Go Raw!

Meat-Out "Tuesday" - I'm offering a fresh green raw soup - served at room temp. - as the final delivery for the season. Just in time for our heat-wave-- I wisely planned this blender quick and vital soup.
Depending on who's talking, raw foods offer special benefits -- the ratio of of raw-cooked will vary greatly - depending on who's system you buy into - and how your digestions responds. It's known that digestive enzymes are generally more prevalent in chewing the raw foods -- What is the ratio on your plate?? How about fermented foods to aid digestion and alkalinity. Check out the Zukay line of dressings -- an easy way to include this digestive support.

Inspired by my New Mexican friend, Aruna - I've included Baby spinach, green zucchini, jicame, parsnip, fermented red beets( from a great new Canadian company the EEFCoop is carrying - New Deep Root Organic Coop - beets are spiced with aniseed, tarragon, whole pepper, ginger, nutmeg, clove, with water, green cabbage and lactic starters - non-dairy), baby yellow and red peppers, dried shallots, Braggs, garlic powder, sea salt, herbs of provence, cayenne, dried ginger,tahini sauce ( sesame seed, water, garlic, lemon juice and salt)

I'm excited to recommend Trader Joe's prepared tahini sauce - and frozen falafels --- great served on a big romaine/other salad -- I've given my soup subscribers a taste of the falafel (ground chickpeas packs the protein and great spices - just right!) Warmed up falafel will be a nice accompaniment to the room temp. soup. So let me hear from you this summer - new plant-based finds, recipes, Farmer's Market treats. I'll be holding monthly special Self-Care events featuring some easy to make - delish-nutrish plant-based dishes - in the 'burgh -and maybe back at Chautauqua - end of September - stay tuned!
Many Species - One Planet - One Future
I See You ~ Namaste ~
Yours in Wellness, Gratitude, Vitality and the Rhythm of Nature,
Suzen Sharda Segall
This blog post can be reproduced in its entirety with the following information:© Suzen Sharda Segall 2010, CelebratingtheInnerHealer.com http://www.wellnesstraining.com/ http://www.celebratingtheinnerhealer.blogspot.com/ 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

Meat-out Monday: Corn Chowder Soup Notes

Vegan Corn Chowder Ingredients :

Acknowledgements to Debby Wasserman – a heroine I’ve admired for over thirty years – author of Simply Vegan . This recipe was also recommended on PCRM website – Healthy Eating for Life – for cancer – by Vesanto Melina RD.

Trader Joe’s frozen organic sweet corn, Multi-grain milk substitute (brown rice, millet, quinoa, amaranth) plus fresh Rice Milk (Silk), olive oil, sea salt, cracked lemon pepper, potato, celery, onion, carrot, water, nutmeg, garlic powder

My adds: local purple potato, sweet potato, cayenne ,dried ginger and turmeric. Special garnish/snack: toasted red kale – baked with a light spray of canola oil and sea salt. And last but not least, my standard Healing chants.

The Bad news: Weekly soup subscriptions will not be available as of June – I may possibly resume in September. The last delivery will be a raw veggie soup

The Good news: Available throughout the Summer:

$10 Special requests for Quarts of Magic Mineral Healing broth or Veg Broth (with chickpea protein) and for

Pints of Luscious Lentil Pate or Carrot Tahini Miso Pate,

Greens and beans or tempeh waldorf salad.

Buon Apetito, L'Chaim and InJoy your yummy plant-based farm to table goodies this week - and keep me posted on your delightful finds at your favorite Farmer's Markets this abundant summer season. We're getting our first CSA delivery this week -- how about you? I'm always interested in hearing what creative simply easy dishes you're preparing from the CSA basket, too!

Many Species - One Planet - One Future
I See You ~ Namaste ~
Yours in Wellness, Gratitude, Vitality and the Rhythm of Nature,
Suzen Sharda Segall
This blog post can be reproduced in its entirety with the following information:© Suzen Sharda Segall 2010, CelebratingtheInnerHealer.com http://www.wellnesstraining.com/ http://www.celebratingtheinnerhealer.blogspot.com/ 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

Meat-Out Monday

Notes to my Soup Subscribers Week of May 16, 2011

Creamy Asparagus

Spring celebrations continue with more local ramps and red and green asparagus, from the EEFood Coop of Pittsburgh. I’m excited to see how you like this recipe – new for you and me – again suggested at PCRM’s website http://www.pcrm.org/health/recipes/soups.html with credit to Foods That Fight Pain, by Neal Barnard, M.D.

Of course, I added my own touches, like the ramps, turmeric, cayenne and dried ginger, and instead of rice milk, I’ve used both fresh coconut milk and Trader Joe’s mixed grain milk – for some protein. Additional ingredients include: Golden potatoes, fresh basil and parsley, shredded napa cabbage, cracked lemon pepper and sea salt. I was fortunate to join David Goldstein for Saturday morning Forays in the Forest – Hebrew chanting – celebrating New Life Now, in Schenley Park, so I pass along to you the very green vibrations I gathered there. Go to http://www.hebrewchant.com for more info.

