December 2014

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Wrapping the Year Up

By Martha D'Adamo

It is hard for me to believe that December has arrived and with it the approaching end of another year.  In so many ways, I honestly don't know where the time has gone; when I take the time to look back, I am astonished by how much has been accomplished within the span of twelve months.

I am committed this month to keeping things simple and to wrapping up all outstanding projects, promises, and tasks that I undertook this year so I go into the new year without any encumbrances or incompletions.  In those instances where it is out of my control or dependent on someone else to follow through, I will make sure that I've done all that I could to complete my responsibilities as well as set up some specific goals/timelines for the new year so that there is a plan for the upcoming year.

I know it is so difficult to stay grounded during this time as well.  There's so much extra activity going on with holiday plans, parties, and shopping, in addition to all the year end work for the businesses that has to happen.   I am also committing to some self-care/self-preservation so I can really enjoy the season rather than feel frazzled and burnt out.  In order for this to work and not become another thing to do, I've kept it simple, and I'd love to share my plan with you:

• Two, five minute "meditations" daily, in the am and pm.  With so much gadgetry in our lives, we all have access to some sort of timer, whether it is an app on our phones or computers, or even a kitchen timer.  Just five minutes, slow down my breathing, relax my shoulders, close my eyes. 
• Watch the sugar consumption…so hard to do this time of year!  I will enjoy, but limit holiday treats to three times a week, and give my body a break on the other four days (speaking of sugar, be sure to check out our delicious and healthy holiday cookie recipes!).
• Take time to do something nice for someone else.  Not a gift per se, but the gift of time.  There's always someone who could use some kindness, and research shows that doing something kind for someone increases our own levels of happiness.
• Breathe.  Three deep, belly-full breaths.  You cannot stay stressed when you are breathing, and these can be done while standing on line, sitting in traffic, before a meeting starts, while waiting to pick up the kids.  It requires nothing other than awareness and remembering to do it!

There's lots of great info in this issue that will help make your holiday season the best possible, from managing your holiday expectations, a holiday essentials check list, and a great profile of a personal trainer in Australia.

Enjoy the issue, and join me in wrapping up the year on a high note—no would have/could have's, no regrets, and as stress free as possible.

Wishing you all a wonderful month and a happy and healthy holiday season.

Martha

Letting Go Of Holiday Expectations

Lights are twinkling on trees, carols are lilting over loudspeakers, and department store Santa's are spreading holiday cheer. You should be happy, right? Instead, you just feel stressed...and maybe even a little depressed. Many times, we set our holiday expectations are so high that you can't possibly reach them, and unlike that elf on a shelf, we can't just appear and disappear at will. Lightening your mental load of common expectations may relieve some of the holiday pressure and, possibly, set your spirit free.

Myth #1: Everyone should be happy...all the time.
Commercials show happy, smiling families opening the front door to their festively decorated home to welcome family and friends. Frequently, real life isn't like that. Rifts between family members, illness, death, financial difficulties, and joblessness, all create stress and feelings of sadness. This season, instead of being wrapped up in what you should be feeling, accept that you situation is unique and allow yourself to take one day at a time. Breathe, and accept the moments of joy when they come.

Myth #2: I'm going to create the perfect (fill in the blank).
Forget about perfection. Consciously let it go. If you strive for perfection, you'll almost never get there. Instead, embrace the imperfections. Let the kids hang all the decorations on the bottom branches of the tree, plan simpler meals in lieu of multi-course feasts, decorate the house because you enjoy it - not because you feel that you "have" to do it.

Myth #3: They're going to love this gift!
Some people spend hours in the mall agonizing over finding the perfect gift for that special person. They're setting themselves up for disappointment if the person opening the gift is not completely overwhelmed. Today, there's so much pressure on gift-giving and so little on gratitude. In reality, if you're trying so hard to find a gift for someone, that person probably has just about everything they need. More and more people are finding that giving experiences, instead of a physical gift, is often more appreciated, and more enjoyed than receiving a "thing." In addition it need not be expensive! Take inspiration from what your special person loves to do - for the nature lover, book a Saturday and go for a hike and treat her to lunch. For the movie buff - purchase tickets for a local theater and go out for coffee afterwards. Enjoying the moment and shared experiences deepen relationships and are much more rewarding than objects...and memories are much easier to store than sweaters!

