Following back up with you on walking - have you started walking yet, getting those steps in? Up to 10,000 steps yet? I'm still on this kick. My body feels much better because of my daily walks.

Anywho, I had an interesting conversation this past weekend. I had the opportunity to watch the Blue Angels air show boat side, which btw, is the best way to watch the Blues. Have you ever got a chance to see their airshow? It's pretty amazing? I've watched them beachside too, in the past.

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So on to the subject of today's email. I was asked the question “Do I eat these", and "those" were chips. A few of the ladies on the boat started pulling out snacks and such. She came over to me and asked me If I eat these things, with the bag open for me to reach in and grab some.

I said well, sometimes, and I would if they were Sour Cream and Onion. I love sour cream & onion flavored chips. They were Plain Ruffles. Plain Ruffles have no appeal to me, so I didn't take any.

Lol, she then dipped a chip in the ranch dressing that was part of the vegetable tray that someone brought, and I ate it. We both had a good laugh.

This got me to thinking about food at parties and such, and how I could write about this experience.

She did have a look on her face like she already knew that I would say "No" to the chips because they're not "clean!"

What is clean food exactly? Do you wash it with Dawn, lol?! Then it’s clean, I guess. All jokes aside though, I know what people mean when they say they eat clean. Furthermore ask 5 different people and no one's definition of Clean Eating will be the same - there is no clear definition.

When we put labels on food, it leads to nowhere healthy.  When I was quote on quote a “clean” eater, I had disordered eating, also known as orthorexia. This topic is too lengthy, so let’s move on.

I'm pretty sure I surprised her with my answer. I eat chips sometimes, just not those.

You see, no food is ever off limits. Only foods that you or I don't like, or foods that cause digestion issues.

I can take or leave chips. I do have them on occasion, but they must taste good to me and MUST be worth it. I also don't just eat chips because they are there. I can have chips anytime that I want them - you can too if you want them - if not skip em. You should never ever feel obligated to eat anything that you don't want.

Now, I have done that in the past, but not anymore, because I'm clear on what foods are worth it when I am at events, parties, or home, etc.  I have automated my eating. I have worked to build a better relationship with all foods.

I know a lot of women struggle with food at parties and such. If you are anything like I was, I would actually avoid going to events that involved food. This is no way to live; I had to find a better way!

There will always, always be holidays, parties, celebrations, food, restaurants, etc...  They are not going anywhere; they are intertwined in our lives. We have to learn how to eat and be at these events without feeling pressure to eat stuff that we don't want, even when it's offered to us.

So, here are some tips for any event with food and such...

1. Eat the foods that you really really enjoy - is that food a Hell Yea or Hell Nah. If it's not a Hell, ya, don't eat it.

2. Get away from the table where all the foods are after building your plate.

- Always have protein on that plate!

- Get a few tasters of things before committing to it. Then you'll know exactly what tastes good and what doesn't. Then get a serving of whatever was the best!

- Eat till your satisfied, but not stuffed. This is a skill and it must be practiced of course, but the cool thing is you have many, many meals to practice with.

3. If it's a food that you can get any day, and you are not interested, you don't have to eat it. You can have Lay's chips any time. Instead of those Lay's chips, how about you have Aunt Bernadette’s Decadent Chocolate Cupcakes. Yum, right!

4. Of course, you can bring a dish so that you know that there will be a nourishing food item at the party!

5. Be present, be with your family and friends, don't be worrying about calories and such. Enjoy yourself! Savor whatever you choose to put on your plate.

6. It's one meal, one party - all is never lost! Eat the food and move on.

That's it. If someone asks you do you eat those, well the answer is, it depends on what "those" are, and if I like em!

I hope you enjoyed this email and my hope and wish is that every woman that I come in contact will do the work to build a better relationship with food through the tools and strategies that I teach.

Let me know if you need anything, reply back to this email.

I hope you have a great weekend!

In Strength

Xo

Candace