Snacking is often our preferred way to eat – unless, of course it’s sitting down for a full Thanksgiving dinner. But then again, I know I snacked on Thursday, and perhaps you did, too. Finding and/or preparing healthy snacks is so challenging. To make this easier, I wrote a new cookbook, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Glycemic Index Snacks. It offers you recipes for over 250 low-glycemic snacks that are under 300 calories each. Available at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Guide-Glycemic-Snacks/dp/1615640827/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322497481&sr=8-1 and also at Barnes and Noble. Yes, the recipes are varied and scrumptious. Enjoy!
In search of healthy and effective skin care: one of my favorite stores for discovering the newest and healthiest skin care is New Frontiers (a natural foods store) in Sedona, Arizona. If you’re in the area, check it out. In August I found two treatment lines with distinct advantages – they are inexpensive, totally affordable, and effective. The first is made in Hawaii from honey, beeswax, bee pollen, and royal jelly - Honey Girl Organics. I’m using the Face and Eye Cream and looking forward to ordering additional products online at www.honeygirlorganics.com.
Peak Scents and Super Salve Company offers an excellent Vitamin C repair solution, the best sunscreen I’ve ever found (Sierra Madre Sun Cream SPF 30), and a Power Repair Face Cream. I just reordered these online at www.supersalve.com. I once thought that it was cool to use very expensive skin care products. Today I know that price doesn’t imply better, more effective, or healthier. Read the labels on the department store brands and decide if you want unpronounceable chemicals on your skin.
And now about sleeping. Oh my gosh what an odd journey I’ve taken in the past 4 months. One morning in July, my right arm stopped working. Yes, I know this seems impossible, but this is a true story. My arm had no strength. It sort of hurt to move it. The feeling was, in a word, weird. Since I had absolutely no frame of reference for this and was scared, I cautiously drove myself to the chiropractor.
He said I had a herniated disc in the right side of my neck (C5-6) and that he could make it better in three weeks. Huh? I wanted to be a believer. And, sure enough within just a couple sessions, my arm worked well and the odd sensations abated. In addition to going to therapy three times a week for a grand total of 4.5 hours including drive time, I made serious lifestyle changes.
I raised my computer monitor so I didn't need to bend my neck forward. I used a lap desk for reading books and magazines, again so I didn't need to bend my neck forward. Rather than bend over my watercolor paper when painting, I set up a field easel in my studio and now stand when I paint. I stopped slouching as much as possible, even asking my husband to let me know when I slouched. At my chiropractic sessions, I did a series of neck-strengthening exercises, traction, and received adjustments to break up arthritis in my neck. Which I didn’t even know that I had.
Three weeks extended to three months and although my arm and neck were greatly improved, my situation was at a standstill. Seemed to me that something I was doing was somehow re-injuring my neck or at the least preventing it from healing. In other words was I doing this to myself?
When I asked some experts, no one had any substantive suggestions. Then I mentioned to a massage therapist friend that I have slept on my tummy all night long every night for as long as I can remember. Bingo!!! In order to avoid a face plant when sleeping on my tummy, I turned my neck sharply to the left. Night after night for 8 to 10 hours for years and years. Yes, this was truly a "DUH" moment.
That night, it was hard but I did it anyway. I slept on my side. I've have since taught myself how to sleep on my side. Hugging either a pillow or Patrick helps. And guess what? My neck is finally really healing. I've worked myself back up to all but one Bikram (hot) yoga pose. It's rabbit, for those of you familiar with Bikram.
During the past 4 months, though, I was unable to do my morning Tibetan exercises. And I noticed some undesired changes in my body. Without this wonderful metabolism-boosting daily treat, my waist began to expand. And
some clothes were getting tight. But, hurrah, I’m back to doing the Tibetans every morning and I’ve jump-started my metabolism into normal high gear. (You can find the 5 Tibetan exercises at my website, www.lucybeale.com .)
It’s now the Monday after Thanksgiving and I’m back to work after 4 days of enjoying our semi-marathon feasting, snowshoeing, and museum hopping. I hope your Holiday was satisfying and fun. I also want to thank you for reading my newsletter, for sending your comments, and for your encouragement. I appreciate you.
