I have. In fact, I suffered from migraines three to four days a week for months.

When I went to the doctor for help, I was given a prescription for heavy duty pain killers within minutes. This is the modern state of pain management – drugs.

I told the doctor I was also feeling exhausted all the time and kind of depressed. He then recommended anti-depressants. Within 5 minutes, I had two powerful prescriptions and headed out the door, determined to find another way.

See, my family history is littered with depression, pain and drug addiction. I knew there was another way out of this pain, and within weeks I had found my answers…on my plate.

By changing my diet I eliminated my pain, and my life changed.

I removed the most inflammatory foods from my diet including sugar and wheat, and within two weeks, my pain was gone.

If you’ve been suffering from constant pain, headaches and aches, I want you to join me and my special guest, Lou Paradise for:

Living Pain Free

Free Tele-Class: Thursday May 23rd 9pm ET/6pm PT

Get the information here and join the free call:

(If you can’t make the call LIVE sign up anyway -

you’ll get the recording Friday)

Lou is a friend and colleague – and the founder of Topical Biomedics, a company dedicated to reducing pain in the world.

Lou has his own incredible story about overcoming pain and has helped thousands  of people to live easy and free in their bodies.

You can reduce or eliminate your pain – and Lou and I want to help you feel better.

]]> http://alexandrajamieson.com/pain-pain-go-away/feed/ 0 http://alexandrajamieson.com/reveal-yourself-discover-your-self/ http://alexandrajamieson.com/reveal-yourself-discover-your-self/#comments Thu, 16 May 2013 15:28:35 +0000 Alex http://alexandrajamieson.com/?p=4768

Attention: This book has shifted me profoundly, and may cause the same for you…

When I met Meggan Watterson through mutual friends I was struck by her presence and her inquisitive listening. Not knowing anything about her, I was compelled to keep talking with her, and loved being around her. She just emanates real. We hung out at a few parties and talked mostly about our little boys.

It wasn’t until I got a copy of her book to review REVEAL that those feelings made sense. Meggan is a modern-day spiritual pilgrim and guide – and her story is truly inspiring.

Anyone who walks out of their Sunday School at the age of ten because she knew something was missing in the lessons has my ear…thus began her lifelong search for the divine feminine.

Meggan encourages us, through her brave honesty, to explore our spirituality by stripping down to the truth of who we really are.

Reveal spoke to me in a deep, loving way.

I asked Meggan about how she learned to listen to her body in order to discover her spiritual truth:

Alex:

Through your spiritual journey, your true self/soul spoke a truth to you for the first time – that your body is sacred. What sensations did you feel?

Meggan:

“I felt a sense of being home- if that makes sense. The home though wasn’t external to me- it was this being fully present- fully aware of being embodied- and I felt like I had found the place I had been searching for. I also felt warmth- the way people describe whisky sliding down the throat and into the bloodstream. I’ve never had the stuff myself but it felt like warm honey was suffusing my entire body- relaxing every muscle and letting me know physically what the word surrender feels like.”

Alex:

How did you learn to listen to your body, and are you still learning?

Meggan:

“I learned to listen to my body the hard way- by experiencing again and again what happens when I do not. Smile. After a while it gets old, or the inner-teenager gets bored of the rebellion and the awareness comes that the body has wisdom the mind cannot fathom. For me it started with an awareness and a respect for my body when pain or illness arises. I listen to what it’s communicating about me- my lifestyle- my stress levels. And yes, listening to my body is an ongoing spiritual practice- one that takes patience and commitment. And one that yields the most exquisite moments of bliss and alignment as well.”

Meggan’s honest journey inspired me to look at my fears about my own body – that I’m aging, that I was somehow bad or a failure for leaving my vegan diet, and that because I’m a mom I’m no longer attractive somehow. These fears are mostly managed, but the “inner critic” still lurks, and powerful connections help me keep them at bay.

I’m just one of countless women who longs for a deeper connection with spirituality, religion, the Universe, and other women that encourage embodiment rather than denying our true selves. No matter where you are in the search for connection or spectrum of spirituality, Meggan’s story is about the craving in all of us to drop the heavy burdens and shed the extra stuff, the shoulds, that hold us back.

Meggan Waterson, Alex Jamieson, Terri Cole & Kate Northru

Click Here to order your copy of Reveal today.

*I got this book for free to review, and I’m psyched I did! I would have spent money on it – and will buy more copies to give to my clients and friends.

I’m busy, so I eat simple food most of the time.

This week, between phone calls, I cut open an avocado, filled it with leftover gigante beans (aren’t they gigantic!?), and  a light olive oil vinaigrette.

Boom. Done.

Delicious.

(And YES, I ate both halves of the avocado filled with beans – I was HUNGRY!)

This is the kind of simple, delicious food I share with my Cravings Cure members – want to check it out?

Click here to learn about the Cravings Cure Group Detox Program!

These women inspire me. They’re my friends, guides and creative partners.

