Mood and hunger

You haven't eaten in 4 hours.

The glucose in your blood drops precipitously.

Brain cells don't have a backup glucose storage so the brain is the first organ to detect low glucose.

Adrenalin kicks in, speeding your heart rate.

Your system becomes flooded with stress hormones, causing anxiety, the shakes, a headache.

Aggression, anger and  mood swings get free rein.


Eat every 4 hours. Carry a snack. Protein and high fiber. Avoid high sugar foods.

12/4/2010

A few years ago I read an interesting book, My Stroke of Insight. I was looking back through it and wanted to share a few things from it. This is a book by a brain scientist who had a stroke.

"Peace is only a thought away, and all we have to do to access it is silence the voice of our dominating left mind." "...no one had the power to make me feel anything, except for me and my brain. Nothing external to me had the power to take away my peace of heart and mind. I may not be in total control of what happens to my life, but I certainly am in charge of how I choose to perceive my experience." "Sadly, the expression of compassion is often a rarity in our society. Many of us spend an inordinate amount of time and energy degrading, insulting, and criticizing ourselves (and others) for having made a "wrong or bad" decision. When you berate yourself, have you ever questioned: who inside of you is doing the yelling, and at whom are you yelling? Have you ever noticed how these negative internal thought patterns have the tendency to generate increased levels of inner hostility and/or raised levels of anxiety? And to complicate matters even more, have you noticed how negative internal dialogue can negatively influence how you treat others and, thus, what you attract?" "I have the ability to choose a peaceful and loving mind(my right mind), whatever my physical or mental circumstances, by deciding to step to the right and bring my thoughts back to the present moment." "Feeling deep inner peace and sharing kindness is always a choice."

"Because of food's deeper meanings, I believe it's worth a lot of patience, understanding, and self-control on the part of parents to avoid turning mealtimes into battlegrounds. I'm not even comfortable when mealtimes become bargaining sessions."

"It can be one of parents' most difficult jobs to walk the fine line between giving in to their children's whims and punishing them for what are basically healthy attempts to discover who they are."

Fred Rodgers

Today I put some pears (from our tree) in to the dehydrator, then made a peach crisp. Now I need to figure out some other way to use zucchini, I make a zucchini quiche last night and a zucchini crusted pizza the night before.

Enjoy the last of the season fresh produce before the farmers markets close for the year.

Sept. 10

"Call them rules or call them limits, good ones have this in common: They serve reasonable purposes; they are practical and within a child's capability; they are consistent; and they are an expression of loving concern."

Fred Rodgers


It's becoming easier to find a variety of wholesome food at the grocery store. You can now find whole grain pasta, cereal and bread at most stores. Check the label, it should say 100% whole wheat for example. Some companies are starting to make crackers, cookies and other packaged food without high fructose corn syrup and bleached white flour.

Try Annie's brand crackers, or cookies. I buy them when they're on sale.

Sept. 7

Discipline

You will each work out your own methods of discipline. It is most important that Mother and Father agree about your basic approach. Parents working together have a good chance of helping your child behave in a comfortable manner. Especially if they try to have a good understanding of what is reasonable to expect of their own child.

There are different tools we use to make the day a little easier for everyone.

1. Remember to speak positively rather than negatively. Say, "Let's put the books on the shelf", instead of "Don't throw the books on the floor".

2. Distraction is often a very good tool with any stubborn child of a difficult age, such as 2 1/2 or 3 1/2. So if you see resistance coming on, ask him a question, compliment him, tell him something interesting. Turn on some music or give him a bit of his favorite food.



"When we give a young child choices, we acknowledge that child's individuality. And when a child's urge to be an individual gets channeled into choice making, it's less likely to go into contrariness."

Fred Rodgers

Sept. 5 Discipline

I'm going to talk about discipline, using as my resource, Your Three Year Old by Ames and ILg.

Discipline is the setting up of rules and expectations that make desirable behavior possible.

It is recommended that you follow a discipline policy of flexible control. That you try to fit your expectations to the things it is possible for your child to perform. Considering your own child's personality and maturity level.

The more effectively you manage this, the fewer will be the incidents of disobedience and bad behavior.

I will continue with more on this subject this week.




Zucchini Crust for Pizza

I rediscovered this in my Moosewood Cookbook this week.

3 1/2 cups grated zucchini
3 eggs, beaten
1/3 cup flour
1/2 cup grated mozzarella
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1 Tbs. fresh basil, minced
or use 1/2 tsp. dried
salt and pepper

Salt the zucchini lightly and let it sit for 15 minutes. Squeeze out all the excess moisture.
Combine all ingredients and spread into an oiled 9 by 13 inch pan.
Bake 20 minutes in a 350 oven. Brush the top with oil and broil it for 4 minutes.

Top with sauce and your favorite veggies and cheese, or whatever you like.
Bake for 25 minutes at 350

Garden August 15

I've been freezing beans and broccoli. Spending time in the garden, enjoying watching everything grow.