Center Stage Wellness | San Diego Healthy Life Coach

15 Free Ways to Celebrate Earth Day

Stacy — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:00:54 +0000

Photo credit: David Goehring

Happy Earth Day!

With all the green-washing going on these days, you’d think that you have to spend a lot of green to be green. That’s simply not the case. There is a reason that the phrase is “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” in that order.

Instead of buying a hybrid car when yours works just fine, or throwing a bunch of chemicals in the trash and replacing them with “eco-friendly” chemicals instead, here are 15 simple ways to be a good citizen of the planet. Try one today, or at least this week. Almost every single one is free!

15 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day

Shop at a farmers market. This isn’t free, but if you’re going to buy food (everyone eats!), buy from your local farmers.
Plant something, preferably edible. This could be as simple as herbs in small pot for your window, or a garden out back. While you can spend money on this, you can also grow plants from kitchen scraps.
Take your reusable bags along and use them. Put them in your car or your purse when you’re NOT going to the store so they’re already there. And don’t just use them for groceries! Some stores like Target will even give you a nickel off per bag. If you somehow haven’t acquired a pile of reusable grocery bags, you can reuse your paper grocery sacks, too.
Fix something instead of throwing it out. So many things are now viewed as disposable. What could be fixed instead of replaced?
Line dry your laundry. I know, it’s still snowing in Minnesota, but it will work soon! Clothes dryers account for a huge amount of energy use and heat up your house in the summer. A clothesline will use solar energy to harness the natural antibacterial and whitening power of the sun, or just use a drying rack inside.
Go for a walk. We spend so much time indoors, most of us could use a little vitamin D and some time outside. Bonus: you don’t need electricity or batteries to take a walk, so you’re saving energy.
Pick up litter. This could be in your own yard, or in a public space. We live on a canyon and wind blows all sorts of trash our way. You might save an animal from a plastic hazard!
Carpool. Whether to work or to an event, use less gas. Try to run errands in groups to avoid multiple trips as well.
Walk or ride your bike. What is within a few mile radius of your home? Do you need to drive there? Save gas and get some exercise!
Take a shorter shower. I struggle with this one, but showers use a lot of water. Time yourself for a baseline, then aim to cut off a minute or two. Bonus points: put a bucket in the shower to catch the spray as it heats up. Use that water for cleaning, watering the garden, doing laundry, etc.
Compost. You don’t need a huge setup to compost. Start small. In New York you can drop off compost at some farmers markets. We started vermicomposting on the patio of our Minneapolis highrise 5 years ago and are still going strong. In San Diego? I will even give you worms.
Use baking soda and vinegar to clean instead of chemical cleaners. There isn’t much they won’t clean.
Use the library. I love me some books, but I also love the library. Instead of buying paperbacks you’ll only read once, save money and resources by checking them out from your local library. Used book stores are also great!
Take your reusable cup or mug with you. Like the reusable bags, this is a great habit to form. Like the bags, many coffee shops will give you a discount for bringing your own cup. We just got acrylic cups with straws for taking green juice on the road. Especially great for avoiding bottled water!
Don’t buy anything. Earth Day isn’t about more stuff, so if you do nothing else, refrain from buying anything. Use what you have. It doesn’t get much more free than that!

Which of these will you do? What else would you suggest?

Stacy Spensley is a healthy life coach, recovering stage manager, lover of the Oxford comma, and vegetarian. She's bossy because she loves you.

Not sure where to start? Read more about Center Stage Wellness, connect on Twitter or Facebook, or get your FREE 5-day e-course.

How to Make Kale-Aid (Strawberry Kale Lemonade)

Stacy — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:00:46 +0000

Most people, myself included, start out skeptical of green juice. I’ve written previously about my resistance to trying green smoothies, but once I drank the metaphorical Kool-Aid, I was hooked.

Green juice was a harder sell. I don’t even drink fruit juice anymore (Think about how many oranges go into an 8-ounce glass of juice; you would never eat that much fruit in one sitting.), AND I’d have to buy a new appliance?

