Mindfulness so sweet...

Today has been perfection, and I know it. I Mindfulness so sweet...

Why was the day perfect? It started with a spin class that I didn't believe would be so great, but it was closeby and easy...turned out to be amazing. (only problem- the teacher was a sub...oh well life) I was so happy sweating away, there is such a great feeling when the legs are burning and the sweat is dripping! Exercise, nothing like it. When it is part of your everyday world you don't feel well without it. So that was first thing... then I got home where my house was almost filled with sleeping boys. I love cooking a great breakfast when they are all around. The scene was that of a messy, relaxed kitchen, boys eating away and my oldest sitting amongst us from Spain. He was skyping with us and we put the computer on the table as if he was munching and enjoying with us. Beautiful music playing and sweet smells begining to emerge... those of a holiday meal to be.

Happy Thanksgiving, may it be filled with love, laughter, and mindfulness. xo ginny

The Holiday Time

I was talking to a friend of mine who was saying she is incapable of not putting on pounds between now and the new year. She talked as if it was inevitable. It's not. It is a thought that if you believe it instead of challenging it, it will become the inevitable. It is the same way for aging, if you believe you should feel worse every year you will. If you decide to live your life with the freedom of not carry those thoughts with you but live with vitality you will.

Instead of choosing to eat what is in front of you without thinking or questioning decide now and yes, during the holiday season to take control. Instead of feeling like an overstuffed turkey at the end of the thanksgiving meal take control by making healthy choices. Add your clean vegetables. They are magnificent, the colors, the taste. Yes maybe for some they are an acquired taste. Possibly it is your time to embrace it instead of shrugging your shoulders.

I was recently sitting next to a gentleman at a dinner that I didn't know very well. We got to talking and when I told him what I did with Mindful Organics he started discussing his love for sausages and hotdogs. Felt everyone needed a lot of nitrates in their diet. Yes he looks like he eats alot of hot dogs. Yet he then goes on to say that the aging process is purely genetic... I beg to differ. Make up your mind push through your wants and take care of your needs. Thanksgiving morning get your exercise. Take a spin class, sweat it out in yoga. Just move. xo ginny

Home

Home...usually I am so anxious to return. This time I could have stayed much longer if we could have just gotten Mark, Kevin and the beautiful Miss Bear over to us.

The trip came at a perfect time we had just come back from visiting our son Michael at his school in Chicago and I was finally beginning to feel that I would be ok with him away. My younger kids spent the weekend telling Michael how I am just not the same since he left- mourning his departure. I realized it was a good kick in the pants, a wake up call. The wake up continued with our visit to our oldest watching him as our tour guide through Oveido. (Mind you we did have some doubts on how his Spanish immersion was going...still spoke like an american with a really bad accent) I realized he too was ok and I needed to be as well. I did still have 2 at home which for many is a full house.

The trip was the most laid back one we have taken in so long. We slept late into the mornings had no true agendas, my husband always the trip planner, had loose plans but no reservations anywhere. Ended up by staying in fantastic places as everything seemed empty.

We watched as people spent their evenings socializing around tables, no check being brought until you practically begged for it. No one seemed to rush anywhere. Dinners were so leisurely and enjoyable watching all the drama of the families multi generational together. I actually don't remember laughing so hard so many times that I was bent over from it.

Here is where Mindfulness comes in- I brought back fresh prospective, life is lived at the pace we make it. We have commitments to so many people, organizations, our professions and of course and foremost family. I think though we forget about the responsibility to oneself...time for reflection so we grow wiser (and saner), time for solitude to embrace ourself and our uniqueness. The option not to answer a ringing phone, but instead enjoying great music, great conversation, or for me at times being lost in the private world of my garden. Namaste...xo ginny

Fabadas de almejas

I brought one of my favorite books with me to review on the trip. The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth by Jonny Bowden. Since we are eating alot of clams  in my favorite dish Fabada de Almejas I decided to check out what the book had to say about them. Here goes... Clams are one of the richest sources of iron on the planet, containing many times the amount found in beef liver. And 3 ounces of clams provides a whopping 700% of the daily value vitamin B12 , plus 66% of the daily value for iron. 

The other major component in the fabada is the white beans, beans are a  major source of fiber, which is associated with lower risks of heart disease, diabetes, obesity and cancer. They are also a  good source of protein. They digest slowly, providing sustained energy and keeps our blood sugar levels staple. They also lower cholesterol and are loaded with protective phytochemicals, antioxidants, and vitamins.  Here's to fabadas and good health...I will figure out how to make a great pot of it when I get home and then share the recipe.  So good.   xo ginny

Oviedo

Oviedo, is in the Asturias region of Spain, the northern most section. We flew into Madrid and then waited a couple of hours for our flight to Asturias. (we actually had coffee with our dear friend Stevie who also was on a layover in Madrid- he was heading to Mallorca for a guys bike trip) Our son was waiting at the airport flowers in hand! The drive to the town from the airport takes you through beautiful rural pastureland and then into this beautiful, charming town of 200,000. I thought we would crash out on our arrival but pushed through and sat down for lunch at 4:30 local time. The restaurant was  typical of this area. Tile floors so the pouring of the sidra hitting the floors only needs to be hosed down at the end of the night. Sidra is the specialty drink of this region,  cider laced with some kind of alcohol. It is poured by the waiter two feet or so above your glass almost backwards. A true show. You are then supposed to gulp it like a shot. The bottle is left on your table but the waiter does all the pouring. (personally didn't like it,  must be an acquired taste.) The food here is based on seafood and pork. The fish I had at lunch was a white fish prepared a la plancha. Delicious. My husband and son had the regional dish of fabada a stew of white beans with either sausage or clams. They had one of each. I ordered a side of vegetables which was just simply ignored. The atmosphere was crowded, loud and so festive. It was so perfect! We crashed out at 7:30 and ate dinner at 11 we are definitely adapting to the spanish customs quickly. We had sardines, pulpo, and more fabado, the simplest food here is so fresh and prepared simply.  When we left at 1am the place was still loud and vibrant with all age groups including families with kids in tow. 

