Here’s an excerpt from “Linchpin- Are You Indispensable” by Seth Godin (pg. 109):

“The first part of our brain, the part that shows up first in the womb, the part that was there a million years ago– that’s our lizard brain.  The lizard brain is in charge of fight or flight, of anger, and of survival.  That’s all we used to need, and even now, when there’s an emergency, the lizard brain is still in charge.

There are several small parts of your brain near the end of your spinal cord responsible for survival and other wild-animal traits.  The whole thing is called the basal ganglia, and there are two almond-shaped bits in everyone’s brain.  Scientists call these the amygdala, and this mini-brain apparently takes over whenever you are angry, afraid, aroused, hungry, or in search of revenge.

It’s only recently that our brains evolved to allow big thoughts, generosity, speech, consciousness, and yes, art.  When you look at a picture of the brain, the new part is what you see: the neocortex. That’s the wrinkly gray part on the outside. It’s big, but it’s weak.  In the face of screaming resistance from the amygdala, the rest of your brain is helpless.  It freezes and surrenders.  The lizard takes over and tries to protect itself.

The challenge, then, is to create an environment where the lizard snoozes.  You can’t beat it, so you must seduce it.  One part of your brain worries about survival and anger and lust.  The rest of it creates civilization.

This is part metaphor, part biology.  The lizard brain is here to keep you alive; the rest of your brain merely makes you a happy, successful, connected member of society.

So the two parts duke it out.  And when put on alert, the lizard brain wins, every time, unless you’ve established new habits and better patterns– patterns that keep the lizard at bay.

(Excerpted from “Linchpin- Are You Indispensable” by Seth Godin)

Do you have to miss out on good tasting food to achieve weight loss?

At Feel Good Buzz, we don’t believe that you need to (or should have to) snack on flavorless, cardboard-like foods, (like rice cake), to lose weight- it’s just not our idea of a fun way or the best way to celebrate life!  The truth is, you really don’t have to eat bland, boring foods to get permanently healthier and slimmer. According to Daniel G. Amen, who is a physician, psychiatrist, brain imaging specialist, bestselling author and the CEO and medical director of Amen Clinics, Inc., “Fast weight loss programs don’t work because nobody learns how to change their life.” This is why, at FGB, we advocate eating great, delicious food while gradually and naturally losing weight at the same time.  When you choose the high quality, nutritionally dense foods we recommend and have a willingness to experiment, permanent, natural weight loss success can be a fun and a cinch.

Make the Right Food Choices

If the foods you are eating are unhealthy, it may be impossible to lose weight.  However, when you stick with fresh ingredients and avoid processed food products, you set yourself up for success. (FYI, anything that comes in a box, the freezer, a jug or a can is considered processed.)

Foods to have as staples in your healthy life:

• Fresh fish
• Naturally raised meats
• Organic poultry
• Organic whole eggs
• Raw nuts
• Fresh herbs
• Fresh fruits and vegetables

(The additives in non-natural foods are what contribute to weight gain, diabetes, cancer, hypertension and other health problems.  Also, aim to eat organic or pesticide-free whenever possible with all foods you consume.)  Natural/chemical-free/organic foods tend to have fewer calories and more nutrients and this is why they are healthier for you.

Experiment with Recipes, Flavors and Cooking Methods

Even if you love grilled chicken, maintain your sanity and interest and don’t eat it every day.  Keep yourself from getting bored with your diet by experimenting with different recipes. Don’t be afraid to peruse cookbooks, look online and use your imagination to prepare new, fresh, mouthwatering meals.

Tips:

• Make it a point to swap unhealthy ingredients that you come across in recipes for healthier ones. For example, if a recipe calls for regular dairy milk, replace it with healthier, alkalizing almond milk instead. You can even add a new flavor to a dish by switching out spices and seasonings too.
• Try varying your cooking methods too to keep your food interesting and give it a different taste. If you always broil your steak, for example, try something healthier, like sautéing it, or covering it with olive oil and grilling it instead.

Recipe Ideas

(These are great examples of the easy, healthy, yummy meals you can create if you are willing to experiment with new recipes.)

1. Healthy French Toast:

Ingredients:

• 2 slices of Sprouted Grain, Spelt or Rice bread
• 1 tablespoon of real butter
• 2 whole organic eggs
• maple syrup
• cinnamon

Directions: Mix the eggs in a bowl. Dip the bread in the egg mixture until it is completely coated on both sides. Heat a pan on low to medium heat and add the butter. Once the butter is melted, add the egg coated bread and cook each side for 3 to 4 minutes. Sprinkle the toast with cinnamon and serve it with 2 teaspoons of maple syrup.

