Here at Hands on Health, we take an integrative approach to health. Our mission is to help improve people's quality of life and optimize well-being. Adding healthy habits should not be a burden. Try out the tips in our Wellness Beet newsletter that resonate with you, and skip the ones that don't. Let's live with more ease.
WELLNESS BITES:
A bite of information from the wellness world
Read The Book of Joy: A heartwarming conversation between Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his holiness, the Dalai Lama, about the nature of true joy and how to find it in our everyday lives. Through stories, jokes, laughter, and wisdom, these two men offer a practical approach to lasting happiness based on eight pillars of joy: tactics to overcome obstacles that confront many of us like fear, stress, anger, grief, illness, and death. This book is so poignant because these two men, who have had lives filled with oppression, violence, and pain, epitomize peace, compassion, and courage and are the most joyful people. You will not regret picking it up, I promise. (Recommendation from Danielle Paciera)
SHAKIN' WITH DANIELLE:
Simple ways to pack superfoods into your diet
A Cup of Gloriously Green Morning Goodness
Start the day with a refreshing smoothie jam-packed with medicinal compounds, antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, fiber, and healthy fats. A green smoothie will not cause blood sugar to spike and crash, or leave you hungry when made properly. Instead, it is a fast way to get an array of healthy ingredients into one meal with little prep or clean-up, and it is easily adaptable to what is in your fridge or freezer. What is the right way to make a shake? Create your base with dark green leafy veggies like kale, watercress, or swiss chard. For a touch of sweetness, add a little low-glycemic antioxidant-rich organic fruit like berries, pomegranate seeds, cherries, local citrus, apples, or pears. Round out the shake with unsaturated fats and fiber from flax or chia, or add avocado for creaminess.
Add some "clean protein" powder. Give a boost with other vegetables, spices (ginger, turmeric, cinnamon), herbs (cilantro, mint, parsley, basil), superfoods (raw cacao nibs), adaptogens, or green powders. Use unsweetened non-dairy beverages and ice to attain the desired consistency. Pour in a glass and sip away!
TAKE (MICRO)ACTION!
Easy-peasy tools to enhance your well-being
Take a sensational walk. Walking slowly, isolate your senses one at a time. Take a moment to savor what you experience. What sounds do you hear? What sensations do you feel on your feet as you step? Do you feel the sun on your skin? A cool breeze? What do you smell? Can you taste anything? Take a moment and observe green leaves or the color of the sky. When we take a moment to tune in to our surroundings, we practice mindfulness. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), mindfulness practice can increase focus and working memory while decreasing stress and emotional reactivity.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: DANIELLE PACIERA
In this issue, we highlight Danielle Paciera, RD, CCN
To make an appointment, email Danielle or book online at her website!
Q. What is different about seeing you versus seeing another nutritionist or dietician, and which term do you prefer?
A. I prefer the term nutritionist as I am using the whole field of nutrition and other integrative therapies, the entire neighborhood, not just a one-dimensional "Band-Aid" approach. I look for the underlying dysfunction causing health problems that keep you from feeling your best. With the client, I discuss things beyond nutrients, including how to eat, the quality of foods, sourcing better, and of course, how to make healthy eating more fun and enjoyable. Together we change the mindset around eating from choosing food for what it does not have to choosing it for what it does have. That means choosing food because of its medicinal effects, color, aroma, and pleasure instead of choosing the food because it is simply low carb or calorie.
Q. How does growing up in an Italian New Orleans family influence you?
A. I want to feed everyone healthy food! I want people to feel nourished and loved through wholesome food.
Q. It's only 11:15 now, but what have you eaten today?
A. A green vegetable smoothie made with organic frozen blueberries, persimmon, protein powder, spirulina, chlorophyll, cacao nibs, prebiotic mix, maca, unsweetened cashew milk, kale, watercress, romaine, dandelion, and radicchio.
Q. What is a fun fact about you?
A. I love to stand on my head! I love the sense of euphoria, calming, and grounding. I particularly love the grounding.
The sweetest joy, the wildest woe is love. What the world really needs is more love and less paperwork.
-Pearl Bailey
