Jewish Sacred Aging

Purim merriment is upon us. As we laugh and feel joy, we are inviting in health and well being. Can you feel it?

The hamentashen, the grape juice, and the masquerading

The Megillah reading and the festive groggers as we boo the name of Haman and recount the story of how Esther became queen of Persia and successfully thwarted Haman’s plan to commit genocide against the Jews.

The ensuing celebrations in appreciation of life!

Laughter, gratitude, and celebrating across generations with loved ones and neighbors make a great recipe for wellness!  For all those joyful ingredients, dayenu*! Read more

Simona Hadjigeorgalis

Rosh Hashana is just around the corner.  A time for reflection.  A time to celebrate what is working well in our lives and take note of our opportunities for continuous improvement.

I have observed that as many of the Boomers reflect on the year, they can see they’ve been wonderful parents, grandparents and children; often times while juggling careers and more.  Wow!  Take a moment and breathe in all the amazing light you’ve given to your family and your community.

But now the next question—how do you replenish that light that you give and give? Can you run on empty?  The answer is, of course, NO!  So… Why do so many Boomers feel guilty when they carve out time for their own wellness? Read more

The answer is YES.

Simona Hadjigeorgalis

This article was originally posted on FueltheBodyWell.com, but since my Mom–a Jewish Grandmother and care-taker to her father and father-in-law, was the “tester”,  there may be many readers of Jewish Sacred Aging that are also wondering if you can get fit working out in 10-minutes a day. 

My Mom and I started out in February by asking the question, can you get fit from working out for 10 minutes a day.  And 2 ½ months later, we have the answer.   In addition to the pounds and inches, the other success of trying the 10-minute trainer is that now working out for “just 10-minutes” has become a regular part of my Mom’s routine.  Here’s how she did it…

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Passover is a wonderful time of year to clean our external and internal spaces.  For many of us, we already carve out the time to clean our kitchens in preparation for the holiday.  And we already eliminate certain foods.  Can we add an intention of “wellness” to that tradition and still remain connected to the religious significance of Passover?  As a Reform Jewess, I feel empowered to ask the question.

Simona Hadjigeorgalis

Passover already prescribes a ritual cleaning of our external space, a week of conscious eating, spiritual contemplation, and connection to family and community.  Read more

Cha-cha-cha-chia!  Yes, the same seeds that are the subject of those hilarious informercials for Chia Pets are also a superfood.

Simona Hadjigeorgalis

Chia seeds are an outstanding source of omega-3, dietary fiber, calcium, and iron. What does that mean for someone looking for a low-calorie energy boost during the day? Read more

With the winter holidays behind us, it is time to get back into our routines.  The transition back into routine takes some effort, which makes now a particularly important time to nurture ourselves.  It is a challenge to prioritize ourselves when there is so much to do and so many depending on us.   But when we are kind to ourselves, we have more health and vitality to share with those that are depending on us.

Simona Hadjigeorgalis

Staying in harmony with our bodies’ messages is a wonderful way to nurture ourselves during the transition back into routine.  Here are a couple of ways we can do that: Read more

Stressed is desserts spelled backward.   As a dessert-lover, I am not suggesting that savoring a sweet treat is a sign of stress.  However, when our enjoyment escalates into cravings, it is a good time to step back and reflect. Read more