Groceries

Today after school I went to HEB (not my favorite thing to do but it's becoming more bearable).  Since the start of massage school, my diet has changed so much.  Being around such food conscious and ultimately powerful people for almost 30 hours every week gave me the push I needed to start consuming better food.  During the month of May I observed my classmates eating homemade nut butters, hummus and lots and lots of avocados (a precious commodity around Texas Healing Arts Institute).  They didn't just inspire me in what they were eating but how they were talking about food. I listened as everyone talked about how certain foods effected them in very specific ways. I heard about yeast and gluten and soy and dairy. They are highly body conscious/ food knowing folks.  I admire that.

Growing up, my family was always very healthy conscious.  We ate brown rice, fresh fish, grilled chicken, salads and low fat milk products.  We rarely ate candy and certainly didn't indulge in processed food.  I didn't fully understand the necessity of eating in this way, but was definitely an apple loving kid.  Somewhere along the way, which I'm sure happens to most of us I discovered the joys of fast food, high fat dairy products, donuts and chicken wings.  All of this food can be and is certainly delicious and I would never judge anyone for eating these things, but I took a step back and realized what this was actually doing to my body and decided to make some changes.

Change is never easy and for me food is tied up with a lot of control issues.  It is one of those things like finances that we can have tangible control over...that is, if we focus enough attention on these areas and make a concerted effort.  I personally find it boring and unsatisfying overall to put so much mind energy on these things.  I'd rather stay present with the bigger picture than resonate with my exact caloric intake during the day.  So, I have to be careful not to go crazy over the details of food plans.  So, I made it easy for myself.  I decided to cut out one thing for now and see how I felt as a result doing my best not to obsess.  I cut out gluten and feel very strongly that it was a good decision for my body.

Before this summer, I ate a lot of pasta....and I mean a lot.   And cheese and pizza, chicken wings and beer. I remember once my roommate looking at my groceries and saying, "I don't know how you do it...if I ate the food you eat, I'd be sick"  I think she was referring to the pasta, cheese and milk products.  She was right.  I was just dealing with the stomach pain and perpetual bloating...when I knew that subtracting some simple things would make a big difference.

Looking in my grocery cart today I had colorful greens like Brussels sprouts, field greens and broccoli.  5 different kinds of beans for protein, tofu, rice paper, brown eggs and corn tortillas and corn pasta to satisfy my cravings for breakfast tacos and such.  I think my new relationship with food is bound to be healthier than my extremist tendencies toward heavy dieting and on the other hand, heavy consumption.  This feels like neutral territory to me. I am using this to love my body more and give myself fuel to be the best yoga teacher and massage therapist I can be.

Metta!

AND

Check out Forks Over Knives to learn more about plant based diets:
http://www.hulu.com/watch/279734