Health & Wellness

Here are some great events coming up- please join us. More details will be forthcoming.

March 24, 10 am - Core Class $5- Marianne King, fitness trainer

April 28, 10 am- Zumba Class $5

If you missed out on the first challenge, come join us for round two of the Biggest Loser. Kick off night is Monday, February 27 at 6:30pm in the church library.

-$10 entry fee
-12-week program, ends May 20
-Private, fully dressed weigh-ins
-informative and helpful support meetings
-competitive and nurturing environment

For more details, speak with Sandra Lane at 412-741-6724

Come and join us for this beginner Jazz Class in the lower level of the church. The class is free thanks to Stephanie Ackerman’s generosity to share her dance skills with us all. Classes will begin on Tuesday, February 14 and run through March 20.

In the morning before you’re fully awake, and again as you’re going to sleep, take one or two minutes of what I call “quiet time with God.” Be in a state of appreciation and say aloud, “I want to feel good.” -Wayne Dyer

Are you ready- the Biggest Loser II is coming!! Begins February 27.

Lentil and Quinoa Soup
2 tbsp. olive oil
2 tbsp finely chopped garlic
1 onion, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
2 carrots, diced
8 cups vegetable broth
1 cup lentils, rinsed
1 cup quinoa
1 yam, peeled and diced
1 ½ cups crushed tomatoes
2 tsp turmeric
1 tsp fresh thyme
1 tsp basil
sea salt and pepper to taste

Optional: Lemon and/or yogurt for finish

In large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic, onion, celery and carrots and sauté for 5 minutes. Add broth, lentils, quinoa, yam, tomatoes, turmeric, thyme and basil. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to and simmer 45 minutes or until lentils are tender, stirring occasionally. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serves 8.

Optional: Squeeze fresh lemon juice and/or place a dollop of plain yogurt on soup just before serving

Enjoy this piece, excerpted from article I found interesting:

Some healthy resolutions that aren’t about losing weight ( although that is still important to some of us)
1.) Prioritize sleep. Skimping on sleep has been linked to health problems.
2.) Improve your posture. Standing up straight just makes you look better.
3.) Take a vacation. Don’t let your earned vacation days go unused.
4.) Kick the diet soda habit.
5.) Remember to breathe. Practice regular, mindful breathing can be calming and energizing.
6.) Stop snacking just to snack.
7.) Take your makeup before you go to bed.
8.) Do 10 minutes of yoga a day.
9.) Incorporate walking into your day, every day.
10.) Do one thing a week because you really want to.

This delightful calorie counter came to me by way of a friend and I am happy to share it with you.

Check out how many calories each of these activities burns in just 30 minutes:
Dashing through the snow = 330 calories
Jumping for joy = 330 calories
Sledding = 270 calories
Decking the halls = 120 calories
Reading holiday stories = 30 calories
Building a Snowman = 140 calories
Making Snow Angels = 107 calories

So, get busy dashing, jumping and decking through the halls.
Merry Christmas and healthy blessings to you.

Gladys Burrill just completed her 5th marathon. Gladys is 92 years old!! Click on the link and read her story and become inspired.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42427918/ns/us_news-life/t/-year-old-marathoners-secret-think-positive/

Congratulations to Joe Bollman, our winner of the Biggest Loser Challenge. Joe has selflessly chosen to donate his winnings ( $210) to Bethany House.
The Health and Wellness Ministry hosted the 10 week weight loss contest that included 21 participants with 12 of them sticking with it until the end.
Those 12 participants all lost weight- a grand total of 130 pounds!!! We hope to initiate another challenge in 2012 and we welcome new folks to participate.
In the short term, we will have a Maintenance Club to get us through the holidays -anyone that is curious or interested may join in. Details will be in weekly bulletins.

In the end, it’s not about how much weight was lost- it’s about what has been gained. All participants took steps to make positive changes in their lives and did just that. Some of the participants have no more pain in their knees or back. They are completely off their cholesterol or blood pressure medications. They are more aware of what they eat or they tried to incorporate exercise into their routine for the first time in years. Great job!!! We give thanks to God for watching over all of us during this journey.

For me, personally, it was a privilege to lead this dedicated group and watch them embrace this challenge.
Thank you.
Sandra

Ratatouille is an easy and delicious stew. This particular recipe is made even easier because you use your crock pot. For some added protein, meat lovers can add chicken and vegetarians can serve the stew over quinoa. Enjoy!!

1 small eggplant peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1/8 t plus 1/4 t salt
1 medium size red onion, chopped
2 medium sweet bell peppers, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 package ( 10 oz) mushrooms, quartered
1 can ( 14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
1 can ( 8 oz) tomato sauce
3/4 t black pepper
1/2 t italian seasoning
1 medium yellow squash, quartered in 3/4 in. pieces
1 T chopped fresh basil

1.) Place chopped eggplant in a strainer and sprinkle with 1/8 t salt, let stand for 20 minutes and press out as much liquid as possible.
2.)In a slow cooker pot, combine the eggplant, remaining salt, onion, peppers, mushrooms, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, black pepper and italian seasoning. Cook on high for 3 hours or low for 5 hours.
3.) Add yellow squash for the last 45 minutes of cooking time. Before serving add basil and drizzle with olive oil.