Seven Deadly Sins #2 - I LOVE FOOD

I have mentioned this before and I will write about it, podcast about it and recipe about it!

I LOVE FOOD. I will not blame my weight gain on this passion but it sure played it's part!

The big difference now is twofold for me: One, I am more in control than food is and; Two, I consume different types of food than before.

My desire for food has existed since I can remember, but my passion for food came when I moved to Italy in my twenties. I could write about food and Italy, Italy and food all...day... long - still not covering half of what I discovered, tasted and fell straight-up in love with. However, my waistline would not have grown to the size it did if it had not been for the underlying mis/desire to eat. They say you can never have too much of a good thing...but my 'need to feed' signals got heavily confused with actual hunger signals, which steadily led to a 100lb weight gain.

I worried that eating a more balanced diet would "kill off" my love for cooking, but it has made me enjoy being creative in the kitchen even more. WeightWatchers offered so many recipes within their program plus I find it challenging and rewarding to tweak a recipe to suit my new lifestyle. Now, does it taste the same as it used to? Honestly? The simple answer is NO, because obviously calorie laden Italian favourites do not taste the same as my "makeovers" - they can't. However, you do develop a different appreciation for what the food is doing for your body and not just your taste buds. I savour my food knowing that it's working for me twofold. It still tastes great and when I want to indulge on the really decadent stuff I know now that this means I have to practice portion control. PORTION CONTROL. That is an Arch Enemy for another day. But for the purpose of this post I will admit that when I am confronted with the likes of, Quality Decandent Treats, I mentally weigh whether it's worth it long term. We are so conditioned with food and its' "instant gratification" that we don't contemplate its' long term effects when taking bite number 2, 3, 4 .... But even though must we eat 2-6 times a day (depending on your plan) and we eat 7 days a week, 365 days a year...foods effects ARE long term. So we owe food the respect of a few minutes, to pause n' reflect as to whether it is going to be friend or foe.

This may seem odd, Pause & Reflect about food before you eat, but it will become a habit. We must remember WHO we are doing this for and WHY. Maybe just asking yourself those words Who For? and Why? will make the decision for you. I am a professional cook, owned multiple restaurants and yet I always have a small bag on my kitchen counter because when I get in to "pick mode" when literally every food substance in my house is up for grabs and my mind is being a jerk, I look at that bag and say to myself - THink, COntrol, SPIT IT OUT!

So you see, my love for food still has me in the kitchen, still surfing recipes constantly, forever stopping into new grocery stores because I know you will never take the FOODIE out of this girl. But now food has a purpose, it has to work for ME, so I shop with a whole new mindset, prepare food with a focused intent and cook food implementing healthier methods. Confession over...