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Friday 31 January 2014
Grammar for Business
Thursday 30 January 2014
Brain Food: Not For Zombies
What makes you think that what you put into your body doesn't affect your brain? You get highs from sugar, and caffeine - all with the consequent lows. These sudden sugar rushes and the following lows play havoc with your concentration and ability to access the key language areas that will bring out the best in your writing and stops it becoming zombified. So let's look at brain food.
Brain Food
Some foods are better for your brain than others - we have good evidence to support this claim, from a variety of research fields.
The big secret eating for your brain is understanding the chemicals that come from the foods you eat. These different chemicals can keep you motivated, help you concentrate, improve memory, help you deal with stress, and slow down the ageing process (and fight an incredible amount of mental illnesses).
So, here are some of the top foods for brain function. See how creative you can get.
These are the top four chemicals your brain loves:
Glucose: Okay, so yes, it is otherwise known as sugar, and we all hear, 'Don't eat sugar.' Let me explain. Most of the brain's energy comes from glucose, so you definitely need it. The problem is your brain needs a slow and constant stream of it, and gets rather upset by a sudden increase and then none at all. So complex carbohydrates, and many smaller meals helps concentration.
Fatty Acids: Your brain definitely needs fat! But not the kind of fat you find in chips. The big winner is omega-3. So fish is a great looking option here, particularly the fatty kinds like salmon and tuna. However, you can also get omega-3 goodness from walnuts, pumpkin and flax seeds, so you're not totally limited if you can't have seafood. How much are we talking? Well, one serving a day is a great aim.
Amino Acids: These come from protein-rich foods and are essential for mental alertness. They affect your neurotransmitters and so can improve a range of different mental aspects, including memory, your immune system and even your sleep. So where do these good thing come from? Amino acids come as the body breaks down protein, so fish, meat, eggs, cheese and yogurt are all good. The suggestion is to get one of these into each and every one of your meals. Are you up to the challenge?
Antioxidants: These help to regulate the oxidative stress that negatively affects brain cells. Want some of these goodies? Well good old tea is great, as well as veggies or berries. Your parents were right, you should eat your greens because they're good for you.
Finally, I know it's not a food, but water mustn't be forgotten. Get more water into you, as even mild dehydration has consequences for your mental performance. Make sure you are having a few glasses a day of the pure stuff, along with all your other drinks.
Sadly, eating well won't make you super smart overnight. In most modern lives, change needs to be made just to get your brain functioning as it should. There are some short-term gains, but you should be focused on creating better brain function for the long term. And seriously, it will be worth it.
Avoiding the After Lunch Slump
1. Avoid eating too much. That 'stuffed' feeling is a bad sign. It means that more blood is going to be diverted to your digestive system to deal with the overload, and that you are going to feel sleepy and weak as a result.
2. Get some vitamins! Veggies at lunchtime are excellent, for many reasons.
3. Are you getting enough iron? One of the causes of fatigue, in women in particular, is lack of iron. Use your lunchtime as a chance to make sure you get enough. Chuck some spinach into your salad, or make it a Thai beef salad.
4. Don't rely on stimulants to pick you up. This might work on occasion, but in the end your body will just come to rely on them, meaning they are less effective and without them you feel even worse than you did before! Caffeine is an emergency drug.
5. After-lunch meditation. Well, if your body is going to need some down time to process the food you have given it, you might as well help it and give your brain a rest as well. After lunch, try finding a relaxing spot and listening to a meditation or relaxation tape for 20 minutes. This lets your body digest and refresh as you use that near sleep state to further your creative processes.
Brain Food
Some foods are better for your brain than others - we have good evidence to support this claim, from a variety of research fields.
The big secret eating for your brain is understanding the chemicals that come from the foods you eat. These different chemicals can keep you motivated, help you concentrate, improve memory, help you deal with stress, and slow down the ageing process (and fight an incredible amount of mental illnesses).
So, here are some of the top foods for brain function. See how creative you can get.
These are the top four chemicals your brain loves:
Glucose: Okay, so yes, it is otherwise known as sugar, and we all hear, 'Don't eat sugar.' Let me explain. Most of the brain's energy comes from glucose, so you definitely need it. The problem is your brain needs a slow and constant stream of it, and gets rather upset by a sudden increase and then none at all. So complex carbohydrates, and many smaller meals helps concentration.
