Cruisin' in the 'burgh

Wow! I made it home -- from the Caribbean Paradise -- to be greeted first in the Greater DC and Maryland areas -- with wonderful signs of the paradise of Spring -- great negative ion richly charged torrential rains, cherry blossoms, daffadills, tulip trees in full bloom, and red buds! What a way to greet a season!

Cousin Marilyn and I had a great time whipping up some macrobiotic fresh foods -- and dining out at a unique Chinese vegan/ partly organic restaurant ...ahhh, if only in the'burgh........

And back home Monday eve -- I just had time to stop at the EEFood Coop for a few staples before teaching Restorative Yoga at Club One Monday evening.

I must say, getting ready for the Holistic Holiday at Sea, and now following it, I have had a great time preparing creative meals for myself -- lots of fresh energy -- inside and out.

I took a forty-five minute walk at Washington's Landing and proceeded to the strip iso the chinese root vegetable my marvelous acupuncture doctor, from Berkeley Springs, Dr. Lin, had prescribed for me when I asked about strengthening and supporting spleen.

(The Korean market in Rockville didn't carry it) We have such wonderful resources in our strip district -- and I got great coaching at the check out counter for preparing this healing food. Plus I found fresh water chestnuts!!! Have you ever tasted them? I bet not! I'm delighted -- they are so sweet --and also a healing food Dr. Ted Cibek had prescribed for me with the Medical QiGong approach many moons ago -- the canned item can not compare -- doesn't even seem alive!

So between the EEFood Coop, Right by Nature and this Chinese market, I have been celebrating Spring, Celebrating the Inner Healer with my own home retreat -- re-applying the principals of mindful eating (breathing, thanking,chewing) and re-designing my daily self-care rituals -for Welcoming Spring. How about you?

Do scroll down and leave a comment! Also, remember you can receive the blog posts directly if you click on FOLLOW ME to the right.

Sail on and Caoi Baby!

Yours in Wellness, Gratitude and New Life Now,

Suzen Sharda Segall

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Suzen Sharda Segall, Wellness Personal Trainer/Consultant, designer and facilitator of BodyArts Therapeutics, has provided an integrated approach to health and wellness for a wide variety of populations, internationally,for over thirty-five years

Saturday Evening Postcard from Paradise: Heading h om e

Well, I've got most of the packing down and want to get up to the pool Deck 9 Farewell Disco Party.

The evening air is a bit cool -- and sooo fresh -- I'm feeling very great full --

Here's my favorite meal - Friday evening:

Hijiki caviar

Split pea soup with dulse & smoked tempeh

Grilled asparagus salad with sesame miso vinaigrette

Roasted portobello mushroom with millet "mashed potatoes" & yummy shitake gravy

And 5 star dessert: Key lime pie with blackberry sauce

My vote for best salad of the week (I asked for seconds):

Orange arame watercress salad

It looks like the appetizers for the week were my greatest hits:
Lentil walnut pate and Hijiki tart with sweet potatoe sauce and tonite's porcini mushroom pate are always satisfying and the marinated seiten skewers were also a great treat --

William Spear and Joel Fuhrman were new exceptional contributors this year --
and my dear colleague Hazel Chung -Hood, Maryland Ohashiatsu Director, like me was a first time presenter -- and I so enjoyed it -- as well as Swing Golf with Les
Bowlin.

Passover will mark the transition of this Celebration of the Inner Healer - Wellness Voyage at Sea 2010 to Spring in the 'burgh. Wouldn't a Plant-based Sedar celebrating freedom, miracles, community, and inner strength be just the ticket??? Any 'burghers who'd like to invite me for second nite -- I'm ready!

Ariva Derci,
Yours in Wellness, Spring Vitality, Love and Light,
Suzen Sharda Segall

This blog post can be reproduced in its entirety with the following information:

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Blog: www.celebratingtheinnerhealer.blogspot.com

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Suzen Sharda Segall, Wellness Personal Trainer/Consultant, designer and facilitator of BodyArts Therapeutics, has provided an integrated approach to health and wellness for a wide variety of populations, internationally,for over thirty-five years

Saturday Postcard from Paradise heading H om e

Wow -- the last full day on the deep blue seas -- she sighs --

I just had great fun with Les Bowlin's SwingGolf session -- Jillian stopped me and let me know that the she'd been practicing in her cabin having taken his earlier session -- and then she attended my Mindful Walking session yesterday -- went back to practice the SwingGolf and found her experience much enhanced by including the principals and practice of some of my QiGong warm ups -- like Tossing - our great purging -- release of stagnation exercise that warms the whole trunk and engages big natural swings!

Delightful!

And by the way -- I didn't have time earlier to give the description of my first workshop -
Ageless Body, Ageless Mind -- Guided QiGong Practice and Hara Breathing technique
Greet the day with enjoyable easy-to-learn exercises (stand/sit) on deck. This body-mind self-care system is the Chinese yoga 'chee gong'. Sharda will guide some slow movements coordinated with the breath and visual imagery to improve core stability, leg strength and release of tension in body and mind. Complete the journey inward, assimilating and integrating the practice through guided deep breathing, experiencing one-pointed concentration.

Everyone enjoyed this unique practice greeting St. Thomas and celebrating life. And I thank my new friend Rhonda St.Clair for the great photo!


Lunch time, gotta go!
Yours in wellness, gratitude and fresh air!
Suzen Sharda Segall

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Suzen Sharda Segall, Wellness Personal Trainer/Consultant, designer and facilitator of BodyArts Therapeutics, has provided an integrated approach to health and wellness for a wide variety of populations, internationally,for over thirty-five years

Postscript to Monday's Postcard from Paradise

I left off the dinner menu from Monday and it was wonderful -- as were the dinner companions.

