All week I've had weird cravings for the most processed nonsense.

You know, one of the reasons I cannot get on board with Hungry Girl is that I feel like she's all about fake food. I have yet to find one of her recipes that doesn't make me feel as though I'm punishing myself for wanting a cheese burrito. I've really tried, I have, and I don't think her site overall is horrible, but GOD. There is nothing I loathe more than what amounts to a diet that exists primarily on what I consider to be Fake Food, and the majority of her recipes feel just like that.

Let's advocate cleaner eating and, if the mood strikes you for a Taco Bell burrito? TRUST YOURSELF and go have that damn burrito and let's move on. I've said this before, I know, but we all buy in to the message that we have to cobble together poor substitutes for our particular cravings because if we "give in," we're screwed. And what does that mean anyway?I know, yes, all about trigger foods. I have my own. And I know this isn't easy. I struggle, too. But to subsist on a diet that's comprised mainly of these sorts of foods, and not even try, just once, after a piece of pizza or five, say to ourselves "I'm going to trust in myself that this was just pizza. Not the end of the world. Just pizza," and continue? I think what struck me most about Good With Cheese was how she perfectly captures the struggle to just tell ourselves that we're awesome no matter what, and really believe it.

</rant>

Ahem.

The other night I wanted a fried chicken sandwich. But I didn't want one badly enough to deal with what all of that grease was going to do to my digestive system. Plus, I planned on having a glass or two of wine that night as Scott's sister was coming over. So I went ahead and got a box of Spicy Boca chicken patties - which totally kick ass - and some of those Healthy Life buns (much better than Natural Ovens), some pickles and lettuce and some tater tots for good measure. Later in the week, I wanted hot dogs but I don't as a rule eat hot dogs because, you know, ick, but I was really craving all of the fixings, including the relish and sport peppers. Chicago dogs are the best. So I picked up some Ball Park all-white turkey franks, more Healthy Life buns, and the aforementioned fixings.

In both instances, my cravings were sated, and I didn't feel like I needed to bring out a whip and flagellate myself for eating what amounts to a substitute of the original craving. Just the same, the whole process seemed incredibly hypocritical considering what I believe. I made healthier choices, to be sure, and they were quite tasty, but again - hypocritical.

So this week I'm going to try something new. With our wedding coming up, we're trying to cut costs and save money where we can, and with food prices being so ungodly, I stands to reason that a cheaper way of eating is in order. We have farmer's markets and produce stands, all with incredibly reasonable prices, and as a result there is no reason why all of my meals can't come from these sources and cheaply, to boot. Plus, I haven't been getting nearly the amount of veggies I need.

Nothing fancy or crazy - I'll eat eggs, I'm sure - just a stab at spending some more time in the kitchen, taking the time to prepare healthy, tasty meals and hopefully remove all of that gawd-awful sodium from my body. I'll share the recipes, and if you have any fun veggie-centered recipes, shoot them my way. There isn't a vegetable I won't eat!

Posted by Erin at 10:11 AM | filed under: Random