Progress, or lack thereof....

Blessings Yogi, 

Much appreciation to all of you that have viewed/followed this blog.  Thank you for being my accountability and inspiration.   

Last week, my office celebrated our annual St. Patrick's Day chili cook-off.  (Don't even ask, this tradition started years ago and I've never gotten a straight answer).  The 6-quart slow cookers were lined up like a dozen soldiers, ready to feed the masses.  I made Cincinnati Chili this year, which is served up to 5 ways (2 ways is with pasta, 3 ways beans, 4 ways onions, 5 ways cheese). It's flavored with heady, aromatic sweet spices.  I made sure it was paleo friendly, keeping the beans and spaghetti on the side.  Speaking of sides, my coworkers brought corn muffins, wheat crackers, buffalo chicken dip, homemade cakes, 7 layer salads, cheese, chips, and more cheese.

This is where it got tough.  Now I truly understand what the biblical term "flesh" means.  My flesh was screaming for a slab of bread slathered with butter like a cranky 2 year old in the midst of a hot temper tantrum.  Later I realized that I forgot to have any carbs at all that day.  Now I keep roasted yams in the fridge.

My body seems to be rebelling, but I read recently about a phenomenon called the "Paleo flu".  Newbies have been known to suffer aches and shakes as the detox process takes place.  A dear friend/yogi told me "You'll feel worse before you feel better".  She also told me to hang in there, better days are around the corner. 

I had a weird thought earlier today, how I'll be glad when this is all over and things can get back to normal.  Then I realized, but for a few tweaks in phase 2, this IS my new normal.  I mean;  bitter, unsweetened black coffee in the morning, no commercial salad dressings, no bagels, lentils, pretzels...  Whew!  That's going to be hard to swallow.  Stop groaning.  However, it's fascinating that I've lost 6 pounds on a diet that has no calorie restrictions!

There was one true flavor triumph this week.  Check out this two ingredient dessert recipe.
1 ripe banana, 1 cup frozen strawberries.  Blend with a little ice or a dribble of cold water, just enough to get the blender moving.  Tastes like yummy sorbet, and at least momentarily made up for all the sacrifice. 

The practice of fasting for lent builds spiritual muscle.  I'm filled with gratitude to live in a place of abundance. 

Peace

Myrna