Constructive Mind-Games

You have experienced trying to get what you want from someone by playing a mind game. Maybe you are irritated with your friend because she did something rude or plain annoying. Instead of approaching her and stating the facts, you play a mind game. Maybe you reciprocate her action to help her “understand how it feels,” or even worse, maybe you avoid her and terminate communication to “teach her a lesson.”

The truth is you are friends with her for a reason. Initially, something about your friend attracted you to her; she possesses something that positively benefits your life. Is a mind game the answer solving her rude or annoying actions? Probably not; however, in extreme circumstances, mind games strengthen relationships! The positive application of a mind game that I am about to describe is the answer to solving your relationship with healthy food!

My husband LOATHES yogurt; the smell disgusts him and the consistency repulses him. James is not friends with yogurt; however, yogurt’s life giving qualities including, life active cultures, complete protein, calcium, vitamin B2, vitamin B12, potassium, magnesium, and zinc helped him to realize that yogurt has something that positively benefits his life. How will he confront his repulsion for yogurt’s annoying smell and consistency? The answer is simple; he will play a mind game.

We tricked James mind into a consensual relationship with yogurt. You may ask, "how did James look past his hatred for yogurt?" This is a wonderful question, and the answer is mischievous! We played a deceitful and successful mind game with James’ brain. We learned that if we slipped yogurt into a “super food” breakfast shake, James forgot all about his repulsion for this almighty super food. The best part, James looks forward to his morning dose of yogurt, and his body appreciates the positive life-giving qualities the yogurt offers!

Mind-Game Breakfast Shake

1 cup of low-fat fat free plain yogurt
1 cup of berries- blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries mixed
1 cup of low fat or fat free soymilk
1 cup of 100% organic, not from concentrate orange juice
2 tablespoons of flax seed
1 tray of ice cubes
Mix in a blender for 2 minutes and ENJOY!
Yields= 4 16 ounce glasses of yummy-ness.

What powerful healthy foods do you avoid? Can you change your relationship with healthy food by playing a mind-game? Let your creatively soar; I challenge you to find a way to incorporate “loathsome” healthy food in your diet!

Helpful tips for buying the “right” yogurt:

1. Always buy low-fat or nonfat varieties
2. READ the label- you do not want artificial colors OR flavors- sorry chocolate pie, cream pudding, vanilla…you are OUT!
3. Check the expiration date- your body DESERVES fresh yogurt
4. Live cultures (probiotics) - TRUST ME your gut LOVES these bad boys! *L.acidophilus, S. thermophilus, L. bulgaricus, B. bifidus, L. casei, and L. reuteri- THE MORE THE MERRIER!

You follow these steps, and you ask, “What’s in this for me?

1. Decreased risk for cancer- THANK YOU LIVE CULTURES! J
2. Decrease allergies (eczema, milk allergy, nasal, GI)- Again, LIVE CULTURES!
3. Regulate the poop shoot- AGAIN….LIVE CULTURES
4. Decrease blood pressure & cholesterol…who knew Live cultures could do so much?
5. Decrease/reduce ulcers- probiotics help to “beat up” h.pylori a bacteria that causes ulcers and gastric cancer.