Feeling Purple
It’s been soooooo long… or at least that’s what it feels like. 
Let’s start where we left off. Shall we?
I started reading Intuitive Eating last week and I could have easily finished the book. If you are unfamiliar with the book ,(which most of you aren’t because I have seen this book all over health blog world), it is set up in steps. The whole idea is that once you really truly give yourself permission to have whatever you want and you don’t feel guilty, your mind and body will find balance.
Well, I got stuck on the step called “Honor Your Hunger”.
I though I did honor my hunger until I really paid attention. When I am working out 5-6 days a week, I do get hungry mid-morning but I have ignored it! I’m usually at school or work or Whole Foods (I swear I don’t live there I just tend to be there mid-morning on Sundays).
So, I made an effort to honor my hunger and I feel fantastic about it. I don’t get the lethargic feeling that I sometimes had. I always attributed it to lack of sleep but who knew?!
The book suggests making a list of food that I like and highlighting the things I don’t eat because of their nutritional profile or ingredient list.
Holy guacamole (mmm…guacamole) that list was long!
Let me be clear: it’s not that I want these things so badly that I can’t stop thinking about them. In fact, I enjoy many of these healthy substitutions just as much as the real thing.
Although there may be some snarky comments from “anonymous” people, I have decided to share the list with all of you.
| Avoided FoodMy Background With This FoodNumber Of Years Since I’ve Eaten It | Substitution Food |
| Hot Fudge SundaeSome people are banana split people. I have never been one of those people.
At least 4 Years |
Instead I add pure vanilla extract, cocoa powder and Nustevia to Plain Oikos Greek Yogurt |
| Baked Russet (Idaho) PotatoBaked potatoes were a part of many meals in my home when I was young. I used to love mine with margarine and cottage cheese
About 2 Years |
Sweet potatoes have more fiber and vitamin A….I like sweet potatoes just as well so I usually eat them instead. |
| Real Pancakes …left gooey in the middle with margarine and light syrup…mmmm
3 Years |
I make protein pancakes with Cake Batter flavored protein powder, Nustevia, free-range egg whites and I serve them with sugar-free syrup and spray butter. I know the spray butter and sugar-free syrup is not exactly healthy… |
| Quaker Oatmeal Squares This was my fave cereal when I was young because my grandma always stocked it.
2.5 Years |
I eat cereals that have less ingredients and no preservatives. Plus Quaker has so many misleading advertisements that I hate to support the company. Plus, Quaker Oatmeal Squares have double the calories of other cereals |
| Glazed Donuts (only if they are very fresh Krispy Cremes)2.5 Years | |
| Powdered DonutsI used to love to eat soft powdered donuts with chocolate milk when I was pregnant. But, I haven’t had them since childbirth.2.5 Years | |
| Kashi Chewy Bars (Chocolate Toffee or PB Chocolate)I used to have one everyday! Then I realized how much sugar was in them…even if it is brown rice syrup
2 years |
|
| Supreme Protein BarsMallard loves these. They taste like candy…for a reason! The ingredient list is questionable and they have sugar alcohols LI ate on a few days ago J | I eat Pure Protein Bars instead. They have a better ingredient list but they don’t taste as good |
| Pizza Hut CheesesticksThese were my one vice for a while after I gave birth. I soon realized that they weren’t helping with my weightloss…
2 Years |
|
| Swiss Rolls and Fudge RoundsThese were my fave when I was young but my mom rarely bought snack cakes. I don’t eat them now because Little Debbie uses so much partially hydrogenated oils and preservatives that the sugar is the least of my concern!
4 Years? |
|
| Cinnamon RollsI’m talking soft and gooey and sweet! Not something in my diet. Hello saturated fat and sugahhhh!
4 Years |
|
| Olive Garden Chicken Fettuccini AlfredoMallard and I use to split this meal once a week! Lord knows what is in Olive Garden’s recipe.
3 Years |
I have had Amy’s version and it’s pretty tasty but no Olive Garden lol |
| S’moresMmmmm…graham, chocolate, marshmallow. I have seen graham crackers and marshmallows at WF that have a decent ingredient list. I just can’t bring myself to eat so damn much sugar!
