Letting Go

So how ‘bout dem Saints?! Ah, what a game! My sis called this morning and confessed that she and her husband watched the whole game—the first football game they have watched since Tom Landry was coach of the Cowboys (and my younger son doesn’t believe in miracles!).

It’s another snowy day here in Santa Fe and we’re stuck inside, so I’m spending the day clearing space for spring to arrive. I know it’s wishful thinking, but I’m letting go of a lot of stuff and putting forth the intention for spring, for renewal, and for a lighter load. I finally put away the remaining Christmas decorations stacked in a spare bedroom, while Tracy was going through her closet and letting-go of clothes she no longer needs. I’m also ready to purge the kitchen pantry of all the “FrankenFoods” that we no longer need…that we never needed!

‘Change’ often requires letting-go of things, ideas, and habits that no longer serve us. Belongings may need to go, or our attachment to an attitude may need to be released. Even giving up certain foods is a form of letting-go—of a habit, of a mode of comfort, of tradition, and often an anesthesia to avoid feeling.

When I first heard about Michael Pollan’s book Food Rules, my immediate reaction was “Yeah right, it rules!” My idea of ‘letting-go’ was more like giving-up any self-control to food and to the food industry that would try to control us. But Pollan urges us to take back the control of our lives and take back the control of what we put in our bodies.

Rule #4 – Avoid food products that contain high-fructose corn syrup.

If you’re not already a label-reader, you may want to go to your pantry and read a few labels. It’s ridiculous how many of our foods and food-like substances contain high-fructose corn syrup and other forms of sugar. This is not news to most of us, but Pollan’s fourth rule comes as a reminder—it’s time to purge my pantry again.

Here’s to Spring Cleaning for the body!