I'm All About Facilitating Satisfaction...

One great thing about Acupressure sessions is the satisfaction that results. When you let go of a pattern of craving, it is always, always, always replaced with a more satisfying pattern. Why?

Our brains won't let go of a pattern, no matter how dysfunctional it seems to us, unless it is replaced by something better. It's how we're wired for survival.

I've seen this again and again, and know that a session is not done, until someone feels that inner feeling of satisfaction. This inner feeling may be related to an early childhood experience with that food, and usually involves pleasant memories. The interesting thing is that it's not really the food we crave; it's the experience surrounding it. 

"I loved it when my parents let me have cake, it made me feel so good. I remember licking the frosting."

"My mother used to give me candy when I got home from school and it made me feel so loved and special."

Our brain remembers that feeling and when times are tough and we're not feeling so great, we try to recreate that feeling. This is usually totally out of our awareness, but sometimes continues even if we're aware of the connection. The food is attached to that pleasant memory, and when we crave that feeling, the food is what our bodies remember. That food was the connection, and we haven't found a better way to feel that feeling.

Sometimes that feeling has only been available to you when you ate the food, but during a session, that feeling becomes more available to you, you don't need to eat the food to feel the feeling. It's like a block is released and peace is what remains.

Peace of Mind

The great thing, is that you also have the peace of mind to make decisions about your food choices. If you decide to eat your previously craved food, you'll be less likely to overdo, and regret it later. You'll likely enjoy it more because it will feel more peaceful and relaxed. If you decide to avoid the food, you also do that peacefully and aren't using excessive willpower to make that your reality, because you're satisfied from within.

It's sort of like disentangling old memories, so food is not the only way to feel a good feeling. You then find many ways to feel that good and they are more 'adult' in nature.

So, if you're been struggling with a habit that you haven't been able to change, this may help. If you'd like support in changing these habits, I'm happy to help you, feel free to contact me.

Yours in Health,

Kara

Kara Sorensen, MS, LAc
The Food Craving Solution
15066 Los Gatos-Almaden Rd
Suite 200
Los Gatos, CA
e: kara(at)karasorensen.com
p: 408.805.5272 (KARA)
p: 800.514.1406

...Or, What is This Work You Do Around Food Cravings?

Sometimes when I tell people about my work with Food Cravings, I often hear a response like:

'But I love my chocolate, why would I want to take my cravings away?'

I decided to write a post to explain a little about my intention with my food craving work. It's never about taking away the food you crave; it's all about letting go of what no longer serves you. Usually, the craving and the feeling of being out of control is not something most people want to hold onto when they come to me for help; they are ready to let go of it.

It's also about helping you be in charge, so if you have some chocolate, you can enjoy it fully without feeling compelled to eat the whole box. Can you imagine that being a possibility?

For example, I eat chocolate, I ENJOY it without guilt, I can take it or leave it. I keep a nice supply in my pantry of dark chocolate covered almonds with sea salt, along with a few other varieties. Sometimes they sit there for months. I usually eat one or two at a time, as letting them melt in my mouth is so satisfying one or two is all I want. That's my personal peace with chocolate, but it may not be yours. 

And Now Back to My Intention with Food Cravings if We Work Together:

My intention is to help you be free of the static you experience relative to food (static is all the mental, emotional or physical distress experienced in relation to food in this case). What bothers me, may not bother you, but you know what bothers you and that's what's important. I can help you let go of whatever that is. Without this static, you are free to make choices that feel good to you, that nourish you and that leave you feeling satisfied. Here's a quick list of intentions:

• To help you find your own particular experience of Peace with Food so your cravings and food reactions naturally fade

• To help you enjoy food more, which doesn't usually mean more food (unless more food is needed in cases of malnourishment)

• To help you be in charge of your eating, so your self-esteem, peace and calm remain intact around the refrigerator, the pantry or when eating at restaurants

• To help you be in a position of saying Yes or No to previously problematic foods, and if you have some, to be able to easily stop without feeling deprived or using excessive willpower to stop

By removing the static, you achieve YOUR goals, NOT mine. I hope that you will want to experience Peace with Food, but it's up to you to claim that. I couldn't force that on you if I tried. You're really in charge, not me, I'm just the guide and the assistant.

When there is static (mental, emotional or physical) it can feel like we HAVE to have something; we're not in charge. Going through a process of focused concentration while holding Acupressure points is the quickest and easiest way I know to let go of this static. What is the result?

