My Sixth Baby Step: Almonds (March 1st - 7th)

This week's new and healthy addition is almonds. I am adding almonds this week for two reasons. First, "mama knows best" and my mama (who is probably the healthiest person I know) suggested that I add almonds to my diet. Second, almonds help to relieve and protect against stress. Why am I adding a habit that helps relieve and protect against stress, you ask?

Well, because I GOT A JOB!!! That's right, I got a new high-stress, high-pressure law job that I know I will love and so these next few weeks I am going to focus on adding healthy habits that help combat the stress and pressure I am about to happily walk into. But first, I am going to digress for a moment to talk about unemployment because I think I can perhaps help the unemployed as well as the friends, family, and old co-workers of the unemployed.

I have been unemployed for over a year. I have been unemployed for over a year even though I applied for every job I was qualified for, went on many interviews, "networked," and had a great volunteer position. In fact, looking for work has become such a habit that even now I find myself on job sites.

I very easily could have been unemployed for much longer than a year and it would have meant nothing about me. I just hope that the economy turns around so that more people can find work.

For those friends, family, and old co-workers of the unemployed, I would just like to give you some advice...

First, be supportive. The unemployed aren't leppers and many of them wouldn't mind talking about what they're going through. Just ask. I was lucky to have a great, supportive, amazing network of friends, family, and old co-workers who did everything they could to support me. I was also very lucky to have a fantastic husband who understood that sending out resumes, preparing applications, writing cover letters, and looking for jobs all day is work (and quite possibly the worst job you could have) and who made me feel like I was doing everything right even when I didn't get the jobs I was applying for.

Second, don't judge the unemployed for not pursuing a job you recommend. Don't get me wrong, recommendations are GREAT. But the unemployed are in a position to know what the job market is really, really like. Allow the unemployed to allocate their time and emotional energy where they deem fit. For the most part, it's not because they are lazy, it's because they are strategic.

Third, recognize that the unemployed are often frail. They feel rejected by the professional world and constantly brave rejection by prospective employers. Don't add to that rejection. If they email or call you, get back to them immediately. If you think you could help them with a job, be proactive and don't wait for them to ask you. If they are not asking for your help, it is probably that they don't want to risk getting rejected...again. Be generous with your compliments and your encouragement.

Fourth, resist the urge to rattle off a laundry list of things the unemployed could be doing with their free time. I believe this urge comes from a good place. People with jobs think about how much they would love to have some free time. People with jobs also can see that the people without jobs will eventually be employed again, and so unemployment does not seem so overwhelming or infinite. But, the unemployed do not feel that way. Finding a job is their job, and they take it seriously. Finding a job is their job and they feel like, if they're not a good employee, they will never find a job again.

On a lighter note, almonds. Almonds:

1. Reduce stress and stress's negative effects on the body. 
2. Lower bad cholesterol. 
3. Reduce your risk of heart disease. 
4. Protect against diabetes.
5. Protect against cardiovascular disease.
6. May increase weight loss. 
7. Prevent weight gain. 
8. Increase energy. 
9. Prevent gallstones. 
10. Prevent colon cancer. 
11. Protect against birth defects.
12. Provide lots of protein. 

For a more in-depth discussion about almonds, click here.

You only need a handful (or 1/4 cup) of almonds a day to reep their health benefits so, go to it!