Personalized Living Contributor Mark Moon
Featured in Australian Magazine

One of our favorite exercise gurus, Mark Moon of Mark Moon Fitness, has been featured in the November 21st issue of a popular Australian magazine! Mark shared his tips for healthy living with TV Soap Magazine, a celebrity-driven lifestyle publication. Focusing on the Blood Type Diet and its corresponding exercise recommendations, Mark offered nutrition advice and four blood type specific workout circuits to get bikini ready for the beach! Way to go, Mark!

Holiday Essentials Checklist

By Ann Quasarano

Here come the energy zapping days of holiday parties, family gatherings, and stress inducing trips to the mall. Stay on top of your game with our must-have products for getting through the season without losing your mind or blowing your diet!

1. Deflect - Aunt Mimi is famous for her triple fudge brownies. Keep Deflect on hand for those moments when you just can't say no.
2. Cortiguard/Catechol - Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo's herbal formula instantly calms and relaxes when you feel under pressure. Cortiguard is best used in type A & B, and Catechol is blood type specific for types O and AB.
3. Hepatiguard - Don't be a Scrooge, enjoy a glass of wine while protecting your liver from holiday spirits. Choose Hepatiguard.
4. Gastro-D Complex - Tummy upset? Gastro-D Complex is formulated with natural stomach soothers.
5. Methyl 12 Plus - Feel like you can't go – go – go anymore? Maintain your natural energy levels with our best-selling B12 formula.
6. Proberry Liquid - All that running around can tax your immune system! Proberry Liquid provides the wellness support your whole family needs.
7. Genoma Skin 5 Pack - Maintain a beautiful holiday glow throughout the season! Our Genoma Skin line protects your skin from the drying effects of winter weather.

Ho Ho Healthier Holiday Baking!

Gluten free, wheat free, sugar free...yet, amazingly delicious treats to share at the holidays.

Healthier Rice Crispy Treats

A healthier version of your old standby!

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups of puffed rice cereal
• ⅓ cup of cocoa powder
• 6 tablespoons of pure maple syrup
• 5 tablespoons of butter
• 2 tablespoons of almond or peanut butter
• Small cupcake papers

How to make it:

In a saucepan over medium heat, add the butter, cocoa powder, maple syrup and nut butter and melt until the mix is smooth. Place puffed rice in a mixing bowl and pour in melted ingredients. Mix until all the puffed rice has been covered in chocolate. Scoop into cupcake papers and freeze for 20 minutes. Enjoy!

Almond Spice Cookies

A delicately flavored holiday favorite.

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 1 cup rice flour
• 1 ½ cups almond meal
• ½ cup agave syrup
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger (optional)

How to make it:

Preheat oven to 300°F. Prepare cookie sheets by greasing them or covering with parchment paper. Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl. Drop by teaspoonful onto cookie sheets. Bake for 10 minutes. Let cool. Store in an airtight container or zip lock bag

Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

Don't like oatmeal cookies? Just wait until you try these!

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups of oats
• 2 cups of black beans (rinsed drained)
• ½ cup of pure maple syrup
• 2 heaping tablespoons of cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons of butter

How to make it:

Heat oven to 350°F. Place beans, syrup, cocoa powder and butter in a food processor and blend until smooth. Grease cookie sheet with butter. Scoop cookie mix by the tablespoon and place on cookie sheet, pushing down to form thin circles. Bake for 20 minutes. Let cool before serving

Find more delicious, simple to prepare recipes in the Eat Right for Your Type Personalized Cookbooks (great budget-friendly gifts at only $19.80 each).