Your own particular experience of Peace with Food

This peace is natural to you. It doesn't need to be recreated or created; we just need to let go of the static so it can be experienced. How does that sound?

And, please know, when I find a quicker or easier way to help you find Peace with Food, and to help you be free of food cravings, I will certainly let you know!

Yours in Health,

Kara

Kara Sorensen, MS, LAc
The Food Craving Solution
15066 Los Gatos-Almaden Rd
Suite 200
Los Gatos, CA
e: kara(at)karasorensen.com
p: 408.805.5272 (KARA)

p: 800.514.1406 

Please, Don't Ignore Your Food Cravings!

Have you noticed that it's hard to ignore your food cravings? If you ignore them, they often yell louder. Sometimes, distraction is a good thing, but with food cravings, this is not always the case. Have you ever tried listening to your food cravings?

Your Food Cravings are There For a Reason!

Food cravings are there for a very good reason. They are not random and they are not there to torture you or test your willpower. They are a signal from your body that something is needed. This is a good thing! If they weren't there, your body would have no way to get your attention, and no way to meet it's needs. What your food cravings are saying is different for everyone. But, rest assured there is a need there, and it can be met.

What Needs?

It could be nutritional, a need for more protein, essential fatty acids or minerals, etc. It could be a need for active stress relief. It could be a need to approach a problem differently, or to take care of yourself better. But, rest assured, if you can find the need, your food cravings will start to fade.

It's like when you leave your dog at home, and he cries and cries. When you return home, he stops crying. He gets the attention that he wanted. He could have been hungry, but he probably was just lonely and needing your specific attention. The point is, his need for your company is satisfied and he stops crying. It's the same with our bodies, when they get what they need, they stop yelling. There's no need to yell, they've gotten your attention.

Find Out What Drives Your Food Cravings

When I work with men and women around their food cravings, they find out what their food cravings are all about. The great thing is, the majority of the time, that need is satisfied in the session as the neural pathways find new means of satisfaction. When we can only get our needs met through food, it limits us. When we can open up to other ways of satisfaction, we have choice, and we can actually find greater satisfaction. 

So, what are your food cravings about? Have you ever taken the time to ask the question:

What is this about, what do I REALLY need?

Most of the time, it's not food you need, it's something else. At some level, you know this, or will know it if you look gently enough. If you want help with quieting your food cravings, by listening to them, give me a call, I can help.

Yours in Health,

Kara Sorensen, MS, LAc
The Food Craving Solution
15066 Los Gatos-Almaden Rd
Suite 200
Los Gatos, CA
e: kara(at)karasorensen.com
p: 408.805.5272 (KARA)
p: 800.514.1406

Letting Go of Pain with Eating

Making Peace with Food is not just about getting over food cravings, and letting go of unwanted habits with food. It can also be about eating in peace and without physical pain.

I've helped many patients overcome their difficulties with eating, and the pain and discomfort they were experiencing. This is always a joy, as eating is so central in our lives and unless we're on a tube feeding, we really can't avoid it and live long. But what if you have pain with eating? What are your options? Western medicine has medication that suppresses certain bodily fucntions, but it doesn't resolve the underlying problem. It doensn't usually solve the problem, just helps you manage discomfort.

Why Not Be Free of Digestive Symptoms?

By using Acupressure and focusing on the distressing symptoms, patterns change, and symptoms can fade. It can be quick for some people and it can happen gradually over time with others. It all depends on what's causing the pain and how much needs to be cleared out of the neural pathways of the brain.

Recently, I've helped a young man recover his digestive strength and let go of his discomfort of eating. I also helped a young woman let go of a pattern of pain that caused her distress every time she ate. Acupressure can profoundly change your experience, and often it happens much more quickly than thought possible.

So, if you're experiencing chronic digestive pain or cramping, I can help. Even if you have been given a diagnosis like irritable bowel syndrome or ulcerative colitis, it's possible that Acupressure could help you too. If you have questions about how Acupressure might help you, please contact me, I'm here to help. If you live near San Jose, CA, I can work with you in person. If you live out of the San Francisco Bay Area, I can work with you over the phone.

Yours in Health,

Kara Sorensen, MS, LAc
The Food Craving Solution
15066 Los Gatos-Almaden Rd
Suite 200
Los Gatos, CA
e: kara(at)karasorensen.com
p: 408.805.5272 (KARA)
p: 800.514.1406

Are You Obsessed with Cake?

I worked with a patient back in Fall '08 for her Food Cravings, and specifically her obsession with cake. She came to me for Acupuncture as she had some other issues she wanted to address in addition to her cravings.

