The Applaud Women publication is dedicated to women in New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts. It's purpose is to inspire, inform, and
applaud local women. The core of the magazine is our inspirational women's articles, most of which feature local women but occasionally we are
able to interview national women who we feel provide a unique inspiration for our readers. Our other articles cover topics of interest such as food
recipes, home, garden, beauty, health, fashion, dating, parenting, seniors, finance, business, hair care, skin care, advice, real estate, insurance,
weddings etc. Each issue has a feature section as well. Many of our articles are written by local business people who provide information
relevant to their business expertise. The Applaud Women website is also a resource center for local women including the most comprehensive
listings of Restaurants, Weddings, Female doctors and Hotels. It also includes a number of informational pages with links, articles and RSS feeds
to both local and national websites of interest to women in NH & n. MA.
applaud local women. The core of the magazine is our inspirational women's articles, most of which feature local women but occasionally we are
able to interview national women who we feel provide a unique inspiration for our readers. Our other articles cover topics of interest such as food
recipes, home, garden, beauty, health, fashion, dating, parenting, seniors, finance, business, hair care, skin care, advice, real estate, insurance,
weddings etc. Each issue has a feature section as well. Many of our articles are written by local business people who provide information
relevant to their business expertise. The Applaud Women website is also a resource center for local women including the most comprehensive
listings of Restaurants, Weddings, Female doctors and Hotels. It also includes a number of informational pages with links, articles and RSS feeds
to both local and national websites of interest to women in NH & n. MA.
The opinions and information provided within the Applaud Women publication or on the Applaud Women website are not necessarily those of Applaud Women, it's officers, staff or
contributing writers. Nor does inclusion on ApplaudWomen.com constitute endorsement of the views, products, services or informational content contained within the publication, advertising
on found anywhere on the website. Applaud Women values accuracy; however, Applaud Women does not warranty the accuracy of material provided by it's writers, advertisers or any
information provided by other sources included on the website.
No reproduction of any part of this page or any other page on the website is permitted without the express permission of Applaud Women.
contributing writers. Nor does inclusion on ApplaudWomen.com constitute endorsement of the views, products, services or informational content contained within the publication, advertising
on found anywhere on the website. Applaud Women values accuracy; however, Applaud Women does not warranty the accuracy of material provided by it's writers, advertisers or any
information provided by other sources included on the website.
No reproduction of any part of this page or any other page on the website is permitted without the express permission of Applaud Women.
| Being Present In the Moment: Transforming Your Mindless Munch By Susan Miccile “Mindfulness is about being fully awake in our lives. It is about perceiving the exquisite vividness of each moment. We feel more alive. We also gain immediate access to our own powerful resources of insight, transformation and healing”. - Jon Kabot-Zinn, Ph.d |
Popcorn is my downfall. Just the thought of the hot air popper shooting popcorn into my oversized bowl and the dogs scrambling for the stray
pieces gets my mouth watering. It’s a routine, a habit. Popcorn drizzled with warm butter, salt, my comfy couch and a movie. I would mindlessly
shove handful after handful into my mouth, not noticing, or tasting, until the bowl was empty. A second helping would already be popping before
the first was gone. The challenge is to be able to make the second bowl last until the movie ended. It never happens.
What part of this scenario do you resonate with? It is likely that one part of this story sounds familiar to you although it may not be about popcorn.
It is the story of mindless eating. It is the act of eating on autopilot, reacting and behaving automatically without thought or awareness of your
mind, body, soul, or the surrounding environment. Mindless eating is the uncontrollable habit of eating without paying attention. Our minds are
focused on everything else but the act and enjoyment of actually eating.
The stress of daily life, sadness, frustration and anxiety, weight loss and multitasking are a few of the common triggers of mindless eating. In
order to cope, food and the act of eating become a soothing, comforting way for people to calm themselves. Mindless eating helps bury thoughts
and emotions that creep up within. Mindless eating is not about food, it is about the feelings and emotions that are not easily handled that drive
the mindless act of eating.
The first step toward being in control is becoming aware… In Susan Alber’s book, Mindful Eating, she talks about the four pillars of mindful eating.
Mindfulness of the Mind: becoming aware of your actual thoughts, desires and fears, and hunger. Mindfulness of the Body: becoming aware of
how your body is feeling. What does hunger feel like? Mindfulness of Thoughts: noticing what thoughts are coming to mind without judgment.