Also, note, the forest foto above is from David's back yard! Buon Apetito! L’Chaim! In Joy! Your Singing Soup-maker, Sharda

Many Species - One Planet - One Future
I See You ~ Namaste ~
Yours in Wellness, Gratitude, Vitality and the Rhythm of Nature,
Suzen Sharda Segall
This blog post can be reproduced in its entirety with the following information:© Suzen Sharda Segall 2010, CelebratingtheInnerHealer.com http://www.wellnesstraining.com/ http://www.celebratingtheinnerhealer.blogspot.com/ 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

Soup Notes: For Meat-Out Monday

Notes to my soup subscribers and wannabees: Week of May 9, 2011

Spring Miso

I’m so happy to have spotted the ramps at the EEFCo-op to especially welcome Spring in the ‘burgh with you! This recipe called for garlic – and I used both ramps and garlic. Thanks to PCRM –Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine – list of soups and recipes – for including this version by Barbara Bloomfield – author of Soup’s On. I would never have thought to garnish a Miso soup with nutritional yeast – were it not for her! That’s what’s packed in the baggie for you to try – it’s kinda cheesy flavor, and before all the soy cheese alternatives and Daiya’s grated tapioca –based cheese alternatives – this was the gold standard to make a cheesey sauce. I love it for the B vitamans. I used to use it as a breading for sauteed tofu in days gone by when I didn’t know any better and loved being the Tofu Queen of Pgh. (My thyroid has taught me otherwise.)

A reminder about re-heating Miso soup – be careful not to boil/microwave – just re-heat gently – so the enzymes remain potent. Here’s the rest of the ingredients: Unlike my winter miso soup, when I used Chickpea – I went with the soy –rice red miso this time – as no one has requested soyfree soups this month. Celery, green onion, Savoy cabbage, toasted sesame oil and sweet potatoes round out this unique healing soup.

Chanting Ingredients: My usual ancient Jain healing mantras: Navkar Mantra, The Forgiveness Prayer, Sarve and Shivum Astu. I also included Threshold songs like Open My heart and May eternal Light surround you. Reminder: Next week is ‘ Cream’ of Asparagus followed by Corn Chowder/ Celery Root and Raw Green with Tahini delivered Tuesday May 31st. If you're in the 'burgh, do call to order: $10 Special requests for Quarts of Magic Mineral Healing broth or Veg Broth (with chickpea protein) and for Pints of Luscious Lentil Pate or Carrot Tahini Miso Pate.
Many Species - One Planet - One Future
I See You ~ Namaste ~
Yours in Wellness, Gratitude, Vitality and the Rhythm of Nature,
Suzen Sharda Segall
This blog post can be reproduced in its entirety with the following information:© Suzen Sharda Segall 2010, CelebratingtheInnerHealer.com http://www.wellnesstraining.com/ http://www.celebratingtheinnerhealer.blogspot.com/ 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

More Healthy Spring Soup, For You?

Back to my weekly Soup Notes -- to inspire us all, and to further inform my local soup subscribers...This week I've created the Triple Healing Bean Soup - with Gujarati Jain origins, I have elaborated and changed an ingredient or two.

The ingredients begin with mung, adziki and black beans - soaked overnite along with wild rice. Adding more healing properties to the powerhouse proteins, is the dried Chinese yam, sweet potato, fresh shitake mushrooms, onions, leeks, parsnips and carrots sauteed in a scant bit of olive oil and coconut oil. I've used mostly traditional spices, cumin seeds and powder, coriander powder, tumeric, dried ginger, paprika, cayenne, plus cracked lemon-pepper, garlic and shallots. Packaged separately is some copped fresh cilantro to garnish, and the very green in the quart is chopped fresh spinach.

Stream of consciousness chanting accompanied the preparations and the final blessing was Om Shanti Om -- Peace --

Even though the 21-day kickstart is winding down, the resources are always available. And if you are interested in a week-end Spring-Summer transition healthy kickstart, consider joining me and three colleagues leading the Wellness Week-end Getaway in Chautauqua Memorial Day week-end.

span >Many Species - One Planet - One Future
I See You ~ Namaste ~
Yours in Wellness, Gratitude, Vitality and the Rhythm of Nature,
Suzen Sharda Segall
This blog post can be reproduced in its entirety with the following information:© Suzen Sharda Segall 2010, CelebratingtheInnerHealer.com http://www.wellnesstraining.com/ http://www.celebratingtheinnerhealer.blogspot.com/ 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

The Birth of the Spiritual Leader Who Gave Us Ahimsa

I'm sharing this article in its entirety with you, introducing guest editor, Prof. Francione, FYI, Celebrating Earth Day as Every Day

Gary L. Francione

Professor, Rutgers University

Although many are aware of the Buddha or the deities of Hinduism, few of us know anything about Mahavir (599-527 BCE), whose birth the Jain community around the world will celebrate on April 16. This celebration is known as Mahavir Jayanti.

