…So I have been in a “food rut.”  I eat the same thing every day for lunch; salad and sandwich with a piece of fruit.  I love salads, but the salad is getting a bit boring.  I put in greens, spinach, cucumbers, carrots, peppers, tomatos, nuts, seeds, and berries (sometimes chicken or hard boiled egg for protein).  So you think that would be delicious, right!?  But it can get old if you have been eating it 5 days a week for a year…

…Lately this has been bugging me so I have started reflecting on what is going on and here is what I have come up with:

• A routine is comfortable
• I know what to expect
• It is easy to make these salads one day for the entire week
• I am unsure of what to do otherwise
• Fear of the unknown options
• I get lazy and set in my ways
• I want the nutrients and variety a salad offers me

…So now that I am aware of my problem I have taken steps to combat it:

• Admitted I am in a food rut
• Accepted that I need a change
• Asked for help
• Am open to new possibilities
• Anxiously awaiting some new ideas!

…Instead of just eating the same old thing and being irritated with myself for doing so I have decided to take action.  Like I mentioned yesterday, I made that sharp, out-of-control U-turn to take my car back to the farm stand in NJ!  I bought many new vegetables I have never made and plan on making one each night for dinner.  I started last night with my spaghetti squash and it was amazing!  I proved to myself I could try something new and have success with it.  By cooking a new vegetable for dinner and then enjoying it immensely I have given myself confidence to know I can make many other new and exciting food options; even at lunch!  I also emailed my sister’s boyfriend who is an amazing chef.  He asked me if I ever make bean salads or soups; that with the changing seasons these are really easy to prepare.  I told him I hadn’t and am now excited at the possibilities he and I come up with!…

…So instead of just sitting around in my “food rut” being bored, frustrated, and tired of my salad (sometimes to the point of not wanting to eat my lunch or just go off and have a slice of the fatty processed pizza my office is having for a holiday party) I have decided to take action.  Through trying the squash last night and really having success I have gained confidence.  Through asking my support system for new ideas I will have inspiration.  I believe to get us to move towards change we need to glean from these sources of our life; confidence in what we can already do and support we already have around us!…

What have you tried recently that was outside of your comfort zone (does not have to be food related)?  Where are you looking to change it up!?  What resources do you have to enable you to be open to change?