Why 7-year-old Chloe didn’t want to be a “tough cookie”
« Part 9 of The Amen Solution: Tools to end emotional overeating
Recently my wife Tana and our daughter took a long hike near our home. It was a bit more strenuous than we had planned, but Chloe, our 7-year-old, was a trooper and kept up and she held on to the dog, Tinkerbell’s leash.
Near the end of the hike Tana told Chloe that she was a “tough cookie.” Immediately, Chloe took exception.
“I don’t want to be a tough cookie,” she said. “I want to be a tough red bell pepper.”
Not wanting to miss the metaphor to health, we all agreed that day that Chloe was indeed a “tough red bell pepper.” Kids say the strangest things. Red bell peppers happen to be one of her favorite snacks, especially with mashed avocados or almond butter.
Think about the words you use with your loved ones. Do you call them “sweetie pie,” “honey,” or “sugar?” These nicknames insidiously reinforce our habit of associating things that are sweet with being “good” even though research shows us that sweets are actually bad for the brain and harmful to our health and well-being.
The next time you want to show someone how much you care about them, call them “red bell pepper,” “hummus,” or even “avocado.” It might seem silly at first, but it will get you both thinking about things that are good for your brain and body.
Dr. Amen's Blog
This entry was written by Dr. Amen, posted on March 8, 2011 at 9:00 am, filed under Nutrition and tagged nicknames.
Showing posts with label healthy choices. Show all posts
Showing posts with label healthy choices. Show all posts
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Sunday, August 2, 2009
The Gift of Anger By Cheryl Richardson
The Gift of Anger By Cheryl Richardson
Almost every day I post an affirmation on my Facebook Fan Page to support visitors in staying on track with living awake and authentic lives. I enjoy the real time, interactive nature of Facebook and I love that I can personally connect with friends from around the globe. You can join us by visiting: facebook.com/cherylrichardson
This week, one affirmation in particular, raised a few questions. My post read:
"I allow myself to embrace my power by fully expressing my anger in healthy and productive ways."
Several people had questions about "healthy and productive ways" to express their anger. As I read through the posts, I was reminded of one of the first times I learned how to do just that. And in doing so, connected with the power hidden beneath my rage. Here's what happened:
In 1991, my friend Lucy died of cancer. She was 83 years old and for three months we walked the path of completing her journey together. It was a life-altering experience for me having never been that close to death and dying. And I was blessed to be with her when she took her last breath.
For several months after her passing I was pretty busy. As the executor of her estate, I was charged with the responsibility of getting her home ready to be sold. It was an emotionally turbulent time. As is often the case when we experience a major life crisis, the floor beneath my feet started to shift and life as I'd known it began to change dramatically. A five year relationship ended. I was forced to leave my apartment. And my work started to move in a whole new direction. During this period there were lots of tears, frustration, and exhaustion.
One day, as my friend Bill and I were going through Lucy's house boxing up her belongings, he listened patiently as I cried and complained about losing my friend and the subsequent uprooting of my life. After listening to me for more than an hour, he asked me to follow him to the basement. Once there, he showed me a large box of light bulbs he had gathered in a corner of the room. "I'm going upstairs" Bill said, "and I'm going to turn up the stereo full blast. When I do, I want you to empty this box, one by one, into the corner of this room." I looked at him as if he were crazy. "And as you smash each lightbulb I want you to scream and yell as loud as you can to get the pent up rage out of your system. Don't come up until all the bulbs are gone."
As Bill climbed the basement stairs, I stood looking at the box. "Was I really that angry?" I thought. I didn't think so. But, honoring his request, as soon as I heard the music kick in I picked up the first light bulb and smashed it in the corner. It made a loud, popping sound. Then, I picked up another and let it rip. By the third lightbulb I was screaming like a mad woman desperately grabbing for the next bulb. By the time I emptied the box, something significant had shifted inside me. I felt both exhausted and exhilarated. I ran up the basement stairs looking for more glass :).
That day taught me about a safe and productive way of expressing anger. Until that time, I had done things like written rage-filled letters that I never sent, or talked about my anger with friends. While these methods were helpful, they never left me feeling empowered the way moving my body did. I suddenly understood that using my intellect to express anger wasn't enough. I needed to physically get the anger up and out of my body to actually feel the power hidden beneath. For days after that experience in the basement I felt lighter, emotionally stronger, and better able to face the job before me.
Since that day, I've thrown light bulbs in my own basement, taken a kick-boxing class when I needed to vent, moved furniture around in my family room so I'd have the space to dance my anger out, or visited a batting cage with Michael to smack baseballs.
