Desert Magnolia

A few months back I played with adopting the Mediterranean Diet. In principle, it seemed like a really good choice. I am, after all, half of that region of the world, and felt like maybe I needed to expand my horizons while reducing my animal product intake. Huuuuuuge personal mistake. (I know, Dr. G, but I am what I am.) In the time I opted for chickpeas and legumes as primary protein sources I noticed a need for much more on my plate or in my bowl to satisfy my nutritional needs. I didn't mind that, and just increased what I ate. Lots and lots of veggies, etc., but I was always hedging what felt like a sugar crash, and given my history with that, I didn't like it. I felt bloaty most of the time. I felt less sharp, a little more on edge, and spent what I deemed to be way too much time thinking about my next meal. I had terrible PMS. Terrible. I won't elaborate, but really who wants to worsen that little monthly nugget? Not me... I gained almost 10 pounds, pou...

Is there a rhyme or reason to the actions we take? This question has arisen countless times since humans began to ponder such things. And no matter which theory you subscribe to, no matter how empty or full your consciousness may be at any given point in time, the variables involved in determining true motivation are myriad, and, I believe, impossible to calculate with any scientific precision. After all, motivation can be linked to many things, and if the heart happens to be involved, then all bets are off in terms of applying logic to the scenario. The heart does what the heart does, when it decides to do it, and we generally get to hold on and do our best to navigate the outcome and avoid vertigo, if possible. To all of the big questions, I am beginning to believe, the answer is love. Love is the answer. It takes so many forms it is impossible to quantify. It defies reason, logic and attempts at control. It persists in spite of our attempting to think it through, thank goodness...