Written by: Go Figure Consultant Killian Potter, MSW
“One of life’s best coping mechanisms is to know the difference between an inconvenience and a problem. If you break your neck, if you have nothing to eat, if your house is on fire, then you’ve got a problem. Everything else is an inconvenience. Life is inconvenient. Life is lumpy. A lump in the oatmeal, a lump in the throat and a lump in the breast are not the same kind of lump. One needs to learn the difference.”
~Robert Fulghum
Every day we are faced with challenges. These challenges range from losing our car keys to the death of a loved one. The most important thing that we can do for ourselves when faced with stressful events is to first and foremost evaluate the severity and meaning of the situation. Because our actions are often determined by how we think and feel, we need to take a moment and examine these thoughts and feelings before we act.
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Refreshing Mint Veggie Salad
Another creation from Go Figure Chef David, this salad is a light and tasty way to enjoy the flavors of summer!
1 cup olive medley: black, kalamata, or try some from grocery store olive bars
½ cup artichoke hearts Juice from ½ lemon
¼ cup apple, chopped small ½ tomato, chopped
2 thin onion slices, finely chopped ¼ cup Grapeseed oil
½ cup cucumber, chopped 1 tsp. agave
¼ cup goat cheese crumbles (optional) Dash of pepper (optional)
A few sprigs of fresh mint leaves, cut fine
Mix olives, veggies, and apple together in bowl. Lightly stir in goat cheese and mint leaves. Pour lemon juice on top and dribble agave and oil over top. Add pepper, if desired; stir lightly and serve with protein on the side or in the salad for a complete and delicious meal.
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Salmon Bruschetta with Side Dish of Kale
Brought to you by Chef David.
1 lb. salmon fillet without skin
Bruschetta topping:
½ tomato, chopped 1/4- ½ cup chopped fresh basil
1 Tbsp. olive oil 1-2 cloves garlic, chopped fine
½ tsp. agave ½ tsp. sea salt
Mix bruschetta ingredients together. Place oven rack on 2nd rack down and pre-heat oven broiler to high. Lightly coat salmon with olive oil and place under broiler in broiler pan. Cook 5 minutes (set timer for best results) and turn salmon; cook for another 3 minutes. Spread bruschetta mix over the top of the salmon and cook for an additional 3 minutes.
Kale: is full of nutrients, a great veggie to get in the habit of eating regularly. Here’s a simple, but flavorful way of preparing:
½ bunch kale ¼ cup chopped onion
½ tsp. sea salt 2 Tbsp. olive oil
Put steamer basket in pan of water, turn on high to reach boiling point. Place kale in steamer and cook about 4-5 minutes until it’s soft but still bright green. (Steamed kale helps to reduce unhealthy cholesterol levels.) While kale is steaming, heat oil in sauté pan with onions at medium heat until translucent. Put steamed kale in sauté pan with onions and sprinkle with salt. Toss and serve. You are NOT sautéing kale, just mixing with other ingredients.
Copyright David and Cheryl MacDonald 2013
Does this picture make you breathe a little deeper and relax? The full embodiment of summer: leisurely reading a book in a hammock, or taking a nap in the shade on a sunny day, just makes you want to say, “Ahhhhh…”Something so simple feels so luxurious, doesn’t it?
Along those lines, don’t forget to take some quiet time for yourself this summer! Remember what we talked about back in February’s newsletter? (If you’re interested in brushing up, there are copies in the waiting room.) Self care is extremely important to successful weight loss. Elevated stress levels can wreak havoc on our hormones, causing excess fat storage, especially the visceral fat around our organs. Stress reduction is the key to a happy and healthy life.
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