Some carbohydrates raise the blood sugar more than others. Refined, processed carbohydrates, such as white rice, potato chips, and white flour, are much harder for your body to break down. Complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains, brown rice, and vegetables, cause minimal to moderate increases in your blood sugar. By cutting back on bad carbohydrates, you force your body to use fat reserves for energy which results in a healthier metabolism and balance.

The other source of energy our body uses are proteins and fats. Eaten alone, protein and fat do not raise Insulin levels. In order for your body to store fat, Insulin must be present. Our bodies need protein and good fats (unprocessed) for healthy cells, good skin, strong, lean muscles, concentration, and a stable mood. If you do not “combine” Protein/Fats with Carbohydrates, you will not store fat.
The purpose of Food Combining is to balance and regulate your body at its optimal level. The benefits are a lean body, increased energy, increased concentration, and elevated mood. Food Combining is not a diet. Diets are short-term and restrictive. Food Combining is a healthy way of eating that you can follow the rest of your life. Deciding to make a change in your Lifestyle takes effort, and some getting used to. Once you practice the concepts of Food Combining, break bad habits, and see the results, you will find the principles become second nature. A healthier you will emerge!

Notes and Summary:

*There are two Meal Choices:
1. Protein/Fats and Veggies
2. Carbs and Veggies

*Once your body becomes completely balanced, and you look and feel the way you like, you can start adding Carbohydrates in moderation to your Protein meals.

*ShapeWorks Shakes are meal replacements for either type of meal having both protein and good carbohydrates.

*Nuts are best eaten alone as they contain both protein and carbohydrates.

*Before beginning any change in eating habits, diet, or exercise always consult your physician.

By: Life Coach Nova Reed Copyright © Step Stones For Life 2009 Food Combining

1. Clear away “untruths”

Untruths comprise a limited self-definition of oneself inconsistent with your soul. They are by definition untrue to your soul. Untruths can be difficult for the individual to spot, but speak clearly through language. I look for untruths in my clients within the language that they use, such as I can’t, or I shouldn’t. Experiences of the past can reinforce untruths and quietly convince us we can’t accomplish our goals, find true love, or trust. By delving into the experiences that have somehow supported an untruth, while at the same time finding experiences that contradict this limited self-belief, the untruth becomes an apparent road block to burst through. Your soul has been waiting to plow through that road block, and has been providing you clues to investigate the validity of your pain, frustration, and unhappiness. Happiness is living congruently with your soul, serving your purpose, and reaching your destiny. Make the decision to break free from hindering self-doubt, conformity, and hesitation. Clear the way for your soul.

2. Clear away physical congestion

Physical Congestion results from imbalance – emotional, physical, and spiritual. Physical symptoms of stress such as headaches, muscle pains, and fatigue are flashing red lights to take notice and care for yourself. Exercise in moderation filtered into your daily routine provides a sure way to address imbalance and clear the way for positive energy. Diet remains a hot issue in our society, and fad diets have hit an all time high. Here’s the key when seeking to live congruently with your soul: Moderation – simple, effective, and doable. Feed your soul with foods that will comfort you physically. Now this is a trick sentence, as processed foods we tend to think of as “comfort” food, do not comfort you physically, but rather poison our body’s natural ability to metabolize and burn our food as fuel. Comfort food in my book comforts your body naturally by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, giving you more energy, and satiating hunger. Don’t leave your soul hungry! What do you eat? My rule of thumb is…anything that God makes is OK to eat, whole grains, natural proteins, veggies, and fruit. Protein has been a focus of study after study, finding that our bodies need protein to maintain health, mentally and physically. Eat small meals frequently throughout the day rather than three large meals. Focus on eating to live rather than living to eat.

3. Listen to your soul

Once you have cleared the way, your soul will speak more clearly. The voice will sound like a familiar whisper of intuition, a nudge in the right direction. And when you listen, well, I get chills. Your body will signal when you get it right. Your life will signal when you are listening to your soul. Your relationships will improve, your outlook on life will be brighter, and your whole being will be at peace. You may not be consciously aware you are moving in the right direction until you reach a milestone which signals your arrival of success. Staying on your path takes work, so when you feel off balance – stop – and refocus. Follow the steps above again until you find your path to fulfillment once again. The more you focus on living congruently with your soul, the brighter your path will become. The brighter your path becomes, the more detailed your preferred life will become. The more detailed your preferred life, the richer your experience in the world becomes. The richer your experience in the world, the more meaning you find in your life. The more meaning you have in your life, the greater your purpose becomes…and you become congruent with your soul.

Here’s to your journey!

Comments? Questions? Please feel free to post your comments or questions at the bottom of the page. We all learn and grow from each other.

Author: Nova Reed, M.A., Life Coach
Website: www.StepStonesForLife.com

You can contact Nova by email: Nova@StepStonesForLife.com
Or Call: 949-858-2442

*Consult your physician before beginning any exercise routine or modifying your diet, especially if you have been inactive or have health concerns.

Step Stones For Life Copyright © 2006

Would you like to live fully with vitality, health, and prosperity? The secret to living a content, happy, and productive life is finding balance. Realizing the state of being balanced includes emotional stability, physical strength, spiritual harmony, and the means to decide. The decision to influence or determine the outcome of one’s life by being balanced requires dedication, effort, and fluidity. Just relaxing, getting away, recharging your batteries, while very beneficial, is not enough to achieve living a balanced life. Balance implies a continuous state, a push and pull in equal directions resulting in complete stability to waver any wobbles in life while remaining sure footed enough to succeed.

