Healthy, mindful eating

Nutritionist Marilyn Glenville's book, "Fat Around the Middle" arrived in mid-December, which is the worst possible timing, but I was willing to experiment. (Thanks for the recommendation, Greying Pixie.) You can find the approach on Dr. Glenville's site, Fat Around the Middle.

She promises realistic weight management (without severe calorie restriction), wellness, and reduction of your body's stress-related hormones (cortisol) through more even regulation of blood sugar. I bought a boatload of nuts, organic plain yogurt, whole grain breads. I briefed Le Duc on menus, since he's the cook.
I studied her photo. She looks like the Ph.D. nuturitionist she is, and though I wish she'd loosen up image-wise, display of Nigellicious curves might not command compliance. I signed on except for one teensy shortcoming I'll address later.

Life was noble for ten or twelve days. Then just before Christmas, we had a blizzard and I couldn't leave the house. I went into my kitchen, took a pound of the walnuts and made Spiced Nuts.

I was just like one woman in my favourite part of the book. Dr. G. has clients keep a daily food journal and critiques their day, sort of a dietary "What Not to Wear". This woman starts her day with Glenvillian perfection, even sails past the 4 o'clock snack trap brilliantly. But at 9 pm., kids tucked in, she enjoys a bag of crisps and three glasses of wine. Come on over, sister!
I also omitted a key element, which may have been my undoing. The long list of costly supplements Dr. G. requires were not purchased, because New Years' Eve requires a toast with friends, and those supplements must equal at least one bottle of vintage Veuve.
This week the rye bread, which had turned to the consistency of cork board, went to the squirrels, a hard sell even for snowbound, shivering rodents. I could tell they longed for the usual biscotti crumbs and bits of shortbread cookies.

I have retained some Glenvillisms: far less sugar, more grains, smaller portions. And we ate a number of vegetarian meals over the holidays. I dumped my fructose-dense granola bars and learned all the other evil "oses" are just sugar wearing makeup.

Dr. G. asks for adherence only 80% of the time. This is consistent with a simpler approach, the No S Diet: no Sweets (or sugar), no Snacks, no Seconds except Sometimes on days with S in them (Saturday, Sunday, Special days).

The philosophy that underpins both is that of mindful eating, which is one of my intentions for '09: not to "diet", but to make every meal a conscious choice. To eat real food, not too much (as Michael Pollen says in "An Eater's Manifesto"), more slowly. To learn more about its production, supply and distribution , and to support people working to provide enough, so the world can eat.

Do you have eating-related intentions as we begin a new year?