Conversations from BBL

I love talking to new people and getting to see a glimpse into their lives. Selling my cookie mix and my baked goods at farmer's markets allows me to do just that. 

Today at the farmer's market everyone was in an especially chipper mood. Thank you long weekend and thank you Mother Nature. The humidity was low and the smiles were high! I get sheer joy from seeing the look on people's faces as they read my sign while also catching a glimpse of me in my apron and hat. They usually mouth the words slowly to themselves "Bikini. Baking. Lady. " and then the smiles come on full force. That's my favorite part of the whole day! One of the first questions I get asked is "do you bake in your bikini?". Followed quickly by "why do you call yourself that?" As I've written in previous posts I created my alter ego, my new name while I was eating most of my meals with my then 1,3 & 4 year old children. I realized that when it was winter (in Boston... Brrrrrr!) I was happy to pack on the weight as quickly as I added the layers of clothing. But then in the summer when we were living outdoors and at the beach (no air conditioning in my 100+ year old house) I truly thought about every bite of food. I asked myself, "is this food for my body or food for my face?" Realizing that my food choices were much better when I envisioned myself in my bikini or workout clothes prompted me to come up with my Bikini Baking Lady name and company. 

But today I heard a great story and idea from a kind man I was able to talk with while he was shopping at the Farmer's Market in Mt. Pleasant, SC. After his smile and his question of "why did I come up with my business name" he quickly interjected that since January he has lost over 50 pounds! I was so happy for him! And then he let me in on his secret which I want to share with you. He said that when he gets home and is in the comfort of his own home he takes off his shirt. It's his mental reminder to be conscientious of the food that goes in his mouth. He said on a number of occasions he has caught himself heading to the kitchen to get a snack that he didn't need only to catch a glimpse of himself in the mirror. That was enough of a reminder for him to pause to be sure his body needs the food and just doesn't "want" the food due to boredom, habit, loneliness, etc. So hats off to you Mr. Swim trunk baking man! Great job of incorporating mental games in your physical hunger cues. It works friends! If you are lucky to live in a home where you are never without food remember that food is there to nourish your body. Food is to keep your brain sharp and to keep your body moving in the right direction. Change your relationship with food. Breakup with the foods that are not right for you and break up with the mindless eating. Trade it in for enjoying every bite of what nature has for us to enjoy. After all, you only have one life. Let's work together to make it the happiest and healthiest life possible. I love you my friend!!!! Keep smiling!