My 2007 series of non-compliance is now over. I proved that I can handle eating a lot of things, and survive pretty well, but that way of eating is not worth it to me. If I didn't know any better, I'd say that I felt pretty normal compared to the general population, but I don't want to feel my age or grow older, I want to feel younger. I don't want to age down the path that was put before me (arthritis, diabetes, depression, fatigue, to name a few landmarks).

What I really want is to be pain-free, energetic, happy, alert, fit, and all-systems-go for whatever the day has in store...today. I can really tell a difference when I'm a few days on the diet and a day or two off, and it's a difference of years old, it's a difference pills needed. Following all the BTD recommendations puts living and meaning and endless possibilities into my life.

This is a challenging time of year to get strict about diet, fall is hard for me in general with SAD, and I tend to really want to eat lots of calories and carbs. Then there are holidays around the corner. I can see why I, and many others, usually start diets after the holidays, but it's also an opportunity to create more satisfying recipes and to demonstrate grace in the food choices I make. If I blow it on one or two calendar days, I can bounce back, but I don't want to blow it on dairy...that's much harder for me to bounce back from.

I did re-discover sweet potato oven fries. Those saved me from a few avoid fests last week. Costco had the pre-sliced ones, but no longer does, so it's time to get out the cutting board! Costco also had some lovely bison burgers that cooked up so nicely, but no longer does. They do have nitrate free turkey bacon currently though, it has sugar in it so it's not for non-secretors, but it has no other avoids, so is fine for most types. Next week I hope to really start cooking again, it's so nice this time of year to smell those wonderful cooking smells and eat together as a family. For now, I have a few deadlines to meet, so I'm mainly eating leftovers and simple stuff.