Celebrate the Peach Festival with Healthy Peach Recipes

Ruston is known for harvesting delicious peaches. During the month of June, Lincoln Parish celebrates this fabulous fruit by hosting the Squire Creek Louisiana Peach Festival. Seasons – The Spa is celebrating the Peach Festival with our brand new Peach Facial. How are you celebrating the peach? Here’s an idea. With fresh peaches from the Ruston Farmer’s Market, you can create this delicious Arugula Salad with Peaches and Blue Cheese!

Peach Facial. This sweet scrub exfoliates and softens while it moisturizes and brightens your skin. The Peach Facial includes cleansing, exfoliation, aromatherapy, steam and extractions. The pampering continues with an upper body massage followed by a custom mask and a moisturizer to finish. 60 minutes, $65. To schedule your appointment, call 318-255-3223.

Arugula Salad with Peaches and Blue Cheese

You will need:

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
• 3 ripe peaches, peeled and each cut into 6 wedges
• 18 thin slices prosciutto
• 4 cups baby arugula
• 3 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
• Pepper to taste

Directions:

Whisk together lemon juice, salt and 3 tablespoons olive oil. Set aside.

Wrap one slice prosciutto around each peach wedge, overlapping ends of prosciutto. Heat remaining olive oil in a medium non-stick or well-seasoned cast iron skillet over moderate heat and briefly cook wrapped peaches, turning occasionally with tongs, about 1 minute each side.

Divide arugula and warm prosciutto-wrapped peaches among 6 salad plates. Drizzle with dressing and sprinkle with blue cheese and pepper. Serve immediately. Serves 6.

Recipes adapted from Whole Foods Market.

One Man’s Food is Another Man’s Poison

Sensitivity to certain foods can cause unwanted weight gain, migraines, fatigue, gastrointestinal disorders and many more chronic problems. Food intolerance is not an immediate reaction, like a peanut allergy for example. Food intolerance occurs many hours after consumption. With delayed symptoms, it’s difficult to detect which food your body isn’t processing properly. You may be eating healthy food.  But it might NOT be the foods that are healthy for you.

The process of determining food sensitivities is as simple as a blood draw. The food sensitivity test screens for reactions to over 300 foods, chemicals and other substances associated with inflammation that are linked to chronic health problems. After identifying food sensitivities, you eliminate the trigger foods and get on the fast track to good health!

At Seasons, we are extremely pleased with the success stories from patients who have taken the test and eliminated trigger foods from their diet. One of our patients has lost a total of 60 lbs in 7 months since avoiding certain trigger foods. She had no idea that the food she was consuming was making her sick and keeping her from losing weight. Another patient had “excruciating migraines” and was looking for a solution. Since eliminating the foods that she is sensitive to, she has not had a migraine AND lost 20 lbs!

Take control of your health instead of taking medications to treat symptoms. Identifying and eliminating from your diet foods to which you are sensitive can help you shed pounds and feel better!

Food sensitivity testing – the how to.

The process starts with a referral from a doctor or a consultation with our nutritionist, Valerie Costanza, RD. The Seasons staff will verify insurance coverage for the test. Next, a simple blood test is performed and sent off for analysis. Results take approximately 3 weeks and come back on an easy-to-read, color-coded chart. You will meet with the Valerie to review the results and help you make a meal plan that incorporates the foods that are good for you and eliminates the ones that are making you sick. One nutritional consultation with Valerie is complimentary after having food sensitivity testing.

For more information about food sensitivities or to schedule an appointment, contact Seasons Wellness Clinic, Ruston, LA, at 318-255-3223 or Seasons Healthcare, Monroe, LA at 318-387-2828.

Me, Food Sensitivity Testing, and Life!

