Sugar is Good for You!

Sugar has received so much bad publicity lately, but is this 'hate' campaign really justified? Fats used to be the bad guys, and for many years we were convinced that fat makes us fat. Now we are told that only sugar and high fructose corn syrup (used in commercially packaged foods and drinks) are the culprits. We are being told that the only way to good health and a slim body is to eliminate these 'poisons' completely from our diet. I am suspicious that such a radical approach will solve our problems related to excess weight and chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease and other chronic ailments. 

I believe that moderation is the key. If you deprive yourself of something for a long time, you will end up craving this food and possibly end up binging on it and feel guilty afterwards. Then you go on a starvation diet, high in protein and without any carbohydrates. Until you can’t take it any more and have another splurge. But carbohydrates are not the evil guys when it comes to losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight. Good carbohydrates like whole grains can even help you achieve your weight loss goal. 

In my book “The Magic of Sensible Diet’, I explain in simple terms what protein, fats and carbohydrates do to your body and how much of them to consume. I talk about fibre and how important it is to your health. I honestly believe that this book is the most easy-to-understand, and easy-to-follow system ever designed. If you're prepared to follow a few simple principles, you will be able to achieve your dream of a healthy body weight, without depriving yourself and without suffering hunger and fatigue. On the contrary, you will have more energy than ever!

Even if you know nothing about nutrition or are confused (and we all are, to a certain degree, with the constant flow of contradictory advice we have been getting over the years), this book will give you the incentive to change your lifestyle, without sacrificing your favourite foods. And one of them is sugar. After all, what would life be without dessert? This is one of the pleasures that makes life worth living. A friend of mine once said, “If I can’t eat what I want, there is no point in living.” She was joking of course, but there is truth in jest. Enjoy your treats this festive season. But do it sensibly!

With much love,

Bella

Painting: 'Cake' by Carol Korpi McKinley

What is Faith ?

"Ask, and it shall be given to you; knock, and it shall be opened to you. " Matthew 7:7
This is perhaps the most famous Bible quote, and probably the least understood and the least practiced. It is the basis of the Law of Attraction, a term first coined by William Walker Atkinson in 1906, in his book 'Thought Vibration or the Law of Attraction in the Thought World'. The expression was then used by Esther and Jerry Hicks in their numerous Abraham publications. In 2006, controversial Australian author Rhonda Byrne snapped it up and made a multi-million dollar business out of her best-selling book and video 'The Secret', which in reality is not a secret at all, as this truth has been in the Bible for over two thousand years - for everyone to read and take to heart.

But why do some people get what they ask for and others don't? The difference lies in the degree of faith you have. If you ask for something, but believe you can't have it for one reason or another, or think you don't deserve it, it will be more difficult for you to receive it, because you're closing the door to it. You don't allow it to come to you. For instance, maybe you want to be healthy, wealthy, or in a satisfying love relationship, but deep down you feel you can't achieve this goal because... Now you come up with all your arguments. You list all the reasons that prevent you from achieving your goal. I can't lose weight because I don't have enough willpower to stick to a diet. I can't find a partner because I don't mix with the right people. I would like to become an artist, but there is too much competition in my field. I would like to start my own business, but I have no capital to invest. And so on... 

Where does faith come from? It is more than just a word. It comes from letting go and letting Go. It comes from the knowledge deep inside you that you are a worthy human being and deserve to be happy and successful,  no matter what this means to you. But without the help of God, no amount of positive thinking and asking will get you anywhere. Only God can give you what you're asking for, and you need to state your desire clearly. Say it aloud, say it with conviction and be prepared to be patient. God will give you everything you want, but in His own time. But He can only give it to you if you ask for it specifically. Nothing is impossible, if you put your life into His hands and trust that He will look after you.

"I tell you with certainty, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20

With all my love,

Bella

Painting: 'Childhood Faith' by Zolan

What is the Meaning of Life?

"The meaning of life is not to be discovered only after death in some hidden, mysterious realm; on the contrary, it can be found by eating the succulent fruit of the Tree of Life and by living in the here and now as fully and creatively as we can." - Paul Kurtz

"Life is without meaning. You bring the meaning to it. The meaning of life is whatever you ascribe it to be. Being alive is the meaning." - Joseph Campbell

The question "What is the meaning of life?" is a tricky one, because it implies that life in itself has a meaning that is yours to discover during your journey on this earth. We humans like to ask "Why?" "Why am I here? Where am I going? What is my destiny, my purpose in life?"