Though generally sweet, green juice ideally contains mainly vegetables. Normally you want the fiber with fruit to help stabilize blood sugar, but in this case, removing the fiber concentrates the vitamins and minerals. You can fit several pounds of fresh, nutrient-dense produce in one glass. While you wouldn’t sit down and eat a whole head of lettuce, a bunch of kale, three stalks of celery, an apple and a lemon, you can drink it in short order (that recipe coming soon!).

It’s important that green juice is fresh since commercial bottled juices are heat pasteurized. Pasteurization is important for safety in large-scale food production (salmonella bad), but high temperatures destroy sensitive enzymes and nutrients.

This is a good beginner juice. While kale can taste very “green” in both juice and smoothies, this recipe is heavier on fruit than what I normally make, but is still simple. I like my juices fairly tart, so the lemon/strawberry combo is great for me. Try using the whole apple to increase the sweetness if needed.

Before you ask, I have the Breville BJE200XL Compact Juice Fountain 700-Watt Juice Extractor. Why this model?

The price is right – only $100 at Amazon or in-store at Crate & Barrel.
It’s smaller than many other juicers; we don’t have a ton of counter space.
While it takes a few minutes, it’s not as tough to clean as some others I’ve heard about.

If you’re juicing for yourself, I recommend it. When my husband and I were doing a juice fast together, I wished I had a bigger juicer. Breville juicers are centrifugal and won’t juice wheatgrass, don’t process greens quite as well, and slightly heat the produce while juicing. “Slow” or masticating juicers are better for those purposes, but also cost more and are harder to clean.

To increase the yield of my juice, I run everything through once, then run the pulp through again. I also dilute my juice with filtered water, or coconut water in warm weather. Tangy, refreshing, and legitimately good for you. Give it a try!

Have you tried green juice? How do you feel about it?

print recipe

Strawberry Kale Lemonade

by Stacy Spensley April-8-2013

You may need to adjust the quantities depending on the sweetness and ripeness of your fruit. The key is making it taste good to YOU. Because the juice is raw, organic produce is preferred, and wash everything very thoroughly.

Ingredients

1 bunch (about 6 leaves and stalks) kale
1 lemon
1 pint strawberries
1 (1/2-inch) slice fresh ginger
1/2 sweet apple such as Fuji
4 ounces water

Instructions

1. Peel lemon if not organic. Hull strawberries. Peel ginger. Core apple.2. Run all produce through a juicer. With my centrifugal juicer, I juice the pulp a second time. 3. Add water and whisk. Enjoy within 24 hours.

Details

Prep time: 5 mins Cook time: 5 mins Total time: 10 mins Yield: about 20 ounces

Stacy Spensley is a healthy life coach, recovering stage manager, lover of the Oxford comma, and vegetarian. She's bossy because she loves you.

Not sure where to start? Read more about Center Stage Wellness, connect on Twitter or Facebook, or get your FREE 5-day e-course.

The Kitchen Reader: The Sharper Your Knife, the Less You Cry

Stacy — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 08:00:09 +0000

The February selection for The Kitchen Reader book club was The Sharper Your Knife, the Less You Cry: Love, Laughter, and Tears in Paris at the World’s Most Famous Cooking School by Kathleen Flinn, chosen by me!

Yes, this review is a month late. I blame the extremely time-consuming task of snuggling this baby.

The Sharper Your Knife, the Less You Cry chronicles the author’s journey to fulfill her dream of attending Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, the world’s most famous cooking school. I’ve met Kathleen Flinn at some blogging conferences and have enjoyed her writing presentations, so it was fun to finally read her book.

“My grandmother had a saying: ‘Every woman should get herself two things: a good husband and a good set of knives.’ Bad husbands aren’t worth the trouble, and cheap knives aren’t worth the purchase.”

Flinn is living in London working at a corporate job she doesn’t love. Opportunity knocks when she arrives back at work from a vacation and is laid off a few hours later. At loose ends, unable to stay in England on her work visa, she uses her savings to enroll in culinary school in Paris.

She chops, cooks, and cries her way through the experience and brings us along for the ride. I assumed the title referred to sharp knives hurting less if you cut yourself, but it’s actually a quotation from one of the instructors about slicing onions: a sharp knife cuts more cleanly and breaks open fewer cells that release tear-causing gas. Flinn does include a number of recipes, but I skipped most of them since they were meat-heavy.

