Taking a New Look and Format!

Recently I have been thinking about why I created this particular blog, and the original reason was to share new information, discuss topics important to us regarding health, wellness, our families, etc. and give resources to those in need. Somehow over the past few months, that goal has gotten off track for me and I have focused mainly on crafting, dieting, etc. And although those are fun topics, they are already explored on my blog:
Mommys Reviews at http://mommysreviewsyoucanuse.blogspot.com

So, I wanted to try and take this blog back on track with a new title and new topics. I want this blog to be educational and helpful to women, families, and society. So, please bear with the changes, and if you joined for the craftiness, please check out my other blog and subscribe. There is always something fun and exciting going on there- contests, give aways, freeibes, references, links, shopping and more! You really will love it
http://mommysreviewsyoucanuse.blogspot.com

Emotional Eating!

How to Overcome Emotional Eating

Eating is a part of life. Your body gets its nutrients from food. Sometimes we can go overboard with our eating habits and it can result in gaining weight. One issue with food is emotional eating.

The problem of emotional eating may end with the scale but it begins in the mind. Stress takes its toll on your life. When your defenses are compromised your health takes a hit and so do your emotions.

Everyone has good days and bad days. How we deal with the bad ones brings emotional eating into play. You look for comfort for your hurts. People who turn to food for comfort find a coping mechanism that won’t judge them, hurt them or tell them “no.” To complicate the issue, eating pleasurable foods can stimulate the release of endorphins just like exercise. So, after you eat, you feel better.

All Health Content - For Health Marketers (medium sales page)

Emotional eaters use food to relieve stress. They hide behind the food instead of seeking solutions to the problems. This is not uncommon when the stressor is something horrible such as physical abuse or a death.

But, how do you know you are using food in this way? The first sign is obvious. You will gain weight if you eat too much. In light of the weight gain, examine other areas of your life:

* Have you been under stress lately at work or at home?
* Has anything traumatic happened in the last year?
* Are you dealing with a problem but haven’t found a solution?

Answering “yes” to any of these questions could mean that you are an emotional eater. You eat but you are not necessarily hungry at the time. The foods that you choose are what we term “comfort foods”:

* High fat foods like French fries, fried foods
* High carb foods like macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes
* Sugary foods like ice cream, donuts, cookies, cake

There is help for emotional eaters. The first step is recognizing that you have a problem. You’ll experience feelings of helplessness and guilt. The guilt is over potentially ruining your health and the helplessness lies in the fact that you don’t see a way out.

Secondly, seek counseling. There are many types of counselors out there that can meet your need. Emotional eating has nothing to do with dieting or changing your eating habits but gaining control over your emotions.

A counselor might suggest things like visualization, practicing problem solving skills, relaxation techniques and family support. Visualization helps you to see your problems in a realistic way and not blown out of proportion. You will also learn to see food as nutrition for the body and not an emotional crutch.

Thirdly, your family can learn your triggers for stress and be on the lookout for changes in your eating habits. They can help you be aware of the foods you are eating, assist you in making healthy food choices and exercise along with you. Proper diet and exercise increases immunity, blood flow and positive thinking. Yoga enhances the mind/body connection so you don’t eat when you aren’t hungry.

Finding new ways to solve your problems and deal with stress will push food out of the equation. You’ll feel good about finding solutions which will replace the dependence on food.

Tips and Ideas for the Week...

Here is a link with great tips on dieting, replacing just a few items that you currently eat with something else- the result being saving several hundred calories a day and jump starting your metabolism! This is just one great resource available at this link- tips on dieting, health, signs to monitor with your health, and more... Worth a read!

http://www.qualityhealth.com/diet-weight-loss-health-center

Here are some great tips and ideas to get your kids off to healthy day at school. Complete the survey and receive free coupons, menu planners, recipe books and more! FREE! super quick and easy- takes five minutes!

https://www.qualityhealth.com/registration?path=39050&rf=39157&ct=36919&
mc=MjA2MjgwNDA.



When we talk about a new you, that is not just on the exterior, but on the interior also... Meaning spiritually, emotionally, building confidence and self esteem, getting your priorities in order, and finding peace. I think for me the ultimate transformation would be to find peace in my life. That is really hard. I have a hard time letting go of personal "warfare" or just occasionally accepting defeat and moving on.

