Negative Self Talk: A Love Story

Sometimes you feel like you are struggling to get to the top, until you realize just how beautiful the journey is.

One day Negative Nancy met Negative Ned at the grocery store. Which, of course, never really happened because they were both so caught up in their own head that they couldn’t even acknowledge each other. Thus Negative Nancy and Negative Ned continued being negative.

Then one day Negative Nancy was checking out the strawberries because, as she told herself, “I’m so fat. I need to eat better, because this,” she grabbed her stomach, “is so disgusting.” Negative Ned was two feet away at the supplements aisle checking out the protein powder because he thought, “I need to get ripped. No woman wants to date some scrawny loser.”

Negative Nancy placed her strawberries in her cart and glanced to see an attractive man looking at supplements. That same man she saw two weeks ago. They made eye contact. She immediately looked down, slouched her posture and thought, “He’s so handsome. He can’t see me–I look horrible. Get out of here!”

As Negative Ned turned towards the fruit stand to buy some berries for his protein smoothie, he made eye contact with a beautiful woman. That same beautiful woman he saw two weeks ago. “Say something, smile. No,” he told himself, “she’d never talk to you.”

Negative Nancy and Negative Ned stole glances from time to time as they continued shopping. Finally, Negative Nancy stopped in an aisle and took a few deep breaths. “Okay. You can do this. You are a smart and caring person. Any man would be lucky to have you. Now stand up straight, and if you are lucky enough to run into him again, smile. You can do this.”

One aisle over, Negative Ned was doing the same thing, “C’mon man. You’re funny, you’re a good guy,” he told himself, “say hello and ask her a question. You got this.”

Once again, Negative Nancy and Negative Ned met… well… their carts crashed into each other.

“Whoa! I’m sorry! I should NOT drink while driving,” Ned said, holding up his water bottle and smiling.

Nancy laughed. They continued chatting and laughing, and then they realized that being Nancy and being Ned felt really good–no–it felt amazing… and Ned totally got her number. Way to go, Ned!

Aww… love stories. Now I want to hear from you. When you notice the negative self talk going on in your head, try these three tips, because you never know what you could be missing around the corner.

1. Congratulate yourself because you are aware.
2. Notice how your body is reacting (what is your posture like, how does your stomach feel, etc.).
3. Take four deep breaths and think of two positive qualities about yourself.

How do you feel now? What is helpful about these three tips? What other strategies do you use that are helpful? Sharing is caring, so leave a comment below.

Go get ’em, Tiger!

Food Play: Back to School Snacks For All Ages

It ain’t easy being green, but it sure is tasty! Use apple slices, a hard boiled egg and black olives for this healthy fun snack.

One of my favorite memories is the snack my mom fixed me when I came home from school. It was just enough food, love and thoughtfulness to get me through the homework (or after school sport) crunch before dinner. I can still taste the homemade cinnamon applesauce I dug into as my little feet dangled from the kitchen table chair–a fitting thrown to share my elementary adventures of the day.

Here are some healthy snack ideas to munch on and share while you listen to your own little (or older) trooper’s woes and adventures.

Frozen Yogurt Pops: mix plain greek yogurt with chopped fresh fruit, place in a paper cup or popsicle mold with a popsicle stick, cover it, toss it in the freezer for 3 hours (or until frozen) and take it out for snack time. Add in vanilla, raw cacao or cinnamon.

Hummus and Veggie Sticks: yes, kids will eat hummus especially if you tout its yumminess. Serve it with your kids favorite veggie like carrots, celery or red bell peppers. Play Bonus: use the hummus as the center of a flower and the veggies as the stems and petals.

Guacamole and Veggie Sticks: Serve it with your kids favorite veggies, but watch the spiciness, unless, of course, your kiddos like spice. Play Bonus: use the guacamole as a monster face and the veggies for eyes, nose and mouth.

Awesome Sauce: mix almond/cashew/sunflower seed butter with plain (no sugar added) applause and cinnamon. You can add a couple of whole nuts for extra fun crunch.

Nuttin’ But Fruit: grab your kids favorite fruit and serve it with some nuts or nut butter a la apple with almond butter. Play Bonus: use the almond butter as the center of a flower and the veggies as the stems and petals.

Ants on a Log: An oldie, but a goodie… put almond or sunflower seed butter on celery and line it with a few raisins or currents.

Baked Apple Nutty Goodness: serve it with a little almond or coconut butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

 

Carrot Hummus

I’m all about eating more vegetables any way I can–it makes me feel like Popeye minus the pipe and overbite (because the sailor look is totally in right now). Serve it with red bell pepper sticks for a healthy sweet snack or on top of grilled chicken, taco salads or eggs for a power-packed meal.

Ingredients:

1 cup raw, unsalted cashews or walnuts

8-10 medium or large carrots

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/8 cup water or good quality extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

1. Soak cashews or walnuts in filtered water for 6 hours. Drain, rinse and set aside. (QUICK TIP: you can also skip this process and use 3 Tbsp of cashew butter made with raw cashews and no other ingredients.)

2. Place 1 cup water in large stock pot and place a metal steam basket inside. Cover and bring to a boil while you peel and cut carrots into a normal stick size. Place all carrots in the steam basket, cover with a lid and cook for 20 minutes until carrots are tender.

3. Using an oven mitt, pull steam basket with the carrots out of the stock pot when done, place inside metal colander and rinse with cold water. Let cool for 5 minutes and place carrots in a food processor with the remaining ingredients. Blend on low until a hummus consistency is reached, adding more water or olive oil if needed.

4. Rock out on your carrot hummus!