Reclaiming my Health, or rather How a Frozen Deep Dish Pizza Changed the Way I Eat

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A few days ago, I swung open the freezer door and reached for the lower bin. Suddenly, a two pound frozen deep dish pizza broke free from its precarious place on an overstuffed shelf and with missile precision landed on top of my head with a thud.

“Ouch!” I exclaimed.

“Are you okay?” my youngest daughter asked with concern.

A bit dazed and already in pain from a growing bump on my head, I nodded and joked, “I guess this is a sign that it’s time to get serious about my diet.”

Breast cancer should have been my wake-up call, but I self-medicated my way through radiation treatment with comfort food, i.e. chocolate, macaroni and cheese, and potato chips. I guess I needed a frozen pizza to drop on my head to for me to completely get the message. On my 51st birthday, I am now ready to reclaim my health and weight by making healthy choices. First, I thanked God that I wasn’t knocked unconscious by this frozen fiasco, and now I am taking the first steps on my long overdue journey toward good nutrition. As I begin exploring this path of unprocessed foods, I welcome you to join me as we discover new tastes and try new recipes. Hopefully, along the road I will lose some weight—which reminds me that I need to both figuratively and literally take steps on this journey to health. I guess it’s time to dust off the treadmill or grab my coat to walk outside in the Chicago cold.

With candor and a huge sense of vulnerability, I will post my progress, (possibly my weight) and will share recipes and whole food techniques that I learn along the way.

So far, one of my favorite new snacks is a spinach drink. Surprisingly, it is very tasty and even satisfying…and it provides a natural pick-me-up. Although it would be much easier to reach for a chocolate bar with caramel, I think about that frozen pizza and decide instead to reach for my blender. I put two heaping handfuls of fresh spinach, an apple, a banana, almonds, chia seeds, ice cubes and fresh coconut water (or you can also use tap water) into my blender/processor. And voila! A Pinch of Green for Spring! Savor the day!

What are your favorite nutritious snacks and recipes? Are there any special Bible verses or words of wisdom that help you with your journey towards good nutrition?