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A group of disciples sat around their teacher, the wisest man in the land. He slowly began filling the empty glass bowl in front of him with rocks, until the bowl could hold no more.

He then asked the class if the bowl was full.

“Yes,” they all agreed.

He ignored them and poured in some smaller pebbles until the bowl looked full and asked the same question again.

“Yes,” they all agreed again, more heartily than the first time.

This time, he rolled his eyes at them, and began pouring sand into the container until it was full to the top. He then asked the class if it was now full. 

The students, a bit wary, weren’t so quick to answer yes. The teacher smiled and poured a glass of water into the bowl.

The bowl was finally full. 

The teacher asked the students what lesson they had learned. One of them piped up, “There’s always room for more.” Others voiced similar answers.

No one saw the real lesson the teacher was sharing:

 ”If you don’t put the big rocks in first, you’ll never have room for them.”

What are your big rocks?

Children, grandchildren, spouse, family, friends, purposeful work, favorite activities?

Are you putting those big rocks into your life first, before crowding your life with smaller rocks that aren’t so important?

 And what about your body? Big rock, little rock, or no rock?

Health is the biggest, most important rock of all.

After all, if you lose your health, all the other rocks, large and small, crumble too.  

That puts fresh fruits and vegetables and daily exercise at the top of the big rock list, so that you can enjoy to the fullest and appreciate all the other big rocks in your life.   

Big rocks first, everything else second. Body first, everything else second.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Leslie Van Romer, author of weight-loss, health-boosting book, Getting into Your Pants, and its companion workbook, Getting into Your Pants PlayBook, is a chiropractor, weight-loss cheerleader, and feel-good-about-you motivational health speaker. For more information contact her: 360-683-8844 or 888-375-3754 or Dr.Leslie@DrLeslieVanRomer or visit www.gettingintoyourpants.com  (blog) www.vanromerchiropractic.com  

Purple Kale and White Bean Soup

Oil-free if using water to saute , soy-free, wheat-free

Of course, you can use green kale (dinosaur, or curly) for this soup, but the purple imparts a beautiful color
and forces you to choose a type of kale you might not otherwise have tried.

Servings: 4 to 6

2 tablespoons water for sautéing
2 medium yellow onions, diced
3 ribs celery, finely chopped
2 carrots, finely chopped
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 sprig fresh rosemary
¼ teaspoon salt, plus extra, to taste
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 bunch purple kale, stems and ribs discarded, leaves chopped into 1-inch pieces
8 cups vegetable stock
1 can (15 ounces) white beans (navy, cannellini), drained and rinsed
Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Directions:
Heat the water in a large soup pot over medium-low heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally
until soft and translucent, about 7 minutes. Add the celery, carrots, red pepper flakes, and rosemary sprig.

Season with the ¼ teaspoon salt.

Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and become fragrant, about 5 minutes.

Add the tomato paste and combine thoroughly with the vegetables, cooking for about 2 minutes.

Add the kale, vegetable stock, and beans. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the kale is tender, 15 to 20 minutes.

Remove the rosemary sprig, add pepper and salt to taste, and serve.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Leslie Van Romer, author of weight-loss, health-boosting book, Getting into Your Pants, and its companion workbook, Getting into Your Pants PlayBook,
is a chiropractor, weight-loss cheerleader, and feel-good-about-you motivational health speaker. For more information contact her:
360-683-8844 or 888-375-3754 or Dr.Leslie@DrLeslieVanRomer or visit www.gettingintoyourpants.com  www.drleslievanromer.com   www.vanromerchiropractic.com

“Color Me Vegan,” by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau  www.compassionatecooks.com

Carrot and Roasted Bell Pepper Soup
Oil-free, wheat-free

This is a delicious and beautiful soup good for any time of the year. Reduce the spicy cayenne, if you prefer, but its presence gives this soup a little kick!

Servings: 4 to 6

3 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 yellow onions, coarsely chopped
1 yellow potato, peeled and coarsely chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
½ cup dry sherry or dry white wine (or nonalcoholic white wine)
¼ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
2 roasted bell peppers (roast your own or use jarred), coarsely chopped
2 teaspoons fresh or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
3 cups vegetable stock
1/3 cup yellow/light miso
2 cups nondairy milk (such as almond, soy, rice, hazelnut, hemp, or oat), divided
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions: In a soup pot, combine the carrots, onions, potato, garlic, sherry, and salt. Cook over medium heat until the liquid evaporates, about 10 minutes.

Add the roasted peppers, thyme, and stock. Cover and simmer until the carrots and potatoes are tender, about 25 minutes.

Transfer to a blender, working in batches if your blender is on the smaller side. Add the miso and 1 cup of the nondairy milk. Blend until smooth.