After her initial exam and Acupuncture treatment, she reported that most of her cravings were gone, but cake was still a problem. I notice this often, that Acupuncture is good for helping general cravings, but when they are very strong and specific, like an obsession with cake, Acupressure is what is needed. 



We did a session for her cravings and obsession with cake. At the start of the session, she said she couldn’t walk by cake without having some, or thinking about it even if she didn't eat any, she felt obsessed. She was surrounded by cake at work, because co-workers were always bringing in some form of cake, so this was a problem.

Food Obsessions Fade

After our session, she couldn't believe that she used to feel the way she did about cake and it felt silly to her. But that's not uncommon. Once the neural pathways have changed, the behavior we once had doesn't make sense anymore, it's easy to let go of it. I heard from her today and she said that she hasn't had any problem with cake since we worked together.

 It's not like she changed jobs, she just was not tempted anymore.

So, if you have an obsession with a certain food item, it may be a simple thing that needs to be addressed. I can tell you that it's not a character flaw. It's not about willpower; it's often more tied into past memories and behaviors from long ago. Oftentimes, food cravings are just a sign that there is an imbalance, and we need a little help shifting gears.

So, if you have a really strong and unexplainable craving or obsessions with a particular food item, I can help you. Please contact me to start your new life without food cravings or obsessions.

Yours in Health,

Kara Sorensen, MS, LAc
The Food Craving Solution
15066 Los Gatos-Almaden Rd
Suite 200
Los Gatos, CA
e: kara(at)karasorensen.com
p: 408.805.5272 (KARA)
p: 800.514.1406

I Love Coffee...

But, I'm not sleeping well and I'm anxious. There are two types of coffee drinkers that come to see me. Those that realize they're drinking too much and it's impacting their sleep and mood, and those that like to drink coffee and don't want to cut down on coffee at all.

Let's start with the second scenario. I'm always a little surprised when someone comes to me for insomnia or anxiety, and they're drinking a lot of coffee during the day, and they don't realize the connection. When I mention that cutting down on their coffee intake could help improve their sleep, and reduce their anxiety, the response I often hear is something like:

    •    Ugh, I can't live without my coffee!
    •    I can't think function without my coffee!
    •    It's how I get going in the morning!
    •    I really don't think I can cut it down!

These patients don't realize that their morning coffee intake could be causing or contributing to their insomnia or their anxiety. They're getting something from the coffee that they need, so they're not looking to reduce their intake. They like drinking it, it makes them feel good. 

In these cases, I suggest that they see if they can reduce it slightly, but that with Acupuncture, they may find their need or desire for coffee fades naturally. This is because their body is wanting the caffeine and stimulation of coffee for a reason. There's a depletion of nutrients or energy in their body and they are getting feel good chemicals released in their brains that is addictive. But, when those feel good chemicals start flowing due to treatment (Acupuncture, herbs or both), their desire fades, and they are surprised. Their other symptoms fade too, and they're less anxious and better able to sleep.

Patients That Want to Cut Down on Coffee, But Can't

The first scenario goes like this. Someone comes to me because they want to cut down on their coffee, but they can't. They're tried, but couln't do it, the urge to drink coffee was just too strong. The coffee may be affecting them in terms of sleep, anxiety or any number of things, but they can't cut it down.

For example, I worked recently with a woman that was drinking 6 shots of espresso (in the form of mocha latte) during the day and was experiencing insomnia and anxiety, which she knew was related to her caffeine intake. She came to me for Acupressure, because she was aware of the impact of the caffeine and wanted to change her habits. The Acupressure session, helped her immediately reduce her intake to a small fraction of that amount (next morning) without any withdrawals.



It's Not About Deprivation Here

So, in conclusion, you don't need to cut down on your intake of coffee and feel deprived or go through withdrawals. The better option would be to help your body/mind heal so that you don't feel such a strong need for something like caffeine. The need for caffeine is a symptom. Meet the need and the symptom fades. Wouldn't it be better to be able to make a choice about drinking coffee just on taste and enjoyment, not on need?

If you'd like help with this, please contact me, I'm happy to help you make peace with coffee.

Yours in Health,

Kara Sorensen, MS, LAc
The Food Craving Solution
15066 Los Gatos-Almaden Rd
Suite 200
Los Gatos, CA
e: kara(at)karasorensen.com
p: 408.805.5272 (KARA)
p: 800.514.1406

It's Not About Getting Rid of Something

One thing that I love about my work is the insights that emerge for patients during their Acupressure sessions. When a truth comes to our awareness, a truth that is specific to our struggles, it can be such a relief.

