Nancy Adler Jones

Pain Fighting Foods

AARP magazine writes timely informative articles on nutrition.  This one identifies anti-Inflammatory foods and quotes the research underlying their effectiveness.

Breaking Up is Hard to Do

Many people begin counseling because of a relationship break-up. Longing in the heart lasts so much longer than the realization that the relationship needs to end.  This Discover Magazine article talks about the neurology of this phenomenon.  Sometimes knowing the biological basis for a troubling phenomenon helps folks feel less self-blame.

Significant Adults Affect Trauma Response in Children

I frequently talk to grandmothers, aunts, teachers who are troubled by what children close to them are going through.  They feel sad, disempowered and helpless.  I explain to them that their very presence in the child’s life can make all the difference in the world, as the child feels connected and seen.
Gavin de Becker, author of “The Gift of Fear” eloquently speaks of this phenomenon in his book “Protecting the Gift”.  I quote from p 276-277

“The good news is that children who are at risk of growing up violent can often be helped more easily than most people realize. In her emotionally evocative books (including The Drama of the Gifted Child and The Untouched Key), psychiatrist and child advocate Alive Miller makes clear that if mistreated children have effective human contact, some recognition of their worth and value, some “witness” to their experience, this can make an extraordinary difference.

I have leaned that the kindness of a teacher, a coach, a policeman, a neighbor, the parent of a friend, is never wasted. These moments are likely to pass with neither the child nor the adult fully knowing the significance of the contribution. No ceremony attaches to the moment that a child sees his own worth reflected in the eyes of an encouraging adult. Though nothing apparent marks the occasion, inside the child a new view of self can take hold.

Not just a person deserving of neglect or violence, no just a person who is a burden to the sad adults in his life, not just a child who fails to solve his family’s problems, who fails to rescue them from madness or addiction or poverty or unhappiness. No, this child might be someone else, someone whose appearance before this one adult revealed specialness and lovability and value.

A child’s value might be revealed through appreciation of his or her artistic talent, physical ability, humor, courage, patience, curiosity, scholarly skills, creativity, resourcefulness, responsibility, energy, or any of the many attributes that children bring us in such abundance.

It might literally be matter of a few hours with a person whose kindness reconnects the child to an earlier experience of self a self that was loved and valued and encouraged. I can say from experience that it doesn’t take much. As a boy, I needed most of all to know that the violence and the madness was not my fault. The people who gave me that knowledge gave me the great gift of my life”

Achieving "Thinner Peace"

I am impressed by Martha Beck’s “weight loss wisdom” and by her sense of humor.  I frequently recommend her book, “The Four Day Win”.  However, many people don’t have the time or inclination to “plow through” a long book, no matter how interesting or informative.  This article summarizes the book’s key concepts.

"Lose Weight Without Really Trying"

I am humbled by how difficult it is to lose weight and keep it off.  Brian Wansick has studied how environmental cues manipulate our feelings of hunger and satiety.  He demonstrates that by manipulating those cues, we can eliminate calories from our diet without noticing it.  This article published in the AARP magazine offers some helpful suggestions.
In my house, we have  a “his and hers” food pantry.  My husband’s “junk” food goes on his side.  I am not tempted to eat the “junk” because taking what is “his” feels like stealing.  This thought produces a negative reaction that makes my desire for the food fade away.

Why are we getting fatter?

This Newsweek article suggests a link between environmental factors and obesity.  Why are animals in the wild betting heavier, not just humans?  This topic needs a lot more research.  In the meantime, I will stop heating food in plastic containers to avoid getting a dose of unwanted chemicals in my food.

Travel for Singles

I have encountered many single clients who would like to travel, but are concerned about traveling alone.  This AARP article tells of resources to find travel companions, as well as strategies for getting single rooms at double room prices.

Cancer and Emotions

The idea that a positive attitude can help cure cancer frequently makes people feel guilty.  This article proposes the other point of view – that emotions do not necessarily affect the survival outcomes for people with this illness.

Overrated and Underrated Foods

Nutrition Action Health Letter presents more accurate information about foods that we have been led to think are healthy and foods that really are healthy.  Click here to find out more

How to Eat More but Lose Weight

The volumetrics concept of Barbara Rolls PhD (nutrition) has entered the mainstream.  This brief article clearly explains the concept and offers some recipes.
For anyone wanting to read more, I would refer you to Ms. Rolls books:  “Volumetrics” and “The Volumetrics Eating Plan:  Techniques and Recipes for Feeling Full on Fewer Calories”.