"The only really good place to buy lumber is at a store where the lumber has already been cut and attached together in the form of furniture, finished, and put inside boxes."
|
| |
7 Tips To Kick Your Sugar Habit
Are you often overcome with an urge to splurge on candy, cookies, and cake – and do you then hate yourself for caving into your cravings? Do you pop by the drug store for paper goods but always leave with junk food, too? And do you feel like an ...
Are You A Food Addict?
Seem to Control You may overdose on potato chips or tortilla chips once in a while, but would you consider yourself to be a food addict? The answer is important, because it could be the key to determining what course of action you need to take in order ...
Key Prescription Drug Addiction Statistics
Prescription drug addiction is becoming a major problem in America. Prescription drugs are being prescribed for a wider variety of reasons and quite frequently, greatly increasing the chances that they will be misused. There are several disturbing ...
|
|
|
|
| |
Now, many of us are well known as chocoholics, but others, to some extent, still have one leg in the closet. Those close to us know we love chocolate, but when the candy goes missing we don't claim any responsibility. I have recently removed myself from the darkness and became a self-proclaimed chocoholic. Moreover, I am ready to explore the reasons behind my desires and what can be done about it. In fact, it's probably time we all came out of the candy-filled closet to discuss this propensity for the sugary sweet. Why do we have it? Is there a genetic component to our needs? And what is truly so bad about being addicted to this mere cocoa bean? Most importantly, what can we do to keep our habitual desire in check? I will explore all of the above and detail a healthy way to keep chocolate in our diets.
Why are we the chosen addicted to chocolate anyway? Within my research, I have found that several scientists believe genetics does play a part in why certain people become consumed by the taste and smell of chocolate. Although I am not a scientist, I also believe that the inevitable craving for chocolate has some hereditary component. In my family, both parents have the desire to eat anything containing even a trace of chocolate. My sisters have also been burdened with this want for any such version of chocolate. In addition, my eldest brother requires much will to keep himself away from the candy cabinet in his home. This may not be scientific evidence, but it is my experience and stands to reason in my mind. No doubt, many chocoholics reading this article can think of at least two relatives that require a daily dose of chocolate to keep them happy.
So what is the big deal about chocolate anyway? Is it really that bad for us? I guess the answer is yes and no. Yes for some of us, no for others. Many doctors and psychologists believe that being addicted to chocolate means that one has the genetic code for simply being an addict. Many chocoholics are also alcoholics, smokers, and on down the line of addictive behaviors. Research also shows that many obese people are burdened with chocolate addiction as well as addiction to other foods. For these folks, addiction to anything has the potential to become problematic.
What about those of us who are chocoholics but not obese and not regular addicts? I myself am not obese. I am also not an addict...to anything but chocolate. I have never dealt with any other addiction. I do not have addictive behavior and do not believe I have the disease of addiction. I am simply in love with chocolate and want it almost as much as I want a good nights' sleep. Is it truly dangerous for me? Of course it's not the healthiest of foods to love but I've yet to enter the realm of danger. But it wouldn't hurt to find a better way to fulfill my desires.
Most chocoholics know their habit is not necessarily a good one and would be willing to try a healthier alternative. Replacing chocolate with carob chips could ease kicking the chocolate habit, but the taste is just not the same. Another alternative is dark chocolate, which is known to have health benefits such as lowering high blood pressure. It also contains a potent antioxidant which helps to fight heart disease and other ailments. Just don't wash it down with a glass of milk because milk prevents absorption of the good stuff. Dark organic chocolate is said to be the healthiest choice. It is more expensive than the average chocolate bar but is very rich in flavanoids and antioxidants. Dark organic chocolate, when consumed in moderation, can help to control diabetes and blood pressure. This is the best replacement for those who are addicted to chocolate but need a healthier variety.
Whatever your choice, it is imperative to remember that all types of chocolate contain large amounts of sugar and should only be consumed by healthy individuals. I myself would like to say that from now on I'm only going to eat dark organic chocolate in moderation. But who am I kidding. I know that I lack the willpower. I believe in strength in numbers, however, and look forward to all the emails I will receive from fellow chocoholics wanting to mellow, if not curb, the habit. I don't think that chocolate is going to kill me, but it is certainly not going to save my life. I will attempt to limit my consumption and focus on buying dark varieties of chocolate. Especially now that all the Halloween candy is gone. And if I can do it, so can you.
About the author:
Elizabeth Smith is owner of the gift business
 Halfway House Must Close, Zoning Denied - The Ledger
Without the conditional-use zoning they were denied Thursday, some of the 13 people in the home now - eight children and five adults who are part of a ministry serving people with addictions - must leave it by Monday.
Attention Fantasy Football Widows: Celebrifantasy Puts the "Fan" into ... - Forbes
Attention Football Widows: stop complaining about losing your men to their fantasy sports addictions and start a celebrity league of your own! Celebrifantasy, the one-stop online shop for all things celebrity, now offers fantasy celebrity leagues ...
Addicted to Oil, Addicted to Sugar - Huffingtonpost.com
There are some striking parallels between the gas crisis and the obesity crisis. Nobody disagrees that we're "addicted to oil". The debate about what to do about it illuminates a divide that neatly parallels the divide over what to do about obesity ...
The Duchovny Files: Treating Sexual Addictions - Newsweek
The term "sex addict" has been used as a punch line on television so often that it's hard to believe that it can actually be a serious addiction, like alcoholism . So when "X Files" star, David Duchovny , announced last week that he was entering ...
Government of Canada and Province of British Columbia Collaborate on ... - Market Wire
OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Sept. 4, 2008) - Individuals living in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside will benefit from two new treatment services thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada. The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health, and ...
Pasco religion calendar - St. Petersburg Times
Story Tools Community United Methodist Church, 3214 U.S. 19, offers a contemporary service at 9:30 a.m. and a traditional service at 11 a.m. Sundays. Pastor is the Rev. Dan Campbell. Call (727) 937-3268 or visit cumcholiday.org. Holiday United Church ...
"Idol" grad Pickler writes from the heart - Reuters
NASHVILLE (Billboard) - She has domestic turmoil and tabloid-fodder romance in her past, but Kellie Pickler just wants people "to get to know me through my music." It's fitting, then, that the "American Idol" alumna's sophomore album, due September ...
|
|
| | | | |
