Many of us exist in a world of not-enough. We're constantly telling ourselves and others that we don't have enough. Enough of whatever it is we want or think we should have. The fact is, it's just a state of mind. There's more than enough to go around. Especially here in the United States. There's more than enough food, money, opportunities, advantages.

What if a huge part of the reason we don't have enough is because we think and say that we are NOT enough?

I AM NOT pretty enough, rich enough, good enough, educated enough, thin enough, smart enough, kind enough, tough enough, strong enough, capable enough, confident enough, brave enough, experienced enough, productive enough, satisfied enough, loving enough, happy enough, successful enough, spiritual enough, worthy enough.......

The list goes on and on....... How often do you think or say I AM NOT ____ (fill in the blank) ENOUGH?

I am guilty of this. And I want to stop.

I've been studying the power of I AM. It is truly one of the most commanding statements you can possibly think or say because the moment you think it or say it; it becomes REAL. When you confess I AM NOT ENOUGH, your body, mind, spirit, other people, and the entire universe agrees with you.

"YUP. You're NOT ENOUGH."

However, when you believe, I AM ENOUGH, everyone and everything conspires to agree with you.

This isn't some sort of new-age mumbo-jumbo. This is the law of the universe and of God.

I AM is the most powerful statement ever uttered by the Creator. With those two words, He came to exist in the hearts and minds of man.

As the creator of your own life, you can design the kind of life you want and it begins with believing what you are or what you're not.

Thinking I AM NOT ENOUGH always goes hand in hand with I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH. The more you believe both, the less you will have. And you will selfishly cling to what you do have. This is why those who REALLY, TRULY DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH suffer and go without.

Just for the record, we all want things. A better career. A lovelier home. More vacations. Loving relationships. Better health and wellness. Nothing wrong with that. In order to have some of those things, we might need more skills, more education, more experience, more connections, etc. etc. And, yes, even more money. But so often, I come across folks who complain and blame their lack of success, achievement or happiness on not having those things, rather than going out and getting them. In this day and age, so much is available. You can earn your degree or get a certification for just about anything on-line. You can even hire a Health Coach to help you improve your health and wellness without ever leaving your house. Shameless plug. :) Whatever it is you think you need, believe in yourself enough to go out and get it!

YOU ARE ENOUGH, so ENOUGH already!

Believe this and then get ready for miracles to happen in your life, the lives of others and in the world.

Your partner in happiness, health and success,

Cynthia

Cynthia Parrott is a certified Health and Lifestyle Coach on a mission to to help others live the happiest, healthiest, most exciting and successful lives imaginable. She works with men and women across the globe and is a kind, energetic and dedicated coach to those who finally realize the key to happiness, health and success is lifestyle change. She also works with clients who are ready to step off the diet roller coaster for good and resolve their issues with food, weight, and body image. Cynthia’s clients are successful because she offers simple, practical advice, solutions and alternatives based on their individual goals, needs, concerns and lifestyles. She is available for consultation in person or by telephone. Learn more here 

Summer is definitely behind us and now it's time to get ready for the cooler weather!  I love this time of year. The activities. The sights. The sounds. The smells. The food!  ​

Now is the time to take advantage of everything Autumn has to offer. Take a drive and enjoy the changing leaves. Hike through the woods and breathe in the cool, crisp air. Go apple or pumpkin picking. Rake leaves. Terrific exercise. Bake a pie. Cook up a big pot of homemade chili. Be sure to include lots of comforting foods in your diet. Soups, stews, baked casseroles. They will keep you cozy and satisfied. Toss in warming herbs and spices like ginger. Cumin. Cayenne. Curry. Turmeric. Chili powder. Mustard seeds. They add a wonderful flavor and a touch of heat to your food to help boost your metabolism so it can burn fat better and faster. And yes, you can and should give yourself permission to enjoy some of the delicious treats you love this season. If your daily diet is healthy and clean, go ahead and indulge now and then. 

Now is the season of PUMPKIN SPICE EVERYTHING! 

Unfortunately, most of the yummy Pumpkin Spice goodies you love and crave aren't made with the healthiest of ingredients and if you indulge in a few too many, you can end up packing on the pounds. So go easy on them. The Holiday season is just around the corner and the last thing you want is to gain weight! Riiight?

