Habit Forming - Forming Habits

image by Ron Leishman: http://www.toonclipart.com/

I have always found replacing “bad” habits to be much more feasible than quitting anything. Quitting just leaves a void. Want, need, longing, fury, agitation, frustration - just to name a few - were my new companions in the void. Why not just find something I enjoy to replace the thing I enjoyed but found to be detrimental in some way.  It isn’t so much a question of will power as of energy.  Energy constantly transforms, but it doesn’t go away.  A habit is a pattern of energy.  It is constructive to work with it, creating change and transformation.

During the holidays I found myself inundated with ambivalence about all the sweets and treats I was confronted with constantly at that time of year. What should I do? I was tortured by the ice cream, chocolates, and egg nog. They made me suffer! - I want! I shouldn’t! I mustn’t! I want I want!

Ice cream was always one of my greatest addictions. Great in quality and size and challenge. Recently I have found a substitution which I find full-filling and delightful, leaving me without cravings. I make a shake. Not a milk shake! Young coconut banana shake. Delectable.

1 young coconut - water and meat
1 banana
6 pieces of ice
Blend all ingredients in a blender or vitamix

For instructions on how to open a young coconut, you can search youtube.com or google.com. If you are a beginner, just be very careful!
The consistency of the shake will vary depending on the youth of the coconut - but I find all variations to be yummy.

Good luck and please post questions!

Chia is more than a pet

Chia growing

My dear friend Angie can’t eat wheat, dairy, soy,
Nor can she eat foods containing, flax, tomatoes, macademia nuts, peanuts, drink beverages containing acai, and host of other things.
But Angie likes Chia.
I introduced her to Chia the other day.  She had missed it when Dr. Oz talked about the health benefits of chia seeds on “Oprah.” Now Angie says the song from the commercial for Chia Pets goes through her head all the time.

What makes the Chia Seed the super food that many claim it to be?
*Great source of Omega 3 and 6 oils
*You don’t need to grind Chia seeds to get benefits
*Hydrophilic: Chia seeds absorb the water we drink, holding it in our system longer
*Studies show they slow the rate at which our bodies convert carbohydrate calories into simple sugars - may have benefits for diabetics.
*Using a dose of Chia in water can help dieters feel fuller, so fewer calories are ingested
*High in fiber and healthy oils - Chia can be a great addition to a detoxification program.

100 grams of Chia or 3.5 oz. are:

*A source of magnesium equivalent to 53 oz of Broccoli•
*A source of iron equivalent to 10 oz of Spinach
• A source of foliate equivalent to 2 oz of Asparagus
• A source of fiber equivalent to 4 oz of bran
• A source of calcium equivalent to 23 oz of Milk
• A source of potassium equivalent to 6 oz of Bananas
• A source of omega 3 fatty acids equivalent to 28 oz of Atlantic Salmon
• A source of antioxidants equivalent to roughly 10 oz of blueberries

CHIA facts

• Is a complete, whole and natural food not a supplement.
• Has thousands of years of Safe historical human consumption (Chia seeds)
• Is 100% Cholesterol free and Trans Fat free
• Is Not Genetically Modified (GMO)
• Contains significant amounts of quercetin antioxidants that aid in reducing inflammation
• Is one of the highest overall antioxidant containing foods (ORAC 1680 pr 22g) more thanblueberries and prunes
• Is gluten free, and can be eaten by people suffering from celiac disease.
• Is certified Kosher
• Is a perfect digestive aid, creating better assimilation of food and excess stomach acids
• Is A Dieters Dream – Fat replacement- food extender and creates a full satiated feeling.
• Encourages healthy and gentle bowel elimination
• Enhances energy levels and extends endurance
• Prevents dehydration and aids in electrolyte balance
from: http://www.culinarycaregiver.com/page/1267702

To take as supplement…..
Mix 15g (1.5 Tbsp) Chia seed with 8oz water in a clean jar.  Close the lid, and let stand, shaking periodicaly for a few minutes until the chia seed becomes evenly suspended, then drink.
(from “Greens+” brand Chia supplement)

To take in food…….
There are a host of recipes for incorporating Chia seeds into your diet.  A search on google will yield ample results.  I go for the “Chia raw recipes” such as are found at: http://www.naturalnews.com/022468.html

Holiday Weight Loss - Timing is Everything.

Overindulged during holiday festivities? You probably find yourself in front of the mirror, wishing those extra pounds away, planning frequent trips to the gym. While working out is an important component to shedding pounds, there are some simple habits that can increase results exponentially.

The greatest mistake people make when they want to lose weight (and lose it NOW!) is to try to skimp on sustenance in the morning. The most common pattern is to skimp on or skip breakfast, to drink coffee (but a cup of coffee for breakfast actually worsens the weight issues!) or some other beverage in its place, and to eat a very light lunch. By late afternoon one finds oneself thinking: well I am starving but at least I am on my way to losing that weight. By dinner time, one is crazy with hunger. Dinner ends up being the main meal of the day. As the days go by, dinner ends up becoming more substantial as the suffering of daytime abstinence takes its toll.

Here is why this pattern of eating/dieting doesn’t work for weight loss: What this pattern does is to lower the metabolism, causing fewer and fewer calories to have more and more effect (that means pounds). When you skip breakfast you start a process in the brain in which it believes the body is starving. The more you deny yourself, the greater this belief. Thus the mind tries to compensate by engendering a greater desire to eat - to the extent where one is likely to lose control - to “pig out.”

The lowered metabolism that causes weight loss to slow or stop is a response to a denial of food. There is an important timing for calorie intake. Certain kinds of fats are needed by the body, and it will try to get them. You need to put the right calories and the right fats into your body at the right times. Whether you are losing a few holiday pounds or shedding years of fat, this is the key to establishing a way of eating that will keep you at an optimum weight.

I remember reading about a scientific study when I was about 14 years old. This information stayed with me and has helped me maintain a nice weight my whole life.

The study went like this: Three groups of people had only one 1500 calorie meal per day. The first group had their one meal at breakfast time. The second group had their one meal at lunch time. The third group had theirs at dinner time. The first group lost weight. The second group either lost weight or maintained their weight. The third group gained weight. It wasn’t really about what they were eating.

As an acrobat, I have always had to keep an eye on my weight. If ever I started noticing that I was gaining a bit, I would skip dinner after eating a satisfying breakfast and lunch for just one night; then I would eat light dinners after that until my weight was back where I wanted it. This way of eating kept my metabolism healthy, so it didn’t slow down. Read more info about the importance of breakfast.

I’m not saying that it isn’t important to eat healthy foods! I am saying that it is important not to panic about your weight and do harm to your body when you tackle the weight issue. Don’t get overwhelmed ever! Start with timing issues, then work into improving the quality of your diet. See my page on Food Combining for some good tips to get started.

Besides timing, a big issue for losing weight is nutrition: the more nutrition your food has, the less hungry you will be. Eat a lot more vegetables (not potatoes) with your meals. You will eat fewer calories because you are giving your body more of a variety of the nutrients it needs. See my article on kale salad and yummie veggies.

Check out my last article on Cleansing in the Morning for a great way to start the day, too.