evolution of Tori

We've all had it.  Someone excitedly offers you food, and you hopefully accept.  Trusting in their taste buds.  Excited for your own.  And then you take a bite.  And you have to swallow.  The swallowing isn't so hard, but your mind races to the reality of the post-swallow.  You have to either keep eating or CRUSH your beloved friend.  And what's more is that you're starving, and even if you eat it, you're probably not going to be full...the following is practically scripted; they look at you and say "not bad, right?! it was dairy free and sugar free!  There was a sale at "health food store" and I bought 20lbs..." gasp.

Back track.  Over Christmas I was introduced to the idea of Candida.  Candida is the scientific name for yeast. It is a fungus that lives almost everywhere, including in your body. Usually, your immune system keeps yeast under control. If you are sick or taking antibiotics, it can multiply and cause an infection.  Antibiotics promote yeast infections, including gastrointestinal Candida overgrowth, and penetration of the GI mucosa. While women are more susceptible to genital yeast infections, men can also be infected. Certain factors, such as prolonged antibiotic use, increase the risk for both men and women. People with diabetes or impaired immune systems, such as those with HIV, are more susceptible to yeast infections.(www.wikipedia.com)

So as my husband was busy with hobbies on Christmas Eve and my littles were preoccupied with Grandma's toys I read...for 9 hours.  What is Candid/Do I have Candida/How do I cure candida...etc.  Although I never have yeast infections I was convinced I had Candida, that it was causing skin issues and that sooner or later I would probably die because of it...

To make a long story shorter, I no longer am very concerned with Candida.  I may have it, I may not...but I've gotten over my hypochondriac state.  However with that whole day of reading, and random hours of flipping pages over the next 2 weeks, I am grossed out by processed food, by most Dairy products, and by the production of Grain.  I am concerned that my body has an intolerance to Dairy or Grain or something, that its causing my skin to HATE me...and all that has caused me to go primarily Paleo since January 1. 

I don't know if this is a temporary jump into a fad, or a life long adjustment to boycotting chemicals and dyes and GMOs, but I do know that I feel like I've been role playing for 3 weeks now. 

I've went through sleeves of Garlic. 
I've used over 12 onions.
When I'm bored, I run to the kitchen and start experimenting.
I spend insane amount of time washing dishes.  And it hasn't stopped me from making another mess at the next meal.
I ate cabbage caramelized onions green beans and vinegar the other day and LOVED it.
I just spend an hour with my Benjamin turning zucchini into noodles...

My taste buds have went through metamorphosis and  I feel like I should throw them a "coming out party." I have started to LOVE food, and not just pizza, sugar and such.  I love whole foods.

So...back to my original story.  I now get it.  I get why my friends/coughsistercough/were so proud of their creations. I realized their taste buds weren't the ones that were broken!  They made those declarations because they usually worked hard to get there. Because they were proud of the fact they weren't eating things that were ruining their body and mind (yes, I think they are connected).  Because their bodies had stopped craving processed food, and they truly have mastered the art of using whole foods to flavor their food.  I am a current foodie, someone who has much to learn, who has no idea how long I will stay, and cannot really afford my current passions, but who also cannot imagine ignoring what little I have learned.

So when you stop by, my kitchen will be messy and I will probably offer you a "dessert" with almond butter that I made in my food processor.  But its ok, if you don't like it.  Just lie to me, and say you ate just before you came :)