BE MINDFUL, NOT MINDLESS: We develop self-esteem by resisting temptations of all kinds. Advertisers insult us by making us think we cannot control ourselves; “Irresistible! Can’t eat just one!” All addictions are a cry for real love. Start by treating your body in a truly loving manner.
DON’T FORCE: Do not impose your views on others, especially a spouse or resistant children. Have lots of organic eggs, salads, nuts, seeds and fruits on hand to snack on. Freeze fruits, such as watermelon, mango and grapes. Majoul dates can replace sugary snacks. Many MTHFRers are gluten sensitive, yet crave sweets and bread. Make changes lovingly! Praise yourself and others for every act of self-control!
MAKE IT FUN: Get excited about all the healthy foods you can eat. Health food stores carry delightful natural scents to replace toxic perfumes. Make friends with baking soda and vinegar for cleaning. Use cosmetics and creams made from pomegranate and rose oils, which actually enrich your body. Try natural lipsticks without lead (hemp is great!) Try a variety of herbal teas. Add stevia if desired. For kids, sneak healthy foods into cookies, like adding wheat germ and grated carrots to chocolate chip cookies. Add veggies to home-made pizza. Start with 1:3 ratio of whole wheat flour to white flour and gradually increase the ratio to get kids used to whole wheat. Form a play group with other health-minded mothers who want to avoid sugary foods. Try organic fruit leather and foods. Avoid foods with HFCS, fructose and corn syrup.
GET A VICTORY BUDDY: Giving up your favorite foods, cosmetics or cleaning
products is difficult. Find a “victory buddy” you can call to share the good news that you were able to resist junk or try something healthy. It can be a child, spouse or friend on the same path to health. I have a “MTHFR” network and we all share information.
MAKE A FOOD PLAN: Research shows that diets don’t work, because it takes energy to resist a harmful impulse. If you say “NO” to yourself all day, you deplete your energy reserves. By the end of the day, you feel, “It’s too hard! I’ll binge all night to make up for the pain I suffered all day.” Therefore, get pleasure from healthy foods all day. Avoid the “D” word (Diet) as it connotes pain and deprivation. Because you are more likely to relapse when tired or stressed, keep a food plan that you stick to no matter what your mood. Just as being upset is no excuse to eat non-kosher food, don’t use frustration as an excuse to indulge. Toxic foods are unkind to the body.
PRAY: Pray for help in breaking old habits! Pray for the willingness to be healthy! Pray for supportive friends on the same spiritual path. Learn to get your excitement from your spiritual victories rather than junk foods. Dance a little jig with someone when you have a victory!