How to Handle Seasonal Food Cravings Without Going Crazy!

The idea for this post came when I got home from yoga class and I found myself craving, no needing more food than usual.


So really, a plate full of nachos told me to write this...  ;)

Handling Seasonal Craving Without Going Crazy WeightFreeWellness.com

When I thought about it... I distinctly noticed this feeling as... it's fall... it's time for warm, rich foods... like NOW!



I get it... I've been overweight and underweight in my life. I understand the struggle between what the body is craving and what the mind is reasonably (at first) trying to convince the body to do or feel... what it does or does not need.



In my Weight Free Wellness Programs I get into the meat and potatoes (Yum!) of tools for self-understanding, self-compassion and taking the weight off your own shoulders... which incidentally makes it much easier to lead a healthy life!



But for today, I'll share a few things that I've learned and have helped me over the years...




How to Handle those Fall and Winter Food Cravings:

Each Body-type has it's own unique challenges with Food during the Holidays...

• Did you know that the craving for sweet things is very natural? In times when food was scarce (an argument could be made that real food still is) that this craving would lead us to eat sweet, calorie-rich foods when available, to store energy for times of scarcity. Satiate this true craving by eating seasonal, naturally sweet root vegetables (beets, carrots, sweet potatoes) and squashes. When you give the body what it is really seeking, cravings for processed sweets decreases. Seek high quality, organic foods whenever possible, not only because of chemicals that are spared for the Earth and our bodies, but these vegetables are often more nutrient-rich; it is the nutrients that our bodies deeply desire too, not just the taste! If weight management is a concern, eat these sweet vegetables for the noon meal and have vegetable soup or my easy and delicious Egg Drop Soup which can be made in just 20 minutes!

Get This Recipe Here... and Much More!

• On a similar note, if you are not already, take a multi mineral and multivitamin supplement. When the body is getting the nutrients it needs, we have fewer cravings. Did you know that our body cues us to the nutritional needs we have by the flavors we crave? Fascinating!

• I know, here it is again... Yes, drink enough water! It's amazing how often hunger can be mistaken for what is really thirst!  Because I get asked so often... FYI- I drink Mountain Valley Spring water. 

• Certain Body-types react differently to this season change. Earth-types are ready to cook and bake, settle in for the long winter with a good book or projects and have the hardest time not indulging in the warm, unctuous foods so typical of this season. For them it is most helpful to keep dairy intake to a minimum (as if it's a condiment), eat modest proportions of the sweet vegetables named above, and opt for evening dishes that are mostly made of cooked vegetables with tasty culinary herbs. This not only helps with weight management, but to help prevent ailments that Earth-types are prone to. For more on how to help balance the Earth-type, see my book, You-niversal Self-care. Fire-types typically have very active metabolisms and the sweet veggies help to naturally calm their fire and satiate cravings for sweets. (Earth-types eat sweets by sneaking them into their mouths over time, Fire-types binge-eat sweets...) Air-types need to eat hearty foods more than others to help keep them grounded, balanced and naturally well-energized. While Air-types are notorious for being able to eat a lot and not gain a pound; eating predominantly processed foods depletes the Air-type of energy more than anything. They may feel an initial spike in energy, but they most often feel the crash at the end.

• There are so many things I could list, but I'm striving to keep it basic. Why not list the entire list? Well, because I've found that when you address core issues, the many other things are automatically taken care of. So, finally, rest. Get 6-8 hours of quality sleep. Turn off screens at least 1 hour before bed. Sleep a regular schedule. Don't eat at least 3 hours before bed. Avoid drinking alcohol or stimulants, late in the day especially. Notice if anything else you are doing is disturbing your sleep. If you're doing these things and it's still not working, I recommend seeing a professional. This is a topic worth expanding- I'll likely write more in the future.

Which Body-type 'are' you?

Taking the Free Body-type Assessment from my book is the perfect way to learn more. Get it here!

For more about Body-typing:

Check out my book You-niversal Self-care: Improved Health Through Self-Understanding
Get the FREE Ebook and Audiobook here!

Get my FREE Weight Free Wellness Cookbook! 
Links also in the upper right section of this site.


And! Check out my Events page for Free Holiday Wellness Q&A Webinars!