The concept of balance often arises in my sessions. In fact, most seek help because some part of their life is “out of balance” and the discomfort pushes them to reach out. It is so with your health as well. When your throat hurts beyond toleration, you go to the doctor knowing treatment can alleviate the discomfort. The same is true for disharmony within the family and yourself. Being a Life Coach, I have the fantastic position to offer help at all levels. Whether your life is a little out of balance, or in complete turmoil, I can be of assistance and help you find comfort.

I often think back in my life and recall lessons I’ve learned that have helped me integrate all my studies in psychology, health, wellness, and coaching. One visual that I often picture is walking the balance beam. I was once a competitive gymnast. I loved everything about gymnastics. Using your body to create something beautiful to watch, reaching and stretching outside of what others could do, and finding that perfect state of “balance”. I would get lost in the rhythmic motions and tune out the whole world, focused on movement, balance, and creation. I can recall my coach telling me the one factor that continually put me ahead on the beam was my ability to trust myself, and not be afraid. Living a balanced life reminds me of the same dedication, concentration, and movements on the balance beam.

Imagine a 2 ½ inch beam, on which you will not only walk, but do cartwheels, back-flips, and spin around full circle on the ball of your feet. Managing the challenges of life is a lot like walking the balance beam. You learn very quickly, if you loose concentration, you WILL fall, and guess what? It hurts! So you are motivated to stay on course. Much the same, if you loose focus with your life, it hurts. It hurts physically, emotionally, and financially.

The act of walking the balance beam, and walking a balanced life requires three simple steps:

1. FOCUS

Focus not on the beam itself below you, but directly ahead. Looking ahead in life manifests movement forward, keeps your head up, and creates a goal. Intense concentration requires a knowing of your abilities, concern only for what really matters, and a relaxed energy that guides you so deeply it seems without thought.

2. FAITH

How do you know where to put your next step if you don’t look down? By trusting you know the way to the end of beam. When you reach out to take a step, you hold your arms out for balance, focus on the end of the beam, and gently dip your foot along the side of the beam to feel your placement. As you brush the side of the beam, you feel confidence and deliberately place your foot ahead of you. Faith is having trust the beam will be there, trust in your ability to stay on course, and trust in the outcome.

3. DEDICATION

The beauty of fluidity comes from constant practice. Repeating the same routine over and over until you could close your eyes and still see the end of the beam. Living a balanced life is exactly the same. Practice focusing on your goals. Practice trusting and having faith. Practice holding your arms out, taking steps, and believing in yourself.

I believe in you.

Start living a balanced life. Call or email me to walk a balanced life.

With warmth,

Life Coach Nova

Email: Nova@StepStonesForLife.com
Office: 949.858.2442
Toll Free: 877-484-LIFE

START LIVING!!!

Step Stones For Life Copyright © 2008 Including the right to reproduction in whole or in part of any form. The contents of this article may be forwarded with appropriate credits and contact information included.

“I want to be happy.” I hear those words a lot. So many are moving through life just going through the motions and waiting for happiness to just come to them. Interestingly, the definition of happiness includes good fortune or luck, implying there is some element of unforeseen prosperity by chance. How do you fall into the graces of good fortune, luck and happiness? I believe quite deliberately by attending to the spirit, your purpose, and maintaining balance.

Your quest for happiness lies deeply within you stemming from your spirit’s yearning to be present and feel joy. Remaining emotionally present requires letting go of past regrets while holding on to accomplishments, having a solid plan or vision for your future, and remaining balanced.

The state of being balanced includes all facets of your being working together equally creating a pyramid of strength. The shape of the pyramid represents the multidimensional, yet simple form of 3 vertices. Each corner represents an aspect of self. The peak apex of the pyramid represents your spirit; the bottom two corners represent your physical and mental (emotional/intellectual) state. If all three are strong and nurtured, then your pyramid will be strong and full. If one happens to be unattended to, then the pyramid collapses. Picture a weakened or absent spirit; the pyramid would collapse into a straight line. How difficult do you imagine happiness would be to experience while in a flat state?

The presence of joy happens to be all around you. To catch moments of joy, you must be emotionally present living in the now, today, with enthusiasm. The key to living with enthusiasm lies within your creation of your vision, or what I name your Preferred Life. Your vision creates a picture of what exactly you are moving toward; your purpose, a place of fulfillment. Finding your Path to Fulfillment leads you to living your life with happiness, and in so doing, the symptoms of depression, sadness, and lack of joy dissipate.

When you find your path, it’s like magic. Your whole perspective of yourself, others, and life shifts. You will see everything differently. You will find the ability to be happy. The Path to Fulfillment leads to the future without anxiety. The future is created by actively and purposefully creating your life. Trust lights up your Path to Fulfillment like shimmering pebbles of faith. You will notice colors, reflections, and emotions you never experienced before. You will be present for joy to walk with you, arm in arm, as if to share with you the secrets of life.

Happiness will be present in your life as long as you are present to experience and walk with joy. Grace becomes a disposition of life, a presence of good fortune you are actively living while walking your path. Everyone has a Path to Fulfillment where joy, happiness, and purpose join your quest and movement through the world. Each step moves you closer to your Preferred Life, and yet the journey itself will bring you joy in the effortless magnetic pull toward your created destiny.

Find your Path to Fulfillment, and build your bridge to happiness.

Here’s to your journey,
Life Coach Nova

To contact Life Coach Nova:
Email: Nova@StepStonesForLife.com
Call: 949-858-2442

Step Stones For Life ©2007 All Rights Reserved