I've recently let go of more unhealthy, processed foods. Most notably absent are tortilla chips. Once upon a time, dipping them into fresh salsa and homemade hummus seemed so reasonable. But deep down inside, I knew all the unhealthy oils, salts, and preservatives that came with my favorite snack had to go. At first I searched for a healthy chip, but even the best of these came with concerns; not to mention, this habit certainly didn't address my tendency to eat more than necessary by snacking too much. No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't let go.
My next attempt was to replace tortilla chips with veggie sticks. Dipping red peppers and carrots into hummus worked sporadically, but after a while I would crack, break down, and give in to a chip fix. My solution came as a surprise. I follow the Happy Pear on Instagram. Their daily healthy food and lifestyle photos inspire me, and recently the twins posts on sandwiches have caught my eye. Since starting my 12-step challenge, this food item has been out (too many unhealthy old habits associated with this former staple of my diet.) But could adding a healthier version of my old favorite resolve my chip addiction?
This fall, as usual, we had way too many tomatoes to deal with. (I can only handle one meal of pasta and another of chili each week. And salsa? It requires chips.) One day after skimming through some Happy Pear feeds, I decided t0 lunch on a piece of toast smothered in hummus and topped with sliced tomato. It was love at first bite, so I added these healthy one-sided sandwiches back in my diet.
What's more, winter has set in, our gardens are put to bed, and we've turned our attentions to growing microgreens. Adding a healthy hummus sandwich on multi-whole grain bread with veggies and baby greens is now a go to item for both me and the wife. These sandwiches are so delicious and filling. Switch the tomatoes with avocados, and these healthy delights take on an entirely different form. To really mix things up, try swapping the hummus for a delicious smokey, cheddar spread made with almonds, pimentos, and garbanzos. Oh, my!
Lately, I haven't missed my chips. Except for once at a restaurant, they've been absent from my diet for several months. Adding a healthy whole-food alternative and essentially crowding out the bad stuff, has been the ticket. Will I completely eliminate tortilla chips? Maybe on the the rare occasion when I eat out I'll still indulge. But, I really don't miss them anymore. My cravings for yet another oily, salty, processed food has vanished, and the thought of eating them again is slowly becoming foreign if not out right repulsive because of the unhealthy contrast I experience compared to eating whole, plant-based foods. What sweet success!
Post Script: I forgot to post this blog back in early December, so it's out of sequence and outdated.
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