Fall is my favorite time of year, but I will miss Summer and all it had to offer me this year. I will miss the lazy afternoons with my son and husband. Fall gives us all a chance to start something new and to get regrouped and ready for new experiences. I ate by cravings this summer and although I don't think I listened to the real reason I was craving ice cream, I reminded myself this morning that:
The body is an amazing source of intelligence, It is always there for you, pumpiing blood, never skipping a heartbeat, digesting whatever food you put in it and maintaining homeostasis. Is this reliable, intelligent bio-computer making a mistake by craving ice cream or a hamburger or chocolate? Are you craving due to lack of will-power or discipline? I'd like to suggest that cravings are not a problem. They are critical pieces of information that tell you what your body needs.
The important thing is to understand why you crave what you crave. Perhaps your diet is too restrictive or devoid of essential nutrients. Perhaps you are living a lifestyle that is too boring or stressful. Your body tries to correct the imbalance by sending you a message: a craving. A craving for something sweet could mean you need more protein, more exercise, more water or more love in your life. They key to stopping the sugar craving is to understand and deliver what your body REALLY NEEDS.
NO book or theory can tell you what to eat. Only awareness of your body and its needs can tell you. Of all he relationships with your body. As you learn to decipher and respond to your body's cravings, you will creat a deep and lasting level of health and balance.
The next time you have a craving, treat it as a loving message from your body instead of weakness. Try these tips to respond to your body.
* Have a glass of water and wait 10 minutes
* Eat a healthier version of what you crave. For example, if you crave sweets, try eating more fruit and sweet or root vegetables.
*What is out of balances in your life? Is there something you need to express, or is something being repressed?
What happened in your life just before you had this craving??
Food Focus: Natural Sweetners
Who among us doesn't love sweets? The sweet flavor releases serotonin
in our brains, the chemical responsible for our sense of well-being and contentment. But when it comes to sweetners, not all are created equal. There are side effects and health risks from refined sweeteners like white table sugar and high-fructose corn syrup, and from artificial sweeteners like Nutrisweet, saccharin, and Splenda. Since refined sweeteners have been stripped of vitamins, minerals and fiber, they can spike blood sugar, which can often lead to cravings and mood and energy fluctuations. Instead, using naturally and minimally processed sweetners can reduce cravings for sugary thingss.
Raw Honey, Agave Nectar and Maple syrup that is 100% pure maple syrup are the best.
Recipe of the month:( adapted from ""The Cane Mutiny")
Maple fruit compote with Honey-ginger toasted nuts
YOU can use apples, peaches and pears..
Ingredients:
2-3 peaches or pears
2-3 apples
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1/2 cup of raisins
jucie of one lemon
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup of walnuts or a nut of your choice
1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger minced
2 tablespoons of honey
Directions:
1. Wash, core and chop fruit into slices or chunks
2. Place in a large saucepan with 1/3 cup of water. Add the maple syrup and raisins.
3.Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally , for 10 minutes.
4. Add lemon juice and cinnamon. Cook for another 10 minutes until soft.
5.While fruit is cookng, place shopped nuts in a skillet over medium heat and toast, stiring often for 5 minutes.
6. Drizzle with honey over nuts and add ginger, but keep stirring since the honey can easily burn.
7. Top warm fruit with toasted nuts and enjoy!
Let me know if you make this dessert? or what cravings you have that you now realize might be something else...Drop me a comment below.
By the way my Fall detox is about to start-