We're still at sea on the luxurious Costa Fortuna -- until Wednesday morning.



Lentil walnut pate



Cream of fennel soup



Orange arame watercress salad



Sweet corn risotto with red pepper pesto and fried sage

Carrot cake with 'cream cheese Icing' and lemon sauce




How was your first Spring dinner?

Yours in Wellness, Gratitude and Ahimsa (Jain philosophy of Reverence for All Life),

Suzen Sharda Segall

This blog post can be reproduced in its entirety with the following information: © Suzen Sharda Segall 2010, CelebratingtheInnerHealer.com Listen at: http://tinyurl.com/ Blog: www.celebratingtheinnerhealer.blogspot.com Or on its unique radio channel at: Suzen Sharda Segall, Wellness Personal Trainer/Consultant, designer and facilitator of BodyArts Therapeutics, has provided an integrated approach to health and wellness for a wide variety of populations, internationally,for over thirty-five years

Counting Down to ship ahoy and Counting Blessings

I'm on my way, bye bye to the 'burgh and hello, to my first two legs of this Wellness Voyage:

First stop: Get a little help from my friend in Berkeley Springs, Wild and Wonderful West Virginia -- the magnificent Dr. Linn (or Acupuncture - hot oil hot towel session to ground and harmonize me following the whirlwind of preparation for the Holistic Holiday at Sea presentations.

(I even sang In Breath Out Breath to her - while face down in the donut!! catching her up on the evolution of my sessions with table clients and Restorative Yoga classes where I'm now incorporating a couple special Threshold Choir songs.)

While still heading to BS I am opening the window to pay the turnpike toll -- and a very strong whiff of manure greeted me -- and much to my suprise and delight -- instead of feeling repulsed -- my first reaction was -- Pungent...Oh! Manure -- what a great sign of Spring here in our farm country ! Wow! that's a new and positive shift - Dr. Linn and I celebrated my healing progress - and I made a few more rounds visiting special shops - Sage Moon -- and SoupitySalads great vibes great pure food made with love - (for starters - a gingery strawberry lemonade sweetened with agave -- lovely - and a request to share menus from the cruise )



-- and of course getting right to the Rx home-work of grounding myself - by visiting the Springs -- and in the fresh air and bright sun - practiced the Medical QiGong sequence to balance and harmonize all the organ systems, followed by the special grounding & centering standing meditation and 100 orbits. What a way to start the Wellness Voyage......thank you one and all!

I've been enjoying the buds at home while on my brief but refreshing walks these last couple of days -- and now realize I will have the red bud trees in Maryland to look forward to by my return trip!

(Stop two:overnite with traveling companion dear cousin Marilyn -- a great reunion -- and in catching up ---another Celebration of each of our Inner Healing.



The cab will be here 6:45 am so I'll sign off. All this preparation... all this anticipation,...we're really Welcoming Spring and our second annual Voyage to deeper and higher wellness!

May you all enjoy great happiness and health and let us know about your celebrations of Spring - of New Life - new attitudes -- new recipes...

Yours in Wellness, Gratitude and Ahimsa (Jain philosophy of Reverence for All Life),

Suzen Sharda Segall

This blog post can be reproduced in its entirety with the following information: © Suzen Sharda Segall 2010, CelebratingtheInnerHealer.com Listen at: http://tinyurl.com/ Blog: www.celebratingtheinnerhealer.blogspot.com Or on its unique radio channel at: Suzen Sharda Segall, Wellness Personal Trainer/Consultant, designer and facilitator of BodyArts Therapeutics, has provided an integrated approach to health and wellness for a wide variety of populations, internationally,for over thirty-five years

Hear my first radio interview

I'm excited to share a conversation/interview I just had with Joanne Quinn-Smith of Positively Pittsburgh. I'm having fun with all this new-fangled technology -- in spite of myself ! -- thanks to meeting 'The Techno Granny", Joanne, at the Tepper School of Business, recently.

Check out the link in the new Media Room to the right. Let us know what you'd like to hear more about on future radio shows by scrolling down and adding your comments in the box below. Thank you!

It's getting down to the wire for me to leave the 'burgh and begin the next phase of this voyage of wellness --so I'll be brief here and get packin'!

Yours in Wellness, Gratitude and Excitement,
Suzen Sharda Segall

This blog post can be reproduced in its entirety with the following information:

© Suzen Sharda Segall 2010, CelebratingtheInnerHealer.com

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Blog: www.celebratingtheinnerhealer.blogspot.com

Or on its unique radio channel at:

Suzen Sharda Segall, Wellness Personal Trainer/Consultant, designer and facilitator of BodyArts Therapeutics, has provided an integrated approach to health and wellness for a wide variety of populations, internationally,for over thirty-five years.

Tuesday's Postcard from Paradise

I'm playing catch up tonite -- I couldn't get online last eve -- so here's just the menus of the day.
I hope they inspire you! Let me know what's cookin at your house, by following me -- (see right)
and scroll down to add your comments.
Caoi Baby

Tuesday's Menus from Paradise on the Way to St. John and St Thomas:
BREAKFAST
Miso soup with soba

Soft millet with sweet vegetables and black sesame seed gomashio

Steamed bock choy

Baked apple
(upon request Hash brown potatoes with salsa)

******************************************
LUNCH
Corn bread with onion butter

Pinto bean chili

Umebashi seasoned potato salad

Vegan Wild Wood shiitake burger
with topping and trimmings

Carob banana nut brownie with fresh carob orange sauce
****************************************************
DINNER

Fresh spring roll and dipping sauce (my fav -- it was very tender -- with avacado, tofu, etc)

Sweet potatoe soup

Arugula corn red onion salad

Black bean cake with mango salsa and yucca chips

Strawberry mousse cake









Yours in Wellness, Gratitude and Happiness,
Suzen Sharda Segall


This blog post can be reproduced in its entirety with the following information:

© Suzen Sharda Segall 2010, CelebratingtheInnerHealer.com

Listen at: http://tinyurl.com/

Blog: www.celebratingtheinnerhealer.blogspot.com

Or on its unique radio channel at:

Suzen Sharda Segall, Wellness Personal Trainer/Consultant, designer and facilitator of BodyArts Therapeutics, has provided an integrated approach to health and wellness for a wide variety of populations, internationally,for over thirty-five years.

