I had the (drooling) pleasure of vicariously living Julia Child’s life in France the other night while watching the movie, Julie and Julia. I admit I was jealous (and a bit angry) that I’m not constitutionally able to go hog wild with all that French food. Heavy cream, loads of butter, flaky pasties, white flour, white sugar, white bread (and ground meat stuffed inside a duck stuffed inside a pastry). Why, God, can Julie Powell eat her way through Julia’s book, but with one bite I’m bloated, gassy and grimacing?

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Although I didn’t eat the food, I did indulge in my 20 minutes (and no more) of moping, whining and lamenting. After my sob story, I once again came back to my “3-C’s”, the mental attitudes I need to stay focused on my health and well being. Without these, I tend to “forget” that I have food sensitivities and two major chronic health concerns (as well as the mere fact that eating these foods never makes me feel good, except for the short time that it’s going down).

The 3-C’s are:

1. Commitment
2. Conviction
3. Composure

Commitment means I’m dedicated… not to any diet, but to ME. I come back to this commitment to myself again and again, each and every day.

Conviction means I know my true purpose in the matter. I know WHY I want to be healthy, and WHY I want to live a long, healthy vibrant life.

Composure means I “get grounded” (even when I’m around fabulous foods and smells and tantalizing temptations). Only when I’m composed do I remember my commitment and conviction.

I know YOU might be “dietarily challenged” too. Here are a few hints for holiday dining away from home (for those of us with food allergies, sensitivities and chronic health conditions):

Eat before you go. Sounds weird to eat BEFORE the feast, but this will help curb your appetite around the tempting foods you know will not make you feel good.

Make sure you bring what YOU need to eat and make enough to share with others (so EVERYONE can taste how fabulous your gluten-free pie crust really is!)

Check in with your gut throughout the night. Let the light, clean, empty feeling be your inspiration to stay on track with the foods you can eat.

A major shift comes when we mentally decide to focus on the foods we can eat, instead of the ones we can’t. Think about it, even if we suffer from multiple food allergies, there are hundreds of foods we can indulge in, and very few that we can’t. So let’s stay positive and make sure to indulge and have fun!