Triggers

Unlike many addictions, those with eating disorders cannot simply avoid the things that trigger them into a relapse. Many times it seems as though some of the most simple things can trigger a host of negative feelings. Still, should someone attempt to stay away from these things? I think it depends on the individual. If the trigger is easily avoidable, then yes, one should probably attempt to avoid it for the most part. This would be the easiest solution, until further intervention could be used. For those that see triggers in individuals walking down the street, in nostalgic experiences, and in almost every aspect of life, something different should be considered. If you attempt to alter your entire life to avoid triggers, then the eating disorder is still in control and it is still causing anguish in your life. I think that one of the best ways to deal with this problem is to consult a professional, and address these issues head on. Avoiding them will not make them go away, and the only way to find a way to conquer the illness is to fight back with everything out in the open. Eating disorders are such a secretive disease that usually the only way to get healthy is to start sharing some of the most protected secrets of the illness.

Feeling Blue

I believe that everyone looks in the mirror and has their good days and their bad days. Some days people say, "wow, I look great!", while other days people say, "wow, I look horrible!". This doesn't bother the majority of the people, because they realize it's a fact of life. To others, such as myself, it drives us crazy. Today has been one of those days. The days where I wake up, feel disgusting and look disgusting. Whether or not others see it, I see it clearly. Sometimes I wonder if it's all in my head, and because of my mood. The way I feel tends to directly coincide with how I think I look. Of course there are times when I feel good and think I look bad, and visa versa, but for the most part they go hand in hand. This is quite frustrating, because it feels like everything is going wrong all at once, but in actuality, one thing went wrong and it snowballed into a bundle of issues. I am currently working on how to handle this, and have not yet come to an adequate solution. One thing that I believe helps is nature. I feel swept away with its vastness, and I tend to think about myself less. I believe nature removes a big part of the problem, my ability to look at myself. Perhaps this is the same for you. Next time you are having one of these days, try and separate yourself from mirrors, and go out into nature with a loved one or even by yourself. Hopefully this will take your mind off the way you feel, and leave you with a sense of peace and tranquility.

A 2nd Healthy Candida Friendly Chocolate Smoothie!

I was inspired to create a chocolate smoothie the other day, and I believe it is my best creation yet! I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!

1 Cup Unsweetened Coconut Milk (I use Thai Kitchen Brand) (420 cal, 9g)
1 Tbls. Unsweetened Cocoa (10 cal, 3g)
2 tsp. Xylitol/Erythritol (0-10 cal, 8g)
1/2 tsp. stevia (0 cal, 0g)

Approx Total: 440 calories, 20g carbs (including any fiber carbs)

Proactive Recovery

I have struggled with my recovery for quite a while, and still struggle to this day. I have wanted to recover, but didn't want to make any sacrifices. I wanted what my eating disorder gave me, and I wanted the freedom of recovery at the same time. Unfortunately, this is not how life works. I think this can be an important concept if you are considering recovery. Perhaps you should make a list with the pros and cons of each, and decide whether you can sustain recovery. One of the biggest problems with recovery is that people do not start out in the correct mindset. They only want to partly recover while maintaining their destructive behavior. I do understand that most people cannot give themselves completely to recovery in the beginning, this is why it is important to establish limits. This could also be written down along with the pros and cons. One of my limitations had to do with my weight. I decided that if I got over a certain weight I would work out more or eat less carbohydrates. When limitations can be foreseen, it is easier to establish a healthy way of combating them. Instead of waiting until I reached a weight that scared me and then restricting my caloric intake, I decided to be proactive and find solutions to the problem before it happened. I encourage you to take a proactive look at your recovery. Decide what your limitations are and try to find a positive way to deal with them. Even small steps can take you a long way to freeing yourself from addiction!    

Accelerated-State Conditioning

Anyone who has felt the high of a triumph, the buzz of an energy streak or the tingles of a first love knows how special those feelings are. All of these things share a similar feeling, and tend to make people giddy with happiness. I have wanted to find a way to recreate this sensation on command, but have never found an adequate means of doing so. I recently ran across a website claiming to be able to do just this. I have yet to try the method, but it seems very promising. The author claims to use it himself, and to have helped many others do the same. I have heard of similar techniques used in psychotherapy, so I believe this has potential. The technique involves positive self-talk combined with smiling in front of the mirror and an imaginary audience (cut out from magazines or pictures). This technique may take some people more time than others to be successful, and it should be viewed with an open mind. I wish anyone luck who decides to attempt it, and I hope to be doing the same soon! Below is the website providing further comprehensive information on accelerated-state conditioning:

http://www.acceleratedstateconditioning.com/index.html

Cleansing

Cleansing, if done correctly, can be a very beneficial way to heal your body. Many cleanses promote high sugar content drinks or fasting. I have found a great cleanse that includes neither of these things. I don't promote fasting, because I believe it will only decrease your metabolism. I feel a cleanse should provide proper nutritional content while helping to clean out your body; you should not feel deprived of eating. I started a cleanse yesterday, The Standard Process 21 Day Cleanse. This has been difficult for me, and I already have a restricted diet, so I advise anyone attempting it to prepare! Make sure you read up on the cleanse and buy the proper supplements. Everything you need to know can be read on the following website. You need to find a standard process dealer (a physician, or possibly online) to buy the vitamins and the drink powder. The website has a variety of shake recipes, which I would advise taking a look at. I wish you all the luck if you decide to attempt the cleanse, it's an amazing way to lose weight and feel better! I will keep you posted on my experience!
http://www.standardprocess.com/display/psppurification.spi

The Candida Snack Shack

It's very difficult to find quick and easy snack ideas, so most people grab something unhealthy to chomp on. I have been struggling with this problem for quite some time, and have found a fun, easy, tasty and relatively quick solution! This idea came to me after picking up random vegetables at the store and doing a little mix and match. The result is my take of a cucumber sandwich.

Ingredients:
1 Large Cucumber
Olive Oil (or any oil of your choosing)
Chopped Onions
Chopped Green Pepper
Lunch Meat (I prefer ham or chicken but it's up to you)

Cut the cucumber into relatively thick slices and place them on a place. Tear pieces of lunch meat up and place them over the cucumber slices. Then take a handful of both onions and green peppers and throw them into a bowl and add a fair amount of oil to the mixture. Take a spoon and liberally add the onion/green pepper mixture over the top of the cucumber and meat slices. This is a great healthy snack that is quick and easy to make, and will help stave off hunger! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!