With the 40 Days, we’re supposed to be following the diet suggestions in the book. Baron wants us to think about what we are putting on our plate, eat fresh fruits and veggies and whole grains, lean meat and fish,…yeah, yeah. This week, Baron talks about why we crave salty foods (for energy) and sweet (for comfort). My diet’s pretty good and, all things considered, pretty balanced. Shout out to equanimity!

Consider the chicken enchilada: In my mind, God’s gift to the plate. Chicken with a lightly fried flour tortilla, a zesty red sauce and generous helping of cheese and--if you have a Tums handy--onions. Mmnn. Top it off with a salted gold margarita (only the best for Mama), and surely you’ve met all the food group requirements. But Baron disagrees. He says fresh is best and to lay off the sweet stuff, resist the urge, think about why the craving is coming on, since it is signaling something emotional going on.

Okay, Baron. I’ll try this.

Day 1: Resisted urge (except for the peanut butter and honey sandwiches I ate for both breakfast and lunch. The dark chocolate covered almonds do not count since Oprah said they were good for you, and everyone knows Oprah is always right).

Day 2: Breathed through urge (well, I modified my program by ordering a Tall Skim Mocha with ½ syrup and no whip instead of a Grande). I’m smokin’ this thing.

Day 3: What’s so hard about this? (I did great. Chicken wrap for lunch, salad for dinner…). In the interest of honesty and full disclosure, MJ caught me sneaking a Twix (from Halloween) out of the trash, but only once. I ate the Butterfinger right in front of him.

As you can see, I’m realizing I eat more sugar than I would care to believe, and it’s an addiction. A sweet, sweet addiction. Yikes.

~ Sheri Joseph