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January 1, 2008 – Evolving Appetites

Happy New Year! Welcome to the first issue of 2008 - Evolving Appetites’ monthly newsletter. Short, informative and hopefully fun to read veggie bits. Let us know if we don’t deliver on this – we always love feedback from our readers. Contact info is at the bottom of the page.

In this issue:

• Get 2008 off to a healthy start – 10 suggestions to get you started
• New Year’s Specials reminder: “Veg 101 – Getting Started” seminar, and “Demystifying Tofu” cooking class - Pay What You Can Events
• The Story of Stuff – worth watching
• Recipe of the month: Green smoothies to help you put a couple of those healthy tips into practice
• Loblaws FREE EVENTS update

10 Tips for a healthier YOU!

Instead of resolutions that are often forgotten by January 14^th, try incorporating a few of these into your daily routine. Once they become second nature, you can pick a couple more – perhaps sometime in the spring. This is a more realistic approach with a higher probability for success than trying to become a brand new person on January 1. Keep adding and practicing throughout the year, and on December 31, you’ll be able to look back on 2008 with pride and a sense of accomplishment. And you’ll be feeling a lot better too!

1. Get the junk out! Eliminate refined flours, sugars and oils. This is the single most important step you can take towards improving your health.
2. Drink LOTS of water – very important to stay hydrated to flush out toxins and keep your cells, muscles and organs functioning well. (6 – 8 glasses is a good guideline. But your need will ultimately depend on body weight, activity level, and the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables you consume. The latter have high water content, so if you’re getting plenty, then you may not need to drink as much. But don’t wait ‘til you’re thirsty to reach for that glass of water or herbal tea. Most North Americans are chronically dehydrated. Caffeinated beverages don’t count – they’re a diuretic – which means they have the opposite effect.)
3. Get some moderate exercise EVERYDAY – even a 30-minute brisk walk per day counts.
4. Eat your greens! Raw, deep, leafy greens have powerful anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals we need to stay healthy. (See recipes below to help you get sufficient quantities into your daily routine.)
5. Turn the TV off! Go for a walk, play with your kids, do a puzzle, read a book, or do something else that relaxes you.
6. Make fresh fruits and vegetables a large part of your daily meals. Salads, smoothies and just plain cut up fruits and veggies are an easy way to get your 5 – 10 a day.
7. Get enough sleep and rest – that’s when your body does the repair and healing work.
8. Stay connected – keep in touch with family and friends. Healthy relationships contribute to a healthy mind, body and spirit.
9. Make time for yourself. It’s just as important to stay connected with yourself. Take a walk, meditate, spendquiet time in nature. Breathe! Deep breaths calm you down.
10. Remember to have FUN! Laugh, play, sing or anything else that brings you joy

Reminder: as a gift to all of you for a happy, healthy, peaceful 2008, both are “pay-what-you-can” events – bring a friend or family member with you! Please remember to register, so I can prepare adequately for the number of people attending:

Learn how to take this versatile ingredient from appetizer to dessert. You’ll learn about the different types of tofu, and which recipes work best with each type.

• Tofu fingers – will make you forget about chicken fingers
• Crustless mini “quiche” – you can impress your guests, and they’ll never know the quiche is eggless
• Tease cake – say goodbye to fatty cheesecake, hello to yummy tease cake!
• Creamy dressings without the cream

We’ll feast on all the items we make in class, and you’ll get additional recipes to take home. But more importantly, you’ll be adept enough to work with this ingredient to be able to incorporate it into your own recipes with tasty results.

Limited to 16 people – first come, first serve.

Please email info@evolvingappetites.com or call 416-491-9904 to register.

Learn how to incorporate more plant-based meals into your lifestyle for a healthier you. This seminar addresses your fears, concerns and questions about nutrition and navigating the social scene. If you’ve ever thought, “What will I eat? Where will I get my calcium? Iron? B12? What will I do when I go out to a restaurant?” Then this seminar is for you. We’ll cover basic nutrition, menu planning, kitchen tips, how to handle social and business situations, and of course, you’ll get recipes to take home. Note: this is NOT a cooking class.

Please email info@evolvingappetites.com or call 416-491-9904 to register.

The Story of Stuff

This is a free, 20-minute, on-line video that will forever change the way you shop. Now that the holiday shopping madness is over, perhaps this inspiring video will help you plan for a saner 2008 holiday season. The information is truly mind-blowing.

Here’s the link: www.storyofstuff.com

I’ve been consuming green smoothies for breakfast religiously since I got home from my travels in March. They’re a wonderful way to start the day – very alkalizing, and help your body continue the detoxification and healing that takes place while you’re sleeping.

Blending breaks down the fibre and cell walls of the fruits and vegetables, making it easier for your body to absorb the nutrients in them. I know it may sound strange at first – but give it a try – they actually taste good. While the book “Green for Life” provides specific recipes, I’m providing general guidelines here – you can make your own combinations using your imagination, and use your own taste buds as guides to what works best for you. Invest in a 1-litre (1-quart) bottle or stainless steel thermos. Take your time – drink throughout the morning to stay energized and feeling full. Enjoy!

Sweet smoothies – blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth

Try to vary the greens and fruit throughout the week to give yourself as much variety as possible. Use sprouts whenever possible – e.g. Alfalfa, clover, pea shoots, etc.

Savory smoothies (better than a salty, over-processed store-bought vegetable juice that’s void of enzymes due to pasteurization)

By the way, if you’re not a morning person, or don’t have time to make smoothies in the morning, then make them at another time of day that suits you better. The important thing is to get the greens into your body.

Loblaws update - FREE EVENTS!

“What’s for Dinner?” - cooking demos - no need to register - just show up.

A note regarding February – I had originally scheduled 4 different “What’s For Dinner” cooking demo dates at various Loblaws stores. However, it has come to my attention that all recipes for February come from Loblaws head office. Since it’s unlikely that many (or any) of them will be 100% plant-based, I’ll be rescheduling the February dates to March or April. Rescheduled dates will be posted on the events page at:

http://www.evolvingappetites.com/html/events.html

I apologize for any inconvenience. Please note that the evening seminar at Bayview Village Loblaws on Wednesday, February 20^th remains unchanged.

Evolving Appetites wishes you much peace, joy and abundance for the New Year!

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Tell us what you think – is the newsletter too long, too short, or just right? What would you like to see more of? Less of? Tell us your veggie success story, and we’ll publish it [we reserve the right to edit for space and clarity]. Contact us at info@evolvingappetites.com

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DISCLAIMER: This site does not provide medical advice. This website is for information purposes only. The nutritional information on this site is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health practitioner with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Evolving Appetites and its owner accept no liability for any injury arising out of the use of material contained herein, and make no warranty, express or implied, with respect to the contents of this publication.