The story is less about cooking and more about relationships and personal growth. I enjoyed learning how the students interacted, sometimes re-plating a dish to help another student, and hearing why they had chosen to attend the school. The instructor who made her cry later became her greatest cheerleader; he pushed her to do her best. And the book also tracks her relationship and eventual marriage to Mike, the one who encouraged her to attend the school in the first place.

My takeaway from the book wasn’t so much about Flinn’s cooking skills, the dishes she made, or even the ups and downs of her experiences. Another student points out that “Everyone learns something different at Le Cordon Bleu,” and Flinn learned more than how to cook. An experience like hers – moving to another country, struggling to communicate, and challenging herself to learn new skills – taught her the most about herself.

“I amassed a great set of knives attending Le Cordon Bleu. I married the man who encouraged me to follow my dream to come here, even when it meant putting his own life on hold. We never completely filled in the map of Paris, but on my journey here I’ve found places within myself where I’d never been. From my romance with Mike, I’ve come to realize I’d never explored the streets of my emotions enough to learn the geography of my own heart.”

Other reviews that I read focus on her decision to attend the school at all, but I was more drawn to her personal journey of discovery. Though I did read the book in a postpartum haze, I enjoyed it and (as a confessed cart-peeper) look forward to checking out her second title, The Kitchen Counter Cooking School: How a Few Simple Lessons Transformed Nine Culinary Novices into Fearless Home Cooks

Have you read The Sharper Your Knife, the Less You Cry? What did you think? Check out The Kitchen Reader for more opinions, or join us for our next pick!

Stacy Spensley is a healthy life coach, recovering stage manager, lover of the Oxford comma, and vegetarian. She's bossy because she loves you.

Not sure where to start? Read more about Center Stage Wellness, connect on Twitter or Facebook, or get your FREE 5-day e-course.

My Latest Project

Stacy — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 05:46:52 +0000

You probably guessed where I’ve been, and you’re right.

Or if you follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, you’ve seen more photos.

Iver James was born February 15th just before 6:00am.

Our parents have been out to see him and help us at home. He’s growing like a weed (probably because he eats constantly) and I can’t believe how much bigger he is already.

While this is not about to turn into a mommy blog, I have had a lot of people ask me about my pregnancy, birth, and resources for both. I’ll start incorporating some of that information into the site from time to time.

I have a bunch of half-written drafts and unedited photos, but I’ve barely been at the computer. (On the smartphone while nursing is a whole other conversation.)

Say “hi” on social media (especially if you’re up at 3am Pacific time!), or send me an email if there’s a topic you want me to cover. I’ll be back soon.

But now I have to go nap for an hour before the bottomless pit wakes up and wants to eat again. It’s a good thing he’s cute!

Stacy Spensley is a healthy life coach, recovering stage manager, lover of the Oxford comma, and vegetarian. She's bossy because she loves you.

Not sure where to start? Read more about Center Stage Wellness, connect on Twitter or Facebook, or get your FREE 5-day e-course.

Detox and Cleanses: the Basics

Stacy — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 13:00:00 +0000

I know, detoxing and cleansing is sooooo January, but I’ve been getting questions lately, so here we go! I’ve put off this post because I kept thinking of more information to include, so I’m breaking it up into parts. If you have questions, please leave a comment or email me so I can make sure to answer it in a subsequent post!

What’s the point of a detox or cleanse?

In my last post, I mentioned detoxing. Your kidneys and liver are constantly clearing out toxins from your system. These could be environmental chemicals, excess vitamins, alcohol, food additives, or anything else your body doesn’t process.

We’re exposed to so many toxins that our bodies get overwhelmed. Many toxins then get dumped back into our systems and stored in our fat cells. It’s our bodies’ equivalent of shoving the mess in the closet to deal with it later.

A detox or cleanse is like spring cleaning. You have to stop bringing junk in, throw extra junk out, and organize the rest. And just like cleaning out an overly full closet, sometimes it gets worse before it gets better.

What does a detox do? Does it work?

