I couldn’t possibly write a series about loving your body without featuring my favorite topic. You don’t have to be a devoted home cook to enjoy today’s Love Your Body Resolution post, and you don’t have to worry that I’m going to try to convert you to a specific diet. What I’m actually here to talk about is nourishment: fueling your body in a way that puts your mind at ease, makes your belly happy and lets you enjoy every bite.
When I’m stressed out or busy, the first thing that takes a hit is dinner. Even though I often blog about food, that doesn’t mean I eat well all the time…I’ve been known to call a couple bell peppers + an entire tub of guacamole or a multi-serving bag of puppy chow “dinner” during a rough week. So, I’m not one to preach about eating clean, but by virtue of having a blog, I am one to share my own experiences.
It’s so easy to consume without thinking. Whether it’s food, a TV marathon or ads as we scroll through Facebook, we often operate in auto-pilot, barely distinguishing the good from the bad. When I’m on auto-pilot, I eat whatever is closest at hand, even if I know it isn’t good for me or that I’ll feel sick afterwards. Sidebar: I really don’t think anyone should eat an entire tub of guacamole in one sitting. This is one area in which you should trust my diet advice.
What I’ve found works for me is experimentation. I followed the paleo diet, with fairly close but varying degrees of adherence, for about 16 months. It had great results in all areas of my physical being. But in life, there are moments when you should eat the damn cake. So now, I eat a lot of vegetables. I play with vegan recipes because man is curried lentil soup good. I eat paleo, a good portion of the time. I drink knock-me-over-with-a-feather amazing craft beers, occasionally. I keep dark chocolate in a desk drawer, all of the time (except when I finish a bar and become woefully abstinent for a week due to refusal to go grocery shopping.) I eat well, and I eat happily. What I’ve learned thus far is this:
To make eating well–eating wholly, enjoying taste, trying new things–a possibility, I have to pay attention.
Honestly, I don’t always do this. I pay the price of convenience food in lethargy, accidentally overcaffeinated evenings, sugar highs and lows and discomfort. Knowing how good I feel when I do pay attention, though, is a powerful motivator for giving it a shot.
This month, I’m resolving to pay a little more attention to how I’m eating. To pause, before biting into something just because it’s there, and remember how that food has made me feel in the past. To go through the innumerable recipes I’ve pinned and cook something special for myself. To eat slowly, with appreciation and to seek out dining experiences that make me feel enriched and full in more than one way.
I pay attention when I eat something and my stomach feels sour. I pay attention when I go out for a really mouthwatering burger and am still raving about it a month later. I pay attention when I cook something, take a bite and feel like I’ve channeled the genius of Barefoot Contessa. I pay attention because it’s an expression of love for myself and for my body. And then I do it again.
Today, I’m ditching my desperate, empty-fridge dinners and hungry grocery shopping trips that result in a ridiculous craving/snack stash. I’m creating an easy meal plan to take the thinking out of food prep. I’m setting aside my phone and my laptop during solo meals, because even though it’s uncomfortable to be alone sometimes, it makes me focus on what’s right in front of me.
* Butterflied Roast Chicken (paleo, gluten-free): my weeknight go-to as long as I have someone to share the leftovers.
* Roasted Pork Loin with Honeyed Apple Sauce (paleo, gluten-free): a fancypants dish that I’d rather make on the weekend.
* Breakfast for dinner (paleo, gluten-free): I’ll take that any night of the week.
* 5-Minute Chocolate Mug Cake (paleo treat, gluten-free): Danger zone. Could feed two but is obviously better suited for one chocolate-lover.
* Homemade Marshmallows (super tasty): I forgot how much I laughed while making these. Whip up your own and enjoy the clouds of powdered sugar and goopy strands of marshmallow-to-be.
What do you cook when you want to treat yourself right? Share your go-to recipes for special or super-quick dinners in the comments!
Making Mindful Eating a Habit
I’ve noticed that when I actually sit down at a table, use a real plate, and turn off the background noise, I enjoy my food infinitely more. It sounds simple, but how many times have you eaten standing over the sink or in front of the fridge? Guilty as charged. Mindful eating isn’t about being perfect; it’s about bringing a little awareness to the moment. Start by taking three deep breaths before your first bite. Notice the colors, the textures, the smells. Chew slowly. It’s amazing how much more satisfying a meal becomes when you’re actually present for it.
One trick that works for me is the “first bite test.” I ask myself: Does this actually taste good? Sometimes the answer is no, and that’s okay—I can stop eating and find something better. Other times, I realize I’m eating out of habit or boredom, not hunger. Learning to distinguish between physical hunger and emotional hunger is a game changer. When I’m stressed or sad, I often want crunchy, salty things. Now I pause and ask, “What do I really need right now?” Often it’s a walk, a call to a friend, or just a glass of water.
Meal Planning Without the Overwhelm
Meal planning used to feel like a chore until I realized I didn’t have to plan every single meal. I just need a loose framework. On Sundays, I sit down with my favorite cookbooks or Pinterest boards and pick two or three recipes that sound good for the week. I make a grocery list based on those recipes plus staples like eggs, greens, and sweet potatoes. Then I do one big shop. Having a plan takes the stress out of the “what’s for dinner?” question and prevents those desperate drives through the fast-food lane.
I also batch cook when I can. Roasting a tray of vegetables and cooking a pot of grains on Sunday means I can throw together bowls all week. If you’re new to this, start small: plan just two dinners. Even that can save you time and money. And remember, the plan is a guide, not a contract. If you’re exhausted on Tuesday and just want scrambled eggs, that’s fine. The goal is to reduce decision fatigue, not add pressure.
- Pick 2–3 recipes for the week
- Make a grocery list organized by store section
- Prep one or two ingredients ahead (wash greens, chop onions)
- Keep frozen veggies and canned beans on hand for quick meals
Handling Cravings with Kindness
I used to think cravings were the enemy, but now I see them as information. A craving for chocolate might mean I’m tired or low on magnesium. A craving for carbs might mean I’m stressed. Instead of white-knuckling it, I try to satisfy the craving in a reasonable way. If I really want a cookie, I’ll have a really good cookie—not a stale one from the office kitchen—and I’ll savor it. Deprivation leads to overindulgence later, at least for me.
I also keep healthier alternatives on hand: dark chocolate (of course), frozen fruit for smoothies, and crunchy roasted chickpeas. If I’m craving something sweet after dinner, a square of dark chocolate with sea salt usually does the trick. If I’m craving something salty, I’ll make a small bowl of popcorn with nutritional yeast. The key is to be intentional. Ask yourself: “Will this make me feel good in an hour?” Sometimes the answer is yes, and that’s okay too.
The Joy of Cooking for Yourself
There’s something deeply satisfying about making a meal from scratch, even if it’s just a simple soup. Cooking for myself has become a form of self-care. When I’m chopping vegetables or stirring a pot, I can’t be scrolling on my phone. It forces me to slow down and focus on the present. Plus, the aroma of garlic and onions sizzling in olive oil is an instant mood lifter.
I used to think cooking for one was sad, but now I see it as an opportunity to make exactly what I want. No compromises, no picky eaters to please. I can put extra chili flakes in my pasta or add avocado to everything. And when I do cook for others, it’s a way to show love. Whether it’s a simple roast chicken or a batch of homemade marshmallows, sharing food is one of the most human things we do.