Temptations All Around

The festive season is probably the hardest time of year for anyone trying to have a healthier lifestyle. Enticing food temptations are around every corner, from gourmet stores displaying luxurious treats, to co-workers baking goodies and bringing them in to share. 

It can be overwhelming and intimidating to try and constantly resist them, especially with well meaning persons encouraging you to have “just a taste” or saying things like “come on, it’s the holidays, one bite won’t kill you!”

It may be true that one bite won’t kill you but it could lead to an avalanche of poor choices and the attitude of defeat~ “well I gave in all last week, so I might as well just give up trying.”  How do you stay motivated to resist temptation when you are faced with it every day?
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Tapping On Emotional Memories

Commonly called Tapping, EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) is a useful and effective tool to help combat food cravings because it works on the emotional memory tied to a food craving. The myth of "willpower" makes it seem that only those with a strong will can avoid all the delightful treats around them. Images of desired foods are very appealing, and are able to sway many people to suddenly want something that had not thought about, like seeing a tray of Festive cookies in front of them and suddenly wanting to eat them! Food cravings are increased when we smell food. Our sense of smell is one of our strongest senses. Smells tie us to emotional memories, like the smell of fresh baked cookies can remind someone of a happy childhood memory like baking with a grandparent. 

​EFT is a technique, which is most effective when done with a specific goal in mind. When working with food cravings, it is helpful to have that item – for example a cookie,  placed in front of the person who wishes to work on their cookie cravings is the first step to combating the desire to eat it. All of our senses are engaged when we are around food. EFT works with all of our senses and our physical and emotional reactions to foods. The sight, smell, taste, sound,  touch, and emotional connections to that food are all worked on bit by bit until the desire to eat the unwanted food is greatly reduced or disappears all together.

A Fun Experiment

There is a fun experiment anyone can try to see how much our physical responses and emotional responses play into our food cravings. 
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1. Have a desired food item (still in its packaging) placed on a table in front of the person who is craving it.
2. Have the person only look at the food in question and ask them how much they are craving it on a scale of 1-10? With 10 being that the have a very urgent desire to eat the food.
3. Ask the person to now handle the food and open the packaging on that food item.  Notice the physical and emotional responses the person will exhibit. You will see physical signs such as heart racing, skin flushing, inhaling to smell the food better, and mouth watering. Emotional responses can smiling, happiness, anxiety (guilt) or anger because they are being tempted.
 
So if this Festive Season you want to try to not to eat every temptation you come across, try EFT. There are many reputable practitioners who can help you overcome your physical and emotional tie to food cravings.

They can dig up you lawn, eat your flowers, tear apart your new leather shoes, scratch a beloved piece of furniture, drop your precious china on the floor, and generally make messes and more work for you, but you love them anyway. Who is this creature? It’s none other than the family pet. Whether they have fur or feathers, scales or spikes, for many of us, our pets become part of our family. We tolerate their occasional disasters or early morning wake up calls because we receive a rare and precious gift back, the gift of unconditional love and acceptance.

Okay so it may be hard to tell if your pet fish or exotic lizard really loves you, but they do trust you to take care of them and they depend on you. An Ipsos Reid poll shows that 83% of Canadians consider their pet to be a family member with 4 in 10 believing that pets can be a good substitute for human companionship.  So your pet is seen as a member of your family. You make sure it has all its basic needs met, now what?

What about your pets Spiritual well being? Don’t worry, I am not going to say that should meditate with your cat or try to find your dogs inner puppy!  For some people who want to try and do that, I say more power to you! What I want to offer you is something to try, that is a little more tangible and easier to do.  I find that it is especially helpful for pets that can be held and touched comfortably. I have only used this technique on furry friends, but if you want to try it on your lizard or fish or other type of pet, please use appropriate cautions, and a gentle touch as always.

I have found that a combination of Reiki and EFT has been beneficial for my pet. My pet is a super hyper, very talkative (when I say “talking” what I mean is meowing…a LOT!), 6 year old Tuxedo cat named Treun.  I don’t think she has really ever stopped talking since the day she was born except when she sleeps! I have used Reiki, which is a form of Japanese energy healing, on my cat for years with great success to the tune, that she is calmer and seems happier afterwards. With any animal, knowing their temperament is important before you start any sort of energy work or healing modality. I know that my cat will let me do pretty much anything I want to her, but please dear reader, if you have a volatile pet, or are trying to help someone else’s pet, please proceed with caution or call upon an experienced professional such as myself.

EFT or Emotional Freedom Technique is a form of acupressure, which is used to help with many emotional and physical issues. On pets, it can be used to help them to become calmer in general, and help them with anxiety, which is common in pets and often exhibited as separation anxiety when the owner leaves the home.  It can also be used to ease physical pains such as arthritis in elderly pets. When working with animals, generally it is better to gently massage the required points instead of tapping as that could lead to irritation and/or pain.

A recent example of how EFT and Reiki benefited my cat was that one particular day my cat Treun would not stop talking (again read this as meowing incessantly to the point where I could feel a migraine forming in my brain!), and followed me for every step I took, so much that I was tripping over her. I scooped her up and performed gentle EFT and then Reiki on her. She instantly became limp and relaxed and began to purr. After I was finished, and we could both think straight, she was much calmer for the rest of the day. The entire session with her lasted about 30 minutes as I incorporated both healing modalities on her, but because animals don’t like to stay in one spot it could take longer depending on your pet and how restless they are.  Most animals will respond positively to both Reiki and EFT as they can sense that you are not there to harm them, and only want the best for them.