Often, when there's something we don't like, we want to push it away, get rid of it and get rid of it FAST! But, that doesn't always work, and can actually make things worse. You've heard the saying:

'What You Resist Persists'  

Resistance requires a lot of energy and a lot of willpower especially when it comes to food issues. But, if you can look at 'it' (the problem), things can change. If you can be with it for a minute, be a witness to it, things can shift. The 'hold' that 'it' had on you starts to fade, you have insights about why this has been such a problem, and how it came to be. The best part, is that the problem then becomes a thing of the past, it fades away just as quickly as the insight came. Not because it's something you've gotten rid of, but because you were willing to not resist it, and see the truth about it. This is powerful, yes?

It's hard to explain in advance what can happen during an Acupressure session. Each person's experience is unique to their body/mind and life experiences, but truth is predictable. The good news is, that you don't have to figure out how to get rid of something. You just need a willingness to be open and look at the problem, and maybe there's nothing to even get rid of after all. 

A Return to Balance

What happens during this process is more of an integration and a returning to balance, not a removing of things unwanted, though habits change. Things aren't taken away as much as balance is restored and things out of balance fade away as they are no longer needed. Here's something a patient wrote about her experience:

 'It became clear in my session that difficulties with a particular food were linked to a character trait in myself which I resisted mightily. I thought Kara would help me to "get rid of" the food problem and the character trait . . . Instead, through her gifted work, a place inside of me widened to make space both for loving the part of me I'd wanted to obliterate (I'm human; it's okay to accept all of me) and for a new experience--both with that food, and with a healthy desire for growth.'

Erika B.

Berkeley, CA

This is one patients experience, unique to her, but it's part of a common theme, as we're not all that different from each other. So, if you've been struggling with a problem and you can't get beyond it, know that it's not your fault. It's possible that you just need a different way of approaching the problem. If you would like help with this, contact me, I'd be happy to be of service.

Yours in Health,

Kara Sorensen, MS, LAc
The Food Craving Solution
15066 Los Gatos-Almaden Rd
Suite 200
Los Gatos, CA
e: kara(at)karasorensen.com
p: 408.805.5272 (KARA)
p: 800.514.1406

Have You Watched My Video on Food Cravings?

I recorded this video over a year ago, but it still explains the work I do with Food Cravings. I'm still helping people be free of their Food Cravings and my passion for this work persists.  Watch the video, I explain how I use a Self-Applied Acupressure technique to help unwind the neural patterns that drive your Food Cravings and behavior. Give it a try...

I Have No Willpower With Pastries and Chocolate, Help!

There is much debate among health experts and laypersons on the subject of food cravings. Some say it is a sign of a nutritional deficiency, excess or other imbalance. Some say it's Psychological and is a sign for a need for comfort or therapy. Others say it has physical causes and hormone balancing is the answer. Others chalk it up to weakness and lack of willpower.

Well, it could be any one or a combination of these things, but one thing I know for sure is that it's not due to a lack of willpower. It's never about willpower; there is always another reason. In fact, the patients with food cravings who I have seen have been highly successful and in all areas of their lives, and yet struggled with this specific area, that is, until they came to see me. After seeing me, they were in charge of their eating, and no longer felt bad because supposedly they lacked willpower.

In my work with patients that had food cravings and resolved them, it became clear to them during our work together that they were stuck in an old habit pattern that was no longer serving them. They had outgrown this pattern long ago, but were still operating on some level as if they could get what they wanted. Lack of willpower was not the issue, and never was.

You've heard the saying that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result? In the case of food cravings, this is often what happens. A triggering event occurs, and by default, we return to an old outdated coping skill as a way to deal with it. We're not always conscious of this, but it happens nonetheless. Part of us still hopes that we will find a different outcome, but we just don't.

The work that I do with patients helps them quickly identify this outdated coping skill and resolve it on the spot, and it happens without effort. New neural pathways are created and the outdated neural pathways are 'retired.' Then and only then, can we develop new, current and up to date behaviors that serve our highest good, in the present time and situation.

Cravings Can Be Driven By Old Memories

So, how does this work for a person with cravings for sweets like pastries and chocolate? As an example, I recently worked with a patient that had very strong cravings for sugary foods, chocolate and bakery items. She couldn’t pass a bakery without going in and buying something. Before booking our session, she told me that she remembered feeling the most loved when her mother took her to the bakery and encouraged her to eat because she was so skinny. She didn't even really like the pastries, but she loved the whole experience with all the smells and warm feelings of love. Now, the key here is that she knew about this old memory, but the knowledge of it had not changed her behavior.

