My present day story with food is a lot different than my earlier years with food. Food was my comfort, my friend, like my lover. My relationship with it in adulthood has been interesting to say the least. (And, no, I was not bulimic.)

My favourites were pasta, white bread and I had a bit of a sweet tooth for cakes and cookies. I recall loving liquors like Bailey’s. I didn’t feel drunk when I drank it, I felt high – and it felt good! I did not do it all the time….from a young age, I had an awareness of balance and moderation, thanks to my parents.

Then, still in my 20’s when I was going through a particularly stressful time, I experienced not being able to eat for days. All I could stomach was a little orange juice – anything else (even my favourites) just didn’t work. However as the stress lessened, I gradually went right back to my old habits.

Later more stress came, and this time, I was able to keep eating. After all, that is where I felt comfort, it was my lover – carbs, carbs and more carbs.Fortunately for me I never became 200 lbs or more, however, in my late-20’s I became exhausted, could only sleep for about 4 hours and my body was becoming a very uncomfortable place to be. Aches and pains were on the rise.

I burnt out. My life was not what I wanted, nor was it going in the direction I wanted. I knew something needed to change and it had to be me. I took some time away from work and did a re-evaluation of my life, where I was and what I wanted. I began to consciously create my life.

Carbs and sweets helped me to numb the pain I was dealing with. As I started to do some inner work and deal with the things that can be uncomfortable – although the carbs and sweets didn’t have as much control over me – I did still eat a fair bit of them.

I remember a friend introduced me to greens drinks – they were flavourful, but more for the cows than for me, as I had not been a salad or raw veg girl since I was a very young age. I started to feel more, and I didn’t like that – and not to mention that way of eating felt very restrictive. Raw was for rabbits as far as I was concerned, and I was NOT a rabbit.

Fast forward since that time….I have learned some secrets to dealing with my emotions as well as my need for carbs and sweets. Do I enjoy them? ABSOLUTELY! However, not all the time, and now I don’t NEED them.

I have learned many wonderful ways to listen and support what my body needs so it can feel content and at peace without the need for sweets and carbs. They no longer cover my inner pain and blocked emotions. I know how to handle cravings and what they are really telling me. I also know to give my body the nutrient-rich foods and supplements that it needs to perform at its best level.

It is my desire to have my body be in it’s ultimate running order, to feel it’s best in body, mind and spirit, despite what life puts on my path. I now love and appreciate my body and all it’s wonders. Stay tuned for next time, when I tell you where it all began.