3 Years? |
I have a s’more Pure Protein Bar instead…not too bad. |
| Jell-O No Bake Cherry CheesecakeThis is possibly my fave dessert ever! I know that’s weird. I now realize that it’s chock full of franken-food. That ingredient list is appalling.
5 years…or more? |
Now I’m wondering if the authors of Intiuitive Eating have got something here… Am I 10-15 pounds over my “happy weight” because I don’t indulge?
Am I hurting my cause by substituting with healthier alternatives?
What do you think?
Another portion of the book guides the reader in getting in touch with signals of fullness during meals and feelings and emotions before and during eating.
I discovered that sometimes I did eat past my full point at dinner because I was afraid I would wake up in the middle of the night hungry. Not good. I also realized that my love of protein pancakes slathered in spray butter and smothered in sugar-free syrup (also not good, I know) is due to a need for comfort. I have been medicating with fake comfort food…nice.
…and just maybe I have been eating so late because then my daughter is sleeping and I have me time.
Knowing all of this takes the fun out of my me time meals….thank God.
So, I needed a new form of me time…
I saw this post (love this blog!) and I found great way to unwind.
I started the first one and I have almost finished it already. Jen Lancaster may be the funniest woman alive. Witty, smart….I can’t wait to buy her other books as well.
Last week was my first “meeting” with Alyson (my new health coach).
I think she is going to be extremely helpful.
What she didn’t do was hand me a meal plan and workout routine and send my on my way.
She emphasized that we are creating a lifestyle now not just dieting down for some kind of event.
I had been eating no carbs from grains or fruit. The only carbs I was eating were those in my yogurt, natural PB and carrots in my bags of veggies. (Hey I was desperate to fit into my clothes!)
She told me that nixing carbs isn’t necessary. So I have happily had some delicious carbs in small amounts during the day.
One of my goals was to eat within 2 hours of rising. This coincided nicely with my quest to honor my hunger
UPDATE: I received my first package from Alyson today! It’s like Christmas in June! So much great info. I will post pics soon
I have come to realize that all of this is going to be a process. My clothes aren’t going to fit next week or the week after 
So, I bought a few “hippy mama dresses” (yes, I have dubbed them with that name).
This is my favorite. I have 2 more and I am still adding to the collection
My other new purple fave:
I have seen April’s cooked cabbage meals for months now. So I decided to give it a try!
I had forgotten how much I love cabbage! I try to cook it when Mallard is out of town as he is (understandably) not fond of the smell
I also made kale chips for the first time in months. For some reason red kale is cheaper than regular kale…?
Anyway, it tastes the same to me and the purple color is a fun change
You know your life is boring when you get excited about purple kale
I realized I never posted pics of the Mother’s Day gift that Snuffy made for me!
(You can see part of Snuffy’s real name on the pink hand. Can you guess what it is?)
It’s a flower pot with her hand print and I love it! However, the baby-sitter told me that she accidentally used washable crayola paints! So, I have had to keep it away from water.
Anyone know how I would go about sealing it with some sort of “clear coat”?
Mallard has been out of town all week and he will be gone the first half of next week too
He was out for a few days 2 weeks ago and he really felt bad leaving Snuffy…
So he bought her the biggest inflatable pool I have ever seen in my life!
Luckily, Mallard had just built our huge deck a few weeks earlier…
Anyway… What is your opinion on Intuitive Eating?
Have you ever considerding utilizing the services of a health coach?
Sounds like you’re making some great progress! I think intuitive eating is very valuable. Thinking and focusing on what we fuel our bodies with is very important and can help us establish a better relationship with food.
As an almost registered dietitian, I have to advocate my profession and say that I always recommend seeking the advice of an RD, who has studied nutrition for 4 + years and completed 1200 additional practicum hours in the area of nutrition. However, even though I’m also very interested in holistic nutrition, I can tell you that not every RD will be knowledgeable about this. I think the best thing to do is to find an RD who also specializes in holistic nutrition. I’m hoping to branch out into this specialty area soon. I don’t in any way mean to discredit your nutrition coach because I do know that some are well studied and can give good advice…I just always feel compelled to speak up for the dietetic profession since we commit so many hours to learning about nutrition.
