Why We Thrive on Different Diets

November 12, 2014 by Christina Santini in Biochemistry Balancing, Superfoods In Recovery, Eating Disorders

The debate of whether raw, vegan, paleo, high fat-low carb, low fat-high carb, Atkin’s, fruititarian, macrobiotic etc. is better, is a complete waste of time at best. Our body is constantly evolving and changing depending on our phase in life, environmental triggers, toxic exposure, stress levels, age – and obviously also our gender.

The Biochemistry of Violence

November 04, 2014 by Christina Santini in Depression, Biochemistry Balancing, Addictions, Eating Disorders, Emotional Management

Did you know that violent behavior whether leading to destruction against others or one-self, such as in addictions, is tied to specific nutrient imbalances that can be traced already in kids? We used to think that violent behavior, addictions, eating disorders and general social dysfunctional behaviors were a result of lack of supportive parental guidance and a good upbringing. Well, it has long been known in nutritional psychiatry, that terrible childhood actually has little to do with where people end up later in life. We are not our trauma, and we can transcend pain of the past, when we are resilient on a biological level.

What does it mean to be recovered from an Eating Disorder?

October 28, 2014 by Christina Santini in Binge Eating, Eating Disorders, Transformation Keys, Body Image

Any type of eating disorder takes your identity. The more you have an eating disorder, the more you lose your identity. There is a fundamental essence of you that is the same, but apart from that eating disordered people are very much alike during their illness.

The No. 1 Reason People Fail In Breaking Addictions

September 16, 2014 by Christina Santini in Addictions, Transformation Keys, Eating Disorders, Self-Worth

Do you know WHY you want to change your behavior? This may seem like a ridiculous question. "Of course I know why", you might be thinking, and if so - great. What is your main reason for wanting to change now? Think about it and list your reasons, because if you can't be to-the-point of WHY you want change, you are not going to do what it takes to get there - a lot of us have wishes, but without action, nothing. And if our actions are not driven by emotions, that we can FEEL in our heart, there will be a dissonance between our heart and brain. This means that we will constantly struggle to move forward.

Strategies To Prevent Binge Eating

September 09, 2014 by Christina Santini in Eating Disorders, Transformation Keys, Binge Eating

When we struggle with eating, we experience a disconnect from our body-mind-soul at its most core. Not being able to trust our basic ability to feed ourselves, when we are hungry, and stop when we are not, makes for a deeply painful experience of not being able to trust in ourselves and in life - and this distrust reflects onto every relationship we have in life.

Biochemistry Balancing For The Addicted Brain

August 12, 2014 by Christina Santini in Addictions, Eating Disorders, Biochemistry Balancing

As you probably know, Robin Williams died this week due to addiction issues. Very, very sad. Not long before that, we lost Phillip Seymour Hoffman. And a couple months prior that, we lost L'wren Scott, Mick Jagger's latest wife. And a couple months before that tragedy, Peaches Geldof, Bob Geldof's 25-year-old gorgeous daughter kissed the dust. Every single one struggled with drug addiction. And died from that. It is not uncommon for those, who struggle with drugs, that they also suffer from different disordered eating behaviors as well, often overlooked and ignored due to drug use. Together they form a fatal combination, heart attack waiting to happen. A heart can only take so much stress before it gives up.

How To Shortcut Recovery

August 05, 2014 by Christina Santini in Eating Disorders, Addictions, Transformation Keys

When we are in pain, we all want to get rid of it. And preferably fast. We are obsessed with shortcuts. Diets. Instant-fix. Instant gratifications. Drugs. Alcohol. Food. Now now now. The thing is, that when we try to speed up recovery for the sake of shortcut, we miss out on the growth that comes only though pain. Our main growth in life happens through pain. That is why we should embrace pain, rather than just try to get rid of it as fast as we can. That, and the fact that what we resist, persists. So the only real shortcut is to embrace that which we fear. Why 95% of all diets fail and most people who are on a diet will gain weight. Being on a diet is the single dominant predicative parameter of future weight gain. Because shortcuts are not the solution to our struggles. Mastery is. And mastery is not something we learn overnight or by fearing failure.

When You Feel Like You Have Nothing To Give

July 22, 2014 by Christina Santini in Addictions, Eating Disorders, Self-Worth, Transformation Keys

That's exactly when is the perfect time to give back. Yes, at the point where you feel, you have hit rock bottom. Everything is against you and possibly everyone left you. This is when you feel that you cannot give anything to anyone. You feel like a used piece of tissue - wet, dirty and useless. The key to get unstuck of your misery, is to start giving in your weakest moment.

How To Manage Your Emotions without Drugs, Food + Alcohol

July 15, 2014 by Christina Santini in Addictions, Eating Disorders, Meditation, Emotional Management

Amber Valletta, ex-addict and supermodel, speaks out about the things she has found that she needs to do to thrive in recovery.

A key thing for Amber's ability to manage her emotions without drugs is mindfullness - her daily meditation practice. You can watch the video with Amber here.

This week I want to talk about the next step in recovery - and basically one of the most important steps for anyone dealing with wanting to change a behavior: building a daily meditation practice.

Why You Need Sleep In Recovery

July 08, 2014 by Christina Santini in Sleep, Addictions, Eating Disorders

It is critical for anyone dealing with an eating disorder or addiction to get their sleep routine down to rebalance biochemically. This is the single most important step before focusing on any other behavior and nutritional steps. Simply because your brain cannot use its frontal lobe aka rational decision-making, nor can your body utilize all the nourishing foods you may be giving it, if you don't allow time for rest and digest. Timing is important because we have an internal clock that sends off specific hormones at specific times, so you want to honor that with your lifestyle to not only survive recovery, but to THRIVE in recovery.