Maybe you turn to faith and find comfort in the idea of living the best possible life, finding answers in the Bible or other religious book. Following a set of morals or ideals can give you the direction you crave for. When you have a problem, you turn to God, your refuge and strength. You believe in the power of prayer. To you God is not mysterious, He is there with you every day, a very present help in times of troubles or uncertainty. New Age philosophies may help too, but be careful of certain beliefs that can be damaging and lead to disappointment, like the idea that you can create anything with your thoughts. I won't say that it is not possible; but just because it is possible doesn't mean that it will necessarily happen. You can visualise a winning lotto ticket as much as you want, but in the end you might still not win your millions.

The meaning of life could reside in the act of living itself, breathing, walking, using all your senses, eating, sleeping, loving. You find purpose in every single action. It simply feels good to be alive and to be able to do what you're here to do. You enjoy fulfilling different roles, at work with your colleagues, at home with your family, friends and pets. This gives your life a purpose, to know that you're doing a good job and you're a good boss or employee, a good father, mother, husband, wife, brother or sister, friend and neighbour. You find fulfilment in your career, your home, your relationships and your hobbies. Your leisure time is important: finding a balance between work and play, unwinding and recharging your batteries. You want to be healthy and look after your body. You enjoy your holidays and are eager to explore new places, see fresh faces and taste exotic dishes.

In the end, your life's meaning is the meaning you decide to assign to it. Everyone is different, but most people want to be happy and fulfilled. Most people have goals they want to achieve. Some have very big goals, like being an Olympic champion. Some prefer to lose themselves in the arts, and find purpose in being creative. They write books, paint, dance, do pottery, play and compose music, design clothes, posters, gardens or websites. Some just dream to have the best possible home life, and look forward to opportunities like Christmas, when they can decorate their homes and cook delicious meals for the family. Their home is their castle, and they take pride in it.

To me life is all about learning. If I can learn something every day, I feel happy. In the end, happiness is the result of living a life that is meaningful to you. It might not be a life of glamour or luxury. It might not be the perfect life. But it is a good life, because ultimately you decide how you feel about it, and you decide to be grateful for this wonderful gift. Live consciously, in the present moment, and you will appreciate things even more. There is always another goal to achieve, but remember to take pleasure in the journey, one step at a time. The destination is not so important. Whether you reach it or not, it doesn't matter, but along the way, you can take time to smell the flowers, talk to people and admire the scenery.

"The purpose of life is a life of purpose" - Robert Byrne.

With all my love,

Bella





























Painting: 'Jacaranda Tree of Life' by Laura Milnor Iverson

Why Do We Gain Weight as We Get Older?

As you get older, your body changes. Your muscle mass decreases, you accumulate more fat, in particular around the waist. Your metabolism slows down, your heart and lungs are not as powerful as they used to be. You tend to lose flexibility, as your joints are worn and less lubricated. You've spent long hours sitting at a desk all these years, instead of walking, running and climbing. Your joints lock your limbs in certain positions, and your muscles shorten as you don't extend them, unless you practice yoga or do stretches every day. Can you remember how flexible you were as a kid? Everything seemed so easy, even doing the splits! It's a different story now...

Unfortunately, appetite doesn't decrease with age, on the contrary. You find more reasons to eat that have nothing to do with hunger or your body needing fuel. It's more about pleasure, like when you enjoy a nice meal at a restaurant. Or it could be stress, making you reach for chocolates, cookies and crisps. You look at your wedding photo and can't understand why you put on so much weight over the years. But don't despair: it's never too late. You can change your body and reverse the effects of ageing, but there is only one way to do it: exercise.

Exercise will increase your muscle mass and your flexibility. Ultimately, your metabolism will follow, as more muscle means more efficient fat burning. Your bones will also benefit from your efforts and become stronger, less prone to fractures. Your blood will circulation will improve, and your mental faculties including your memory are also likely to get better. Aerobic exercise stimulates your heart, blood vessels and increases your lung capacity. Your blood will be richer in oxygen, and all your inner organs will benefit from it, and work better. Your body will be able to process nutrients more effectively, as well as eliminate toxins. As a result, you will lose excess weight. Exercise stimulates the production of Endorphins in your body, a natural morphine-like substance that alleviates pain, anxiety and depression. Studies have shown that just three 20 minute exercise sessions a week may be as effective as taking antidepressants to lift your mood and increase your motivation.