So it’s been about two months since I received my food sensitivity testing results. Things have been going pretty good. I was really excited after the first two weeks and 5 lb. weight loss. And then I began to get a little bored. I was going to have to really start “working” the list – by that I mean really avoiding my yellow foods (yellow list = mild sensitivity) and stick to my green (green list = no sensitivity). I had done really well avoiding my reds (red list = severe sensitivity) and oranges (orange list = moderate sensitivity). That was the easy part because there weren’t very many! The yellow list (yellow list = mild sensitivity) on the other hand was quite a bit longer!

Grocery shopping has become a little more intense. I am buying more fruits and veggies – but not just any fruits and veggies. Only certain fruits and veggies that appear on my green list! Oh, and did I mention my husband has gotten his food sensitivity test results? That makes grocery shopping even more challenging! Bored? Did I say I was bored? Ha! Not anymore. Now I have a mission!

Being a working mom with two small boys, I have to be prepared: meal planning, activity planning (not really a strong suit of mine), etc. We have always been a family on-the-go trying to eat healthy. But somehow, fast food has snuck into our lives. Let’s face it, it’s just easier.

But no more fast food for this family! With my and my husband’s food sensitivity results, I am armed and ready to tackle the healthy lifestyle…again! We have always enjoyed exercise, being outdoors and considered ourselves healthy. But with work and busy schedules, the diets have fallen by the wayside. My food sensitivity results have given me the perfect opportunity to get my family in check!

I know it won’t be easy to get everyone on board, but the benefits will be worth it! I am so fortunate that my husband is doing this with me and that we will be educating our children along the way. They already are aware of the “green” list and what Mom and Dad can and can’t have. It’s really cute!

And so the journey continues…

Celebrate the Peach Festival with Healthy Peach Recipes

Ruston is known for harvesting delicious peaches. During the month of June, Lincoln Parish celebrates this fabulous fruit by hosting the Squire Creek Louisiana Peach Festival. Seasons – The Spa is celebrating the Peach Festival with our brand new Peach Facial. We want to help YOU celebrate by creating delicious, low-fat peach dishes with fresh fruit from the Ruston Farmer’s Market.

Peach Facial. This sweet scrub exfoliates and softens while it moisturizes and brightens your skin. The Peach Facial includes cleansing, exfoliation, aromatherapy, steam and extractions. The pampering continues with an upper body massage followed by a custom mask and a moisturizer to finish. 60 minutes, $65. To schedule your appointment, call 318-255-3223.

Peaches à la mode

You will need:

• 2 medium peaches, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/3 cup low-fat granola
• 1 cup fat-free vanilla ice cream

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Lightly coat a small baking dish with cooking spray.

Place the peaches in the baking dish. Sprinkle with cinnamon and granola. Bake until the fruit is bubbling, about 30 minutes. Let cool 5 to 10 minutes.

To serve, divide the ice cream into two bowls (1/2 cup each). Top each with 1/2 of the baked peaches. Serve immediately.

Serves 2. Under 200 calories per serving!

Peach Honey Spread

You will need:

• 3 ripened peaches
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

In a large bowl, add the peaches, honey and cinnamon. Using a fork, mash until the mixture is a consistency of chunky applesauce. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Serves 6. 60 calories per seving.

Recipes adapted from Mayo Clinic.

Petrus and Africa Top Finishers In Wellness Challenge 5K

April showers bring May flowers. And on Saturday, May 22nd, the rescheduling of the Wellness Challenge 5K due to April showers was long forgotten. Participants from surrounding areas traveled from Alexandria, Gonzales, Arcadia, Calhoun, Choudrant, West Monroe, Shreveport and Arkansas to participate in the first annual Wellness Challenge 5K sponsored by Healthy Woman of NLMC, Seasons and Sharon Jackson’s Slammin’ Boot Camp.

Read more

Me, Food Sensitivity Testing, and Fear of the Unknown

I did a lot of debating with myself about having food sensitivity testing.

At first I didn’t want to do it. I forbid myself to think that I wanted to do it. Why? I didn’t want to know what it was going to tell me. I was afraid of it. I was afraid that it would tell me that I couldn’t eat the things that I love to eat.

