What are You Really Hungry For?

Posted on by Tammy

By Lindsey Smith

A few years ago, I remember having this really awesome day. One of those days where you just feel so fulfilled in every aspect of life. My career was in check, my health was on point, and I felt like everything was in alignment.

On the way home from a meeting, I stopped at the local farmer’s market and grabbed some fresh veggies for dinner that evening. I got home and made this wonderful spread and meals for the week. I sat down and ate very mindfully and with such gratitude.

Everything about this day was perfect.

Then 8 p.m. came. I noticed myself urging for something more. So I headed to the fridge. I opened the door and looked inside. Nothing was looking too appetizing. So I opened the freezer and noticed a pint of my favorite vegan ice cream. Just as I was about to grab the container, I froze. I thought to myself, “Lindsey, you just had an awesome day, and a wonderful homemade dinner. You’re not starved so what are you really hungry for?”

Those six words, “What are you really hungry for?” changed my life.

Although I had an awesome day, a delicious and healthy meal, and so many other things, the truth is — I was lonely. I came home to an empty house. My family lived an hour away from me, and I didn’t talk to a single friend or family member at all that day.

So when I asked myself this question, I realized the vegan ice cream could never satisfy my deeper craving of being heard. I just wanted someone to share and listen.

Instead of the sugary ice cream, I settled for calling one of my friends and saying, “Hey, can you just hear me out. I had a great day, and I just want to share with someone.”

So the next time you find yourself headed to the fridge or the pantry, ask yourself, “What are you really hungry for?”

The answer just might surprise you.

Lindsey Smith, known as the “food mood girl” works with people who have a habit of looking to food for all the wrong nutrients: comfort, reward, fun and acceptance. Through speaking and coaching she motivates, equips and inspires people to sort out their relationships with food so they can live a healthy, balanced life. She is also the author of “Junk Foods & Junk Moods: Stop Craving and Start Living!,” and “Bliss Cleanse: Your Two Week Mind, Body, Spirit Guide to Greater Health & Happiness.” Connect with Smith via her Web site, www.FoodMoodGirl.com, on Facebook and Twitter @LindseySmithHHC.

“The Bliss Cleanse,” by Lindsey Smith & Lorraine Miller

Posted on by Tammy

Cleansing and detoxing the body seems to be catching on everywhere – from well-known doctors creating new programs to new cookbooks filled with detoxing recipes. But while detoxing the body, it’s important to remember the mind and spirit also need a cleansing from time to time.

In their new book, “Bliss Cleanse: Your Two-Week Guide to Greater Health and Happiness,” authors Lindsey Smith and Lorraine Miller lay out a clear cut guide to quarterly, seasonal cleaning that incorporates all three aspects into the program for a full self cleansing.

“Whether you are just beginning to explore healthier food and lifestyle choices, or you’re simply looking for new inspiration and a more holistic approach, this cleanse is a perfect guide to achieving your health and happiness goals, and creating your life of bliss,” the authors explain in the beginning of the book.

Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall, the authors provide a seasonal eating guide, pantry must-have’s, and even recipes for amazing body scrubs, toothpaste, facial masks and more! Each season includes a seven-day meal plan with recipes, a shopping guide, a daily checklist, and daily inspirations.

Also, the authors will be offering a “live cleanse,” each season so readers can go through the process with a community of people by their side. For more information, visit the website at www.blisscleanse.com.

Breaking the Attachment Cycle: Food and Things

Posted on by Tammy

By Lindsey Smith

We live in a society where we have major attachment issues. From our favorite sports teams, to the latest fashion trend, and even to our favorite musicians, we tend to feel a sense of attachment towards people, things, careers, money, food and so much more.

But when it comes to food, I noticed we have attachment issues towards dieting, junk food eating, and being an ideal weight. We think “going on a diet” will make us feel better post break-up. Or we think eating a sugary cookie will give us the satisfaction we are looking for in our jobs. And if we weigh 20 pounds less than we do today, we will somehow feel more accomplished and complete.

But do doing these things actually make you happy?

