Nyc based diet and lifestyle consultant

Information may not be reliable

Do you go to the grocery store and not know what to buy?

Would you like an easy, stress-less system for your weekly shopping?

Cost: $45. To reserve a space, please email me at Katherine@be-n-balance.com

Please join me to learn everything about juicing! In this class, you will not only learn how to make delicious juices and gain a better understanding of the nutritional value and importance of juicing but I will also give you recipes to take home with you and personal recommendations on which juicers to buy based upon your needs! For anyone who would like to start juicing but is intimidated by the whole process, this is the class for you!

In this class, I will demystify the whole trendy raw food thing! As a raw food chef and educator, I will go over just what raw food is and show you simple, easy recipes that you can integrate in your life. There is no better way to nourish your body, lose weight, and heal disease than to eat raw, living foods! For anyone who has heard of raw food and is interested in learning more about it, this class is for you!

Healthy Treats For Kids That They Will Enjoy And You Will Approve!

I am always told by clients and friends that they just cant seem to get their children to eat healthy snacks! In this class, I will make my delicious vegan, sugar and nut-free cupcakes as well as a scrumptious chocolate pudding, a vegan sugar-free banana bread, and chocolate coconut macaroons! I literally have to fend my children (as well as their friends) off when I make these recipes!

Quick, Healthy Breakfast Ideas for Busy Families on the Go!

Do you have trouble deciding what to cook your families in the craziness of the early morning rush? Would you like to have a few more healthy ideas on hand, and some fail safe tips for making your morning less stressful? If so, then this class is for you. Not only will I show you how to make some of my families (and clients) favorite recipes, but I will also give you tools about how to streamline your morning routine.

To reserve a space in any of the above classes, please email Katherine@be-n-balance.com

Are you confused about what is and what is not healthy in your pantry?

With my clients, I often find that the first step to eating healthily begins by making sure there is healthy food on hand (and that the junk foods are thrown out!) I will come to your home and personally walk through your pantry and give you guidance and what to throw out and what to buy. You will also be provided with a healthy shopping list.

For more information, contact me atKatherine@be-n-balance.com

Cost is $125/hr or current clients can use one session. Past Events

Do you find it hard to talk about nutrition with your kids?

Do you find the nutritional information out there confusing?

Do your kids tune you out when you talk about nutrition?

We will be making fun pizzas and another delicious seasonal treat all the while talking to them about nutrition. Your child will have fun learning about nutrition while cooking and you wil go home with an enthusiastic child and a healthy dinner for them!

Children must be 5 years of age. $55 ($45 before October 15th).
Moms in the Kitch Cooking Class

How to Prepare Quick and Easy (and Healthy) Meals for Your Kids

In this adult-only class, we will be talking about how to stock your refrigerator and make easy, quick meals for your children and yourselves! $55 ($45 before October 15th).

For more information or to make a reservation, contact me at Katherine@be-n-balance.com

Classes can also be arranged for schools or private homes.

Be in balance offers diet and lifestyle counseling in New York for women and men who want to lose weight, gain energy, sleep better, reduce stress, get in shape and achieve a greater sense of well-being, balance and happiness in their own lives as well as those of their families.

Most of my clients are active, intelligent and successful people who know they are not doing all they can for their health and seek help from an expert who can give them guidance and support to achieve their goals. Specific issues tied to lifestyle changes that I also deal with are insomnia, high blood pressure, diabetes, anxiety, stress, PMS and ADHD in children.

I am a certified holistic health counselor and graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition/ Columbia Teachers College and have a degree from Dr. T. Colin Campbell's plant-based program at Cornell. Additionally, I am a certified raw food chef and teacher and have been trained by Allisa Cohen and Raw Chef Dan, owner of Quintessence in New York City and have been trained in cleansing in Natalia Rose's program.

In my work, I help people who want to do a juice fast or who would like to learn more about how to eat raw to lose weight and gain more energy in their lives.