This morning we are having some tea and ordered a fruit plate, a basket arrived with apples, oranges,  kiwis, and a knife. Definitely a different way of serving fruit but the diet here is not fruit and vegetable oriented. (though the fruit was so delicious) You must make it work for yourself.       

Loving it here.  xo ginny

off to visit Scott

My oldest son Scott is studying in Oviedo Spain and I haven't seen him since August.  Too long for sure. Though I guess you can't say I haven't seen him,  I have actually watched his hair grow in from a bad haircut to getting really long and crazy now. Courtesy of skype! I get the text, skype today mom? We then set our time (I actually set an alert on my phone can you believe forgot to show up to a couple in the beginning wasn't used to it)  now can't live without it. Technology baby...My husband and I are flying over tonight. We will spend 10 days traveling the seaport towns of Northern Spain and then head into Portugal. No set plans an outline of destinations we want to reach, with no reservations made after the first couple of nights. I am overjoyed at the freedom the trip offers and mostly the thought that my husband and I get to just kick back with this kid we adore who turned out to be an extraordinary man. When you have 4 when does it happen you get to have one to yourselves to travel with, let alone in Europe? We have been reminded to bring heavy coats, told where he will be waiting at the airport...role reversal? Mostly told by Scott he needs us,  his home, what more could parents ask for? Will blog from the trip though not too often as wi fi is limited we are avoiding big cities. Can't wait to be backtowns where no one has huge refrigerators, food is bought from the local farmers,  where the food is so fresh... stay well   xo ginny

random thoughts...again

Sometimes when you are so involved with something you think everyone else is too, sometimes though nobody truly is on your journey.  I use to feel like that alot with the organic world I so love. Boy have things changed though and I just wanted to point out somethings that have just popped out for me lately. The  CSA  for Temple Beth Sholom has grown to have 61 families with a large waiting list. Chaos might happen  tomorrow on our first distribution day but it will be filled with laughter and joy for all the promise of awareness entering our consciousness.

Two days ago I was at Whole Foods ordering an organic turkey for thanksgiving and left my card as they needed phone etc. The next day I heard back... could I drop off some more info on my company they would love to do something together. Just by ordering the right thing to feed my family good things came of it. Get that organic turkey,  karma might come with you too!

One of my first clients for private consultations has sprouted open my business simply by learning how to eat simply and with awareness. When she came to me she looked great to begin with maybe a little fuller than she wanted to be, but she is in the health business herself. Her problem was CRAVINGS she could really lose it. I showed her by eating in a certain style those would go away. They have she feels and looks so amazing!!  She is a walking billboard for Mindful Organics and loves to share and help others. No matter where she goes people are commenting and asking her about her changes. They were so simple, no cookie diet, no counting calories.  Instead learning to treat her body  like a beautiful temple, deserving of the utmost respect... welcoming in  a new way of thinking about food.

My boys and their friend got into the car yesterday after basketball and they were talking about lunch that day. Someone asked Kevin about his mom's involvement with organics and he was so proud. He started talking about how great he always feels and attributes it to the way he eats. He could care less what anyone thought,  and the truth was they were truly interested. Here's to the next generation!

Another moment hit this morning as I gave my kds their breakfast before school... halibut, sweet potatoes and a smoothie full of fruits and flax.  They don't blink an eye. To them this is just breakfast. 

And now I am sitting here and Wed is my favorite newspaper day of the week even better then Sunday. The New York Times Dining Section!! It never disappoints and I so look forward to it.

Today is amazing all dealing with the food movement. The White House's garden, policy making and who is involved (the White House chef) great new cookbooks focused on American Chefs and cooking with simplicity. Try to pick up a Times today you won't be disappointed.

 What a great time we are living in how grateful I am that I get to blog here about my passion. Thanks for letting me share my very random thoughts...xo ginny

Eat your enzymes

Enzymes are complex protein molecules found in all our cells in our bodies. Their purpose is to rebuild cells, break down fats and nutrients and decrease inflammation in the body.  Digestive enzymes produced by our systems are also found in raw fruits and vegetables. (Especially in pineapple, papaya and sprouts) The enzymes keep our systems running at optimal levels. When we eat too much processed foods and not enough raw foods we run the risk of not producing enough enzymes. This is the  reason raw foodists feel so strongly about how high their food can be heated to before the enzymes are killed off. 

Frequently the symptoms of not enough enzymes are bloating, cramping, gas and weight gain.  Enzyme supplements cause better digestiion sometimes with the first dosage. The people who benefit most are those suffering from food intolerances, cystic fibrosis, autism, pancreatitis and those suffering from chronic pain. Enzymes taken in conjunction with probiotics make each do the others job better.

Questions on probiotics? Let me know and I will add a blog on them next.  xo ginny