I completely understand! I was looking into dietetics before I started nursing school. It’s certainly time consuming not to mention some tough classes. I don’t think many people realize how intense dietetics programs are!
Yayy for all you have gotten done! I haven’t read that book yet, but it is certainly on my list for the summer! I LOVE that dress. I would kill to wear something like that (but I am too tall, so the length always ends up looking funny).
I would totally utilize a health coach! I think they can be a great resource if you are trying to make any big change to your diet/lifestyle. Lots of love & luck girlie! xoxo
The dress looks awesome on you…you look beautiful and frankly you’re a MILF and you are already like 99% of the way to your goals if you ask me
Smores. I can help you w/ the graham crackers. I JUST posted a seed-based vegan cracker recipe (bake in oven if you wish) and it tastes strangely like graham crackers. Agave/honey/maple as your sweetener and scale it back if you wish.
The kashi bar. I also have a no-bake vegan energy bar that’s sugar free. (white or brown) and sweeted with Agave/honey/maple.
I personally dont give 2 flips about sugar. I know though that some people are really careful and have to be. For me it’s gluten.
Anyway girl, you look awesome and I think you’re doing great! and Alyson is such a sweet person…congrats on the partnership!
I’ve struggled for over a decade with my weight, mainly I was underweight but I didn’t have anorexia, I’d purge my binges through overexercise. It seemed like I was never satiated. I lived by strict food rules and rigid meal timings. Intuitive anything was non existent. After treatment, I really tried to work on developing that intuitive eater within me, but I dont think I’ll ever really get there. I eat carbs now because I know they won’t me “fat” but can I eat a whole doughnut without guilt, no. I dont think I should judge food, and I honestly dont think our bodies do either. Sure some stuff isn’t healthier than others, but our bodies know what to do with it. A few months of deprivation led to a decade of bingeing at night and starving all day cycles. Its vicious. Sorry, I hate to make such a sad post. I really admire your honesty. I don’t know what you consider your happy weight but you look beautiful just as you are and you only live once so I don’t think you should restrict yourself to much, Do what makes you happy whether it be full fat ice cream or sugar free syrups.
First, thank you SO much for linking to my post on Jen Lancaster’s books!! So glad you picked them up, she’s absolutely my favorite author!! I know you’ll enjoy them – let me know what you think about so we can chat all about how amazing she is, haha!!
Loved reading through this post and I will definitely be back to check out your progress, sounds like you’re on the right track! Nutrition seems to have become this complex thing in society, when it should be simple. Obviously, my beliefs are along the lines of eating holistic, local and organic. It’s all about making sure that what you’re eating is being eaten as close to the source as possible. It was a long, windy road before I found what really worked for me and what my body really responded to, but when I did, WOW! I feel like a completely different person and have a huge respect for food. I don’t cut out sugars or carbs… no need to, they’re natural and your body knows exactly what to do with them!
So glad you’ve found a coach who believes the same!
Best of luck to you. Oh, and that dress look fab on you!! <3
xo,
Linds
Love that purple dress on you! Hot Mama…watch out now.
Your dress looks gorgeous! I read that book too and I realized it’s hard to tell when I’m actually hungry. Yikes.
You are doing wonderful and are looking fantastic! I agree with averie.. your a MILF!! LOL. Anyway, I am the same way with substitutions. I get a lot of crap from people, but honestly I enjoy protein pancakes with peanut butter and sugar free syrup much more than the real deal. Glad I’m not the only one!
You are adorable!
I try to practice intuitive eating, too. I eat 5-6 meals a day and do my best to eat whole, unprocessed foods when I can. While I admit, I’ve been down that artificial sugar path, it’s something I’m working hard to eliminate from my diet because fueling with a bunch of chemicals meal after meal doesn’t make sense to me intuitively
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Just found your blog today and wanted to pop in and say hello. I write an intuitive eating blog if you are looking for advice from someone who’s gone through it. Stop by and say hello!
And as far as health coaching, yes, I have seen a health coach and I am one
I specialize in intuitive eating!