Notes from the Lake

The signs of spring are all around us. Daffodils and hyacinths are in bloom, redbuds are showing their bright lavender buds and the mountain laurels are filled with gigantic grape scented blooms. After two years of unforgiving heat and drought, we have had steady rains for several months and the plants and gardeners are celebrating. The National Weather Service is calling for a return to a more normal weather situation for us in the coming months. It looks like we will have a fabulous show of bluebonnets this year (the first in many years) and the poppy show should be stupendous.

We gardeners are eternal optimists, and I decided to take a chance and planted new trees - four peach, five pear, one plum and two fig trees. I am sure Chef Stephane will put their harvests to good use as soon as they are ready. It may be three or four years before we eat the first fruits from our LSU Purple or Alma fig, but we will mulch, prune and nurture them carefully in the meantime.

Lake Travis has come up several feet with the recent rains and may be open to limited boat traffic again soon. Of course, we are fortunate to be on Lake Austin, which maintains a constant level despite the drastic changing levels of other lakes in the Highland Lakes chain.

If you visited us in the past six months you might have met Will and Kate, a pair of Chinese geese that showed up at around the time of the Royal Wedding. The Chinese geese were a constant sight at the fruit tree lawn near the boat dock as they nibbled lawn weeds. Unfortunately, they took an interest in the vegetable garden in December and were eating entire beds of vegetables down to the ground in a single night. I am still not sure how they could eat so much! They ate enough to feed 25 people in a single evening. Of course that could not continue, since my gardeners and I are struggling to keep up with the kitchen's demand for fresh vegetables daily. Guests were treated to the goose rodeo roundup as the pair were loaded up and relocated to a local ranch with a pond.

There is never a dull moment in the gardens here at Lake Austin Spa Resort. I guess that is why I am still here after 27, almost 28 years. I hope that you will visit us soon at Lake Austin Spa Resort to experience all that springtime in the Hill Country has to offer.

Many people work out to lose weight and/or to improve their appearance. And while those are certainly valid reasons and almost certain outcomes, there are other benefits.

Regular aerobic exercise:

-Strengthens your heart and the cardiovascular system
-Improves circulation and respiratory function
-Boosts energy levels so you can do more with ease
-Increases endurance
-Lowers blood pressure
-Improves muscle tone, strength, balance and flexibility
-Strengthens bones
-Helps reduce body fat
-Minimizes stress and anxiety
-Improves the duration and quality of your sleep

Aerobic exercise is defined as any type of activity that increases your heart and breathing rate.  Options include: walking, running, biking, swimming, circuit weight-training, dance classes, kickboxing, and anything else that keeps your heart beating in a training zone appropriate for your fitness level.

An optimal duration is sustaining the activity for 30 minutes.  If you’re a beginner, exercising for that long might not be possible at first—and that’s okay.  Start slow, listen to your body and gradually add minutes to your workout.

So if any of the above benefits sound good to you—choose an activity and get moving!

Joanne Weir is many things: a world traveler, a James Beard Award-winning cookbook author, a cooking teacher, and a chef and television personality. In the second season of her very successful 26-part public television series, "Joanne Weir's Cooking Class", Joanne's love of teaching cooking takes center stage. Her home kitchen is once again the classroom for each show as she works side-by-side with a real-world student for a hands-on cooking lesson. The student and viewer learn how to prepare a wide variety of Weir's latest wine country-inspired recipes, using the freshest and most seasonal ingredients available.

What is your favorite kitchen tool and why?
The Thermapen, which accurately tells the meat's internal temperature. It is a foolproof way to cook meat perfectly.

What or who inspired you to want to cook?
Alice Waters, Alice Waters, and Alice Waters, who I worked with for 5 years, plus my mother, her father and my great grandmother, all professional cooks, and Madeleine Kamman, my teacher.

What is your favorite comfort food?
Spaghetti and meatballs, peanut butter and potato chips - NOT all in one bowl!

What is your most used or favorite cookbook?
Madeleine Kamman's "When French Women Cook"

What is your favorite herb or spice and why?
I am loving coriander right now, but that answer always changes.

What do you like to cook at home and why?
I love roasted chicken with butter lettuce salad.  It has to have vinaigrette with lemon, garlic and olive oil.  I love the way it makes the kitchen smell and it tastes SO good!

When did you know you had a passion for cooking?
When I was in college and all of my friends thought I was a great cook.  I just took cooking for granted.

