The Mind Loops Blog – Nov 2021
The Thanksgiving holiday can easily get hijacked. We’ve all witnessed or heard of the obnoxious, rude, or nasty relatives. The freaky food. The farty, burpy, barfy feelings after over-ingesting loads of gluten, sugar… and just plain WEIRD STUFF.
(and jeesh, did you know the average calories consumed on this one day is 4,500?!)
So how can we sail more smoothly through the treacherous waters of this beloved holiday?
First… Let’s bite into the FOOD question.
The Thanksgiving holiday centers around the Scrumptious Meal. Which can be an incredible joy! But some dishes will be laced with Mind Loops. Whaaat?
Food has a CRAZY HUGE influence on your mood.
Numerous studies have shown a connection between refined sugars and impaired brain function – such as bad mood, deepening depression, and Mind Loops.
And if you’re gluten sensitive, watch out.
(have you ever heard of “grain brain”? not a good state. you can check out this book if you want to learn more.)
Many people aren’t aware of where all that glyphosate-soaked wheat is lurking – from the obvious pie crust and breadcrumbs, to the wheat-loaded gravy, stuffing, veggie dips, salad dressings, and thick sauces.
In fact, gluten is hiding in so many products and meals, it would make your head spin… almost as bad as Linda Blair’s.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate your mood. And guess where 95% of your serotonin is produced? Surprisingly, not in your brain… but in your gastrointestinal tract! That sweet belly of yours not only digests your food, but also helps modulate and guide your emotions.
Feed your belly crap, you’ll feel like crap.
Feed it glorious, nutrient-dense, whole foods, and you’ll feel like a glorious, whole-y being.
(or at least you’ll feel better.)
“Oh, great. 😦 Does that mean I have to eat BROCCOLI to feel less depressed? On Thanksgiving?! You’re outta your mind, sister. I’m gonna BINGE OUT on TASTY food, to hell with it!”
Okay, your choice. But there is a 3rd option! Healthy food doesn’t have to taste like cardboard.
Yours Truly has been getting creative in the kitchen, cooking without refined sugars, using coconut cream for creamers, and almond flour for baking. And you would not believe the scrumptiousness these simple substitutions make. I’ll be sharing some ultra-yummy recipes with you soon.
In the meantime… how about giving one of these CRAZY DELICIOUS, refined-sugar-free and gluten-free, Thanksgiving dessert recipes a go? I guarantee they taste waaaay better than cardboard (lol) – AND your de-looped mind and body will thank you for your love:
No Bake Pecan Pie Bars
Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie
(Note: for the sugar substitute, I’d suggest Lakanto Monkfruit, which is a 1:1 sugar ratio in recipes and you can’t tell the difference!)
Second: The “How To Make This Holiday FUN” question:
T-Giving CAN be fun. But it can also be a hellish stress ride. So here are:
3 Tips To Handle Holiday Gatherings
1
“Expectations are premeditated resentments.”
Oops. If this isn’t a pithy reminder of the dangers of expectations, I don’t know what is. Resentments are killer Mind Loops. Let’s nip those nasties in the bud.
Go into the holiday KNOWING that:
- Something WILL go wrong.
- Someone will probably act weird / inappropriate / selfish / drunk / stuff carrots in their nose.
- One of the dishes – or maybe even the turkey – will be overcooked, undercooked, or just plain disgusting.
Know this in advance. You might even make a game out of it: How many ‘hiccups’ can you spot? And know… it’ll all be okay.
2
Prepare Coping Strategies Ahead
• Concerned you’ll cave into cravings, sweets, densely-laced eggnog, overeating?
Take a long walk or work out before the event. Eat a salad before you arrive. Drink a BIG glass of water before the meal, plus between each alcoholic drink. And bring digestive enzymes with you to help with any tummy upset.
• Spending Thanksgiving alone? Create a cool solo holiday for yourself. Pick up a little pumpkin pie at the bakery, and find a high-rated, comforting, engrossing movie to watch. Or better yet, take off on a road trip by yourself to the beach or lake or woods. Let Nature wrap her loving arms around you and soothe your soul.
• Freshen up on the De-Looping Method so you can Detect, Detach, and Detour as soon as negative Mind Loops begin popping up like burnt popcorn in your psyche.
3
And As Always, Remember:
• Focus ONLY on what is in YOUR power.
The worst stress and Mind Loops come from trying to control what’s out of your control. The thing is, we have options GALORE that are still in our power! We just need to NOTICE them, get creative, and make use of them.
For example: We can’t stop someone from making cringe-worthy, controversial statements. There are LOTS of people out there who actually GET OFF on that. Kind of like a sport: What fun! Look at the weanies squirming in their seats and turning red with anger – wheeee!
Sadly, we can’t toss the green bean casserole in their face.
(well, actually that IS in your control…).
Other options that are in our power are: Get up from the table… go for a walk… change the subject… or kick ’em out if they really blew it (and if you’re the host).
And finally, a few moments of POWERED-OUT gratitude will strengthen you immune system and lift your mood. One of my heroes, Dr. Joe Dispenza, has this fantastic suggestion that feels SO GOOD:
“Take a moment today and connect to your body, and let it feel how grateful you are as the leader of its 70 to 100 trillion cells. Do it until your body is aware that you’re grateful for it. Our research shows that 4 days of gratitude strengthens our immune system by almost 50%.”
Dr. Joe Dispenza
However you end up celebrating your holiday (and no matter how WEIRD it is), I’m wishing you a de-looped, de-sugared, body-and-mind-happy Thanksgiving!
Xo Barbara
Barbara Ireland
Author of the #1 Amazon Kindle Bestseller, How To Stop Negative Thoughts
Contributing author of the #1 Amazon Bestseller, The Transformative Power of Near-Death Experiences
HOW TO STOP NEGATIVE THOUGHTS 