Snow

Can you believe this snow?  I live in Bergen County, New Jersey and work in both Bergen County and Westchester County NY.  The snow this winter has been especially interesting.  It comes in time for us to close schools in the morning, in order for students, faculty and staff to be safe.  The snow has certainly been plentiful this season.  And, even though it is beautiful, I am ready for Spring. 

When weather slows down our pace, I have to wonder if, in fact, this is a deliberate way to get the human race to take a breath, stop and reflect.  We all talk about Springtime being the time for rebirth and fresh starts.  I look at Winter as the time we can be introspective, spend time in meditation and quiet growth and planning, in order to be ready for the explosion of color, growth and freedom in Spring.

Instead of lamenting the cold weather and snow, think about taking time to enjoy your family, your pets, the quiet that the blanket of snow gives us.  It is here for us, a reminder that we deserve peace, rest and reflection.



White Plains Metro North Train Station original at flickriver.com

Getting on the Paleo Bandwagon - strap in!

Everyone is getting on the Paleo bandwagon.  While I am not doing that, I do enjoy a good Waldorf salad, and concocted this one, which can be paleo friendly.  While I don't want to put the pressure on, as my sis Jenn and I will say (no pressure) is Eat and Enjoy - I Command It!

The pounding can be therapeutic, too.

Asian Waldorf Chicken salad (can be made Paleo style)

Combine in a medium bowl

1 chicken breast pounded, salt and peppered, grilled and cut up in bite-sized pieces (pound with a pounding mallet or a Fred Flinstone-like implement)

1/2-1 apple cored and cut up

2 stalks celery chopped 

1/4 cup walnuts or other nuts chopped (if you wish)

For sauce - combine in small bowl and whisk till smooth

1 tablespoon Paleo mayo

2 teaspoons ponzu (or teriyaki coconut aminos for paleo)

1-2 teaspoons white miso

1/8 teaspoon Siracha or to your liking

(You can also add some chopped cilantro if you love it like I do!)

Pour sauce over chicken ingredients and toss well

Serve over your favorite greens.  I like chopped arugula.

Refrigerate leftovers or feed to your pet dinosaur. 

What is a therapeutic referral and why is it important?

When a potential client reaches out to me, I am honored to have been chosen, and I appreciate the effort it takes to finally make that phone call or write that email.  I have been there and I truly understand that it sometimes takes major discomfort to be ready to consider change.  I used to call it opening Pandora's box. 

Of late, I am very busy with my work, both at The College of Westchester in White Plains, NY and in my private practice in New Jersey. 

I count on colleagues who are caring and compassionate therapists who I can refer people who are in need of a professional who can assist them in their healing, their wellbeing and to help them sort things out, make changes or not, as the case may be.

If you are an individual in need of someone who understands what you are going through, please allow me to connect you with people I trust.  It is enough of a leap of faith to contact me.  I do my best to connect with someone who may provide the safety net to explore uncharted or over-fished territories in your life.

I also encourage you to have someone by your side when you open your Pandora's box.  It may be difficult or scary, but I can assure you that you are worth the effort, and deserve the support you are asking for.

Spend time in reflection, for happiness and self-healing this holiday season

During the holidays, I finally have a chance to begin to reflect and rejuvenate, spend time with my husband, my girls (grown and working) and our doggies, Eli, Janey and Satch (below).  Ease and reflection are my biggest gifts to myself.  I subscribe to Marc and Angel Hack Life, a wonderful blog, that I actually have time to read when there is a little space in my day and in my mind.  Blessings to you and yours during this beautiful holiday season.  May you find love, joy and peace all around you, and within you. 

I hope you enjoy this crosspost from Marc and Angel Hack Life - 27 Simple Things to Start Doing For Your Happiness

I really do love their blog.  In this blog, I especially love #2 - Start filtering out the noise in your life. – Be careful about who you give the microphone and stage to in your life.  Don’t just listen to the loudest voice.  Listen to the truest one.

Another favorite, #6, echoes the wonderful teachings of Jon Kabat-Zinn, wonderful guru of mindfulness;  Start being present. – If your mind carries a heavy burden from the past, you will experience more of the same.  Let it go.  And also be careful not to dwell so much on creating your perfect future life that you forget to live today.  Be here now and make the most of it. 

There are many wonderful suggestions from this blog, in fact each of the 27 are gems, so I am sharing one more and suggest you read the entire blog for yourself. 

