In this issue: Moms…Survey results…Ask It…Health Tips…Events

Mother’s day is May 12th so I’m dedicating this issue to Moms. I’m not a Mom, but so many of you are. I want to say “thank you”. Thanks for taking on the most honorable job there is. It’s often a thankless job, I know (I learned this from watching my sister with her kids). Of course, for years, I’m sure it felt like a thankless job for my Mom, as well.

I went through a time where there wasn’t anything my mother could do right. And I was sure she was to blame for all of my perceived troubles! But over the years I’ve come to see that my mother never stopped loving me, even when I was the most unloveable. Turns out my mother’s annoying habits and controlling ways were, more often than not, simply her attempts to shield me from pain.

Mom and her "Cherubs"

No, there isn’t anything more beautiful than a mother’s love for her children. A mother’s love is unconditional, boundless and enduring. And if you are in a place right now that you doubt that…just hang on. Stretch yourself to see your part in things and you will ultimately see that your Mom is (or was) as good as gold, if not better.

I couldn’t have wished for a better mother. I am who I am today in large part because of all my mother has given me.

So let’s all celebrate our Moms! And if you’re a Mom, take time to celebrate all you are and all you do for your children. It’s a given that nobody’s perfect, so let’s just focus and be grateful for the wonderful gifts that mothers ceaselessly give.

Thanks, Mom!

Tricia

Dear Ask It:

I know I need to cut out junk food, but I resist the idea of being on a diet, or restricted in any way. What should I do?

~Rebel without a cause

Dear Rebel:

Well, you may actually have a cause; that is, you have been down the diet road too many times, with much failure, and you are smarting from any diet-like behaviors. This is common. The problem is that in the midst of your rebellion, you’re screwing yourself.

In the past, we were losing weight from the outside in. We had to weigh in at diet programs, or get stars from our family (Moms!) or doctors for good behavior. We did it for outside praise, approval and gratification, rarely for the inner motivation to be good to ourselves. To us, diets only meant sacrifice and imprisonment.

Yet consider the mental and often physical torture you put yourself through after eating your favorite junk food; you can hardly call that a “treat”, can you?

If you really want a treat, bypass a binge and reward yourself in another way, like with a movie, a bath or simply…going to bed! You will wake up in the morning feeling so good and grateful that you took care of yourself. When you take responsibility in this way, you will no longer need to rail against an imaginary “establishment” that’s making you restrict; instead you can feel good that you are the best parent you could be to yourself.

Tricia offers private "Heal Your Hunger" coaching sessions for those desiring maximum results with "weight loss from the inside out". For a fre*e 30 minute session, email Tricia at tricia@betotallyfree.com

(Have a question for Ask It? Please email me at tricia@betotallyfree.com)




(Please forward to everyone you know!)

Your Mom was right: Eat your vegetables!

Here are some tricks that make it easy:

1. Have a V8 or tomato juice instead of a Diet Coke.
2. Doctor your veggies to make them delicious: Dribble honey or agave syrup over carrots, sprinkle chopped nuts on green beans and parmesan cheese on broccoli.
3. Mix three different cans of beans and some low-fat Italian dressing. Eat this three-bean salad all week.
4. Vegetable soup counts!
5. Use pre-bagged baby spinach everywhere: as "lettuce" in sandwiches, heated in soups, wilted in hot dishes and added to salads.
6. Spend the extra few dollars to buy vegetables that are already washed and cut up.
7. Make a stir-fry…it’s quick and delicious!
8. Keep seven bags of your favorite frozen vegetables on hand. Mix any combination, microwave and top with your favorite low-fat dressing. Add some almonds or walnuts for a great quick dinner.
9. Eat a green food powder drink each morning (see your health food store).
10. Really hate veggies? Relax. If you love fruits, eat plenty of them (especially colorful ones such as oranges, mangoes and melons).

May 16th: "Heal Your Hunger" one hour workshop: The Newhall Club, Newhall, CA. 10:30am and 6:30pm,  For details call 661-310-3630

May 19th: Dr. Meg Haworth interviews Tricia on: Life Lessons from Your Soul (details in next issue)

May 21st: Rev. Moira Shepherd interviews Tricia on: MidLife Miracle Radio (details in next issue)

June 4th, NYC:  "Heal Your Hunger" in the Big Apple!  Join Tricia for this uplifting, interactive workshop as she gives you the insights and tools you need to end emotional eating.  Workshop is from 6:30-9:30 pm. Limited seats available. This will be a SELL OUT event, so register now!

After overcoming her own lifetime battle with compulsive eating, drinking and weight-without the use of diets, pills, medication or excessive exercise-Tricia Greaves founded Be Totally Fre*e!, a non-profit organization that offers a unique and permanent solution for overcoming all addictions. To learn about the hope we offer to those who have tried everything to stop, visit www.betotallyfree.com.