Self-Care in a Pandemic: A Possible Silver Lining
August 2020, by Jodi Baretz, Inside Press
It is really difficult to wrap your head around a silver lining when there is so much suffering across the world right now. Not only are people sick and dying in record numbers, but there is devastating economic loss, an increase in domestic violence, streets are filled with rioting and police brutality, the critical use of masks has been politicized, and on and on and on. I will leave consideration of those issues to others because my expertise is around self-care, which has become more important than ever in the face of the illness and adversity we face on a daily basis. In addition to boosting our immune system and staying active, it is equally important to monitor our mental health in this time when so many are experiencing sadness and isolation.
So, I am wondering are people more inclined to take care of themselves during this time?
Mindful Moms Lakeside Meditation Series Continues this Summer
April 18, 2019 by Sabra Staudenmaier of Inside Press
At the end of a dirt path hidden on an ordinary street in Millwood there is a stretch of sand that leads to a small private lake. Every few weeks throughout the summer months this becomes the location where a group of mindful moms take their meditation practice outdoors. The beach is quaint, the lake reflects the trees, sky and clouds; the sun shimmers and sparkles over the surface of the water. It is the ideal setting to bask in the present moment.
Jodi Baretz, a mindfulness-based psychotherapist and holistic health coach, and author of the Amazon best-selling book Mindful is the New Skinny, has made it her life’s work to help people maximize joy through meditation and other mindfulness techniques. For almost a decade, she has worked to help clients with stress, food issues and relationship problems so they can feel and look their best. She offers individual therapy and coaching through The Center for Health and Healing in Mt Kisco and has pioneered several successful mindful mom’s programs, including her new program: “Club Mindful – A Gym for the Mind”. Baretz developed the summer lake meditation series several years ago and it has grown to become a highlight on the calendars within the local mindfulness community.
A Transformational Journey
By Amanda Kraus, Inside Press
Jodi Baretz, author of the new ‘Mindful is the New Skinny,’ shared her personal growth experiences at the Chappaqua Library
Earlier this summer, I sat among an excited, eager crowd in the Chappaqua Library’s auditorium to listen to Jodi Baretz, psychotherapist, health coach, and author, speak about her new book, Mindful is the New Skinny: 10 Transformational Steps to a Lighter You Inside and Out. Baretz discussed the book itself as well as her personal experiences that compelled her to write it, in which she transformed “Junkfood Jodi” to “Baretz for carrots.”
Baretz began her talk with silence; she had the audience try a short meditation so that we could understand how she started her own transformational journey with mindfulness, except the first time she meditated at the Omega Institute five years ago, it was for forty-five minutes.
Know Your Neighbor: Jodi Baretz, Psychotherapist/Holistic Health Coach, Millwood
By Martin Wilbur, The Examiner
Jodi Baretz was through striving for perfection. Unrealistic expectations spawned by viewing others’ lives through social media, societal expectations of always needing to succeed or the obsession with attaining the perfect body or having the perfect family has led to an abundance of stress and unhappiness.
“It’s just an experience,” Baretz said. “We don’t have to look at everything as good or bad or right or wrong. It’s just experiencing life and enhancing it instead of struggling with imperfection.”
Between battling her own life’s daily struggles or listening to her clients in her integrative psychotherapy and holistic health coach practice at Mount Kisco’s The Center for Health and Healing, her experiences led her to write a new book, “Mindful is the New Skinny: 10 Transformational Steps to a Lighter You Inside and Out.”
A Mindful Awakening: How a Diagnosis Changed My Life-For the Better
An excerpt from "Mindful Is the New Skinny"
Featured on Thrive Global, by Jodi Baretz, LCSW, CHHC, Psychotherapist, Health Coach, Speaker and Author of "Mindful Is the New Skinny."
Believe it or not, my childhood nickname was “Junk Food Jodi,” and for good reason. Like Lady Gaga sings, I was born that way. The attending nurse in the maternity ward told my mother that I would never be a good eater because I had a tendency to spit out my baby formula. So, there you have it: branded for life as a ‘bad eater’.