These attachment issues to food, and material items as well, stem from a place of fear rather than a place of happiness, love or peace. Attachment keeps us in a temporary “feel good” psychosis until the new object we buy or feeling we get wears off. Then we are left with those feelings we tried so hard to avoid — guilt, dissatisfaction and unworthiness.

In order to break the attachment cycle, we need to start detaching, which simply means “letting go.” Letting go will help shift your energy from “not good enough” to “plenty good enough.” It helps you see that outside items don’t actually bring you the peace and happiness you seek. But rather, happiness is actually found through simplicity.

Here are some simple ways to start letting go. Find one that resonates with you and start there. Each day, focus on letting go of one thing.

Let go of the need to be right.

Let go of the need to control every situation, including your food choices.

Let go the idea of restriction when it comes to food.

Let go of the drivers that make you angry on the road.

Let go of the sense that you need to go on a diet or be a certain number on the scale.

Let go of physical clothes or “stuff” you haven’t used in years.

Let go of past relationships that no longer serve you.

Let go of stress. Ask yourself, “Will this matter in a day, a week, a year?”

I think you get the idea. The more you can let go, the more good you allow to enter your life, and the more peaceful you feel — mind, body, and spirit.

Lindsey Smith, known as the “food mood girl” works with people who have a habit of looking to food for all the wrong nutrients: comfort, reward, fun and acceptance. Through speaking and coaching she motivates, equips and inspires people to sort out their relationships with food so they can live a healthy, balanced life. She is also the author of “Junk Foods & Junk Moods: Stop Craving and Start Living!” Connect with Smith via her Web site, www.FoodMoodGirl.com, on Facebook and Twitter @LindseySmithHHC.

The Top 5 Grocery Store Tricks to Avoid

Posted on by Tammy

By Lindsey Smith

Since America has turned onto a health kick recently, retailers and grocery stores alike are trying to keep up by adding new “healthy” items geared towards consumers’ wants and needs. However, when grocery shopping, it is very easy to get confused on what is actually healthy. After all, most foods on the shelf are all in the mind of the marketer. Advertisers know the tricks to make you think you are buying the healthier option, when in reality, you may not be.

Here are the 5 most common health claims to watch out for:

1.) Lightly Sweetened: This simply means sugar is either being replaced by a substitute or the serving size is smaller. For example, sugar will be replaced with High Fructose Corn Syrup, or the serving size will drop to one cup rather than one and a half cups. This can trick a consumer into thinking the item contains less sugar when it fact, it does not.

2.) “Good source of:” This statement simply implies the food contains a serving of a certain grain. However, they fail to mention you would have to eat an entire box of cereal to get the recommended serving of the “whole grain.”

3.) Reduced Fat/Sodium: In products such as microwavable meals, you will often find “reduced fat” or “reduced sodium” on the label. However, these products fail to tell you the fat is actually switched out for sodium and sugar. Or the sodium is switched out for fat and sugar. Depending on your dietary needs, this could be very important.

4.) Natural: This is a HUGE misconception in today’s grocery store. As more and more people are choosing organic, advertisers are putting the word “natural” into the mix. “Natural” has no standard in federal guidelines. In fact, many processed and refined foods can be considered natural because one ingredient came from the Earth. Always look for the USDA organic labels to ensure quality.

5.) Whole Wheat: Many companies put “whole wheat” on their labels. This is most often seen on products such as breads, crackers and chips. However, if you look at the ingredient list, the first ingredient is typically called “enriched wheat flour.” This is just a fancy term for white flour. So even though you think you are eating “whole wheat,” you are actually eating white flour. Look for products that say, “100% whole grain” to ensure quality.

Lindsey Smith, known as the “food mood girl” works with people who have a habit of looking to food for all the wrong nutrients: comfort, reward, fun and acceptance. Through speaking and coaching she motivates, equips and inspires people to sort out their relationships with food so they can live a healthy, balanced life. She is also the author of “Junk Foods & Junk Moods: Stop Craving and Start Living!” Connect with Smith via her Web site, www.FoodMoodGirl.com, on Facebook and Twitter @LindseySmithHHC.