Normally I don’t recommend any restrictive dietary plans, but detoxing or cleansing can help “reset” your body and give your digestive system a break in a structured, short-term way. They’re not for everyone, and they’re not necessary, but they’re a tool in the toolbox of health.

Possible awesome effects include:

Weight loss
Better sleep
Increased energy
Improved digestion
Improved mood
Clearer thinking

Possible side effects during the detox period are:

Irregular digestion
Irritability or moodiness
Interrupted sleep
Fatigue
Headache

Many people already have these issues – which is why a detox is in order.

Whether or not it “works” depends on why you want to detox. Some weight loss is water weight, so it’s not a sustainable weight loss solution. However, it can help kickstart you to lose more weight afterward if you don’t simply revert to unhealthy eating patterns after the cleanse. (Note: men will often lose more weight than women while detoxing.)

What does a detox entail? Is it just that crazy lemon and maple syrup thing?

While the MasterCleanse (a cocktail of lemonade, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper) is well-known, detox methods range from simple dietary changes to a total juice fast. You can incorporate detox elements in small ways each day, focus on one day a week, or set a short time frame.

Clean Eating: Simple cut out inflammatory foods and front-load your diet with nutrient-dense choices. You still get to eat food, and the fiber ensures you feel full and satisfied. This method can even work while eating out.

What can trip people up: meal preparation takes planning, may be a steeper learning curve for those who don’t normally cook, shopping may feel overwhelming, and can be a shift for some palates depending on current diet.

Smoothies and Blending: Smoothies and blended or liquid foods (like soups) give your digestion a break by delivering high-nutrient foods that have already been broken down. You still have plenty of fiber and volume to fill you up, but the blending basically “pre-chews” the food for you.

What can trip people up: Not chewing can seem strange and take some adjustment, boredom can set in from the lack of textural variety, and washing the blender can get old fast.

Juicing: Extracting only the nutritious juice from fresh produce means you can consume more nutrients than usual. Several pounds of fibrous veggies may yield mere ounces of juice. While blending leaves more bulky fiber, juicing is an extremely efficient method of dousing yourself with vitamins and minerals.

What can trip people up: Making juice at home requires a juicer or good blender, buying pre-made juices is costly, making juice can be time-consuming, the lack of fiber and chewing makes it hard to feel satisfied or full, and too much fruit or starchy vegetables can cause blood sugar crashes.

What type of detox is best for me?

Choose the type of detox that best fits your lifestyle and personality, and know that you don’t have to start with a 30-day juice fast.

Simple ways to incorporate detox methods into your day:

Drink a glass of room temperature (or warm) water with lemon first thing in the morning.
Add a big green salad before lunch and dinner.
Start each day with a green smoothie or green juice.
Drink only juice or smoothies until dinner, then eat a healthy meal.
Go vegan for a week. Focus on eating fresh fruits and vegetables.

Right before a stressful time at work, during the holidays, or before an athletic event is not the best times to detox. Detoxes and cleanses are not recommended when pregnant or nursing. Juicing can be problematic for Type 1 diabetics and people on certain medications.

While the above steps are likely fine for most people, check with your doctor if you’re on any medications or have any medical conditions. These are all things I have done personally that have worked for me.

Know yourself. If you usually eat until over-stuffed, a juice fast might be a stretch for you. If you don’t cook, juicing (or purchasing juice) might actually be more approachable.

What do you think about detoxes? Would you ever do one? What other questions do you have?

Coming up: My juice fast experience, resources, budgeting, recipes, and other tips.

Stacy Spensley is a healthy life coach, recovering stage manager, lover of the Oxford comma, and vegetarian. She's bossy because she loves you.

Not sure where to start? Read more about Center Stage Wellness, connect on Twitter or Facebook, or get your FREE 5-day e-course.

Roasted Delicata Squash with Kale

Stacy — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 21:16:22 +0000

If you’re sugared out, raise your hand! *raises hand*

This time of year I get a lot of questions about detoxing and cleanses. In fact, last January, my husband and I did a 5-day juice cleanse (I’ll post more on it soon).

There are many books dedicated to the subject, so here is my short answer:

Yes, your body is constantly detoxing all the “junk” in your body from diet, the environment, and stress. That said, a short-term detox or cleanse can help give your systems a break and help you have a little “reset” for your system.

