The Reiki Cafe 

Dear ones,
I have serious food cravings and often overeat. How do I overcome it as can there be such a thing as having a passion for food? & sweets
peace,
Prosperity

mmm interesting one... i get this on and off. i seem to be better behaved when things in my life are more settled. x

Otoharo!

Yes, there is. Usually, it is a source of comfort. But this is highly individual, so you will have to find for yourself what food means to you. All mine have vanished. As well as I can remember, it started vanishing when I found my spiritual center and stay there. Gradually, I lost weight and never have to worry about food any more. I eat the foods I have learned assist my spirituality or at least do not interfere with it. whether my list in applicable for anyone else, I do not know.

These are my food changes:
No milk except clabber, kifer, or yogurt.
No meat.
Since no meat, I have to increase protein so I eat almonds ground up and added to anything I eat, expecially yogurt combinations with fruit. Yogurt is both lunch and supper or else afternoon. (twice daily)
All food is organic. (expensive)
I automatically lost cravings for anything.
I notice no degestive difficulties.

finality

Dear Prosperity,

I think Finality hit the nail on the head when she said food cravings are the result of seeking comfort. In the case of sweets, I think the sugar can give you a brief energetic boost that may be mood lifting.

Perhaps recoginizing you are seeking comfort will make it possible to change...when you have a craving, ask what it is you need comfort for. Perhaps that would diffuse the need. Or perhaps it will stop you enough to find a less destructive way to find comfort.

Rock On!
Roxy

yes im agreeing with all this... also we crave sugar and other things when we are not receiving all the necessary nutrients vitamins and minerals... etc..... if we eat a perfectly balanced diet cravings can dissapear. obviously as individuals our dietary needs all differ. one thing that helps me is to try and substitute cravings for healthier versions.... be inventive and creative. x

Knowing specific foods that are helpful or harmful is one thing, the challenge is to find the strength to act on it. Serious sweet tooth speaking here!

If you are at Level II, a lot of work with mental/emotional symbol can be helpful for this. But shoot, don't go by me, I'm still working on this topic myself. For me, weight is not as much the issue as inner balance, digestive peace or lack of it, inflammation and resulting back pain & other afflictions.

Best I can do is follow earth-guidance on good foods to eat, and not beat myself up for slipping and eating sweets.

Blessings,
Aronaya

Dear Finality,
I will attempt your diet plan. Sounds simple. Makes sense. Along with veggies it ought to work out well.
peace,
Prosperity

Absolutely food can be as strong an addiction as alcohol, and for all the same reasons.
I chose eating disorders for several years and through recovery had to learn to re-address food again in a healthier way. I did twelve-step programs, and even attended AA to work their steps---everything I heard there was pertinent and helpful, I would just substitute the word "food" for alcohol.
I'm still a certified (certifiable) foodie---love to eat, love to cook, but I don't have weight problem (either too much or too little) because I love being sane even more. I don't weigh myself, because, what's the meaning of that, anyway? Also, because I am a bellydancer I get a lot of exercise (even though it is imperative, IMHO, that the best dancers have an actual BELLY). And the other thing I have learned is that beauty and femininity are all about grace and confidence, not weight. I dance with women of all sizes and ages, some are good and some have a ways to go, but size is not an issue----joy and confidence DEFINATELY are.
Perhaps a physical hobby such as this, one that encourages you to really work it to stay strong, and encourages you to accept your physicality and embrace your Wild Woman, would be a positive step. Get out of your head, for sure!!
I also want to recommend the book "Feed Yourself Right" by Lendon Smith. It's old but very sensible and addresses how food affects many ailments, and how food allergies can affect us in many unforseen ways.
And for Pete's sake stay away from white flour and refined sugar. I'm far better at giving this advice than using it!
Love,
Coyotesong

prosperity,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- I suspect you have heard what I am about to say many times (in one form or another) but it bears repeating

- mindfulness in all things! even dark chocolate

>:-}}

- when we have some awareness of our 'processes' then it is up to us to muster our Intention to behave other than in the ways about which we have concern

- overeating is often a habit; although sometimes it may feel a bit like a 'reflex' (such as a knee jerk), it is not

- habits may be unlearned just as they were developed (learned)

- remember, all the extra comfort food and goodies are not necessary for your survival (and indeed the effects of chronic overeating may eventually be detrimental to your health)

- in such matters, unfortunately, I do not know any good substitute for mindful intention and self-control

- hope this helps

Reiki All Around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Dear Firekeeper,
Thanks for your insight. I do believe it is a habit. Drats but maybe it will get me to garden or something or I can choose some other replacement. Like better fiber pasta and healthier foods. Dark chocolate is not my weakness. Cinnamon bears are.
peace,
Prosperity

Otoharo!

Aronaya,You have reminded me of some of my processes. When I first had reiki in 93, I had chronic side pain and almost constant digeswtive problems of one sort ot another. These were the first difficulties that went away with reiki. It took some time. The side pain was an ovary, and the digestive problems were like a nervous intestines and stomach. All subsided with reiki. Now in 06, I have nothing chronic, except good health!

finality

Otoharo!

I forgot cheese. Cottage cheese is ok and a very sharp cheddar that has aged 24 days. The point is that milk is undigestible by humans unless it ferments. After fermintation, in all its forms it is highly nutritius.

We also add berries to yogurt for a good breakfast. I usually load it this way: In a pint jar, I put the yogurt, berries, honey, mutritional yeast, lecithin, oat bran, ground up almonds or walnuts and blend this in my blender, then drink it. Fantastic! The oat bran provide fiber that is very essential the older ones body gets.
finality

Dear Coyotesong,
I have also been to OA meetings which are good. Then I went out to eat but usually at a healthier place afterwards.
Thanks for the book lead. True about the white flour and sugar. Maybe I will take up belly dancing. I have always wanted to try it. Your post helps me understand better and feel less crazy about it.
thanks,
peace,
Prosperity

Thank you, prosperity.
And you are far from crazy, even when it comes to food.
One thing that Lendon Smith points out is that it is very often the foods we indulge in that we harbor an allergy to. Which of course sets up a vicious circle of reaction, need, indulgence, reaction, need indulgence....very hard to break out of.
I cannot stress enough the importance of getting out of your own head. Do something physical that doesn't give you too much time to think about YOU, whether it's dancing, bowling, softball, or even volunteering at a shelter---animal or homeless. Either way, you're making yourself or the world a healthier place, and isn't that why we're here in the first place?
You're not crazy, you're not weak, and you're certainly not alone. And while it is, very simply, a matter of the choices you make and no more complicated than that, it's still not easy. The rewards of making the changes are fabulous---just as if you were to quit smoking.
Many blessings to you, and let the joy begin!!

Dear Coyotesong and all others,
Thank you and I do appreciate all the comments regarding food cravings; allergies; stressers. I would really like to know what others do to comfort themselves yet this would most likely be better handled by posting a new subject.
thanks again!
peace,
Prosperity