Identifying Our Food Habits Now, let's get started. We do not generally encourage “negative” thoughts or creations (as my Bissew once said), “Words are prayers and thoughts are creations”. However, the “creality” of life is such that many of us simply cannot passively ignore the blatant injustices that exist within the common social structures of our world leading to disproportionate incidences of dis-ease in which diet, and lack of physical activity play a significant role-hence, this course. We did not write this because we thought it was a good idea, we wrote it because we are living it! We have each grappled with our own journeys surrounding food, that is why you are here, to walk the journey with us. I will admit that for us, this course is more than a simple, let's eat better so we can be healthier, kind of program–it is rather a complete examination of our belief systems surrounding life itself.
Once we understand what is best for us as well as being in alignment with our deepest understanding of life, then, at what level are we willing to address it? For me, I understood that I had a chip fettish (sound familiar?) and I knew that they did not fall into the food as medicine category for me because I over indulged. Once I understood that food is medicine, I wondered what ills my chip fetish was serving? After forgiving myself for contributing to the demon processed food, with its high sodium content, preservatives and rancid oils. I began to question my “addiction” to this “food”. I had to look deeper than simple addiction for answers because in addition to the cognitive understanding that they were bad for me–I kept eating them, bag by bag. I staved off some of my guilt because I went from a good old bag of Lays BBQ’s to Jackson’s Honest made with coconut oil and sea salt. But really, what was going on here? Once I had followed an almost perfect diet plan, all considerations for my body's constitution, seasonal foods, raw, free range, organic and all that. Additionally, I was living outside, working long hours hauling rocks to construct my little piece of heaven, I felt great! I had more energy than I could remember, a bright positive attitude and the feeling of overwhelming joy. Then, one fateful day, I was shopping at the co-op and suddenly, I noticed a bag of “Natural” and “Organic” cheese puffs. Somehow the bag ended up in my cart along with the seasonal veggies and sprouts. I thought, “what the heck, I am doing so well” and “BAM”, they were gone. And, my body screamed at me—”WHAT THE FUCK?”
I (Lisa) simply could not kick the chip habit, and even worse, an entire bag. But the real change came when I began to understand the impacts of the ingredients in the products and their link to dis-ease, and certainly to my digestive system. Not only are they toxic for my body, they are toxic to di’lah edi’ (Mother Earth) in every way, from production to chemical additives for packaging, to distribution, purchase, and digestion. The following assignment is designed to start you thinking about what needs to change. Take your time, and be honest. Many of the “food” habits that we have developed are a result of a life-time and beyond social, cultural and familial behaviors that we inherited from our caregivers (sorry Mom).
JOURNAL ENTRY: Go to your JOURNAL
