October
The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one. -Mark Twain
Being healthy is not just about eating healthy. It also includes taking care of yourself mentally, physically and spiritually. Feeling stressed and overwhelmed will cause the body to go into survival mode. This survival mode puts our cells into a state of constant stress and we all know stress will make us sick. One way to eliminate some of the stress in your life is time management.
Time Management
Have you ever wished for a few more hours in the day? Why is it that some people seem to get everything done effortlessly and others feel that time constantly eludes them? The secret to managing your time well isn’t working more hours. It is about prioritizing the important things and learning to use the time you have more efficiently and effectively. The secret is working smarter, not harder. Some of us, by nature, organize and get tasks out of the way before we relax, while others of us play first and work later. It is important to first recognize which type you are and whether your style is allowing you to have the life you really want. Maybe you are super-organized at work, but burned out because you don’t know how to make time for yourself. Maybe you are naturally a less organized person who knows how to relax, but you are dissatisfied because you aren’t fulfilling your goals and dreams. Rather than labeling yourself or beating yourself up, realize that time management is an area of your life that you can strengthen. Like a new muscle, it takes practice and repetition to make it stronger. To help you get started, here are some steps to streamline your days at work and at home. Try the first one or two that jump out at you:
? Allocate time for planning and organizing.
? Create to-do lists that are realistic, not intimidating. Use only one to-do list.
? Under-schedule your time: Leave time for the unexpected and for interruptions. When you estimate how long something will take, add on a third of that time.
? Schedule your time in a way that reduces interruptions that lower your productivity.
? Practice the art of intelligent neglect: Eliminate trivial tasks.
? Prioritize what is most important and do that first.
? Consider your biological prime time: At what time of day do you work best? Plan to do your most important work at that time.
? If you say yes to everything that comes your way, learn to say no.
? Ask for help and delegate.
? In the evening make your to-do list for the next day, so it will be out of your brain and on a piece of paper. Leave work with a clear head and a clean desk.
? Acknowledge yourself daily for all that you have accomplished.
Also take a look at the two biggest hindrances to using time effectively: procrastinating and lacking purpose. We usually procrastinate when a task seems too daunting, too large or too complex, or when we feel we won’t be able to handle it. When you get that “deer in the headlights” feeling, try “chunking”: break the large task into smaller, manageable action steps and start with the first one. We also often drag our heels or use our time inefficiently because we are bored, unengaged and uninspired. The most effective people will tell you that they love what they do and are aligned with a greater purpose. When it comes to managing your time, you may need to ask the larger questions, “Am I doing what I love to do? Am I doing something meaningful to me?” As you strengthen your new time management muscle, keep your focus on getting organized so that you can live the life you came here for. Instead of being a chore, good time management can be your ticket to more fun, greater satisfaction and a vibrant, exciting life.
Food Focus: Root Vegetables
The roots of any plant are its anchor and foundation; they are the essential parts that support and nourish the plant. Root vegetables lend these properties to us when we eat them, making us feel physically and mentally grounded and rooted, increasing our stability, stamina and endurance. Roots are a rich source of nutritious complex carbohydrates, providing a steady source of necessary sugars to the body. Instead of upsetting blood sugar levels like refined sweet foods, they regulate them. Since they absorb, assimilate and supply plants with vital nutrients, roots likewise increase absorption and assimilation in our digestive tracts.
Long roots, like burdock, carrots, parsnips and daikon radish, are excellent blood purifiers and can help improve circulation in the body and increase mental clarity. Round roots, like turnips, radishes, beets and rutabagas, are nourishing to the stomach, spleen, pancreas and reproductive organs and can help regulate blood sugar and moods, and alleviate cravings. Some
Recipe of the Month:
Maple Cinnamon Vinaigrette (yields about 1 cup)
Ingredients: Dressing
½ cup oil of choice (I used a mix of olive and flax)
2-3 tbsps balsamic vinegar (start with two; if you like acid, like me, add another at the end)
¼ cup grade B maple syrup or yacon syrup (I used the latter, and it was great)
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsps Dijon mustard
3 tbsps water
¼ tsp salt
Pepper to taste
Directions:
Blend all ingredients in a blender, magic bullet, or food processor until rich and emulsified. Thin with additional water if you need to, but only if. You can also mix this dressing by hand, though it will take a minute for the syrup to break down.
I highly recommend doubling the recipe if you’ve got more than one person in your living space, cause it goes fast! But be sure to preserve some for:
Raw Root Vegetable Salad with Maple Cinnamon Vinaigrette (serves 1 very generously)
Ingredients: Salad
1/3 cup raw carrots, shredded (use two colors for variety, if you like)
¼ cup raw parsnip, shredded
¼ cup raw sweet potato, shredded
¼ cup raw sunchokes, peeled and very thinly sliced
¼ cup dried cranberries (try really hard to find an unsulphered, unsweetened variety)
3 tbsps-1/4 cup maple cinnamon vinaigrette
Directions:
Toss all of the vegetables and the cranberries together. Dress with three tablespoons or a quarter cup of the vinaigrette—adjust to taste—and savor!
www.chosingraw.com
This salad is full of crunch, but shredding the vegetables adequately ensures that it doesn’t make for a frightening first experience with raw roots. In fact, this would be a terrific addition to any fall dinner party menu or Thanksgiving table. It’s sweet and familiar, and it showcases the season’s best produce. Best of all, it’s tremendously nourishing: thanks to all of the tasty roots, it’s high in vitamins A and C, potassium, iron, and a whole lotta fiber.
Forward to a Friend It’s such a pleasure to help those closest to us become happier and healthier. Please forward this newsletter to friends, family members or colleagues who might be interested and inspired by it.



