Return to the pot and slowly stir in the remaining 1 cup milk to achieve the desired thickness. Add the cayenne and more salt to taste. Reheat and serve.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Leslie Van Romer, author of weight-loss, health-boosting book, Getting into Your Pants, and its companion workbook, Getting into Your Pants PlayBook, is a chiropractor, weight-loss cheerleader, and feel-good-about-you motivational health speaker. For more information contact her: 360-683-8844 or 888-375-3754 or Dr.Leslie@DrLeslieVanRomer or visit www.gettingintoyourpants.com  www.drleslievanromer.com   www.vanromerchiropractic.com

Recipe from McDougall Newsletter (Jaunaury 2011)

“Color Me Vegan,” by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau  www.compassionatecooks.com

Indian-Style Black Bean and Veggie Burritos
Oil-free if sautéing in water, soy-free

The combination of Southwestern ingredients and Eastern seasonings adds a unique flavor to this burrito.

Servings: 4

1 tablespoon water, for sautéing
2 bell peppers (yellow, green, orange, or red), cut into strips
1 large onion, sliced
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
1 sweet potato (or garnet or jewel yam), cut into ½-inch cubes
1 teaspoon garam masala
½ cup vegetable stock
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
1 cup cooked brown basmati rice
1 head romaine lettuce, shredded
Pineapple Mango Chutney (page 74) or salsa of your choice
4 large burrito-size whole wheat tortillas

Directions:
Heat the water in a large sauté pan. Sauté the bell peppers, onion, garlic and ginger over medium heat, 7 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the peppers and onion are soft.

Add the sweet potato and garam masala and mix well. Add the stock and cover. Cook over medium-low heat for 10 to 15 minutes or until the potato is tender.

At the very end of the cooking time, add the beans and stir to combine. Cook for 5 minutes longer and season with salt and pepper.

Spoon the vegetable and bean mixture, rice, lettuce, and chutney evenly down the center of a tortilla and then roll it up. Serve immediately.

Serving Suggestions and Variations:

To make this dish even prettier, use tomato or spinach tortillas instead of whole wheat or use a combination and serve them together on a plate.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Leslie Van Romer, author of weight-loss, health-boosting book, Getting into Your Pants, and its companion workbook, Getting into Your Pants PlayBook, is a chiropractor, weight-loss cheerleader, and feel-good-about-you motivational health speaker. For more information contact her: 360-683-8844 or 888-375-3754 or Dr.Leslie@DrLeslieVanRomer or visit www.gettingintoyourpants.com  www.drleslievanromer.com   www.vanromerchiropractic.com

Recipe from McDougall’s Newsletter (January 2011)
Excellent On-line Publication!

“Color Me Vegan,” by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau  www.compassionatecooks.com

Yellow Split Pea Soup with Collard Greens and Yams
Oil-free, soy-free, wheat-free

This slight variation on traditional split pea soup packs a super antioxidant punch with the yellow turmeric, green collards, and orange yams.

Servings: 6 to 8

2 tablespoons water, for sautéing
2 yellow onions, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 ½ to 2 tablespoons curry powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon ground mustard
½ teaspoon turmeric
1 medium or 2 small garnet or jewel yams, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
1 medium carrot, diced (peeling optional)
8 cups vegetable stock (homemade or store-bought)
3 cups dried yellow split peas, picked over and rinsed
1 bunch collard greens, chopped into bite-size pieces
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Directions:
Heat the water in a large soup pot and add the onions. Stir and cook until they turn translucent, about 7 inutes. Add the ginger and garlic and cook for 5 more minutes, adding any additional water to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

Add the curry powder, cumin, mustard, turmeric, yams, carrot, stock and split peas to the pot. Stir to combine.

Cover and simmer until the split peas are tender and broken down, about 1 hour. Stir often to make sure the split peas don’t stick to the bottom of the pot.

About 10 minutes before the soup is done, add the chopped collard greens to the pot, stir to combine, and cook for about 10 minutes until they soften and integrate with the rest of the soup. Season with salt to taste and serve hot with freshly ground pepper.

Serving Suggestions and Variations:

Use any leafy green such as kale or chard, in place of the collard

To freeze, let the soup cool completely before adding to a freezer-safe container

Puree 2 cups of the cooked soup before adding the greens and return it to the soup to add even more thickness. Add the greens and continue with the recipe.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Leslie Van Romer, author of weight-loss, health-boosting book, Getting into Your Pants, and its companion workbook, Getting into Your Pants PlayBook, is a chiropractor, weight-loss cheerleader, and feel-good-about-you motivational health speaker. For more information contact her: 360-683-8844 or 888-375-3754 or Dr.Leslie@DrLeslieVanRomer or visit www.gettingintoyourpants.com  www.drleslievanromer.com   www.vanromerchiropractic.com

When it comes to losing weight, or anything else that has to do with being a

mere mortal on this planet, there is no such thing as failure.

Every thought, every action, every experience make up exactly who you are.

