Navigating for the Next New Season - Recovery

Navigating for the Next New Season - Recovery

Written By: Connie Pshigoda

We are entering into week 4 of Colorado’s “distancing-delaying-detouring-debt-growing” crisis.

How are you holding up? I hope you and your family are strong and well––in your body-mind- spirit. This season caught most of us unaware and unprepared. Im convinced more than ever that my seasonal, preventive approach to daily living and my health have paid off generously.

This is the time of year that I usually write on Spring detox programs and internal cleansing and fasting. I’m not convinced that my body could safely and health-fully complete even a short term plan.

I am trying to be intentional in paying close attention to what my body is needing in this peculiar season. It’s not “business as usual” in most areas of our lives and careers so I encourage you to listen to how your body needs to be cared for now.

For me personally, my body seems to be out of sync in many areas and I’m not familiar with this new message it’s sending me. Most of the time I operate with a “cool-calm-collected” manner (at least on the surface), but not so much lately.

This is an exercise in mental discipline––to do what I know to be wise rather than let my out-of- sync body rule. I’ve seen several cute and creative cartoons and video clips about how much “fluffier” we all may be once we emerge from our cocoon state, so I know I must continue a fitness program, even when I’m not feelin’ it. Thank you Camp Miss Fits (Priscilla Freed) for your 6-am killer classes––and expert instructors––that got me moving early in the day!

I’ve listened to more Zoom classes, seminars and training sessions in the last month than I listened to all of last year! I do enjoy the personal connection of a live classroom, but this technology has allowed me to participate more frequently and use my my time more efficiently.

Since I like to share a new recipe with each Blog post, I’ve tried more new recipes in the past four weeks than I did in the previous four months. This has been a way to relax while continuing to do business. And, hubby loves to be my taste-tester.

When my book was published, I included a chapter titled: The 5-R’s to Renewal. Springtime is often referred to as a season of renewal, with Nature coming to life following Winter. I would argue that point today, as it is April 13 and there is 6” of snow in my yard! However, these simple five steps support ongoing health, energy and rejuvenation which are especially important in this Spring of 2020. I hope you’ll find them refreshing:

1. Remove: Discontinue any unhealthy habits you’ve developed or destructive lifestyle choices you’ve made concerning your diet, sleep, activities, attitude, posture, water in-take, exercise, relationships or a hopeless (or helpless) life outlook.

2. Replace: To achieve the healthy lifestyle you desire, create a new plan (and mindset) relating to your diet, sleep habits, exercise, spirituality, recreation, emotions and relationships. You can replace your self-defeating patterns with an optimistic and relaxed attitude, a strong faith, a wise diet and an enjoyable exercise routine. With determination, God’s help, and others’ support, you can do it. You will then move past obstacles and become the woman you dream of being.

3. Rebalance: Coordinate your new healthy choices into an ongoing strategic plan that works well for you. Be gentle with yourself. Try not to add to your stress level by comparing yourself to someone else and her wellness plan. By taking small steps in the beginning and adding new steps as you progress, you will achieve your goals. Focus on personal goals, home goals and career goals in phases. Give yourself a break and adapt gradually to your new wellness style.

4. Repair/Restore: Organ function and cellular activity improve as you cultivate new healthy habits. The small steps you take in these areas will bring healing to your roots. Be encouraged. Eventually, you will see and feel physical and emotional vitality. Stay with the process and be patient.

5. Rejoice: Develop a joy-filled, glad and grateful heart. Take time each day (and each season) to appreciate and celebrate the good things in your life, the wise choices you are making, and your forward movement toward wellness. Perhaps you’d like to create a Gratitude Journal. Several times each week, perhaps in the morning before you start your day or in the evening before you retire, you can jot down the ways you are thankful. Allow yourself to love, laugh and live each day to your fullest capacity.

I have found that I am able to continue in my preventive health style when I allow these five steps to flow into my daily routine and rituals. I hope you’ll let me hear from you and share ways that you are moving forward into the next phase.

With a happy heart, doing my best to savor this season! Be well.

Red Cabbage and Quinoa Salad

Serves 6

3 cups water

1-1/2 cups quinoa, rinsed and drained

3/4 tsp. salt

3 cups red cabbage, thinly sliced

4 celery stalks, thinly sliced

4 medium carrots, thinly sliced

3 green onions, greens only, thinly sliced

2 Tbsp. sesame seeds

Salad Dressing:

1/4 cup rice vinegar

1/4 cup soy sauce or tamari (I use Bragg’s Liquid Amino’s)

Zest of 1 lime

3 Tbsp. lime juice

3 Tbsp. sesame oil

1 tsp. grated ginger

• In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add quinoa and salt. Cover and lower heat to a simmer. Cook until water is absorbed, about 20-minutes. Turn heat off and let steam, covered, about 5-minutes. Transfer to a baking pan and spread quinoa to cool. This may be placed in the refrigerator to speed the cooling process. Remove when quinoa is room temperature.

• In a large mixing bowl, combine vegetables and sesame seeds.

• In a small bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients. Pour over vegetables and stir gently to coat vegetables.

• Stir in cooled quinoa and gently toss.

• Serve with toasted pita bread.

Connie’s Comments:

• This salad does not save well, so only prepare what you will eat immediately.

• Thinly sliced cucumbers may be added, if salad is to be eaten right away.

• Finely diced water chestnuts also make an interesting texture addition.

• Top with crispy Asian noodles for variety in texture.

• Grilled chicken or salmon may be added for a heartier meal.