Diary of a Diet: Everyone is Different

Maybe you recall my post last week about my recent budding adventures on a "Pairing Diet", due to a decrease in my energy levels and an overall want to feel healthier in my day-to-day life. I also pointed out in that post that different people have different dietary needs, and sometimes certain approaches just don't work for some people. Well, this diet just wasn't doing it for me. Nope.

The lack of carbs in the majority of my meals left me clinging to a bowl of basmati rice while my internal voice screamed, "You'll never take me alive!"

I ended up even more drained of energy, and craving processed and sugary snacks, so I decided to nip this diet in the bud before I did more harm than good. It was a good jump start back into healthier eating, though, and made me more conscious of the balances of foods I had been eating (ie: wine, cheese, and red meat). I'm enjoying more of a lean-protein, veggie-centric meal style so far this week. Although there are no strict dietary guidelines to the way I'm eating, it's nice to get back to a style of cooking that I have preferred in the past. I'll admit, it's not easy to feed a meat-and-potatoes guy when you're trying to be mostly veg, but I think I've found a good balance and everyone is happy.

Some might argue that being forced into strict dietary guidelines actually makes one more likely to revert back to an unhealthy eating pattern; when food is seen as "bad" or "cheating", the temptation is there to, well, cheat. But when the food is simply purchased/prepared/served as the only option, and it has enough carbs/fat/yum to satisfy while remaining healthy, there is less of a chance of straying from the path.
So, while I did try to go on a two-week, supposedly energy-boosting diet, I decided that it wasn't working for me, and my long-held strategy of enjoying my food was the better option. Here's a little glimpse of what has made it onto my plate this week.

 This very veggie-laden stir fry with rice noodles is a lunchtime favorite

My "Border Patrol Breakfast Burrito" : Get the recipe here

This family dinner from last night: Tequila Lime Chicken. Om nom nom. This was definitely a crowd pleaser at the dinner table. Next time I make it, I'll be sure to post the recipe!

My favorite use for leftover chili: Taco salad! I'm beginning to sense a very southwest-heavy trend in my eating this week. Maybe a little bit of homesickness is manifesting itself in taco-themed everything. 

Which I am totally ok with.