Nina Stout Wellness

2010-05-10T12:10:00.000-07:00

REFRESHING.....
JICAMA, JALAPENO, CILANTRO SALAD

...jicama is a high fiber, low calorie food from the bean family; it is often referred to as the Mexican or Chinese potato.

INGREDIENTS:
1 fresh, whole Jicama (peeled & cut into ½ inch cubes)
1-2 fresh jalapenos, seeded & diced
1 cup fresh cilantro (washed & destemmed)
1 cup dried cranberries
4 fresh, green onions (diced)
1 whole lime
½ cup canola oil

DIRECTIONS:
•In large bowl or Tupperware, combine cut jicama cubes with diced jalapenos, cilantro, diced green onions, and cranberries (can substitute chopped red pepper, if preferred).
•Toss ingredients together, and then squeeze juice from one lime over mixture.
•Drizzle oil over mixture, and add salt and pepper to taste.
•Chill and enjoy as a side dish along with other salads or a meal.

Refueling my business with 'primary' food!!

2009-12-16T10:15:00.000-08:00

For the past couple of years, I’ve gone down to Florida in March with some of my friends and colleagues from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) -- the school in NYC where I received my training in health counseling.

Leading up to the trip I’m always very busy with both family and work obligations, and fretting about how I’ll be able to pull off being away for 3 days. It’s hard to tear myself away from my family and the every day responsibilities, and head to the airport for the trip….but, as soon as I’m safely at the Miami airport and feeling the warm humidity on my skin, I begin to relax.

Once reunited with my friends from IIN we immediately get in sync with this unique and invigorating rhythm we have…it’s one that melds all our roles as….mothers, wives, health counselors, daughters, sisters, aunts, nieces, entrepreneurs, IIN alumni, idealists, foodies, and those desperately in need of some R&R&R (rest, relaxation and RECHARGING).

While in Miami, I eat lightly, and yet I'm hardly ever hungry. I don’t get very much sleep, and yet I’m never tired. I feel like I can do anything (I even go running on the beach…although running's really not my thing.) What happens to me on this Miami retreat? PRIMARY FOOD....it is all of those things that fill you up, but are not served on a plate. Nourished by the support of my peers, food and sleep become secondary to my well being during this time. Like-minded colleagues are generous with their ideas and encouragement; we all come together to help one another and this fuels my passion for my work and theirs (a little dancing and fun on the town doesn't hurt either :) you'll see the pics below!)

The Miami health counseling retreat is like a shot of professional confidence (seriously, it's not all about the night clubs....we get up in the morning after being out at night and work all day in professional sessions). Taking the time to focus on my business with my peers reminds me that my work as a health counselor is important, and it's confirmation that I'm not alone in the challenges I face. This retreat is the primary food that feeds my desire to take my work to the next level. It is what allows me to recommit to my mission of being part of the solution we need in America as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, asthma, cancer, mental illness and so many other debilitating diseases infringe upon our quality of life and become of increasing concern to our country’s wellbeing.

I don’t have a retreat planned for 2010 yet, but it is a worthwhile investment in myself and my work to plan in ‘primary food’ for my business. As 2009, comes to a close, here's a shout out to my IIN buddies! I wish you all the best in your lives and in your health counseling endeavors in the coming year. Let's get together soon!!! :)

Surviving the holidays with Nina

2009-11-23T12:58:00.000-08:00

If you would like to "Survive the Holidays" with Nina's help this season, email to get started on your personalized plan: nina@ninastoutwellness.com

Thanksgiving sides: Beet Carrot Parsnip Fennel Extravaganza

2009-11-23T12:40:00.000-08:00

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Yields: 4 servings

Ingredients: 3 big carrots
5 small beets
2 parsnips
1 fennel bulb
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Directions:
1. Scrub all the vegetables.
2. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
3. Chop vegetables into two-inch pieces and chop fennel bulb finely.
4. Mix vegetables with oil and sea salt. Transfer to a baking sheet/dish.
5. Bake covered for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for 15 more minutes.

Thanksgiving Appetizers: Heavenly Homemade Hummus

2009-11-23T12:38:00.000-08:00

Ingredients:
1 can garbanzo beans (drain liquid from can & set aside)
¼ cup liquid from beans
3 Tbspns Tahini paste (Shoprite)
4 Tbspns olive oil
Juice from ½ lemon, squeezed
2 cloves fresh garlic, crushed (optional)
½ tspn paprika
½ tspn onion powder (optional)
pinch sea salt

Directions:
Blend all ingredients together in a food processor, place in bowl and serve with veggies.

