I promised a friend recently that I would do a month-long “cleanse.” This included eliminating caffeine, alcohol, dairy and wheat from my diet for a month. Why I even bother to say I will try to do these sorts of things is beyond me. Is it that am so delusional, I think I’m going to wake up with Superwoman discipline and will power?
I made it a day. And then “one splurge” turned into “one bad day” turned into “aw, hell. Forget it. ” One day. As in 27 days short of the challenge. (She even picked a short month.)
I’m a creature of habit and as much as I’d like to have the body of an Athleta model, it isn’t happening this week. Although I continue to kill myself at the gym and with my running group, and make small changes here and there. Typically, when craving Mexican food — I round up a few willing bodies and head to Gallo Blanco or Macayo’s for a $40 sodium feast. Guacamole, margaritas, chips, salsa, huevos rancheros. Zero guilt. I had a hard day. I earned that meal. I deserved it.
Never mind I’d wake up the next morning sick to my stomach, bloated and grumpy for my run. Like clockwork. If this were food math: night of splurging on Mexican food + margaritas = discomfort/bloating/misery. If this were my reasoning math: just because it happened the last 50 times ≠ tomorrow I’ll feel gross.
Not surprisingly, math was never my strong subject. But fueled by a broken promise and a bit of shame, I’m making compromises. Such as veggie tostadas on toasted flatbread with a glass of wine. Portion control, fresh veggies in lieu of chips, no salted rims. Still zero guilt. I still deserved it. And no stomach ache or regret the next day. (Who knew?)
This recipe is so yummy, simple and easy — you just need to the photos to follow along:
Ole!
~K