For those of you who aren’t sugar sensitive, guest author Jane Bernard offers some suggestions on how to enjoy chocolate in moderation. The answer lies in sharing what you love….
This past week was my birthday, and I got a lot of tempting and delicious chocolate.
My friend Elan in Colorado baked me chocolate chocolate chip cookies from a French recipe that are huge and light and deeply, deeply, chocolate. These cookies are a delicious, amazing, seductive experience. And my daughter gave me chocolate covered espresso beans and chocolate filled candy from an exclusive chocolatier in NYC. OMG. It has been at first very hard, because, of course, I wanted all of it.
When I spoke with Elan to thank her I confessed to actually eating 2 of the cookies in one sitting (which made me feel wildly overdosed on sugar) and she told me she only eats ½ of one at a time! Ouch.
Chocolate is wonderful, delicious, and fattening – so when you have chocolate, break it into bite sized pieces and share that wonder and delicious part with a friend or family member. It makes them happy and it makes you feel good about your self.
Chocolate: Connect with your body by really tasting it and savoring the flavor. Connect with your heart by sharing the pleasure. Connect with your intuition by doing what’s best for you.
It doesn’t have to be your birthday to be surrounded by foods that will tempt you with their taste and make it hard to resist over eating. But do yourself and those you love a favor and keep temptation away by sharing. Take the box of candy to work and set it out on a table with a note: “Enjoy.” No one will complain. And you will set a standard that feels healthy for your spirit. It’s a way of respecting your self.
Don’t be tempted by the illusion of satisfaction. Real satisfaction is a process, not a conclusion. You’ll feel good about your choice when you give your chocolate away. Having no temptation is a relief.
After talking to my friend, I remembered the Hobbits in the J.R.R. Tolkien books. They give presents to others on their birthday. So, I have been giving the chocolate cookies and candies as bite-size treats to friends to celebrate my birthday. Everyone is loving it, and I’m loving the way my body feels. It wasn’t easy but I’ve learned that difficulties can stimulate our greatest achievements! Giving away chocolates is an achievement.
Jane Bernard lives in New York City. Her degrees in Philosophy (The New School for Social Research) and Psychology/Special Education (Bank Street College), and three decades of informal Zen practice form the foundation for Jane’s uniquely accessible perspective on intuitive eating. Currently, Jane privately coaches people to use their intuition to lose weight, and to connect with success. Learn more at www.IntuEating.com and enjoy her blog at www.fine-tuning-eating.blogspot.com. Learn more about her 10 principles of intuitive eating.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE chocolate. I considered myself addicted to sugar and milk chocolate for 30 years. When I decided to go sugar free I was heartbroken about chocolate. It was my binge food. I thought I would never have it again. What I learned was I was addicted to the sugar in chocolate. Now I always buy high quality high cocoa chocolate. About 70% cocoa content or higher with less than 4 grams of sugar per 15 grams. I can eat just one small square, every once in a while. I use the same high cocoa content chocolate chips in my baking. I don’t feel deprived and now I hold chocolate as special and wholesome, not something to be binged on.
well, you may very well not remember me, but we were 20 something’s together a very long time ago and i have never forgotten you. jane is now married to william di spaltro and is a mom!!! dedlan bond dispaltro was born on 24th july 2011, a preemie, official due date oct 4, he’s now 11 lbs and thriving. sorry, just found you tonight and i’m very tired; have been following you through your book,. have never forgotten you; i will send pics of jane and declan if you’d like. hope your are well, your family also, regards, morgan.