Are you an active person with a busy life who has tried time and time again to lose weight?
Have you been taking care of others so much that you have forgotten to take care of yourself?
With all the differing information on health out there, are you confused about what to eat?
Are you just too busy and need someone to help you?
Are you "sick and tired" of feeling sick and tired all the time?
Have you had a hard time losing the weight after the baby?
Do you order in or go out all the time and find it hard to cook?
Do you feel low energy in the afternoon and have a cup of coffee or diet coke to keep you going?
Do you struggle with cravings?
Do you have other chronic problems that run in your family such as diabetes or high blood pressure?
Do you experience extreme PMS?
Do you have a child with ADHD?
Do you find it hard to find the time to cook nutritious meals for your family?
Would you like to learn how to integrate exercise into your life?

No diet is right for everyone. It is up to each one of us to find our path. It is not my job as your nutritional consultant to tell you what to eat or not to eat but to help you find your own way. It is a collaborative effort involving mutual trust. I will do my best to listen to your needs and desires and we will come up with a strategy and program based on your individual needs. My ultimate goal is to teach you to teach yourself to be in balance in your life.

Butternut Squash Ravioli: Almost Decadent Enough for DessertB
November 1st, 2010 by ashleighjohnson

We adorebutternut squashand really anything sweet in our house so this is one of my favorite recipes once the weather starts getting a bit more nippy and we want something warm and comforting!

Butternut squash ravioli (Eli’s or Whole Foods both have great ones!)

Boil pastaper the instructions on the package. Place inbig bowl and liberallydash cinnamon and nutmeg on top. My rule of thumb is twice the amount of cinnamon to nutmeg.Then cover with olive oil and mix. The sauce will become a reddy carmel color. Top with walnuts and parmesan. Yum!
Not only arebutternut squashhigh in high in vitamin A (beta-carotene,) which improves the health of our skin and prevents acne and other skin disorders but they are also high in vitamins C, D, E, G and K.Because root vegetables contain natural sugars that elevate your blood sugars gently rather than delivering a quick jolt like refined, simple carbohydrates do, they can safely reduce your cravings for sweets.
Additionally, cinnamon is known for regulating blood sugar levels.
This is a very satisfying dish that can be used as a main dish with a green salad or sauteed green or as a side dish.

Blue-Green Algae: “Superfood” for a Super-Busy World

What is blue-green algae and should you add it to your diet? In the past month, I have been inundated with questions from friends and clients- especially those preparing for marathons and triathalons- about blue-green algae.
Before you think thisinformation does not pertain to you and your eyes glaze over, I encourage you to take a minute to learn more about this “superfood” that will give you a big dollop of nutrition and increased energy and is so easy to integrate into your diet.
Even if you are one who does not like to take a lot of vitamins or pills, I encourage you to keep an open mind about this one. Whether you are an athlete, a busy multi-tasking mom or someone who works long hours in a stressful job, I highly recommend them to give you that extra nutrition and umph that you need.
So, what exactly is super blue-green algae?
Blue-green algae is a type of microalgae phytoplankton that is literally the green grass of the sea and forms the foundation of the food chain. Scientific evidence indicates that microalgae phytoplankton was one of the very first organisms to populate the Earth and may have been around over 2 billion years ago. Blue-green algae is one of over forty thousand different species of microalgae phytoplankton that grow in both salty and fresh water.
Microalgae phytoplankton have the richest source of chlorophyll found in nature, which enablesthem through a process called photosynthesis to transform inorganic minerals, water, sunlight and carbon dioxide into usable vitamins, proteins, amino acids, and carbohydrates, in essence creating an estimated 80% of the earth’s food and oxygen supply.
Super blue-green algae, also known as Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA) grows in the spring-fed, pristine waters of Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, an area relatively untouched by civilization and toxin-free. This blue-green algae is a wild algae and has been harvested, filtered, cleaned and dried using the highest, most natural standards.
AFA blue-green algae consists of 60% protein containing all 8 amino acids and is high in iron, zinc, selenium, magnesium, B-vitamins including B12, vitamin C, Omega 3′s, phenylethylamine (PEA), polysaccharides, live-enzymes and antioxidants such as the carotenoids (beta-carotene, lycopene and lutein), phycocyanin (the blue-green pigment) and chlorophyll.
AFA blue-green algae helps increase energy levels, improve digestion, increase alkalinity in the body, adapt to stress, reduce inflammation, maintain and repair tissues in the body, boost immunity, ward off disease and eliminate heavy-metal toxins such as cadmium, mercury and lead, treat anemia, fight chronic fatigue syndrome and even boost mood and reduce depression.
Why should you add blue-green algae to your diet?
If you are suffering from low energy, anemia, depression, have a poor immune system or are down in the dumps, why not? If you are super-busy and burning the candle at both ends, then you may need something a little extra in your tool box to enhance your body’s stamina and health. My husband was skeptical but once he started taking them he felt an immediate increase in his energy levels in the afternoon.
What do I use? And, what do I recommend?
My current favorite brand is Ancient Sun’s Crystal Manna, which is blue-gree algae harvested from Upper Kalmath Lake. Ancient Sun’s Crystal Manna comes in capsule as well as powder form. I use the capsules because I find them easy to take but the powder can be put in smoothies, juice, or even water.
I alternate between using Crystal Manna with another brand called E3 Live Brain On, which is alsoa blue-gree algae havested from Upper Kalmath Lake. E3 Live comes in a bottle and is stored in the freezer. When you want to take some, you defrost the bottle, take a shot (usually between 1-2 oz.) and then put the bottle back in the freezer.Because this requires freezing and defrosting, when I am traveling I always opt for the Crystal Manna.
Whether you take a capsule (Crystal Manna or E3 Live) or drink a shot of E3Live, it is all personal preference. If you are traveling or at your desk a lot then the capsules might be right for you. I usually take a shot of the E3 Live in the afternoons and find that it gives me an immediate boost of energy. Some people even add it to their smoothies but I prefer to get mine done and dusted quickly!
If youare trainingfor a sports event, have low energy or iron levels, arejuggling multiple responsibilities, are studying for a big exam or just feel run down, I highly recommend adding blue-green algae to your diet!

