The "D" word - DIET! Four little letters that, when strung together, somehow carry enough fire power to make all of us run for cover, right? Actually it doesn't have to be that way at all. Maybe we should replace our old notion about the "D" word with the "F" word - FORGET that!

Let's look at the word "diet" for a minute, shall we? It's an interesting word and for a lot of us, conjures up past, horrifying visions of tasteless salads, tiny meals and the agonizing thought that we can never again sink our teeth into a chewy chocolate brownie. Good grief, the word is d-i-e-t not d-e-a-d! Look, all the word diet really means is whatever it is that we choose to eat most often or on a daily basis.

For a moment, let's entertain a whole new way to think about the word diet. Are you sitting down? Maybe you should be because...well, I'm just going to say it - the word "diet" has no actual power, except what YOU give it. None whatsoever! You ok? Still breathing? Seriously though - don't give it any power. It's a word, which you have the power to redefine, at any given time, to whatever you want to eat and whatever fits your life - right now. It doesn't matter what happened when you were 6, it doesn't mater that your Aunt Rosie is a dietician and has all the answers, it doesn't matter that you live above a bakery and smell donuts all day - you have choices about what passes your lips - YOU choose.
So if you want your diet to be all Snicker's bars, Corn Chips and Coke (or donuts) it certainly can be - it's your call. Sounds like a party - you may need reconstructive surgery after your gastric bypass in a few years - but still, your call. On the flip side, if you want your diet to be all steamed broccoli, spinach shakes and the occasional wheat grass shooter, then go for it! You may have more willpower (and less taste buds) than most - but hey, I've heard its not easy being green!

When choosing your daily diet you may want to consider calories and portion sizes, different food textures and their mouth feel, times of day you often eat and how many calories you expend during exercise at the gym or playing basketball with friends. The bottom line is you can't screw up a diet if it's on your own terms. If you love bananas, peanut butter and bagels then figure out a way to fit them in to your meals as much as you want without compromising your goals. If you hate carrot sticks, 12 grain bread and cantaloupe then no matter how healthy they are, don't eat them just because you think you should - it won't work. If you are trying to eat foods considered healthy because you think you should (or somebody tells you to) any success with enjoying your diet OR weight goals will be short lived. If you don't enjoy what you eat - you will not keep eating it.

So let's not be afraid of the "D" word anymore. Just think, you can accomplish any health and weight goals you desire because you have total power to eat and enjoy your diet every single day - how awesome is that? So, now that we have that all cleared up, let's talk about the "B" word - brownies!