I love food.

Since having surgery, my relationship with food has changed in a lot of interesting ways. In the beginning, food was utilitarian. Because my pouch was so small and so sensitive, I ate what I had to eat in order to survive and had little interest in much else.

Then, I started trepidatiously experimenting with what I could eat rather than what I had to eat. I reintroduced many foods back into my diet that brought me pleasure and foods that were nutritious, but also tasteful.

Now, I am a foodaphile. Funny to me, since I eat a dramatically reduced amount, but I adore food. I LOVE finding new recipes. I have so much fun throwing together new dishes in the kitchen. It's like I finally realized that food was more than just something I did to satisfy an emotional itch or fill a void. Food is meant to be experienced. It's a pleasurable and fabulous world of tastes, smells, and sights.

I think the french have it down. From the preperation, to the inhalation to the taste and touch, they are sensualists who relish in their cuisine. Now, as a woman who finds herself shrinking and eating less and eating healthier, I am SO delighted to say that my cuisine is important to me, but in new and better ways.

I will always always love food. Now, I can say it's not an abusive relationship. We're well on our way to harmonious living.