Jainism, along with Hinduism and Buddhism, are the three primary spiritual traditions of India, and archeological evidence indicates that although Mahavir was a contemporary of the Buddha, Jainism predated Mahavir by hundreds of years and, therefore, is the oldest religion in India. Mahavir is considered to be the last in a line of what the Jains call “Tirthankaras,” which literally means “maker of a ford” and refers to a human being who achieves omniscience and then teaches the path to liberation to others, thereby establishing a ford across the river of rebirth. A Tirthankara is also referred to as a “Jina,” which means “spiritual victor,” or as an “Arihant,” which means “destroyer of enemies.” A Jina or Arihant is a victor or destroyer in that he or she has conquered inner emotions and passions, and has complete equanimity that is characterized by an absence of attachment and aversion.

Mahavir was a social revolutionary. He rejected the caste system and the sexism that pervaded the society of his time (and that unfortunately persists), and promoted a radical social justice movement based on complete equality and equal inherent value. He did not limit this revolution to humans and was the first historical figure to regard all nonhuman animals as full members of the moral community. He was also the first historical figure to articulate the view that the planet itself, including air, water, and earth, consists of living systems. Mahavir was, indeed, the first ecologist.

The notion of revolution is often connected with violence, particularly in modern times. The central feature of Mahavir’s revolution, however, was Ahimsa, or nonviolence. Mahavir provided the most expansive concept of Ahimsa that the world has ever known not only by extending this notion to include all living beings, but by making clear that violence was not simply a matter of what we did, but what we thought and said.

Mahavir also taught us about two other central tenets of Jainism—Anekantavada, or the notion that truth is many sided, and Aparigraha, or non-possessiveness. The latter two principles cannot be understood except as aspects of Ahimsa. The doctrine of Anekantavada serves to promote social harmony and to reduce the violence that results from absolutist views of truth. The doctrine of Aparigraha recognizes that attachment to wealth and the accumulation of material things makes us more inclined to act in violent and destructive ways.

Mahavir taught that “all breathing, existing, living, sentient creatures should not be slain, nor treated with violence, nor abused, nor tormented, nor driven away.” This is the only moral or spiritual principle that we need to know. If we live by this principle, we will be at peace with ourselves and the world will be at peace. Whatever our religious tradition may be, let us celebrate Mahavir Jayanti 2011 by recommitting ourselves to a simple but profound idea that all may embrace: Ahimsa.
span style="color:#009900;">Many Species - One Planet - One Future
I See You ~ Namaste ~
Yours in Wellness, Gratitude, Vitality and the Rhythm of Nature,
Suzen Sharda Segall
This blog post can be reproduced in its entirety with the following information:© Suzen Sharda Segall 2010, CelebratingtheInnerHealer.com http://www.wellnesstraining.com/ http://www.celebratingtheinnerhealer.blogspot.com/ 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

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Rites of Spring

Celebrating the Inner Healer Notes to my soup subscribers

Week of April 18, 2011

Lemony Lentil with Spring Leeks & Spinach

Wow it really is Spring! I’m delighting in the many signs – trees and bulbs seemed to have burst open overnight and the greenest green grass shouting – bring me your bare feet and get grounded NOW!

I am still awaiting the ramps, and regret that I have none to share in the lentil soup this week. Instead, do enjoy the garlic, shallots, leeks and array of herbs: marjoram, sage, thyme, cumin. The yellow onion, young carrots and green lentils and spinach are further seasoned with a pinch of cayenne, sea salt, fresh cracked lemon pepper as well as fresh lemon zest and juice. I’ve garnished with carmalized shallots.

Chanting Ingredients include:

The Jain healing chants are especially meaningful this week with the April 16th celebration of the revered Bhagwan Mahavir’s birthday (Jayanti). Ahimsa – non-violence in thought, word and action – was the greatest gift he gave to humanity. While many are aware of the Buddha or the deities of Hinduism, few of us know anything about Mahavir (599-527 BCE) the last in a line of 24 Jain Prophets whose teachings of Ahimsa inspired Mahatma Gandhi ,Martin Luther King and other peace activists – his birthday energy supports our looking inward embracing the inner healer through inner peace.

Om Shanti Om, Navkar Mantra, The Forgiveness Prayer plus a new Russian Allelluia and Daisies lullaby rehearsed in my home with the Pgh Treshold Singers this week.

Buon apetito! L’Chaim! In Joy!

Your Singing Soup-maker, Sharda

Many Species - One Planet - One Future
I See You ~ Namaste ~
Yours in Wellness, Gratitude, Vitality and the Rhythm of Nature,
Suzen Sharda Segall
This blog post can be reproduced in its entirety with the following information:© Suzen Sharda Segall 2010, CelebratingtheInnerHealer.com http://www.wellnesstraining.com/ http://www.celebratingtheinnerhealer.blogspot.com/ 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