Falling Off The Wagon

Chaotic. That just about sums up the last week of my life. We just bought our first home so there’s been a juggling act of work and home. The work side has included full days followed by full nights at the home with a ton of interior painting, a failed attempt to remove about eight layers of paint from a brick wall and packing/unpacking. Overall it’s a good chaotic in every way but one: I fell victim to convenience and fell off the healthy eating wagon!

I am ashamed. I feel guilty. But there it is, staring me in the face. When life got super busy I buckled: I ate fast food for the first time in years, drank soda (after all, it came with the sandwich and curly fries) and I haven’t really cooked at all. Oh my! My body is not pleased with me and I don’t blame it.

Then it occurred to me last night while I sank my teeth into a piece of greasy pizza: I used to eat like this a lot, especially in my college days. How did I do it? I feel sluggish and heavy already, after only one week. Amazing. Scary. Illuminating. If anything, this fall from grace demonstrates how eating impacts how you function and feel. I already knew this, but maybe I needed a reminder.

Then, how serendipitous, there was a post on Food Renegade this week about this very topic. It perfectly sums things up: “After all, we all need to make compromises from time to time. As long as eating fast food isn’t habitual, then the occasional meal doesn’t really harm anything. As long as my habits and tastes are shaped by finding, preparing, and eating Real Food, then the few fake food meals I eat are rare exceptions and my body ought to be able to cope.”

So, why share my disgrace? Why not. It just goes to show that even us local/healthy/sustainable food folks can fall victim to convenience. But I don’t plan to make it a habit. I don’t think my body could take it.

Let’s just say I’m taking back control. So, what’s for dinner tonight? Grilled eggplant topped with a touch of homemade tomato sauce and fresh Parmesan cheese accompanied by a big, fresh salad with lettuce from my garden. Ahh, I feel better just thinking about it.

I’m cross-posting this entry as part of Food Renegade’s Fight Back Fridays.