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by Alexandra
Posted on June 27, 2019

An Encouragement for When Things Are Hard

I help women cultivate balance in their lives through a practical approach to wellness. On my blog, I share my favorite foods, non-diet nutrition tips, and some of my own experiences with food and faith. My hope in writing is that you are encouraged and empowered to live the fullest life for which you were created!

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@AlexandraCMacKillop

Have you ever thought to yourself, "I wish I could eat like SHE does?" or held the sentiment that just looking at pizza or brownies makes you gain weight?⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Fortunately, feasting our eyes is not the same as filling our bellies. Food should taste good, and desserts and treats can fit into the lifestyles of EVERYONE -- of all shapes and sizes. When we approach our bodies as if they deserve love, care, and kindness, we are much more likely to honor them, stop eating when we are full, and maintain healthful habits long-term. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Food and exercise shouldn't be punishments, they should be means for celebrating our bodies for all they do for us. #eatwithfreedom⁠⠀

Today's blog post [link in bio] answers this question and more.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Most of my posts are geared towards women who struggle to give themselves permission to enjoy their favorite foods, which is where encouragements like "just eat the brownie" come from. However, I get a lot of questions about situations when a brownie is NOT the answer. If you're wondering too, read today's post!⁠⠀ ⁠

One of the most common questions people ask me about intuitive eating is this:"What about the people who shouldn't eat another brownie?"⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ If you find yourself asking the same question, today's blog post is for you! Follow the link in my bio to read. #eatwithfreedom⁠⠀

As 2019 is coming to a close and we're starting to think about the new year, many of us are looking for ways to improve our lives, cultivate healthier habits, and take better care of ourselves. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ This year, instead of trying out a new diet plan, joining a new fitness club, or experimenting with the latest trends, why not go back to the basics of good health and build a foundation for holistic well-being that will carry you through the rest of your life? ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Check out the link in my bio to learn more about my new book, Healthy, Happy, Whole. You can order your copy today on Amazon.com in paperback or eBook-- and it's free if you're a member of Kindle Unlimited. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ #eatwithfreedom⁠⠀ ⁠

This joke is one of my favorites. It's especially appropriate for today, because it's both my sister's and my mother-in-law's birthday! (Some things were just meant to be...)⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ But all kidding aside, the power of food is limited. We could take every last measure to make the best possible food choices that we know, and yet we could still fall prey to accidents. Life is too short to skip dessert.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ #eatwithfreedom⁠⠀

Today's blog post [link in bio] is about diet talk.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ I've had so many people tell me about their diets, thinking that they're encouraging me in my goals, giving me helpful tips to share with others, or steering me on the right path. But the truth is, it doesn't matter what "worked for you." First of all, diets aren't healthy. Second of all, if your way of eating is healthy for you, we have no way of knowing if it will work for me!⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ I hate that dieting is such a common topic of conversation among women. Can we please change the status quo to something that better represents the worth and value of the female life? We were made for something so much bigger than just trying to become smaller. #eatwithfreedom⁠⠀ ⁠⠀

I used to look forward to seasons like lent and advent because to me, they were another socially acceptable reason to restrict my diet. These times of anticipation and longing for me had nothing to do with Jesus and absolutely everything to do with my eating disorder.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ In today's day and age, restricted diets are very much the norm, and we don't need a seasonal excuse for others to affirm our choices in that regard. As Christians, it's easy to confuse fasting as a spiritual discipline with fasting as a form of dieting, especially since "intermittent fasting" is now the highest on the "trendy diets" list. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Fasting is absolutely a biblical concept. But dieting is not. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ If you struggle to separate spiritual/religious fasting from an underlying desire to lose weight, control your diet, or change your appearance, it's no longer about Christ. Fasting really isn't about food at all. It's not about the deprivation, the clock, or the dinner plate, or the absence of sugar. It's about drawing near to Jesus -- 100%. So if you're currently in a place where fasting hurts your relationship with Christ because you're struggling in your relationship with food, you don't have to do it.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Even if everyone around you is doing it, even if your church's sermon today is about fasting, even if your family encourages it - you have the freedom to choose not to participate. It doesn't make you any less Christian, any less loved, or any less saved. In fact, knowing when to abstain is an exercise of wisdom.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ #eatwithfreedom⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀

I like fancy coffee drinks in theory, but I always find that they leave a funny aftertaste in my mouth. Whenever I order flavored lattes, frappes, etc, they leave a sort of chemically residue behind. Does anyone else notice this? ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Fancy coffees made with real spices or homemade syrups always solve this problem for me. My husband and I like adding cinnamon to the French Press (or even pumpkin pie spice) and I've also experimented with peppermint oil, horchata, cocoa powder, and homemade caramel with similarly delicious results. (Although, my favorite is always good old-fashioned half-and-half!)⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ @SweetSteepYourCoffee makes natural coffee flavorings that solve the chemical aftertaste problem by altogether avoiding artificial ingredients. Their products consist of a tea bag filled with stevia leaves, natural herbs, and more. This one was peppermint flavored!⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ If you're like me in that you like simple, natural coffees, Sweet Steep might be a great option for you! #ad

Today’s blog post is about hunger and fullness. For a long time I was afraid of feeling full because I thought I wouldn’t be hungry enough to allow myself to eat at the next meal. But what I’ve since learned is that consistent patterns of honoring my body set me free to eat, enjoy my food, and then move on with life. More on the blog (link in bio.) #eatwithfreedom⁠⠀

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