Today was a first for me.  I had to go and pick up food for Filo ( my rag doll cat) as I had run out.  I also had to run to  CVS to update my medical record and  pick up a prescription.

Typically when I run errands,  I’d stop at Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts and get  Iced Coffee (Starbucks) or Frozen Coffee (Dunkin).  Additionally, at Dunkin,  I would get a donut or two.  Well today, I did not get anything.

Something else I would do while at CVS would be to pick up chips, ice cream or soda.  Sometimes one of the three or at times all three.  And If I did not pick these up,  I would run to MacDonalds and get a Bacon, egg and cheese sandwich with two has browns. Or head to Jack in a Box for Chicken Tenders and Onion rings.

I have not had any of these things in a month or more, including the coffee. Yes, I miss coffee,  I miss MacDonalds hash browns,  O Haagen Daas Ice Cream,  But I realize what my habits  were doing to my body.

On Thursday at work, I wanted soup.  I decided to go to the cafeteria,  They had turkey chili which looked good.  I got about a 1/2 cup  and took it back to my office to eat.  While checking out,  I looked at the food other people were getting and realized how my eating habits are changing.  2 Months ago I would have ordered a club sandwich on white bread with a bag of chips and a soda.   I would also have eaten every bite of what I had purchased.    To top it off,  it would probably have taken me 10 minutes to devour the sandwich and chips.  And today I’m taking 20 – 25 minutes to eat a 1/2 cup of chili.

Another first was Tuesday on my way home from work, I stopped at Nothing Bundt Cakes for 3 bundlets.   2 months ago I would have bought 4 bundlets. 3 as gifts and one for me to have for dessert that night.

Mindful eating is what this is all about.  Small bites,  well chewed (20 chews per bite) and take your time. At work this week,  I packed my lunch so that I had what I needed to eat. I have known this for a while,  But I think it is starting to sink in.  “Failing to plan, is planning to fail”.

This was last nights dinner.  Tuna salad and 1 tablespoon of baked potato.  The fork is a fruit fork.  The plate, measures 5 inches across.