Food Issues

Hello Everyone:

It's lovely quiet Wednesday afternoon and I've got some time for my thoughts.  My thoughts are wandering at the moments.  Part of this has to do with all the technology at my disposal and the other part has to do with things of varying degrees of importance.  I will try to focus my attention.  Today I met a cashier at my local chain grocery store who, like me, is a Lacto-ovo vegetarian.  She shared that she's been a vegetarian for ten years and could related to some of the things I've been dealing with: repeated trips to the washroom (sorry TMI) and other people's reactions.  What sparked this conversation was her ringing up my purchases and observing that my basket resembled her typical shopping trip.  That was nice to hear it.  She also complimented me on how healthy I eat.  I told her that my healthy eating habits are a result of joining Weight Watchers five-and-half years ago.  My point is that it felt good to get positive feedback and support for other people regarding my food choices.  So often I get criticized for preferring healthier, smaller quantities of food instead of the mindless, somewhat unhealthier choices.  I know it sounds like first world problems but unfortunately, this is what I'm surrounded by.  It seems like a Catch-22 situation, on the one hand, I'm encouraged to eat healthier and be more active, while at the same time, I get criticized for it.  A no win situation. With Passover coming and the plethora of long, heavy meals, there's going to be even more judgement. All that judgement and the sideways looks make me feel extremely self-conscious.  I feel like I have to justify everything that goes into my mouth.  I hate that and it detracts from my enjoyment of the company and meal.  Mom does this on an almost daily basis.  For example, yesterday evening I prepared a dinner of pasta, white beans, and vegetables for myself.  Mom immediately zoomed in on the tomatoes I'd thrown in, commenting on their use.  It bothered me to the point where I, in essence, told her to leave me alone.  I say that a lot to my mom.  Just leave me alone.  She's seems to always be fixated on everything I do.  I guess it's because she really has nothing else to do with her time and I seem to be, by default, her only constant source of company.  She's had me under a microscope almost since birth.  It's really messed me up, all the critique and analysis.  Food is a big issue because mom has all these weird food issues that go beyond the norm into just plain ridiculous.  One big thing is holiday food.  Not only does she insist on preparing the same old, same old but also insists that everyone eat every last bite of it.  Frankly, mom's cooking has lost its appeal.  Of course the answer is for me to prepare my own meals, which I do for the most part, but when I try to cook for the both of us it turns into such a hassle that's it's so not worth it.  Thus when I get positive feedback, like today, it boosts my spirits.