Dying To Live
She feels something in her die when she hears the particulars of the anti-inflammatory, anti-toxin diet her highly respected acupuncturist is recommending to her. Not that a clean diet consisting of strictly meat, vegetables and fruit is unappealing (in theory) it is just that she has always loved her carbs and her dairy …bread, pasta, rice, cheese, yoghurt and desserts. Mmmmmmmm ........
But, if embracing a new diet will help her stay physically strong and comfortable for her work (and for her leisure) then there can be no two ways about it - she is going to have to die as a “modern woman” to be reborn as a “cave woman” and eat as her prehistoric ancestors did when grains were not planted and animals were not milked.
On the bright side, her limber, energetic and inspiring healer has been on this same strict diet – for reasons of her own – for the last 3 weeks and she glowingly endorses it. At the same time, she completely understands and sympathizes with her client’s deep discomfort at the prospect of changing her diet and her lifestyle so radically plus her total bewilderment faced with the need to shop and prepare food differently. For instance, what on earth will she take for lunch on the days she works?
Luckily, her acupuncturist (who is now her guide into this new/old Palaeolithic diet) is able put a business card into her hand which points her to a small, locally owned food store which sells the kind of food she now needs to stock her kitchen with and rely on to nourish her properly. For instance, if she is going to increase her consumption of meat then this meat has to come from animals that are properly husbanded and fed. In particular, they should not be reared on a diet of genetically modified grains which, more and more, appear to be complicit in the increase of food sensitivities and allergies (along with who knows what else down the road?).
When she returns home after her first day of shopping at “The Old Farm Store” with her two, cloth shopping bags bulging with meat, eggs and produce she is suddenly faced with the grim prospect of now plunging the knife in all the way so her new, healthier self can rise from the ashes.
Yes, it's time to clear out her cupboards and her fridge. It's time to say, “Goodbye, poppy seed covered, multi-grain bagels that taste so wonderful toasted with jam.” “Farewell, loyal rice. You have served me well.” “Adios to you my beloved cheese”. Oh, how it hurts to turn her back on these old friends.
On the other hand, the prospect of optimizing her health at this stage of her life – when she still has so much to do and so much to live for – is so strongly compelling that she is willing to do whatever it takes. Yes, even die.
It seems to be her year for letting go.
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