I know I have posted here before about the vegetable delivery boxes that I get, as well as other places I go to, to get certain kinds of foods. Well I am currently doing the 21 day fix program on a Facebook group and what I am finding is that I really like how it gets me thinking about different food groups, things that I would completely avoid usually, like fruit, as well as limiting starches and incorporating more plants, which is making my veggie box choices and shopping a lot more interesting lately!
I am finding that it's not just eating clean that makes me feel better and lessens the food cravings, but it is also the quality of the food that I am eating that tends to make me feel better. I find that I tend to be a very sensory person. How this plays into food is that I am driven by visually and sensory appealing food. For example a brightly colored apple looks delicious, and then if it's a crisp sharp crunchy bite into it I'm on my way to a sensory experience. The next thing is a sweet fresh flavor - you get the picture.
I don't like soft, squishy things which is why I tend to stay away from fruit - just an inkling of softness or a bruise puts me off completely. I am definitely finding that the higher quality foods are giving me a more sensory experience. The veggies I get from The Produce Box are phenomenol, the firmest crispest bell peppers ever and the freshest bibb lettuce that you can SMELL from a mile away. It's just so fresh from not having been transported or refrigerated for long periods of time and this adds to the continued excitement of 'sticking with the program'. I just feel so much better without the breads and the starches and having these fresh meals are really striking a chord with me.
Now I know that this is not within everyone's reach, and I am not saying that everyone MUST have the freshest product, best meats etc etc. I absolutely agree that if this food is out of reach due to availability or cost factor then we are all going to do the best we can with what we have. But what I have honestly noticed is that food from markets like Whole Foods etc are much more in reach than they used to be say 10 years ago. These organic, specialized, co-op type markets have had to learn how to be competitive and honestly if you even look around your local Target or Wal-Mart you will see many more options that are better quality for not necessarily much, if any, more money than what you are probably currently spending.
So what I am suggesting - is be open. You may be surprised! Look up your local Farmer's Market (just stay away from the delectable hand made baked goods and breads etc) or give your local Earth Fare, Whole Foods or Trader Joe's a bash without having any pre-conceived notions of what is or isn't there. Check to see if you have a co-op market in your area. The options are out there!
Go back to Target or Wal-Mart and see what's new on their shelves in Grocery, even your run of the mill grocery store may have a better selection of things you hadn't yet thought of trying or just didn't 'see' before.
I am usually pleasantly surprised when I mill around and really take things in.
Almost the weekend!