Well, an exciting time for me, my daughter just turned six months and was able to sit unsupported for the first time yesterday.  We have managed to successfully exclusively breast feed her so far.  BIG HIGH FIVE :)  and now it is time for another mile stone. 

Introducing infant led weaning... which by the sounds of things is going to be LOTS of fun.  And it involves no puree` and no special meals or jars of baby food.  Just a place mat, a high chair and some appropriate foods and a baby... and an eager parent camera in hand.

There is some wonderful information I have come across about infant lead weaning but really I have my special friend to thank because she introduced me to it.  I stood in amazement as I watched her 7 month old feed herself and REALLY enjoying getting into different flavours, foods and enjoying the tastes and textures from chicken pieces to cherry tomatoes to mango.

If you have a little one... I would highly recommend it... and will let you know how I go :)

I shudder these days when I hear this phrase, "Oh well what doesn't kill you makes you stronger."  In a nutshell the problems I have with it are: It's probably not true, and it's misdirective, it drives you into dangerous ground where your boundaries, health and choices are concerned.  And it is actually really limited thinking.  Imagine the program you have to run to make it true.  And what is the underlying message? "Things that might kill, hurt or stress me may be good for me", "Ignore natural avoidance signals". 

In fact, if you are in stress and fear, you are in protection mode, not growth mode. Fear prevents and limits growth because your energy and resources are directed elsewhere.  Bruce Lipton has some fabulous stuff on this, getting right into the biology and nature, nurture debates.  

And in fact it is not good for you to repeatedly expose yourself to "hardship", it actually lessens your resolve, not strengthens it.  People who have experienced post traumatic stress, acute anxiety or depression always have a greater tendency towards that forever after not increased resilience as this phrase might imply. 

Alternatively positive experiences, or winning will make you stronger.  Check out this video. 

Vitamin C was discovered today by Albert von Szent-Györgyi de Nagyrápolt (September 16, 1893 – October 22, 1986), many years ago!  This amazing man is also credited for "his discoveries in connection with the biological combustion process with special reference to vitamin C and the catalysis of fumaric acid". In 1938, he began work on the biophysics of muscle movement. He found that muscles contain actin, which when combined with the protein myosin and the energy source ATP, contract muscle fibers. 1937." 

He received a Nobel Prize for his efforts.

Vitamin C is one of the most remarkable vitamins, as well as being important for our immune system, it is a powerful antioxidant, it is essential for forming scar tissue.

It is abundant in fresh fruit like guavas, oranges, kiwis, berries, and even the humble potato.  As vitamin C is water soluble though and an unstable vitamin it is easily destroyed by heat and oxidation. 

Radio interview with Donna King on ABC on her "Learn something New" show:  Trans fats, what are they and why should you care?

The Golden Secrets to Allowing your Body to LOVE Moving

These pearls of wisdom are shared with you by a man who understands movement, strength and power better than anyone I have ever met.  I asked Rohan O'Reilly (Founder of Mandala Keys) if he would share his secret tips and strategies to getting more out of movement and how to enjoy it more.  Here was his very wise response:

"Firstly, do not do movement (as in exercises) that you do not have positive feelings about.  There is no need and it can actually do you more harm than good.  One of the keys to maintaining a positive body image is feeling good about what you do to your body. People most often fail to achieve happiness in this respect as a result of not treating their bodies like their bodies would like to be treated. Unless you REALLY enjoy being run and pushed to the point of exhaustion whilst being shouted at i.e. boot camp style, don't do it. 

Why is this is so important? 

Well, your body, your nervous system and your emotions are all connected (inseparable in fact) and they all know what they like and don't like.  Everything you do therefore sends a signal and a pattern in motion, and you respond to that, either positively or negatively.  And the feedback is "this is good for me", or "this is hurting me".  So with this in mind, here are three steps that literally have the power to transform the way you feel about exercising and your body responds to movement.

Step 1:

Forget about exercise and start thinking about movement.  And move in a way you body responds positively to. Movement could mean anything from salsa dancing to Olympic weight lifting. Ask yourself, what do you like doing?  Does your body enjoy walking, does your body enjoy the challenge of weight lifting and figuring out where it's strength point is, does your body respond well to endurance: nice long bike rides but feels depleted and stressed from high intensity sprints?  Do you feel happy and energized after a Zumba or dance class or is a spin class more your thing?

Step 2:

Understand the difference between sheer effort and intelligent movement strategies.  This is a BIG deal!  Just because you are red faced, sweating and puffed out doesn't mean it's an effective weight loss activity.  This might sound unbelievable but it's in fact the truth. The reason has to do with how your nervous system responds to different types of stress and changes in blood chemistry. Traditionally we have been taught that aerobic movement is the best choice for weight loss, however we now know this is not entirely true.  In fact, the most effective exercise choices you can make are: the ones that give you the biggest return holistically for the time and effort you invest.

