You see? We’re SUPPOSED to eat chocolate!

"This is the time of the month that chocolate was created for"

This one is for the ladies (although men, you are more than welcome to read on!).

And this post is for the fabulous females that get those ridiculous cravings for chocolate about, oh, every 28 days or so. Sound like you?

I take it one step further…not only do I obsess about chocolate (more than usual), but I just want, want, want carbohydrates.  So, if this is a Universal symptom of PMS, what does it mean? I decided to investigate.

Here’s what I found:

Sugar cravings (and other carbo cravings) are really our body’s way of asking for fuel during this time in our cycle. Our desire for chocolate bon-bons is heightened because right before menstruation, certain hormone levels increase, increasing  our response to insulin (which brings sugar into our cells).  Thus our body can experience feelings of low blood sugar. SO our need to eat a bowl of pasta topped with chocolate chips is our brain’s way of screaming for quick fuel! See…it’s not your fault.

So, what can you do? Certainly you can indulge, as I do. However, in an effort to NOT go overboard, a diet rich in complex carbs (read: whole grains), veggies, fruits, beans, etc. will keep your brain going with a constant stream of fuel.

Hence, fewer blood sugar crashes lead to fewer chocolate bar wrappers.

Just as an aside, lately I’ve been learning all about my menstrual cycles, the physical changes my body experiences, and how my cycle affects my life in general. It is FASCINATING! I’m working with The Laughing Sage Wellness Center in NYC. Sign up for their newsletter, and/or read this article for an into!

Hotter than Hades

Ok, we all know that it’s dang hot in the Northeast right now. It’s no fun when I walk my dog at 6am and it’s already 88 degrees!

I’m sure you’re remembering to stay hydrated and drinking lots of water.

The MOST important glass of water you can have ALL day, however, is first thing when you wake up. Think about it: your body has been slumbering for 6+ hours (I hope!) with no hydration. An important gift you can give to your body right when you wake up is trodding over to the kitchen, pouring yourself a tall class of H20, and downing that shizz. So there you go–1 glass of water down for the day!

Bonus points if you add lemon.

If drinking water and liquids isn’t your thing, all hope is not lost. Try eating fruits and vegetables with a high water content, such as watermelon, melons, peaches, celery, cucumber, eggplant, and zucchini.

Gluten Free NYC

I’m sure you’ve seen the words “gluten free” touted on food packages and maybe even on  restaurant menus. After all, gluten is THE buzz word in the health world now. We’ve been through low fat, then sugar free, then low cholestorol…and now we’ve arrived at gluten. But I assure you, gluten sensitivity is a very serious issue if it applies to you.

If you’re unfamiliar with the term, gluten is a particular protein found in wheat products that many people are sensitive to. What can result (in varying degrees, from mild to extremely severe) is celiac disease, an inherited autoimmune disease in which the lining of the small intestine is damaged from eating gluten and other proteins found in wheat, barley, rye, and oats that are not manufactured in a separate facility. The disease is also one of malabsorption, because as the lining of the small intestine becomes damaged and inflamed, nutrients are not able to be absorbed into the blood stream. This can lead to many problems as I’m sure you can imagine.

If you know anyone who has celiac disease, this is no joke. Gluten can be found almost everywhere and in everything, from pasta sauces, beer, broth, toothpaste and even some makeup. Check out this site for a more comprehensive list of where gluten can lurk…it’s pretty wild!

According to webmd.com, celiac disease is 4x more prevalent NOW than it was 50 years ago, and only 5% of people who have this disease are aware of it. Scary! Symptoms of the disease include gastrointestinal upset like diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, infertility, and osteoperosis, among many others. So it’s easy to understand why individuals might not think they have the disease.

There are many who do not get severe symptoms like the above, but nonetheless feel better when they don’t eat gluten. I know I do. The best way to find out for yourself is to experiment. For one week, cut out all gluten from your diet and see how you feel! If you suspect a gluten intolerance, please visit your doctor.

New York City restaurants, ever so trendy, have picked up on the growing gluten-free market. So now, it is not all uncommon to visit a restaurant and see a separate gluten free menu.  Go New York!  If you’re interested in finding these places, check out these links from the New York Times here.

Please post a comment if you’ve been to any of these restaurants and share your experience!

Yoga on the Central Park’s Great Lawn-10,000 Strong!

Join me tomorrow, Tues June 22, for an incredible yoga event in New York’s gorgeous Central Park.

Brought to you by flavorpill, the goal of the event is to gather 10,000 people of all different shapes, sizes, and  yoga levels to practice together, making it the largest yoga class in the world!

Doors open at 5:30, kicking off the event with live music and performers. Class starts at 7:15–and you get a FREE JetBlue yoga mat!

And what’s better than being outside on a gorgeous day doing yoga? The fact that tickets are FREE!

Just go to the website, enter in promo code COBRA, and you’re all set! You can even invite 2 friends.

Hope to see you there!