3/4 cup fresh tangerine juice

1 Tablespoon grated tangerine zest

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup walnut oil

2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

pepper

1 head escarole (about 12 cups)

1 large bunch watercress, stems removed(about 6 cups)

1 (5 oz.) package mixed baby greens

2 persimmons, peeled, halved, and thinly sliced

1/2 cup hazlenuts, toasted, skin rubbed off, and coarsely chopped

In a heavy small saucepan over medium-high heat, boil the tangerine juice and zest until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 5 minutes.  Transfer to a medium bowl.  Whisk in the oils, vinegar, salt, and cinnamon and season to taste with pepper.  Place all the greens and half of the persimmon slices in a large bowl.  Add the dressing and toss to coat.  Divide among ten plates and top with the hazelnuts and the remaing persimmon slices.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL OUR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS !

You might be adding flax to your diet but do you know WHY?  (how many times do you hear someone say “It’s supposed to be good for you” but they don’t know what’s so good about it?  Here’s the scoop on Flaxseed:

There are 3 potentially beneficial components; plant based omega 3 fats, fiber, and disease fighting compounds called lignans. A study done at The Mayo Clinic suggests that 40 grams of crushed flaxseed can cut the frequency of  hot flashes.  There are several reports that it may lower “bad” cholesterol, including an interesting study in China that found those benefits more pronounced in women.  (Note: There are some doctors who suggest that pregnant and nursing women avoid flax until more studies are done.)

Educate yourself to know what’s right for you. If you’re adding flax to your diet it’s important to know that the benefits come from crushed flax seeds since whole flax seeds are not easily digested.

Sugar?
Meat?
Caffeine?
Dairy?
Chemicals?
Tobacco?
Fried foods?
Alcohol?

We all have something that seduces us, that feels so right, yet it’s so very wrong. Sure, the song’s about a man (and it could be a person for you, too) but a lot of times, it’s the little things we forget are bad for us.

Make this song work twice for you. Think about what you’re better off without, and commit to doing without it … and get up and move.

We’re here because we want a better life, a longer life, a healthier life – a life of adventure and excitement and living our dreams. The better we feel in our bodies, the less disease and illness impacts our daily lives, the more we’re going to enjoy life.

But most of us are going to have to get over some things to get there.

What’s holding you back from living your dream?
What can you do about it?

~*~ ~*~ ~*~
If one of the things you have to get over is the idea that fitness is too much effort, or too much time, or too much money… well, get up and move. March in place, or dance, or do some squats or jumping jacks.

Something about summertime gives us happy feet. As in, dancing feet, not penguin feet.

Get moving outside today.

• If that means walking to the bus or subway station with purpose and good posture, then do that. In fact, try walking to the next stop for a little extra exercise.
• If that means taking laps around your office parking lot at noon, then do that. Pack your sneakers and a pair of good socks.
• If that means putting your kids in a wagon or on their bikes or in a stroller and walking around the neighborhood, then do that.
• If that means rollerblading or skateboarding or bicycling in your neighborhood (with or without kids), then do that.
• If that means gardening and weeding and yardwork, then do that.
• If that means basketball or jump rope or tag (with or without kids), then do that.
• If that means a long walk with your dog after dinner, then do that.
• If that means dancing under the stars with your sweetie, then do that.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

After last night’s earthquakes in Japan and the tsunamis in Japan and the Pacific (and even the recent earthquake in New Zealand), we’re reminded that our help will be needed once again. We’re a global village on this planet, and we need to step up and help each other.

March is Red Cross month. Your local Red Cross chapter can use your blood, your money, and your time. You can always give locally, or you can contribute to any global disaster (just make that note with your donation). And they always need blood – if you can’t donate blood, call and volunteer to help at the next blood drive (you can always serve juice).

Of course, if you have other disaster relief organizations you support, give generously to them. Always give to organizations with a good track record for service and low administrative costs (you should be able to check on their website). If you want to help another country, be sure that organization is already established in that country.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Japan and the Pacific.

Hey – is that you?
Could you have had it all?
Did you choose to have less than your heart desires? Less than you deserve?

You could have had it all. And when it comes to your health, you still have a chance to improve it. You may be living with a chronic illness or a common cold, but either way (or anything in between), you can be healthier tomorrow than you are today.

It all comes down to your daily choices. There are so many factors in your control when it comes to health. Take advantage of that, and choose the healthy option – whether that’s a positive attitude, daily exercise, an extra vegetable at your meal, or skipping the coffee for a big glass of water.

Now get up and enjoy the next few minutes while you get moving. The beat of this song encourages bold movements, like kickboxing or squats. Whatever movement you choose, get into it.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~