What is your "food philosophy"?
Cooking isn't rocket science; anyone can do it as long as they know the first rule.... Keep it simple, fresh and seasonal!

What makes a good chef?
Passion and lots of energy!

How do you relax?
Ride my bicycle in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco

While cooking, what musician or music you like to listen to?
Caseria Evora

What makes cooking fun for you?
When people taste my food and say "ooohhh and ahhhhhh!"

What is your fondest memory growing up in the kitchen?
When I put 1 1/2 cups baking soda into a batch of oatmeal cookies and my mother said they were still good.  Now, that's a great mom!

What is your favorite spa treatment?
I am a sucker for massage and any spa treatment at the LakeHouse Spa at Lake Austin Spa Resort. I love that place!

If you're buying chocolate for your loved ones, choose dark!
Dark chocolate that is at least 65% cocoa contains enough flavonoids to help lower blood pressure and cholesterol while improving blood flow to the heart to reduce blood clotting that could lead to a heart attack or stroke. Just remember that about an ounce a day is sufficient.

Learn your blood pressure numbers
High blood pressure is sometimes referred to as the "silent killer" because the symptoms are not readily apparent. Take your valentine with you to your physician, health club or even a drugstore to have your blood pressure measured so you will know if you are at risk.

Enjoy a delicious dessert that is decadent but not damaging
Did you know that many cheesecakes could be made with light cream cheese and low-fat yogurt to reduce the calories and fat content?

Did you know that an angel food cake has no fat and could be "dressed up" with whipped cream and fresh fruit?

Did you know that if your sweetie prefers the rich and indulgent, there are many miniature or one-serving options of high-fat, high-calorie desserts?

Give your heart a break by making it beat
An average heart rate of 70 beats per minute totals approximately 613,200 beats a year. Hearts that grow stronger from regular exercise will work well for you with fewer beats. Even a drop of five beats per minute will save 4300 beats each year.

Do you have a K-9 Valentine?
Think of your dog as an exercise machine with fur!  Taking frequent walks with your "best friend"will help both of your hearts and possibly extend your life.  Interesting facts: those who own dogs feel less stressed and require fewer visits to their physicians than non-owners. Heart attack victims who own a dog are 12% more likely to survive the attack than non-owners.

Embrace the Yogic prescription
Yoga soothes the mind, fosters relaxation, and improves endurance and strength - all of which benefit the health of your heart. In addition, regular practice of this physical form of stress management will lower your blood pressure and help you find a sense of calm when anxious.

Raise your glass
Current research is suggesting that drinking moderately and responsibly is linked to a reduced risk of coronary heart disease in some individuals. While physicians are NOT recommending that everyone should drink alcohol to improve their heart health, they are noting that one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men can reduce the risk of cardiac disease.

This past week, I have spoken to three guests who are making or are contemplating major changes in their lives. The first was leaving a job she has had for over 15 years to move to a new city and take a new position. She is excited, but very nervous. The second guest is doing some major soul searching and is in a period of indecision about her next step in life. She knows she must start taking better care of herself and enjoyed the Power of Seven program to kick start that effort. She told me as she was leaving that she felt like she had stepped into a whole new life. Hopefully those changes take hold. The third has been very successful in her current position for many years but when she really thinks about it, she hasn't been happy or challenged for a long time. The job pays the bills but she is searching for more meaning in that effort.

As I spoke with these three bright and talented women, two words continually come up in conversation – the feelings of being STUCK and TRAPPED. To me, they are very different. Stuck is a personal obstacle to overcome while Trapped involves issues and obstacles outside of our control. You are 'Stuck' if fear, uncertainty or lack of confidence prevents you from moving forward and pushing through. You are 'Trapped' if obstacles outside your control inhibit change. I would argue that most of the time, the reason for our indecision and inaction is us! I know personally, when I consider big changes in my life, I often consider the evils I know versus the evils that are unknown. I am definitely not a grass is greener type of girl!

If you are struggling with major changes in your life and you just can't take the first step, I urge you to consider that you ARE in control, you CAN choose to jump in with both feet or take baby steps, and you WILL find a place that is more peaceful, less stressful and more meaningful. Even if obstacles have you Trapped, you can make changes within those confines that will make your situation better. I am certain of it.

As we move forward in 2012, I am confident it can be the year of change! Let's forget the broken economy, the crazy job, the stupid boss, (insert obstacle of choice here) and the fear and uncertainty that bring and take back our power. Make the changes you need to make to be a happier, healthier you!

Happy New Year!

