5 Keys to Balancing Your Metabolism:

Think of these five keys as ways to come into better balance with your eating habits and your relationship to food. Nutrition and metabolism are intimately regulated by natural rhythms. Living a rhythmic life can bring us back into balance physically and emotionally.

By bringing the power of rhythm into our relationship with food, the body finds its rightful place. Rhythm grounds the soul in the world. Key 5 will seem out of synch with the sweet-tooth recipes in this week’s newsletter. But look at it this way: Truth can be applied anytime. So store this information away and pull it out when ready for it. At least that’s what Patty and I are doing…and maybe the “key” to KEY 5 is in the word, excessive?

Alignment with the rhythms of life brings our metabolism into its fullest force.

Digestive and calorie-burning metabolism are strongest when the sun is highest in the sky (lunchtime) and weakest in the late evening hours.

Skipping breakfast and lunch or not eating enough at these meals slows down metabolism and inhibits weight loss.

Eating at irregular and unpredictable times each day causes our digestive and calorie-burning metabolism to fall out of sync.

Excessive consumption of refined carbohydrates out of rhythm with the seasons makes the brain think it’s summer and signals the body to store more fat.

(Adapted from The Slow Down Diet, by Marc David, Inner Traditions, 2005)

We’ve had lots of great responses to last week’s article on growing herbs. And when we ran onto this information on the power of BASIL, we thought we’d continue the herb theme with a twist:

BASIL to the RESCUE!

Even though the sun is shining brightly, we can still suffer occasional bouts of depression. But this essential oil, derived from a well-known cooking herb, will really help! Not only can it lift our mood, it also relieves stress and headaches, and is reputed to improve concentration. In fact, its powers are so great, the Hindus believed it was a passport to heaven and its very name means “king.”

So grow some, smell it often, dry it, cook with it and invest in some essential oil of basil so you can try these tips to experience relief from some of life’s ills:

For relief of depression, anxiety and stress: Use 2 or 3 drops in a diffuser. You could also add 2 or 3 drops to one ounce of carrier oil and use as a body massage oil. Alice applauds this suggestion, as she’s struggled with depression over the years. So if you can relate, do try this oil.

To improve concentration: Put 2 or 3 drops in a diffuser and breathe deeply.

For headaches: Put 2 or 3 drops on a hot or cold compress (depending on your preference).

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