Here's to Your Health! YH Newsletter #10 has arrived!

Published: Sun, 12/02/12

Hello . This is Jeanette Logan of Youthful Hearts Fitness After 50
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Body, Mind & Spirit Fitness After 50 Newsletter

 


Youthful Hearts: Body, Mind & Spirit Fitness After 50     Issue #10, November 30, 2012


In This Issue, From Jeanette Logan...
  • Jeanette's Message
  • Video: Low Impact Aerobics & Brain Exercise 
  • Class Photos: Halloween Was Fun This Year!
  • The Star Thrower Story
  • Holiday Spice Bread (High Protein & Gluten Free)
  • Simple Weight Loss Tip
  • Favorite Quote & Fun Fact 
  • A Laugh for Good Health
  • Class News & Mark Your Calendar
  • Healthy Holiday Gift Ideas
Jeanette's Message
Recently, when I arrived for class at the Margaret Todd Senior Center, it was instantly apparent that the elves had been busy all night decorating.  The auditorium was transformed into a beautiful, bright shining, magical place, adorned with twinkling lights, wreaths and all other sorts of cheerful, aesthetically pleasing merriness. What a warm and uplifting start to my day! For the first 5 minutes or so I had the room all to myself, and a wave of deep gratitude rose up within me. I was feeling so fortunate to be able to do work that I love, surrounded by so many wonderful people for so many years, in not just one, but two great locations! My holiday spirit went way, way up in that moment, and I suspect it'll stay up for a good, long while.
 
One of the real joys of the holiday season for me is the heightened awareness that many of us have about what is truly important in life, including a deeper appreciation for all the gifts already given. You, my friends, are a gift to me. I cherish the many creative ways that we are able to connect throughout the year, and how we work together as a community to support one another. Whether we connect by email, facebook, talking on the phone, chatting in person before or after class, exercising or meditating together, or even just running into each other at the grocery store..., I receive value from each and every exchange with you, and I thank you! 

As we go through this last month of 2012 and roll into our brand new year, may songs of happiness fill your home with warmth and your heart with peace. I wish for you the most priceless gifts of them all: love and joy shared with family and friends. Happy Holidays!
 
Video: Low Impact Aerobics & Brain Exercise
Let's exercise! This low impact aerobics practice segment is a fun way to warm up (and wake-up!) the mind and body. It's great to do before a more vigorous workout, or if you've been sitting for awhile and your body needs to MOVE! Even short periods of exercise can boost the metabolism and support heart and brain health.  If you have limited mobility, then you can modify and follow along while sitting in an armless chair.  Click here or on the video below to get started.

Note: If coordinating your arms and legs is challenging for you, then this routine may take a few practice rounds to master. Don't frustrate yourself if you don't get it right away. Just smile and keep moving! For the brain benefits, you only need to attempt it; You don't have to perfect it. Oh, and if you follow along with the video, I'd love to hear from you! Leave a comment on my blog by clicking here


Class Photos: Halloween Was Fun This Year!
Halloween is typically a playful time for children, but our Youthful Hearts class members know how to have fun too! I love celebrating this creatively expressive holiday with those young at heart, from age 2 to 94! Click on the link below to see photos from my Halloween 2012 spent with some of my favorite seniors, boomers and children. By the way, some of us wore orange and black to also celebrate the Giants' World Series Win. Go Giants!  Click here to see more Halloween class photos.
 

The Star Thrower Story
Sometimes we feel so overwhelmed by situations in our lives that we overlook the simple, step by step actions we can take to make things better. This story beautifully demonstrates what an impact we can have when we focus on one thing at a time. You'll especially enjoy this story if you've ever been a caretaker for others (persons or animals) and wondered if what you do for them matters.  Click here to read more>  
 
Holiday Spice Bread with Almond Flour 

Here's a yummy recipe for you to enjoy and feel good about eating during the holiday season. It's low in sugar and is made with a variety of medicinal, immune boosting spices, winter squash (or pumpkin) and protein rich, gluten free almond flour. For Thanksgiving, I added walnuts to the bread, and everyone loved it. It's delicious when served warm! 
 
 
10 minutes prep time, 35 minutes cook time. Serves 6.
 
