[okie]

Great subject and reply Vickie. One (very slight) criticism though. We cannot 'reduce stress' we can only manage it better.

GPStyles,

I agree with your point but there is a stress reduction aspect when you manage things better. A wise man (my Dad) told me that the key to planning (stress management?) is to ALWAYS build in margins. He added things like 15 minutes early is on time etc. A key I have found to managing stress, especially here in the U.S. is "learning" how to wait! I always carry my back pack around with me contents of which: energy bar, water and a certain yella book! It is a little weird but when I am delayed... say at the dentist office I do not blow a gasket! This is not the case when playing behind club wielding tree sloths! I think everybody has what I call a "silly button", you know something "small" that produces a psycho reaction. For me it is slow play on the golf course!

Vicki,

I appreciate your willingness to share your expertise. Eating smaller more frequent meals literally changed my life. I was prone to "crash" mid morning and mid afternoon (i.e. in between large meals) I felt as weak as a welp etc. In fact,

1. 6 meals per day, taken every three hours
2. The become progressively smaller as the day goes on
3. I seldom eat simple sugars after 2pm
4. I eat quality protein, every mea l but try not to eat more than 4oz of
meat per meal
5. I try to eat raw vegatables eg. salad, broccoli w/hummus
6. NO foods are forbidden! I make the distinction between for "fuel food" and for "feelings food." For feelings is for taste alone, for fuel is for taste and nutrition.

I am working hard to teach my kiddos "how to eat!" I am appalled at the high incidences of child obesity these days.