Foods for thought....

The first steps of simply eliminating grains, beans, refined seed oils, sugar/sweeteners, and grain-fed/pasteurized dairy products takes you at least 80% of the way towards achieving optimal health on a Paleo diet.

Take time to hear the full message

...it's important not to invalidate your feelings. Your feelings are telling you something important. Do not rush to act on the first whim, take time to hear the full message.

So, what am I feeling....

sad about my friend Claire's diagnosis. 

distant from someone I need to be close to. 

happy that Chase's headstone is ready, sad for the fact that it is needed. 

Worried that I'll fail yet again at this journey that my life depends upon.

Strategies that work for me to maintain abstinence at food events:

• Bring my own food to an event. Consider bringing 3 dishes of my own.
• Bring a beverage of my own too.
• Arrive late to a gathering - after most of the eating finished
• If I'm not feeling "spiritually fit," then stay home.  I can even leave early if I need to do so. 
• Prepare and leave an abstinent snack at home and know that it's there for me when I return, abstinent, from the gathering
• Practice saying no to food offers. "No, thanks." "I don't care for any today, thanks." "I'm allergic. [they make me fat]"    
• If somehow food is pressed upon me to take home, I give myself permission to throw it in the trash on the way home. 
• Ask my HP to relieve my food obsession
• Commit or report my food to a sponsor or OA
• Make a point to talk to at least 10 different people. Keeps me focused
• on people rather than food.
• When fixing a plate for myself, I grab portions of (hopefully) 3 of the dishes I brought, plus one other portion that comes from a food group out of nature. 
• If my dishes are gone I resort to picking the simplest foods that are out of nature. If nothing is available, wait until I get home and drink lots of water or a non-guilt beverage. I can even leave early if I need to do so. 
• Take my camera and take photos (if appropriate).