Hey, hey!
Since it’s already Tuesday, I guess I’d better hurry up and blog about my weekend, huh?
Friday
Friday evening, as I was driving to Charleston, Stephen called to tell me that he had dinner waiting for my arrival.
He made me a 7 bean stew!
He’s been suggesting he make this soup mix for awhile now. I’ve kind of poo pooed the idea since in the past Stephen has insisted the mix requires the addition of ham.
Is that ham in my soup?
Nope. It’s tofu!!!
Instead of adding the ham, he was sweet enough to sub tofu instead. I’m lucky to have such an accommodating boyfriend. 
Saturday
I woke up ecstatic to attend the Oblique Fitness Expo!
Before: Fresh and Energized
After: Sweaty and Tired
(If I would’ve known I’d be given a bright gold shirt to wear, I probably would’ve chosen to wear black shorts….anything but lime green!)
The expo was an exercise fanatic’s dream. My only criticism is that most of the instructors led us through basic programs and the majority of them weren’t very intense. Body Attack was by far the best presented group fitness program!
Zumba was a close second. The instructor was awesome; however, I am not a huge fan of Zumba. I don’t really find the workout to be challenging. That coupled with the fact that my hips simply don’t shimmy means that Zumba and I are not an exercise match.
Being a Food Minority
Saturday evening, Stephen’s roommate decided to invite some friends over and have a cookout at the house.
A couple hours before the cookout began, I saw Stephen’s roommate unload his Wal-mart purchases and begin the cookout preparation. As I watched him pull Coca Cola, hot dogs, Tostitos, and canned baked beans out of his sacks, it hit me. What was I going to eat?
Since my diet shift that began in August, I’ve been making a conscious effort to decrease my processed food intake and increase my fruit and veggie consumption. Of course, I don’t always follow the rules of clean eating! Remember when I topped my pasta with Doritos?
I’m all for allowing myself treats. In fact, I’ve recently realized I’m not a proponent of the phrase “everything in moderation.” I believe in eating whatever I want, when I want it. (Yes, I really do!)
But here’s the catch: I have almost completely cut several things out of my diet in recent months. And I don’t miss them! Not one bit. Hot dogs most definitely go on the “will not eat list.”
Mind you, cookie cake will never, ever make the this list of forbidden foods. And to be honest, nothing is truly exempt from my diet. If I really, really want a hot dog someday, I will most definitely eat one.
But on Saturday, my body did not want a hot dog.
So when faced with the realization that this cookout’s eats were not for me, I did what probably everyone trying to lead a healthy lifestyle has done. I went to Earthfare and supplied my own dinner.
Organic turkey dogs and a side of mashed sweet potatoes.
I tried to share, but there weren’t any takers.
Let’s face it. Health nuts are in the minority. The majority of the world is not on board with the tenants of clean eating. The average restaurant does not use nutritional yeast, chia seeds, coconut butter, or kale in their recipes. An order of steamed veggies almost almost arrives doused in butter.
So until my minority becomes the majority, I shall keep carrying apples, Mary’s Crackers, and almonds in my purse.
I will continue to scour the ingredient list and nutritional data of every food product I purchase.
And partly because of occasions such as this cookout, I shall keep my local Earthfare and Whole Foods in business.
Question: Can you relate to being a food minority?
Gah I can totally 100% relate to that. It’s ridiculous how healthy eating is not the norm! If I go to a horse event, the ONLY food is burger vans. I always bring my own sandiwches etc
Last term at uni, I did an evening class, that went right over dinner time – the only food they supplied was cookies!? I wish healthy was the norm 
Well I cannot really comment about the health food minority, but I can say I though that gold and lime green was the real you, Lily.
I don’t eat chicken or beef and I try to stay clear of white flours (unless it’s in the form of a cookie cake like yours). So, YES I can relate to being a food minority.
first of all I love that stephen made the stew withTOFU! My bf is scared of tofu…seriously…second of all sometimes I DO feel like the minority but usually around other women…cause they are the ones who say “why are you eating that? you aren’t even fat!!”or some remark about my body or dieting..which makes me feel uncomfortable!
I can definitely relate!! I’ve been carrying food in my purse for a long time
I love your perspective on food – hot dogs out, cookie cake in. There’s always room for cookie cake 
I’ve been known to supply my own food for the last couple months now. always bringing a salad to share, a veggie burger next to friends’ burgers, smoothies brought to the bagel shop, etc etc. but i also try and share everything. especially the really good things–like raw ice cream–mm.
(found your blog through andrea’s!)
Yes! I usually bring my own veggie burgers to cookouts so I’ll have something to eat. I’m not even veggie!
I can totally relate! Thankfully most of our friends now I am a healthy but as usually they ask me what I want…haha! But I have found that sometimes Keith and I get excluded from events because people think we will judge their choices! Which is totally CRAZY!!! We are definitely all for indulging (for example there is now way that leftover cookie cake you had would have lasted 2 weeks in my house! haha) and so sometimes it can be frusterating when people think we will judge them. Oh well….
Wow…that first sentence made ZERO sense!!haha…what I meant was most of our friends know we are healthy and usually ask what we want!
oh Lily, I would have loved to have eaten what you had. I am with you-sometimes i will eat things that i normally don’t but there are times i just want what i want-good for you for providing your own food. and how nice of stephen to have put tofu in your soup-love it!
happy wednesday!
Oh man, I struggle with this. I don’t want to be perceived as a picky eater, but I don’t want to eat food I don’t want/need!