Fatty Acids: Your brain definitely needs fat! But not the kind of fat you find in chips. The big winner is omega-3. So fish is a great looking option here, particularly the fatty kinds like salmon and tuna. However, you can also get omega-3 goodness from walnuts, pumpkin and flax seeds, so you're not totally limited if you can't have seafood. How much are we talking? Well, one serving a day is a great aim.
Amino Acids: These come from protein-rich foods and are essential for mental alertness. They affect your neurotransmitters and so can improve a range of different mental aspects, including memory, your immune system and even your sleep. So where do these good thing come from? Amino acids come as the body breaks down protein, so fish, meat, eggs, cheese and yogurt are all good. The suggestion is to get one of these into each and every one of your meals. Are you up to the challenge?
Antioxidants: These help to regulate the oxidative stress that negatively affects brain cells. Want some of these goodies? Well good old tea is great, as well as veggies or berries. Your parents were right, you should eat your greens because they're good for you.
Finally, I know it's not a food, but water mustn't be forgotten. Get more water into you, as even mild dehydration has consequences for your mental performance. Make sure you are having a few glasses a day of the pure stuff, along with all your other drinks.
Sadly, eating well won't make you super smart overnight. In most modern lives, change needs to be made just to get your brain functioning as it should. There are some short-term gains, but you should be focused on creating better brain function for the long term. And seriously, it will be worth it.
Avoiding the After Lunch Slump
1. Avoid eating too much. That 'stuffed' feeling is a bad sign. It means that more blood is going to be diverted to your digestive system to deal with the overload, and that you are going to feel sleepy and weak as a result.
2. Get some vitamins! Veggies at lunchtime are excellent, for many reasons.
3. Are you getting enough iron? One of the causes of fatigue, in women in particular, is lack of iron. Use your lunchtime as a chance to make sure you get enough. Chuck some spinach into your salad, or make it a Thai beef salad.
4. Don't rely on stimulants to pick you up. This might work on occasion, but in the end your body will just come to rely on them, meaning they are less effective and without them you feel even worse than you did before! Caffeine is an emergency drug.
5. After-lunch meditation. Well, if your body is going to need some down time to process the food you have given it, you might as well help it and give your brain a rest as well. After lunch, try finding a relaxing spot and listening to a meditation or relaxation tape for 20 minutes. This lets your body digest and refresh as you use that near sleep state to further your creative processes.
About the Author:
This is an excerpt from Buffy Greentree's book 'The Five Day Writer's Retreat', available now on Amazon. Five_day_Writer_Retreat
Getting Rid Of Bathroom Books And Other Clutter
Every now and then we all come to a point where we feel overwhelmed by the clutter in our living spaces. Unless you keep constantly on top of clearing things out, eventually something will pile up. It may be bathroom books, tacky picture frames, an old Beanie Baby collection; we all have something we could stand to get rid of. Since no one wants to become a hoarder, here are a few tips for clearing out the unwanted clutter in your home.
1. Throw stuff away! This may be difficult if you are sentimentally attached to your stuff, but it is the quickest and most definitive way to get rid of things. Be honest with yourself about your possessions. Chances are, some of your things are broken beyond repair, or so old that no one will ever use them again. Identify these things, and thrown them away. You will be glad you did.
2. Put things in storage. If you cannot bear to put something in the trash, you still may be able to remove it from the immediate area. Look at the things in your living room, kitchen, or bathroom, and determine whether you have used them in the past three months. Take anything you have not used, and either throw it out or store it somewhere out of the way.
3. Have a yard sale. Or a garage sale, or a stoop sale... Whatever your regional terminology dictates. You may feel better about getting rid of your stuff if you can earn a little bit of money in the process. Also, this will feel less wasteful. Perhaps someone else can get some use from the things you no longer need. Having a sale could be fun and profitable.
4. Give things to charity. If selling your stuff feels uncomfortable, or if the prospect of organizing a sale is overwhelming, think about donating to a charity or a resale shop. Clothing is the thing that is most commonly donated, but you may have other things that would be useful, too, like old appliances or toys. Coats and blankets are also usually in high demand.
5. Hand down baby items. When you have children, you wind up with many years worth of clothing and household items that you can no longer use, especially when you have had your last kid. Luckily, there are always new friends and family members preparing to have children. Consider giving away the cribs, clothing, and other items that your kids have outgrown.
6. Organize. Even if you cannot find a significant amount of things you are willing to store, throw away, sell, or donate, you can still reduce clutter. Invest in some shelves and plastic storage containers, and organize things rather than leaving them lying around.