2. Baked Chicken:

Ingredients:

• 1 whole, organic/natural baking chicken
• extra virgin coconut oil
• Italian seasoning (You can also make your own with thyme, parsley, oregano, garlic powder, sea salt and pepper.)

Directions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place 2 tablespoons of coconut oil in a small pan and melt it over low heat. Mix 1 to 2 teaspoons of each of your spices in a small bowl and pour in the melted coconut oil. Mix all the ingredients together. Let the spice and coconut oil mixture cool.

Rub the spice and oil mixture under the skin of the chicken with your hands. Once the chicken is completely coated, place it breast side down in a glass baking pan and pop it in the oven. Let the chicken cook for 1 to 2 hours until it’s done.

Your dream of permanent health, vitality and weight loss is just a click away with this great, highly rated, natural weight loss program: http://www.finetunedliving.com

(Watch the video on the link to find out how this program can help you eat great and lose weight too!)

“I want to eat healthy, local food but I have no time, not much money and no clue how to pull it off.  What can I do?” – said by pretty much everyone

Slow, healthy food shouldn’t have to cost more than fast food. It shouldn’t be harder to feed our children fruit than it is to feed them Froot Loops. But against the odds, every day there are people all over the country who manage to cook healthy food on a budget. We need to make cooking and eating this way a possibility for everyone.  If you know how to cook, then teach others.  If you want to learn, this is your chance.  By coming together, we’re sending a message to our nation’s leaders that too many people live in communities where it’s harder to buy fruit than Froot Loops.

SLOW FOOD USA IS LAUNCHING THE $5 CHALLENGE

This September 17, you’re invited to help take back the ‘value meal‘ by getting together with family, friends and neighbors for a slow food meal that costs no more than $5 per person. Find an event happening near you, host a dinner, or have a potluck. This day will give us a clearer sense of what needs to change about the way food works, in order to make this a reality for everyone. Bringing people together around the table is the best way to build a movement of more enlightened eaters and more engaged citizens. We need both.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED: Take the pledge to share a meal with family and friends, find a local meal or host your own. If the date doesn’t work you, you can still take the pledge to show your support — and Slow Food USA will send you $5 cooking tips and updates on the campaign.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the goal of the day?
The goal is to take back the ‘value meal’ – because slow food shouldn’t have to cost more than fast food. We’re asking people to share what they do in their kitchens and with their families to cook fresh, healthy food on a budget. And by coming together on this day, we’re sending a message to our nation’s leaders that too many people live in communities where it’s harder to feed children fruit than Froot Loops. Everyone should be able to afford and have access to real food, every day.

What will people do that day?
Get together with friends, family and neighbors for slow food meals that cost less than $5 per person. The meals can be potlucks, dinners, workshops, or anything else – as long as it’s less than $5 and you register online. No event is too small.

Who can organize a meal?
Anyone! Many of the events are being organized by Slow Food chapters across the country, but anyone can take the challenge.

What if I’m busy on September 17?
You can take the $5 Challenge any time! Take the pledge in order to show your support, and we’ll send you $5 cooking tips and updates on the campaign.

What’s slow food?
Slow food – the opposite of fast food – is healthy, local, and delicious. It’s food that’s good for you, good for farmers and workers, and good for the planet.

(Excerpted from: Slow Food USA: http://donate.slowfoodusa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=5_challenge_about&JServSessionIdr004=au7k34rco1.app339a)

“The best way to change other people’s behavior, is to start by changing your own.” (Dr. Daniel G. Amen)

Do you own or work at a business with multiple employees?

If you do, Subway is sponsoring a free community outreach program as part of a national goodwill publicity campaign.

As part of Subway’s program, a volunteer doctor who specializes in nutrition & stress management will come on-site to your company and give a 30-minute presentation during a complimentary catered Subway breakfast or lunch!

All you need to do is register at www.workhealthy2011.org and you will be contacted by an event coordinator. You can also ask about their free health screenings (blood pressure, etc.) as well as self defense, yoga, massage etc.

Note: This is not a Feel Good Buzz endorsement of Subway’s goodwill campaign.  In fact, if your company ends up participating in this freebie, we’d love to get your feedback on it! (It’d be interesting to know if Subway is into promoting real, natural health or just the same old traditional western medicine model of things.)