Since March I have been meeting with a nutritionist and life coach who has been helping me see the process that got me to this place. The stress, anxiety, poor food choices and emotional eating, medications to deal with pain – pain caused by inflammation caused by eating poorly.

A vicious circle I have been in forever.

Over the weekend I read The Whole30 book  It Starts With Food and finally put together all I have learned over the past few months. So tonight I am committing to 30 days without sugar, grains, alcohol, legumes, dairy or processed foods. 

I am approaching this differently, though. I would prefer to say the things I am able to eat:  grass fed, organic meats, veggies and fruits as well as fats and oils that are good for me. I can still have many of the foods I enjoy and will just have to plan better for lunches at work and snacks that beat the 3 o’clock chip and chocolate monster that appears. Also, I can still have curry – it just has to be over spinach instead of rice. It’s all good!

So.  Here it goes. Not for weight loss, not for anyone but me. To eliminate inflammation, get back on a good sleeping schedule that is restful, and to reprogram the emotional eating habits that cause joint pain and restless nights and groggy days. The pain that keeps me home when I want to be out with people and clouds my thoughts and keeps me from writing stories and music.

I know it won’t be easy, but I’m ready for this and I’m excited to go through these changes!

The best six doctors anywhere
And no one can deny it,
Are sunshine, water, rest, and air
Exercise and diet,
These six will gladly you attend
If only you are willing
Your mind they’ll ease
Your will they’ll mend
And charge you not a shilling.
~Nursery rhyme quoted by Wayne Fields, What the River Knows, 1990