Dry Ingredients:
  • 1 cup blanched almond flour
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 tablespoon cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon cloves
  • 1 teaspoon ginger
  • 1 teaspoon allspice
Wet Ingredients:
  • ½ cup roasted pumpkin or winter squash
  • 3 eggs
  • 3-4 tablespoons honey
  • ¼ teaspoon stevia drops (optional - this makes it slightly sweeter)
Instructions:
  1. Mix dry ingredients and spices together in medium-large sized bowl.
  2. Mix wet together in smaller bowl.
  3. Stir wet ingredients into dry and mix together until smooth.
  4. Pour batter into 2 greased mini loaf pans.
  5. Bake in 350 degrees oven for approximately 35 minutes.
  6. Remove from pans and cool on rack

Variations: Pumpkin Walnut or Pecan Loaf - Add: ½ cup raw walnuts or pecans. Sweet Potato Loaf - substitute sweet potato instead of pumpkin. Pumpkin Muffins - Makes 10 muffins - bakes for approximately 22 min.  

                                             Thanks Amanda Love for this great recipe!

Simple Weight Loss Tip
Chew more and eat slower. This will greatly improve your digestion, and research has found that slower eating can save you up to hundreds of calories per day. It might not seem like much, but it adds up fast!

Favorite Quote
"If you think about disaster, you will get it. Brood about death and you hasten your demise. Think positively and masterfully, with confidence and faith, and life becomes more secure, more fraught with action, richer in achievement and experience."
~Eddie Rickenbacker, Pioneer in air transportation

Fun Fact
50,000 of the cells in your body will die and be replaced with new cells, all while you have been reading this sentence. Pretty cool!

A Laugh for Good Health
Here's how to weigh yourself and get the most accurate result. I can't believe I have been doing it wrong all these years! We must get the word out!


Class News: Scholarship Amount Has Increased
I'm happy to report that the Margaret Todd Senior Center scholarship for session classes has been increased from $50 to $75 for each recipient. This financial
assistance is offered for adults 50+ who reside within the city limits of Novato, CA and meet certain income limits. 

If you qualify, the program will now cover $75 of your exercise program fees per year. 

This scholarship program is funded solely by donations, and is administered by the MTSC staff. 

 

To inquire, please call the center at (415) 899-8290.  There is an easy, one page application that takes just 2 minutes to fill out, that you can pick up at the front desk or download here. This funding is currently available and waiting to be used for the higher good of Novato Seniors. If needed, I can think of no better reason to tap this fund than to promote your own good health!


Mark Your Calendar
Goldenaires: No Youthful Hearts Fitness classes from 
Dec 17 - Jan 1. Class resumes on Wed, Jan 2.

Margaret Todd Seniors: No Youthful Hearts Fitness classes from Dec 17 - Jan 7. Class resumes Jan 8.
 
During the holiday break, commit to doing some type of exercise on the same days, at the same times that our classes usually meet.  This would be a wonderful gift to yourself and will make your return to class a lot smoother in the new year! Keep your fitness momentum going strong!

Healthy Holiday Gift Idea: Home Workout DVDs
Would you or a loved one over 50 benefit from receiving my fitness support and guidance while at home
? Do you anticipate eating more and exercising less over the holidays? If so, then consider purchasing one of my home workout dvds. I now have several to choose from to keep you and loved ones active and feeling good all through the holiday season and beyond! I have something for every level of fitness. 
My workouts include exercises to optimize strength, balance and flexibility, exactly what we tend to lose as we age unless we do what we need to do to prevent or reverse it.
 
Click here for info about my most recent dvd or call me at (707) 642-3603 for any other info you may need or want. I have Chair Exercise dvds too for those with limited mobility! 

New Guided Relaxation Audio CD, Now Available
Another Great Gift Idea!
If you ever feel tired, stressed or melancholy during the holidays, then I have just the remedy! I've just put the finishing touches on a brand new Guided Relaxation CD called "Journey to Your Inner Oasis." It includes 6 separate tracks (edited from our live class meditations) designed to help listeners release stress and tension from their minds and bodies so they feel more at ease and naturally uplifted. Treat yourself or a loved one to a little holiday respite! Click here for more info.


"To meditate means to be invited on a journey of looking deeply in order to touch our true nature and to recognize that nothing is lost."   -Thich Nhat Hanh

Youthful Hearts is a fitness program that I (Jeanette Logan) started in 1994 for boomers and seniors. It includes a variety of mindful, moderate fitness classes designed to help participants improve strength, balance, flexibility and aliveness. Read success stories here. Be well and happy!