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emotional issues

Handling Post-Halloween Sugar Cravings

– Posted in: blood sugar imbalances brain chemistry imbalances delaying gratification diet mentality Elimination Diet emotional eating fasting food addiction food allergies glycemic index high insulin levels holiday eating holiday overeating holiday overindulging identifying emotions and needs motivation to change habits overeating, dieting, weight loss reducing stress resolving emotional eating self connection stress and overeating stress eating sugar addiction sugar cravings weight loss whole unprocessed plant foods

Do you have leftover bags of candy and treats after Halloween?  If so, you're probably debating whether to throw it all out or put it in the freezer and save it for later. You certainly don't want to eat that much candy now, you know it's not good for you (or your children), but perhaps

Do you have an Inner Nurturing voice?

– Posted in: compassion emotional eating identifying emotions and needs Inner Nurturing overeating, dieting, weight loss resolving emotional eating self connection self-acceptance self-compassion self-love

One thing most emotional eaters have in common is that their childhoods didn't feel particularly nourishing. Even if their caregivers were loving and kind, often there just wasn't enough quality attention and listening, good attunement, soothing, comfort, empathy or consistent compassion. Even well-intentioned parents can miss the mark if they themselves didn't learn these skills somewhere along the

How Effective is Your Self-Talk?

– Posted in: depression despair embracing emotions emotional eating mindfulness reducing stress self connection self-acceptance self-compassion self-defeating thinking self-love self-worth stress and overeating unrealistic expectations

Have you ever thought about how powerful your self-talk is and how quickly it can alter your mood? Truthfully, how often does a thought or series of thoughts ruin a perfectly good day for you? How often do you grab something to eat to calm or soothe yourself because of overwhelming, anxious, depressive or shaming

Resistant Starch: Are You Including this Superfood in your Eating Plan?

– Posted in: blood sugar imbalances brain chemistry imbalances diabetes diet mentality dieting food addiction food allergies glycemic index high insulin levels overeating, dieting, weight loss resolving emotional eating stress and overeating sugar addiction sugar cravings whole unprocessed plant foods

When you think about "starch", what comes to mind?  Most likely, you think about foods like potatoes, breads, beans, rice and pasta and fruits like bananas and plantains. Perhaps you think about your shirts being laundered or that box of potato or corn starch you saw your grandmother take out of the cupboard to add to recipes. And

Stressed Out and Overeating?

– Posted in: adjusting expectations blood sugar imbalances brain chemistry imbalances dieting emotional eating food allergies high cortisol levels high insulin levels identifying emotions and needs loneliness and overeating motivation overeating, dieting, weight loss overwhelm recovery reducing stress resolving emotional eating self-acceptance stress and overeating stress eating sugar addiction sugar cravings weight loss

We all feel the effects of stress, from agitated moods to tension in our bodies leading to chronic pain and illness. Stress in small doses can actually be useful. The stress you feel before a big exam may just be the motivation you need to increase your study time. Chronic job dissatisfaction may be the needed stressor to change jobs or go back

Overeating and Procrastination–What’s the Connection?

– Posted in: depression disappointment emotional eating flexibility food addiction hope hopelessness motivation overeating, dieting, weight loss overwhelm perfectionism procrastination recovery reducing stress stalling stress and overeating stress eating Uncategorized weight loss

We all procrastinate to some extent. There are only so many hours in the day and some tasks are just more onerous than others. Sometimes we procrastinate because we feel overwhelmed by everything we need to get done and we're having trouble getting started. Other times, we feel unmotivated or tired and can't get going. But no matter what

Is Seasonal Affective Disorder the Cause of Your Cravings?

– Posted in: brain chemistry imbalances depression despair emotional eating hopelessness mood disorders motivation to change habits overeating, dieting, weight loss recovery reducing stress resolving emotional eating Seasonal Affective Disorder stress and overeating stress eating sugar addiction sugar cravings transitions weight loss whole unprocessed plant foods winter blues

At this time of year, many of my clients begin to complain about the days getting shorter and darker. Understandably so. It’s not just that the summer is ending and the longer, lazier days will soon be behind us. With this particular season change, those who suffer from mild to moderate mood disorders (especially depressive

Do You Turn to Food When You’re In a Transition?

– Posted in: embracing emotions emotional eating greiving identifying emotions and needs Late night eating loneliness and overeating losses and disappointments Making lifestyle changes motivation to change habits overeating, dieting, weight loss overwhelm procrastination reducing stress resolving emotional eating self connection self-defeating thinking stress and overeating stress eating transitions unrealistic expectations

The Random House College Dictionary defines a transition as "a change from one position, state, stage, subject or concept to another." Many emotional eaters have difficulty with transitions and turn to food as a way to comfort and soothe themselves during the transition process. Here are some examples of what I call "transition eating": --You

Are You Eating Over Unmet Expectations?

– Posted in: adjusting expectations depression emotional eating greiving hopelessness identifying emotions and needs Late night eating loneliness and overeating losses and disappointments Making lifestyle changes overeating, dieting, weight loss personalizing procrastination resolving emotional eating self connection self-worth stress and overeating stress eating unrealistic expectations weight loss

Jackie baked a batch of chocolate chip cookies after spending Saturday afternoon with her close friend Carol. The time spent with Carol did not feel nourishing.  The two dishes of ice cream and the plate of hot, freshly baked cookies did. Just baking the cookies felt more nurturing than spending time with Carol. Jackie was

Happy International No Diet Day

– Posted in: diet mentality dieting Elimination Diet emotional eating gratitude hope identifying emotions and needs overeating, dieting, weight loss perfectionism recovery resolving emotional eating self connection self-acceptance self-compassion self-defeating thinking self-doubt self-love self-worth stress and overeating

I bet you didn't know that today is International No Diet Day. Well it is, and its observed annually on May 6th. It's a day dedicated to raise awareness regarding the dangers of dieting and to celebrate body acceptance and body shape diversity. Despite the entrenchment of the diet mentality in our culture, research demonstrates that diets don't