I am so grateful we have a food plan that includes so much delicious, healthy food! I just recently watched Julie and Julia (about Julia Child), and I am now listening to a book about Julia Child. At one point, I recall wishing that I never had to eat anything again - that I could just take a pill and be done with it. Food was never safe, because I never knew when I would be able to stop eating. Although once I had been able to enjoy non-addictive foods, the addiction led me to a place where I couldn't enjoy non-addictive foods at all. Why waste calories on a steak? On a fresh salad with vinaigrette? On a baked potato? All my calories for the conceivable future had been spent on greasy, salty snack foods or gooey sweets. Food was all about the affect of the chemicals on my brain - not the the pleasure of the taste and the satisfaction of a delightful meal with friends. I baked as an excuse to consume more and more of my drug of choice. Never did I spend time learning how to cook a roast chicken. Never did I learn how to prepare vegetables. On this food plan, I must cook my own food. I can choose to cook for speed and quantity - and I do this regularly when I batch cook. I can also choose to use new recipes from Kay's book or from other sources (after eliminating unclean ingredients). Julia Child's love of handling raw meat, raw vegetables and truly enjoying the process of cooking has again inspired me to try new things in the kitchen. This is important because variety is such an important part of the food plan's success. Also, I can safely enjoy cooking when I use only clean ingredients. The love of food can be a great asset in my long term recovery! When I forget about the value of taking time in the kitchen and enjoying the process, I sometimes turn to food films to remember what it can be like. This would not have been wise for me in early abstinence, because they sometimes include preparation of foods that are poison to me. But now they inspire me. Babette's Feast, Eat Drink Man Woman, Big Night, Like Water for Chocolate, and Julie and Julia all inspire me to embrace a love of cooking delicious, safe, abstinent meals for myself. The act of cooking these meals is an act of love for myself and for any who end up sharing the meal. I know each one will be perfectly satisfying and perfectly matched for what my brain and body needs. What a wonderful gift of abstinence and recovery!!

I had forgotten that "food pill" idea, but yes, I remember thinking the same thing now! Our food is so delicious and satisfying. When someone asks me how I can stand not to eat sweets, etc., they usually ask, "well, what do you eat then???" I LOVE to tell them! I never knew food could taste so good. Before, I would drown healthy meats, veggies, and grains in gooey, sticky, pasty sauces. Now, I really taste the food and it's delicious! Spices are so much more aromatic than I ever realized they were. Simple dressings and sauces made with abstinent ingredients are tasty and enough! I no longer need to drown my food:)

Thanks for your share!