It’s sort of like rebooting your computer. Of course you’re just going to start up programs once it’s running again, but sometimes it gets slow and needs a fresh start.

Cleanses and detoxes run the gamut from extremely restrictive (MasterCleanse-type lemonade drinks) to simply “eating clean” (eliminating foods like sugar, refined grains, alcohol, caffeine, and often dairy, meat, and gluten).

The timing wasn’t quite right this January with Impending Baby Arrival so close, but I’m hoping to put together a delicious guided spring detox in a few months. I’d love to hear your detoxing questions and concerns!

After the onslaught of holiday sugar, I focus on adding in more vegetables and naturally sweet foods (fruit and starchy veggies), plus easily digested soups and smoothies. It helps me feel full and satisfied without deprivation.

Detoxing is not a good pregnancy activity, but this dish isn’t going to shock your system. It will help your digestion and help reduce sugar cravings, though. Not a bad trade-off, right?

My pregnant lady taste buds are sensitive lately, so I’ve been sticking to simple foods, lightly seasoned. That doesn’t mean bland, however. The natural bitterness of the kale, the sweetness of the squash brought out by roasting, and a touch of garlic for pungency make this easy dish flavorful and satisfying.

You could absolutely add some spices to this dish (smoked paprika or cayenne pepper come to mind), but salt and pepper were perfect for me.

For a bit more heft, toss with quinoa, millet, orzo, or couscous. Toasted almonds would also be nice for just a little bulk. This would also be a lovely side to a hunk of protein or pile of beans.

I love delicata (also called zeppelin) squash, but acorn or kabocha would work, too. No kale? Use spinach or chard or mustard greens. To roast just one squash, I use my toaster oven to save energy.

Do you detox or change your eating habits in January? Or did you earlier this month?

print recipe

Roasted Delicata Squash with Kale

by Stacy Spensley January-23-2013

A simple recipe that’s tasty and satisfying, and happens to be really good for you.

Ingredients

1 medium delicata squash
1 bunch kale or other dark leafy greens
1 clove garlic
2 tablespoon, divided olive oil
salt and pepper

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425F. Scrub squash well. Slice off the ends and cut in half length-wise. Scoop out seeds (I use a melon-baller). Cut into half-moons or quarters no more than 1/2″ thick.

Toss squash with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Arrange on a baking sheet in a single layer. Roast at 425F for about 20-25 minutes, until uniformly tender and golden, turning after 10-15 minutes.

While squash is roasting, rinse kale and remove stems. Chop roughly. Chop garlic clove.

Heat additional tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium heat and add kale with a pinch of salt. Saute until dark green and wilted. Add garlic. Cook one more minute, then add two tablespoons of water. Stir briefly and remove from heat.

Serve squash on top of garlicky greens, hot or at room temperature. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Details

Prep time: 5 mins Cook time: 20 mins Total time: 25 mins Yield: 2 servings

Stacy Spensley is a healthy life coach, recovering stage manager, lover of the Oxford comma, and vegetarian. She's bossy because she loves you.

Not sure where to start? Read more about Center Stage Wellness, connect on Twitter or Facebook, or get your FREE 5-day e-course.

Goodbye 2012!

Stacy — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 18:59:23 +0000

I’ve done a lot of reflection on the past year. There were a lot of things I did (and didn’t) do last year, successes and failures, triumphs and disappointments. Isn’t that life?

Top it off with some mixed emotions at the end and I needed to sit with it for a few days.

Some highlights from 2012

Taking a road trip through Arizona and New Mexico with my mom
Attending the Institute for Integrative Nutrition’s MegaConference as a VIP Blogger, Camp Blogaway, a writing conference with Dianne Jacob, and the International Food Blogger Conference
Moving Little Blue Hen to this site after almost 3 years of blogging
Landscaping our front yard with native plants and citrus trees
Running two wonderful group programs and seeing the success of my clients, both individually and in the group settings
Partnering with Andrew from Eating Rules to write a guest post and the guide to October Unprocessed

And, of course, being pregnant for half the year was sort of a big deal for me. It forced me to slow down, whether I wanted to or not.