But I know of the success stories. Our patients who have eliminated foods from their diets they were sensitive to feel better and lose weight. And I wanted to feel better. Don’t get me wrong. I feel pretty good. But as the working mom of two young boys, I need every ounce of energy I can possibly generate from my body! Weight loss wasn’t necessarily my goal, but it could be an added bonus.

So here’s a look at me before food sensitivity testing. My symptoms were:

• Headaches
• Tired often
• Lack of energy
• Cravings (carbs, chips, salty)
• GI Symptoms (stomach issues)
• Trouble losing weight
• Didn’t feel 100%

The great irony of this whole story is this–I was telling my patients to do it (and I try to do everything that I tell my patients to do) but I hadn’t had the courage to face it myself. That fear of the unknown can be so overpowering, can’t it? I w anted to be able to tell them first hand what it was like, and why the sacrifices would really be worth taking the test.

And then, 3 weeks after sending my blood to the laboratory, the results arrived. As expected, there were sacrifices that would have to be made.My results revealed that I had a tremendous food sensitivity to — are you ready for this? — coffee. Argh. I crave coffee every day. I was not excited about this. But, I stopped cold turkey. And not only did I stop coffee, I’ve stopped diet cokes, too.

The results? 2 weeks in and I have lost 5 pounds AND I feel a lot better. Significantly better. I’ve gotten back into running and exercising. Even my husband said that he could tell a difference. Just from seeing what it has done for me, he is sold….he came to Seasons yesterday to have his blood drawn to check his food sensitivity.

And that, my friends, is the story. Two weeks and results. It hasn’t been easy. Ridding your body of the causes of inflammation is one of the keys to the health and wellness kingdom.

Nibble on This: Fabulous Fiber

Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. by Valerie Costanza, RD Fiber is what puts the bulk in lettuce, the crunch in carrots and the chewiness in bread. Although our bodies do not break down fiber and we are not nourished by it, it plays a vital role in our health. Fiber helps prevent constipation, gallbladder disease and diverticulosis and promotes healthy cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Not only is fiber beneficial for disease prevention, it is also a key factor in weight management. It is one of those important nutrients of which we just don’t get enough. The typical American consumes only half of the recommended amount of fiber each day. To get more fabulous fiber into your diet include: • Whole fruits and vegetables vs. juice • Whole grain products vs. refined or enriched grain products • Beans and legumes • Rolled or steel cut oats Here’s a recipe for Three Bean Chili that provides lots of fiber for your body. Three Bean Chili (Serves eight.) INGREDIENTS: 3/4 cup each dried cannellini or red kidney beans, black beans and Anasazi beans, picked over and rinsed, soaked overnight, and drained 4 cups water 1 bay leaf 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 2 large green bell peppers, roasted and seeded 2 large red or yellow bell peppers, roasted and seeded 3 tablespoons olive oil or canola oil 1 yellow onion, chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon chili powder 1 tablespoon dried oregano 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 4 tomatoes, peeled and seeded, then diced 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro (fresh coriander) 6 tablespoons shredded queso asadero or Monterey Jack cheese 2 green (spring) onions, including tender green tops, thinly sliced Directions: In a large saucepan over high heat, combine the beans, water, bay leaf and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover partially and simmer until the beans are tender but still firm, 60 to 70 minutes. Drain and discard the bay leaf. When the beans are cooked, coarsely chop the roasted bell peppers and set aside. In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the yellow onion and saute until soft and lightly golden, about 6 minutes. Stir in the garlic, chili powder, oregano, cumin, red pepper flakes and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Cook until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the bell peppers, cooked beans, tomatoes and cilantro and cook until the tomatoes are heated through, 5 to 6 minutes. Ladle the chili into individual bowls and sprinkle with the cheese and green onions. Nutrition Facts per Serving: Calories 300; Monounsaturated fat 4 g; Protein 16 g; Cholesterol 5 mg; Carbohydrates 45 g; Sodium 486 mg; Total fat 8 g; Fiber 16 g; Saturated fat 1 g. This Nutrition Update is brought to you by Seasons. For more nutrition tidbits, visit our website at www.seasonswc.com. For a personalized nutrition consultation with Valerie Costanza, call Seasons at 255-3223 and schedule an appointment.