Things didn’t get any better growing up. As a young girl, I continued to be a picky eater. Dinner at my home, was often accompanied by not-so-subtle threats from my dad. He would command me to finish everything on my plate by the time the clock struck six. At 5:59, I’d sneak the undesired food under the table to my overly receptive brother so he could save my butt once again.
Looking for a fun summer read that will help you deal with stress, anxiety and weight loss? Jodi Baretz, LCSW
Mindful Is the New Skinny: 10 Transformational Steps to a Lighter You Inside & Out becomes an Amazon Best Seller!
Westchester County, NY –Psychotherapist and holistic health coach Jodi Baretz, released her debut book on June 6th, Mindful Is the New Skinny: 10 Transformational Steps to a Lighter You Inside & Out.
Baretz’ book reached #1 best seller status shortly after its release and dominated the categories of ‘Self-Help’ and ‘Nutrition’ with her ‘mindfulness meets weight loss’ mash-up. She offers a fresh approach that rejects traditional calorie restrictive dieting to feeling lighter by managing stress and your mind. Baretz says, “So many women come into my office struggling with their weight, feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. What they are doing hasn’t been working and the problem is: they are focusing their energy in the wrong place.”
Mindful Is the New Skinny Author Holds Book Signing, Chappaqua Library
Natural Awakenings
Psychotherapist and holistic health coach Jodi Baretz recently released her debut book, Mindful Is the New Skinny: 10 Transformational Steps to a Lighter You Inside & Out, a “mindfulness meets weight loss” mash-up that quickly became a bestseller on Amazon. She will be signing copies of the book and giving a short talk on June 26, at 7 p.m., at the Chappaqua Library.
A licensed clinical social worker in private practice at The Center for Health and Healing in Mount Kisco, Baretz offers a fresh approach to weight loss. She rejects traditional, calorie-restrictive dieting and explains how to feel lighter through mindfulness and stress management.
We Need to Talk About Mental Health and Pain
Mental health is often ignored when treating pain but could be key to helping reduce healthcare costs and dependence on prescription medication
Thrive Global, by Rachel Soper Sanders, Healthcare Innovator, CEO and Co-founder at Patch Health
Jodi Baretz, LCSW, CHHC, licensed psychotherapist, health coach, and author explains, that when people experience and think about pain, “they often tighten and constrict which makes the pain worse.” CBT can be used to help patients “breathe into the pain, relax the area, and give it space, helping the pain shift and possibly begin to dissolve,” she explains.
“Because both thoughts and actions strongly affect our experience of pain, cognitive behavioral therapy is a key element of effectively managing pain.” Says Marni Amsellem, Ph.D, licensed psychologist in CT and NY.
14 Things You Can Do Every Day To Protect Your Mental
Health As You Age
Because it’s just as important as your physical health.
Huffington Post, Nicole Pajer
“Meditation is a great way to protect your mental health as you age,” said Jodi Baretz, a licensed clinical social worker and author of Mindful Is the New Skinny. “Not only does it train your brain to focus and improve your attention, it also decreases anxiety and increases your ability to enjoy the everyday moments of your life.”
Baretz added that meditation can also increase your tolerance of the uncomfortable and help you become less reactive, which decreases stress and emotional overwhelm. And studies show that it may go a long way in preventing age-related cognitive decline.
A Mindful Chat with Jodi Baretz
By Bettina Prober, Inside Chappaqua and Armonk Magazines
Walking into Millwood resident Jodi Baretz’ office is like walking into a sanctuary. The atmosphere is hushed, shoes are left at the door, voices are kept to a whisper. The effect is immediately relaxing.
Baretz, 49, is a psychotherapist specializing in mindfulness and health coaching at The Center for Health and Healing, located on Smith Avenue in Mt. Kisco. She is also the author of the new book, Mindful is the New Skinny: 10 Transformational Steps to a Lighter You Inside and Out, due out this spring. Inside Chappaqua sat down to talk to her about the book as well as her own journey to mindfulness.
"Westchester Magazine" Sneak Greens Into Your Diet
Fool your brain into forgetting that it's eating vegetables.
