My how you've changed, little tastebuds

Hokey/crunchy/granola as it may sound, today has left me in awe of what Mother Earth can do. Don't get me wrong, I love cooking. I love experimenting with flavors and spices and combinations. When I'm in a cheese-eating phase (read: almost all the time), I will seek out prime pecorino or buttery brie. Sometimes I think I could live on truffles alone, save for some food as a vehicle for the taste. Fresh organic veggies -- especially from one of the amazing gardens in my family -- are a treat.

But somehow, despite all that foodie appreciativeness, I've so often overlooked the amazing simple pleasures of pure food. Today, my friends, has been a lesson in appreciation.

This morning...er, afternoon, we met up with a friend to go to an American style diner for brunch. It was, simply put, the bacon test. I resisted. That's right. I, Olivia Lindquist, declined bacon. Bacon in syrup, no less. How? you ask? Because I was too busy savoring my heaping bowl of fruits and veggies. Blackberries, raspberries, honeydew, kiwi, bananas, apples, pineapple, cherry tomatoes, crisp lettuce.

I made a simplified fruit salad later in the day for a hefty snack, and marveled at all the flavors inherent in the fruits. The apple chunks were cold and crisp and sweet, the banana was just firm enough, and sweet without being cloying, and kiwi added the perfect amount of tang. I kept looking at my bowl, almost talking to the fruits to ask: How do you do this, guys! You're awesome! (Don't worry. I didn't talk to my food. I'm not there...yet.)

Now I'm sitting here, chomping on my dinner, feeling pretty darn lucky. I used my new cheapo mandolin, and put together a HUGE salad, all built around my precious avocado, which has been ripening for a few days. The raw zucchini and carrots were sliced to matchstick size, then I added thin slices of raw red cabbage and red pepper, a big handful of sprouts, half an avocado (cubed), and small handful of raisins, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. "Eat the rainbow" is one of my favorite healthy maxims, and I have definitely accomplished that goal today.

There's a giant bag in the fridge for lunch and/or dinner tomorrow, and I'll pair it with some fresh greens and maybe cubed eggplant. I admit, though, I'm still shocked that this is what I want to be eating. I don't feel deprived in the least as MB sits near me, chomping on his leftover fajita. I feel incredibly lucky to have such delicious, nutritious food to feed my body.

Don't Go It Alone

Before I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, there were some days that were, to put it mildly, really tough. At times the pain was so severe I could barely move. Putting on shoes and socks was unbearable, and even just walking down the hall to use the restroom would take me as long as twenty minutes. I had no choice but learn how to ask for help.

Fortunately, I have a very loving and patient family, and, when I went back to school, had very loving and patient roommates. On the worst days, they would help out by running an errand for me, or just bringing me a snack on the couch.

After the diagnosis, I was once again able to maneuver around easily. I didn't need people to do the little things for me in the same way. My inclination was to say to myself, Great, I learned how to ask for help; now I hope I don't have to do it again. Wrong. What I've learned since then is to go ahead and ask for help when I need it -- with the big things and the little things. When I'm reluctant, I remind myself that I would always want to help my friends and family if they gave me the choice; I trust I'm not the only one who feels that way.

Today's been a little rough, and the Diet Cokes we keep in the fridge in my office for guests have been taunting me again. I haven't had one since my first day of work here, but oh how I want one today. Instead of reaching into the fridge, though, I reached out to my friend Maggie, the biggest anti-Diet Coke advocate I know.

Here's what I sent to her:
"There's a whole bunch of them [Diet Cokes] in my fridge at work, and I want one -- BIG TIME. Please tell me not to have one."

And here's what she responded within the hour:
" Do NOT have one.... it is a slippery slope my dear!"

So I resisted. I stepped away from the caffeine and chemicals and got a water. Next time you're tempted to make a decision you know deep down you don't want to make, call on your support network. Even for something as seemingly small as resisting the Diet Coke.

Willpower

In general, I'm not a big fan of willpower. I usually prefer coming up with better systems that all but eliminate the need for straight up willpower. Right now, however, it is sheer willpower that is keeping my from reaching into the company fridge for a Diet Coke, walking across the street for frozen yogurt, and scarfing down a handful of the dark chocolate peanut M&Ms. I keep telling myself that forgoing the caffeine and sugar today will make it ten times easier to forgo them tomorrow, as well; it won't start that vicious blood sugar spiral.

Besides, I do have some deliciousness to look forward to tonight -- we're going to try (gluten-free) beer can chicken on the grill, with lots of delicious grilled veggies, grilled pineapple or peaches for dessert, and maybe a great bottle of wine. I can resist the fake, chemical-laden quick treats in favor of wholesome deliciousness tonight.

I'll try, at least.