Last, but not least- as I say in many of my classes... Have compassion for yourself...

Tweet: Work WITH your body rather than working ON it!

If you found this helpful, please share this! Thanks!


Wishing you well-ness!

With Love,

Tara

Healing is an Inside Job

It's helpful to know:

The unknown feels like darkness at times

It is normal to not always know where to go

Make sure the 'insider' on this job is YOU helping YOU!

Healing does take work...

You're not alone!

It's worth it!

There are those who have walked the path and can help you along the way.

Just reach out - they can help you see in the dark!

Healing is an Inside Job - WeightFreeWellness.com

Tweet: Healing is an inside job!

Don't be Your Own Worst Bully

Discussing this and much more in free web-discussions... details here.

I strive to put everything in a positive orientation,
but sometimes a phrase that just smacks ya' up-side the head is necessary!

Enjoy :)

TarasBook.com

 Tweet: Don't be your own worst bully!

What do you need? Part 2

What do you need?

Get unstuck

Create healthy habits

Feel good about yourself!

Live!

FREE helpful webinars here!

Watch this short video...

I'm still working on feeling comfortable being ME . . . how about you?

There are many things that we can blame for tearing down our self-esteem.


If you've read my book or other work, or have even been to one of my talks; you know that I don't think it's helpful for me to blame other people and circumstances for how I feel.


Teasing, bullying, sarcasm: I could tell you how teasing made me very self-conscious; bullying made me very quiet; and how being around people who regularly use sarcasm as a means of communication made me confused as to what these people were actually trying to say- in the end having a skewed perspective of loving communication.

I could tell you this (and I kinda' did) but I can also tell you how these things strengthened me: being teased caused me to question other people's reality compared to mine; bullying eventually encouraged me to learn to speak up; and learning to distinguish sarcasm helped me to be clearer with my communication with others.


So, why do I still feel the need to encourage myself to be ME?


I don't know. I've opted for a new approach in life...


I used to be very focused on finding the reasons 'why' behind things. But that's just it... I ended up continuing to look behind.


Granted, we can gain some great insight when we take a number of things into consideration; but what I'm sharing was my decision to be very decisive on where I FOCUS.


Here's a great illustration...


There's a principle in motorsports (particularly with motorcycles and bikes) that you end up going where you are focusing. If you are focusing on the corner that you feel like you might not make (AKA going off the track) you'll more than likely end up off the track... where you were looking!


I can make changes because I want to recreate me or create a new situation.  Most of us learn to blame and move away from what we don't like (which is focusing off the track).


At the height of having physical complications, I was so focused 'off the track' and fearful of every turn, my body mirrored this stress.


I'm still amazed by how much my body shows me my inner thoughts.


It's like metaphorical things are happening all the time!

That is, when I felt shy, timid, victimized- ashamed to be in my own body... when I felt like my skin was a separate part of me physically and emotionally; at this time I did not 'feel comfortable in my own skin' and the whole time my skin reacted very much the same way; like it didn't feel comfortable with me either!


I had extremely dry skin that would crack and bleed. Painful, yes . . . very! It was so painful that I would wear only certain clothing as most materials rubbing against my skin felt agonizing. Denim was the worst!


Through being overweight, underweight, having painful skin and digestive issues and other related health issues, I was continually feeling less and less connected with my body.


Over time I learned to reconnect, even though it meant recognizing the pain that was physically or emotionally there.


Eventually I was able to understand what my body was telling me.  It (my body)...  just needed me to listen... really listen! And CARE for it/ME!


Every day is a step along my journey to being more ME and letting my true nature come out. I'm guessing it is for you too- otherwise you wouldn't have read this far. :)


You'll see my brand changing to #WeightFreeWellness  ...a message that has been inside me all along, and with a lot of prayer, meditation and some good conversations- was shown to me that this is a fitting moniker for what I LOVE to offer.


You'll be seeing more of ME come out because it makes me happy and is comforting to know that my past struggles and lessons can help make someone else's journey even a little (or even A LOT) more easeful.



I would love to hear from you...

How do you help yourself feel comfortable in your own skin?

or

What's your favorite activity- one in which you feel you are totally you... no matter who's around?


I look forward to your responses - and inspiration for others!