E-mail Tracy at tyork@lakeaustin.com.

This week, the Fitness Friday blog arrives one day early to provide advance notice that Friday, February 3 is Go Red for Women Day.

To raise awareness that cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women and to inspire women to take charge of their heart health, the American Heart Association created this social initiative in 2004.  The founders chose the very vibrant and attention-getting red as the representative color of power, energy and passion—characteristics needed for those involved in supporting this worthy cause.

Cardiovascular disease such as heart attacks and strokes claim the lives of more than a half a million women each year.  Unfortunately, only 55% of women realize the danger and less than 50% know their risk factors and how they can reduce their risk.

For example, one of the best ways to fight heart disease is exercise.  Other than quitting smoking, exercise is the best way to control your heart health and the time investment can be as little as 150 minutes a week.  That can easily be accomplished with a couple of cardio dance classes and a walk with your best friend.

So join the movement and help spread the word tomorrow by wearing your most vibrant red piece of clothing—you never know—you just might inspire someone to improve her health.

Alyssa Hertzig joined SHAPE Magazine as Beauty Director in late December 2011. Prior to her newest position, she was Contributing Executive Beauty Director at Allure and held beauty positions at Harper's Bazaar, Lucky, and Good Housekeeping. Additionally, Alyssa’s writing has appeared in Self, Cosmopolitan, Fitness, Real Simple, Redbook, Time Asia, and more. Any free time she has now is spent working on her blog, The Sparkly Life, which she designed to give readers a fun, behind-the-scenes glimpse at her life as a beauty editor.

We probably all have one habit that negatively impacts our life.

What if we all made a small change "instead" that will lead to better health?

-Use foot power instead of a car to run an errand
-Walk on the treadmill instead of sitting on the couch while watching TV -Breathe the fresh air in a nearby park instead of spending time in a smoky bar
-Enjoy tasty slices of a crispy apple instead of a piece of processed pie
-Invite a friend out to lunch instead of checking e-mail at the office
-Record a late night talk show instead of cutting precious time for sleep

Take some time to think about your daily routine -- are there any small changes you could make that would have a big positive impact on your life?

Perhaps it is difficult to imagine or even believe that making a seemingly small healthy behavior change such as walking daily could have much of an impact on your life.

Consider the possibilities: if tomorrow you resolved to walk 30-minutes a day, these are the changes you could expect by the first day of spring.

-A loss of five pounds

-Enhanced cardiovascular health and a reduced risk of heart disease

-Increase in physical conditioning—which means doing more with less effort

-A brainpower boost leading to better concentration and easier decision-making

-Greater restorative benefits from sleeping

-Improved mood and outlook on life

-Lowered risk of degenerative diseases and cancer

-Money in the bank saved by not buying medicine or paying for doctor's visits

So lace up and get walking. Taking this "step" towards better health is well worth the effort.

Oh, it is that time of year - and no, it's not the holidays or spring. You can always herald its coming by the sniffles of those around you. Where you live, it may just be cold season, but for those who live in Austin, we have come upon "cedar fever". I am fortunate that I haven't lived here long enough to be affected, but I see the suffering of those around me. Nevertheless, here are a few at-home tips from a massage therapist to make your life more comfortable.

1. Steam – Steaming your sinuses allows for you to breathe deeper. Most of us do not have a steam room at home, but this tip can be done in your kitchen. Boil several cups of water and pour them into a large bowl. Cover the back of your head with a towel and lean over the bowl.  Breathe deeply for five to ten minutes. Adding a few drop of eucalyptus oil or rosemary to the water will also help clear your sinuses while giving you the "steam room feel".

2. Take a hot bath (around 100 to 110 degrees). Fill the tub with Epsom salts to help detoxify the body or use a bath oil specifically designed for decongesting.

3. Have a cup of peppermint tea. Peppermint is a wonderful decongestant as it has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. To make best use of your tea, seep dried peppermint leaves into hot, sippable water.

4. Eat food high in horseradish, which also helps clear the sinus passages. For the sushi lovers, that means pile on the wasabi!

5. Massage your sinus and their pressure points. The pressure points are located above your eyebrows and at the tips of your toes and fingers.

6. Roll up a few bath towels so that the roll is about 12 inches thick and the length of your spine. Place the roll underneath your spine and lay back. Relax your chest and head while allowing them to sink toward the floor. This will help alleviate any back pain caused by constant sneezing and coughing.

Try one of these tips and let us know if you are breathing easier this season!