Monday at Sea

Yoga with Chandrakant was a great way to start this first full day -- I was kinda happy we were inside due to rain on the deck -- and even though 7 am start meant I only had 5 hours sleep- I trust the yoga was the ticket -- I'm writing at 10:30 pm - forgoing the Ice Cream social tonite and heading for some usual 7 hour sleep for tonite.

I've had such rich conversations and meetings with fellow voyagers already -- and some warm reunions - with last year's new friends.
I hope I can share more on that soon, but for now -- here's one taste:

Can you believe a Chilean woman sat across from me at breakfast -- just returned from home - and we talked about the earthquake and the Latino community fundraiser Abhai and I went to -- and I shared how touched I am with the Violeta Parra Thank this Life song -- did you see the lyrics I posted a week ago?

My threshold choir friends will especially enjoy the news that while Bryant Terry was introducing his cooking demo - on Soul Food Revival - (which my Pgh Food is Elementary new colleagues will also appreciate - with his eliminating the objection that healthy food is too costly) First -- he sang twice!! He relayed a gospel hymn his cookin granny sang while stirring the pot -- Glory Glory..lay my burdens down.... and gave us the hip hop song that changed his life in 10th grade - 'BEEF" by KRSI
He demonstrated Double Mustard Greens with Roasted Yams a soup dedicated to Uncle Dan -- who he asked to compose a song with lyrics dedicating his cookbook it's called Thankful and I hope Cindy Harris will search out how it sounds for us Thresholders! His second demo was
sweet cornmeal coconut drop biscuits. I loved his energy and his philosophy -- more on that in future blogs.

Monday Breakfast:

Miso soup with Asian vegetables & tofu

Creamy whole oats with tamari almonds

Steamed collard greens

applel dried cherry compote

optional french toast with maple syrup and fresh berries

(plus the always buffet of wonderful fruits etc)



Lunch:

Guacamole with fresh tortilla chips and salsa

corn and rice salad

Mexican gazpacho served cold

Black bean burrito with toful sour cream and fried plantains

Rasberry and mango kanten
And again, my lunch companions were delicious special treats --A coach on Marilou Henner's website --and two brothers and their wives -- One from Utah - Patti M. gave me some great tips: Karina'sKitchen.com - where she found wonderful buckwheat chocolate chip cookies that pleased her not so food health conscious brother-in-law as well as a pumpkin pie I'll also want to test -- Pattie used coconut milk --just what I'd like to try! plus Babycakes now has a cookbook -

Areva Derchi (sp?)

Yours in Wellness, Gratitude and Happiness,
Suzen Sharda Segall


This blog post can be reproduced in its entirety with the following information:

© Suzen Sharda Segall 2010, CelebratingtheInnerHealer.com

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Blog: www.celebratingtheinnerhealer.blogspot.com

Or on its unique radio channel at:

Suzen Sharda Segall, Wellness Personal Trainer/Consultant, designer and facilitator of BodyArts Therapeutics, has provided an integrated approach to health and wellness for a wide variety of populations, internationally,for over thirty-five years.

Ship Ahoy and Bon Voyage to me!

Welcome Luncheon Buffet


Tempeh Noodle Salad
with rice penne, tempeh, olive oil, dill, soy mayo, giner, romaine, celery, carrots and red onion.

Baked beans
kidney beans, kombu, barley malt(gluten) red miso, mustart and onion

Garden Salad with balsamic Vinegar (Lucchino company donated 50 gallons of olive oil and each table has a bottle of their Olive oil and Balsamic)
Radiccio, romaine, cucumber, carrot, red cabbage, tahini, lemon and sea salt

Tomato avacado salad (YUM) with olive oil, sea salt pepper lemon, avacado tomatoe and red onion.

Rice and gomashio
short grain brown rice with sea salt and sesame seeds and water

Steamed Broccoli
Baked cauliflower with tahini sauce ( and wheat free white miso and mustard.

Before dinner I prepared myself to be included in the Introduction of Presenters on stage of the Rex Theatre.
for the Opening Ceremony: Cruising into Health – Your Voyage to Well Being: with my hero, Dr. Neal Barnard -- inspired and inspiring as always. All the presenters were lined up on stage and introduced with the wild and crazy Jessica Porter MC ing.

Here's our Sunday Dinner Menu:

Most delicious part -- I joined Ohashi and his lovely wife at a four top -- and finally settled myself - quieted and calmed -- for the first time in about a week ( or at least since I was on Dr. Linns treatment table)

Hijiki tart and sweet potato sauce

Onion soup with mochi and rosemary

colorful kale salad with giner dressing

Seitan paella with roasted artichoke and kumbu chips

apple crips with caramel cream

I just had time to blog before the Welcome Cocktail Party -- and it will be lights out by 10ish so we can begin the wise practice of 8 hours of sleep. Can I really keep up sending posts?? We'll see.... I'm even looking forward to the Monday fire drill -- we met great folks waiting in lines last year - with plenty of time to visit.


