Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Where's the beef??

Ok, let me start off by saying.... it's been waaayyy too long since I last blogged.  Working, traveling, and oh yeah, having a baby have all happened since my last blog.  So life has gotten busy.  So, baby is cute and almost 2, we moved to a new house, and we have been having sooo many adventures it would bore you to go into all the details.

What has brought me back to my blog recently?  Well, I have recently been very intrigued by the food and diet industry.  So many people these days are trying new products and promoting new diets and pushing to try their programs.  It's like every day I log on to social media, I see a new friend telling me that their product is the "real deal."  And let me say, I have in no way tried all these products or claim to.  I also have no criticism for my friends that sell them.  I'm happy you have found something that works for you and makes you feel incredible.  I'm happy that it is helping you not only physically, but financially as well.  Kuddos to you guys for having the cajones to go out there and try the stuff.

My problem comes in the form of questions.  Genuine curiosity.  I have always been, well, chunky but funky!  Pleasantly plump.  "Mom bod."  These terms have not really bothered me as I just am what I am.  The only time in my life I ever remember being somewhat thinner was when I got married.  I was happy and had time to take care of myself because I only had myself to really take care of.  Now I have a family that I want to care for.  But I'd also like to set an example to my daughter.  And I'd like to find answers to help me in the "great food debate."

A little history of my relationship with food.  I have the best mom in the whole world.  She is a loving, devoted mom.  She worked incredibly hard for us and instilled in me a love for people and wanting to help people.  Because we grew up loving on people, we often neglected ourselves.  Finding food as conveniently as possible.  As a result, I mostly ate fast food and did not tend to venture out in my palate.  I refused Brussel sprouts, I condemned cucumbers, and I would not even touch any type of spinach.  I thought all these food were gross and would even give them a chance on my sacred plate.  Thus, I did not receive any of the nutrition these foods have to offer because my thoughts were, no thank you smelly veggies.

As I have gotten older, I have come to love all kinds of food.  I do not discriminate against really any food.  I love me some sushi, eat my greens when they present themselves, and am always wanting to try new foods.  I'm always watching food shows on tv or finding new recipes in my food network magazine with foods I've never heard of.  Maybe one day, I'll eventually try it all.

Now comes the problem.  I have been a lover of all foods for quite sometime now.  Veggies yes, protein yes, and fruits yes.  But also, the cakes, pies, fried foods, yummy Mexican food, and too many other numerous foods to count.  There always seems to be some kind of event during the week that one can indulge on these "not so healthy foods."  Coworkers birthday, valentine's day.... Friday.  There is always SOMETHING that falls on a day during the week were you just are presented with these foods.  Sometimes I can say no, other times, I'm just pulled into their noxious fumes!!!

You would think that the lack of nutrition and the fact that these foods are soooo unhealthy would deter me from these foods.  The fact that they could shorten my life by clogging my arteries doesn't stop the fork from entering my mouth. I've always been a person whose motto was "life is short, eat the cake," but lately I find myself questioning if I am setting a good example for my daughter.  I was always teased as I was growing up for being, well, fat.  And I DO NOT want her to experience what I did with teasing and bullying.  So I guess I'm asking, where's the "happy medium?"  How do you all see food on a daily basis.  I mean, I know I feel great when I eat the healthy foods (I really like using the nutirbuillet to make healthy shakes), but I also feel like I want the cake sometimes.  Do you guys think there is a link between healthy eating and feeling good?  Do I just suck it up and eat healthy all the time?  Do I indulge in a cheat day? 

I recently watched a documentary called "fat, sick, and nearly dead" on Netflix and it really made me think.  I can relate with feeling fatigue all the time.  And I feel like there is something to adding nutrients to your diet that are good for you health.  But I do not think that juicing is for me.  I have tried a few juices here and there and they all taste like grass to me.  Also I do no believe in supplements.  I just don't have the discipline to take them and I don't want to be dependent on them for the rest of my life.  I have tried a few before and lost weight, but I always gain it back when I stop taking them.  Like I said, I don't want to be dependent on a supplement.

How do you see food?  Is it just a fuel, or do you have an addiction? Do you eat for nutrients or convenience? 


As an ending note, I do enjoy beer and wine.  I will not be giving these beverages up.... ever.  So don't even talk to me about ridding myself of these things.  AIN'T HAPPENING!!!!