Snow Day!

Well it wasn't quite a snow day for me. I traveled to NJ for work last week where there was a significant amount of snowfall. Over the past two weeks of travel, I've managed to maintain eating gluten and refined sugar free. For lunch, I visit the station in the work cafeteria that has dinner options like chicken or beef, rice or potatoes and veggies.  They also had a taco bar where I had a chicken bowl with guacamole, tomatoes and cheese but avoided the flour tortillas and tortilla chips since I feel corn is a big contributor to inflammation for me.  Afternoon snacks are tough, besides a bag of nuts there really aren't good options for me in the vending machine or the office convenient store. I've relied on bringing my own snacks. Thanks to my health coach's suggestions, I bring small packages of almond butter and gluten free snack bars that are sweetened with agave syrup.  Evolution Harvest and Two Moms in the Raw bars are good options.  I also bought brown rice crackers from Wegmans to leave in my desk and have alone or with the almond butter. 

Dinners have been fine since I'm able to go to Wegmans or Whole Foods and choose good options. Even if go to a restaurant I am mindful of my choices.  I was craving a turkey burger one night, so I went to Ruby Tuesday and ordered a turkey buger without the bun and a side of sweet potato fries and green beans.  The big challenge was getting dinner the night of the snow storm.  The weather and traffic was very bad when the office let everyone out early in the afternoon, so I went straight to my hotel and decided to wait a few hours for dinner. Luckily, my hotel offers free dinners a few times a week. Unfortunately, that night was lasagna night.  It's usually a frozen brand that is processed, full of gluten and no nutrition.  My very first thought was ugh, I will definitely have a bloated, gassy stomach after that plus fatigue. I asked the front desk for takeout menus thinking if there was even a slim chance that I could get chinese delivery, I could at least get a chicken dish with steamed rice and broccoli.  As I was getting on the elevator to go back to my room, a woman came by with a grocery bag. I asked how the roads were and she said some ok and others bad but she was successful getting to Wegmans. That was my cue, especially since I called a Thai restaurant across the street and there was no answer.  I decided to tap in to my driving in the snow skills which I learned growing up in Cleveland and get to it!  I made it to Wegmans, picked up sushi and was very happy and at peace with my dinner that night. 

I do realize there will be times when I will have to just eat what is available to me and that is life. There may also be times where I just want to indulge in a sugary gluten filled treat and accept the fallout but I would prefer for it to be on my terms. That night I just did not want to let go of that energetic, good feeling I've been experiencing which made trekking out in to the freezing, snowy weather for another food alternative worth it.

Reflection

A year ago, even a couple of months ago, I was tired and lethargic. I was so haunted by cravings of cookies and cakes that at times I would make a late night run or plan my day around a trip to the cupcake shop.  Eating one cookie or cupcake would leave me craving another shortly after and then another and another.  Since I've removed the refined sugar and added vegetables I have fewer cravings and much more energy.  Removing gluten has improved my digestion and energy level as well. I've gone from cooking 0% of the time to 80% of the time. When it's time for lunch or dinner, I now ask myself what green vegetable will I have since I understand its importance.  These days, I'm actually craving veggies like kale chips, cold pressed green juice and asparagus. I never thought I would ever crave vegetables or be free from uncontrollable sugar cravings.  I am grateful to have the opportunity to learn more about food and have the time at home, without work travel, to cook and explore different food options. What a difference a month can make!  

So now reality is setting in. In week I will return to weekly work travel and I will be challenged to maintain these good habits with a hectic schedule and fewer healthy resources at my fingertips along with trying to transport many vitamin supplements including two that are powdered. As I begin to feel overwhelmed I remind myself that I haved learned valuable lessons and the knowledge prepares me. Even if I don't make perfect choices, I know key tips like eating vegetables will have me feeling good and energetic. I now know that refined sugar makes me tired, moody and gives me brain fog and even though it will give me short-term pleasure it will not support my busy lifestyle on the road.  

I'm not one for New Year's resolutions since I believe in improving myself throughout the year.  I don't need to wait until January 1 to go on a diet or begin working out.  I do, however, look forward to what 2014 will bring as I feel myself opening up to new experiences.