They can dig up you lawn, eat your flowers, tear apart your new leather shoes, scratch a beloved piece of furniture, drop your precious china on the floor, and generally make messes and more work for you, but you love them anyway. Who is this creature? It’s none other than the family pet.

​Whether they have fur or feathers, scales or spikes, for many of us, our pets become part of our family. We tolerate their occasional disasters or early morning wake up calls because we receive a rare and precious gift back, the gift of unconditional love and acceptance. 

Okay so it may be hard to tell if your pet fish or exotic lizard really loves you, but they do trust you to take care of them and they depend on you. An Ipsos Reid poll shows that 83% of Canadians consider their pet to be a family member, with 4 in 10 believing that pets can be a good substitute for human companionship.  So your pet is seen as a member of your family. You make sure it has all its basic needs met, now what?  

 EMOTIONAL FREEDOM TECHNIQUES AND REIKI 

What about your pets spiritual well being? Don’t worry, you don't have to meditate with your cat or try to find your dogs inner puppy! (unless you really want to) A combination of Reiki and EFT can be beneficial for pets, and it is especially helpful for pets that can be held and touched comfortably. If you want to try it this your lizard, fish or other type of non furry pet, please use appropriate precautions, and a gentle touch as always.

HYPERACTIVE PETS

Reiki can be used on hyper pets with great success. The ancient practice of Japanese energy healing can help animals to become calmer, happier and more content. When working with any animal, knowing their temperament is important before you start any sort of energy work or healing modality.  if you have a volatile pet, or are trying to help someone else’s pet, always proceed with caution or call upon a professional with more experience.  

STRESSED PETS

​EFT or Emotional Freedom Technique is a form of acupressure which is used to help with many emotional and physical issues. Moving is one  life event that is very stressful for pets. EFT techniques designed specifically for pets can help them to be calmer in their new home, and relieve separation anxiety that may arise from being in new surroundings. 

HIRE A PROFESSIONAL 

If you are looking to hire an EFT expert to work with  your pet, you need to know that a  gently massage on the required points, instead of the standard "tapping" practice that is used on humans, is the best course of action for most pets, especially the elderly or nervous pet.

Remember, many animals will not stay still for long periods of time for treatments, so you may be looking at 5-10 minute sessions at a time over the course of a few weeks before you will see the full effects.  Although most animals will respond positively to both Reiki and EFT as they can sense that you are not there to harm them, and only want the best for them, some may be incredibly resistant, especially if they have suffered a prolonged illness or have a history of abuse. Be patient with them and send them positive energy and love.

​Sugar is addictive. It is one of the most addictive "legal drugs" in the world. In fact according to Statistics Canada, in 2004 on average, Canadians consumed 110.0 grams of sugar a day. That is equivalent to 26 teaspoons of the sweet stuff! That equals  21.4% of an adults total daily calorie intake. By 2015 the number had dropped to 101 grams, due to less sugary drinks being consumed. So we are trying, but what is a person to do when "willpower" is not enough?

Sugar comes in many forms. For many chocolate is an addiction. Inexpensive and easy to find, chocolate is filled with sugar in many sweet forms. Caramel and cookies enrobed in chocolate, dark chocolate with mint cream filling, crunchy nuts or nougat surrounded by a milk chocolate coating. Others prefer their sugar hot and comforting, like a hot chocolate with marshmallows.

​ Is it wrong to enjoy these sweet treats? No of course not. There is nothing wrong with indulging your sweet tooth one in a while, but what happens when you can't stop yourself? What happens when that chocolate becomes your addiction and your desperate struggle to hold onto your "willpower" doesn't last?

Willpower right? That is the answer! That is what EVERYONE says when someone cannot seem to stick to their plan. So that MUST be the answer because that is the problem.  Everyone from personal trainers, doctors, friends, and family all say it.  Even that slim co-worker who lost so much weight is telling you it's all willpower,  Right? Wrong.

Willpower Is A Myth

 Willpower is a myth. There is absolutely no scientific basis that is works. Why it works for some people is a complex answer that involves lifestyle, upbringing, genetics, mind set (e.g. exercise is fun not a chore), finances, emotional health and more.

Tapping 

Often called "Tapping," EFT or Emotional Freedom Techniques is a method that uses repeated pressure with the finger tips on specific points in the body to release emotional blockages. These points are called meridians. Meridians are used in the ancient Chinese medicine of Acupuncture. Tapping can bring up many emotions, memories, and physical symptoms. This is an indication that it is working. When people suppress their emotions and try to ignore negative memories, it can lead to a whole host of physical and/or psychological issues.

To combat this, some people turn to food, (usually sweet foods) for comfort. The addictive nature of sugar fuels the desire to eat more and a vicious cycle begins that many people struggle to end.  When eating is not about food, but is tied to emotions and negative memories, it is not possible to use willpower alone to stop the cycle.

Break The Cycle 

If you suspect you have a sugar addiction and you would like to break your cycle of sugar addiction, consider adding EFT to your list of lifestyle changes. There are many qualified practitioners who can help you. The long term benefits of emotional release, resolution of negative memories, and stress reduction will improve your chances of beating your sugar addiction because you will no longer have the fuel to feed your desire to consume it in large quantities. 
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