Season’s Greetings!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * December ~ 2002
In this issue of The Quest:

The Holiday Issue
1. The Quest Quote
2. Funnies
3. Your Soul Food ~ See what makes others remember their spirit!
4. Recipe ~ Vegetarian Holiday Lentil Loaf
5. News

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1. Quote:
Every blade of grass has its Angel that bends over it and whispers…Grow, grow. - The Talmud

2. Funnies
A man is terribly overweight, so his doctor puts him on a diet. "I want you to eat regularly for two days, then skip a day, and repeat this procedure for two weeks. The next time I see you, you'll have lost at least five pounds."

When the man returns, he's lost nearly 20 pounds. "Why, that's amazing!" the doctor says. "Did you follow my instructions?"

The man nods. "I'll tell you, though, I thought I was going to drop dead that third day."
"From hunger, you mean?" asked the doctor.
"No, from skipping."

3. Your Soul Food:
In last month’s issue I asked you to reply to this newsletter with some of the small things in life that help to lift your mood or shift your state of mind. I call it  ‘Soul Food’. Here are just a few that readers submitted.

1.             Hearing my children laugh. ~ Judy, Vancouver

2.             Completing a task I have put off for much too long. ~ P. Robinson, North Carolina

3.             I make a large pot of hearty homemade soup-warms my insides and it makes me feel cared for. ~ Anonymous

4.             Cuddling with my wife. ~ Dean Richards, Vancouver

5.             Getting together with friends to play a sport or game. ~ Marianne, Michigan

6.             Spending more time playing with my toddler and actually seeing results in her development because of it. ~ Paula Castellon, Vancouver

7.             Convincing myself it is okay to do nothing but pamper myself for a little while with a book, by painting my toes, or with a relaxing bath. ~Anonymous

8.             Fill bathtub with water as hot as I can stand, add some soothing bubbles. Take the telephone off the hook. Light some small candles. Put on one of my favorite Spanish guitar CDs.  Stay in the tub until the water turns tepid. ~ Anonymous, Mexico City

Send me a few of your favorites for next month.

4. Holiday Lentil Loaf - Vegetarian
Ingredients:
* 1 small onion
* 1 clove garlic
* 2 stalks celery
* 2 tsp sage
* 3 cups cooked lentils (I used brown, but red and green could be festive!)
* 3 cups cooked wild rice (you can use a wild rice/brown rice mix here too)
* 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans)
* 1/4-cup whole-wheat breadcrumbs
* 2 Tbsp vinegar
* 2 egg equivalents
* 2 Tbsp whole-wheat flour
* Fresh ground black pepper and sea salt

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Chop onion and celery finely, and crush the garlic clove.
Spray a fraying pan with non-stick spray, and sauté the onion, garlic and celery until onion is translucent.  Add the sage.

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.  Spray a loaf pan with non-stick spray and fill the loaf pan with the mixture.  Press down.  Bake 30 minutes covered, 10 minutes uncovered.  Let stand for 5-10 minutes before cutting and serving.

This vegetarian loaf can be served as you would Stuffing. Personally, I love to add raisins or currants. Try experimenting with other variations: try some Dijon mustard, or Tamari Sauce, or add your own special spices! Happy Christmas Loafing!
 
5. News
~  Look for Deborah’s new column, The Body Bliss Coach in the upcoming issue of Ms. Fitness magazine, on stands January 2003.

~  Speaking Event~ Thursday 6:30-9:30pm
January 23rd, 2003,
Discover U, Northgate, Seattle, WA
ph: 206-365-0400 fax: 206-365-0184
www.discoveru.org

The Quest for Peace, Love & a 24-Inch Waist

 www.deborahlow.com

Please submit your comments or questions by replying to this email at deborah@deborahlow.com I look forward to your feedback.
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