You will be very happy if you find some time to dedicate to reducing clutter in your living space. Clearing away the ceramic figurines, bathroom books, and other items that are taking unnecessary space. Think about using the tips provided above to help you do so.
1. Throw stuff away! This may be difficult if you are sentimentally attached to your stuff, but it is the quickest and most definitive way to get rid of things. Be honest with yourself about your possessions. Chances are, some of your things are broken beyond repair, or so old that no one will ever use them again. Identify these things, and thrown them away. You will be glad you did.
2. Put things in storage. If you cannot bear to put something in the trash, you still may be able to remove it from the immediate area. Look at the things in your living room, kitchen, or bathroom, and determine whether you have used them in the past three months. Take anything you have not used, and either throw it out or store it somewhere out of the way.
3. Have a yard sale. Or a garage sale, or a stoop sale... Whatever your regional terminology dictates. You may feel better about getting rid of your stuff if you can earn a little bit of money in the process. Also, this will feel less wasteful. Perhaps someone else can get some use from the things you no longer need. Having a sale could be fun and profitable.
4. Give things to charity. If selling your stuff feels uncomfortable, or if the prospect of organizing a sale is overwhelming, think about donating to a charity or a resale shop. Clothing is the thing that is most commonly donated, but you may have other things that would be useful, too, like old appliances or toys. Coats and blankets are also usually in high demand.
5. Hand down baby items. When you have children, you wind up with many years worth of clothing and household items that you can no longer use, especially when you have had your last kid. Luckily, there are always new friends and family members preparing to have children. Consider giving away the cribs, clothing, and other items that your kids have outgrown.
6. Organize. Even if you cannot find a significant amount of things you are willing to store, throw away, sell, or donate, you can still reduce clutter. Invest in some shelves and plastic storage containers, and organize things rather than leaving them lying around.
You will be very happy if you find some time to dedicate to reducing clutter in your living space. Clearing away the ceramic figurines, bathroom books, and other items that are taking unnecessary space. Think about using the tips provided above to help you do so.
About the Author:
Check out an incredible selection of bathroom books by visiting our web pages today. To access our online catalog of quality titles and know more about the author, click the links at http://bayridgepublishing.com right now.
Wednesday 29 January 2014
Why Read Fairy Tale Books For Adults
Some people love reading because it is their hobby to read, while others find reading hectic and demanding. However, the fact is that every person should learn how to read. You do not have to read while you are about to sit for exams. You need to make reading part of your life. With the many Fairy tale books for adults, finding the best for you is quite easy. This will ensure that you enjoy the many benefits that come with reading such materials.
You need to exercise your brain. This is because; lack of exercise can greatly contribute to your brain becoming dormant. Some people do not realize that their brains are becoming dormant because they cannot see them. However, just as your body looks unhealthy when you do not do regular exercise, your brain becomes dormant as well. You can exercise your brain by reading different materials.
Stress is very dangerous; this is because; if you do not come up with mechanisms to control it, chances are that it may get to the level of depression. Depression can easily kill. If you realize that they are things stressing you, consider letting such things go, by reading an entertaining reading material. This is because; reading such a book will help your mind let go the things bothering you.
Knowledge is power. You cannot gain knowledge without reading. People who invest in reading materials are more knowledgeable than those who do not. You do not have to invest your time doing other things. Ensure that you are keen on the things that you read. Look for materials that will equip you with knowledge and understanding. On the other hand, reading will enrich your vocabulary bank. You can easily communicate without running out of words.
You can find these reading materials in bookshops, shopping malls, and supermarkets, around your area. However, it is important to take some time to ensure that you buy from reputable suppliers. One way of knowing if a supplier has a good reputation is by asking for references from people who have bought such materials in the past.
The online channel has also made finding goods and services easier. This is because; by simply clicking few pads on your laptop, you will certainly locate the best reading materials. Again, logging into many different sites will ensure that you have a variety of such materials. Again, you can buy the materials any time twenty-four seven.
Do not settle any reading material. This is because; not all such materials will suit you. Evaluating certain factors before you buy the materials is important. Firstly, you need to look at the materials to ascertain that it has the content and your anticipated author writes it. The size of the material also matters a lot. Look for a material with the right size to void boredom. .
Look for affordable Fairy tale books for adults. This is because; some reading materials are quite costly. However, this does not mean that they are not good. You can consider asking the seller why the materials are costly than others. You may be surprised to find that their quality is worth the cost.