Adding greens to your diet is important — and it doesn't have to be a chore, says Jodi Baretz, LCSW, CHHC, a psychotherapist and holistic health coach at The Center for Health and Healing in Mount Kisco. Here’s how:
1. “The best and fastest way to add greens to your diet is the green smoothie. Pair a green (spinach, kale, collards) with almond milk, half a banana, and other fruit, like pear, mango, pineapple, or berries. Add ice, and you have a delicious colada.”
2. “Small amounts of greens can be tossed into soups and stir-fries. Put them in toward the end, and they will cook very quickly, won’t overpower the dish and will add a splash of color.”
3. “Kale chips are so good, you don’t even have to ‘sneak them in.’ Just pull off the stems, wash and dry, and mix with two tablespoons of olive oil, juice of half a lemon, and salt, and cook in an oven at 450° for five minutes at a time, turning often until crispy.”
"Westchester Magazine," Why should you be eating more honey?
No one should be shoveling sugar cubes into their mouth each day, but that doesn’t mean every single sweetener is harmful. People have consumed honey for thousands of years and there might be a good reason why: it has some extremely healthful properties. Jodi Baretz, LCSW, CHHC, of The Center for Health and Healing in Mount Kisco, says honey can be a boon to good health when consumed in moderation."
“Honey, a natural sweetener, can have surprising health benefits such as decreasing allergy symptoms, providing energy, and helping with sleep and weight loss,” says Baretz. “It is a great substitute for sugar and can aid medications in regulating blood sugar.”
"Inside Chappaqua and Armonk Magazines," Finding Peace, Love & Unity in Divisive Times
Holidays are supposed to be a festive time of year, but with all the political divisiveness, natural disasters and even terrorism in downtown Manhattan yet again, it has become difficult to maintain a sense of calm or contentment. The endless news cycles and social media frenzies have us outraged, but at the same time, desensitized us to the horrors that occur in the world. How do we set aside the screens, and engage in productive and constructive conversations with our family and friends when we are so divided? And, how can we find peace and happiness in such stressful times?"
"Westchester Magazine," Is Red Meat really bad for you?
It seems that no one can agree on red meat. Some studies suggest it may contribute to disease, while proponents insist red meat should be a part of any healthy diet. According to Jodi Baretz, LCSW, CHHC, of The Center for Health and Healing in Mount Kisco, the answer is complicated. “The truth to whether red meat is good or harmful for you depends on the type and quality of the meat,” she says. “Our ancestors have been consuming red meat for many years with good health. However, the meat we eat today is very different from the wild cow on a field 10,000 years ago roaming free and eating grass.”
"Natural Awakenings Magazine," Mindful is the New Skinny, Bootcamp for Women
Learn concepts and meditation techniques to help reduce stress and find joy and peace Jodi Baretz, who has a mindfulness-based psychotherapy practice at the Center for Health and Healing in Mount Kisco, will offer two sessions of Mindful Is the New Skinny, a six-week boot camp for women, in October and November. Participants will learn concepts and meditation techniques to help them reduce stress and find joy and peace, Baretz says, for “a lighter you, inside and out.”
"Westchester Magazine," The Next Great Superfoods You Need to Try
Dragon fruit and maca powder are two of the hottest superfoods on the market and, says certified holistic health counselor Jodi Baretz of the Center for Health and Healing in Mount Kisco, both pack a powerful nutritional punch.
According to Baretz, dragon fruit can “strengthen the immune system, aids in healing of bruises, may decrease respiratory problems and might even prevent memory loss. The fruit has no complex carbohydrates so [it] can be more easily broken down, and is rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, polyunsaturated (good) fatty acids, several B vitamins for carbohydrate metabolism, calcium, carotene, and protein.”
"The Points Mom," A Small Glitch in My Colorado Vacation by Jodi Baretz
This past holiday weekend, I had an amazingly scenic trip to the mountains of Colorado. We first visited my favorite place in the country, Boulder, and enjoyed the foodie nature of the town, unlimited gluten-free options, great unique boutiques, hiking, a Red Rocks concert and more. Then it was off to Vail, where allergies, the altitude and a summer cold caught up with me. I had never been there and loved the village. We had an action packed itinerary, thanks to a great friend who planned the adventure portion. It started off amazing as we drove in a van up high atop a mountain, only to bike one way down. Racing downhill was amazing and beautiful.”