Thanksgiving side

2009-11-20T08:29:00.001-08:00

Butternut squash is a great side for Thanksgiving dinner. It also goes along excellently with game dishes such as venison, joined by a side of bitter, leafy greens such as broccoli rabe.

Read up on how to make butternut squash the easy and cost-effective way....

Great American Smokeout Challenge

2009-11-19T08:49:00.000-08:00

Today, November 19th, 2009 is the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout Challenge...read more

What's for dinner?

2009-11-04T08:47:00.000-08:00

It's easy, hearty, tasty, nutritious and cost-effective...find out more here

Scary good chocolate: raw, organic, and naturally sweet

2009-10-30T12:40:00.001-07:00

FIND OUT HERE HOW TO MAKE SCARY GOOD CHOCOLATE!!!

CONDIMENT SPOTLIGHT: UME PLUM VINEGAR & RECIPE

2009-10-23T09:01:00.000-07:00

GINGER BROILED SALMON

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Yields: 4 servings

Ingredients:
4 4-ounce wild salmon fillets
2 teaspoons fresh grated ginger
1-2 clove garlic
2 tablespoons umboshi plum vinegar
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1/4 cup water

Directions:

1. Mix the vinegar, oil, water, and ginger. Place the fish in a baking dish and marinate in sauce for 30 minutes.
2. Preheat broiler, then broil fish skin side down for 6-8 minutes, depending on how you like your salmon cooked.
3. Baste once or twice while broiling. Serve, using the remaining marinade as sauce.

2009-10-14T13:31:00.001-07:00

I'M NOT GETTING A FLU SHOT...READ WHY...

2009-10-14T13:28:00.000-07:00

CHECK OUT MY FLU SHOT ARTICLE ON EXAMINER.COM

Wellness Service Offerings Now Up On My Web Site

2009-10-08T08:40:00.000-07:00

My Wellness Services & Event offerings are now detailed online and available for purchase. To celebrate this exciting next step in my business, if you sign up for a wellness service (other than a health history consult) or schedule a wellness event before the end of October, you will receive one free health counseling session (value $115) by phone.

2009-10-07T19:30:00.001-07:00

I am the Denver Health & Happiness Examiner ;) Check it out! http://www.examiner.com/x-25675-Denver-Health-and-Happiness-Examiner

COFFEE...Come Over For Free Energy Everyday? I Don't Think So.

2009-09-29T20:09:00.000-07:00

I FOUND THIS QUOTE ON A WEBSITE RECENTLY….

Do you know that coffee means:"Come Over For Free Energy Everyday"?

I think it’s a funny quote, but just like anything else, we all know there is no FREE. We pay for things one way or another.

Here are some ways we may pay for that perceived energy that coffee is thought to provide…we pay through deficits in our long-term health:

1. Stress
Caffeine stimulates the excretion of stress hormones, which can produce increased levels of anxiety, irritability, muscular tension and pain, indigestion, insomnia, and decreased immunity. Increased levels of stress can keep you from making healthy responses to normal daily stress.

2. Emotional Disturbances
Anxiety and irritability are hallmark mood disturbances associated with caffeine consumption, but equally important are depression and attention disorders. Depression may occur as part of the letdown after the stimulant effects of caffeine wear off. It may also appear during the recovery period after quitting caffeine while the brain's chemistry is readjusted. Rather than increasing mental activity, caffeine actually decreases blood flow to the brain by as much as 30%, and negatively effects memory and mental performance.

3. Blood Sugar Swings
Diabetics and hypoglycemics should avoid caffeine. Caffeine stimulates a temporary surge in blood sugar followed by an overproduction of insulin, which causes a blood sugar crash within hours. This rollercoaster causes weight gain since insulin's message to the body is to store excess sugar as fat.

4. Gastrointestinal Problems
Many people experience a burning sensation in their stomach after drinking coffee because coffee increases the secretion of hydrochloric acid, which leads to an increased risk for ulcers. Coffee, including decaf, reduces pressure on the valve between the esophagus and the stomach so that the highly acidic contents of the stomach pass up to the esophagus, which can lead to heartburn and gastro-esophageal reflux disease. No wonder the best selling over-the-counter drugs are the so-called antacids.

