"May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you're dead." An Irish toast.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, aptly describes my attitude towards healthy eating.
I've always been aware of the fact that my eating habits are abysmal and yet I'll cheekily cross my fingers hoping to get away with it. I skip meals, believe coffee belongs to an essential food group, think meal planning is only done when cooking for more than one person, pick at fruits and I not only shudder at the sight of vegetables (and any other drab looking must-haves on the nutritionist's bible), but also ante it up a notch by giving said veggies the flip off.
Stupid. I know. Yet I do it anyway.
The problem with cozying up to nasty habits is that eventually they will turn around and bite you in the ass. Which is what happened to me. I was suddenly sluggish and sickish ALOT. I couldn't even enjoy my own company anymore. The Doc sternly went on to let me know that it was going to get worse real fast if I didn't take the recommended dietary and lifestyle changes seriously this time round...
The suckage just had to go. I decided later on, as I popped nasty tasting, foul-smelling pills into my mouth. And so, for the last thirty-two days, I've been planning my meals like a good girl, cut down on my coffee intake (although I admit I occasionally falter by sneaking in a few extra sips), taking my daily portion of fruits, veggies and even eating an assortment of bizarre looking grains & nuts I christened 'bird food'...
You know, just working at letting go of bad habits a day at a time.
The funny bit is, this whole healthy eating experience is not as depressing as I initially feared it would be. I still get to spice it all up. And my relationship with vegetables? Well, we may not be tight, but we now have an understanding and it feels great. The pep in my step is back and so is the twinkle in my eye. The real challenge, I feel, is working at it til it feels as easy as breathing...
And that, ladies and gentlemen, aptly describes my attitude towards healthy eating.
I've always been aware of the fact that my eating habits are abysmal and yet I'll cheekily cross my fingers hoping to get away with it. I skip meals, believe coffee belongs to an essential food group, think meal planning is only done when cooking for more than one person, pick at fruits and I not only shudder at the sight of vegetables (and any other drab looking must-haves on the nutritionist's bible), but also ante it up a notch by giving said veggies the flip off.
Stupid. I know. Yet I do it anyway.
The problem with cozying up to nasty habits is that eventually they will turn around and bite you in the ass. Which is what happened to me. I was suddenly sluggish and sickish ALOT. I couldn't even enjoy my own company anymore. The Doc sternly went on to let me know that it was going to get worse real fast if I didn't take the recommended dietary and lifestyle changes seriously this time round...
The suckage just had to go. I decided later on, as I popped nasty tasting, foul-smelling pills into my mouth. And so, for the last thirty-two days, I've been planning my meals like a good girl, cut down on my coffee intake (although I admit I occasionally falter by sneaking in a few extra sips), taking my daily portion of fruits, veggies and even eating an assortment of bizarre looking grains & nuts I christened 'bird food'...
You know, just working at letting go of bad habits a day at a time.
The funny bit is, this whole healthy eating experience is not as depressing as I initially feared it would be. I still get to spice it all up. And my relationship with vegetables? Well, we may not be tight, but we now have an understanding and it feels great. The pep in my step is back and so is the twinkle in my eye. The real challenge, I feel, is working at it til it feels as easy as breathing...
*
Other January What-nots: This has also been the month of experiencing beautifully awesome WTH (and on occasion, I did experience the WTF) TV moments thanks to the season finales of Breaking Bad season 4, Board walk empire season 2, Sons of Anarchy season 4 and Homeland season 1. My jaw dropped several times, people. Then I quickly picked it up and went to the net to consult the snarky oracle of all things tubey. Well, there was that and then there was discovering the hilarious Stephanie Plum novels (many thanks Frank). Stephanie Plum & Co are an absolute riot and the series has been leaving me in stitches book after book. Never imagined the lives of bounty hunters (fictional or otherwise) could be this entertaining. How on earth did it take me this long to discover Janet Evanovich?!!! I wonder...
Well, my coffee break is over. So here's to your good health, beautiful madness and pure awesomeness in 2012.
Mob wendos,
Nyambura
I hope missy, that you are become a vegetarian...not because you like animals..but because you hate plants. You devour them to prevent them from reproducing!
ReplyDeleteYes? No?
Ah well...glad the mojo is back!
Happy new year Mocha. (I'll have to find a new name for you now won't I?)
As for rabbit food (veggies) count me out unless they are sukumawiki with some chunks of nyama... LOL
ReplyDeleteyer that breaking bad, jaw dropping almost literally
ReplyDeleteWhere haven't you been? I'm wildly guessing that asking where you have been might render me blind. Here's to happy habits and the year of our christ 2012. Ps. I love veggies. It's the fruits I can't stomach.
ReplyDeleteI have no problem with either fruits or vegetables but of course I find myself eating everything else except those.
ReplyDeleteThen I get onto fruit and vegetable binges. Then I stop again.
By fruits I mean minus Bananas. And by vegetables I mean minus beetroot and celery.
Vegetables and all things healthy have been known to be particularly vengeful. I am off to look for Stephanie Plum and Co. Have a fabulous 2012! :D
ReplyDeleteThought I am the only one who refers to 'bird', 'rabbit' and 'goat' food! Good to know there are some anti-veggies/fruits out there as well. but...sigh...we just have to take those nasty things in the name of health! Nice to see you posting again Nyambura!
ReplyDeleteComeuppance they got alright! Hows the bonding turning out?
ReplyDeleteCan you teach me how to indulge in coffee or better still, infect me with the desire.
Anyway, let's drink cabbage juice to your health. Cheers!
@ Sam: New monkier? Que? I'm still sipping the good stuff...just in moderation now ;-)
ReplyDelete@ Mackel9: Now you're my kind of person. Doctors just loooathe us don't they? :-)
@ WWF: Oh yes. I kept shouting "What the hell?!" several times as I hit the rewind button. Makes me wish I was a fly on their writing room's wall. Now that would be heavenly
@ Carol: You know me so well...And I'll drink to that love :-)
@ Shiko-Msa: I wish I could have the fruity & veggie binges once in a while. Now bananas I love. A must-have with my cereals,githeri, pilau & any other rice dish
@ Murasta: Hope the year have kicked off beautifully for you?
@ Otieno: Thanks dear.
@ Odhis: Karibu & grab a chair. The bonding is touch & go...you want your life to be forever changed by coffee? Pop into any dormans shop, walk up to their counter and ask for a cup of the elixir...let the aroma of a freshly brewed cup hit you & then take a sip.
Theoretically I love fruits & veggies .. They just never seem to end up on my plate half as often as they should .. I'm trying though
ReplyDeleteI shall seek out Janet Evanovich on your recommendation and hope to get entertained by the Plum.
Happy 2012!
Bravo! Eating healthy, when there is food, is Godly.
ReplyDelete