My vacation was wonderful.  I got to see a ton of family and relax and renew.  Just looking at the lake up in Minnesota does my soul a lot of good.  My kids are thankfully appreciative of the natural beauty that we're allowed to witness whenever we're up there.  We saw lots of loons (the Minnesota state bird), several bald eagles, deer, wolves, loads of birds, chipmunks and a partridge in a pear tree (just kidding about that partridge thing!).  Watching all of that wildlife made me think about how learned our overeating is.  The animals typically don't gorge themselves - unless winter is coming and they know that they will need the fat to survive.  They eat enough to satiate themselves, to fill themselves, to contentment, not to excess.  They instinctively know that they have to be able to move comfortably and get themselves from one place to another with comfort and ease.  Human babies are born knowing this truth too.  They eat until they're full, no more, no less (without some wailing).  So, when do we get into this habit (and that's what it is) of overeating, filling our tummies so full that we have to lean back and unfasten our belts for sheer comfort and ease of breathing?  Is it early on, when our mother's tell us to "clean our plates," or is it later on when we don't want to insult someone by not eating everything?  I'm giving you permission to not clean your plates - and I promise you that simply by cutting back your portions you will not insult the cook.  In fact, you don't need my permission - give yourself permission - and give your kids permission - to just eat enough - fill yourself - don't overfill.  Be mindful and think of why your eating and how much your eating.  Are you really hungry?  Are you trying to fill a hole deep inside yourself that food can't possibly fill? How about if you and your family start "Mindful Mondays" and just for Mondays (to start), you really pay attention to whether or not your eating out of hunger or boredom, out of need or want, out of an empty space in your belly or an empty space in your heart.  You can do this - and forget belonging to the "clean plate club."  Belong to the "lean weight club."

Have a healthy day --

Kathy