Spending 2 days in Sydney was just what I needed to ease into my 2-month long  holiday. The city has not changed in the past 11 years since I lived on Castlereagh Street! Walking up and down George and Pitt Streets, everything felt the same. And it was easy for me to adapt to the city again after such a hiatus.

These past 2 days were also the last of my food restricted days….offically. Sydney is a food city. Every few steps I was in view of offerings: pies (What’s with this Pie Face chain??? They are everywhere), cupcakes, fast food of every desire, al la carte side-walk dining, ice cream, sushi….you name it, it was in my face.

But not IN my face, if you know what I mean. I did not sway from my plan. Not because I am that strong but because I honestly didn’t want all that rubbish (except the sushi…that’s not rubbish). The cakes looked good but I’ve gone without for 4 months now and it’s out of my system. Plus, I’m still afraid that one taste will send me on a binge.

Binge Eating. Here’s what Wikipedia says about it.

“Binge eating is a pattern of disordered eating which consists of episodes of uncontrollable eating. It is sometimes as a symptom of binge eating disorder or compulsive overeating disorder. During such binges, a person rapidly consumes an excessive amount of food. Most people who have eating binges try to hide this behavior from others, and often feel ashamed about being overweight or depressed about their overeating. Although people who do not have any eating disorder may occasionally experience episodes of overeating, frequent binge eating is often a symptom of an eating disorder. A 2009 study of female rats concluded that binge eating of sweet-fat food alters opioid receptors in the nucleus of the solitary tract.”

After reading that, I may have to stop using the term binge. I do not feel I have an eating disorder and I am certainly not overweight or depressed because of my eating habits.

Nonetheless, I do have a mental thing going on with food and I do need to consider my relationship with certain foods before I consume them.

The very good news is that I officially know I’m not allergic to yeast, gluten or dairy. I may have some slight intolerances and need to have those items in moderation but allergy is not the case.

So tempt me fancy, colorful,chemically induced cupcakes if you will but I have found a new respect for my body and my biggest desire is to remain healthy. I will indulge at times (will I?) but food has no hold over me anymore.

Tomorrow, I’m off to Canada to re-discover the tastes of my youth. Dare I say donuts, pizza, McCain frozen cake, cool whip, donair, egg rolls and my favorite: coffee with cream……So glad that Vancouver is full of Asians and their healthier food options.  My fall back meal if I cannot find anything wheat, yeast, red meat and dairy free is always Sushi. Good thing I love it!!

Not sure what I’ll do on my 14-hour flight to LAX though. I hope I requested an Asian meal. If it comes down to eating a bread roll or starvation, I may choose the bread…..I’ll just see how I’m feeling at the time.  So long Sydney! I still love you.