You need to exercise your brain. This is because; lack of exercise can greatly contribute to your brain becoming dormant. Some people do not realize that their brains are becoming dormant because they cannot see them. However, just as your body looks unhealthy when you do not do regular exercise, your brain becomes dormant as well. You can exercise your brain by reading different materials.
Stress is very dangerous; this is because; if you do not come up with mechanisms to control it, chances are that it may get to the level of depression. Depression can easily kill. If you realize that they are things stressing you, consider letting such things go, by reading an entertaining reading material. This is because; reading such a book will help your mind let go the things bothering you.
Knowledge is power. You cannot gain knowledge without reading. People who invest in reading materials are more knowledgeable than those who do not. You do not have to invest your time doing other things. Ensure that you are keen on the things that you read. Look for materials that will equip you with knowledge and understanding. On the other hand, reading will enrich your vocabulary bank. You can easily communicate without running out of words.
You can find these reading materials in bookshops, shopping malls, and supermarkets, around your area. However, it is important to take some time to ensure that you buy from reputable suppliers. One way of knowing if a supplier has a good reputation is by asking for references from people who have bought such materials in the past.
The online channel has also made finding goods and services easier. This is because; by simply clicking few pads on your laptop, you will certainly locate the best reading materials. Again, logging into many different sites will ensure that you have a variety of such materials. Again, you can buy the materials any time twenty-four seven.
Do not settle any reading material. This is because; not all such materials will suit you. Evaluating certain factors before you buy the materials is important. Firstly, you need to look at the materials to ascertain that it has the content and your anticipated author writes it. The size of the material also matters a lot. Look for a material with the right size to void boredom. .
Look for affordable Fairy tale books for adults. This is because; some reading materials are quite costly. However, this does not mean that they are not good. You can consider asking the seller why the materials are costly than others. You may be surprised to find that their quality is worth the cost.
About the Author:
You can visit www.mayatouviere.com for more helpful information about How To Buy The Best Fairy Tale Books For Adults.
(ADV) Premium Designer BedSheets for the CNY
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Tuesday 28 January 2014
Trapped.SG – 2 New Thrilling and Adventurous Rooms to Escape from
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Singapore's Best Real-life Escape Room
Dare to take the Challenge? Book with us now here Why Book with Us?
Trapped Intro: Picture this, you are trapped in a room with your peers, and there seems to be almost no way out. Become the master at solving puzzles, discovering hidden clues, uncovering mysteries and succeeding to escape our well thought and creative concept roomz. Trapped provides you the chance to put your mystery solving skills and IQ to the test. Trapped.sg brings you the online virtual escape rooms to reality, but with a twist. Challenge yourself to escape within 60 minutes from our two concept rooms designed by professionals. 2 Escape Rooms to choose from: Trapped in Hostel: Trapped in Hostel: Just like in the movies, when you go on a vacation as a back-packer and stay in a hostel, things can very wrong. In this hostel you and your peers are trapped in, there have been past torturing and murders for the pleasures of the elite people. You must escape the hostel before you become their next victim. Trapped in Wonder: Trapped in Wonderland: Step into a whole new world where you will find Alice, the Mad Hatter and their friends in Wonderland. You are to find your way back to reality from Wonderland before the evil Queen of Hearts captures you to then command ‘Off with your head’! Stand a Chance to Win 18 x tickets(worth $432) to play our Thrilling Escape Rooms! Simply send us your: 1)Name: 2)Email: 3)Contact: And you will stand a chance to win! Contact us now here for more details or view our website here Trapped.sg Kampung Glam Houses, 42 Kandahar Street, Singapore 198896 (Near Arab St) Telephone: 6292 2177 Note: We are not spammers and are against spamming of any kind. Kindly reply back with the subject "remove" and we will remove you from any future emails. Thank you. |
To Think Write, Eat Write
If you're going to dedicate yourself to a job in which your brain is the most important part of your body, you need to treat it right. Treat it, and think well. This is no fad diet section; I want to look at how to optimise your writing ability through good nutrition.
