Greetings!
Here we are, December. The end of the year and the beginning of holiday craze. Instead of the usual health tips and events, I thought I’d put together something a little different this month. Things you might not normally come across in the holiday season.
As the days grow longer, colder and darker, I hope you can find some time to slow down and be with the true rhythm of the season. We all need some darkness and downtime to balance out all the busyness. In nature, that stillness is important so that seeds can sprout in the spring.
This month, I’m taking time off from my private practice, workshops and speaking engagements to chill out, simplify and work on my writing projects. I’ll be back in action in mid-January 2009. If you’re interested in setting up one on one or small group classes, feel free to contact me this month to set them up for 2009.
Here’s wishes for a happy and healthy December, and hoping you and your family have a wonderful holiday season.
Susan 🙂
| Simplifying the Holidays |
 |
 This holiday season, more than ever, many of us have come to the realization that less can be more. The Center for a New American Dream has loads of great resources to help you consume responsibly to protect the environment, enhance quality of life, and promote social justice. They have a great Si mplify the Holidays page with great ideas. |
| The Reverend Billy & His Church of Stop Shopping! |
|
 The holiday shopping frenzy is upon us, but before you race to the mall to claim your new PlayStation 3, iPod or giant flat-panel TV, you might want to heed the words of the Rev. Billy a.k.a. performance artist Bill Talen. He first caught my attention last year with his movie, What Would Jesus Buy. His message is one you’ve heard before: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. He and his choir deliver this message in a very entertaining way. |
| Give someone an animal this holiday |
|
 Got people on your gift list that already have just about everything? Consider giving a gift of a water buffalo or a flock of ducks this holiday season. By choosing a gift like this, you can help children and families around the world receive training and animal gifts that help them become self-reliant. Heifer International is a non-profit organization whose goal is to help end world hunger and poverty through self-reliance & sustainability. You may have read about Heifer International in the New York Times this past summer about how a goat enabled a young girl from Uganda to get a college education. |
| Looking for unique and useful gift ideas? |
|
 Over the years, I have found a number of great kitchen tools that make my life easier. For instance, my favorite Japanese rice maker that cooks my oatmeal and wakes me up in the morning to a happy Japanese song. Or, my daughter’s favorite new toy, our seltzer maker that is environmentally friendly. You can find info and links to all of these products on my newest blog, SuRu’s Favorite Things. I’ll be adding more links to products and causes in the coming months. |
| December Recipe: White Bean, Winter Squash & Kale Soup |
|
 I found this recipe on Culinate.com last month and have been making it on a regular basis ever since. This delicious, nutritious soup is a great way to get your greens. 1 butternut squash, split in half, seeds removed Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place squash and garlic cloves on a large baking sheet. Drizzle with a little olive oil and rub the oil into the cut sides of the squash; place cut-side down on the baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes or until the squash is tender when pierced with a knife and the garlic is soft. (If the butternut squash is on the large side it may take longer to cook, but remove the garlic after 30 minutes.) Once the squash is cooked through, remove from the oven and set aside to cool. While the squash is cooking, wash, dry, and chop the vegetables and herbs. Add the chicken stock along with the cooking liquid from the beans; add enough additional water to equal 6 cups liquid total. Bring soup to a boil, then simmer. Once the squash is cool enough to handle, scoop the flesh from its skin and cut into chunks. Add this to the simmering broth along with the roasted garlic, squeezed out of its skin and smashed with a large spoon against the side of the pot. Add the cooked beans and the chopped kale. Simmer for another 20 minutes to cook the kale and marry the flavors. Stir in the chopped parsley and season to taste with salt (it may take a lot if neither your broth nor beans were salted) and freshly ground pepper. Serve. |
 |
| Now that the election is over, the real work begins as we look ahead towards January 2009 when Mr. Obama takes office. This website gives you a chance to tell the president what to tackle on day one. It’s a great example of how the Internet has become a tool for discussion on how to create a better world.This site gives you a chance to vote on 9 big issues ranging from terrorism to climate change.
Eat the View is my favorite option in the climate change category. The idea of transforming a few acres of the White House lawn into an organic garden is one idea that is really catching on. Michael Pollan discussed the idea of a White House garden on a recent Bill Moyers Journal on PBS along with a number of other interesting ideas on how we can change our relationship with food to create a better, more sustainable planet. |
