TORI TALK

Mental Imagery May Hasten Recovery After Surgery

Imagine that... your mind can help your body heal! Read all about it in one of my latest for Scientific American Mind: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=mental-imagery-may-hasten-recovery-after-surgery

Sneaky Health Saboteurs

Watch out for these surprising health hazards! One of my latest, from the May/June 2013 Scientific American Mind.... Enjoy!

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=unconscious-choices-sabotage-health-goals

Negative Emotions are Key to Well-Being

Tired of being commanded to stop being so negative? Here's some relief! One of my latest articles for Scientific American Mind, from the May/June 2013 issue:

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=negative-emotions-key-well-being

Can Fitness Be Your Life Coach? Lesson #1

I was thrilled to have this article published recenlty in Z-LIFE Magazine. I'm always grateful for every assigment, but this one is extra special because it's an original concept I've been honing for years. It's a framework that helps guide my life, and it's one of the tools I teach clients. Though I've come up with zillions of these lessons, we narrowed it to seven for the article. I will post them one at at time. Here's the first lesson, after the intro of the article:

You already know that working out can make you look and feel great, add years to your life and even give your sex life a boost, but did you know that exercise is an excellent life coach?  As a psychotherapist and fitness fanatic, I’ve discovered that the lessons I’ve learned from exercising reinforce some important life lessons.  Read on for some crucial lessons, and remember the most important theme of all: In fitness and in general, balance is key.

1. When you focus only on results, you miss the best part.

It’s tempting to think about how great you’ll look if you just buckle down and get through a certain number of workouts, but this makes exercise seem like something to be endured rather than enjoyed.  By the same token, focusing only on your next goal in life robs you of the thrill of the journey itself.

At the gym: If you usually set your sights on just getting through your workout, note how strong and healthy you feel as you do the exercises, and marvel at how your body responds to the challenge.  Besides making your sweat sessions more meaningful, a recent study found that awareness correlates with long-term commitment to exercise.  “Being in the here and now while you’re working out keeps you mindful of your form and breathing,” says Elisabeth Halfpapp of Exhale Spa, co-creator of the “Exhale: Core Fusion 30 Day Sculpt” workout.“When you’re fully aware of these components, you’ll stay safe and see results more quickly.” Rick Mayo, owner of Northpoint Personal Fitness in Roswell, Ga., agrees.  “Keep your eyes on the prize as far as your long-term goal is concerned,” he says.  “Just don’t forget that it’s the sum of your small daily accomplishments that gets you there!”

In life: Occasionally step back from figuring out how to get or do more, and remember that there is more to your existence than the items on your to-do list.  Make time to truly focus on the people you care about, and be grateful for simple pleasures.“The only thing you really have is the present moment — the name is fitting because it truly is a gift,” says Halfpapp.

 

Tori's Healthy Chocolate Chip Pancakes

I love concocting simple recipes that are healthy and also absurdly tasty. Case in point: my chocolate chip pancakes. SO GOOD. Here's the recipe for a single serving:

- 1/3 c buckwheat pancake mix (like Hodgson Mill brand)

- 1/4 c low-fat milk

- 1 egg

- 1/2 Tbsp. olive oil

- 20 or so dark chocolate chips (like Ghirardelli bittersweet 60% cacao)

- cinnamon to taste

- few pecans, chopped

- whipped cream

- syrup (sugar-free or your choice)

1. Spray skillet with cooking spray and set to medium heat. Mix first four ingredients, let sit a few minutes. If it's too thick, add a touch more milk.

2. When skillet is hot, place a few large spoonfuls of mixture onto skillet.  Drop a couple of chocolate chips into each pancake. You know the rest... flip, etc. Repeat when those are done. This should make about 6 smallish pancakes total.

3. When all are done and on a plate, top each with another chocolate chip; sprinkle with chopped pecans; add a few dollops of whipped cream; sprinkle with cinnamon.

4. Add syrup if you desire. I use Mrs. Butterworth's sugar-free syrup because it's thick and not watery like other sugar-free syrups. (I know, I know, fake sugars aren't good for us, but in this case I'm choosing my battles wisely: I minimize fake sugars elsewhere but choose sugar-free syrup here to avoid post-real-syrup coma.)

5. I like to have a couple pieces of turkey bacon (Applegate Naturals is the BEST - I always joke that God had to have handmade it himself) with my pancakes to make it perfectly satisfying; keeps me happy and well-fueled for hours.

6. Devour!

 

Lucid Dreaming as a Tool for Self-Discovery

Learn what lucid dreaming can do for you - and how to do it! Here's the link to the online version of my article from the March/April 2013 issue of Spirituality & Health Magazine:

http://spiritualityhealth.com/articles/learn-how-lucid-dream-tool-self-discovery

Telomeres: The Long & Short of It

Age well by keeping your telomeres in tip-top shape! Don't know what telomeres are? Let me explain... Here's the link to one of my articles from the new issue of Scientific American Mind. Enjoy!

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=chromosome-caps-offer-clu

 

Creativity Can Make You Healthier & Happier

Creation is perhaps the very meaning of life, and it sure improves the quality of it... so get to it! Learn more in my article from the current issue of Z-Life Magazine. Here's the link to an excerpt: http://zlife.zumba.com/uncategorized/think-outside-the-box/. Enjoy!

Can Eye Movements Treat Trauma?

Yes they can! Find out how your eyes can help you recover from a traumatic experience... Here's the link to one of my latest articles in the Jan/Feb 2013 issue of Scientific American Mind:

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=can-eye-movements-treat-trauma

Mindfulness Eases Social Anxiety & Loneliness

More points for mindfulness! Here's the link to another of my latest articles from the Jan/Feb 2013 issue of Scientific American Mind. Enjoy!

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=focus-on-yourself-to-alleviate-soci