Stay Attuned ™: The E-zine for Nourishing Connections

Your journey to freedom from food and weight struggles presents an opportunity for not only a new relationship with food, but also a new relationship with yourself and others. Ultimately, it is a journey of nourishing connections with yourself, others--and yes--even food. Stay Attuned™ is committed to supporting you in this journey and to helping you develop nourishing connections that will last a lifetime. Remember, a journey always starts with one small step....

From fellow travelers,
Karin and Amy
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Nourishing Nuggets

"But the whole point of liberation is that you get out. Restructure your life. Act by yourself. " ~Jane Fonda

Reflections for Staying Attuned

Deprivation leads to overeating. To avoid this deprivation, many non-diet books encourage us to surround ourselves with the foods we love. This is a powerful technique that works well. However, for some of us who are in the early stages of building self and body trust and challenging our critical voice, a little structure can be helpful.

So initially, instead of carrying food bags with us and stocking our refrigerator with the foods we have a history of overeating, it’s okay to not bring these foods into the house or, if we have brought them into the house, to not leave them out in plain sight.

This is not to suggest that we should avoid these foods. Not at all! In order to truly heal deprivation-driven eating, we need to feel free to enjoy the foods we love without self-criticism or imposed restraint. So, we must give ourselves free access to the foods we once tried to avoid. However, while we are learning this new way to be with food and trying to cope without eating emotionally, it can be an act of mindful, strategic self-care to put those chocolate chip cookies in a closed cabinet. Literally out of sight. Or to not have ice cream in the freezer for now, but instead, to savor a dish of your favorite flavor at a nearby ice cream parlor.

Some will say that we’re always harping about trusting ourselves, and not creating deprivation, and if that’s true, why is it okay to “hide” food from ourselves and create such a major boundary around a food?

It is because, under certain circumstances, all of us are susceptible to “The People Magazine Factor.” And what is that? “The People Magazine Factor” (TPMF) occurs when we must work on something that we would prefer not to work on, for instance, a project that has us bored to tears. Sitting in our resistance, we spy People Magazine on the coffee table. And what do we say? “Oh, let me just take a break and read the latest about Brad and Angelina. Just one little article, just a couple pages of partaking ….” And the next thing we know, we have not only read about Brad and Angelina, but we’ve also caught up on the latest with Jennifer Aniston and everyone else. And then we are too “full” of information we really don’t want or need and are now too tired and less focused to get on with our project.

So, in your next major procrastinating moments, there is a good chance that you may be vulnerable to ”The People Magazine Factor,” and that plate of chocolate chip cookies in front of you may serve as a delicious distraction from the task at hand. Consider, instead, caring for yourself while you get the job done. And put away those cookies, for now.

Stay Attuned Tip

This week, when you are stuck with one of life’s unpleasant or boring tasks, notice your natural urges to find something else yummier to do."

Stay Attuned Affirmation

"I practice mindful, strategic self care."

What's New at Nourishing Connections

Speaking of reading material, check out these children’s books, which also have important messages for adults:

The Saggy, Baggy Elephant by Kathryn Jackson. Written in 1947,this classic story is about a little elephant who, after being told by a tactless parrot that he doesn’t fit in because his skin is saggy and his ears are too big, finds his way to appreciating and accepting himself.

Full Mouse, Empty Mouse: A Tale of Food and Feelings by Dina Zeckhausen is a story of two mice trying to cope with many stressors, including a mean cat and a boy with a broom. Billy Blue overeats and Sally Rose stops eating. Beautifully written and illustrated, this book helps children tune into and express their feelings instead of coping through overeating and restricting.

“Your body speaks with a sensation
That gives important information
Tummy and Heart live right next door.
Find out what each is asking for.”

And one we find particularly horrifying:

My Beautiful Mommy - Plastic surgeon, Michael Salzhauer, wrote this book to help his female patients discuss their “transformation” with their children. From his website: “Join a young girl as her Mommy goes through her plastic surgery experience, and learn how the entire family pitches in to help Mommy achieve her beautiful results.” And, what of the underlying message that mommy is not already beautiful just as she is? In her excellent review on Broadsheet at Salon.com, Catherine Price says “[T]he book's notably un-chunky mommy explains to her daughter, ‘You see, as I got older my body stretched and I couldn't fit into my clothes any more. Dr. Michael is going to help fix that and make me feel better.’ ‘But you're already the prettiest mommy in the whole wide world!’ protests the daughter. …Say what you will -- and if you're like me, you probably could say a lot -- about teaching kids the idea that aging women need to be ‘fixed’ and that plastic surgery can make you ‘feel better’ in the same way as an appendectomy.”

Feedback and Closing

Welcome to our new subscribers, and hello to current members! Stay Attuned™ exists for you. If you have ideas for topics or feedback (did you try an idea? how did it go?), please write us at dr.k@nourishingconnections.com.

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Stay Attuned™ is written by Karin Kratina, PhD, RD
(Dr.K@ nourishingconnections.com) and Amy Tuttle, RD, LCSW
(amyt@ nourishingconnections.com). Edited by Cassie Tuttle.
Please visit us at www.nourishingconnections.com!
© Copyright 2008. Dr. Karin Kratina and Amy Tuttle. All rights reserved.

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DISCLAIMER: This information is not intended to constitute a professional relationship between Karin or Amy or the reader, nor is it intended as therapy or counseling. Be sure to consult a qualified professional if you require medical or psychological services.
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