5. Female Health Problems
Fibrocystic breast disease, PMS, osteoporosis, infertility problems, miscarriage, low birth weight, and menopausal problems such as hot flashes are all exacerbated by caffeine consumption. Women on birth control pills are particularly at risk since they have a decreased ability to detoxify caffeine.

Adapted from Caffeine Blues: Wake Up to the Hidden Dangers of America's #1 Drug, by Stephen Cherniske. Warner Books, $13.95.

2009-09-28T08:52:00.000-07:00

"Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome."
-Samuel Johnson

The Autumn Detox Diet Program is kicking off tomorrow! WHO'S IN?????

2009-09-21T08:19:00.000-07:00

Finally mainstream media is speaking out!

Dr Sanjay Gupta, CNN’s medical expert, just reported that cell phone’s are challenging to the health of the brain. They are even more detrimental to children because their bodies are not yet fully formed. He uses an earpiece on a long wire attached to his cell phone, or uses speaker phone.

I don’t want to put anything in my ear or be attached to a wire and phone. I am reminding you about Ray Aways...the tiny chip you easily adhere to the back or side of your cell phone (easy instructions provided) to direct harmful radiation away from your brain. It works on all cell phones as well as cordless phones you use in the house. It needs no maintenance. Just put it on the phone and forget about it. If you switch to a new phone, you can remove it and reapply with new adhesive.

They are $24 each or $22 for 2 or more, shipping included. They were developed in Norway who is light years ahead of us in understanding the detriments of cell phone use.

If you are interested, I have written a booklet about the subject, The Cell Phone Dilemma...options for protecting your health in an unseen world. ($8). You might want to give it as a gift with the Ray Away or just by itself, to open the eyes of loved ones to the fact that cell phones are not the benign devices they think they are.

Please protect yourselves and your family. It takes years for brain tumors to show up. If you are a heavy cell phone user, or your children use them, don’t think it’s OK because you are not seeing negative effects now.

Please share this information with others.

Stay well!
Nina

*Information compliments of Andrea Candee, MH, MSC

2009-09-18T15:55:00.000-07:00

ARE YOU READY FOR A CHANGE?

WHY 'WEIGHT'?

Jump into the autumn detox diet.

Teleclass to be released on the first day of fall: 9/22/09

Visit: www.ninastoutwellness.com to sign up for the program!

2009-09-08T10:48:00.000-07:00

AUTUMN GROUP DETOX DIET PROGRAM
CONDUCTED BY PHONE & EMAIL

Like early spring, early autumn provides an ideal opportunity to cleanse the body and prepare body and mind for the seasonal changes ahead. A cleansing or detoxification diet will give a boost of energy, flush out excesses and improve organ function.

THREE DAY WHOLE FOODS GUIDED GROUP PROGRAM: 9/29/09-10/1/09

Introductory Teleclass:

Available from Tuesday, September 22nd

Daily Group Email Support for All Registered Participants:

Monday, September 28th through Friday, October 2nd

This is a very gentle way to kick some old habits and instill healthier eating. It is a great stand along program or it can be done as a way to ease into a more structured and long term program.
The 3-day detox diet is based on eating a whole grain and fresh/organic vegetable diet with a protein option.

This diet is both nourishing and cleansing; it will help you to feel lighter and more energized.
During the detox diet,we give the body a break from sugar, refined foods, caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol so as to strengthen the system overall.

Information about the program will be available by TELECLASS which you may listen to at your convenience beginning on Tuesday September 22nd, and through documents which will be emailed to you directly.

The detox diet begins Tuesday morning, September 29th, and ends on Friday morning, October 2nd at breakfast.

Once you have completed your online registration, your call in number will be emailed to you.
After you have listened to the teleclass you will receive an information packet with more detailed instructions.

During the week of the 28th you will receive daily emails from me and I will be availble by email to help you with any questions or concerns.

TO REGISTER NOW PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK

2009-09-03T10:18:00.000-07:00

I'm going to be leading a group detox diet program at the end of the month. It's just a quick 3 day program that is great for anyone and everyone. We'll do it Tuesday 9/29 through Thursday 10/1. It'll be right before my birthday. I need to cleanse mind and body prior to THIS one. Yes, 29 again! More information to follow soon.

2009-08-31T10:00:00.000-07:00

Kids after the first day of school last week!

2009-08-31T09:50:00.000-07:00

this was us leaving CT mid-August...

Getting Settled in Colorado

2009-08-28T10:18:00.000-07:00

We've just about made it through the first week of school here in Colorado. The kids are making friends and getting to know their new school. Thumbs up all around! :)