Celebrate freedom – eat a burger!
It's been a long time since I ate a burger. I can't remember the last time I ordered one. It's just not something I eat, not something I crave.
Occasionally my body craves red meat, but I go for a grass-fed rib-eye or filet. "Hamburger" just doesn't seem to be on my body's database of what I need.
With that endorsement, I figured when in Texas, do as Texans do. I ordered a Whataburger Jr. and ate the whole thing–gluten filled bun and all!
Why did I eat a burger? Because I don't want to be a food nazi!
After my breast cancer 21 years ago I became militant about food. I only ate vegetarian, low-fat, unprocessed organic foods because I feared the role animal products, pesticides, processing and other toxins played in the onset of my cancer.
For a few years, that was a necessary and important stance to take. But over time, I began to listen to my physical needs and not my fears and found my way to a more balanced, loving and life-giving relationship with food.
For me, it's about moderation, balance and choosing the best food. Today, that includes minimal red meat and limited gluten based foods. Yet, if there's an Auntie Em's dessert or a loaf of bread from Fiore Cafe around, I'll say "Yes" and enjoy every bite of my gluten. If I'm going to eat the gluten that can sometimes activate rosacea on my cheeks, I'm going to make it worthwhile.
My relationship with Caity is more important than what we eat. I enjoyed the burger well enough…for a burger. But even more important was how much I enjoyed being with Caity in her college town, going to the places she hung out and getting a taste of her last five years. Celebrating her success as a top-notch jazz saxophonist and experiencing the world where she's honed her skills, met her boyfriend and matured into a remarkable young woman–that's why I'm here.
When I was a food nazi (while hard to admit, at times even now) what I ate took precedence over enjoying the people, events and places around me. Thanks be to God for the love, grace and truth that have come to me over these past 21 years. I am free to eat burgers or not eat burgers. For this freedom, I am exceedingly grateful.
Yoga is a great way to cool down hot bodies and impatient minds on these hot days.
My teacher Hagar reminded me yesterday that legs up the wall pose is a wonderful cooling position. I did it last night before bed and found myself drifting off to sleep much quicker than on previous nights.
Simple seated forward bends and gentle floor twists are also wonderful ways to keep moving and use the heat to your benefit.
Don't let the heat stop you from moving, but be mindful about overexerting yourself. And remember to drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated.
And, remember to BREATHE! Take plenty of deep full inhales and slow mindful exhales both as you move through your yoga practice and through your day. That reminds your body to stay calm when the heat activates the stress response.
May the cooling breath of God's peace that passes understanding keep us all cool headed and open-hearted on these hot days.
Here's an idea that just might work: A group of social scientists are experimenting with using "nudge marketing" to increase consumer awareness of nutrient dense foods options and decrease purchasing of processed foods that contribute to onset of chronic diseases.
THE ENDS OF AISLES are huge revenue generators, especially for sweet and salty foods.
IMPULSE PURCHASES (60 percent of purchases are unplanned) – especially of items placed next to checkouts.
1.) knowing what's in my refrigerator and cupboards (like the jar of olives that wasn't there last night for the Greek salad).
2.) stocking up on things we eat daily (so I don't wake up and find we've run out of the almond butter I love on my toast).
3.) keeping a grocery list on my smartphone – adding things when they run out (and looking at it when I'm at the store…).
4.) always having fresh veggies in the drawer (even if they go might go bad – not wasting food can be a good motivator for some of us).
5.) always having a few bags of frozen veggies and fruits in the freezer (It's better than nothing).
6.) planning meals and including those items on my list (still getting back to this after a long hiatus post-shoulder surgery).
What does mindful grocery shopping look like for you?