Yours in Wellness, Gratitude and Joy,
Suzen Sharda Segall


This blog post can be reproduced in its entirety with the following information:

© Suzen Sharda Segall 2010, CelebratingtheInnerHealer.com

Listen at: http://tinyurl.com/

Blog: www.celebratingtheinnerhealer.blogspot.com

Or on its unique radio channel at:

Suzen Sharda Segall, Wellness Personal Trainer/Consultant, designer and facilitator of BodyArts Therapeutics, has provided an integrated approach to health and wellness for a wide variety of populations, internationally,for over thirty-five years.

Walk this way....Day Six Postcard from Paradise

After breakfast today,On the 26th, we'll be Mindfully Walking and Sharing The Tai Ji Dance of the Five Elements before exploring Grand Turk.

And how exciting for me -- having had a private shiatsu consult with my favorite Lino Stanchich among other things, I was given new ways of prescriptive walking for ME!! I am so blessed

Here's the description from the Holistic Holiday at Sea VII Program:
Celebrating the Inner Healer: Mindful Walking.

Express the joy of movement and anchor your enriched sense of well-being with sustained present moment walking practices on the deck.
Voyagers will be guided in several ways of walking with intention and awareness. Have fun and gain confidence walking in and out of balance in the dance of life.

Sharda will include a demonstration of the Dance of the Five Elements to illustrate the moving meditation practices (with seated adaptation) that complement mindful walking and discuss the application and 'next steps' to integrating these principals and ancient systems into daily life.

Yours in Wellness, Gratitude and Happiness,
Suzen Sharda Segall


This blog post can be reproduced in its entirety with the following information:

© Suzen Sharda Segall 2010, CelebratingtheInnerHealer.com

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Blog: www.celebratingtheinnerhealer.blogspot.com

Or on its unique radio channel at:

Suzen Sharda Segall, Wellness Personal Trainer/Consultant, designer and facilitator of BodyArts Therapeutics, has provided an integrated approach to health and wellness for a wide variety of populations, internationally,for over thirty-five years.

CHI with Me on the Deep Blue Sea!!!

Postcard from Paradise Day Four
we arrive in the Virgin Islands today the 24th.

7am Qi Gong - Chinese Yoga - and guided Hara breathing on deck of the luxurious Costa Fortuna. What a way to start the day!
I'll include the description from the Holistic Holiday at Sea VII Program in tomorrow's post

Breakfast
miso soup with baked mochi

oatmeal with mixed seeds

mixed green beans and carrots

apricots ginger compote
(upon request: beans and toast with grilled tomato)

LUNCH
I'm not recalling the apetizer!
Mung bean soup
coleslaw (really yummy)
Tofu fried rice
strawberry mouse cake

Dinner

Maple glazed seitan skewer

fresh pea soup with mint

Hijiki radicchio salad with onion dressing

herbed vegetable polenta with asparagus and roasted red onion

chocolate cake wioth pistachio sauce

We also had a vegan and gluten free pizza party tonite with Frey organic wines and other non alcoholic beverages
-- oh -- did I mention the coconut ice cream social last nite -- with fix your own toppings -- including lots of fresh fruits like mango and kiwi etc!

I'm way past bedtime now --- another huge day to look forward to Thursday -- port San Juan -- I'll have some special appointments too -- one, with Lino -- the greatest -- and another, in the Fortuna Spa -- hungery for the taste of sea weed wrap and massage package -- and hopefully another session in the magnificent steam room with huge window onto the ocean --- YUMMMMMMMMMM!

I hope you are also celebrating your inner healer today.
Namaste, I see You.
Suzen Sharda Segall



Yours in Wellness, Gratitude and Happiness,
Suzen Sharda Segall


This blog post can be reproduced in its entirety with the following information:

© Suzen Sharda Segall 2010, CelebratingtheInnerHealer.com

Listen at: http://tinyurl.com/

Blog: www.celebratingtheinnerhealer.blogspot.com

Or on its unique radio channel at:

Suzen Sharda Segall, Wellness Personal Trainer/Consultant, designer and facilitator of BodyArts Therapeutics, has provided an integrated approach to health and wellness for a wide variety of populations, internationally,for over thirty-five years.

Food is Medicine Food is LOVE continues

Calling all happy healthy 'burgers (and wannabe's)

If you missed the Vegan Meet-up event featuring recipes from The Kind Diet, you only have days to wait for the next opportunity to be included in a vegan feast with a Free community Vegan potluck luncheon.

Mark your calender for the March 21st to literally get A Taste of Health - The First Great American Meat-Out celebration is sponsored by The Three Rivers Vegan Society, newly founded by the talented compassionate Anne Lynch.

Details:
Sunday, March 21
1:30-4 PM
The Nuin Center (5655 Bryant St., Highland Park) Note from Anne:

Please bring a vegan dish to share. Donations will be accepted, but this is a FREE event!
There is a kitchen available to heat up dishes. To reduce our impact on the environment,

please bring your own plates/cups/silverware.

Recent months have witnessed startling developments in American dietary lifestyle:
The popular Atkins diet craze has been discredited by consumer watchdogs.
Mad Cow disease has surfaced in America, reducing once again beef consumption.
The vegetarian food market has been growing at 100 - 125% per year.
A survey found that 20% of teens think that vegetarianism is "cool."

The 24th annual observance of the Great American Meatout on March 20th is proud of these welcome developments.

Launched in the "dietary dark ages" of the 1980s, Meatout has become the world's largest grassroots diet education campaign.

It has served as a model for the multimillion-dollar 5 A Day and other mainstream campaigns advocating increased consumption of vegetables and fruits.

