Cravings Rx

Although truly transforming your cravings needs to be about more than just a quick fix, I thought sharing a couple of helpful tools and hints could at least take the edge of and allow for a more relaxed introspection into the true nature of your cravings.

What is a craving?
“An intense, urgent, or abnormal desire or longing “
Source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/craving
Cravings = critical pieces of information that tell you what your body needs.

It does not matter what you crave, the important thing is to understand why you crave what you crave.
Key: Look at the foods, deficits, behaviors in your life that are the underlying cause of your cravings.
When you do have a craving, pause and ask, “what is really going on here?”

It is important to really begin to listen to your body, not just try to shut it up. It is trying to tell you something, so patience and attention are required.

Often times, though, when a craving strikes, we may be in a weak and vulnerable state and just not centered enough to address the core of the issue. This is where the “tool kit” comes in. These are some personal tools that I use when emotional stability has left the building:

Deep breathing – Close your eyes and take 10 slow, long and deep breaths right into the belly. This can be amazingly calming, centering and energizing. Often times this allows that urgency to subside, so that you may be able to act more consciously.

Essential oils – Essential oils are invaluable for addressing the “emotional body”. They enter directly through our olfactory system (the smelling system), which has been shown to correllate very directly and immediately to the emotional state. The effects can be immediate and the side effects are none. Young Living are some of the highest quality oils I have used and they have masterful blends that are wonderful at transforming negative or harmful emotional states.

Valor, Peace & Calming, Joy, Harmony, Live with Passion, Motivation, Inner Child or Release are just a few to start with. Rub a drop or two in your palms and inhale for an immediate effect.

Quick fix: Squash your cravings with a drop or two of Young Living peppermint oil. Place a drop or two on the back of your hand, then lick it off. Pure peppermint essential oil has been shown to depress appetite, especially when it is more of a psychological desire. (Note: It is only okay to ingest oils that have been approved for internal use such as Young Living. Do not try this with just any brand)

Flower Essences – These are a very personal journey, so I will not be making any specific recommendations. What I will say is that they can be so effective at balancing emotions in a very subtle and completely non-toxic way. It is best to consult with someone who uses flower essences or use the quick reference guides that usually accompany the display at your natural foods store. Because these are completely safe, experimenting a little to find the right formula for you poses no risk of toxicity or harm.

Blue green algae – Both spirulina and blue green algae (see E3 Live on my recommended products page) have been shown to balance blood sugar, provide the body with valuable trace minerals and suppress cravings. Their ability to uplift and energize could help you feel a little better when the emotional roller coaster hits.

(See my article on blue green algae on my examiner.com page)

Again, it is important to not see your cravings as the enemy, but secret information that may need a little decoding. Check in to see what may be missing in your diet or your life. With practice the mystery will unravel.