Strategic Eating

Want to eat less without struggling?  Make small changes such as using a smaller plate; drinking from tall, narrow glasses; choosing plates in a color that contrasts the food; and avoiding distractions (television, electronics) while eating.  Pay attention to unconscious cues to overeat, such as buffet foods served in large bowls or dining with people […]

Self-Compassion

Let’s remember to practice peace and nonviolence towards ourselves.  You can’t be all things to all people, so don’t let others’ unrealistic expectations of you get you down.  Be at peace with yourself.  Do your best and know that it is enough. You are enough, just as you are.

The Panacea of Probiotics

Are you considering using probiotics?  The Berkeley Wellness Letter does not recommend widespread use for several reasons including the large variation in product composition, reported discrepancies between labeling and actual content found by Consumer Reports’ testing, and possible safety concerns for some folks.  Probiotics may be beneficial for you, but consult your doctor first.

Brain Health

According to the August 2010 Wellness Letter, “there is no convincing evidence that any ‘brain formula,’ plant extract, or vitamin will preserve memory.”  However, a deficiency in B12 can cause confusion and memory loss.  See your doctor for testing and treatment, if needed.  Another supplement to consider is fish oil, which has been linked to […]

Smile!

Today is the 9th day of the 2013 Season of Nonviolence, which continues through April 4.  Promote peace by smiling at someone you don’t know and see what happens.  Most of the time, the smile is returned and a brief connection is made.

Think Thin

The thoughts we hold directly impact our results.  One of the key shifts I had when I successfully lost weight was to begin asking myself, “What would a thin person do in this situation?”  Shifting my thoughts to those of a thin person led to changing my behaviors to those of a thin person, and […]

Dig Deeper

To connect with someone who seems very different from you, get to know them better.  As a caregiver, I love to ask my dementia clients about their past.  I’m frequently amazed by their stories and always find something in common that connects us.

Butter vs. Margarine

How to know what to choose?  Read the label.  Avoid or minimize saturated fat, trans fat, and partially hydrogenated oil (which contains trans fat) – all of which raise blood cholesterol and risk for cardiovascular disease.  “Hydrogenated” or “fully hydrogenated” oils are okay as they have no trans fat.

Embrace Anger and Irritability

Buddhism teaches to embrace our feelings of anger or irritability with tenderness, rather than resistance.  Gently acknowledge these feelings as part of yourself and be there for them, and they will subside.