New Year

I suppose it goes without saying that anyone who devotes time to taking pictures of their food and writing about it kind of likes food. I love food. I don't diet, because I don't really want to hear, think, or believe that there are certain foods that I can't eat. So as the new year begins, and I find myself all aflutter with excitement, motivation, anticipation, etc., I don't find myself in diet mode. I thought about doing a "cleanse," but I got over that pretty quickly. I know for me, all it takes is adding in exercise to motivate change in my eating. (I say all it takes, like it's easy, and yet I haven't exercised on even a semi-regular basis since college.)

I find myself motivated to eat healthy, real, delicious food.

I find myself debating things in the grocery store- "Sure, I used to enjoy that Special K Chocolate stuff, but why would I have that before bed when I could have a handful of raw almonds and dark chocolate chips, instead?"

I find myself chugging water again and grabbing fruit before anything else in the morning.

I find myself obsessed with this lunch- a sweet potato, topped with a little bit of ham, raw spinach, and cheese. Odd? Delicious.

I find myself amazed at how, even the tiniest bit of movement- in the form of stretches, a couple of yoga poses, or a walking video- trickles into change the rest of the day.

I find the choices I'm making affect my kids and my husband. I find my oldest and pickiest of picky-eaters taking me on a date to Whole Foods. He was disappointed that they were out of plums, because he wanted to try one. He tried a pluot instead, ate a kiwi last night, and wants to try spinach this week. The jury is still out as to whether he has been abducted by aliens and replaced with another child.

(this morning's breakfast- Greek yogurt, blueberries, strawberries, kiwi, homemade granola and brown puffed rice cereal)

More than anything, I think I'm motivated, excited, and inspired by turning 30 in a couple of months. It feels like such a new, awesome chapter in my life is just beginning. For the past 6 years, I've been either pregnant or nursing (or sometimes both), and it's been impossible to focus much on my own health. Motherhood, by design, requires a lot of unselfishness and putting the needs of others above your own. That can easily turn into self-deprivation. This year, I'm excited to make decisions that will hopefully allow me to be a healthier, happier mom.

I'm excited to share the deliciousness with you along the way. I haven't completely forgotten about my original food goals, and am still working my way through my cookbooks. Hopefully there will lots of inspiring food on the horizon.

Happy 2012!