Therefore, the perceived “failures” or “slip-ups” are just as valuable

to the human process of self-evolving to Become All Who You Are as the so-called successes

and achievements.

The same with weight loss or eating better or getting on a routine exercise regime.

It matters not how many times you get off track.

It only matters that you get up one more time than you fall. 

In simple words: ”The only slip-up is to give up”

Love,
Dr. Leslie

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Leslie Van Romer, author of weight-loss, health-boosting book, Getting into Your Pants, is a chiropractor,
weight-loss cheerleader, and feel-good-about-you motivational health speaker.
For more information contact her: 360-683-8844 or 888-375-3754 or Dr.Leslie@DrLeslieVanRomer or
www.gettingintoyourpants.com www.drleslievanromer.com

My 82-year-old mother, my rock and my hero, opened her eyes just as my father slipped into her hospital room.

Two days before, we six kids got the word.

“Mom’s been in a bad car accident. A truck ran a stop sign at 50 mph, crashed into her car, and flipped it over–twice. She’s okay, but in a lot of pain with serious injuries: broken back, neck, and sternum. Don’t come and don’t call.”

I obeyed–partly. I didn’t call, but I did catch the next possible cross-country plane.

Recovering from subsequent back surgery, my mother watched my father as he tip-toed to her bedside and carefully bent over to kiss her. Sweetly. Gently.

My mother spoke only five words: “Walk with a purpose, Ed.” My father looked at me, made that familiar, funny-dad face, and promptly stood tall, straightening up his spine with shoulders back, chest out, stomach in, and head held high. He then proceeded to strut his purposeful walk around the sterile-white room.

For me, my mother’s wisdom, somehow surfacing from beneath the pain, rang loud and true, beyond simply triggering my dad’s antics and our much-needed giggles.

Yes, lean body mass, a diet centered on fresh fruits and vegetables, daily exercise, sleep, clean air and water, psychological comfort, stress management, and connective relationships all contribute to health, mobility, activity, and longevity.

But a lifelong sense of purpose, which may change directions but doesn’t wane with retirement or age, continually fuels our inner flames, empowering us to add days to our lives and life to our days.

Whether a nurturing mother, a good friend, a helpful volunteer, or, like my eighty-five-year-old dad, working full-time in a thriving, self-built company, consciously aligning your life with your unique higher purpose allows you to be all that you were born to be while opening doors for others to do the same. 

Listening to your inner voice and following your highest calling, something far greater than yourself, rewards you with life’s best gifts: inner joy, a sense of peace, and soul-deep gratitude, especially for the gift of life itself.

As for my mother, now eighty-five, she continues to exemplify living her higher purpose, as the rock and hero for her six children, fifteen grandchildren, five great-grand children, and the man she still lovingly reminds:

“Walk with a purpose, Ed!” And indeed he does.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Leslie Van Romer, author of weight-loss, health-boosting book, Getting into Your Pants, is a chiropractor, speaker, and weight-loss cheerleader. Feel free to contact her at: 360-683-8844, 1.888.375.3754 Dr.Leslie@DrLeslieVanRomer  www.vanromerchiropractic and www.gettingintoyourpants.com .

I AM! Let’s shout those two little, most powerful words

from the mountain tops.

I AM! NOT to be confused with I can, I try, I will, I would,

I could, and I should.

But I AM!

I am building up my health with best-for-me foods

and exercise choices.

I am losing weight.

I am exercising every day.

I am eating at least 10 whole, fresh fruits a day.

I am eating at least one great, big, fill-me-up salad

every day with at least 10 different vegetables, including

the greens, in it.

I am drinking homemade fresh juices every day.

I am taking complete responsibility for my thoughts,

actions, non-actions, and experiences.

I am feeling good about me.

I am doing exactly what I love to do.

I am loving life!

I am loving me.

Be very conscious of your thoughts and words and

think, I am!

Love,

Leslie

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Leslie Van Romer, author of weight-loss, health-boosting book, Getting into Your Pants, and its companion workbook, Getting into Your Pants PlayBook, is a chiropractor, weight-loss cheerleader, and feel-good-about-you motivational health speaker. For more information contact her: 360-683-8844 or 888-375-3754 or Dr.Leslie@DrLeslieVanRomer or visit www.gettingintoyourpants.com  www.drleslievanromer.com   www.vanromerchiropractic.com

Another gift of a day!

Just for grins, with every bite ask yourself, “Does this food feed me or deplete me?”

Does this apple feed me or deplete me?

Does this chocolate feed me or deplete me?

Does this green-leafy salad feed me or deplete me?

Does this coffee feed me or deplete me?

Does this homemade veggie juice feed me or deplete me?

Then make the choice whether to eat it or not. This simple question helps us to become more and more mindful about what we put into our bodies.

Building health comes from just one mindful choice at a time!

Love,

Leslie

dr.leslie@drleslievanromer.com