Breaking Unhealthy Addictions by Replacing them with Healthy Ones.

The nature of addiction is a curious one, but I have to say if I were to boil down in a word what we are looking for when we are addicted it's this: COMFORT.

Somehow, some way, the food, substance or activity we over-indulge in COMFORTS US.

Now, I'm not saying it's wrong at all to be comforted, but when you turn to a friend for comfort and after they comfort you they stab you in the back, that's not such a sweet deal now is it?

That's the way it is with most things that us humans turn to for comfort. They are not true friends.

So, dear friends, we need to be our own best friend and do this:

Relationships, even with food, need to be reciprocal. We need to get back what we give. At least most of the time.

So how do we do this? We walk away. We "break up". We sever ties. AND....

We find new relationships. Ones that heal. Ones that nurture. Ones that know how to love.

It doesn't happen over night, but gradually, we build up that which supports us.

As far as food goes, it means we find healthy dishes that we are crazy about and that we look forward to as a 'treat'.

For me, tonight I had the best coconut water EVER....Man, it felt like I was having something I shouldn't be having....it tasted like I was drinking pure vanilla with some slight salty taste...even my husband said it smelled good. I did not feel deprived at all.

Some of my other favorite healthy dishes: hummus, sloppy Joe's, beet noodles with marinara, tabouli.

I am gradually adding to my favorites list...so that I am treating myself all day long and loving eating the way that makes me look and feel great.

You can, too. It takes some effort up front, but the end result is so worth it!