"Sparkle Report, Laurie W., Building confidence in girls and the people who love them."
Featured Female, Jodi Baretz
Our mission at the Girls Leadership League is to contribute to more confident and sparkly girls ….What advice would your big girl self-give your teen/tween self about confidence?
Be yourself and don’t worry about what everyone else thinks. Girls who are mean are usually struggling to impress others to fit in and elevate their social status. It is rarely about you as a person, so don’t personalize it.
In my classes, we teach young girls to create a Friendship Recipe of traits they are looking for in a true friend …What characteristics would be in your friendship recipe?
I would look for someone who brings out my best qualities and has my back. A loyal person who genuinely wants me to succeed without jealousy.
"Inside Chappaqua and Armonk Magazines"
A Mindful Mothers Day Guide for Mom's on the Brink
Wikipedia states: “Mother’s Day is a celebration honoring motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society.”
But day to day, we all know that Mom is a huge, complicated job, influenced by many factors. Mothers are the nurturers, caretakers, managers and glue of our families, and so much more.
Although our quest for perfectionism can feel justified in our community of overachievers, it would serve us well to accept that we are humans, not superheroes. We all make mistakes, endure tons of guilt, blame ourselves when our children hit a bump in the road; just like our mothers did before us. Relationships with our own mothers can be complicated as well. So, what if your Mother’s Day experience doesn’t fit on a Hallmark card? Here’s how I suggest you can give yourself the gift of a ‘mindful’ Mother’s Day.
"The Mindfulness App"
The Skinny on Mindful Eating
We are all guilty of eating mindlessly at times, watching TV and finishing a whole bag of chips or eating a whole meal and not even realizing that we ate it. Just like other mindful exercises, mindful eating is paying attention to eating and eating with intention. Slowing down on purpose to realize what we are putting in our mouths, and making sure it’s really what we want to be doing.
Repairing Our Relationship with Food
We have to repair our relationship with food, be grateful for its abundance, taste the flavors and savour every bite. We need to ditch the guilt, and eat when we are hungry with the intention of nourishing ourselves.
Mindful eating can be the gift we need to stop the struggle and learn how to eat intuitively. When we slow down, we notice what we are doing, and can observe behaviors that don’t necessarily benefit us in the long run. We begin to notice our physical and emotional cues for hunger; what emotional issues trigger us to eat when we are not hungry. We begin to recognize what foods our body needs for optimal nourishment and pleasure, and what foods ultimately punish us.
Think about eating like a wine connoisseur sips wine. We can first smell our food, think about where it came from, take a small bite and really taste what we are eating. Savour each bite and think about what it feels like in our mouths. Lastly notice how we feel when we eat or drink it.
"Westchester Magazine"
5 Winter Superfoods to add to your Diet this season
It seems that spring and summer are prime time for finding top-notch superfoods. Blackberries and blueberries are abundant, tomatoes are ripe, and a wealth of leafy greens pop up on store shelves. Believe it or not, winter has its own bounty of uber healthful fruits and vegetables. “I always like to eat with the seasons, fresh and local is always best,” says Jodi Baretz a holistic health coach at The Center for Health and Healing in Mount Kisco. “The winter calls for warming foods, and so many of them are so good for us.” We asked Baretz to round up five of her top picks for great winter super foods.
Root vegetables
“Veggies like parsnips, turnips, and beets are delicious roasted with a little olive oil,” says Baretz. “They are high in fiber and minerals from the soil. I roast them for dinner and any leftovers, I blend with chicken stock for soup the next day.” Beets in particular contain a beneficial antioxidant called betalains, which have been shown to reduce inflammation in the body.
Avocado
Baretz calls winter-ready avocados “a heart healthy fat that helps reduce ‘bad’ cholesterol.” The fruit also contains a wealth of vitamins and minerals including magnesium, potassium, vitamin E, vitamin B6, and niacin. “Guacamole is a popular favorite, but also great to put mashed on toast in the morning with some lemon juice and salt.”