I would love for some of the readers to share how they deal with the daily trials of their lives- is it through prayer? meditation? work? spending time with your children? do you have a hobby that lets you escape for a while? Please take a moment and share your thoughts on this to help another reader find their way to inner peace. For the next few weeks I would like to look at ways we can simplify our lives and draw on that inner sanctuary.

Feel free to leave comments... Remember, each comment brings you one step closer to winning one of the giveaways at Mommy Tyme Bath and Gifts! http://www.mommytyme.org for more information!


4 Things you can Do Right Now to speed up your Metabolism! Really! This is a great article and feel free to reblog it and share it with others! Great ideas, simple to do, and really work!

https://www.qualityhealth.com/featured-article-segment?fa=101847&rf=39157&ct=36922&mc=MjA2MjgwNDA.

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Find more photos like this on Artisans/Jewelry Designers Ltd.






Hey everyone... Could you check out the great contest I entered at MIM? Since I run most of the contests here, I hardly get to participate in any! I sure would appreciate your vote on my item

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Some more freebies that are Good for U

Recipes for Love? that's what it claims, and they are healthy, low in fat, and GOOD for your BODY! To get a free copy, answer a few short questions at the following link:

https://www.qualityhealth.com/brandedQualify

Some information on obesity that you may not know. Watch a short video by 2 doctors who are working on methods to decrease weight in a healthy safe manner...

http://www.qualityhealth.com/high-cholesterol-videos/america-getting-fatter?rf=38820&ct=36929&mc=MjA2MjgwNDA.

Chew gum, lose weight? More weight loss secrets...

https://www.qualityhealth.com/featured-article-segment?fa=401&rf=38820&ct=36922&mc=MjA2MjgwNDA.

Recipes, Recipes, Recipes for the healthy eating and weight loss goals!

Still working on the weight and healthy eating? Me, too! I continue to scour the web for fast, easy, healthy recipes... I have quite a collection, now! I'd like to share a few with you...

If you try these, please comment here on how they turned out? Cost effective? Did the family like them or did your kids refuse? Let other's know and help each other save time and money! Thanks


Salads:

http://www.nubella.com/component/option,com_recipes/Itemid,94/task,detail/rid,8059/s,1/r,salad/

http://www.nubella.com/component/option,com_recipes/Itemid,94/task,detail/rid,6210/s,12/r,salad/


Think those pretzels are a good choice? Hmmm.... Think again!
Check out the link below- it really will surprise you!

http://www.nubella.com/content/view/5740/

Quick, Easy, Healthy Meals...

Looking for some quick and easy recipes? See the link below and order an E Recipe Book- Just a few questions, and your will receive some great offers, discounts, and coupons for completing the quick survey (Yes, it really is quick)

https://www.qualityhealth.com/brandedQualify

Drink a lot of pop? Soda? Even if it is diet, you will want to read this:

https://www.qualityhealth.com/featured-article-segment?fa=23&rf=38817&ct=36924&mc=MjA2MjgwNDA.

Finally, is there really a difference in Organic foods? Is it worth the price? In this economy, can you really afford it? Check out the link below.

http://www.qualityhealth.com/eating-nutrition-articles/organic-food-worth-price

Getting your Finances under Control

So, what have changes have you made in the past few weeks? Simple ones, or life changing?

A few weeks ago I decided to work on health, weight, and body image issues. I have increased my daily exercise (although, I am not a fan of this), by walking more with my son. I have also done much more work in the yard than I had in the past few months. The garden had gotten out of control, my flowers were becoming overgrown and crowded, etc. So, I have really tried to focus on some issues that require me to be active. My goal is to continue to increase this activity daily. This week I am going to add a short walk down the block at my office. Now, this may not sound like much, but realistically if I commit to exercise 20 minutes, twice a day, it is likely I will quit. I think that is the key. Add small steps that are obtainable.

Another area I really wanted to focus on was getting my finances under control. That seems nearly impossible in this economy, right? Well a few simple steps can go a long way-
1. No frivolous spending- take my lunch instead of eating out, give up the cafe mocha every morning and only splurge once a week, no credit cards

Unfortunately our family has hit some tough times because my husband had been laid off for several months. Then once he was called back to work, he was injured. This makes things a little bit tougher, but I am determined to stay the course and make these changes.

