August 2013 Newsletter www.Food4Thoughtdm.com

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The Food You Eat Nourishes The Thoughts You Think..And Thoughts Nourish Your Life!
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Guard well your spare moments. They are like uncut diamonds. Discard them and their value will never be known. Improve them and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

 


Relaxation and Exercise

Summer is often a time for serious play, time off and deep relaxation. Many of us use the summertime to rebuild our reserves for the rest of the busy year. In our work-crazed society we can lose sight of the benefits of slowing down and taking time to rest. Now that summer is in full swing, it’s time to enjoy the restorative powers of reconnecting to your body through movement and relaxation.

The body loves to move. Even though our body is healthiest when it is getting appropriate physical activity, we often feel dread and boredom when we hear the word “exercise”. Think for a moment of what type of movement you would consider fun as opposed to torturous. Perhaps you loathe the idea of a gym, but miss taking dance classes. Maybe you secretly want to try yoga or rollerblading. You could play touch football with your kids, walk with a neighbor in the mornings or go for a swim. The summer offers so many choices – it’s simply up to you to choose which style of movement excites you. Your heart will thank you, your soul will be gratified, your limbs will be more fluid and you’ll sleep better at night.

Summer is a unique time of year when we can do both our relaxation and our movement out in nature. Take a nap in a hammock and enjoy the smell of freshly cut grass. Go to the park and meditate or read under a favorite tree. One of the greatest places to rest in the summertime is by the water. There is something magical and restorative in water, and we naturally crave to be near it, by it or in it. Heading to the water, whether it is the beach, a lake or a kiddy pool, can be relaxing and rejuvenating.

Whether you are relaxing, exercising or both, notice that being outside in nature has a profound way of quieting the mind and reconnecting us to ourselves. Often this relaxation and peace of mind are what our bodies crave the most. So while summer is with us, strap on your sandals and enjoy the rich elements of sun, wind and water and the nourishment that they bring.

 

 
















































































Food Focus: 
Water
 
Most of us are aware of the importance of drinking enough water. Getting our daily dose of water helps our organs perform their functions, keeps our skin clear and hydrated, and allows physical action in our bodies to flow smoothly. Even with this knowledge, it can still be challenging to drink all the water our bodies deserve daily. In the summer, when we tend to play hard, sweat and spend prolonged time in the sun, drinking plenty of water is critical. Those who are not drinking enough may experience poor digestion, sluggish thinking, skin breakouts, headaches, bad breath and general fatigue. 

To start your day right, set a large glass of water by your bed each night and drink it when you wake up. Drinking water first thing in the morning pulls out toxins from the previous day and freshens your system for the day ahead. Keep a bottle of water accessible throughout the day, whether you are on the go or at a desk. Having a bottle of water close by will remind you to take a sip when thirsty. The first sip will usually let you know how much more water you need. A sip or two may be enough, or you may need a big glass. If you drink most of your daily water before early evening, you most likely will not be thirsty before bed. This is good, because drinking before bed and then waking to use the bathroom disturbs your peaceful night’s sleep.

 


The Power of Community

Here is a beautiful story I found about the power of helping others no matter what species (from www.anneortelee.com). Love the analogy that all of us can experience being "bound" some way or at some point...all it takes is the help from ot...hers to move us. Had to share....

A female humpback whale had become entangled in a spider web of crab traps and lines. She was weighted down by hundreds of pounds of traps that caused her to struggle to stay afloat. She also had hundreds of yards of line rope wrapped around her body, her tail, her torso, a line tugging in her mouth.
A fisherman spotted her just east of the Faralon Islands (outside the Golden Gate) and radioed for help. Within a few hours, the rescue team arrived and determined that she was so badly off, the only way to save her was to dive in and untangle her…. a very dangerous proposition. One slap of the tail could kill a rescuer. They worked for hours with curved knives and eventually freed her.
When she was free, the divers say she swam in what seemed like joyous circles. She then came back to each and every diver, one at a time, nudged them, and pushed gently, thanking them. Some said it was the most incredibly beautiful experience of their lives.
The guy who cut the rope out of her mouth says her eye was following him the whole time, and he will never be the same.
May you be so fortunate …To be surrounded by people who will help you get untangled from the things that are binding you. May you
always know the joy of giving and receiving gratitude.
Around each of us, if we look, are people who will help you get untangled or unbound from the things that are binding you. It always helps to know people are there if you look for them. The universe stands ready to help you evolve. And it will feel REALLY GREAT once you are unbound. Even if your binding takes the form of crab traps!

 



 

Upcoming Classes 
 9 Simple Steps to a Healthier Family Diet
August 25th 2:00 - 3:15pm
Location: The Village Learning Centre
733 19th Street, DM
Sign Up/Get More Details!

Preconception Health Series Informational Meeting
August 22nd 6:00-6:30pm
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Preconception Health Series
September 8th - Nov 10th
2:00 - 3:30pm

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Let's Get Cultured! The importance of our Digestive System and the impact of Fermented Foods.
September 18th 6:30 - 8:00pm
Sign Up/Get More Details!

Attain your Health & Wellness Goals in 2013!  

My focus is on empowering and supporting moms at any stage. I believe that  motherhood is the greatest gift, however, becoming a mom changes your life in so many ways. Motherhood  shifts your attention more to others than yourself; as a result, personal goals and desires may be lost. With less focus on self, moms may feel lost, tired, and possibly become unhealthy.  I work with clients to reclaim their health, wellness, and spark (life purpose) back into their life. When we as moms feel that we are able to reclaim a part of our personal self (goals, time for self, etc), health, and life balance, we become more energetic and happy so we can give the best to our family.  
I challenge you to take 30  minutes to have an individualized conversation to discover how you can have more energy,  incorporate your passion into your daily life, and so much more.  Schedule a Free 30 Minute Health Consultation and start uncovering small steps to take to move towards your goals. Obtain an  understanding of the support you can receive to improve your health and wellbeing!
Health Consultations can be done face to face or over the phone.
Contact me at
515-371-3463   mjs0818@gmail.com.




 
 



August Recipe

Ginger Drink

Ingredients

1 pound fresh ginger root
2 quarts water
juice of 2 limes
Grade B maple syrup or agave nectar to taste


 

Directions 
1. Thinly peel the fresh ginger,  
    grate and mix with water in a   
    large saucepan.

2. Bring to a boil and simmer for 4 minutes. Cover the pan and turn off the heat; leave for 24 hours.

3. Strain the liquid through a fine mesh sieve.

4.  Add the lime juice and maple syrup or agave. Stir until dissolved. Serve chilled.

  

 





























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EMAIL UPDATE: The Melanie@Food4Thoughtdm.com email address is experiencing intermittent issues, until resolved please use the email address: mjs0818@gmail.com

Melanie Schmidt
Health Coach
515-371-3463
Mjs0818@gmail.com
www.Food4Thoughtdm.com
Melanie is a Holistic Health Coach and the owner of Food 4 Thought. She believes that the mind, body and soul are all interconnected to create overall health and wellness. As a mom of 2, Melanie understands that the demands of family, working outside of the home, fulfilling personal goals, and maintaining optimal health can be challenging and a delicate balance. As a result, she has taken a strong interest in empowering, supporting, and educating moms and families (or anyone at any stage of their life) to attain health and wellness goals along with life balance. Melanie's passion is to provide individualized or group health coaching support along with health and wellness group classes. Melanie is also the Nutrition and Wellness Coordinator for Willowsong Midwifery Care's Healing Passages Birth and Wellness Center.

For ongoing information, join Melanie on:

Food 4 Thought website      Blog     
 Facebook Page    Mindful Living MeetUp Group

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