Season's Greetings From Maine

A Life in Balance: Delicious,
Plant-Based Recipes for Optimal Health

is my cookbook, published last fall by Down East Books. It's packed with healthy, plant-based recipes that are easy and delicious. I've also included some tips for getting and staying healthy.

Plant-based diet expert T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D., wrote the foreword, and Olympic gold runner Joan Benoit Samuelson - a fellow Mainer - wrote the preface. The book's many contributors include Veganist Kathy Freston, NBA champ John Salley and Engine 1 Diet author Rip Esselstyn. Order A Life In Balance here!

Becoming Whole:
The Story of My Complete Recovery from Breast Cancer

is the book I wish had existed when I was going through bone and then breast cancer.

T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D. (see above) also wrote the foreword to this book. I hope my story inspires you on your own journey to excellent health. Becoming Whole also includes a directory of recommended readings, helpful professionals and other great resources; a month's worth of Healing Menu Plans, a photo album, and many of my favorite healthy healing recipes.
Order it for yourself or someone you love!

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Greetings from Maine!

Greeting's from Maine where it 'tis the season. This month I'm inspired to share 7 of my favorite people of 2014, along with a 2 amazing recipes! I hope you enjoy them and find of them as much fun or as life-changing as I have!

As many of you know, in February I went back to Florida to visit an old friend (and top notch prosthetist) Bill Copeland, who is also an above-knee-amputee, at Copeland Prosthetics & Research, in Tampa. I went from hardly wearing my above-knee prosthetic leg, to being able to walk on the beach. A vast improvement & definitely life-changing. If you know of anyone that's struggling with this same issue, send them here.

Food and poetry--what more could you ask for? I met Jillian on Facebook and we have

lot in common as we both follow a macrobiotic diet and lifestyle. Jillian is an inspired cook and an amazing poet as you'll see. Her blog, Nourishing Cusine is filled with delicious vegan recipes & beautiful photos.

I get SO excited about Jillian's Pumpkin Torte.

It's gluten-free & vegan!

Get here recipe here.

Jillian's poetry page "Heart Song's Of A Warrior Princess" is worth the visit as it chronicles her romance with her beloved, in poetry and outstanding photography. Who doesn't savor a good love story?

FUN!

Sheilaa Hite

This fall, in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, my sister and I started Sheilaa Hite's tarot reading classes as something fun to do. I've always had a strong attraction to spiritual, but non-religious ways of doing good in the world. Sheilaa is becoming one of my favorite teachers and mentor because she is so authentically herself.

Yesterday I attended her Tarot Summit Party with friends, food ...

And great news of adventure for the new year ahead!

Best of all is getting a reading with Sheilaa as she is said to be 95-100% accurate. Visit her website and book your own reading. This would make a unique gift to yourself or loved one!iSheilaa is the real deal.

Book a session with Sheilaa here!

It's Definitely Soup Weather!

Maine Cannelini Bean Soup

(also gluten-free)

My husband Tom loves anything made with cannel ini beans. I picked up a small package of these fine Maine-grown gems at Lois' Natural, in Scarborough, Maine. Locally grown beans are the best beans you've ever tasted, so check what beans are grown and available in your area. They're well-worth looking for because they're easier to cook, much more tender and the taste far surpasses any other beans I've ever had. I'm guessing that it's because of the drying process or simply that they are fresher dried beans.

2 cups beans, soak overnight (or with the local beans 2-4 hours)

Spring or filtered tap water

2 teaspoons of olive oil

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon dried rosemary

1 jar of water packed artichoke hearts

Dice the following vegetables:

1 onion

3 ribs celery

2 large carrots

Garnish:1 small bunch of cilantro or parsley (1/2 cup)

1/4 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice

Soak your beans overnight (or if local 2-4 hours), then discard the soaking water. Refill with enough water to cover the beans by one inch, put on high and bring to a boil, turn flame to low and simmer, covered, for one hour.

Test beans for done-ness by tasting one to make sure they are tender. Add sea salt and cook 10 more minutes.

In a cast iron skillet on medium heat while bean are cooking, add and saut� the chopped fresh vegetables with herbs, until tender. Add vegetables to the beans, along with the jar of artichoke hearts.

Add more hot water to the beans and vegetables and continue to cook for another few minutes.

Add lemon juice and stir in the cilantro (or parsley).

Enjoy!

Tip: I sometime add a brown rice or other pasta to this dish as most people love pasta!

#4 More Fun!

I know Kjerstie (pronounced Cheerstie) through my daughter Cammie. They were friends in college and now roommates in NYC.

Kjerstie is a fashion maven - which I know very little about - so I was thrilled to follow her blog, called VII.

"VII is fashion & style, beauty, fitness & health inspired lifestyle blog curated by KJ O'Connell."

I loved reading that pom poms are in style and about "tucking," no, that was not a typo! Check it out!

Visit VII, here, and "like" it on Facebook!

#5 Eckhart Tolle

I love this guy! I had the good fortune of attending a 5 day retreat with Eckhart Tolle at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York, in June, with my sister. Life changing in so many ways!

Never Too Late for Awakening

Looking For A Live-In Macrobiotic Chef?

I had to share this because Howard is a rare gem! This could definitely ...

Save. Your. Life!

EXPERIENCED MACROBIOTIC CHEF AVAILABLE!!!

My friend of 16 years, Howard Glen Wallen, is just back from Ethiopia and looking for long term (but short gigs are welcome, too!) cooking position. He will travel wherever the need may be & is looking for a live-in position.

This is a great opportunity for anyone needing to follow a "healing" diet for cancer. Howard once helped me at the start of my healing journey.

Please let me (or Howard) know if you are interested or if you hear of anything that might be suited for him. He is available right away. Please respond directly to this email if you would like Howard's phone number. And, please share this email with anyone you think may be interested.

Thank you for your help!

Saving the best for last ...

My beloved chiropractic team, in Lenox, Mass. and NYC, Dr. Marc & Meryl Rudin.

Since I've been spending a lot of time in the Berkshires and NYC over the past year, I keep in close contact with these two people who are the most loving, gracious and knowledgeable of human beings.

I first met them through (again!) my daughter Cammie, when she was volunteering at the Kushi Institute which is also in the Berkshires. Dr. Rudin gave all the Kushi volunteers a nice discount on adjustments. Everyone raved about him, so being a chiropractic junkie, because of my leg, I started visiting every time I was in the same place as they were--which is mostly Lenox, Mass.

When they are in NYC (they are there twice a month), I go see them in the West Village, where I am adjusted along with many actors, dancers and other interesting people. I feel very fortunate to have made this connection.

I hope you enjoyed my newsletter & my A list.

If you have a favorite vegan recipe and a photo that you'd like me to share in the new year ahead (along with a link to your website info), please send me an email and I may share yours, too!

Best wishes & love, Meg