There is enormous power hidden beneath your unexpressed anger. Don't use your head to get it out. Use your body instead. Check out this week's "Take Action Challenge" for safe and healthy ideas.
Take Action Challenge
If you have hidden anger or rage (who doesn't?), then find a physical outlet.
Here are some ideas:
Visit a driving range and hit golf balls.
Take a spin class and ride your way to freedom.
Kick a soccer ball around your yard.
Crank up the music at home and scream at the top of your lungs while pounding the sofa.
List your frustrations on a bunch of rocks and throw them into a lake one by one.
As you move, feel the rageful energy leaving your body. Then, wait for the power to emerge. It's there. It's always been there. It's just waiting for you to let it out.
Almost every day I post an affirmation on my Facebook Fan Page to support visitors in staying on track with living awake and authentic lives. I enjoy the real time, interactive nature of Facebook and I love that I can personally connect with friends from around the globe. You can join us by visiting: facebook.com/cherylrichardson
This week, one affirmation in particular, raised a few questions. My post read:
"I allow myself to embrace my power by fully expressing my anger in healthy and productive ways."
Several people had questions about "healthy and productive ways" to express their anger. As I read through the posts, I was reminded of one of the first times I learned how to do just that. And in doing so, connected with the power hidden beneath my rage. Here's what happened:
In 1991, my friend Lucy died of cancer. She was 83 years old and for three months we walked the path of completing her journey together. It was a life-altering experience for me having never been that close to death and dying. And I was blessed to be with her when she took her last breath.
For several months after her passing I was pretty busy. As the executor of her estate, I was charged with the responsibility of getting her home ready to be sold. It was an emotionally turbulent time. As is often the case when we experience a major life crisis, the floor beneath my feet started to shift and life as I'd known it began to change dramatically. A five year relationship ended. I was forced to leave my apartment. And my work started to move in a whole new direction. During this period there were lots of tears, frustration, and exhaustion.
One day, as my friend Bill and I were going through Lucy's house boxing up her belongings, he listened patiently as I cried and complained about losing my friend and the subsequent uprooting of my life. After listening to me for more than an hour, he asked me to follow him to the basement. Once there, he showed me a large box of light bulbs he had gathered in a corner of the room. "I'm going upstairs" Bill said, "and I'm going to turn up the stereo full blast. When I do, I want you to empty this box, one by one, into the corner of this room." I looked at him as if he were crazy. "And as you smash each lightbulb I want you to scream and yell as loud as you can to get the pent up rage out of your system. Don't come up until all the bulbs are gone."
As Bill climbed the basement stairs, I stood looking at the box. "Was I really that angry?" I thought. I didn't think so. But, honoring his request, as soon as I heard the music kick in I picked up the first light bulb and smashed it in the corner. It made a loud, popping sound. Then, I picked up another and let it rip. By the third lightbulb I was screaming like a mad woman desperately grabbing for the next bulb. By the time I emptied the box, something significant had shifted inside me. I felt both exhausted and exhilarated. I ran up the basement stairs looking for more glass :).
That day taught me about a safe and productive way of expressing anger. Until that time, I had done things like written rage-filled letters that I never sent, or talked about my anger with friends. While these methods were helpful, they never left me feeling empowered the way moving my body did. I suddenly understood that using my intellect to express anger wasn't enough. I needed to physically get the anger up and out of my body to actually feel the power hidden beneath. For days after that experience in the basement I felt lighter, emotionally stronger, and better able to face the job before me.
Since that day, I've thrown light bulbs in my own basement, taken a kick-boxing class when I needed to vent, moved furniture around in my family room so I'd have the space to dance my anger out, or visited a batting cage with Michael to smack baseballs.
There is enormous power hidden beneath your unexpressed anger. Don't use your head to get it out. Use your body instead. Check out this week's "Take Action Challenge" for safe and healthy ideas.
Take Action Challenge
If you have hidden anger or rage (who doesn't?), then find a physical outlet.
Here are some ideas:
Visit a driving range and hit golf balls.
Take a spin class and ride your way to freedom.
Kick a soccer ball around your yard.
Crank up the music at home and scream at the top of your lungs while pounding the sofa.
List your frustrations on a bunch of rocks and throw them into a lake one by one.
