Vitality Foods  - January 2016 - Santa Fe

Transcending Main Stream Nutrition for a Healthier- Happier You, 2016 and Beyond!

By Valeria Alarcón

 

It’s a new year and with each rising sun we have an opportunity to make wiser and healthier choices. As you know, the New Year ignites the motivation to get healthier, which some times tends to have short-lived effects as most motivations are driven by superficial desires, for example to loose weight or to look younger. But imagine if you could wake up each morning springing out of bed, feeling revitalized, energized and full of joy and excitement for your day ahead. Imagine feeling a consistent level of energy, stamina, mental clarity and a zest for life. Imagine feeling strong and healthy, and looking in the mirror with a deep sense of love and commitment for the beautiful vessel you embody and for your life. Imagine… for a moment what a long-life of health and vitality can be and feel like; imagine taking the first steps towards the new you, with each new day and with each new choice.

 

Integrative nutrition supports you to address your specific needs for creating an integrated self (body, mind, spirit) so that you may heal from the inside our and attain the health, vitality and longevity you desire. It’s not just what you eat, it is how you feel and think about yourself that feed your overall sense of wellness. Here are the pillars of how to experience a healthier – happier you, 2016 and beyond!

 

Body-Mind Connection: Your body produces a bio-chemical reaction to the way you think, feel and act. Experiencing stress, anxiety, anger, or depression can have an array of effects like fluctuating metabolism such as weight loss or weight gain. Another example is having poor emotional health can lead to a weaken immune system, making you more susceptible for contracting viral infections. Understanding how to support your body-mind connection will ensure a deepening of the integrated self.

 

Bio-Individual Nutrition: Addressing your bio-individual nutritional needs goes beyond how many servings of vegetables per day are required for attaining health. Everyone has different nutritional needs, and your specific needs are based on your age, gender, blood type, Ayurvedic dosha, hormonal profile, nutritional deficiencies, food allergies and health concerns. Do you know your specific nutritional profile and needs?

 

Primary Foods: Creating life/work balance, knowing how to management your stress, knowing what feeds your heart, ignites your soul, feeds your senses and brings more joy to the world  makes for a thriving existence. Do you know your primary foods?

 

Butternut Squash Soup with Seared Scallops

 

1 medium size butternut squash, cut length-wise and seeded

1 red apple of your choice

½ sweet white onion

1 teaspoon of minced ginger

1 cup of coconut cream

4 cups of chicken broth or vegetable broth

1 cup of your favorite sprouts

1 lbs of Atlantic scallops

 

1. In a large pot, add a table spoon of coconut oil, in medium high heat add all ingredients and sauté for five mintues

2. Add broth and bring to boil, simmer on low for 35 minutes

3. Add coconut cream and cook for five minutes

4. Mix all ingredients with a hand mixer

5. In a frying pan, add a teaspoon of coconut oil, sear the scallops on medium high to taste

6. Serve butternut squash soup with a garnish of spouts and three seared scallops

7. Bon Appetite! Enjoy!