Here is one more, #23; Start focusing only on what you can control. – Never force anything.  Give it your best shot and then let it be.  If it’s meant to be, it will be.  Don’t hold yourself down with things you can’t control.

Oh the days trickle down to a precious few...

 

Fall is almost with us.  I chuckle as I say this, as it is almost 90 degrees outside as I write this afternoon, the dog days of summer.  However, there are signs in NJ and NY that autumn is coming, that cannot be denied.  The sun rises later and sets sooner.  I measure these things by the trek to work, with that rising sun hitting me in the eyes, and just a bit darker as I walk to my car in the early evening to make the drive home.  My drive is about 20 miles, so the change in rote is very noticeable to me. 

I smell the freshness and coolness in the air in the early morning as my dogs make their first run outside.  The earth smells differently than it does in the heat of summer.  Plants are beginning to change, getting ready to move back into themselves, away from the huge explosion of growth through late spring and summer.

I try to embrace every season, but it is hard to keep my thoughts away from school, from cooler darker days.  I work at a college and it is always a joy to meet our new students.  They are ready for a fresh start, full of expectation, sometimes nervousness, as well as bravado to hide the nervousness.

Meanwhile, I'll try to get ready for the cooler weather, the need for a sweater, a coat, even a hat.  Are you ready?

Welcome Spring!

Hello and blessings for a wonderful Spring!  I am so glad that Spring is finally upon us in northern New Jersey.  The snow finally melted and the daffodils are up and in full bloom.  Yay!  As soon as I smell the spring air, my spirit is lifted and my dreams soar.  What are your fondest wishes for Spring? 

Make Positive Changes Now! Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and Relaxation Response Series in HoHoKus

There is no time like the present to make positive changes that an affect your entire lifetime!  Contact Mary Beth at mbdelbalzo@gmail.com or register at http://tinyurl.com/p934cvw
 
On Friday evenings this winter from 6-7:30 pm, join Mary Beth Del Balzo, LSCW, CHt, Psychotherapist and Certified Hypnotherapist for group mindfulness based relaxation response for decreased stress, better focus, health, confidence and peace. You will learn techniques that you can use in everyday life to defuse the effects of stress on your body, mind, emotions and spirit. You will experience increased peace and vitality, decreased aggravation and better rest. Cost is $25 per class or $175 for all 8 classes in advance.  On January 24 and 31, Mary Beth will be joined by Nutritionist Jess Cording, MS, RD, CDN.
 
If you have already taken a class with Mary Beth, these techniques may be familiar but there are also new materials and additional techniques to enhance or reinforce your practice.  Individual classes can be taken, but it is encouraged to participate in all for maximum positive benefit.
 
Dates include:
Fridays 6-7:30pm
 
January 24, 31 - Learning Mindfulness and Eating for the Season part 1 and 2, with guest Nutritionist Jess Cording, MS, RD, CDN (see additional information below) 
 
February 7 - Getting Better Sleep Using Mindfulness and Creating Clean a Sleep Routine
 
Feb 14 - Mindfulness for Relationships, Communication and Compassion
 
Feb 21 Mindfulness for Better Health and Exercise
 
Feb 28 Mindfulness for Pain Management through Mindfulness
 
March 7, 14 Creating Your Own Practice of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and Relaxation Response Parts 1 and 2
 
Did you know that 60-90% of doctor visits are due to stress related illness? Mary Beth draws on techniques including self-hypnosis, meditation, the work of Jon Kabat-Zinn (Professor of Medicine Emeritus and founding director of the Stress Reduction Clinic and the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School), Herbert Benson (Founder of the Benson Henry Institute at Harvard Medical Center and author of The Relaxation Response) and others.
 
Everyone feels stress. You will learn the tools needed to diffuse, cope with, and avoid it, through this workshop series. Channel energy otherwise spent on stress into positive energy in order to achieve abundance, happiness, and health. Benefits include immune system support, pain management, stress relief, relief from anxiety and depression.
 
On January 24 and January 31 we will be joined by Nutritionist Jess Cording, MS, RD, CDN, who will coach us on healthy eating habits, seasonal eating and combining a healthy lifestyle.  We will combine her techniques and suggestions with our mindfulness training for maximum positive effect. You can read more about Ms Cording on her website; jessicacordingnutrition.com