The good news is, you can satisfy your cravings for all things pumpkin with a Pumpkin Pie Smoothie. Just skip the super-fattening, sugar-loaded, artificially flavored Pumpkin Smoothies and try making my delicious recipe at home. This one actually does your body good. It's made with yogurt and almond milk, so it's rich in protein. And because there's actually real pumpkin in it, you're getting plenty of Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Iron, Maganese, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Copper. This is more than just a treat, this is a MEAL! Perfect for breakfast or even lunch on the go!

Here's What You Need:

1/2 ripe banana 

1/3 cup plain pumpkin puree (from a can)

1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt (use yogurt made from coconut milk for a non-dairy version)

3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk

few shakes of pumpkin pie spice 

4-5 ice cubes

Here's What You Do:

Dump everything into your blender, blend and pour into a glass or travel cup. 

Wow! Simple, right?

This should be sweet enough as is, but if you want it a bit sweeter, add a touch of maple syrup, coconut sugar or Stevia, but PLEASE don't add artificial sweeteners to this healthy concoction. If you want to boost the protein and nutrients in this smoothie even more, add a few scoops of a good, all natural, organic, non-GMO, protein powder. I highly recommend Purium's Power Shake. Go here to get it and check out some of their other amazing products while you're at it! .  

Don't forget apples! An apple a day.......

There's nothing like biting into a delicious, crisp apple and they're in season right now. And baked apples. Apple pie. Apple crisp... I have a recipe for an apple crisp that's so good, you'll want to eat it every day. And you can, because it's good for you. So simple to make, too. Check it out here ---> Good for You Apple Crisp 

Allow me to offer you a FREE gift......

I am so excited to give this to you. My motivation was an article I read recently about a mother and daughter who committed themselves to getting healthy and losing weight. They remained dedicated to exercising and eating well for 100 days and lost a combined total of 74 lbs so far! They look and feel so FANTASTIC, they're gonna keep on going. Read their inspirational story here:

Mom and Daughter Duo

One thing they attributed to their success was Meal Planning. Having and following a definite meal plan kept them from making poor food choices, overeating, skipping meals and stopping by the drive-thru after a long day. That prompted me to put together a Meal Planning Guide - advice on planning healthy menus and meals, time-saving food preparation, and even tips on how to shop and stock your fridge and pantry. You can download your FREE Meal Planning Guide (no email necessary) here: Meal Planning Guide

I hope you utilize the guide. It will help you save time so you'll have more time to enjoy everything this glorious month has to offer.

Here's to a wonderful October and a happier, healthier you!

Cynthia xo

truemetamorphosis.com

Email: metamorphosis321@hotmail.com

I LOVE LOVE LOVE avocados!   I eat one every day. I mash an avocado, season it with a bit of sea salt and freshly ground pepper and spread it on whole grain toast (instead of butter).  I toss half or a whole one into my morning smoothie. I add cubed avocado to big, green tossed salads. I put chopped avocado on top of homemade soup; especially black bean soup. I serve an avocado like a condiment;  on the side.  Sometimes, I just cut one up, sprinkle with sea salt and eat each luscious slice. It's a like a rich, indulgent treat and I almost feel like I am eating something bad, but I'm not. An avocado is loaded with good fat, vitamins and minerals that actually do my body good. A extremely satisfying, power-packed indulgence.

Here are 6 Reasons Why I Eat an Avocado Every Day and why YOU should, too. 

They can help prevent cancer. 

Avocados have been shown to inhibit the growth of prostate cancer, oral cancer, and breast cancer.

They're GREAT for my eyes.

Avocados contain lutein, a carotenoid that protects against age-related eye disease such as cataracts and macular degeneration. In fact, avocado has more lutein than any other fruit.

They're Heart Healthy! 

Avocados are rich in folate which has been linked to a lower risk of heart disease. The monounsaturated fats, vitamin E, and glutathione in avocados are also beneficial for your heart. Studies have shown that avocados can also help lower cholesterol.

They help protect against strokes. 

The high levels of folate in avocado help protect against strokes. People who eat diets rich in folate have a much lower risk of stroke.

They keep me looking and feeling YOUNG!

 Avocados contain several compounds that are beneficial in slowing down the signs of aging, including glutathione, vitamin E, and monounsaturated fats.

The GOOD fat keeps me from eating BAD fat!

