I learned so much about diet and the healing process wile working with Crystal (a highly trained Naturopath and RN) We have completed our work together for now, but I will touch base with her in August. Here’s a few things I’ve learned:
1. Our dietary habits impact on all areas of our lives, from our energy level, to our mood, severity of PTSD symptoms , mental focus and clarity, weight control and our overall sense of well-being and health. It is qual in importance to the health of our emotions and our spirit.
2. When we learn to live in a cooperative relationship with our body our body functions more efficiently and happily. Tuning in and unearthing the unique signals it sends to us enables us to work in cooperation with it. The end result is that we feel better in every way. As we feel better, the ups and downs of our body, mind and spirit come into sharper focus. We then learn what we need to do to auto-correct before things go too far in the wrong direction.
3. Most health and diet plans set up an adversarial relationship with the body. Rather than learning to listen to the unique signals of our particular body, an external pre-determined plan is forced upon it. Such a one size fits all method may actually end up sabotaging our diet and the healing process.
4. What’s healthy for me is not necessarily healthy for you. What works for you may not work for me. Health and long term healing is in the details and one size does not fit all.
5. Physical health cannot be separated from emotional and spiritual health. We are not a group of parts and therefore must address all aspects basic to our overall health in unison. When we do not, one can sabotage the other.
EXAMPLES OF DIET & THE HEALING PROCESS
Crystal and I sat down one day and went through my typical diet. One of the first things she brought to my attention was that dairy and sugar, even natural sugar, were likely a significant problem for me. That meant changing my go to lunch of plain Greek Yogurt with fresh fruit to something different. For some people it may be. But, for me, it led to afternoon crashes, an inability to lose weight, and mental fogginess.
Now I have either a large salad with chicken or chick peas or vegetable/beef soup. I’ve discovered it’s very satisfying and I no longer have a afternoon crash. In fact, all of the symptoms I was experiencing have vanished. Better still, I do not feel deprived. am more focused and energized.
In the past I lived for my bowl of cereal and milk in the evening before bed. I always ate sugar-free cereal and skim milk. I was trying to lose weight and stay healthy. This, however, is not a good choice for my body. Now, I have either an apple and almond butter and maybe a square of dark chocolate or left over oatmeal with walnuts and almond milk (I know that’s weird but I like it!), or a handful of walnuts or almonds and a square of chocolate. Calorie content is probably about the same, but for me the new foods keep my sugar in check and I’ve lost 15 pounds. Again, I don’t feel deprived.
Getting to know ourselves is crucial in achieving wellness. This means getting to know our body, as well as understanding our emotions and habit of thought and uncovering and expanding a deep connection to our spiritual center. This is a process that takes time and attention, but one well worth undertaking.
Where are you on your path toward healing and wholeness? What is helping you? What is tripping you up?
Dorothy Sander 2014 copyright
FINDING YOUR INNER GUIDE
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Love all these points you are making, they totally resonate. I did a cleanse four weeks ago and stayed away from sugar for four weeks after that and added only the occasional pasta or bread meal. My body liked it! But then I had some cravings and gave in and went on a sugar binge for about a week. So now I am slowly getting back to what I know my body prefers. What has been a very important step for me over the last month is guilt-free eating. I never realised just how much I worried about eating the wrong thing and/or amount. So this has been a bit of an eye opener. Attaching less guilt to my food has opened up my body listening skills. Your snacks sound very much like mine! I especially love apple and almond butter, have that pretty much every day 🙂
If I’ve learned nothing else over the last decade it’s patience with change and growth! Thanks for sharing a bit of your journey, Krestin. It’s always good to know we’re not alone!
What is tripping me up? Allowing distractions to move me from my writing chair. But I will gladly move for grand-children and more chocolate – indeed!