Please don't feel left out if you don't live in Pittsburgh --

Go to the website to search for events over the week-end in your neighborhood --

Over a thousand communities in all 50 states and 20 other countries are welcoming spring
by asking their friends and neighbors to "kick the meat habit and explore a wholesome,
nonviolent diet of vegetables, legumes, fruits, and grains." They are holding colorful
educational events ranging from information tables ('steakouts') and exhibits to lectures,
public dinners, cooking demonstrations, homeless feedings & elaborate 'lifestivals.


Just think: while I'm savoring the welcoming buffet of Greens and Grains on the Deep Blue Sea divinely prepared by award winning Chef Mark Hanna and staff, you can be included in the historic First Great American Meat-Out celebration savoring food is medicine, food is love right here -- what a great way to welcome Spring!


How will you celebrate life today? I'd love to hear about your experience and what you learn, wonder about and intend as next steps as a result of participating in The Great American Meat-out even if it's just virtually - surfing their website which is chock-filled with resources and recipes!

Yours in Wellness, Gratitude and Ahimsa (Jain philosophy of Reverence for All Life),
Suzen Sharda Segall

This blog post can be reproduced in its entirety with the following information:

© Suzen Sharda Segall 2010, CelebratingtheInnerHealer.com

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Blog: www.celebratingtheinnerhealer.blogspot.com

Or on its unique radio channel at:

Suzen Sharda Segall, Wellness Personal Trainer/Consultant, designer and facilitator of BodyArts Therapeutics, has provided an integrated approach to health and wellness for a wide variety of populations, internationally,for over thirty-five years

24th Annual Great American Meat-0ut March 20

Hello all you Happy Healthy 'Burghers, and wanna bees,





I wonder what your favorite Vegan burger is and am going to


run a poll here on Celebrating the Inner Healer and would love to include your candidate.So send me some submissions by scrolling down and adding your comment and name -- name the commerciallly available vegan burger (including those from restaurants) and I'll post a list for voting when I return from the Caribbean Holistic Holiday at Sea.


I'm planning to get sponsors to award special gift certificates for an upcoming contest too --


If you have a recipe for a homemade veggie burger that you think tops this one -- do submit it here too. We can plan a Meet-up Healthy Happy 'burghers veggie burgers tasting and vote in the Best of the 'burghers Veggie Burgers 2010 -- and if you live elsewhere --let's figure out how you too can have more fun.

Why Meatout

The explosive growth of the Great American Meatout has been due largely to the support of consumer advocates, health authorities, and the mass media. Nearly 40 governors and large city mayors are issuing Meatout proclamations. Celebrity entertainers like Casey Kasem, Mary Tyler Moore, Ed Asner,Jennie Garth, Bill Maher, Rue McClanahan, and James Cromwell are headlining the observance. Hundreds of billboards and bus cards in ten major metropolitan areas are carrying the Meatout message. Lifestyle editors cover local events and carry celebrity interviews and stories on national trends toward meatless eating.


Homemade Veggie Burgers
Ingredients:

1 cup dry lentils, rinsed
2 1/2 cups water
1/2 tsp. salt
1 Tbs. olive oil
1/2 medium onion, diced
1 medium carrot, diced
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. soy sauce (optional)
3/4 cup rolled oats, finely ground
3/4 cup bread crumbs

Directions:

Place lentils, water, and salt in saucepan and bring to a boil; lower heat, cover, and simmer for about 45 minutes, until water is nearly gone and lentils are very soft, with splitting skins.
Sauté the onion and carrot in oil until soft, about 5 minutes.
Mix lentils, onions, carrots, pepper, and optional soy sauce in a large bowl; add the ground oats and bread crumbs and mix more.
While still warm, form the lentil mixture into patties.
In a 400º oven, bake the burgers on a greased baking sheet until light brown (about 15 minutes) or put your grill to work.

For this & other great recipes, visit http://www.theveggietable.com/


Yours in Wellness, Gratitude and Excitement,
Suzen Sharda Segall

This blog post can be reproduced in its entirety with the following information:

© Suzen Sharda Segall 2010, CelebratingtheInnerHealer.com

Listen at: http://tinyurl.com/

Blog: www.celebratingtheinnerhealer.blogspot.com

Or on its unique radio channel at:

Suzen Sharda Segall, Wellness Personal Trainer/Consultant, designer and facilitator of BodyArts Therapeutics, has provided an integrated approach to health and wellness for a wide variety of populations, internationally,for over thirty-five years.

Food is Medicine - Food is Love

Today's post begins a series I'm eager to share spotlighting the emerging Pittsburgh Plant-Based and Local Foodies Community. Spring has sprung in many forms! I regret I'll miss some of the local up-coming fun in the 'burgh, these next few week-ends and hope some of you will attend in my place! ( I'll be having my own food glorious food adventures on the deep blue seas! I'm intending to send back the daily menus to inspire you -so do sign up to follow me - on the right!)

First off, I am delighted that Farm to Table has built momentum - and that well-respected Darryll Misak is combining some promotions for his business with advanced ticket sales for Farm to Table as well as being a featured speaker.

I'm happy to send some business his way. I can tell you I have personally benefitted with far-infared sauna treatments there as well as the ionic foot baths.

The 4th Annual Farm to Table conference is almost here. Scheduled for March 26th & 27th, 2010 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh, this conference is the bridge between local farmers and you. Don't miss the opportunity to become exposed to many health and food related vendors, including Pittsburgh Alternative Health, Inc. and hear Dr. Misak lecture on health, local environment, and whole foods.

You are encouraged to pre-order your tickets today. Each ticket is priced at $25; however with every pre-purchased ticket and the mentioning this special offer from Pittsburgh Alternative Health, Inc., Dr. Misak is extending a FREE Far Infrared Sauna Treatment ($30 value) or 1/2 off an Ionic Foot Bath Treatment ($17.50 value).

