Harbor Acres neighbor Kara Saunders is a certified yoga instructor who enjoys teaching individual and community yoga. She doesn't have a set schedule but can be found periodically teaching at Namaste on the Bay or the Green Space at UTC. She's also a health and wellness coach with Sarasota Memorial Health Care System's Lifestyle Medicine Program, RENEW, which stands for Restore and Empower through Nutrition, Exercise, and Wellness.

 

As a busy mother of three (Kinsley, 7 Beckett, 5 & Emerson, seven months), she juggles work, board meetings, playdates, and a busy home schedule. Family time together at the table is one thing she's always trying to prioritize. "Some nights it comes together effortlessly, and others it's hectic, but at the end of it all, it's always worth it, says Kara." She understands many of the daily challenges families and individuals face to stay well and find time together.

 

She shares that in today's busy world, everyone can use a little support to achieve sustainable healthy habits. When we establish a new lifestyle goal for ourselves and our home, it's first an intention. It could be something like we want to sit down together as a family and eat a healthy meal together three times a week. Then, ask yourself what behaviors support the new habit? Going to the farmers market on Saturday? Meal prepping on Sunday? It looks different for everyone, and finding what works for you and your household is vital. As you practice the habit, it becomes second nature; then, it becomes part of how your family operates.

 

Working with individuals to achieve their health and wellness goals is something Kara has always had a passion for. The RENEW program she’s part of was once only available to SMH employees as part of a corporate wellness program. Recently, the program has expanded its reach and is now offering health and wellness coaching to the community.

 

The RENEW Program improves the health of the whole person, body, and mind. Many participants consistently lose weight and inches around their midsection, gain energy, improve blood work, and ultimately reduce or get off medications. 

 

Working with a team of wellness coaches and registered dietitians participants find community, develop stress management tools, improve their relationships with food and movement, and gain a sense of confidence in their health choices. Learn more at www.smhrenew.com and look for a healthy RENEW recipe in the December issue.

 

 

 

1 tablespoon sesame seeds

1 English cucumber, thinly sliced

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill

 

Put the sesame seeds in a small dry skillet over medium heat. Cook tossing for 2 to 3 minutes, until toasted, until toasted. Let cool.

 

In a medium bowl, combine the cucumber, lemon juice, oil, and salt. Stir in the dill and sesame seeds. Serve immediately or marinate in the fridge for up to an hour.

 

Additional add-ons: Cherry tomatoes