As you move, feel the rageful energy leaving your body. Then, wait for the power to emerge. It's there. It's always been there. It's just waiting for you to let it out.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
DO YOU KNOW ABOUT PRILL BEADS? by Angela Treat Lyon
DO YOU KNOW ABOUT PRILL BEADS? by Angela Treat Lyon
I found out about this wonderful way to unpollute my tap water about 10 years ago and have been using it ever since. They come nicely bagged in a small, palm-sized waterproof bag in which you can either leave them or not. They're not really beads, but look like a tiny version of that white gravel people put on their garden paths.
I save about 50 bucks a month because I don't buy bottled water anymore. Here's why: the molecular structure of the beads make water into a more easily assimilatable form, and they also eliminate mold, chlorine and other impurities from water. They are reputed to be so effective that you can pour some of the prill-cleaned water into a polluted lake every day and the lake will clear up. They are also said to kill black mold.
What I like best about them is they make water taste as sweet as the well water I remember drinking when I was a kid.
I have no commercial affiliation with anyone who sells Prill beads, but thought you'd like to know about them and save some dough every month - especially if you're a large family.
Using the beads helps the environment, too - you won't be buying the bottles water anymore, which will cut down on plastic bottles sold and thrown away; plus when water from when you spill into the sink goes down the drain, it helps the sewage system, too. I pour a little into the canal out back of my house a few times a week.
If you get them from Ebay - as little as 8 bucks - there are no instructions, so look below** for how to use them if you get them.
** HOW TO USE PRILL BEADS
When I first got the beads, I had about a dozen liter bottles of bottled water I was going to recycle. So I just used those bottles. Obviously I don't have the same ones from 10 years ago - I replace them when they start to look too-used.
I bought a gallon jug of the cheapest wine I could find just for the glass jug. I don't drink, so I poured it out - sorry wine lovers! I emptied the little bag of beads into the bottom of the jug, and that's where they stay.
You pour tap water over the beads and let it sit 24 hours. Pour out the first batch - it will smell awful. You can use the second batch and from then on.
You pour the water from the jug into the smaller bottles every day, then refill the jug from the tap. Cover it lightly - don't tighten the lid. Blow off the accumulated chlorine gasses at the top of the jug when you open the lid.
The water will be completely safe - the chlorine seeps to the top and has to go somewhere - you just don't want to breathe it!
Wash and refill your waiting liter bottles, store and use, and refill the jug. Easy, saves you big bucks, and helps clean up the world. Very cool.
I found out about this wonderful way to unpollute my tap water about 10 years ago and have been using it ever since. They come nicely bagged in a small, palm-sized waterproof bag in which you can either leave them or not. They're not really beads, but look like a tiny version of that white gravel people put on their garden paths.
I save about 50 bucks a month because I don't buy bottled water anymore. Here's why: the molecular structure of the beads make water into a more easily assimilatable form, and they also eliminate mold, chlorine and other impurities from water. They are reputed to be so effective that you can pour some of the prill-cleaned water into a polluted lake every day and the lake will clear up. They are also said to kill black mold.
What I like best about them is they make water taste as sweet as the well water I remember drinking when I was a kid.
I have no commercial affiliation with anyone who sells Prill beads, but thought you'd like to know about them and save some dough every month - especially if you're a large family.
Using the beads helps the environment, too - you won't be buying the bottles water anymore, which will cut down on plastic bottles sold and thrown away; plus when water from when you spill into the sink goes down the drain, it helps the sewage system, too. I pour a little into the canal out back of my house a few times a week.
If you get them from Ebay - as little as 8 bucks - there are no instructions, so look below** for how to use them if you get them.
** HOW TO USE PRILL BEADS
When I first got the beads, I had about a dozen liter bottles of bottled water I was going to recycle. So I just used those bottles. Obviously I don't have the same ones from 10 years ago - I replace them when they start to look too-used.
I bought a gallon jug of the cheapest wine I could find just for the glass jug. I don't drink, so I poured it out - sorry wine lovers! I emptied the little bag of beads into the bottom of the jug, and that's where they stay.
You pour tap water over the beads and let it sit 24 hours. Pour out the first batch - it will smell awful. You can use the second batch and from then on.
You pour the water from the jug into the smaller bottles every day, then refill the jug from the tap. Cover it lightly - don't tighten the lid. Blow off the accumulated chlorine gasses at the top of the jug when you open the lid.
The water will be completely safe - the chlorine seeps to the top and has to go somewhere - you just don't want to breathe it!
Wash and refill your waiting liter bottles, store and use, and refill the jug. Easy, saves you big bucks, and helps clean up the world. Very cool.
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