Welcome To High Level Wellness

Introducing a free bi-monthly email newsletter on health, nutrition and solutions-oriented tips for leading a healthy, happy and balanced life.

Brought To You By: High Level Wellness 1999 Rte. 70 East Suite 6, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

For a free one-hour health consultation call: 856-985-9789 or send email to high-level-wellness-online.com

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Contents:

News Flash: HLW is Mapping a Retreat to India
Summer Memories? Contributed by Kimberly McGraw, HHC
Fun Summer Lunches for Kids
HLW Open House a Huge Success!
HLW Summer Hours (Closed from August 7th through Sept. 4th) Subscribe/Unsubscribe Instructions

News Flash: HLW Mapping Retreat to India
This August HLW staff will be piloting a trip to eastern India in order to provide an Inward Bound adventure for HLW clients, graduates and guests in August 2007. Anticipated highlights include living on a houseboat, hiking through the Himalayas, a visit to the Taj Mahal as well as guided personal growth and development workshops. Mark your calendar! Look for reservation information and early bird discounts in the October newsletter.

Summer Memories or Sugar Memories? by Kimberly McGraw, HHC

When I was young summer meant liberation from school, swimming in the pool, days at the beach, nights at carnivals and the boardwalk. It also meant Popsicles, sno-cones, funnel cake, kool aid, and ice cream. Reflecting on this time with the eyes of a parent gives me a whole new perspective. I am starting to wonder, why do these things go hand in hand? Why, in a season when Mother Nature is providing an abundance of fruit and vegetables are we compelled to fill our children’s bodies with chemicalized food, sugar and toxins?

In general, when it comes to children and sugar, we have been walking around with blinders on. Studies based on what our kids are consuming demonstrate children between the ages of 2-3 years old are ingesting approximately 2-3 teaspoons of added sugar a day. A 4-5 year old is up to about 17 teaspoons and the teenagers are eating a whopping 37 teaspoons a day. Think about these numbers. Measure them out in a bowl and see what that looks like.

Why do parents who love their children and want only the best of health for them feel the overwhelming need to “treat” kids to artificial, highly sweetened (and fattening) processed foods? What would happen if we chose to feed them with healthy, nutritious alternatives? In a season when children tend to be more physical, they experience an increase in appetite, which also leads to an opportunity for introducing new foods. Think about it, when you are hungry food tastes sweeter, juicier and more fulfilling. There is not a more perfect time to feed your children fruits and sweet vegetables than in the summer. Not only are you feeding your children a good source of delicious calories, but also, it comes complete with vitamins, fiber and minerals.

What is really behind the need to give kids sweets in the summer? It is obviously not their nutritional value, so why do we believe it is an integral part of the summer experience? The reason we do this is because it was done to us. When we were growing up, one of two things happened: either our parents gave us sweets and treats during the summer, or we saw other kids getting them and wished that we could have them. When the ice cream man comes around or we are on the boardwalk we are not really buying food, we are buying a sentiment. People have certain feelings or attachments to food and those foods become our memories. It is an emotion or connection to a certain place or time, and in turn we are passing down these associations to our children. We are creating a cycle that they will pass down to their children and it becomes our legacy or tradition. Is this what you want to pass on?

If you are a person who associates foods with memories from your childhood you may need to remind yourself that with or without the food your wonderful memories will continue. The feelings are yours to keep, and that sensation of joy, or happiness in the summer can be passed down without the treats.

How can you and your family survive the summer without adding more sugar to those 14-17-37 teaspoons of sugar a day already consumed?

• Try fresh fruits and vegetables: simple raw snacks that only require washing.
• Try making smoothies and organic yogurt Popsicles.
• Feed your children a nutritious meal immediately before going to the carnival or boardwalk.
• Take healthy and/or homemade treats with you. Cookies or other treats made by you are much healthier than the packaged varieties and are made with love.
• If you feel compelled to purchase food for your children at an event try the nuts or popcorn.
• Last but not least, try spending time with your children creating memories independent of food.

These steps should help break the cycle of adding sugar and chemicals to your kids’ diets, break the connection between memories and food, as well as facilitate keeping your family healthy this summer. The best part is when your children grow up and you realize that their memories of summer aren’t of food, but of you laughing and smiling together. Isn’t that the greatest “treat” of all?

