Hi ,
I just returned from Vegetarian Summerfest in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. This is the fourth year that I've presented at this annual event, and in many ways this was my favorite trip ever.
For in addition to the food, the friendships, and the summer-camp-for veg's feel of the five days, I premiered a new presentation that was, I am glad to say, well attended and quite enthusiastically received.
Titled "Get Stressed. Eat. Repeat. How to Break Stress Eating Habits and Cut Through Cravings By Simply Paying Attention", I opened the session with this question:
"Has anyone here ever experienced, or ever known anyone who has experienced stress eating? Mindless snacking? Cravings?"
Though I didn't ask for a show of hands, I was barely through the words "stress eating" before everyone broke out in laughter and hands shot into the air. Apparently, many of us have had (or known someone who has had!) these experiences.
Then I posed the question in another way, just in case there was any confusion. I proceeded with
- "Have you ever found yourself, walking in the door at the end of a hectic day, and before you knew it you were up to your elbow in a box of crackers or cookies?" (more laughter of recognition).
- "Or found yourself, in the middle of the afternoon, overcome by an urgent pull to the compelling assortment of goodies in the office staff room?"
- And finally, "Or, have you ever, at the end of a busy, hectic day, sat down to a
complete, varied, and delicious meal, eaten your fill, yet then, shortly thereafter, found yourself foraging through the refrigerator, looking for just the perfect thing to make it all right?"
Of course, as I confessed, I had just described what used to be me.
For years, I considered myself addicted to sweets, an emotional overeater, perhaps even addicted to food. I couldn't figure out why for years - decades even - though happily married, gainfully employed, and with a promising career - I would find myself driving around town eating chocolate.
It's not like I didn't know what to do. As a kinesiology professor with an advanced degree in exercise science, I certainly know enough about exercise. Having undertaken a study of nutrition since my first days as a vegetarian 45 years ago, I k new all about plant-based nutrition.
But it wasn’t until I added one simple thing that I got the tools to get this monkey off my back – even allowing me to shed some 50 extra pounds, give or take, I was carrying around. I took up a mindfulness practice.
From there, I presented the extensive research around mindfulness practices and transforming all kinds of problems in the craving, stress eating, even addictive response: binge eating, even smoking! With an arsenal of graphs and descriptive content, it was with great excitement and pure pleasure that I presented the stats, the potential, and the opportunity to approach
these things that cause us misery in a whole new way.
I hope you will come by and share your thoughts.
With love and all best wishes for your health and happiness!
Lani
P.P.S. Oooh! Have you heard of Vidal Speaks podcast? Recent guests have been Dr. Joel Kahn, Brenda Davis, R.D., Dr. Neal Barnard and a boatload of other plant-centered souls. I had the honor of being interviewed earlier this
month and the podcast - titled Lani Muelrath — The Plant-Based Journey and Transitioning to a Healthy Vegan Lifestyle - Episode 77, complete with robust program notes is now up HERE for your replay pleasure.
P.S. A huge, heartfelt welcome to all the new readers of the Juice for the Journey News that I met at Summerfest!