Visit My Blog For Healthy Recipes for You and Your Family

November 2, 2010 Katherine Pennington
Today I had my eye operated on and you would think that I would just want to come home and do nothing but to be honest I was feeling a bit bored so I …

One of my favorite things to have at Thanksgiving and around the holidays are Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows! But, we all know that these types of d…

October 27, 2010 Katherine Pennington
This week's posting pairs two things near and dear to my heart- almond butter and chocolate!!! When I was a little girl, I used to adore Reeses Peanut…

BOOST YOUR CHILDRENS IMMUNITY (AND YOUR OWN!) WITH THESE EASY TRICKS.
With the swine flu panic in high gear and being a mother to two young children, I am as stressed as the rest of you about how to keep my children healthy and disease-free this winter. So, how can you reduce the risk for developing the swine flu or avoid those annoying runny noses and hacking coughs that you just cant seem to get rid of?

Sprouts In The City
This morning I took a trip to the Union Square farmers marketto visit my favorite vendor Windfall Farms from Montgomery, NY. Windfall Farmsspecializes in organically grown specialty greens, micro greens and sprouts and is where many of the top chefs go to shop! My daughter and I just love going first thing on a beautiful Saturday morning and picking out gorgeous produce that is in season and supporting our local farmers! Today I was on a mission to buy sprouts! Before you snub your nose at sprouts, they are not just bland hippie food of years past! Sprouts have been around for thousands of years and were originally used by Ancient Chinese physicians who prescribed them to cure many disorders over 5,000 years ago. In the 1700s, it is recorded that Captain James Cook even had his sailors eat them to prevent scurvy!

Sweet Root Vegetables: Add More toYour Diet to Reduce Cravings!
Energy Bars, Gels and Sports Drinks: Necessary or a Marketing Gimmick?
Probiotics: The Single Most Important Supplement to Add to Your Diet!
Kale: The Green Popeye Just Didn’t Know About!
Goji Berries: Nature’s Perfect Protein
4 Easy Ways to Add More Greens to Your Diet to Look and Feel Fantastic!
Homemade Popsicles: Beat the Heat with These Healthy Summer Treats!

Got Chocolate ‘Milk?’
How to Pack a Healthy Lunch that You Feel Good About and Your Children Actually Eat!

Delicious, Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free and Nut-Free Muffins in Under 15 Minutes!

Gnosis Chocolate is organic, raw, dairy free, sugar free, chemical free chocolate bars and truffles. The main ingredient in all of our chocolates, besides the first class ingredients, is Love. And it’s good for you too! Did you know that a bar of raw, unadulterated chocolate contains less caffeine that a cup of decaf coffee? [...]