To learn more about eating healthy right now call High Level Wellness for a Free Consultation: 856-428-5495.

RECIPES FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES

A special note to parents:
Many young kids are picky eaters....
but as they grow older they 'fall in love' with food and eating.
In the meantime remember to breathe and patiently continue to expose your youngsters to new healthy foods, and avoid any 'power struggles'...but don’t give up hope that they will eventually enjoy healthy food
Building a wonderfully loving, nurturing and trusting relationship with your son/daughter is the most nourishing “food” on earth.

Veggies with a Twist

• 1 pita or 2 slices sprouted whole-wheat bread
• 1 to 2 slices soy cheese
• 1 small tomato, sliced
• 2 or 3 lettuce leaves
• 1 carrot, shredded
• 2 teaspoons mayonnaise

Spread mayonnaise on inside of pita (or on slices of bread) and then stuff with cheese and veggies.

Funky Peanut Butter and Fruit Sandwich

• 2 slices seven-grain bread
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter
• 1/2 medium banana, sliced
• 2 tablespoons crushed pineapple, well-drained

Spread peanut butter on one slice of bread. On other slice, arrange sliced banana and pineapple. Put together, cut in half, and serve!

Pizza Bagel Blast

• 1 plain sprouted bagel, sliced in half
• 1 slice of organic mozzarella cheese
• mushrooms, onions, peppers
• 3 tablespoons of pizza sauce (or spaghetti sauce)

Cover one half of bagel with pizza sauce (or spaghetti sauce). Layer with veggies. Cover the other bagel half with mozzarella cheese. Put it in toaster oven until cheese stars to melt. Remove from toaster oven and put two halves together. Open wide and enjoy!

Suggested foods to pack with a sandwich: Piece of fruit, veggies and dip, veggie chips, fruity herbal tea, bottled water or a Knudsen’s soda.

Rose welcomes your questions and comments at high-level-wellness-online.com

HLW Open House A Great Success!

Thank you to all who attended the HLW Open House on April 30th. Over 200 healthy people shared the great food, enjoyed walking the grounds, spending time with vendors and healers, as well as experiencing free health consultations. We are creating an amazing community. Special thanks to Karen Bionco, Supriya Denissov, Donna Gottardi, Elsie Kerns, Kimberly McGraw, Denise Mihalik, Jeanette Morenski, Mitch Plotnick, Joy Rogers, Patricia Rogers, Chris Sandy, Wesley Tudor, Jan Wilcox, and the Marys Vineyard Board of Directors.
This was a very successful event and we look forward to our next event, which will be our annual holiday party in December. Mark your calendars!
For more information about our holiday party call or email Chris our managing director at 856-428-5495 or high-level-wellness-online.com

HLW SUMMER 2006 EVENTS
Please note HLW will be closed from August 7th through Sept. 4th.

SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE INSTRUCTIONS

If you have friends or family members who would like to receive the free bi-monthly High Level Wellness Newsletter, they can subscribe by sending an email message to: RosePayneHHC-ON@lists.webvalence.com
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Rose Payne is a certified Holistic Health Counselor and educator, with a private practice in Manhattan, NY and Marlton, NJ. She is also an assistant teacher at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in NYC. Her passion is helping clients to transform their lives through the power of nutrition. Her sense of humor combines with a kindhearted, intelligent and practical approach to guiding people to vital healthy lives.
Rose is also the Holistic Nutrition writer for Cuizine Magazine.

Chris Sandy received her certification from the American Association of Drugless Practitioners and is a graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in Manhattan. After creating her own practice called Active Nutrition and working in Manhattan, NY, Marlton, NJ, and Philadelphia, PA, she joined in partnership with Rose Payne at High Level Wellness in 2003.  She specializes in working with clients who have severe food allergies such as celiac sprue – an allergy to gluten, difficulty with weight loss, and women’s health, particularly menopausal issues.

Supriya Denissov is a Holistic Health Counselor, certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners with a background in Traditional Chinese Medicine. She has a deep commitment to helping people improve the quality of their life. Her private practice sessions at the High Level Wellness Center provide a loving, supportive space to help her clients set their health goals, identify any obstacles that may be blocking the way and provide education and motivation towards optimal health.