Mindfulness of Feelings: understanding your relationship between your moods and your appetite.
“The key to changing the way you eat is not to develop discipline over your fork, but to master control of your mind” writes Susan Albers. I would
take that step further and use the words understand and connect to your body. By gaining a true sense of feeling within, you begin to gain sense
of control over what, why, when and how you eat.
Eating is a necessity of life. We need food to survive and thrive. Mindful eating cultivates the beauty of eating and enjoying food without guilt. It is
becoming actively aware of the whole experience of eating.
How to transform your triggers:
1.Identify your feelings.
Feeling anxious: breathe; reconnect with your body to increase oxygen to the brain
Feeling sad: connect with someone you can share your feelings with, rent a sad movie…. Be with your feelings... Don’t stuff them down.
Be compassionate with yourself and others.
2.Try yoga, go for a walk in the woods, or meditate.
3.Begin a daily routine of journaling, having a cup of tea, a quiet moment.
4.Try using a smaller sized plate, or chop sticks.
5.Begin to get in touch with your hunger cues… what does it feel like to be hungry… what is going on in your body; what sensations are you
feeling physically?
Your challenge it to recognize the difference between a true hunger craving and a heart craving. An emotional (heart) craving cannot be filled
with ice cream… it is sign that you could be craving love, social acceptance or companionship.
pieces gets my mouth watering. It’s a routine, a habit. Popcorn drizzled with warm butter, salt, my comfy couch and a movie. I would mindlessly
shove handful after handful into my mouth, not noticing, or tasting, until the bowl was empty. A second helping would already be popping before
the first was gone. The challenge is to be able to make the second bowl last until the movie ended. It never happens.
What part of this scenario do you resonate with? It is likely that one part of this story sounds familiar to you although it may not be about popcorn.
It is the story of mindless eating. It is the act of eating on autopilot, reacting and behaving automatically without thought or awareness of your
mind, body, soul, or the surrounding environment. Mindless eating is the uncontrollable habit of eating without paying attention. Our minds are
focused on everything else but the act and enjoyment of actually eating.
The stress of daily life, sadness, frustration and anxiety, weight loss and multitasking are a few of the common triggers of mindless eating. In
order to cope, food and the act of eating become a soothing, comforting way for people to calm themselves. Mindless eating helps bury thoughts
and emotions that creep up within. Mindless eating is not about food, it is about the feelings and emotions that are not easily handled that drive
the mindless act of eating.
The first step toward being in control is becoming aware… In Susan Alber’s book, Mindful Eating, she talks about the four pillars of mindful eating.
Mindfulness of the Mind: becoming aware of your actual thoughts, desires and fears, and hunger. Mindfulness of the Body: becoming aware of
how your body is feeling. What does hunger feel like? Mindfulness of Thoughts: noticing what thoughts are coming to mind without judgment.
Mindfulness of Feelings: understanding your relationship between your moods and your appetite.
“The key to changing the way you eat is not to develop discipline over your fork, but to master control of your mind” writes Susan Albers. I would
take that step further and use the words understand and connect to your body. By gaining a true sense of feeling within, you begin to gain sense
of control over what, why, when and how you eat.
Eating is a necessity of life. We need food to survive and thrive. Mindful eating cultivates the beauty of eating and enjoying food without guilt. It is
becoming actively aware of the whole experience of eating.
How to transform your triggers:
1.Identify your feelings.
Feeling anxious: breathe; reconnect with your body to increase oxygen to the brain
Feeling sad: connect with someone you can share your feelings with, rent a sad movie…. Be with your feelings... Don’t stuff them down.
Be compassionate with yourself and others.
2.Try yoga, go for a walk in the woods, or meditate.
3.Begin a daily routine of journaling, having a cup of tea, a quiet moment.
4.Try using a smaller sized plate, or chop sticks.
5.Begin to get in touch with your hunger cues… what does it feel like to be hungry… what is going on in your body; what sensations are you
feeling physically?
Your challenge it to recognize the difference between a true hunger craving and a heart craving. An emotional (heart) craving cannot be filled
with ice cream… it is sign that you could be craving love, social acceptance or companionship.