“The body is given to the mind as a tool for learning and growth,” my teacher said. “It is the job of the mind to treat the body well, ensure its safety, and meet its physical needs.” I think of this often at this time of year, because so many of my clients suffer with […]

Incredible as it may seem, water is quite possibly the single most important catalyst in losing weight and keeping it off. Although most of us take it for granted, water is an essential ingredient for permanent weight loss. Water suppresses the appetite naturally and helps the body metabolize stored fat. The kidneys can’t function properly […]

Fruits are important in our diets because they contain lots of antioxidants, flavonoids and polyphenols; they also contain fiber, vitamin C, and beta carotene. It is believed that fruits can help prevent cardiovascular disease, by reducing blood pressure and inflammation, but the mechanisms are not clear and the findings are not consistent, yet. OK so […]

Often, my clients in recovery are concerned about eating fruit because the majority of calories are from carbohydrate. This is true, but the body needs healthy carbohydrates for energy, and to maintain many systems. When you choose fruit, make it fresh and ripe. Weigh 6 oz or 1 cup as a serving. Some fruits are […]

It’s summer! Do you ever get tired of the same old foods? Let’s put a bit more joy into our abstinent food plans! How about some dragonfruit? Have you ever tried this? It is a large, strangely shaped red fruit with sweet flavored pulp. Here are pictures. Here is a professional view: And this is […]

I am sorry for posting this so late, Life just got in the way. In a recent post, I quoted food abstinence as, “Abstinence is the action of refraining from compulsive eating and compulsive food behaviors while working towards or maintaining a healthy body weight. Spiritual, emotional and physical recovery is the result of living […]

On July 4th, the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, which was intended to celebrate the birth of a new nation, commemorating freedom from British colonial rule. In India, Independence Day falls on August 15th every year. In Canada, a similar celebration occurs on July 1. These days have greater historical and cultural […]

I want to talk some more today on restaurants and travel and summer food non-fun. We look at summer and imagine other people taking cruises to Alaska, going to Rome, Paris, or Reno, and sometimes there is the feeling of “not enough”, “not good enough”, “why can’t I?” Foods that trigger compulsive eaters seem to […]

How can you travel across time zones and stay abstinent? How do vacations compromise your abstinence?? How can you take a week at a tropical isle and not mess up your food?? What about a trip to Disney world? Let’s talk first about some principles for eating while traveling, then we will apply them to […]

Hello and welcome to Theresa’s weekly blog. This week I want to begin a series of blogs to help you get through the summer fun and the vacations and travel, abstinently, happily and with enjoyment. Today we are going to talk about eating abstinently in restaurants, then we will discuss airplane, long car rides, and […]