Find the peace everywhere you go.

What does the word “diet” mean to you?

Do you associate it with exercising strict control over meals and snacks in order to reduce weight? Or does the word bring on depressing visions of  resigned self-control to shove away the “bad” food you love. Maybe you equate the word diet with the sterile term “intake”, something to be counted, weighed, measured, and joylessly categorized.

For far too many, the word diet means they are in a fight with food. You do not have to cede such emotional power to food. Peace with eating can be discovered when you redefine the word “diet”.

Food is not your enemy. The word diet is your ally, a good friend that describes the way of eating that you found the most delicious, fragrant, enjoyable, fun, healthy, creative, and peacefully sustainable. A way of eating that is just perfect for you.

Change the narrative. You have the power to pause, consider, and purposefully choose the food you eat, making delicious modifications as you go.

Mindfully Considered:

When friends and family invite you to a picnic. What do you choose to bring to the meal?

Yes, I know. Everyone insists that you bring your famous potato salad. Go ahead and bring it, but also put together a lovely tomato, red onion, and cucumber salad that has been baptized with a splash of vinaigrette. The extra salad is not punishment nor is it intake, it is delicious color with bursts of flavor added to a lovely day with family.

Increasing the choices available helps you to eat well and still gives a nod to tradition. After all, your German Grandma’s recipe is superb and much loved by all. No deprivation required here. Place a good sized spoonful on your plate and slowly savor each bite right along with your tomatoes.

Pause, breathe, and try something new as you build your plate with color, texture, flavor, aroma, nutrition, tradition, and pleasure.

Enjoy your diet,

Janice