Greetings Tushkateers,   How are y’all on this absolutely spectacular day?  I am peachy keen.  My daughter and her man have been visiting us, here in Tucson, for the past week.  They leave today.  (Sob, sob…don’t go…don’t leave mommy!!!)   And, Holy CowGirl, it has been a whirlwind of activity, including but not limited to our day at The Rodeo a.k.a. La Fiesta de Los Vaqueros!

There is something to be said about living in a place that is completely different than what you are accustomed to.  I mean, Holy CowGirl, we lived in New York City for decades and now in Tucson, the wild (south)west, the desert (not to be confused with dessert), the cowboys, the cowgirls; land of the rhinestone belt and glittered up blouses…oh my!  All of which are most definitely having a sparkly influence on my art!

I digress…Back to La Fiesta de Los Vaqueros!   There was the steer wrestling, the barrel racing, and then the bull riding, which appeared to be the most dangerous.  Not just for the cowboy riding that bull, but for the ‘clowns’ distracting the bull so that the cowboy, after falling off the bull, could make it out alive!   

And yes, there was an incident, when the ‘clown’ got trampled by the bull!  Luckily he made it out alive.  A little bruised, but alive, which made my stomach flip-flop, and set the butterflies in my belly to fluttering! 

The perfect segue to this week’s motivational musing!   Are you ready for…

…Bats in My Belfry; Butterflies in My Gut

Did you know that you have two physical brains? One is in your ‘gut,’ and the other is in your little ole’ skull!

Belly Brain

Did you know that your second brain contains neurons and neurotransmitters just like those found in your skull brain?  And that just about every brain-regulating chemical, including hormones and neurotransmitters are found in your skull brain is also present in your gut brain?

And here’s something that is going to blow your mind (either one) … just like your skull brain, your gut brain is able to learn, remember and produce emotion-based feelings.

In fact, some of you may be having light-bulb moments, realizing that plenty-O-emotion comes from your gut, and thus the express gut-level feeling.

We already know that it takes 20 minutes for the brain and stomach to come to an agreement that you are full when eating.  Thus, Our Lady of Weight Loss’s 20 minute rule (eat and wait 20 minutes to see if you really, really want more).

Should you stomach feel fluttery butterflies, you skull brain chimes right in with its version of fluttery.  One might easily come to the conclusion that your two brains are in direct communications with each other and have a mighty powerful influence over each other.  Because of this direct brain-gut connection, the state of your gut has a profound influence on your psychological well-being.

The Science of It

While you were busy developing in the womb, both your gut (which, by the way, includes your colon, small intestine, stomach and esophagus) and your skull brain developed from the same clump of embryonic tissue. At some point (clearly! huh!!) they divided.

One part grew into your central nervous system (brain and cranial nerves); and the other into your enteric nervous system (gut brain).  Later on, the two brains became connected through your supper inner-highway; the vagus nerve.

Actually, the total of nerve cells in your gut is greater than the total nerves connecting the rest your body to your brain. This complex circuitry allows your “gut brain” to act totally independent of the brain in your skull.

There’s more to it, of course, and lots of big, fat books written on the subject. But for now, I thought that this topic in particular, was great food for thought!

And for sure, the next time you want to engage in positive self-talk, direct it to both your gut brain and skull brain and see what can happen!

For more flat belly news, utterly useful information as well as heaping platters full of motivation, and  for (almost) DAILY KICKS in YOUR TUSH, join Our Lady of Weight Loss’s KITT Club/FB !  

Spread the word–NOT the icing,

Janice Taylor, Life & Happiness Coach, Author, Artist, Positarian
wise * fun * utterly useful

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