The secret is to be patient. Don't think that radical change is going to happen within a few weeks or even a few months. Your body is the result of many years of neglect. During all this time, you didn't look after it properly. But there was a reason for it. Maybe you were to busy working or bringing up your children. Finally it's time to put your body first, and make your health your number one priority. As you get older, your health becomes your wealth. No matter how much money you've got, you won't be able to enjoy it if you're unfit, riddled with chronic diseases and unable to move around swiftly.

But don't make the mistake of doing too much too soon. Start with little changes, like a 20 minute walk every day, or a few stretches in the morning or evening. You can join a gym of course, if you can afford it and have time to go two or three times a week. But you can also find other opportunities to exercise, and there are plenty of ideas and videos on the internet. You can do yoga or Pilates in your own home, following Youtube videos. All you need is your living room carpet or a yoga mat, and some comfortable clothes. Even if you haven't exercised since high school, you can change and start your own programme now. You will feel so good after a while that you will never want to give up your routine any more!

With all my love and motivating thoughts,

Bella

Painting: 'Namaste Yoga Art Elephant'  (unknown artist)

Happiness doesn't depend on the things you want

"We can be grateful for music, silence, kind words, beautiful words, art, blank canvasses, space, night, sun, rain, amazing plants, animals..." - Jay Woodman

We often think that if only we had this or that, we would finally be happy. The truth is that all the things people want have little effect on the long-term happiness they derive as a result of obtaining these things. We tend to see material objects as a way of defining or creating a form of happiness that constantly eludes us, rather than enjoying the things we already possess and treating anything additional as a bonus, something that ads interest and variety to an already fulfilled life.

What things would make you happy? The fact that you need to ask yourself this question means that you need to examine your values and reassess your priorities. Material possessions will never have anything but a fleeting effect on your happiness, unless you’ve been denied basic necessities like food and decent housing. 

The rush of exhilaration you get from buying new things you’ve wished for may be real, but it doesn’t last very long. It’s a short-term thrill that has little or no impact on your overall happiness. If you want to experience real and long-lasting contentment, you need to acknowledge the good in your life now, the things that you often take for granted. We compulsively look for lack and shortages while forgetting the blessings, the things to be grateful for. 

The quickest and easiest way to develop an abundance mindset is to focus on what you’ve got, rather than complaining about the things you haven't got. Every morning and every night, think about all the things you’ve been blessed with in your life. Acknowledge them and express your gratitude in a way that makes sense to you. Some people like to say a prayer, but you could simply say thank you to yourself.

"When I wake up each morning, I praise the Lord for the gift of being alive." - Lailah Gifty Akita

With love,

Bella

Painting: 'Sea Shell' by Amy Lowell

Three Solutions for Eating Healthy - Starting Today!

In today’s busy and super-fast, high-tech world, it can be a real challenge to eat healthily, especially if you work full time and have a family to look after. You come home exhausted, and quickly grab something on the way, like Mac Donald’s or Pizza Hut. As long as there is food on the table, you don’t care what it is, and as long as your husband (or wife) and kids don’t complain. But this morning, you feel guilty as you notice that your waistline has been expanding progressively over the last few months or years. You promise yourself that you will start eating a healthy diet, no matter what. You promise yourself that today is the day that you will begin to change your eating habits and consume more vegetables, more salads, more wholegrain foods, while cutting down on junk food once and for all... But there are always excuses!

The first one is that fast food is cheaper. I have often thought that this was true. It also seems more convenient. But when you really ad it up, it’s not entirely accurate. You need your car to go to Mac Donald’s, so you end up using up at least a few dollars in petrol. If you go to the market or a wholesale fruit and vegetable outlet, you will find fresh, wholesome products at a reasonable price. You can go there once or twice a week to stock up on fruit, vegetables, nuts and lentils. At first glance it seems trouble-free to purchase burgers and fries. It’s not that easy when you spend twenty minutes in a queue during busy times, waiting for your big mac or happy meals and chocolate sundaes to be handed to you, while your kids are fighting in the back seat, only to find out that the teenager behind the counter forgot half your order or mixed it up with someone else’s, and you end up with fish burgers and apple pies.  Cooking vegetables doesn’t take long, and sometimes it’s only a matter of minutes before they’re ready. Ad a roast chicken or fried tofu and some rice to it, and there is your meal: in the blink of an eye.

Excuse number two: I don’t have the time to cook.