When I first started hanging out with JJ Virgin, one of my crave catalysts profiled below, she told me “Hey! Rising tides lift all boats – let’s help each other!”

These women are supportive, playful, powerful and they have cravings.

Cravings for food that they listen to and use to give themselves what they really need and want – at dinner and in life.

I’ve listened to these women when they’ve shared their stories of overcoming health and body challenges with the best diet for their individual diet – in the moment.

Some of them grew famous with one diet and one way of eating and cooking, and evolved as their bodies told them they needed something different.

They inspire me because they didn’t beat themselves up for their cravings…

They don’t make their bodies wrong…

They know how to listen to their cravings and give themselves what they really need…the good stuff…in life and at lunch.

How did you first begin to handle your cravings in order to create the life and body you craved?

Cynthia Pasquella: Cookbook Author & TV Nutrition Expert

“I got comfortable being uncomfortable – it’s when the bigger reasons behind my cravings started coming through that allowed me to finally heal my body and my relationship with food.”

Kate Northrup: Author & GlimpseTV Host

“I learned about the glycemic index and I started eating a low-glycemic diet that didn’t spike my blood sugar. Then the cravings more or less went away because they were being caused by blood sugar spikes and lows.”

Jessica Ortner: Host & Producer, The Tapping Solution

“I first began handling my cravings by letting go of the idea that I needed more “willpower”, instead I began looking closely and addressing the emotions I felt when I had the craving and my desire to turn to food for comfort.” 

Candice Kumai: Top Chef, Cookbook Author & TV Host

“Cravings! Something I’ve been taught to squash since I was a child. Being raised with an incredibly empowering and health-conscious Japanese mother meant learning to create balance early in life. My Mother taught my sister and I to eat, only when you are hungry. Stop, when you are full. I know, this sounds like the obvious; but so many of us fall-short when it comes to just passing on that last course or just one more cocktail. In a world where “more is more,” let’s think about being a minimalist. Where “less is more.”

Nitika Chopra: TV Host & Founder “YourBellaLife.com”

“I went straight to the science of my body.  Some times all the praying, wishing and surrendering in the world isn’t going to make you not want to eat that insanely good piece of gluten free chocolate cake, but when I got to understanding what it does to my immune system to eat sugar (which has always been my greatest craving) it made the journey of releasing the hold that food had on me so much less painful.”

Andrea Beaman: TV Host & Cookbook Author

“The first thing I did to handle my cravings was to recognize that they had nothing to do with physical food. My cravings stemmed from emotions that I wasn’t letting myself feel. Caving into my food cravings, specifically sugar and chocolate, was a way of suppressing my desire to love and be loved. Once I got clear on that, the cravings were still there, but I began feeding them properly. I would call a friend when I was lonely, or I would make a date and visit my nephews when I wanted to play. I was, and always will be, surrounded by love and the ability to love.”

What one thing would you recommend women do/create/have (that worked/works for you) in order to cure their sabotaging food cravings?

JJ Virgin: #1 New York Times Best Seller “The Virgin Diet”

“Eat a protein rich breakfast.  If you start the day with a high carb breakfast or worse yet, no breakfast, you set yourself up for a day full of cravings  Protein is very satiating and helps stabilize blood sugar, especially when combined with fiber and healthy fats. My top recommendation is to start the day with a healthy meal replacement shake – I use a high quality vegan protein blend, unsweetened coconut or almond milk, chia seeds, kale or spinach and berries.”  

Nisha Moodley: Founder of “Fierce, Fabulous & Free“

“For most women, there’s something deeper that we’re really craving: connection.  Make a gentle effort to cultivate sisterhood in your life — you’ll satisfy your strong cravings for connection, building a solid sisterhood of support to celebrate your life’s highs and soothe your life’s lows.”

Jenny Sansouci: Founder of HealthyCrush.com

“What works for me is to remember how certain foods make me feel. For instance, I know that sugar makes me feel depressed and too much coffee gives me anxiety, so in the interest of wanting to feel great, I tend to stay away from them. I don’t have time to feel crappy. I still give into cravings, I just try to do it in the nicest way possible – I find healthier alternatives. For instance, I’m a bit of a caffeine junkie, but I stick to yerba mate tea instead of coffee, which has some caffeine but lots of antioxidants, and doesn’t make me feel jittery. Instead of eating processed chocolate that’s full of milk and sugar, I go for raw chocolate.”

These women are at the forefront of a healing, creative, supportive movement to help millions of people end their battle with their bodies, cure their sabotaging food cravings and get the life and body they truly crave.

They’re doing them right. Giving themselves the authentic energy, real food and permission to be themselves every day, in every way. They’re building the lives and health they crave.

Tell me what these women have inspired in you in the comment section here.

Did this article speak to you?

Get my free 4 video Cravings Cure mini-series to get your next steps:

One person craves tofu, another bacon.

Since I’m all about welcoming the whole bunch to my table, cookbooks and recipes that make my cooking style easy are my favorites. Enter: The Hungry Hottie.