The Saucy stuff
Don't get me wrong, I have no doubt that people are able to write while eating fast food, and they might even do it better for short bursts with sugar to power them through an all-nighter for an essay. But we're talking about the long term, a career of writing. We are talking about being able to sit down day after day and not falling asleep after your midday meal or crashing from low blood sugar. Best health only comes with good nutrition. If you were a top athlete training for the Olympics, what would you put in your body? Only the best, because you want only the best out of your body. Why do you think your brain isn't similarly affected by what you put into your mouth? Sudden sugar rushes and the following lows play havoc with your concentration and ability to access the key language areas that will bring out the best in your writing.
Hunger vs Willpower
It's very difficult to force yourself to do anything when you are hungry. Easy solution, don't let yourself get hungry. When planning to eat, don't wait until it is too late. One of the biggest traps I've found while writing is that you get caught up in what you are doing, and then suddenly realise you're starving. You go into the kitchen and everything seems too difficult, so you might just grab some chips or live on toast. Toast might get you through the short term, but you'll look back at the week and realise you haven't had anything other than processed carbs. The salad materials you bought have now gone brown and your poor digestive system hasn't seen a vitamin in days. Therefore, plan ahead! And plan to have some pre-made meals for the few slips you might still make.
Break your fast in the morning, and break it well. I know, I know, some of you don't like breakfast. You feel as though you're not hungry at that time, and think that it's in-built. But you can train yourself to prefer and even crave a healthy meal to start your day. Start with something, even if it is just a piece of fruit (but if you do only eat fruit, be aware of 'sugar crashes' that can follow natural fruit sugars in the same way it stalks a cake or biscuit).
My breakfast ranges from porridge with cinnamon and brown sugar in winter (it's so comforting and makes the world seem better), to natural yogurt and a homemade oat and dried apricot granola. Whatever works for you, organise it and use it. Plan simple and brain appropriate breakfasts that won't be stressful to make. If you plan them now, you can add the ingredients to the shopping list.
Assuming you get up early enough to leave time between breakfast and lunch, I agree with the Hobbits on the importance of elevenses. Taking a break in mid-morning to have a snack breaks the workload into manageable pieces and gives you something to look forward to. Moreover, I'm not one of those people who say you should only eat fruit, unless you feel like it. Personally I find fruit one of the greatest things in the universe, however I am also in favour of a bit of cake - when it's the good solid homemade variety. You know, something to excite you about the upcoming break, without leaving you pinging off the walls. Cheese and biscuits is another good snack. It is just a matter of all things in moderation.
Lunchtime
Lunch is such a brilliant meal. Almost anything is acceptable at lunch, unlike dinner and breakfast (which tend to be less flexible in their definitions). Thinking about lunch; about what I might be having and how it will taste, gets me through a tough morning writing session. I am not above negotiating with myself or even stooping to bribery when necessary. However, you do need to think about the consequences.
Many people complain about a tiredness and heaviness after lunch that makes tasks such as writing feel impossible. This wipes out a good three hours of possible writing time, for no real benefit. If you've decided to go see a movie for three hours, well at least you would get some enjoyment. But just staring at a screen blankly and trying to stop your head hitting the desk is a waste of effort. Therefore, do everything in your power to stop this mid-afternoon crash. This starts at lunch.
Some Steps You Can Take To Avoid the After-Lunch Slump
1. More protein, less carbs. (Okay, so I sort of agree with the nutritionists, in that you should have some protein. But carbs aren't all bad.) A big bowl of pasta is a great way to make you want to curl up and sleep. However, a chicken salad will keep you fresh and awake.
2. After-lunch meditation. Well, if your body is going to need some down time to process the food you have given it, you might as well help it and give your brain a rest as well. After lunch, try finding a relaxing spot and listening to a meditation or relaxation tape for 20 minutes. This lets your body digest and refresh as you use that near sleep state to further your creative processes.
3. Don't rely on stimulants to pick you up. This might work on occasion, but in the end your body will just come to rely on them, meaning they are less effective and without them you feel even worse than you did before! Caffeine is an emergency drug.
4. Are you getting enough iron? One of the causes of fatigue, in women in particular, is lack of iron. Use your lunchtime as a chance to make sure you get enough. Chuck some spinach into your salad, or make it a Thai beef salad.
5. After the allocated 20 minutes, you need to kick your body back into gear, so try going for a walk to get the blood flowing again to the rest of your body. Also, getting out into the sunlight will let your body know it should be awake.
In the afternoon it is easy to start craving carbs and sugar, but now really isn't the best time to have them, as they are just going to make you feel worse. Instead, now is a great time to make sure you have gotten enough veggies for the day. Still a bit low? Try something like carrot sticks with hummus, or even nuts. Once you realise how good getting vitamins can be, your body will be begging you for them.
