Fast to Fresh
My what a journey I’ve been on what it comes to food. Growing up one of my favorite dinners was the Taco Bell kid’s meal, because of the chips and queso dip! I mean really, does it get better than queso? I must admit, as an adult, Taco Bell nachos are still one of my favorite foods. Post college, pizza and Chick Fil A were weekly staples for me. The quicker and more delicious the food, the better for me.
[pullquote width=”300″ float=”right”] Beating cravings is difficult and is therefore an opportunity to rely on God’s strength. For me, it’s about the relationship with the food. What is that Oreo filling? Hunger? Craving? Emotional need? Celebration? Fun?[/pullquote]However, a good amount has changed since I devoured Taco Bell kid’s meals.
Soon before getting married, I decided I needed to learn how to cook so we wouldn’t have chicken and beans every night for dinner. As I dove into the world of cooking, I learned a ton from podcasts, videos and blogs. Slowly, the information began to change me and my eating habits. Step by step, I ate less fast food and more fresh food.
I’m still on the journey of finding a healthy balance regarding food. My husband and I did a year of “real food” in 2015. This year, in 2016, we decided to add a cheat meal once a month. It’s tricky because for me an innocent splurge can quickly turn into a 3-day affair. After a recent episode that included a few too many donuts and cookies, I decided to start a Whole30.
Our relationship with food can be profoundly spiritual. When I am down emotionally, I crave something out of this world delicious. I desire the warmth that quesadillas provide or the comfort that a glazed donut gives. I am looking to food to fill a need that it’s not fit to fill. In those cravings, it’s an opportunity for me to turn to God. I can acknowledge the craving and make a healthy choice. Beating cravings is difficult and is therefore an opportunity to rely on God’s strength. For me, it’s about the relationship with the food. What is that Oreo filling? Hunger? Craving? Emotional need? Celebration? Fun?
Fresh food simply treats my body differently and satisfies hunger more efficiently than fast food. As I continue on this journey, I hope to choose fresh over fast and God’s strength over mine.
She is excited to share pieces of her heart with you. She hopes you will enter this journey of authenticity with all of us!
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Truth. I’ve had to go preservative free due to allergies but when I cheat, it can lead to a binge. Sigh. Thanks for the reminder.
You got it! I hear ya on the binges girl! You aren’t alone and there’s comfort in that, right? 🙂
You can never get enough of what you don’t need – read that wisdom somewhere, and I am trying to change my lifetime way of viewing food. It’s totally a spiritual battleground that is rarely appreciated. Thanks, April, for confirming that others have this battle, and it is one that was already won by our Savior. We just need to take that yoke on, instead of the one with the Oreos (double-stuffed!) hanging on the ends!!
I looove the quote you shared, how true and great!!! for sure, it’s a battle and you are right about God’s strength! haha double stuffed oreos…we do love the golden oreos… until we found cinnabun oreos! 😉
Wow, what a great way to look at food cravings! I have recently noticed my eating habits, and how they aren’t the best. Thank you for sharing your spiritual connection. I think that I’m guilty of trying to satisfy a hollow with food sometimes that only God can fill. For example, yesterday I didn’t have the greatest day, so I treated myself to some Ben and Jerry’s. I then headed to my bible study, and felt so much better being around other Christians, fellowshipping, and being in the Word than I did downing the pint of ice cream. Weight has been a recent struggle of mine because I’m not where I was two years ago when I was in college. Thank you again for sharing!
Thanks for sharing Shannon, that’s so true and a great example! Hope you see continue to God at work as you look to him for comfort girl! Glad you have a bible study you love, makes such a difference, especially on those hard days!
This is a really good reminder that sometimes my love for food covers up my need for God. Maybe if I put my need for God first… 🙂
truth jen, thanks pretty lady!
I’m on a food journey right now, too. I think that dairy might be causing my cystic acne, so I’m cutting it out for a month to see what happens. (I’m a week in, and I’ve lost 3 lbs! Too early to tell with the acne.) Cutting out dairy has been much easier than I thought it would be, and I’ve felt better all over. I hate that I can’t indulge in a stuffed crust pizza, but I’m looking at the bigger picture of better health all over. And I’ve had to rely on God for my cravings–that’s for sure!
Oh, and Oreos are dairy free! (Don’t think about it too much. Just praise God.)
(So are Thin Mints. Thank you, Jesus!)
DAIRY!!! Yes, as an Italian girl, cheese has always been a major food group!!! I know for sure, when I eat dairy it leads to acne… hope you get clarity. Good for you for making a change. Stay strong and when you don’t, choose grace! And I’m surprised Oreos are dairy free, crazy, thanks for the 411. 🙂
I was watching a show the other day and while this is going to be a totally indirect quote, it stuck with me and goes something like this…
Whole foods, foods in their purest state are the way that God gifts them to us. They are as good for our bodies as God is to us.
Love it, I totally get misquoting quotes!! 😉 Thanks for sharing with us Tara!
You HAD to mention Taco Bell. My kryptonite. LOL. April, thank you for this. It’s the tickler I need to keep on keeping on, focusing on filling the God-sized holes in my heart and life with God and not with food. It’s funny, now that my nest is emptying, I find that I might actually like to cook more. 🙂
TACO BELL, I know!! 😉 So glad you are enjoying cooking!!! That is funny timing, I’m sure they appreciate it when they come visit!! 🙂