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I must confess…

So it’s Dec 27th (I wrote this yesterday), two days after Christmas and three days after I made my chocolate pie and today I tried it for the first time, and I have to say, it was A-mazing if I do say so myself (notice the past tense because I ate what was left of it!). Unfortunately, my confession isn’t that I tried the pie.  It’s that I ate way more than I should have and it’s because….I’m totally addicted to sweets. For the most part, I’m a Paleo purist, and really it’s been years since I’ve eaten many sweets (so I kind of forgot about my addiction) but lately with the holidays, and making paleo “treats” for the kids, I’ve been having a little here and a little there.  Then, I’d get a sweet tooth and have a few dark chocolate almonds. Or, I’d make the Almond Joy Bars because it was my birthday or because I’d get these “cravings” I haven’t had in a long time and I’d think, well, I’ll just use about half the coconut palm sugar and the rest is just coconut flour, flax seed, egg and coconut milk, so what’s so bad about that, right? And really, nothing…unless, you’re addicted to sweets or baked goods and it’s going to trigger something in your brain. I would rationalize by thinking, well, I won’t feel tired or cloudy or hung over tomorrow after eating this stuff, or my body and joints won’t hurt, so it’s okay. But you know what, these cravings have been getting stronger, and stronger, and I’ll tell you what, they suck! I almost forgot how great paleo is for cravings and appetite control.

So that’s it! I’m sick of it!  As of Jan 1st, no more paleo “treats”, no more dark chocolate almonds, no more chocolate macaroons and for a while, no fruit.  I remember reading awhile ago, “when trying to get over an addition, don’t have ANY of it”, so I am going to cut out all sugar, including fruit for a bit. Gosh, now I’m sounding like an alcoholic. It’s truly not that bad, but it’s bad enough to make me want to do the Whole 30 again and bad enough to get rid of any trigger foods. I was debating between just taking out all of those things that set off my cravings, but I think, no, I need, a fresh start.

For those of you who have never heard of the Whole 30 it’s just what it sounds like. You eat only whole foods for 30 days and that includes no paleo “treats”, nothing processed (no Justin’s nut butter or almond milk!) and then of course, everything else is Paleo so no grains, dairy, sugar (of any kind), legumes, or alcohol. If you are interested, click here for complete details on the Whole 30.

Sometimes we all need a reset. And it can be hard but the 1st three to five days are typically the hardest, until the cravings just disappear.  And then it’s learning about your body and what works best for it. Some people say, “but I need more carbs”. If you are training for a half ironman or marathon, then yes, you do, but otherwise, could it be just your brain thinking you do?? You may have a dip in energy as your body readjusts but wouldn’t it be wonderful to knock out some of those things that make us feel tired and lethargic, achy or inflamed? Wouldn’t it be nice to make our bodies not only digest food more efficiently, but in the process make ourselves mentally and physically stronger and healthier, and at the same time, allow our bodies burn fat, rather than the carbs you “think” you need?

I’ll be honest, the Whole 30 isn’t about loosing weight. In fact, one of the rules is not weighing yourself. It’s about gaining control and feeling the best you can. It’s about making you appreciate food, and actually tasting it. It’s about being hyper aware of what we put in our bodies, instead of just eating as quickly as possibly without really thinking about what we’re doing. And lastly, it’s about realizing what we need, versus what we want.  I’m up for the challenge.  Are you?

If not now…when?  By the way, Happy New Year’s! 🙂

Quote from the Whole 30 site: “Quitting heroin is hard. Beating cancer is hard. Drinking your coffee black. Is. Not. Hard.”

Oh, and loving this baby is way easy! This is my lovely sister in law’s almost 1 year old babe, Starling.  I just love this precious little thing and I am addicted to her for sure!

  • Shana - I’ll do it with you landria! Don’t know if I mentioned this but I was diagnosed with celiac a few months ago, and while getting gluten out has helped me feel a lot better, I feel like dairy and especially sugar still mess me up somewhat. So this would be a great oppt. to give my gut a nice break and really heal. You better post a lot of recipes though! 🙂ReplyCancel

  • landriav - Ha, I love it Shana! Sounds great!! I don’t think I knew you had celiac. I’m SO glad to hear you’re feeling better now though. It is amazing how not only taking the gluten out of your diet, but sugars, and dairy, will make you feel so much better. Have you read Wheat Belly? That book is SO interesting to me when it comes to Celiac, as well as just gluten intolerance. Alright, Shanna, the recipes will be a comin’!! 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Marla-Deen - LOVE this post! It is a sickness for me too, and I can tell in my body, head and joints when I’m eating the tasty but “evil” stuff! I have been better this year, but think I also need a “reset”! Glad to know I’m not the only one out there!ReplyCancel

  • Allyson - I am right there with you on over doing the “healthy” treats this holiday season. Fresh start in January. There is a great book about food addiction that I enjoyed. Here is a link about the book, Pleasure Trap.
    http://www.nealhendrickson.com/TrueNorth/031100pleasuretrap.htmReplyCancel

    • landriav - Thanks Allyson! Will look into those for sure.ReplyCancel

  • Kathryn - For some reason, the time from Thanksgiving to Christmas just seems to ramp up my cravings. A little treat here and there leads to really wanting it – even when it’s not around. I tossed all the sweets and processed food in the house Christmas night. I’d had enough… Looking forward to your future posts!ReplyCancel

    • landriav - Same here, every year. Thanks goodness for New Year’s resolutions, or in your case, Christmas night to say, “enough is enough”! Good for you on getting a head start!ReplyCancel

  • Whitney - This year has been especially miserable, looking forward to a rset! Glad to know that I’m not alone.ReplyCancel

    • landriav - I thought you’ve been so good this year! Well, there’s always 2012 🙂 And no, you’re never alone on this. I think it’s a girl thing for sure. We just seem to love or want the carbs and sugar more. Sucks, doesn’t it? Good thing we’re strong tough women who control our own destiny :)!ReplyCancel

  • Chris Colwell - we have the same addictions! great new camera Lan, and great subject of course.ReplyCancel

    • landriav - I had no idea! Nice to hear, as some others have said, that I’m not alone! Loved seeing you so much over the holidays!!ReplyCancel

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