Dinner
If I'm writing later, I know that I'll need a snack later on. So sometimes you need to be realistic about this. A smaller dinner with a dessert, followed by a supper snack a few hours later will keep you ticking over nicely for an evening writing session.
Make your meals smaller and you are allowed to have more of them. How great is that? Also, you will avoid feeling stuffed, and not feel hungry in between. Just make sure that you do reduce the size of your meals to compensate for having more of them.
Snacking While Writing
As previously mentioned, I'm not above a bit of bribing to get myself to sit down and write. When I first started my writing challenge, I had a great idea. I would beat two willpower problems at once: I would make sure I was never hungry OR fighting major temptation. How did I do this? By allowing myself to eat as much chocolate as I wanted, but only while I was writing. Great plan, huh? If I wanted to eat chocolate, which I did nearly all the time, then I had to be writing.
Uh, there was something I didn't think through there: 4+ hours writing per day, combined with eating chocolate for this entire time is not going to be healthy. And I was like an alcoholic - once I started, I couldn't stop. So the only solution was not to start at all. The chocolate had to go. Painful, but it came down to a point of all or nothing for me.
Welcome into my life caramel jerseys. I just replaced the chocolate with something else, so neatly didn't solve the problem in the slightest. But I still felt I needed something while I was just sitting there doing nothing - and the chewing helped me think! So I started chewing gum. What else was I to do?
Chewing gum has a couple of benefits: first, your breath stays minty fresh. Second, the chewing really seems to help the thought process. Third, it stops you putting anything else, like mysteriously appearing pieces of chocolate, into your mouth.
Now I know this sounds like a small, inconsequential piece of advice, but think about it. If chewing gum saves me from devouring chocolate for four hours a day, that saves me hundreds of calories a day. Hundreds of calories a day quickly equals an extra two kilos of weight gain per month. That becomes 24kgs heavier for every year that I write! Considering my writing challenge is for five years, that would make me three times my current weight!
Like I said, chew gum.
The Saucy stuff
Don't get me wrong, I have no doubt that people are able to write while eating fast food, and they might even do it better for short bursts with sugar to power them through an all-nighter for an essay. But we're talking about the long term, a career of writing. We are talking about being able to sit down day after day and not falling asleep after your midday meal or crashing from low blood sugar. Best health only comes with good nutrition. If you were a top athlete training for the Olympics, what would you put in your body? Only the best, because you want only the best out of your body. Why do you think your brain isn't similarly affected by what you put into your mouth? Sudden sugar rushes and the following lows play havoc with your concentration and ability to access the key language areas that will bring out the best in your writing.
Hunger vs Willpower
It's very difficult to force yourself to do anything when you are hungry. Easy solution, don't let yourself get hungry. When planning to eat, don't wait until it is too late. One of the biggest traps I've found while writing is that you get caught up in what you are doing, and then suddenly realise you're starving. You go into the kitchen and everything seems too difficult, so you might just grab some chips or live on toast. Toast might get you through the short term, but you'll look back at the week and realise you haven't had anything other than processed carbs. The salad materials you bought have now gone brown and your poor digestive system hasn't seen a vitamin in days. Therefore, plan ahead! And plan to have some pre-made meals for the few slips you might still make.
Break your fast in the morning, and break it well. I know, I know, some of you don't like breakfast. You feel as though you're not hungry at that time, and think that it's in-built. But you can train yourself to prefer and even crave a healthy meal to start your day. Start with something, even if it is just a piece of fruit (but if you do only eat fruit, be aware of 'sugar crashes' that can follow natural fruit sugars in the same way it stalks a cake or biscuit).
My breakfast ranges from porridge with cinnamon and brown sugar in winter (it's so comforting and makes the world seem better), to natural yogurt and a homemade oat and dried apricot granola. Whatever works for you, organise it and use it. Plan simple and brain appropriate breakfasts that won't be stressful to make. If you plan them now, you can add the ingredients to the shopping list.
Assuming you get up early enough to leave time between breakfast and lunch, I agree with the Hobbits on the importance of elevenses. Taking a break in mid-morning to have a snack breaks the workload into manageable pieces and gives you something to look forward to. Moreover, I'm not one of those people who say you should only eat fruit, unless you feel like it. Personally I find fruit one of the greatest things in the universe, however I am also in favour of a bit of cake - when it's the good solid homemade variety. You know, something to excite you about the upcoming break, without leaving you pinging off the walls. Cheese and biscuits is another good snack. It is just a matter of all things in moderation.