Pre-order your tickets by calling 412-563-8800. Discount for group ticket sales are available. Please mention you read about this special in Suzen Segall's blog. And do leave your comments here related to your adventures at the Fourth Annual Farm to Table event. (scroll below)

Haven't yet opted in to follow me? See the box on the right and receive the posts directly.
Yours in Wellness, Gratitude and Ahimsa (Jain philosophy of Reverence for All Life),
Suzen Sharda Segall

This blog post can be reproduced in its entirety with the following information:

© Suzen Sharda Segall 2010, CelebratingtheInnerHealer.com

Listen at: http://tinyurl.com/

Blog: www.celebratingtheinnerhealer.blogspot.com

Or on its unique radio channel at:

Suzen Sharda Segall, Wellness Personal Trainer/Consultant, designer and facilitator of BodyArts Therapeutics, has provided an integrated approach to health and wellness for a wide variety of populations, internationally,for over thirty-five years

I thank this life for all it has Given Me

Gracias a la Vida

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyOJ-A5iv5I

I thank this life for all it has given me,
For my two eyes that I can open
to perfectly distinguish black from white,
And in the high heavens, the starry depths,
And amid the multitudes, the one that I love.

I thank this life for all it has given me,
For all the sounds that reach my ears,
Both day and night, each bug and bird,
The hammers, turbines, howls and rainfall,
And the warm, sweet voice of my beloved.

I thank this life for all it has given me,
For my heart that skips a beat
when I see the fruits of the human mind,
When I see good, so far from evil,
When I see the depths of your bright eyes.

I thank this life for all it has given me,
For the laughter and the tears
that help me distinguish joy from sorrow:
The two elements that form my song
And your song that is one and the same,
And the world's song, that is my own.

I thank this life for all it has given me...

Gracias a la vida: please cut and paste for the spanish rendition: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyOJ-A5iv5I .
>
Written by chile's beloved songwriter Violeta Parra >

I apologize that I don't yet know how to upload a UTUBE video - but if you cut and past the address above you can hear and see a powerful rendition.

If you'd like to share something that you are thanking life for today, please scroll down and share in the comment box -- and would you like to receive my postings automatically? Look to the right and click on the box FOLLOW.

PS Cousin Marilyn took the photo of me thanking this life in Grand Caymon on the Holistic Holiday at Sea VI
Yours in Wellness, Gratitude and Ahimsa (Jain philosophy of Reverence for All Life),
Suzen Sharda Segall

This blog post can be reproduced in its entirety with the following information:

© Suzen Sharda Segall 2010, CelebratingtheInnerHealer.com

Listen at: http://tinyurl.com/

Blog: www.celebratingtheinnerhealer.blogspot.com

Or on its unique radio channel at:

Suzen Sharda Segall, Wellness Personal Trainer/Consultant, designer and facilitator of BodyArts Therapeutics, has provided an integrated approach to health and wellness for a wide variety of populations, internationally,for over thirty-five years

I See You: An Inside Look at the Spirit of Avatar Message #3

Remember our interconnectedness: The way the Na'vi live in harmony with their land and all living creators is one of the most profound and awe-inspiring elements of Avatar. There is a deep respect and appreciation for all living creators and for all elements of nature that the Na'vi truly embody. A great example of this is how the Na'vi warriors bond with their Banshees (the four-winged creatures they fly around on). Once they bond-which they do both physically and energetically-they are bonded for life and work together as one. The first few scenes in the film where we see the Na'vi warriors connect with their Banshees literally took my breath away and had a visceral impact on me as I sat in the theater. The many ways in which the Na'vi exemplifies this interconnectedness remind us of the universal oneness that is at the core of our spiritual essence.

How consciously interconnected do you feel toward other people, living creatures and our planet in your daily life? It's so easy for us to get caught up in the illusion of separateness-we think, talk and are reminded of all the ways we are different, disconnected and isolated from one another, living creators and the earth all the time. However, most of us have had experiences in our lives where we've felt a deep sense of interconnectedness, not just with people we know and love, but
with all of life. In those moments, we've seen, felt and touched the depth of our spiritual nature. When we consciously tap into this, we remember that, at the deepest level, we are all one.


I am eager to read your comments here on how you are reconnecting with that which is most sacred to you; what's it been like for you lately when focusing on what truly matters; and examples of remembering how connected we are to each other, all living beings and to the environment in which we live. And while this is the last in the series of posts related to Mike Robbins' article on An Inside Look at the Spirit of Avatar, I expect these themes will be woven into the fabric of Celebrating the Inner Healer.

One friend recognized the message of macrobiotics when watching Avatar -- feeling affirmed
in her new healthy lifestyle choice this past year (sparked and fueled by A Holistic Holiday
at Sea) - I hope she joins in on our conversation about it here!

I, of course, felt so encouraged that the ancient Jain path of Ahimsa, the philosophy and practice
of Reverence for All Life, that I have embraced for about forty years, is reflected in the spirit of the Avatar messages. What did and do you see? Please scroll down to the comment box and join the discussion. You can also look for the word Followers on the right and click on the box to receive the upcoming posts directly.

I See You: Namaste:

I greet the light in you. I bow to your essence. When you and I recognize this we celebrate oneness.

Yours in Wellness, Gratitude and Ahimsa (Jain philosophy of Reverence for All Life),
Suzen Sharda Segall

This blog post can be reproduced in its entirety with the following information:

© Suzen Sharda Segall 2010, CelebratingtheInnerHealer.com

Listen at: http://tinyurl.com/

Blog: www.celebratingtheinnerhealer.blogspot.com

Or on its unique radio channel at:

Suzen Sharda Segall, Wellness Personal Trainer/Consultant, designer and facilitator of BodyArts Therapeutics, has provided an integrated approach to health and wellness for a wide variety of populations, internationally,for over thirty-five years.