"Westchester Magazine"
5 Tips to Begin Eating Mindfully
Mindfulness is the new catch phrase in food -- it means slowing down and paying attention to the taste, smell, and texture of what we consume. Plus, studies show that better appreciating what we eat may lead to a smaller waistline. “I am not a big fan of diets, mostly because they don’t work long term,” says Jodi Baretz, a holistic health coach at The Center for Health and Healing in Mount Kisco. “My clients don’t even like the word diet, because it is stress producing and fires off cortisol, leading to the storage of belly fat. I prefer mindful or intuitive eating because it is a lifestyle rather than a diet.” Below, Baretz rounds out five ways to begin eating mindfully.
1. Start to notice your hunger cues.
“Ask yourself, ‘Am I hungry?’ before you eat,” says Baretz. “If you wouldn't eat an apple right now, you’re probably not hungry.”
2. Ride the crave wave.
“If you are having a craving, start to notice it and be curious about it before immediately giving in,” suggests Baretz. “Let it be uncomfortable for a moment, and ask yourself what you are really hungry for? Is it food or acceptance? Are you just stressed and need to pop something in your mouth — or just bored?”
"Inside Chappaqua and Armonk Magazines"
Post Election Anxiety: for Hillary supporters
I am writing this the day after the election and I can’t seem to shake this gnawing in the pit of my stomach; this sense of impending doom. I’m sad and afraid for so many reasons. I’m sad that our deserving neighbor didn’t break the glass ceiling and become our next President, and I’m fearful of a President with no experience, who ran a campaign based on anger and hate.
I’m terrified by the racists and bigots he energized and the actions they might take. I have followed this election campaign holding my breath, wanting it to be over to breathe a sigh of relief. Unfortunately, now that it is presumably over, all I want to do is turn back time.
"The Mindfulness App"
Cut the Fat Talk: 6 Ways to Combat the Post Vacation Blues
‘The meal isn’t over when I’m full, it’s over when I hate myself’ – Louis C.K.
After the summer or any vacation, my friends and I can be heard talking about how fat and disgusted we are with ourselves, and how we need to take drastic measures to fit into our clothes. There is a desperation that comes with this, and a desire to look and feel good about ourselves. We just indulged in ice cream nightly for at least 7 days, filled up at buffets, and went out for dinner every single night. What’s a girl to do? No one has that much willpower. I agree that it is time to get back on track, get back into our routines and pay attention to our food choices. It is the self hatred that I can do without. When did our self worth become tied into our body image? I truly am resentful of a culture that does that to women. We are programmed that way. How do we combat this misery we put ourselves through?
"Inside Chappaqua and Armonk Magazines"
"An Attitude of Gratitude"
“If we are not grateful for what we have, what makes us think we’d be happy with more?” Being charged with writing an article on gratitude I was forced to think about what I am truly grateful for, and what I could possibly write about on this topic. Of course, I’m grateful for the obvious things, the ‘big things.’ I’m grateful for my loving family, my supportive friends and my growing private practice. However, I think it’s just as important to recognize the ordinary moments in daily life, the little things.
I can recall a moment when my kids were small and I was bringing them for haircuts, which was not an easy task. Once I finally got them into the car, my two precious children proceeded to fight as per usual. As I was driving and listening to this free for all in the back seat, I would occasionally interrupt with a “stop it” or “enough already!”
"Wellness of Eve"
"Get to know Mindful is the New Skinny"
I’m honestly very proud of myself as I’m presenting today this interview with the psychotherapist Jodi Baretz. She’s one of many emerging women working hard to introduce people to a simple, yet powerful way of improving life quality, which is mindfulness. She’s also a Holistic Health coach who believes strongly in the integral approach of healing that works on body/mind/spirit, and she believes that mindfulness is one of the best ways to do it.
I believe your brand name, Mindful is the New Skinny, is so inspiring and symbolizes the recent paradigm shift about health and overall well-being.
Thank you! I believe we have to nourish the inside in order to flourish on the outside. As women, we need to feel that we are good enough and not focus so much on fitting into expectations the media and culture place on us.
Can you tell us about your personal and career journey?
Westchester Magazine
"5 Great Foods for Gut Health"
Everyone knows they should be eating right, but what about the gut processing all that food? According to Jodi Baretz, holistic health coach at The Center for Health and Healing in Mount Kisco, “A healthy micro biome, or bacteria in the gut, is critical for digestive health and [preventing] inflammation in the body, allergies, asthma, and a host of other diseases.”
