Thank you to everyone who attended our recent event, LIRA Wellness Day! If you missed it, don’t worry. We’ll be planning another one for a future date. Meanwhile, wellness is a way of life and something we strive for everyday. In this monthly edition of LIRA Wellness we’ll be featuring things you might like to try that can be helpful to your individual path. By choosing what feels right to you and exploring new options, you may find self-discovery to be a truly exciting and limitless process!
🍂 IN LIRA WELLNESS NOVEMBER:
Infinite Blessings
Inspirational words for the approaching holidays
Recipes
Sweet and Savory Quinoa Salad
Caramel Dip for Apples or Whatever
Upcoming workshops and happenings
Mandala Workshop
Mindfulness Meditation
There are many paths on the road to recovery. Choose your path and walk the walk!
Have you found inner peace through the practice of yoga? Is poetry or art a way for you to release emotions and express yourself? We would love to hear from you and share your experiences and tips with others. If there are holistic or alternative ways that have helped support your recovery or helped in coping with the impact of a loved one’s addiction feel free to share by emailing us at wellness@lira-nys.org
If you are a holistic practitioner interested in becoming a part of Long Island Recovery Association’s initiative; LIRA Wellness, please contact us with your modality and experience.
Our philosophy at LIRA Wellness is that the integration of holistic approaches increases the potential for achieving a happy and fulfilling life and sustaining long term recovery. It is our goal to enhance the overall well being of those impacted by addiction.
Inspirational words for the approaching holidays
At the Foot of the Mountain
For many, this is the beginning of a season filled with gratitude, yet for others the Fall to Winter holiday season can evoke sadness, turmoil and loneliness. We want to begin with joy and abundance. By going within and spending some quiet time, we can find peace even when we think there is none. No matter what we may be experiencing, if we look we can always find at least 3 things to be thankful for. This is a time of service and an opportunity for us to volunteer. As we give so we receive! By reaching out to others we may heal our loneliness and find peace, joy, and fulfillment.
Breathe in slowly and move to the sacred space in your heart. Do you hear a message from a higher power; a message of truth that all is well within you? You can return to this place whenever you choose. There is a mountain we use as our strength; as we stand at the foot of the mountain we are nothing less than awestruck. By working our program or devoting ourselves to our individual path of recovery we receive the gift of a new beginning, each and every day. Trust in the process. Each and every one of us is beautiful! Let us know our blessings and never give up on ourselves!
Infinite blessings to all,
Reverend Debbie Turkel-Nardozzi
Preparing healthy meals is more than just nourishing your body. It's about caring for yourself, being kind, and treating yourself well. It's about opportunities and making choices. Choosing fresh foods rather than ones that are processed or prepared and foods that are free of chemicals will benefit your mind, body, and soul. Organic has become easier to find and to afford. Be gentle with yourself and do what you can. We'll be sharing wholesome recipes we hope you enjoy!
You asked for the Rock 'n' Recovery quinoa salad recipe...(drum roll, please)...here it is!
Sweet and Savory Quinoa Salad
12 oz. pkg. quinoa (cooked)
1 cup cubed zucchini
1 small bag frozen peas (cooked)
1 can garbanzo beans (drained)
½ cup dried cranberries
½ cup cashews or almonds
½ cup chopped dates
2-3 cloves minced garlic
ground cayenne pepper
juice of ½ lemon
½ cup olive oil
fresh chopped parsley
pink himalayan salt
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and chill. Best when prepared ahead of time.
The zucchini's not cooked but you can toss it into the quinoa while it's still hot to soften it a little.
Did you know?...Quinoa is considered a super-grain although, technically it's a seed.
It is a complete plant-based protein containing all 9 of the essential amino acids. Gluten free.
Caramel Dip for Apples or Whatever!
This is too easy to be so good! It's vegan and there's no sugar added, however the dates are high in natural sugar. It doesn’t require any measuring of ingredients, but I wrote some anyway.
¾ lb. pitted dates
¼ tsp. or just a splash of vanilla extract
(I love vanilla but this is not a good place to overdo it.)
¼ tsp. sea salt
Filtered water
Optional: almond or cashew milk
Cover the dates with water and soak for an hour or more.
Pour off water and place dates in a blender with vanilla and salt.
Add enough fresh water (you can use almond or cashew milk also)
to be able to blend everything into a smooth and thick sauce.
Add the liquid a little at a time so it doesn’t become too thin.
Store in the refrigerator for about a week.
A Tool for Stress Reduction and Self-discovery
Friday, December 2, 2016
7:00 – 8:30pm
936 Stewart Avenue
Bethpage, NY 11714
What is a mandala? The word comes from ancient Sanskrit and means circle. In Buddhist and Hindu symbolism the beautiful designs and pictures within a mandala form a representation of the universe. Carl Jung used them in therapy as a tool to gain insight of an individual’s psychological state, claiming they were an expression of the whole person. Currently, more and more empirical evidence is being presented on both the psychological and physical benefits of drawing mandalas.
There is no artistic ability or experience necessary to participate in this Mandala Workshop. You will be amazed at what you are able to create once you are shown how. Using simple shapes and repetition you’ll find yourself in a state of active meditation. When you leave you will have a mandala that you created and the ability to continue drawing many more. Supplies are provided. There is no charge however donations are welcome.
Suzanne Loevner, BSW, CASAC-t, has developed and conducted mandala workshops for children and adults for several years. She is an award winning artist, published poet, and graduate student at Stony Brook University.
Friday, December 9, 2016
7:00 – 8:30pm
936 Stewart Avenue
Bethpage, NY 11714
Come learn about mindfulness and experience the peacefulness of meditation.
Led by Bryant Kaplan, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 37 years experience, and
a mindfulness meditation instructor.
There is no charge however donations are welcome.
Suzanne Loevner for LIRA Wellness