Lunchtime
Lunch is such a brilliant meal. Almost anything is acceptable at lunch, unlike dinner and breakfast (which tend to be less flexible in their definitions). Thinking about lunch; about what I might be having and how it will taste, gets me through a tough morning writing session. I am not above negotiating with myself or even stooping to bribery when necessary. However, you do need to think about the consequences.
Many people complain about a tiredness and heaviness after lunch that makes tasks such as writing feel impossible. This wipes out a good three hours of possible writing time, for no real benefit. If you've decided to go see a movie for three hours, well at least you would get some enjoyment. But just staring at a screen blankly and trying to stop your head hitting the desk is a waste of effort. Therefore, do everything in your power to stop this mid-afternoon crash. This starts at lunch.
Some Steps You Can Take To Avoid the After-Lunch Slump
1. More protein, less carbs. (Okay, so I sort of agree with the nutritionists, in that you should have some protein. But carbs aren't all bad.) A big bowl of pasta is a great way to make you want to curl up and sleep. However, a chicken salad will keep you fresh and awake.
2. After-lunch meditation. Well, if your body is going to need some down time to process the food you have given it, you might as well help it and give your brain a rest as well. After lunch, try finding a relaxing spot and listening to a meditation or relaxation tape for 20 minutes. This lets your body digest and refresh as you use that near sleep state to further your creative processes.
3. Don't rely on stimulants to pick you up. This might work on occasion, but in the end your body will just come to rely on them, meaning they are less effective and without them you feel even worse than you did before! Caffeine is an emergency drug.
4. Are you getting enough iron? One of the causes of fatigue, in women in particular, is lack of iron. Use your lunchtime as a chance to make sure you get enough. Chuck some spinach into your salad, or make it a Thai beef salad.
5. After the allocated 20 minutes, you need to kick your body back into gear, so try going for a walk to get the blood flowing again to the rest of your body. Also, getting out into the sunlight will let your body know it should be awake.
In the afternoon it is easy to start craving carbs and sugar, but now really isn't the best time to have them, as they are just going to make you feel worse. Instead, now is a great time to make sure you have gotten enough veggies for the day. Still a bit low? Try something like carrot sticks with hummus, or even nuts. Once you realise how good getting vitamins can be, your body will be begging you for them.
Dinner
If I'm writing later, I know that I'll need a snack later on. So sometimes you need to be realistic about this. A smaller dinner with a dessert, followed by a supper snack a few hours later will keep you ticking over nicely for an evening writing session.
Make your meals smaller and you are allowed to have more of them. How great is that? Also, you will avoid feeling stuffed, and not feel hungry in between. Just make sure that you do reduce the size of your meals to compensate for having more of them.
Snacking While Writing
As previously mentioned, I'm not above a bit of bribing to get myself to sit down and write. When I first started my writing challenge, I had a great idea. I would beat two willpower problems at once: I would make sure I was never hungry OR fighting major temptation. How did I do this? By allowing myself to eat as much chocolate as I wanted, but only while I was writing. Great plan, huh? If I wanted to eat chocolate, which I did nearly all the time, then I had to be writing.
Uh, there was something I didn't think through there: 4+ hours writing per day, combined with eating chocolate for this entire time is not going to be healthy. And I was like an alcoholic - once I started, I couldn't stop. So the only solution was not to start at all. The chocolate had to go. Painful, but it came down to a point of all or nothing for me.
Welcome into my life caramel jerseys. I just replaced the chocolate with something else, so neatly didn't solve the problem in the slightest. But I still felt I needed something while I was just sitting there doing nothing - and the chewing helped me think! So I started chewing gum. What else was I to do?
Chewing gum has a couple of benefits: first, your breath stays minty fresh. Second, the chewing really seems to help the thought process. Third, it stops you putting anything else, like mysteriously appearing pieces of chocolate, into your mouth.
Now I know this sounds like a small, inconsequential piece of advice, but think about it. If chewing gum saves me from devouring chocolate for four hours a day, that saves me hundreds of calories a day. Hundreds of calories a day quickly equals an extra two kilos of weight gain per month. That becomes 24kgs heavier for every year that I write! Considering my writing challenge is for five years, that would make me three times my current weight!
Like I said, chew gum.
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