Great is the man who has not lost his childlike heart.
- Mencius
Be Childlike
Growing up on the east side of Detroit, I recall summer days spent with my brother and friends jumping rope, selling lemonade, swimming, and riding our bikes throughout the neighborhood. Back then, we played outside all day long – neighbors knew and talked to one another and parents received daily “reports” on what their children did throughout the day. Rarely did we watch television – we were too busy getting lost in our imagination. Back then, the illumination of the streetlights was our only clue that it was time to get home.
Think back to your favorite childhood memory – when you became so wrapped up in playing, imagining or creating that you didn’t want to stop when it was time to eat. Where were you? What time of year was it? What smells did you smell? Were you exploring or playing in a sandbox? Were you swinging on a swing or sledding down a hill? Were you with friends or spending quiet time alone? Do you remember leaving your meal half-eaten to run off and continue playing?
You're So Childish
Most children innately understand that food is secondary to what is most nutritious and primary in life: fun and play. As adults we seem to have lost our instinct to prioritize play. In our busy world, with its emphasis on work and responsibility, to be healthy and balanced we must work on more than just our bodies; we must feed our hearts, minds and spirits. Have you noticed that when your body, mind and spirit are engaged in a creative project or happy relationship, your reliance on food seems to decrease? Likewise, when you are unsatisfied with your relationships, your job or other areas of your life, you may depend on food to cheer, soothe or numb you. When your life is out of balance, no amount of food can feed you where you truly need nourishment. The food that we eat is very important for health and balance, but what really feeds us—a full and fulfilling life—doesn’t come on a plate. What is fun for you? What makes you light up? What excites you? Make time for it this week. Even if you don’t have much time for fun, try approaching a “serious” activity with an attitude of play. This can greatly reduce stress and anxiety and bring more pleasure to your day. Take your focus off food, try adding more fun into your life and watch the magic unfold.
Occasionally, when I become aware of a heightened level of stress, I head for the swings. It doesn’t matter to me that I receive looks as if to imply I don’t belong there – I’m "in the zone" at that moment, leaning back and staring into the sky. It actually doesn’t take me too long to get grounded and it’s amazing how easily my breathing pattern slows and my head seems to clear. We all have that one thing that can make us feel childlike – coloring, drawing, singing, skipping, or giggling with an old friend.
NOTE: Unfortunately, for some, their family circumstances didn’t allow them to be a child. Those who had to parent a parent or raise a sibling might not have been afforded the experience of childlike amazement or pure innocence. Others might have experienced trauma or abuse, divorce or unexpected death. Without a strong support system, a "wounded" child might never have known what it means to feel safe and secure. Conceivably, being burdened with grown-up responsibilities at a very young and impressionable age presents a completely different childhood “experience.” However, there is something quite profound in being able to go back to that child who still exists within us and say, "It wasn't your fault. You didn't do anything wrong, you were just a little kid."
Even if you didn’t have an ideal childhood, I encourage you to regularly reclaim your innocence and redefine what being childlike in a safe and supportive environment looks and feels like for you. Reach out to others who know about your experiences growing up or find a support group. But whatever you do, commit to yourself to play, have fun, laugh and take time to be a bit childish.
Get Busy: Your action item for the month of January is to become childlike - go sledding or ice skating, make a snow angel...live mindfully as if you were a kid again.
Food For Thought: Sea Vegetables In traditional Chinese healing, sea vegetables correspond to the winter season and to the kidneys, adrenal glands, bladder and reproductive organs. The strengthening, balancing and cleansing properties of sea vegetables are known to help these organs as well as the hair, skin and nails. Sea vegetables (or seaweeds) provide a variety of minerals and vitamins, including calcium, iron and iodine, and can help balance hormone and thyroid levels in the body. Eating too many processed foods or foods grown in mineral-depleted soil can result in a lack of minerals in the body, leading to cravings for salty or sugary foods. Adding sea vegetables to your diet can help balance your energy levels and alleviate cravings.
Recipe of the Month: Mighty Miso Soup © 2008 Integrative Nutrition 10/07
Prep Time: 5-10 minutes
Cooking Time: 10-15 minutes
Yield: 4-5 servings
Ingredients:
4-5 cups spring water
1-2 inch strip of wakame, rinsed and soaked 5 minutes in 1 cup of water until softened
1-2 cups thinly sliced vegetables of your choice (see notes)
2-3 teaspoons barley miso
2 scallions, finely chopped
Directions: 1. Chop soaked wakame. 2. Discard soaking water or use on houseplants for a boost of minerals. 3. Place water and wakame in a soup pot and bring to a boil. 4. Add root and ground vegetables first and simmer gently for 5 minutes or until tender. 5. Add leafy vegetables and simmer for 2-3 minutes. 6. Remove about 1/2 cup of liquid from pot and dissolve miso into it. Return it to the pot. 7. Reduce heat to very low; do not boil or simmer miso broth. 8. Allow soup to cook 2-3 minutes. 9. Garnish with scallions and serve. Note: Any combination of vegetables can be used in miso soup. Here are some classic combinations:
· onion-daikon: cleansing
· onion-carrot-shiitake mushroom-kale: mildly sweet
· leek-corn-broccoli: great in summertime
· onion-winter squash-cabbage: great in wintertime
Variations:
· Add cooked grains at the start of making the soup. They will become nice and soft.
· Add a tablespoon of uncooked quinoa or millet at the beginning and let it cook with vegetables for 20 minutes.
· Add cubed tofu toward the end.
· Add bean sprouts toward the end.
· Season with 1/2 teaspoon ginger juice for an interesting twist.
· If using dry shiitake mushrooms, let them soak for 20 minutes, slice and add at the beginning.
Forward to a Friend: It’s such a pleasure to help those closest to us become happier and healthier. Please forward this newsletter to friends, family members or colleagues who might be interested and inspired by it. If you or someone you know might be interested in a complimentary health history, please contact me.
Have a blessed and fabulous New Year!
Live well,
Shelley
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