The millions of gut bacteria populating our intestines are aided by both probiotic and prebiotic foods. “Probiotics are live microorganisms that are found in a variety of foods and dietary supplements, and include the strains lactobacilli and bifidobacteria,” explains Baretz. “Prebiotics are non-digestible carbohydrates such as inulin and fructo-oligosaccharides, which can also promote the growth and activity of beneficial bacteria in the gut.”
Here, Baretz rounds out her top five picks for the best foods to get that tummy in tip-top shape.
The Mindfulness App
"Mindful Eating: Nourish the Inside, Flourish on the Outside" By Jodi Baretz
“I realized that I don’t have to be perfect. All I have to do is show up and enjoy the messy, imperfect, and beautiful journey of my life.” — Kerry Washington
Hunger is one of the most fundamental and basic of human drives, and from the moment we are born, food plays a role in how we behave, how we feel about the world around us, how we feel about ourselves, and how we respond to those closest to us. It is no surprise, therefore, that as adults, how we are eating and what we are eating can tell us a lot about what is going on with us psychologically, emotionally, and even spiritually.
How what we eat, how we eat it, and when and why, can either meaningfully enhance or critically interfere with our full and unimpeded joy of life. This means a lot more than whether or not you’re able to fit into that little black cocktail dress anymore. It’s about figuring out what you’re eating says about you, and working with that to address whatever conflicts are causing you to be less than your ideal self, physically and psychologically.
Think about the diet rollercoaster that so many of us have been on for most of our lives. We go on diet after diet. We lose weight temporarily, only to gain it right back. We spend our money, time and attention chasing the holy grail of skinny. We never feel thin or pretty enough, so we need diet pills, plans and detoxes that will help us fix it. We feel that skinny is the be-all end-all. If we could only reach our target weight, then we will finally be happy.
Inside Chappaqua and Inside Armonk Magazines
"Mindfulness in a Crazy World" By Jodi Baretz
Lately, it seems like on a weekly basis we are hearing about some awful terrorist attack, or act of gun violence. Our flags are constantly at half mast, and we barely mourn one tragedy before another one hits. This is a constant reminder of how intolerance, hate and racism are still present around the world. This unrest adds to the chronic anxiety many of us already feel on a daily basis.
The tragedies we hear about are real, but we have to be mindful of the stories we tell ourselves. It is easy to get carried away with doomsday scenarios, because our hyperactive brains are programmed for survival.
The 24-hour media coverage of shootings, killings and terrorist events perpetuates worry, and creates anxiety. The media often seems to thrive on fear because they know you will tune in. The reality is that “we didn’t start the fire, it was always burning since the world’s been turning.” It just seems that the Armageddon is closer now than ever before.
"Natural Awakenings Magazine"
Integrating Mindfulness
“Mindfulness allows us to focus on what is happening now, without ruminating about the past, which can cause depression, or thinking about the future, which can cause anxiety. It enables us to fully live our lives with compassionate awareness,” states Jodi Baretz, who owns a mindfulness-based psychotherapy practice in Mt. Kisco, New York.
“Mindfulness…is allowing for what is happening, without trying to change or resist it even if you don’t like it. You are not changing reality, just your relationship to it,” says Baretz, when asked for a quick mindfulness exercise. “Try to focus on whatever you are doing without wandering thoughts. When you’re in the shower, focus on the water and soap, when you’re walking your dog, focus on grass and trees. And take time to unplug from your phone.”
Even taking 20 minutes a day to meditate can help us learn to stay more in the present. Baretz offers a personal note on how the practice has affected her and her practice. “Mindfulness has changed my perspective, and I see how much it has helped my clients. Our brains are wonderful machines, but our minds can drive us crazy. We ruminate, obsess, overanalyze and make assumptions, constantly telling ourselves wild stories that have no merit. When we notice that we are spinning a tale, we can interrupt our thinking and come back to our breath and refocus. Being able to notice and observe your thoughts helps you realize that you don’t have to believe everything you think.”