I See You: An Inside Look at the Spirit of Avatar Message #2

Connect wih spirit: The Na'vi worship a mother goddess called Eywa. Eywa is the center of the Na'vi's spiritual universe, and their reverence for her is displayed in a beautiful and palpable way throughout the film. In all that the Na'vi do, there is a direct connection back to their relationship with Eywa. There are breathtaking scenes in the film showing large groups of Na'vi chanting and praying around the Tree of Souls as a way to honor, connect with and access
Eywa's power, wisdom and love.

How consciously do you connect with spirit in your own life? We often get so busy that we don't take the time to connect with spirit in a deliberate and meaningful way in our daily lives. We also sometimes get too caught up in the external aspects of our spirituality-thinking we have to go to a specific service or gathering, practice a particular form of prayer or meditation or do something else externally in order to tap into our spiritual connection. While any of these practices can
help us access spirit, none of them are necessary: We can connect with God at any time, in any place and for any reason.

I've been counting some of the gifts of the day - which always brings me back to a sense of connectedness with nature within and around .... Daylight savings time shift, the rain instead of snow, seeing green grass and the first fresh signs of spring. A very special Latino community concert event was organized Saturday evening as a fund-raiser for Chile...deeply moving...heart-warming and uplifting music, talent and generosity... Thank you El Coro Latinoamericano de Pittsburgh and all blessings on your mission of sharing cultural and musical enrichment that gives us the sweet taste of the flavors and diversity that make our countries unique -- and one.

We Are Not Alone. Stay tuned for future blogs where I'll share the lyrics to "Gracias a la Vida" by Chile's beloved songwriter,Violeta Parra that we sang together in the finale and hopefully a UTUBE glimpse that dear Victor Beltran documented. And the parting message of 'Cambia toto cambia' ( I loosely translate as Change everything Changes -- Life is change - is movement)


I am eager to read your comments here on how you are reconnecting with that which is most sacred to you; what's it been like for you lately when focusing on what truly matters; and examples of remembering how connected we are to each other, all living beings and to the environment in which we live.

Please Scroll Down for comment box --- and do click on Follow me!

I See You: Namaste:

I greet the light in you. I bow to your essence. When you and I recognize this we celebrate oneness.

Yours in Wellness, Gratitude and Ahimsa (Jain philosophy of Reverence for All Life),
Suzen Sharda Segall

This blog post can be reproduced in its entirety with the following information:

© Suzen Sharda Segall 2010, CelebratingtheInnerHealer.com

Listen at: http://tinyurl.com/

Blog: www.celebratingtheinnerhealer.blogspot.com

Or on its unique radio channel at:

Suzen Sharda Segall, Wellness Personal Trainer/Consultant, designer and facilitator of BodyArts Therapeutics, has provided an integrated approach to health and wellness for a wide variety of populations, internationally,for over thirty-five years.

How are You Celebrating Life Today?

I recently read a newsletter from Oprah featuring the sought after motivational speaker and best-selling author Mike Robbins (Focus on the Good Stuff and Be Yourself: Everyone Else Is Already Taken). His article (abridged) is well worth sharing here.

"Avatar is a film that not only broke new ground in filmmaking technology, visual effects and box office success, it's a movie that challenges us in a spiritual way to remember who we really are and why we're truly here. The film is a wake-up call-reminding us of the dangers of greed, unconsciousness, disconnection, insensitivity and arrogance, both globally and personally."

I'd say Avatar brilliantly dances us the yin-yang (Chinese philosophy of the dynamic balancing of polarities within wholeness) of Callousness-Compassion.


Robbins outlines three of the most important messages we can take away from Avatar and
use in our own lives and on our spiritual journeys. I've included the first message below
and stay tuned the next couple days for message two and three.

Robbins said that in viewing Avatar 'I felt as though my life had been altered spiritually.'

How about you???

I See You:

An Inside Look at the Spirit of Avatar

Honor the sacred: A central theme of the film is the way in which the
Na'vi (the native species of the moon Pandora, where the story takes
place) honor the sacredness of their land-specifically Hometree (where
they live) and the Tree of Souls (where they worship). They have a deep
sense of reverence for these important places and for all of Pandora.

How well do you honor your own space? How much reverence do you hold
for where you live, where you pray, meditate or worship, where you
work, where you eat, the planet? So often we forget that the sacredness
of any place is more about how we relate to it than about the space
itself. We have the ability to bring a sense of sacredness to anywhere
we are, at any time.

By scrolling down to the comment box you can share your thoughts and experience.

And on the right you'll see the Followers section - by clicking here you will receive the upcoming posts directly.

I See You (Na'vi) Namaste: (Hindi)
I greet the light in you. I bow to your essence. When you and I recognize
this we celebrate oneness.

Yours in Wellness, Gratitude and Oneness,
Suzen Sharda Segall

This blog post can be reproduced in its entirety with the following information:

© Suzen Sharda Segall 2010, CelebratingtheInnerHealer.com

Listen at: http://tinyurl.com/

Blog: www.celebratingtheinnerhealer.blogspot.com

Or on its unique radio channel at:

Suzen Sharda Segall, Wellness Personal Trainer/Consultant, designer and facilitator of BodyArts Therapeutics, has provided an integrated approach to health and wellness for a wide variety of populations, internationally,for over thirty-five years.

Have a Taste of the Kind Diet Tomorrow!!

How would your life be different if you put your toe in the water - adventuring into the new earth world peace diet while pampering and delighting your palate and making new friends?