So, in her adult life, when she felt stressed or otherwise a little out of balance, her brain recalls the memory of the bakery experience. It felt good in the past, and that's the strategy that her brain knew to work, even though it was many decades outdated. The session however, changed her behavior and did so immediately and permanently. She automatically found a new strategy, that didn't involve that old, outdated habit. She was now free to walk by the chocolates and pastries around her and not be tempted. Before, she would not only have been tempted, but also indulged and then felt bad, as she knew better! She didn't need more willpower; she just needed to let go of an old pattern.

I'm always happy when this happens for my patients, even if it means I only see them once. Things are just easier when you're in charge of your eating. So, here's a question for you:

How would your life be different if you didn't have Food Cravings?

How would if feel to be in charge of your eating?

Contact me, I'm here if you want a little help.

Yours in Health,

Kara Sorensen, MS, LAc
The Food Craving Solution
15066 Los Gatos-Almaden Rd
Suite 200
Los Gatos, CA
e: kara(at)karasorensen.com
p: 408.805.5272 (KARA
p: 800.514.1406

Breaking the Cycle of Sugar Cravings 

I am often asked about sugar cravings, and how I help with this very common craving. I help people break the cycle of craving with Acupressure, and it works even when the cravings are really strong. The result after treatment is that they don’t crave it in the same way, and if they have some, it doesn’t trigger more cravings as it did before. If you crave sugar, you may find this too good to be true, as you know how hard it is to resist, and how eating even a little bit, can turn into a binge.

After treatment, some people decide to avoid sugar altogether and others have it on occasion and enjoy it in smaller amounts than they used to eat. If they have some, they’re satisfied much more quickly and don’t want for more. I'll give an example of someone that used to be stuck in the cycle of craving, named Paul. He came to me over two years ago and is still craving free.

Struggling to Overcome Sugar Cravings

Paul tried cutting out sugar and chocolate on many occasion, and it worked for him for several weeks at a time. When he'd done this before, it helped him to lose weight. He’d be doing fine and then something would come up, he’d eat something sweet and he’d be right back where he started with the additional helping of guilt and self defeat. This was not his fault, he was not a weak person, he was just wired to crave.  His biochemistry made it difficult to resist sweets. This is not unique to Paul. Many patients tell me they were doing fine with sugar until a family member came into town or they got into an argument with someone, etc. Can you relate?

There is no peace in this cycle of craving. Sugar becomes the thing to be avoided or the thing desired, but which doesn’t truly satisfy. When we crave sugar, there simply is no peace. Peace is evasive if we avoid it or if we eat it.  I'm not advocating that people eat sugar; I'm just suggesting there could be more peace involved around sugar.  So, back to Paul’s sugar cravings.

Can Peace with Sugar Be Found? 

Paul came to me for help as he wanted to lose weight and his cravings were getting in the way of achieving his goals. We had one session and Paul was free of the cycle of craving. The great thing was that his craving for sugar, chocolate and junk food all resolved together. That happens sometimes, where multiple cravings clear in a single session. After his session, he was able to make food choices that were in alignment with his desire and he lost 20 pounds over the following months. He said it was easy now to follow a healthy food plan. He knew what to eat; he didn’t need my help with weight loss, as all he needed was to be in charge of his eating.

Yes, Peace with Sugar Can Be Found 

If you could break your cycle of craving for good, would you be interested in hearing more? I've worked with many men and women with their cravings for simple sugars. Before making any dietary, lifestyle, supplement or treatment suggestions, we focus on the 'underlying' cause of their craving with Acupressure. This addresses it at its source, the only place where true and permanent relief can be found.

After the craving is resolved, the unwanted habits fade. Some patients just need that one session and they are done, others need continued support. After the craving is cleared, I’m always happy to make recommendations for continued healing when appropriate.

I've had so many patients ask about their results, "Could it be this simple?" My response is, YES, it can be and you're living proof!  So, if you’re stuck in the cycle of craving sugar and you’d like a simple solution to break the cycle, contact me, I’m here to help.

Yours in Health,

Kara Sorensen, MS, LAc 
The Food Craving Solution
15066 Los Gatos-Almaden Rd
Suite 200
Los Gatos, CA
e: kara(at)karasorensen.com
p: 408.805.5272 (KARA
p: 800.514.1406