Quoted in Westchester Magazine
"5 Snack Hacks to Nurse you Back to Health"
There is no opportune time to get sick; however, it seems like our bodies fall victim to the occasional illness the day before a big presentation or just prior to a well-earned vacation. While a cold or flu cannot be cured overnight, there are plenty of ways to help mitigate the symptoms. We asked Jodi Baretz, an Integrative Psychotherapist and Holistic Health Coach at the Center for Health and Healing in Mount Kisco for her top foods to eat when ill:
1. Citrus: “Fruits such as oranges, lemons, grapefruits, and limes can boost your immune system and have lots of Vitamin C,” says Baretz. “They also contain flavonoids, which may also boost the immune system. Other foods rich in Vitamin C include strawberries, broccoli, and bell peppers.”
2. Broth: “Low sodium, clear broths are great for a stuffy nose and a sore throat,” notes Baretz. “If you’re up for it, chicken and veggies can be filling and add nutrients. Bone broth is becoming popular now and is also very healing to your gut.”
Inside Chappaqua and Inside Armonk Magazines
"The Adventurous Spirit" by Jodi Baretz
Endings are naturally sad and beginnings are naturally scary. The end of the school year is bittersweet. June is full of graduations, whether it be from high school or simply moving up to the next school or grade. Wrapping up the year comes with many feelings, some of accomplishment, pride and excitement, and some of sadness for it’s the end of an era. It simply can have many meanings to different people based on their experience and where they are in life.
Moving up and moving out for our seniors can be an adventurous time. What will the next year be like? Will they make friends? Will they be happy? Will they survive? There is plenty to be nervous about. While there is plenty of uncertainty and unanswered questions, going into the unknown with a spirit of adventure can definitely allay some fears. Embracing this time of life, and being confident that all the preparation they have done has gotten them ready for this next phase is key. They are warriors and will prevail. While it’s all a new adventure, be prepared for the ups and downs. Be accepting of the fact that it’s ok if all doesn’t go perfectly.”
Read More
Quoted in Westchester Magazine
"5 Food Additives to Leave on the Shelf"
There are many reasons to avoid processed foods—including unhealthy additives and preservatives. Here’s the lowdown on five of the most common, and why you may want to steer clear of them.
1. Artificial Food Coloring
“Artificial food coloring and dyes are so toxic to our bodies that they are banned in many countries, including England and France,” says certified health coach, Jodi Baretz, LCSW CHHC. “They are made from chemicals that are derived from petroleum and are linked to cancer, ADD, and ADHD in children.” Robert Silverman, DC, a certified nutritional specialist agrees, warning: “Avoid food coloring at all costs!”
2. Sodium Benzoate
“Sodium benzoate is a salt that naturally occurs in low levels in some fruits,” says Baretz. “However, when it is used as a preservative in food and synthesized in a lab, it can be dangerous, especially when it mixes with metal cans.” According to Silverman, consumption of sodium benzoate “can trigger allergic reactions in some people and be a potential trigger for hyperactivity in children with ADHD.”
Inside Chappaqua and Armonk Magazines
"Chaotic is the New Happy" by Jodi Baretz
When Grace asked me to write an essay on “Happy Homes,” I chuckled a bit to myself! I’m not sure what goes on in your house, but in mine, it is certainly not always happy. I would describe my home as a loving, accepting, nurturing environment, but a bit chaotic and tense at times. Overall, we are a “happy” family but from the look on my teenager’s face, you may not think so.nnI have a little problem with always striving for happiness. Happiness is a fleeting feeling, not a state that we should expect all the time. Families are messy. Life is messy. Kids are messy. Instead of happy home, let’s aim for a full adventure recognizing our full range of feelings; things may not always be perfect, but embrace the good, bad and ugly because they are there anyway. By being more aware that there will always be set backs, bad grades, tons of drama and spilled milk, we can certainly tolerate challenging times a bit more.
Inside Chappaqua and Armonk Magazines
"Life begins at the end of your comfort zone" by Jodi Baretz
I received a candle with the above quote from one of my clients. I’m so glad that message resonated with her, as it rings so true for me as well. Most of us are afraid of the unknown and pushing ourselves beyond our limits. We are comfortable with the familiar, and have trouble with change, even if the “familiar” isn’t serving us so well. Doing something new or different produces anxiety by its very nature. Our brains have to switch out of autopilot (default mode) and focus on the new circumstances. Without this ability, there can be no courage.
