In this issue: New Workshops...Do kids make you fat?...Are you weird?

Happy Indian Summer to all of you!!

Things are very busy here in our little corner of southern California, and it’s very exciting!

First, my new “Heal Your Hunger” workshops are here!! This time I am offering two different formats: one will be a four week course which meets on Thursday mornings in Santa Clarita starting Oct. 11th, and the other is a full day workshop on Saturday, Oct 20th in Santa Monica. Take your pick! Both workshops are limited to 12 people so DON’T DELAY in registering (see below for details).

Next, Be Totally Free! is experiencing exciting growth! Our non-profit which helps people who CANNOT STOP their destructive habits and need more “intensive care”, is going strong! We are very busy working with people who are coming here from all around the world for help.

Sincerest KUDOS AND THANKS are in order for Roy Nelson, the man who is responsible formy transformation 19 years ago and who is currently working DAY AND NIGHT to be there for those who are struggling with every form of eating disorder, obesity and addictions. Roy’s incredible commitment to offering his love, care, personal experience and true guidance to these people continues to facilitate miracles…people who are experiencing a complete lifting of the compulsion and obsession to hurt themselves in any way. AMAZING! I feel so privileged to witness Roy’s incredible work and people who are finally receiving TRUE HOPE, RELIEF and RECOVERY! 

Please support our cause! Be Totally Free! does not charge money for our “Metasteps” intensive help. You can make a real difference in helping us to continue to be there for those who so desperately need our help and care. Won’t you consider making a donation? BTF is a 501c3 non-profit corporation, so your donations are always tax deductible! You can show your support by making a donation now!

Oh - I almost forgot! Check out our new “Did you know?” section – you’ll love it!

Love and blessings to everyone,

Tricia

Dear Ask It:

My kids love junk food and I have a very hard time not joining in. Is it fair to say my kids are making me fat?

~Frustrated in Farmington

Dear Frustrated:

It’s a given that kids challenge us mentally, but sometimes it seems they jeopardize our heart health, too. Adults with children at home eat almost 5 more grams of fat a day (including 1.7 grams of artery-clogging saturated fat), a government survey revealed. That’s equivalent to adding two slices of bacon to your breakfast every day.

I believe that not only are kids’ love for junk a challenge, but the stress and the noise kids bring to our lives can affect our propensity to indulge. So it’s important to find a solution on more than one level:

For the kids, you can provide healthier versions of their favorite foods, like pizza made by topping pita with marinara sauce and reduced fat mozzarella or healthy snacks from the health food store.

For yourself, try to take some real “time-outs” for yourself while your kids are snacking. Try our Meditation and Visualization CD and relax for 20 minutes before making dinner. You will be amazed how just a short stint of calm in your day can make a huge difference in your food impulses. And always remember, your kid don’t actually make you fat, your choices and lifestyle do!

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



(Please forward to everyone you know!)

Nine “weird” things that are very, very normal!

1. Having lots of off days. Only 2 percent of people are in a cheerful mood every day.
2. Saying “I’m fine” when you’re fuming. “Anger is not universally accepted for women,” says Springfield Missouri, psychologist Deborah Cox, Ph.D. “So we keep it closeted, which can make us feel crazy—when we’re just experiencing a normal emotion.”
3. Feeling grumpy on sunny days. Research shows being cooped up inside when it’s nice out can bring you down.
4. Being happier after a hug. It takes just 20 seconds of contact for your brain to release the moo-boosting hormone oxytocin.
5. Acting testy when you’re tired: 64 percent of people say they’re more impatient after a bad night’s sleep.
6. But feeling better after praying. Morning Prayer can improve your mood for two to six hours.
7. Finding relief after a good cry—85 percent of women say they do.
8. And crying often. The average woman has about five crying spells each month.
9. Getting a rush from being in love. The euphoria of a new relationship lasts about one year, according to an Italian study. (Warning: after the euphoric stage, it gets…well…different!)

--Glamour April 2007

Grocery store shoppers who see numerical signs such as “Limit 12 Per Person” buy more than those who see signs that say “No Limit Per Person”. In fact, almost any sign with a number promotion leads us to buy 30 to 100 percent more than we normally would. ~Brian Wansink, Mindless Eating

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.

Tricia is also a speaker, author, and private coach helping emotional eaters move beyond diets to lasting change. To learn more visit http://www.healyourhunger.com.