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Archive for August 1, 2012

The Day I Stopped Sniffing Big Macs

It was about a month ago. We stopped at that most evil of empires to a healthy foodie… the motorway services. I was relieved to see the Waitrose sign, and husband headed straight to the fast food counter.

And that’s the moment it didn’t happen. The thing that had become my post-gluten ritual for eight years.
I didn’t lean in for a long, lustful lung full of beef pattie and relish. I didn’t look forlornly at the soft, seeded bun and sigh, recounting my age old lament that if only I had foreseen my future gluten exile, I would have had just one last Big Mac…
That day, given the choice, I would have picked my fresh, tasty salad and fruit over the fast food choice hands down.

Do you recognise that feeling?
It may have been the day you realised you had finally woken up that morning not thinking of your ex. Or the day you are chatting with friends about having a drumstick lolly every day on the way home from school, and yet you can’t remember when you stopped eating them.

It had taken me eight years of holding on to that last ritual of loss, to suddenly realise that I no longer felt deprived. The script of missing that fast food gluteniness that I had been re-running in my head was outdated, obsolete, no longer required.
I had re-programmed my self without even realising.

It doesn’t matter whether you have given up gluten due to coeliac or sensitivity, or dairy to reduce your sinusitis, or texting your ex after too many margaritas. Most of us go through that mourning period. It’s perfectly natural, and if you are mourning the loss of something it’s important to acknowledge those feelings as part of the process.
But it’s equally important to be mindful of your mind set.
Because one day it won’t feel so bad. And that day will arrive sooner if you approach it with an adding-in attitude rather than a taking-away one.

Got to give up gluten? Start your quest to find the best tasting organic, raw chocolate on the planet!

Can’t face life without cheddar? Vow to find the healthiest, tastiest flavour that tickles your savoury taste buds (they are not cheddar-exclusive)

Text-pesting your ex? Text yourself some love instead! Use a reminder app to send you affirmations at your ‘danger times’ (or quit the margaritas? Yeah I know, one step at a time ; )

When ‘adding in’ it’s important to choose something that you will enjoy. Even if it’s just a little bit. Even if it just makes you smile. Raw deprivation tastes so bitter, you’ll never keep it down.

So, what will you ‘add in’ to your life this week? What will your addition be replacing? Blueberries and walnuts instead of Skittles?
Have you checked in with yourself recently to see if your Script of Loss is running in the background?
Do you really need it on loop? Or are you just stuck in the habit of feeling deprived?

I would love to read your triumphs and challenges around this subject.

So, What’s Your Script?
Post a comment telling me what you want to take out of your life, and what you think would be fun to add-in instead.

Practise Makes Purpose

“Write a blog”, they say.

“Express yourself”, they reinforce.

“Give value!”, ohhhhh now that’s just plain scarey talk!

But here I am, running after the far-ahead blog train, waving my arms and wailing “Wait! I have something to say! …”

And practising here is how I will get better at it.

practise    verb    to do something regularly or repeatedly in order to become skilled at it

But that isn’t my only meaning for ‘practise’ in this introduction…

This week I passed my mid-way Health Coach Training Program exam at the Institute For Integrative Nutrition, which means I can now work with clients professionally. I can practise.

practise   verb   to work in an important skilled job for which a lot of training is necessary

I love how the same word can have different meanings.
I love that a child practicing her spelling and a young man practising safe sex and a doctor practising medicine are all different and yet bound together by a common verb.
It reminds me of our differences and similarities, and to embrace and celebrate both.
To be aware of the parts of ourselves that intrinsically link us to others – our families, ancestors, that we are part of this great network of humanity. And also to acknowledge our unique individuality.
Keeping this awareness in mind can reap huge benefits when it comes to living a healthy and happy life.
Not all of this blog is going to be all deep and meaningful! But I can’t promise I won’t get all beardy weirdy on you every so often… stick around, it’s gonna be a smorgasbord-tastic health experience!