Our friendly Pittsburgh Vegan meet-up group just happens to be sponsoring a timely Vegan Potluck that is testing recipes from Alicia Silverstone's new book The Kind Diet on Sunday March 14th at 2pm.

If you are recipe-challenged -- don't know where to start an event like this may just be the ticket for you!

Please let us know here about your experience at this special Welcome Spring event or other adventures with vegan Spring cookin'. PS SPRING FORWARD -- set you clock tonite!

Joseph-Beth Booksellers
2705 E Carson St
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
412-381-3600

The Kind Diet By Alicia Silverstone

Best known for her role in "Clueless," Silverstone shares how her journey toward a vegan and now macrobiotic diet has left her feeling better than ever. "The Kind Diet" features nearly 100 easy--and Earth-friendly--recipes. My hero, Dr. Neal Barnard wrote the forward.

If you are in Pittsburgh and would like to participate, please contact
Heather Burns to reserve your space and pick a recipe: (412) 381-3600, hburns@josephbeth.com.

Learn more here:
http://www.meetup.com/pittsburgh-vegans/calendar/12806799/




Yours in Wellness, Gratitude and Happiness,
Suzen Sharda Segall

This blog post can be reproduced in its entirety with the following information:

© Suzen Sharda Segall 2010, CelebratingtheInnerHealer.com

Listen at: http://tinyurl.com/

Blog: www.celebratingtheinnerhealer.blogspot.com

Or on its unique radio channel at:

Suzen Sharda Segall, Wellness Personal Trainer/Consultant, designer and facilitator of BodyArts Therapeutics, has provided an integrated approach to health and wellness for a wide variety of populations, internationally,for over thirty-five years.

Welcoming Spring Self-Care

Radiant Skin - Radiant Self


This simple hot towel rub has long been used in Asia and Europe to rejuvenate and
beautify the skin. Unlike dry skin brushing or loofa only the surface of the skin, you will stimulate the muscles and the internal organs with this hot towel technique. The rub can be done on a daily basis even during and after pregnancy. While you are pregnant, it helps to prevent stretch marks and the build up of cellulite. Afterwards, it can help to keep your skin healthy and enable it to regain its natural elasticity.

I highly recommend it for Every Body during our long dormant and dry winter months. Building radiant skin is only one of the benefits. It is also a great stress release.

If you do the rub in the morning, you will feel uplifted and ready for the day. I prefer rubbing before bed - then getting snuggly under the covers, supporting a deep restful sleep, which in turn enhances our healing capacity. In general, it may help you to clear toxins and let go tension.

The hot towel rub is said to improve circulation, strengthen the immune system and support the function of the organs especially the kidneys, lungs and liver. It is an inexpensive, simple and fun way to look and feel great. All you need is a cotton face cloth, a sink full of hot
water, a few minutes and your bathroom.

Here's How:

Either morning or evening - separate from bathing/shower to avoid losing minerals with too much time in standing water -

Fill you bathroom sink with hot water. Dip the face cloth into the water, wring it out and fold it into a pad that fits comfortably in your hand. With short fairly brisk strokes, rhythmically rub your entire body in a back and forth motion. Try figure eights and exhaling audibly, slowly and deeply.
The idea is to have your skin turn pink. Have the pressure be firm and not painful. Take care with areas that are delicate or sensitive and be gentle. Dip you face cloth in the hot water, from time to time, to re-freshen it. Know that some areas of you skin may get a little dry or fail to turn pink at all. That is normal. Fat can build up below the surface of the skin, which then may become clogged. That's what may prevent the natural oils from flowing smoothly.

When you feel time or energy is short, just concentrate on four key areas:
your hands, feet, face and groin. Be patient, and practice regularly and you will find, over time,the fat WILL break up... it won't be long before you experience a delightful difference in the condition of your skin.

Getting older is inevitable, feeling and looking ageless is a choice!

Soon, your skin will become smoother, firmer, more supple and silky to the touch...and you will radiate from inside out.

Do let us know how you like this special self-care technique. If you have some other welcoming spring self-care rituals and recipes for celebrating the inner healer -- I thank you in advance for sharing them with us here too! Just scroll down to the comment box -- and do click on Followers on the right for direct delivery of Celebrating the Inner Healer. Thank you.

Namaste! (Hindi for 'I greet the light in you. I bow to your essence')
I See You (Avatar version!)

Yours in Wellness, Radiance and Beauty,
Suzen Sharda Segall

Chi with Me on the Deep Blue Sea

The schedule is set -- I am sharing Qi(pronounced chee) Gong -( Chinese Yoga) - and
guided Hara breathing (diaphramatic breath) on deck of the luxurious Costa Fortuna to start the day in the Virgin Islands Wednesday March 24th.

On Friday the 26th we'll be Mindfully Walking and Sharing The Tai Ji
Dance of the Five Elements after breakfast before exploring Grand
Turk. (Tai Ji or Tai Chi - pronounced 'chee' - is an ancient standing slow-moving meditative practice for health or martial art)


Even if you are unable to join us in person this year, you do not have to
do without some Five Star mindbody nourishment and nurturing self-care
and community. Through this new Celebrating the Inner Healer blog
I'll be suggesting several ways for you to experience "A taste of health"(link to their website) without packing your suitcase.

As I am counting down less than two weeks to Bon Voyage on the Costa Fortuna, I invite you to join me here for some timely tastes of health and healing.

I look forward to your comments and would love to hear about other Wellness Getaways you have discovered, enjoyed and recommend to our community of folks celebrating the Inner Healer.

Starting tomorrow -- Why not embark and book an
appointment with yourself for the Guided Radiant Skin - Radiant Self
treatment that I'll describe here on Thursday. I'll be very interested to hear how it rates -- what you learned -- what suprised you about the experience -- or any questions.