3.Here’s how food works as a mood regulator: ØFirst, an emotional eater experiences an uncomfortable feeling. For example…You just had a fight with a family member and you’re feeling really angry!

ØNext, you have a FOOD THOUGHT; and you find yourself reaching for a bag of chips or cookies. (You may or may not be conscious of when or why you are having a food thought.) Once you are focused on chips, you are no longer focused on how angry you feel. The use of food as a distraction works…

ØYou eat chips, warding off anger for a little while. Then, anger comes back. Now, in addition to anger, an emotional overeater has to deal with guilt and shame he/she feels every time he or she eats chips (or any other food that he or she has labeled “forbidden”).

4.This is self-defeating cycle--the trap for an emotional eater Until you develop healthier coping strategies, and you overcome “good food vs. bad food” beliefs, only way to avoid guilt and shame that results from emotional overeating--is more emotional overeating! Every time we swear we’ll be “good” on a diet today, and then turn back to food for comfort, we feel like we have “failed”. Then, to “stuff down” our frustration, or anger, or desperation, we turn back to food.

5.So, what can you do if Emotional Eating is a problem? Make a conscious effort to become more aware of how and why you may be using food. Develop new skills for mood regulation. If you need support to do so, find appropriate professional help (find a class,hire a Coach or a Licensed Psychotherapist). The focus should be on self-care and improved emotional and physical well-being--eating well and being fit--not on dieting and weight loss. Remember, dieting is a trap for an emotional eater. Dieting just leads to more emotional eating.

Tips: ·* Parsley contains essential oils; most important one, apiole, is a kidney stimulant. Because these essential oils can stimulate uterine contractions, pregnant women should avoid eating large quantities of it. BUT, after baby is born, parsley can help tone uterus and promote lactation. ·* Don't cook parsley, because heat destroys its valuable vitamins and minerals. To retain parsley's flavor, chop herb just before using and add it to hot foods at last minute. ·* Avoid dried parsley, it is far less tasty and healthful than fresh herb. ·* Try flat leaf variety, also called Italian parsley, It has more nutrients and a better flavor than curly parsley. ·* Add parsley to compliment a dish, such as potatoes, smoked salmon, trout, poultry, pasta and vegetables. ·* Freeze fresh parsley to save preparation time in kitchen. Wash, zip seal plastic bag. You can then remove amount you need with each recipe. ·* To keep parsley fresh, sprinkle it with water, wrapping it in paper towels and refrigerating it in a plastic bag. Or place parsley stems in a glass of water, like a bunch or flowers, and refrigerate.

This Healthy Parsley spread is great on crackers, for dip or on wheat bread as a sandwich spread.

2 bunches of parsley 2 shallots or green onions ½ cup Vanilla Soy Milk or Heavy Unpasteurized Cream 1 cup Tofu cream cheese 2 Tbsp. Lemon juice Salt to taste White pepper as desired 2 scallions 2 or 4 large tomatoes Cayenne pepper to taste.

1) Wash parsley in cold water and strip leaves from stalks. Coarsely chop leaves. Peel and dice shallots. 2) Mix together Soy Milk or heavy cream, tofu cream cheese, lemon juice, parsley and diced shallots. 3) Season to taste with salt and pepper. 4) Peel scallions; cut into thin rings. Dice 2 tomatoes, season with salt and cayenne pepper to taste; mix with scallions.

When using four tomatoes cut remaining 2 tomatoes into ½ inch slices cover them with parsley spread and top with scallion mixture or use as cracker spread or sandwich filling. Will store covered for several days in fridge!

*** Lena Sanchez Author of "Handbook Of Herbs To Health & Other Secrets," "Antibiotic Alternatives To Preventing Mega Bacteria," & "Dangers & Secrets Doctors Refuse To Tell You." Online at http://www.antibiotic-alternatives.com and Editor of "Natural Environmental Health Facts & Your Home Business Coach" ezine subscribe at http://www.envirodocs.com/newsletter.htm ----------------------------------------