If you are in over your head with credit card debt, there are some reliable and safe measures you can take.

First, cut up those cards. If you must have one, just keep one. Only for emergencies.
Second, look into some debt relief programs that can help you consolidate your debt and cut down on the interest. I am currently investigating the options available and will get back to you on some choices that may be helpful.
Third, write out your budget. Make sure you know exactly what you can pay each month on specific bills, and focus on those areas. For example, if you know that 200.00 month (which I think is super high) for the power bill is what you can realistically pay- then try to keep the power at that range. - How? do laundry twice a week instead of 4 times, shut lights off, change the a/c setting, shut off tv's, etc. Make a concentrated effort in those areas.

One thing that always creeps up on me is the debit card. I rarely carry cash, but I also do not track my debit expenses. If you are going to use the debit card, write down what you spend. Keep track of it closely. One bounced check or ISF can cost you 50.00 and raise your interest rates if you bounce it on a debt payment.

Over the course of the next few weeks, my focus will remain on the finances. I am a long way from satisfied with my debt/credit ratios, and I intend to work diligently to get these matters under control. I will share with you the measures I take to find some peace in this area.

One thing I want to remind everyone, is that worrying and crying over these issues is not going to help. In fact it is going to make it worse as you are eventually going to accept defeat and give up. That is not an option. There are solutions and we just need to find them through investigation, commitment and sharing.

If you have some tips or tricks you would like to share, please comment. Everyone here can feel free to talk openly and we are all grateful for any tidbit that gets passed our way.

So, stand firm this week and stick to your plans for a New You.

Fruits! Papaya, and more...

Here is a great article on fruits and how they benefit your body in fighting disease... Well worth the read!


https://www.qualityhealth.com/featured-article-segment?fa=102811&rf=38602&mc=MjA2MjgwNDA.&ct=36917

A NEW YOU!!

I have done some serious reflecting over the past few days. Recently some medical issues have arisen which gave me a scare. The outcome however, is that I am going to get busy on creating a new, happy, healthy me!

I invite you to join me on this journey, write your thoughts, success, failures, and more in the comments... Research has shown that groups that focus on a life change are better able to achieve it because of support. So, let's support each other....

Please subscribe to the blog so you can keep updated and add comments as you need to...

Life change? What does that mean, really? It's not just weight loss, or a new wardrobe, it is revamping from the inside out. That can not be achieved over night, and if you try too much at one time, you set yourself up for failure... So, let's take baby steps!

The first thing I have done is list my goals- so, think.. What are the things that really impact your happiness and life? Is it finances? health? appearance? personality issues? Family problems? If there were 5 things that would give you total happiness, what would they be?

For me I have broke down the goals into the following:

1. Improve my health
2. Weight loss (I weigh 165 today)
3. Get my finances under control
4. Really get my home business off the ground so someday I can give up the 9-5 corporate world
5. Spend more Quality time with my family


So, in taking baby steps I am going to make 1 or 2 small changes this week...

Improving my health and weight loss are intertwined, so I may be able to kill two birds with one stone (as they say)! So, question yourself, what behaviors do you engage in that impact your health and cause you to gain weight?

For me, I eat fast food for lunch everyday! Yes, everyday! That also impacts my finances- at 7.00 a lunch / 35.00 a week- Wow! So, that is change one, starting this week- No fast food for lunch!

Obviously we are going to fall at times, that is ok! Pick yourself up, start again. No one changes completely the first time around. Let's help each other!

So, what is your first step? Tell me about it and let's help each other try!

Another aspect that impairs my health, weight, etc. is my total LACK of exercise! Can't that come in a pill? I hate to sweat, I hate to exercise, and I really have no time! But, if I am going to change my life, I need to make time. Exercise is supposedly great for depression and stress- so, let's give it a go. This week I will try to walk at least 3 times! (how's that for a baby steP?) My little boy loves to take walks, and I love to hike in the woods and explore. We can do this together, and maybe it won't seem like exercise? I hope not!

Now, there are things I am going to avoid so as to not beat myself up! I am not going to weigh every day. I am not going to call this a diet. I am not going to keep reviewing my goals, instead I am just going to focus on these baby steps for this week!

So, tell me what your goals will be this week? What are your baby steps? I really hope we can share and help one another through these changes....