Focus On Healthy and Nourishing Food Choices During National Nutrition Month

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Confession #9: C’mon girls! Let’s do this!

It’s here. 2010. For the xxth time, I have made that New Year’s resolution. You know the one. To lose the extra that’s following you around on your backside.

Seasons, in collaboration with Northern Louisiana Medical Center’s Healthy Woman and Sharon Jackson’s Slammin’ Boot Camp, is bringing you the tools you need to accomplish the goal you resolve every New Year. But we’re not going to say the “d” word. This isn’t about a diet. We’re going to do this the right way. We are going to pursue WELLNESS. Do you hear me? Wellness. That means make good food choices. And that means get off your booty and get busy!

With some great seminars from Sharon Jackson, CPT (that’s certified personal trainer), and Valerie Costanza, RD (that’s Registered Dietician), we are going to gain the knowledge, the tools, the motivation, and the inspiration to do this together.

The kickoff party is coming up soon…Tuesday, January 12, 2010 from 6 until 8 p.m. at the Community Trust Bank Community Room. It’s in the rear of the CTB Financial Center located at 1511 N. Trenton St. in Ruston. Look for the Healthy Woman Wellness Challenge signs and you’ll find it! At the kickoff party, we’ll learn the ropes of what we’re about to undertake. You need to let us know you’re coming. So register by calling 318-255-3223.

We’ll hear from Sharon and Valerie and from wellness advocate and local physician, Dr. Nathan Goodyear. There will be yummy, HEALTHY food for all to munch on and tons of fabulous door prizes (for everything from Botox to Best Buy). Sharon will even be doing some baseline measuring and weighing if you are interested in tracking your progress throughout this journey.

You’ll leave armed with a fitness training guide to begin a running/walking program to prepare for our final event – the Fitness Challenge – to be held Saturday, April 28. Sharon has put together a day-by-day training regimen to help guide you towards running a 5K. And in addition, Sharon will be hosting weekend group runs to prepare for this event most every weekend until April 28. I love Sharon Jackson! And you will, too!

In addition, you’ll take home recipes from every event and a nutrition guide from each event. Valerie is going to teach us how to make better choices when we cook, grocery shop, and meal plan.

So what are you waiting for? I have NEVER been a runner…I’ve always been a walking treadmill kind of girl. So if I can do this, you can too! And it will be much more fun if we do it together.

So…c’mon girls! Let’s do this!

For more information about the Healthy Woman Wellness Challenge, click here.

Nibble on This – Happy New Year edition

Valerie Costanza, RD

by Valerie Costanza, RD

Can you believe it? 2009 is almost over and the new year is just about here. It is time to start making your 2010 New Year’s resolutions.

Make this year a healthy one. Set your goals to be realistic, measurable and time sensitive. Don’t make goals that will be impossible for you to reach. This will only set you up for failure. Make goals measurable by applying specific numbers to your goals. Give yourself a time frame to work within.

If weight loss is on your mind, set a long-term goal by applying a realistic number to reach by a certain date. Then set small, short term goals to work toward each week or month. An example would be you will lose 15 pounds by April 1st. You will accomplish this by setting small, short-term goals:

• Decrease sodas to no more than 2 sodas per week for 2 weeks
• Decrease sugar by having no more than 1 dessert per week
• Increase water intake by 1 glass per day for 1 week
• Increase vegetables by eating at least 3 servings per day for 1 month

Making your goals attainable is the first step in keeping your 2010 New Year’s resolutions. Start the New Year off right with this healthy alternative to the traditional New Year’s meal.

Try this recipe for Collard Green and Black-Eyed Pea Soup.

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