Think about it, if you were to compare how people look and feel after coming out of a Zumba or social dance class, big smiles on their face, chatting in high energy tones, as opposed to those who have just finished being pushed beyond their limits in an air conditioned mind numbing rpm class with overly loud bad music and no social interaction, which activity do you think will give you more "bang for your buck"? 

There are definite benefits to riding your bike outside in a beautiful natural environment and having a great conversation with someone you like, if you can, as opposed to paying to ride somebody else's stationary bike in an artificial (air conditioned) environment.  Laboratory derived calorie burning statistics should only be one part of why you are choosing a particular movement, instead, in my experience the most important factor to consider, or the most important question you should be asking yourself is: "How does it make your soul feel?" The feel good component will be the difference between forcing yourself to do something because you think it's good for you and automatically engaging in a life long habit because it feels good, and this will have the knock of benefit of improving all areas of your life.

Step 3:

Be Present. To make the best of of whatever movement activities you engage in remember be present, do it with passion, be conscious of what your body is telling you and just feel it!"

By Roald Dahl Roald Dahl

Hunger hormone may increase in times of stress.

This could explain why often people want to eat more in response to stress.

 It is known that fasting causes ghrelin, a hunger hormone, to be produced in the gastrointestinal tract, which sends a signal to the brain that essentially increases our appetite.  Interesting research has found that exposure to stress can also cause ghrelin levels to rise.  This may be because the body anticipates that it will have increased need for resources or kick in primal survival and danger cues as a form of preparation for disaster.  However, paradoxically, it appears that the behaviours associated with depression and anxiety will tend to decrease as ghrelin levels rise.  Researchers have explained this might have been an evolutionary adaptation: the anti-anxiety effect of hunger-induced ghrelin may have provided a survival advantage.  Our hunter - gatherer ancestors who need to make food accumulation a priority, where able to keep calm and focused while in search of food, or they could have been at risk of becoming dinner themselves should they not have their wits about them. 

So while the ghrelin increase could have an antidepressant effect and possibly even increase energy levels, it could contribute to weight problems.  Similarly researchers are optimistic at blocking the body's response to ghrelin signals in an attempt to control weight by decreasing intake, however this could actually increase anxiety and depression.  It seems that could be a vicious cycle for someone who is prone to comfort eating.  They would feel more anxious and look for food even more to soothe.

Getting hungrier in response to stress and eating more when added to another physiological response to stress, make stress a key player and culprit in weight problems.

Another interesting factor that appears to make stress a contributor to poor weight control is the body's physiological response.  Stressed individuals tend to have increased abdominal fat receptors around their gut, and so will have a tendency to be able to store more or put on more weight during times of times, particularly chronic or ongoing stress.  

So what else could you do with your mouth and stomach in a response to stress that makes you feel better, increases endorphins and has a positive effect on your waistline?

Laugh!

There is a lot of research highlighting the stress management benefits of laughter:

1. Laughter reduces the level of stress hormones like cortisol, adrenalin, dopamine and growth hormone. 
2. Laughter provides a physical and emotional release, often you can feel really cleansed and invigorated from a good laugh.
3. Laughter gives you a good internal workout.  It exercises your facial muscles, your diaphragm, your heart, contracts your abs and shoulders and leaves muscles feeling more relaxed afterwards.
4. Laughter is a great distraction, if helps bring your focus away from negative emotions like anger or guilt. 
5. Laughter is a great connector and so has social benefits.
6. Laughter helps you shift perspective.  Humour can give you a more lighthearted perspective so that something is viewed as a challenge rather than a threat.
7. Laughter can help you to alter your state.  Even a fake or forced laugh or smile can have a positive effect on your physiology, so lift up the corners of your mouth, throw back your head and LAUGH OUT LOUD!

Some times it is necessary to get out of your head and empty your mind.  Bruce Lee likens it to being "like water my friend".

Meditation, focus, determination... and emptying your mind can be great weapons against any opponent... particularly your thoughts.

How do you know if you are suffering from compulsive eating?

Your relationship with food, whether good or poor should not be underestimated. Here are some signs of compulsive eating:

Signs of Compulsive Eating:

• Think about food a lot.

• Eat to relieve worry or stress.

• Continue to eat even after feeling sick from eating too much.

• Become anxious while eating.

• Daydream or worry while eating.

• Overeat.

• Eat too fast.

• Eat everything on the plate.

• Feel guilty when you eat.

• Eat secretly.

• Cannot eat one cookie, or any treat that you really like.

• Binge after a diet.

• Hunger makes you feel fearful and uncomfortable.