“Giving in”

In the spirit of sustainability (and avoiding the potential to binge down the road), today was all about indulging what I was craving, in a good way. The result? I couldn’t be happier. I ate more calories than usual, but enjoyed every bite, felt energetic physically, and “at peace” mentally .

Here’s how it went:

I woke up at 6 to take Arthur for his morning walk, and I was HUNGRY (usually I’m just thirsty this early in the morning). Part of me said “don’t eat; just wait for breakfast!” part of me said “have a banana with pb, it will taste sooooo good,” and another part of me (apparently I have three small brains) said “you don’t need a huge snack; just a little something to hold you over for an hour or so.”

So, I compromised:

We had a great walk as the sun was coming up—around 45 minutes total.

For breakfast, my tastebuds said “we want SUGAR! make oatbran with chocolate chips!” but my body said “I need something substantial, something with protein. I’ve been up for awhile and this needs to last me 4 hours!” So, I had something substantial, but not too heavy, which involved sweet foods:

the third portion of my tempeh/veggie salad wrapped up in a rye/wheat wrap, with grapes on the side. Plus 4 dried apricots:

While packing up my lunch, my tastebuds said “we don’t want lentils and spinach again! pack something fun and sweet!” My body said, “I don’t know what I want, so listen to your tastebuds.” Here’s what my tastebuds picked:

vanilla soy yogurt, d’anjou pear, 2 clementines, and a mix of 1/4 c. raw almonds, 1/4 c. peanuts, and 2 tbsp dark chocolate chips!

I had the pear, yogurt, and most of the nut/chocolate chip mix during the 11 o’clock hour at work, then went home to let Arthur out and take him for a quick walk, then had the rest of the mix and the 2 clementines around 3:30. It was SO tasty. 1/2 c. of nuts is wayyy more than I usually let myself have at a time when I snack on nuts, so it felt “sinful,” but I didn’t feel guilty because they’re good for you (and DELICIOUS with the chocolate chips!!!).

What I learned: 1/2 c. nuts is REALLY filling. Also, it doesn’t look like much in a plastic bag, so I’m sure I’ve accidentally eaten over 1/2 c. during MANY cocktail hours/late nights at the bar with a bowl of nuts!!!

I didn’t plan a good snack, though, so I arrived home at 6 HANGRY! I snacked on some baby carrots while I threw some leftovers in the microwave:

a delicious but not very photogenic mix of lentils and spinach, the last portion of my tempeh salad (a small portion), and 1/2 a leftover sweet potato, sliced, with some ketchup (this is a small plate).

Reading your comments on my last post put me in the mood to ENJOY FOOD. Especially Sarah’s comment about intuitive eating and the wanting-what-you-can’t-have problem. So, in the spirit of EATING FOODS I LOVE I bought one of my favorite things in the world that I literally have not let myself buy since I was 19 years old:

This is my favorite cereal EVER. It’s pretty high-calorie (around 230 calories and 11 g. fat for 2/3 c.), and I used to think I couldn’t keep it in the house because I’d overdo it. But that doesn’t change the fact that I LOVE IT and want to enjoy it! I’m tired of passing it by in the supermarket in favor of Familia Low-Fat Granola or Low-Fat Museli. Both of those cereals are good, but nowhere near as good as this stuff:

Best. Dessert. Ever. (1/2 c. portion with ~3/4 c. plain soymilk)

Having it in the house will a true test. Can I enjoy the foods I LOVE and still maintain a healthy mindset about eating??

I took Arthur for his evening walk around 6:30, and had SUCH great energy from all the great food! We powerwalked through the park for an hour, then relaxed on a bench as the sun was going down. and now I feel relaxed + happy. I was kind to myself today. It’s a nice feeling. THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone who commented on the last couple posts and inspired me to bring foods I love back into my life!

Are there things that you love but never buy?