Avocados are loaded with good fat. The good fat satisfies and keeps me satisfies for a long time. When I have a craving for something rich and creamy, like cheese, mayo, sauces, dips or super-fattening desserts, an avocado will satisfy my cravings. I feel better about myself because I know I've just eaten something that does so much good for my body, my health and wellness.

Are you ready to start eating an avocado every day?

Yours in Good Health,

Cynthia  :)

Food Cravings. They often appear out of nowhere and sometimes they're so intense, they won't go away until you give in.

Anyone who really knows me, knows how much I love my pickles. And sauerkraut. Kimchi. Anything fermented in salty brine. I eat those types of foods often because I enjoy them and I know they're good for me. There are times, however, when I crave them so badly, I cannot rest until I have them.

I've always been interested in the driving force behind food cravings. It's huge part of the work I do with clients in my private practice. The different types of foods we crave, even weird cravings for pickles or sauerkraut, says a lot about us.

I know when I begin to really crave the fermented stuff - not just want it, but HAVE TO HAVE IT, it's most likely because I've been indulging in foods that are upsetting the delicate balance of my gut flora - the complex community of microorganisms that live in my digestive tract. Fermented foods are rich in probiotics, which are proven to help restore that balance so my whole body can function at its best. When I eat foods that mess with all the good bacteria floating around in my gut, I feel tired, grouchy, achy and bloated. And that's when I get intense cravings. My body's way of telling me to pay attention and give it what it needs!

My particular craving for fermented foods is what I consider a good craving. It's to balance out the bad. 99.9% of the time, my diet is super healthy, but I am human after all and there are times when I indulge in things that are not so good for me. Usually, it's bread and pasta. Or a couple of cocktails. Not to say those things are necessarily bad, but my body doesn't really like them.

What if your diet is mostly unhealthy? Maybe you exist on the Standard American Diet: too much meat and animal products, crappy carbs made from white flour and white sugar, processed foods that come in boxes, bags and cans, fast food, sugary drinks and very little fruits and vegetables? And then out of nowhere, you have an intense desire for a nice, crisp, fresh salad? Or perhaps you had a few days of eating nothing but junk food and now you can't stop obsessing over a salad. Or maybe a slice of red, ripe watermelon. To the point where you're almost drooling just thinking about it? That's your body begging you to give it something nutritious.

Here's another thing about your cravings. Healthy or unhealthy; more often than not, they're a sign of a deeper issue you probably need to pay attention to, as well. Something physical? Perhaps, but it can also be emotional or even spiritual.

How do I know this? From experience. If everything was a-okay with me, I wouldn't be eating so much of the offending foods that are upsetting my gut flora to the point of extreme cravings for pickles, sauerkraut or kimchi in the first place. 

There's something going on that's upsetting the delicate balance of my life.

I know this might sound a little crazy, but your body, mind and spirit will send you all kinds of signs and signals to let you know what they need. You just need to learn to pay attention. And if you're listening, you'll begin to notice exactly when those cravings kick in. Even your intense cravings for chocolate. You're getting 'em for a reason! 

The same goes for when you're craving ice cream. Cake. Cookies. Salty snacks like pretzels or chips. Macaroni and cheese. And yes, even cravings for the good stuff, like broccoli. You don't just want it. You have to have it!

Food is wonderful. It nourishes your body and gives you energy. Certain foods soothe and comfort you. And sometimes, food is a replacement for love. Discovering more about the foods you crave is truly fascinating and liberating. Identifying and understanding your cravings is the key to achieving and maintaining good health and wellness and especially if you want to release excess weight permanently. I could go on and on because I love talking about this stuff, but I won't. Instead, I will give you this to think about:

A craving isn't just a physical desire for a certain food or treat simply because it tastes good. It's more complex than that because you are a complex being with a body, mind and spirit. Very often, a craving is an invitation to take a peek at what's going on deep within your heart and soul.

If this sounds interesting or resonates with you on some level, get in touch. We can explore some of your food cravings together and come up with ways to restore the delicate balance in your body and your life.

Yours in Good Health,

Cynthia 

Feeling like a misfit? Here are 7 signs that you are doing the RIGHT thing:

1. You feel good about yourself and as a result, you treat yourself well. You nurture your body, mind and spirit with good and healthy things.

2. Your relationships with others are built on love, trust and mutual respect.

3. You are able to express and extend peace, even during times of stress.

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