Sunset Eat Fresh, Day 5: Rules are for breaking

Who: Johanna Silver, associate editor

What I gave up: Sugar

The biggest challenge: On Wednesday I headed back to Whole Foods to re-up on chicken soup (I’m dying of mucous, if you missed my last post). I detoured through the bakery and picked up  a 24-pack of soft-baked chocolate chip cookies. I’ve never bought 24 cookies at one time, and I’m not sure why I thought this would be a good time to start. I was sick as a dog, really just needed soup, supposed to not be eating sugar, and this is when I do that? I bought it, of course. I’ve eaten only one (that’s such a lie. I’ve eaten four. That might also be a lie.). But it reminded me of what I already know about myself: I hate rules. They just fuel my temptation to break ’em. I would have NEVER bought those cookies had I not been participating in this challenge.

My takeaway: I just fixed a breakfast of avocado and eggs, and I’m reminded that I really have started to make better choices in the last few years. The move towards more veggies and less sugar is a slower journey for me. I’ve failed every time I’ve declared that, “this is the last time I XXX,” but I have much more success when I set a quiet intention to stay connected to what’s healthy. I remember resolving a few years ago that I would cook one meal at home each week. Now I cook probably three! I roast veggies like it’s no one’s business. I’m getting there. I believe that habits change slowly, over time.

I’m celebrating with: I am waiting to hear from the doctor on whether or not I have pneumonia. Either way, tonight is going to be more chicken soup — whoop, whoop!

Next time I’ll: Maybe I’ll play around with something that won’t obviously set me up for failure. Maybe I’ll give up… drawing a blank here. I have a year to figure it out.