UPDATE: Giveaway is closed. The winner is Heather!
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At the beginning of every year, I like to create a one-word theme or mantra. Previous ones have included peace, balance, and French ? (see my previous posts on being and eating “French”)
If you don’t have a word-of-the-year, may I suggest “vitality”? Vitality conveys energy, spirit, and purpose.
In her book “Younger Next Week”, my colleague Elisa Zied MS, RD, CDN explains how to get that vitality, look and feel younger through diet (“Vital Foods”) and movement (“Vital Moves”), among other vital components of her plan. Elisa, at 44 years young, knows what it’s like to be a stressed mother, wife, and dietitian, what she’s named her “post-traumatic forty disorder”, and can commiserate with you about low energy, sleep troubles, and the need for a diet soda fix. A 2012 survey by the American Psychological Association found that not only do 34-45% of US women feel fatigued and overwhelmed by stress, but 46% also cope with this stress through unhealthy eating habits such as overeating or unhealthy food choices. With these stats, I’m sure at least half of you are nodding your head as you relate to how stress takes its toll on you and your good diet intentions.
Elisa’s goal with her latest book is to help you “recapture your youthful, energetic, positive spirit”. Don’t worry—this is NOT a diet. It’s a flexible, realistic plan that will help you make small changes to reduce your stress (real or perceived), create healthful coping habits, eat in a way that makes you feel good (and slows aging!), and take better care of yourself.
Take note of these not-so-helpful coping habits and how they make you look and feel older than you are:
In her “Vitality Program”, Elisa encourages her readers to turn to knife and fork instead of to the scalpel. She has reviewed the research for you and lays out simple guidelines with the WHYS behind it all. From “The Body’s Energizer Bunnies” to antioxidants, and a good belly laugh, you will find out what these do for your body and recommendations on how to incorporate these into your day.
To wrap up her Vitality Plan and help you regain your vitality TODAY, Elisa provides 30 recipes and a 7-day meal plan. Here is one of my favorite recipes from her book (reprinted with permission):
Do you want your own copy of Younger Next Week? Elisa is offering a copy to one lucky reader!
To enter to win:
A winner will be randomly drawn on Friday January 17. If I don’t hear from you within 24 hours, a new winner will be drawn. Giveaway open to US residents.
Good luck and here’s to a younger you!
I would love to win a copy of the book so I can share it with my mother! I think she’d really benefit from it, especially the stress connection and how it impacts your overall nutrition and wellness. :)
Sweet of you to think of you mom–sounds like a good fit (we all could benefit from Elisa’s “Stressipes”)
My word of the year is “hardihood” – I want to live with vigor, strength, power, and boldness this year! :) loved your blog…and making the recipe tomorrow! Thank you
Great word–love it! Hope you liked the salad
My sankalpa, or resolve, for 2014 is “homeostasis”. I seek to find balance in body and mind and my intention for this year is to take every opportunity offered to me to do so. I think that reading this book will serve my sankalpa well.
Good for you. Balance is way more challenging than any extreme. I’m right there with you!
My word of the year is actually two words: less perfection. Things I do, say, think don’t have to be perfect for them to be okay — accepting this will help me move my new business off the ground and decrease stress!
Perfect!
and…you are the winner Heather! Congratulations :)
Following on Twitter (@HGoeschRDN).
Liked on FB as well!
My word “memories”. I want to slow down, enjoy the moment, and make as many memories as I can. This sounds like a wonderful book. Fellow follower on Twitter and FB! Happy Hump Day!
Beautiful! I want that too :)