I didn’t post as often as I wanted. I didn’t cook as much as usual. I didn’t work with as many clients as I wanted to. But that’s OK.

Ironically, none of my top 5 posts (by views) is from 2012, but I only wrote 31 posts last year. Let’s just say I was ahead of the trends in 2010 and 2011, shall we?

Most Popular Posts of 2012

Did you try any of those recipes this year? I’ve made all of them again myself.

What’s in store for 2013?

Moving into this new year, I have very few expectations.

Of course I have goals (I need structure or I don’t get anything done), but I’m not attached to them. I’m giving myself permission to fail and be more vulnerable. We’ll see how it goes, but I trust that everything will turn out fine.

I’m still plotting out my course for the year (with a big hole for maternity leave), so instead of running a program in January, I’m starting with a single free workshop.

This one-hour teleclass is on Monday, January 7 at 5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET and I’d love if you could join me. Not available? The class is recorded and sent out with all the ancillary materials (I heart worksheets).

We’ll cover several strategies of how to set yourself up for success in the next year with clear, concise goals that you actually want to achieve. No more vague “shoulds,” but a real plan for action.

CLICK HERE to get started.

What was your biggest accomplishment of 2012? What’s your intention or goal for 2013?

Stacy Spensley is a healthy life coach, recovering stage manager, lover of the Oxford comma, and vegetarian. She's bossy because she loves you.

Not sure where to start? Read more about Center Stage Wellness, connect on Twitter or Facebook, or get your FREE 5-day e-course.

Friday Finds 12.28.12

Stacy — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 04:03:57 +0000

I know, it’s not Friday anymore. But that’s not the point!

Instead of finishing this post, my husband and I ran about eleventy billion errands in the last few days, including buying a crib (Baby Countdown: T-minus 6 weeks!).

Also, while planning my own year, I realized that my clients struggle with setting good goals and finding strategies to keep them on track. So I made a free online workshop about it.

It’s Monday, January 7th and I’d love to have you there. Can’t make it live? I’ll record it and send it to you, along with some juicy worksheets.
CLICK HERE to learn more about making your next year more awesome.

What I’ve been reading this week…

“If you want something different in 2013, stop making excuses. Embrace the fact that your longing for something better means you are ready for change. You deserve it, you’re ready, and it’s time.” Really good points.
This is, as Wil Wheaton would say, about all of the feels.
Do you find yourself fixated on your accomplishments and achievements? You’re not alone, but your purpose is NOT what you do.
Do you read food blogs (other than this one!)? This is hilarious.
More food for thought about blogging. I disagree with several points. What do you think?
I’m not much for soda, but I’ve enjoyed a few ginger beers lately while I’m off the sauce. This looks like a fun project!

What are you up to for New Year’s Eve? My husband will be at work, but I may hit up a friend’s party for a while. I might even get crazy and have a sip of champagne. Wooooo!

Stacy Spensley is a healthy life coach, recovering stage manager, lover of the Oxford comma, and vegetarian. She's bossy because she loves you.

Not sure where to start? Read more about Center Stage Wellness, connect on Twitter or Facebook, or get your FREE 5-day e-course.

Russian Tea Cakes

Stacy — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 23:01:00 +0000

Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it, and peace, joy, and happiness even if you don’t!

I hope your holiday season has been filled with friends, family, and festivities.

Our Christmas was a little different this year.

Instead of caroling with my family around the piano, I had Thai food with friends while my husband worked.
I tried making caramel rolls for Christmas Day like my mom, but my dough didn’t rise fast enough (cold kitchen or old yeast).
We mailed all our gifts early and opened the few we had early since my hubby had to work.

Next year (whether we spend the holidays in California or the Midwest) will be different anyway.

(Mmm, grainy cell phone photo!)

Countdown to Baby: T-minus 7 weeks — my sister and I were both born after our due dates, so I’m not banking on an early arrival.

To help get in the Christmas spirit (and warm up the house), I asked my husband what type of cookies he would like. His first choice is always Russian tea cakes, a.k.a. Mexican wedding cookies, snowballs, and several other variations.

Last time I made them I was informed they were not the same as his mother’s (she didn’t have the right recipe with her). This time he was informed that if he didn’t like this version (from the correct recipe), I wasn’t making them again.