Live in your skin - TarasBook.com

Many Ways to Say Thank you

(Written Memorial Day Weekend 2015)

Memorial Day Weekend 

. . . is often filled with barbecues, gatherings and relaxation and is often concluded on a sombre note as those who died in service to our country are remembered.

Mother Teresa is quoted saying, “I was once asked why I don't participate in anti-war demonstrations. I said that I will never do that, but as soon as you have a pro-peace rally, I'll be there.”

Similarly, I am choosing to find the silver-lining in Memorial Day: that is, gratitude.

We have so much to be grateful for in this country and I thought this would be a great opportunity to share a post that I've wanted to polish-off for a while . . .

The Many Ways to Say Thank You

Whether it be a deceased veteran, a friend, or neighbor; we can all think of someone to whom we would like to express our gratitude.

Memorial Day is a great reminder to show our thanks to the many around us who have helped us in our daily battles.

The act of being grateful moves us in the direction of seeing the good in our lives- including in other people.

For today, along with sending prayers to our fallen veterans, thank someone who is in your life right now. There are so many ways to do this:

• Send a little Thank You, even if it's on a small pieces of paper saying, "I appreciate it when/that you . . ." (wash the dishes, smile so much, take care of . . .)

• Simply say "Thank you"  

• Take note of what the person to whom you'd like to show appreciation likes: food, coffee, help around the house, a kind word; (strive to know and act on their Love Language) and treat them as often as possible to this gift of appreciation and thanks!

• The best "thank you's" are when someone is not expecting it. Comment favorably on something you admire that is particular to that person, hint- what does that person appear to put a great amount of effort into? Be sincere and make it about them!

• Want an extra challenge? Most of us think that in order to convey a loving thought to someone that we need to do it by tangible means, i.e. face-to-face, over the phone or perhaps written. We can just as powerfully convey a message by sending a blessing of love, peace or forgiveness or what some may call a prayer. This is especially helpful when we feel the need to forgive, thank or recognize someone who is deceased or otherwise not part of our lives. Send a silent message. Believe me, this type of internet has been around a lot longer than that with computers as the senders and receivers!

In the end I hope the only casualty we cause is the need for war. TarasBook.com

Being in the habit of pointing out the gems in people, places and things helps us to have a more positive outlook in life and less desire to cause harm.

In the end, I hope the only casualty we cause is the need for war.

Wishing you much Peace and Love today and always,

Tara

Yes, there's more where this came from! - Subscribe here for my updates and special offers.

P.S. this all applies to the relationship one has with oneself too :)

Outgoing People Have More Fun . . . My Motivation to Learn to be More Confident

Featured "Guest Voice" article for JessWeiner.com, author and Self-esteem expert

“Have you always been such a “natural” at speaking to large groups?”


Still, after the umpteenth time being asked this, I empathetically reply, “No, I used to be so shy simply thinking of calling a friend on the phone made me feel queasy.”

It was during the pivotal time of junior high school that I decided to become more outgoing. In this microcosm of the world, popular girls were as glitzy as movie stars, and I thought I wanted to be like them. Aside from the dramatic cat fights and bad boyfriend break-ups, they seemed to have so much fun. That, I later learned, is what I wanted to experience–fun!

Being unpopular and very shy, I had a great amount of free-time to become a studious and observant person. There was one thing that I could see that all of my fun-having peers had in common: they appeared confident.

Somewhere I learned “fake-it-‘til-you-make-it.” So I began to do this. I began to “act as if”–  a well-known strategy for creating what you want in your life.

I actively and productively “acted as if”  by speaking up and participating more in class, trying out for roles in plays, and challenging myself to do things that were uncomfortable yet would also not get me into trouble–I was mindful to model only the characteristics that I wanted.

The result, I can happily report, is well worth the effort! I have many rewarding experiences as an Author and Liberating Wellness Educator and met the man of my dreams because I am no longer afraid to let my “voice” be heard.'

It is now even more evident to me that true confidence has nothing to do with other peoples’ opinions. One of my favorite teachers, Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, puts it this way, “It’s none of your business what others think of you.”

A person’s level of confidence is directly proportionate to the level to which they strive to see and create their own positive qualities.

True confidence can only come from yourself.



- Tara Baklund

When You Think You've Had a Bad Day