I asked Cynthia Pasquella, my new buddy and celebrity nutritionist (you’ve probably seen her on TV), to recommend the best brunch recipe for my next shin-dig. Here’s a recipe she gave from her new cookbook, Hungry Hottie! 

But before you get to the recipe, and in case you don’t already know Cynthia, here’s a quick breakdown.  Cynthia’s worked with numerous celebrity clients like Blake Lively, Sandra Bullock and Charlize Theron.  She’s also a best-selling author and nutrition expert for The Dr. Phil Show, The Doctors and The Today Show as well as many others.  She’s been called a thought-leader for the new generation by Gabrielle Bernstein and Dr. Phil.  She’s the real deal!

AND if you sign up to get her Hungry Hottie book today she’s offering a whopping 53 PAGES of The Hungry Hottie Cookbook for FREE!

But wait – there’s more!

When you buy Hungry Hottie from Cynthia by Saturday 4/13/13, I’ll gift you a free edition of my Week In A Weekend!

That’s a week’s worth of plant-based menu’s, recipes, shopping lists, and a cooking video, you’ll have everything you need to get started on a healthy path. (there is a gluten-free week too – your choice!)

That’s a $47.89 program for FREE when you buy Hungry Hottie!

Click here to get the recipes, book and more by 4/13! 

(just email me the e-receipt at info@alexandrajamieson.com, SUBJECT: Hungry! Hungry!)

Here’s just a sample of what you’ll get with Hungry Hottie:

Tasty Veggie Tacos!

Makes 2 servings

Ingredients:
1 c raw walnuts
½ clove garlic, minced
½ green onion, diced
juice of ½ lemon
2 tsp Bragg’s liquid aminos
1 tsp cumin
1 medium tomato, diced
4 large romaine lettuce leaves
salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:
1.    Place walnuts into a food processor until finely chopped.
2.    Place chopped walnuts into a bowl with garlic, green onion, lemon juice, liquid aminos, and cumin.  Mix together well.
3.    Add salt and pepper to taste.
4.    Place a scoop of the taco filling on a lettuce leaf and top with tomatoes.
5.    Roll up and enjoy!

HOTNESS FACTOR
Walnuts are one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids which will help boost weight loss. Plus the polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat content reduces cholesterol.

Get your Week In A Weekend &  recipes here and the special offer by 4/13: 

Remember - just email me the e-receipt at info@alexandrajamieson.com, SUBJECT: Hungry! Hungry!

Don’t kill yourself with your iced tea – use a glass straw from GlassDharma.com!

Drinking water with a straw is good for you – unless you’re drinking through a plastic straw! Those bits of plastic and petroleum are no good for your body, so use a glass straw instead! They’re reusable, dish washer safe, and help you drink even more water! Kids love ‘em too.

I’ve been using GlassDharma.com’s glass straws for years – now you can too!

Share the video below on Facebook or Like and Comment on Youtube by 4/21

and you could win one of 10 glass straws from GlassDharma.com!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Did this help clear up anything for you?

Did it inspire new food ideas for you?

Click to Share with the rest of us on Facebook!

Few cookbooks can satisfy a crowd of vegans, omnivores, and every other stripe of eater – if your household has three different people eating three different diets your shelves are probably overloaded by now.

Enter The Clean Plates Cookbook by Jared Koch with Jill Silverman Hough.

Jared and I both graduated from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and run in the same “we like healthy, yummy food” circles.

His first book, Clean Plates Manhattan, demystified “clean eating” and gave us all a map of the healthy, organic and sustainable options all over NYC.

His cookbook is a treasure trove of delicious recipes that guide the home cook who wants to gain clarity around the topic of nutrition and what works best for their unique bodies.

Whether you’re eating a plant-based, gluten-free, low-carb, or combination diet, it should be delicious and healthy.

Filled with tips on eating out, traveling and shopping, Clean Plates Cookbook also includes a variety of “secret recipes” from the best healthy restaurants out there including Real Food Daily and Candle 79.

I know it’s winter, but I can’t WAIT to try the Watermelon Gazpacho recipe! For now I’ll stick with the Sauteed Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Shallots and Almonds, Grilled Salmon* with Strawberry Avocado Salsa (I need some great fish recipes – I haven’t cooked it in a while!) and the Buckwheat Crepes with Oranges and Gingered Agave.

Be sure to click on www.cleanplates.com and join their free newsletter for tips and eating out recommendations.

* When buying fish, make sure you’re getting sustainable seafood. Use the apps found at www.seafoodwatch.org and www.blueocean.org to search for any fish or seafood. These updated programs will tell you if a fish is a good bet for health safety and sustainable fishing practices.

I joined Joe Cross, the subject and filmmaker from the inspiring documentary,

on the third episode of The Joe Show to share two of my favorite mood-boosting recipes.

Watch as we make the recipes on Good Mood Foods!