Whether or not that ultimatum influenced his opinion I don’t know, but he declared them “Good.” I’m making him a second batch today – then I’m putting my feet up and reading magazines.

What’s your favorite holiday tradition? Or what food puts you in the holiday spirit? My mom’s gingersnap recipe makes the house smell like Christmas to me.

print recipe

Russian Tea Cakes

by Stacy Spensley December-25-2012

A crumbly pecan base shrouded in sweet powdered sugar. Don’t try to sneak a taste – the powder gives it away every time.

I’ve used up to half whole wheat flour. The sandy texture of the cookies lend themselves well to whole grains.

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
4 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup finely chopped pecans
1/2 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

1.) Preheat oven to 325F. 2.) Cream together butter, sugar, and vanilla until fluffy. 3.) Stir in flour and salt. Mix in pecans until evenly distributed. 4.) Roll dough into marble-sized balls. Place on cookie sheet about an inch apart. Bake at 325F for about 25 minutes or until golden.5.) Roll warm cookies in powered sugar, then cool on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container.

Details

Prep time: 15 mins Cook time: 25 mins Total time: 50 mins Yield: about 4 dozen cookies

Stacy Spensley is a healthy life coach, recovering stage manager, lover of the Oxford comma, and vegetarian. She's bossy because she loves you.

Not sure where to start? Read more about Center Stage Wellness, connect on Twitter or Facebook, or get your FREE 5-day e-course.

Last Minute Holiday Gifts, Part 3

Stacy — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 13:00:11 +0000

Last one, I promise! Then I have some really good recipes for you, some exciting upcoming programs, and a 2012 wrap up.

If you missed them:
Holiday Gifts, Part 1: Cookbooks
Holiday Gifts, Part 2: Kitchen Items

Sugared out? Ready to get healthy in 2013? I own every single one of these items and use them regularly as part of my self-care routine to nourish myself inside and out.

I love our Breville Compact Juice Fountain (I got ours for the same price in store at Crate&Barrel). It takes up less counter space than larger models, though making a big batch of juice for the two of us can be a pain. For something a little bigger, try this model. Bonus points if you throw in a gift card to a local grocery store or farmers market for produce to juice!

Not sold on juicing yet? Check out the movie Fat Sick & Nearly Dead. It convinced my husband to not only get the juicer, but also go on a juice fast with me. It’s also available streaming on Netflix.

My sister already got the extra firm foam roller I sent her for Christmas, so it doesn’t spoil the surprise. She’s a runner who doesn’t like massages, so this myofascial release tool is great for sore muscles and tight ligaments. Perfect for athletes, current or aspiring.

Increase circulation of your blood and lymphatic systems to build immunity, exfoliate your skin, and feel good while doing it. A skin brush for dry-brushing makes a great stocking stuffer. For the extra crunchy, throw in a jar of organic coconut oil for moisturizer!

A friend gave me her Thera Cane Massager and I am so glad. This weird-looking plastic hook makes it easy to access tight back muscles yourself with no awkward twisting. It looks odd, but if you don’t live with a massage therapist, it has its moments.

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott is amazing. Go read it now, even (especially?) if you hate writing.

Many writers hate getting blank notebooks, but I love having a small notepad or a Moleskine notebook with me to write down ideas for blog posts, newsletters, or new programs. Or once you read Bird by Bird, you might want a ton of index cards.

I often recommend that my clients try writing morning pages, an idea from The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron. Great for any creative person.

Wreck This Journal by Keri Smith scares me a little. As someone who can’t even bring herself to write in books, a journal that instructs you to destroy it both terrifies and intrigues me. A classic case of what you resist the most is probably what you need.

Everyone needs a pretty coffee or tea cup to fuel their craft. Throw in some coffee or tea, too!

For the lady writer in your life to take notes and fill up her new journal, BIC Cristal For Her Ball Pens are perfect, but only as an excuse to link to them. Go read the reviews. I love the internet so much.

Any favorites? What would you add to your list?

Stacy Spensley is a healthy life coach, recovering stage manager, lover of the Oxford comma, and vegetarian. She's bossy because she loves you.

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