I’m a natural, veggie-loving, running vegan in college…YES I can relate to being the minority haha. It’s so interesting to me how people get so caught up in norms. Like, god forbid we have a cookout without hotdogs or a superbowl party without nachos. Honestly, when I stopped eating meat…I didn’t miss it one bit. I only thought I’d miss it because it was so common and everyone else seemed to love it. Same with fast food, and (milk) yogurt…
Oh yes I can relate! I always have stuff with me when we travel or visit family and friends that I am not so sure what is on the menu… a dish is always a nice gesture and helps me have an option
I absolutely can relate. I think what bothers me the most is that people think I’m on a constant “diet.” That is SO frustrating! Especially, like you, I tend to eat whatever I want whenever I want.
I’ll admit, though, that I still need to overcome feeling insecure about being “different.” I absolutely hate getting comments from people about what I eat (which is strange because I BLOG about what I eat, haha) so sometimes I’ll eat things just to make other people happy. I know how crazy that sounds, but it’s something I do still struggle with.
I definitely relate to being a food minority most of the time, but my idea of moderation would have included the goods Stephen and his crew were cooking. I love hot dogs!
I can totally relate to this. Sometimes I just suck it up and eat unhealthy things because I am scared that others will think I have a crazy E.D for bringing my own food! Usually I am okay with it though because I remember that I will feel so much better later in the day if I ate a veggie burger over a gross beef burger.
on and off. I can usually find something to eat at get-togethers. But I definitely hit up Whole Foods when I can’t find anything.
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I am more an exercise nut than food nut. I am slowly getting better though, I include more fruits and veggies and don’t eat fast food hardly ever, but I do still like an occasional hot dog :0
I can definitely relate to this…. I waitress part-time at a nation-wide chain restaurant, and I very rarely eat anything that is served there. I usually bring a simple meal with me to work- roasted sweet potatoes or rice and beans, and people ALWAYS make a spectacle out of me. Health food nuts are the minority, unfortunately.
oh yeah! I just talked abotu this on my blog how at buffets if you load your plate with healthy foods, you get wierd looks and questions like “how do you eat that? dont you want to indulge a little” and I answer…umm well this is what I eat and what I like sooo thats what I am goingto have. i think its so ridiculous that others can judge you for WANTING to eat healthy!
thank you for this great post!
My family has adapted well and often prepares something that I will enjoy when I am a guest for a meal. If I am going out for a while, I try to bring a Clif bar or piece of fruit, just in case. And in practically every restaurant, I special order.
it’s funny how I can get so wrapped up in healthy living blogs, that I forget that most of the world doesn’t eat like us!
I can completely relate to this post!
lol @ your dad’s response. You totally rocked the yellow and lime green! I can definitely relate. For Christmas brunch, my mother in law had ham and quiche with bacon in it. I don’t eat pork! So that was interesting. Hot dogs are definitely on my do not eat list, although there was a time when I could down some Nathan’s with abandon!
Yes! I’m so glad you addressed this because I always wonder how health food bloggers deal with this. I hate feeling high maintenance but also don’t want to compromise my standards. Its tough!
I like to bring my own veggie burgers to cookouts. I do not enjoy making it obvious that I’m trying to eat better. But if I make a comment that I do not eat red meat, people tend to brush it off.
Aw, Stephen is so sweet to make you that special stew.
Hm, I have a different take on this. Because of my history of ED, I used to have to bring my OWN food all the time, even to social events. But that was to the extremes. I know that you won’t go overboard with your personal health principles, but I was once like that, and it really hurt my social life, and my own….well, my own image. I guess it’s good to have your principles, but use it wisely….at times, just eat what you are served. One hot dog won’t kill you.
Haha, but I say that…becase I LOVE hot dogs! Sorry! >.<
Ahhhh, I miss Earth Fare
What a great fella you have, subbing the ham for tofu! So sweet!
As a vegetarian, I can relate to being a food minority, but it’s kind of nice, because I have a reason/excuse for not eating the things that I didn’t WANT to eat before going veg, but felt like I didn’t have a legitimate ‘excuse’ not to eat. Of course, this is bs– everyone should just eat whatever they want and not worry about what other people say or thing. But sadly, that’s not often the case.
First, the fitness expo sounds like it was a blast! You look so fit and happy!
I am right there with you in the minority. It can be such a struggle to always feel like the odd man out, but I’ve come to accept that the only person I need to keep happy is me! The part I hate about it is the notion that other people are sort of taking pity on my eating. Like, if I were to choose a salad at a restaurant, some of my dining companions might view it as a joyless, sad meal, when in reality, it’s exactly what I’m craving.
I’m in complete agreement that I want to eat whatever I want, whenever I want. You are such an inspiration- can we share some cookie cake??
I can totally relate to being a food minority even in my own house! My husband is so not where I an eating wise and my kids are slowly being brainwashed by me:)
I love this post! I am always the minority. Other nursing students eat out of the vending machines everyday! I pack food for the day. My co-workers order junk or go out for fast “food”. No thank you! Even other moms tend to give their kids “fruit” snacks instead of the real deal! I don’t mind being the minority especially with other women like you who are living healthy as well
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I love this post, and I’m so glad we can all relate! I definitely think healthy eating should be applauded, not judged. I always find myself in situations like you were in at the cookout and it’s frustrating. I hate to be picky but… I just don’t want to put greasy cheeseburgers into my body! Give me organic hot dogs and mashed sweet potatoes any day! That’s why I LOVE reading these type of blogs; you all make me feel much more normal.