August 2005 Newsletter

This Month’s Contents:

• The Beauty of Simplicity
• Virtual Visit to Rancho La Puerta
• Find of the Month: strongwomen.com
• Cuisine Quick Pick: Whole-Grain Salads
• Refer-a-Friend! New Session Starts in September!

The Beauty of Simplicity

Have nothing on your schedule that you do not know to be useful, or that does not bring happiness.

For this month’s theme we paraphrase the words of the 19th century designer William Morris (“Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful”). Perhaps you have found yourself doing an activity that has outlived its purpose. Or maybe you have signed up for a few commitments too many -- that’s something I tend to do.

Overcrowding our schedules can steal time from our true needs such as maintaining relationships with family and friends, or taking care of our health.

Heeding our own advice to find beauty in simplicity, we bring you a brief issue this month to encourage you to head outdoors and savor these days of summer. Walk. Bike. Swim. Hike. Most of all, enjoy.

Be Well,

Cheryl

Virtual Visit to Rancho La Puerta

Life in New England seems to slow down with August’s sultry weather. It’s a fine time enjoy a break. In that spirit, we offer you a Web travelogue about an extraordinary health and fitness destination called Rancho La Puerta, which is in Tecate, Mexico. Words and photos are the work of talented guest contributor David Evans. Dave is Cheryl’s husband as well as a fitness enthusiast.

Click here for a virtual visit:

http://www.thewholebodystudio.com/ranchHome.asp

Find of the Month: strongwomen.com

Recently a client brought to our attention the bookmark-worthy website of Dr. Miriam Nelson. Dr, Nelson is widely known as best-selling author of the Strong Women books, which include Strong Women Stay Young, Strong Women Stay Slim, Strong Women Eat Well, and Strong Women and Men Beat Arthritis.

While strongwomen.com understandably serves as a promotional vehicle for Dr. Nelson’s works, anyone is free to browse the site for advice about staying fit, strong, and healthy. To us, the articles and newsletters sections appear to be the richest in content. Here you will find sensible guidance grounded in facts and research -- exactly what you would expect from this highly respected researcher in exercise and nutrition.

Learn more here:

http://www.strongwomen.com

Cuisine Quick Pick - Whole-Grain Salads

Pasta salads are a staple of the backyard barbeque, but often they are prepared with white-flour noodles and soaked with dressing. Not only do these whole-grain alternatives spare you from boiling a big pot of pasta water in the heat and humidity, but also they pack more nutritional punch for the calories. Did we mention that they have big flavor?

The salads below borrow from the classic Middle Eastern tabbouleh, but they offer a new twist on traditional recipes and flavor combinations. Preparing these salads a few hours or up to a day before serving will allow the flavors to combine.

Bulgur is cracked wheat that has been cooked and dried. Couscous is not a grain, but rather a tiny pasta. If the label doesn’t say “whole wheat,” it isn’t.

Whole-Wheat Couscous and Vegetable Salad, Southwestern Style

Serves 2-3

* 1/2 cup whole-heat couscous (Trader Joe’s is one store where you’ll find this)

* 1/2 cup boiling water

* 1 tablespoon tomato paste (the kind packaged in a squeeze tube is handy)

* 1 medium zucchini or summer squash, diced in 1/4-inch cubes

* 1/2 small red onion, finely chopped

* juice of 1/2 fresh lime

* 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

* 1 teaspoon cumin

* 1 teaspoon chili powder

* 1/4 teaspoon salt

* freshly ground black pepper

* 1 medium or large tomato

Place the whole-wheat couscous, tomato paste, and boiling water into a bowl and combine.  Soak for about 10 minutes or until the water is absorbed. Allow mixture to cool. Add all remaining ingredients except tomato. Stir to combine well. Cover and place in the refrigerator for a few hours or up to a day, which allows the onion to mellow. (You may want to omit the onion if you want to serve the salad immediately.) Add tomato and stir to combine just before serving. Taste; correct seasoning if necessary.

Moroccan Bulgur and Carrot Salad

Serves 2-3

* 1/2 cup bulgur, fine (Alma and Yoki are two brands available locally at Market Basket)

* Water for soaking bulgur and cranberries

* 1/4 cup dried cranberries

* 2 cups of coarsely grated carrots, equal to about 2 medium carrots

* 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

* 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

* 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

* 1/4 teaspoon curry powder

* 1/4 teaspoon salt

* freshly ground black pepper

Put bulgur and dried cranberries into a bowl with enough water to cover. Soak for about 1 hour or until the bulgur becomes tender enough to eat. Drain the bulgur and cranberry mixture in a colander. Place mixture back in bowl, and add all remaining ingredients. Stir, taste, and correct seasoning before serving. Can be served immediately, or covered andplaced in the refrigerator for a few hours or up to a day.

Hint: Just like standard-issue pasta salad, these take nicely to your own special touches. Add more or fewer vegetables. Omit the onion. Use more spices. More lime juice. Just take care not to overdo the liquid or the bulgur or couscous could become mushy.

Refer-a-Friend! New Session Starts in September!

Refer-a-Friend

Do something nice for a friend and yourself: Refer a new client, and he or she receives 20% percent off the first class or service. You get 20% off your next purchase in our retail store (excludes sale items).  Cards are available at the studio. Not to be combined with any other promotions; offer ends September 15, 2005.

New Session Starts September 5

Watch for the new class schedule to be published later this month. Remember, you can always “make your own schedule” by getting friends together for your own private or semiprivate class.

Coming in September

• 10 Tips for Maintaining Your Healthy Weight
• Fitness Q&A: Ask Cheryl
• Book Review: A Selection from Chef Paulette Mitchell

Contents © 2005 the whole body studio
Terms and Conditions: This newsletter is intended for general information only. Opinions and content offered here are expressed freely; neither we nor our contributors guarantee them. Please remember that nothing here replaces your own judgment or the advice of a qualified medical professional.