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A Balanced Perspective Weekly 
on Health and Wellness
December 6, 2004

1. Evaluating The Year
2. Health Consultations
3. Cooking Classes
4. Recipe - No-Bake Strawberry Couscous Cake
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1. Evaluating The Year

As 2004 is coming to a close I can't help but take a look back
at the past year as I think about creating new goals for the
future. I think it's very important to do a realistic evaluation of
your life, your joys, the things that truly concern you and truly
challenge you.
 
I thought about some great positive changes I made and what
I accomplished over the year.  I thought I'd share my top three
successes to help inspire you to think of your own.

My Top Three Successes

1. I began choosing real meals more often instead of nutrition
bars, and I feel much better as a result.

2. I have become more accepting and loving of my body.
This has been a wonderful change I've seen in myself.  I spend
more time actually feeling great about being in it, having curves
and much less time worrying about whether it's the right shape
or if I need to lose or gain weight.

3. I am spending more time on nurturing my personal life,
personal desires, and goals.  As a result...I am having much
more fun doing things I truly enjoy and love.

What Are Your Successes?

Since most of you who read this newsletter will be thinking of
new goals for the new year also, it will be helpful for you to go
back and look at what your challenges and achievements were
in the past year.  This will help you to set realistic goals that
will truly be helpful rather than lofty ones that someone else
(American media for instance) set for you.

It's important to take on a positive perspective, because
sometimes we only look at what we didn't do and what went
wrong...we punish ourselves with "negative" affirmations and
expect that to be our motivator to do the right thing in the
future.

This doesn't work...by February there's a good chance you will
have forgotten any New Year's Resolution you made using that
method.

So below are some questions to ask yourself about your 2004.

You are the only one who has to see this, so be honest with
yourself, whether the answers seem small or big to you.

1. List your top three accomplishments this year.  (in any
area relationships, career, emotional, physical, health etc.)


2. Name three lessons you learned from these successes.
(what did these things teach you about yourself, the way you
work, etc.)


The next question is very important.  I want you to really sit
and think about this one...whether you were able to overcome
them or not.


3. List your top three areas of challenge over the past year.


4. Name three lessons you learned from these challenges.
(about what clearly doesn't work for you, what your most
vulnerable to etc.)


Ponder these over the next week or so, and in the next
newsletter I will write about how you can use your answers to
create reasonable goals that will really help you to grow in
2005.

If you'd like to discuss these things in a personal one on one
session, create a plan that will fit your unique needs and have
you feeling great in 2005.  Call to set up a discounted initial
session before Christmas.

evaluation questions excerpted from Experience Life magazine

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2. Health Consultations - by Phone or In Person   

Fun, Simple, Healthy Solutions That Are Individualized For
Your Unique Desires And Needs

Pursuing the life you want means you know you deserve the
best.  Your body deserves the best too.  Get nutrition
counseling and personalized life coaching to create the life
you dreamed of!

Life is too short to live the life you were NOT meant to live!

I work with motivated women who are interested in knowing
themselves well and getting what they want out of life.

Consultations and sessions are also offered by phone.

Various programs are available to fit your needs.

Eat well and enjoy it!

Boost your self-esteem
Enjoy healthy living
Increase your energy levels
Feel better
And Discover your potential

If you are interested in finding out more, call me for more info
phone consultation at 917-689-6530 or write for more
information at melissa@myheartdances.com

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3. Cooking Classes 
(located on the Upper West Side )

Organic Food, Organic FUN, and Good Company

Sign up now, spots are going fast!

"Not only did the course teach me everything I needed to
know to put a delicious, nutritious and vegetarian meal on the
table but I had a great time “cooking with strangers” who
quickly became friends."  Katie Embree

December 7 (full) 
Garlic Braised Tempeh
Roasted Delicata Squash
Nutty Millet
Sautéed Kale

December 14 (this class is $40 due to the cost of
organic chicken)
Hearty Chicken Vegetable Soup
Basic Salad
Parsley Ginger Dressing
Lemon Zested Jasmine Rice

December 16 Last Class Of The Year
Sweet Potato Miso Soup
Buckwheat
Tahini Sauce
Roasted Veggies

Pre-Register Today – Only $40 per class
All classes are held on the Upper West Side

Class is from 6:30 until 8:30p.m.
And includes all of the following

*Hands-on instruction
*Meet new people
*Learn cool facts and tips about the food you’re eating
*Get healthy tips
*Receive a copy of the recipe to take home
*Enjoy a DELICIOUS meal at the end of class!
 Made by The Fabulous You!

Please contact Melissa at Melissa@myheartdances.com for
more details and to register or call 917-689-6530

**Classes are fun, relaxed, and not intimidating!  They are
great for beginners!

**Private classes are also available to small groups.  Please
contact Melissa@myheartdances.com for details.

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4. Recipe - No-Bake Strawberry Couscous Cake (from the
Self-Healing Cookbook)

Cake:
1 c. couscous
1 1/2 c. almond amasake (find in health food store)
1/2 c. water
1/4 c. apple juice
pinch sea salt
1 tsp vanilla

Topping:
1 c. halved strawberries
2/3 c. apple juice
1 heaping T. kuzu (found in health food store)
1/2 tsp. grated lemon peel
1/2 tsp vanilla

In a saucepan, combine couscous, amasake, water, juice,
and salt.  Heat and stir for 10 minute, or until couscous
swells and becomes soft.  Add vanilla.  Pour into a cake pan,
smooth the surfaces, and add topping.

Topping: arrange strawberries on top of cake artfully.
Dissolve kuzu in juice, add lemon peel, heat and stir until it
thickens.  Add vanilla.  Pour over strawberries and cake.  Let
cool for an hour in the fridge before serving.