

Space is limited, for more details visit Retreats.




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.







In This Issue
Soul Food
Focus Food: Beans
Recipe of the Month: Easy Beans and Greens
Are you a Nutritionista?
Yoga
Greece Retreat
Tell a Friend
Top 5 Ways to Eat Your Beans
Upcoming Workshops
The Skinny on Sugar
Spring Detox
Quote of the Month






Top 5 Ways to Eat Your Beans


1. Salad - three bean salad, spinach salad with beans, wheat berry salad with beans, the choices are endless here.
2. Spread - make the food processor do the hard work for a yummy bean spread (or for a hummus be sure to include tahini) to serve with carrots and celery. Use your favorite beans, fresh herbs, spices, garlic, olive oil and lemon or lime juice.
3. Soup - there is nothing like a hearty veggie and bean soup to fill you up on a cold day. Want to make it fancy? Puree the soup until it is velvety smooth and top with toasted pumpkin seeds.
4. Side - saute finely sliced shallots with garlic and herbs until soft, add beans and serve warm over your favorite whole grains (quinoa is always a winner).
5. Cake - veggie cakes, that is. Puree beans and mix with chopped mushrooms, onions, celery, carrots, a beaten egg, fresh herbs, spices and whole wheat breadcrumbs. Bake in a lightly oiled muffin tin until browned. Serve with a spiced Greek yogurt dip (cumin, paprika, chili powder, salt and lime juice is my favorite combination).



Upcoming Wellness Workshops








 
The Skinny on Sugar
- Do you suffer from the sugar blues?

- Are you constantly craving sweets and want to understand why?

- Do you want to gain control without deprivation?

- Are you worried about the perils of sweeteners and looking for healthy alternatives?

Join the NYC Nutritionista and get the skinny on sugar and how it impacts us - mind and body. You will learn how to deconstruct and battle those pesky sweet cravings effectively once and for all!

Date: Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Time: 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Location: Brooklyn Heights, NYC
Cost: $10 (free for current clients plus one guest)

Space is limited! Contact us for more details or to sign up.






 
Spring Detox

Align yourself with the seasons through cleansing practices. Spring is the perfect time for detoxification of the body, clearing of the mind clutter and reorganization of your home.

In this interactive class you will learn about the virtues of cleansing and the most effective ways to do it. We will learn specifically about the Isagenix cleansing system and products from our expert guest speaker, Dorene Hyman.

Dorene and Julia will be leading a group cleanse for attendees, starting shortly after the workshops!

Date: April 12, 2010 and April 13, 2010
Time: 7:00 - 8:30 pm

Location: Brooklyn Heights on the 12th and Manhattan Westside on the 13th

* Both workshops will cover the same material, you can attend both or pick which date and location work best for you!

Space is limited! Contact us for more details or to sign up.



Quote of the Month:

Let yourself be silently drawn by the stronger pull of what you really love.
-Rumi







About the NYC Nutritionista

Julia is a lifelong New Yorker who truly understands the daily stresses of the hectic and high-paced urban lifestyle. She transformed her mind and body through changes in diet and a dedicated Yoga practice, shedding over 40 pounds in the process!

Julia is a certified Vinyasa Yoga Instructor as well as a Certified Holistic Health Counselor. She received her nutrition training at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition (IIN). She is certified by IIN, Purchase College of SUNY and by the AADP. A firm believer that no one way of eating works for everyone, she works closely with her clients to find the unique path that leads them to their optimal physical and mental self.

To learn more, click here....

Julia K. Haramis, HHC
NYC Nutritionista
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 797-0889


 
Could one conversation change your life?

When was the last time you talked with someone about your health and received the personal attention you deserve?

It's rare for anyone to get an hour to work on their nutrition and goals with a trained professional. As a health counselor, I am here to create a supportive environment while we explore what really works for you.

Find out by scheduling a free consultation with me. In person and phone programs are available. Contact me by email or at (718) 797-0889.

We will discuss your unique situation in depth and determine how I can help you reach your personal goals.

*** NEW! ***  Starting in 2010 the NYC Nutritionista will be offering a group program. Get all of the information of an individual program but for half the price in a small group setting. Each participant will get a buddy in the program as well for continued support. Contact me for more details.

Save Now!
Give yourself or a loved one the gift of a private Yoga session this month.
Individual lessons are a perfect way to fit Yoga into a challenging schedule, for learning how to work specifically with injuries or limitations, and for developing a solid understanding of the basics and alignment. Rates are going up very soon, but any single private session or package purchased with the below code will be honored at the old rate, get them while they last!
Contact us now for more details.
Offer Expires: March 16, 2010            Offer Code: Newsletter 0210