2008 is here with new opportunities for healthier choices! I’ve had a lot of experience with different diets and exercise programs.
    During my twenties I gained a lot of weight and tried unsuccessfully many times to lose it. Getting started was never the problem; it was sticking with the new diet plan or exercise program that was difficult.  I would concentrate on what I couldn’t eat or shouldn’t eat or how hard it was to exercise. And eventually I would give up.
    What I finally discovered was that my approach was keeping me from seeing what I really wanted to achieve: a healthier body and mind. I approached it in a way that set a negative tone.

It’s what you CAN eat!
    It’s so easy to tell ourselves: “I can’t have that” or “I shouldn’t eat this.” Regardless of your choice of weight loss plan or diet, there will be foods you will want to cut back on or avoid. Writing down a list of food choices you can have is especially useful.
   When you see on paper all the foods that are available to you, it also helps you to keep from eating the same thing over again and getting bored with your new plan. In this way you are creating a positive focus for yourself. You can even carry it with you so you can take a look at it from time to time to help you stay on your path.

You have choices!
    We have the power to choose anything we want, right?  What if every day you choose to succeed at your new health plan?  If you choose it you’re making an active commitment.
    Say for example you’ve decided to cut back on sweets in your new health plan. Someone at work says, “There’s doughnuts in the break room, help yourself!” Before you start torturing yourself with, “I really want one, but I know I shouldn’t have one” remember, you have the power to stop and choose.  If you think about it, you’re actually choosing your new health plan over the draw of a food you’ve chosen not to have.  Imagine how great it feels to choose what’s best for you!

Intention and Action
    You can achieve your goal with positive intention and action. Asking yourself what you want to create, what you want to build on, or what you want to strengthen, emphasizes the positive power of the change you are choosing to make.
    Also, implementing a change at least 3 times sets a pattern. Choosing a healthy snack three days in a row will set a healthy habit. So what happens if you get off track?  You keep going. Remember that this is a process.  It took me two years to reach my goal. There is no perfect way to lose weight or change your lifestyle.  There is only the way that works best for you. 

A Healthy Salad For You!
    Here’s a recipe for a tasty salad that incorporates those sweet and juicy oranges in season right now. The recipe comes from one of my favorite books in my collection, Twelve Months of Monastery Salads by Brother Victor-Antoine d’Avila-Latourrette. Among the many things I like about this cookbook is that the recipes are simple, the ingredients are easy to find and the book is divided into the months of the year. This book is proof that salads don’t have to be boring!
    Most people think that going on a diet means eating only salad, but that’s not true. I enjoy salads for several reasons: they work well on the go; I usually don’t experience the mid-afternoon crash when I have one for lunch; and I get a good dose of fresh veggies. This salad will go well with a bowl of your favorite soup or some baked chicken.
    Enjoy and be good to yourself!

Baby Spinach and Orange Salad
1/2 pound baby spinach
3 medium-size oranges, peeled, with white pith removed, separated into segments, and cut in half
1 small cucumber, peeled and cut into thin rounds
1 medium-size red onion, cut in half and thinly sliced into half-moons
1/2 cup walnuts, coarsely shopped and lightly toasted in a preheated 350°F oven about 5-8 min.

Directions
1. To assemble the salad, put the spinach, oranges, cucumber, onion and walnuts in a large bowl and toss gently to combine.
2. Prepare the dressing ahead of time. Just before serving, pour it over the salad and toss to coat. Serve immediately.

6-8 servings

Note: If you want to make this a more filling and complete meal, add some cooked shrimp or chicken.

Lola Kern is dedicating her life to helping others re-empower and heal their relationship with food as she did for herself in the last several years. She developed her own weight loss plan that included nutritious recipes and a fitness program. She lost 85 lbs. during the course of two years and has successfully maintained a healthy weight since.
    Lola is a certified Internal Energy Plus™ consultant and has also earned her first level black belt in the Chinese martial art system of Kang-Nei-Chin Gung-Fu.
    As a certified IEP™ Consultant, Lola focuses on helping others overcome their food and body image challenges and subsequently re-empower and heal their relationship with food. To contact Lola directly, email her at harmonyiep@comcast.net or sign up for the Internal Energy Plus Yahoo Grouphttp://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/INTERNAL_ENERGY_PLUS/.