Chappaqua Mt. Kisco Patch, Small Business Spotlight
How did you come up with the name of your programs? As a therapist and holistic health coach, clients were coming to me with chronic stress and anxiety or trying to lose weight after many failed attempts. What they were missing was nourishment from the inside out. Mindfulness is a great way to calm the chaos in our minds and transform our relationships with our kids, spouses, bodies and ourselves.
What’s the most difficult moment or challenge you’ve faced as a business owner? People have ingrained beliefs about mindfulness and meditation and it is challenging to get them past the spiritual stereotypes. There is nothing religious or new age about it. Meditation is simply an exercise to train your brain to become more mindful and to stay in the present moment. Our minds tend to wander to the past and future, and staying in the present allows us enjoy what is happening in the moment without the constant thinking and judgment.
The Journal News, Students taught to be 'in the present'
Meditation as a coping mechanism has grown in popularity in and out of schools. Jodi Baretz, a psychotherapist at the Center for Health and Healing in Mount Kisco, conducts programs titled “Mindful is the new skinny." “Stress and pain are unavoidable, but additional suffering is optional,” Baretz said. “Most of our stress comes from wishing things were different. When we think of the past, we tend to get depressed, and when we think of the future, we tend to become anxious, but when we are in the present, we are at peace.”nnMany school parent-teacher groups have been conducting workshops for parents — Baretz has been invited by both the Chappaqua and Byram Hills PTA.
Inside Chappaqua and Armonk Magazines
"Ready or Not, School is right around the corner" by Jodi Baretz
Summer is the time we all look forward to–it’s the weather, of course, but it’s also the relaxed vibe and laziness of it all. As summer begins to wind down and the back-to-school craziness begins, one may well wonder how to hold onto some of that tranquility and calm; how to relish the days and not become frazzled and frantic with lives, schedules and children. The weather will inevitably change, and so too our children’s schedules, but that doesn’t have to mean the end of nirvana.
Inside Chappaqua and Inside Armonk Magazines
"Community Matters: Mindful Advice on Conflict Resolution" by Jodi Baretz
Conflicts can be personal, community-based, global. They can cover all sorts of topics and divide us in a variety of ways. Conflict is part of the human condition, and, while inevitable, is healthy and normal too. However, just as we all experience conflict in different and unique ways, so too do we.
Inside Chappaqua Magazine
"Inside a Chappaqua Health and Wellness Retreat"
My group of moms took off first to meet with Jodi Baretz, LCSW, HHC, a psychotherapist and certified health coach, for insights into mindfulness and meditation. Jodi has been embarking on eight weeks of studying the teachings of Jon Kabat Zinn, one of this country’s most eminent experts on mindfulness. Mindfulness, Jodi explained, is “an awareness that emerges through paying attention on purpose to how the experience unfolds in a non judgmental way.” Toward that end, Jodi explained.
"Westchester Magazine"
The Health Benefits of Pumpkins
Certified holistic health coach Jodi Baretz of The Center for Health and Healing in Mount Kisco points out that apples are good sources of vitamin C, great for helping to lower cholesterol and promote digestive regularity. “One of the best health-boosting agents is found in apple skin,” she adds, noting its “natural anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine properties that can relieve symptoms of seasonal allergies.”
The YakYak Girls TV
Mindfulness
Roz Nissman and Renee Geller have been friends for over 40 years and have been residence in Rye Brook for 40 years as well. We started the YakYak girls in August of 2010 and it has been a joy from the beginning. In December 2014 The Yak Yak girls discuss with Jodi Baretz.
Inside Chappaqua Magazine
"Lesssons from a Tragedy" by Jodi Baretz
It is always more difficult to mourn when death is unexpected and tragic. The recent horrific train crash in Westchester this month from which six people were randomly taken from us, doesn’t make any sense. The impermanence and uncertainty of life is very difficult for us to wrap our heads around. Yet, sometimes it takes a tragedy to wake us up to how precious our lives are. When we face mortality, it puts everything in perspective.
Westchester Jewish Life
