I have learned SO much from The Kind Diet and Women, Food and God. I know that I can't sum it all up here, but I'll try to hit some of the highlights that come to mind (in totally random order...the only way my mind rolls):
1. I learned that I love to eat vegetables and whole grains. Seriously.
2. Not only do I love to taste them, my body loves them. I imagine I feel the same way my car might when I use premium gas (OK...I'm too cheap for that...but if I ever did...that's how it would feel).
3. The less animal products I eat, the better I feel. I was eating way too much meat...and I really didn't think I did. I like a little fish or chicken for some flavor and some B12 (maybe one serving a day, if that)...but any meat really should be used truly sparingly. I am not a vegan, and I didn't do this for any animal-rights motivation, but I do feel like if we all consumed less animal products, it would be better for everyone (animals and people) involved.
4. Processed food is poison...and if after eating "clean" for a week or so, you go back to it...you will feel like you have been poisoned. Trust me...I tried it.
5. Dairy is not my friend. I also feel we have been fed a ration by the dairy industry when it comes to the benefit of dairy products. There are WAY better sources of calcium and protein out there that don't come with the side effects (like my allergies and resulting sinus problems I believe are exacerbated by milk protein). Tell these things to most people, and they will react like you have joined some sort of cult. It's amazing, really...how dairy is such a "sacred cow" (pun intended). I feel SO much better without it!
6. Dark chocolate is a gift from God...and Godiva=Celestial. Just sayin'. I also learned that I only need one to feel satisfied. If I eat more than that, it just makes me feel sick anyway...and who wants that?
7. I've spent most of my meals totally unaware of what I'm doing or experiencing. It is SO much better to eat intentionally...fully aware of the enjoyment.
8. I hate wasting calories on stuff I don't like. I no longer feel obligated to eat anything I don't absolutely love. We get invited to LOTS of social and "mandatory fun" stuff. I got invited to a Cinco de Mayo party which I knew would be a meat-and-cheese-fest. I brought a recipe from the book (a black-soybean and squash stew) that was spicy (cumin, chili powder) and sweet (rice wine) and tomato-ey and full of yummy garlic and onions. Everyone RAVED over it. They had to have the recipe. I felt happy eating it...and nothing else looked as tempting to me (except a little guacamole).
9. If I really listen, my body will tell me what it wants...and it won't be a hot fudge sundae.
{Which comes from one of my favorite quotes in the book..."We don't want to eat hot fudge sundaes as much as we want our lives to be hot fudge sundaes.}
10. I regularly make decisions based on fear and avoidance of pain. Pain and fear have been huge motivators in my life. As I get older, they are losing their grip on me...but I still haven't completely peeled their fingers from my neck. I can look back over my lifetime...but especially my time as a mother, and see the effects.
I have been physically dragging this fear around with me every day for the past 18 years (literally), with the past 10 being especially tough...accompanied by an eighty pound weight gain...most of that over less than a two year period. As I've navigated diagnoses (of the medical and educational kind), treatment plans, IEPs, terrorism and the war on it, deployments (and their accompanying single-parenthood and painful, debilitating loneliness), deaths (both young and old), bullies, manipulators, tough educational choices, social expectations, moves, college classes, career changes and church callings...I've been reminded again and again of how little control I have over anything...and that is absolutely terrifying.
But you know what? I've survived. And the more stuff I've lived through...and the more I've looked around and have seen what others are dealing with, the more I want to live a fabulous life! The kind of life where I don't feel the need to be free of pain, whatever the cost. The kind of life where I accept it as the price of doing business.
So, this is my challenge...and I'm greeting it with baby steps...addressing the anxiety when I fall into its grip...picking it apart, playing the "what if" game until it evaporates. I know my Father in Heaven loves me and has a plan for me bigger than I could ever dream. My desire is to live up to it. With all the challenges I've dealt with in my life, I've been compensated with blessings 100 times over.
I wouldn't change any of it!
7 comments:
You're my hero, Carrie!
GO you Carrie!!!!
It sounds as though you have found a way of eating that you enjoy and will have some really good health benefits.
I have recently made changes to my diet and for the first time ever have introduced exercise. I'm feeling better and slowly seeing a change on the weighing scales. I'm hoping for more energy and better health more than a change in numbers and it is nice to see you are already well on your way down a similar path.
Out of interest. How much of the changes that you make are the family doing too? I'm torn between wanting to eat healthy low fat meals and not wanting to make too much of a difference between my meals and what everyone else sits down to in the evening.
Thanks, ladies.
Gina...that is a good question. Some things we have switched across the board. Most of the kids like ricemilk, so we have more of that...but we do still keep some skim milk (what they are used to drinking) for those that don't. We still have cheese and sr. cream, etc...but we are not buying ice cream. Instead, I have "Diana's Bananas" in the freezer. They are (dairy free) dark-chocolate covered banana-halves on a stick. They are to die for.
The increased veggies and fruits are for everyone. I make a big salad for everyone on Sundays with TONS of stuff in it, and also when I make one for me for lunch during the week, I offer to make it for anyone else who's home, too. I've stopped buying most pre-packaged snacks...other than those that seem to have real health benefits (Kashi granola bars, dried fruit, nuts, whole-grain crackers, etc.) The kids are eating lots more fruits, hummus, whole grain English muffins with natural peanut butter, etc. Anywhere we can use a more natural alternative, we do...but we do still have treats. My daughter loves to make chocolate chip cookies. My kids still love to go to the convenience store and buy candy occasionally, too (more than I'd like them too).
At dinner time, I use brown rice, whole wheat pasta, different kinds of beans, a wide variety of vegetables and I serve meat with it (like turkey breast strips or fish) for anyone that wants some...but only a small amount, and I usually don't eat any.
Everyone has been pretty happy with it, surprisingly...and hopefully they feel the difference, too!
That's really interesting Carrie. I like that your kids are benefiting without being forced to go on a diet that is radically different from their normal. It sounds very similar to our family experience. The kids have shown an interest in some of the new foods I'm trying. There seems to be more fresh fruit and veg in the weekly shop and I think they are enjoying the whole "health kick" thing and not resenting it.
HI Carrie,
You certainly provide lots of food for thought...no pun intended but it's kind of apropos. Don't you think?
thanks for sharing. And who knows, I might just pick your brain for some of your voodoo recipes.
Chat soon,
The Lovely Lisa Lamont
fun to read your post. the wilsons are hummus addicts, i have some great hummus recipes too if you would like. black bean, roasted garlic, cilatro-lime. i think we need to have a recipe swap sometime soon. i want that black-soybean stew one!!
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