Taking on Temptation

Avoiding bread on the paleo diet

I live in an apartment complex that is a complex in every sense of the word. In addition to there being about 5 different apartment buildings, there is a Giant grocery store, a 24 hour CVS (clutch), a barber shop, a dry cleaner, a Caribou Coffee, and 3 restaurants. The restaurant I frequent most often is an Italian joint called Mama Lucias. Their food is average to good, and generally overpriced. However, they make this one salad, the Mama’s Salad, that I absolutely love and could eat every day. It is basically mixed greens tossed with walnuts, blue cheese crumbles, baby tomatoes and a raspberry vinaigrette (which I get on the side of course). I always get mine topped with grilled chicken. Mixed all together, it is delicious and relatively paleo-friendly.

Where in years past I would also frequently go to Mama’s for pizza (2-for-1 on Tuesdays) or pasta (2-for-1 on Mondays), I now only order the Mama’s Salad. Nothing more, nothing less. In addition to those paleo no-nos I just mentioned (pizza and pasta), I would also generously take on their deliscious, complimentary bread baskets. With every meal at Mama’s they bring you a basket stacked with toasted italian bread slices slathered with oil, some marinara sauce, and a parmesan cheese-garlic mixture that is sinfully good. The bread is so good I used to take down a basket and then ask for more.

However, that was then. This is now. I snapped the picture above today, just a few hours ago. For the last month or so, whenever I would eat at Mama’s I would make a point of refusing the bread basket. Out of site, out of mind. Today, however, I went to the bathroom after ordering and the basket was on the table when I got back. Now, I could have simply called over the waitress and had her remove it. I could have picked up the basket and thrown it at an unsuspecting toddler. I could have called the bread names and blamed it for years of betrayal and devastation. I could have practiced water-boarding on the bread.

Ultimately, I did none of these things. Instead, I sat down in my seat, gave the basket a nod of respect, and went about eating my delicious salad. See, I have been on the paleo diet long enough now that I know it works. Knowing that it works gives a sense of comfort and confidence. It gives me the power to keep that basket of bread on the table and not take a bite. Does this mean I conquer every temptation that presents itself? No, far from it; but this is a lifestyle transition. That means baby steps. This is just one small step that I’ve conquered. There will be many more along the way.

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