You can cook a dish of whole meal pasta or brown rice in advance and leave it in the fridge to be reheated when you need it. You can also prepare salads and soups for the next two or three days. Ad a can of tuna or some feta cheese to your salad, as well as crusty bread or rye bread, and you have a complete meal. Hard boiled eggs can also be used, sliced or chopped up. It’s easy to steam a few vegetables and make a quick omelette. And if it’s all you’ve got in your pantry,  a simple can of baked bean with a slice of whole grain bread and a piece of fruit make a nutritious meal. If you decide to have take aways after all, there are healthier options besides burgers and fries. You could choose a salad or go to Subway.

Excuse number three: I like to socialise.

You can still socialise and eat out while following a healthy diet. Drink alcohol in moderation to complement your meal. Avoid fried dishes like battered fish and chips and have steamed fish with vegetables instead, or seafood with salad. Go for baked or mashed potatoes instead of fries, and request that your salad be served without fatty dressing but with lemon juice or balsamic vinegar instead, as restaurant dressings are usually high in fat., which makes them so creamy. Use salt sparingly and prefer pepper instead.

Eating healthy doesn’t mean you have to live like a Spartan and deny yourself all the things you love. You want to maintain a healthy balance, and the occasional treat won’t affect your overall diet negatively, unless you overindulge on high-calorie food items on a regular basis. If you eat junk food five days a week, cut down to two or three times, then only once a week and eventually only once a month if at all. Your body craves the foods you put into it. If you eat a lot of sugar, fat, salt and preservatives, your body will crave these substances. But if you eat a lot of fresh and unadulterated products like seasonal fruits and vegetables, beans, nuts, tofu, berries and Greek yoghourt, eventually your body will crave these healthy foods and you will be the person you want to be, living the lifestyle you have always wished to live.

With my best wishes for your wellbeing,

Bella

Eat Good Carbs for Health and Weight Loss

In my latest book, 'The Magic of Sensible Dieting', I explain that carbohydrates are not the bad guys that we thought they were. Carbohydrates are not only essential for good health and energy, they are incredibly effective for weight loss, contrary to popular belief. The only thing that matters is to choose the right sort of carbohydrate, as there are 'good' and 'bad' carbs. Focus on the good ones and avoid the bad ones as much as possible.

Carbohydrates provide the body with glucose, which is essential for the proper functioning of your body cells, as well as your brain cells. Without glucose, you can't think clearly, you can't concentrate. If you cut carbohydrates out of your diet, you will feel weak, and your thinking will be muddled. Complex carbohydrates are the 'good' guys, because it takes time to break them down into glucose. Foods rich in complex carbohydrates are usually packed with fibre too, which slows the absorption of glucose even further, making them slow release energy foods. They will keep you full and your blood sugar level will remain even throughout the day. This will keep hunger and cravings at bay, and give you sustained energy. 

Simple carbohydrates are the ones to avoid. They are often found in packaged, ready-made foods, including microwave meals and canned soups. Most processed supermarket foods contain refined sugar in one form or another, and if you want to lose weight or maintain your current weight, stick to fresh foods as much as possible, and avoid anything out of a package, unless you read the label carefully.  Avoid white bread, white pasta and white rice, as well as sweets, candy, chocolates, crisps, cakes, crackers, packaged breakfast cereal, burger buns and biscuits. 

Go for whole grains: brown rice, wholegrain pasta, beans, whole wheat bread, whole oats, buckwheat, quinoa, whole rye, wholegrain barley and wholegrain corn. These foods are rich in fibre, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients, all beneficial to your health. They have a low GI (glycemic index), as they cause only slow changes in your blood sugar levels, therefore preventing diabetes and heart disease. Bad carbs usually have a high glycemic index, which means that their consumption is followed by a rapid rise in blood glucose levels, which is bad for you and predisposes you to chronic diseases. 

Fruit and vegetables are loaded with vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and good carbohydrates. Bananas in particular are an excellent source of carbohydrates, and they contain a lot of potassium too, which is good if you suffer from headaches and fatigue. Legumes such as beans, peas and lentils are high in fibre, complex carbs, but they're also high in vegetable protein and low in fat, which makes them particularly valuable. Legumes have been shown to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes as well as certain types of cancer.

Include beans in your diet as they are a good source of protein and slowly digested carbs. Eat whole wheat or whole oats for breakfast, wholegrain bread for lunch and ad brown rice, wholemeal pasta, millet, barley or quinoa to your evening meal. Good carbohydrates are essential for health and vitality. They will help you lose weight, as they are satisfying and provide you with lasting energy.

With my best wishes for your success,

Bella