It Is Not Mine!

Waiters think I am crazy when I ask for a take home container at the beginning of my meal and then remove a generous half before I take my first bite. But removing half of each meal from my plate before I even start eating at a restaurant became a way of life for me years ago. It hasn't made me skinny, but I can't begin to eat until I get half off my plate.  It is the one thing that is ingrained in my head from weigh down. I only wish more good habits were.

The reason I can take half home and not be tempted to eat them is I don't feel ownership of them. Years ago, I was selfish with my leftovers writing my name on the styrofoam in big, bold letters. KEEP OUT is essentially what I wrote claiming these as off limits to everyone but me. It would make me furious if someone dared to take so much as a bite. Then I started begging my kids to eat them or handed them out the window to a homeless person so I wouldn't. I gave up ownership of them mentally. Ron gets a lot of credit for this. He is never greedy about food and will often ask for a bite just to get a bite from me. I admit that used to drive me nuts. Eventually, in this one area I let go of my lustful, hoarding  self and walked away from that other half. 

I have often thought of getting a little bowl that would only fit a well portioned size, of course it would have to be a pretty green leafy bowl. it would be one i could take out in a restaurant and fit just the right amount in. Why wouldn't this work? People who have stomach surgery eat an even smaller portion. If I could adjust my thinking on my 1/2 meal why not a beautiful portion bowl. If you have seen me eat breakfast you know I am not picky about mixing my foods together. The trick is getting me to be willing to live with just a bowlful! 

In Him,

Joyful

9-22-11