Why Does Fasting Make Me SO Hungry ?

I love to eat.

I have blogged before about the best kind of food (free food, for those who didn't see that post), but to my recollection I have never talked about how much I love eating.  I enjoy the experience of enjoying the food I am eating almost as much as the taste of it.  That said, I usually don't get hungry ... really ... ever.

Homemade pancakes.  Yum!

I eat breakfast sporadically (2-4 times a week).  I skip lunches several times a week as well (I almost never miss BOTH breakfast and lunch so if you're reading this mom, don't freak out!)  I don't miss these meals on purpose as a weight control plan.  I just get busy and don't really think about food that often.  I know some people plan their whole day around their eating and I admire those folks.  I am sure they are healthier than I and secretly I wish I could be more like them.
But I just don't crave food on that kind of regular basis.  With one exception ...

When I am fasting (be it for religious or medical reasons - such as my recent Biometric Health Screening at work), I can think of almost nothing else aside from MY NEXT MEAL!

I know the absence of something, or rather the inability to have that thing, makes you want it more.  But it seems to be an extreme case with me and a specified time of separation from food.


Song Of The Day:
The song "Fall For You" by Secondhand Serenade is all about love ... and the line "because tonight will be the night that I will fall for you over again" sums up my thoughts all day about food when I am fasting.  That break my fast meal is always my favorite one that I fall in love with over again.

...

What Is "Fat Pockets" ?

Some people will read that blog post title and automatically try to correct my grammar ... "Josh, it should be what are fat pockets."

No, no it shouldn't.  It is written correctly.

Fat Pockets is the name of the restaurant Karen and I want to open up eventually.  Josh Jr (our oldest son) wants to be a chef, so it will give him that opportunity.  Don't be quick to judge the name choice as bad for business.  Allow me to explain the thought process here and then you be the judge.

First, a few things you need to know conceptually about Fat Pockets:
 - It will be based in a college town, preferably within walking distance from campus housing.
 - It will only be open from 8:00pm until 4:00am.
            (Yes, you read the am and pm right there).
 - It will serve terribly unhealthy, but decidedly delicious snacky foods.  In fact there will be virtually nothing 'good for you' on the menu.
 - Our slogan / advertising will be based on the phrase

"I can get as fat as I want"

Now ... think about the college experience.  Think about the late night studying or paper-writing that goes on, virtually every day.  Think about the food cravings that you have at that time of the evening.  Now, ask yourself, where do you go to fill those cravings?  The 24-hour convenience store?  Wal-Mart?  Try to beat the clock at a fast-food restaurant?

But how convenient would it be to know that you don't have to rush somewhere for that late night snack?  How nice would it be to just have a plate of cheese and crackers and pepperoni?  Or deep-fried whatever-you-can-think-of?

So what would you like to see on the menu?  Because the dish will likely be named after you (or, if you prefer, after someone that you can't stand) if you are the first to suggest it being on our menu.  Comment below or on the Facebook post of this blog and you can stake your claim to naming rights!


Song Of The Day:
This post has been in draft mode for a long time, just waiting for the right time.  Our good friends, the Amsdens (Kevin and Amy), are the inspiration for this restaurant idea.  Amy always joked about food that we eat too late at night going straight to our 'fat pockets.'  Then, on our Spring Break vacation with their family, their middle son, Derek, told me at one point "I can get as fat as I want."  Since that moment I have been thinking about this post.  Recently, Amy messaged me on Facebook with the song "I'll Be There" by the Escape Club.
What a perfect tie in for this post!  Not only will the Amsden family have to be there when Fat Pockets opens up, but college kids will be saying that to each other when planning to meet at our restaurant for a very late night snack!

...

How do you stop the "Cravings" ?

Everyone gets cravings.  And it is not just food or drink that we crave.  It can be time with people or a break from work and day-to-day life.  You can crave the opportunity to read books or attend sporting events.  Everyone has some "itch" that they just have to scratch every so often.  And just like fasting can make you crave that food even more than usual, any craving can begin to make a person unravel if left unsatisfied for too long.

Cravings don't have to be bad.  You might crave an afternoon run or the "free time" you will have to watch a favorite show or read a book.  Those are not likely to do any harm to anyone, especially not you personally.  But if the "itch" starts calling you, life as you know it can come to a complete stall until you scratch it.

I have LOTS of cravings, some healthy and others ... not so much.  But one in particular just seems to take over my life if too much time passes between "scratching" that itch.  Don't get all weird and start trying to guess or making up cravings that you think fit the description I'll be providing.  I'm not going to share it with anyone (even though that probably makes it sound weird or inappropriate).  Just live in suspense for a while okay?!

I first experienced this particular craving probably over 20 years ago. (Save yourself the lame math related to my age which puts me in my teenage years at this point ... and keep your minds out of the gutter please!)  And since my first introduction to it, I've been more or less hooked.  I've decided numerous times that succumbing to the craving wasn't "like me" and so I have vowed numerous times to stop partaking in it.  But that "itch" just gets stronger and stronger.  I've gone for extended periods of time without giving in to the urge.  I think maybe the longest was close to six months, which may not seem like much but believe me it was in some ways pure torture.  I have convinced myself that there are other "substitutes" that can take the place of it, but they never seem to fully satisfy the craving.  They might buy me another week or two, but that "craving" voice inside my head just keeps calling me back.

I just can't stop my need for this particular craving.  And that disappoints me greatly.  I am not the strongest person alive (physically, mentally, etc. take your pick).  But I don't think I am so weak that I cannot win the battle against this craving.  It's a matter of personal pride now to prove to myself that I can beat it!  Whether or not it has any bearing on anything related to the grand scheme of things, I simply don't like losing!  I don't like thinking that some primitive craving can have that kind of control over me.  Ever!

So we'll see ... we'll see if I can continue to eliminate this craving.  We'll see if an alternative can be found that eliminates the uncontrollable desire for it.  We'll see what kind of weird ideas you readers come up with as to what "my craving" is (although I can guarantee that no one would ever guess it).  If I was a betting man ... I'd bet on me to beat this thing!

But I'll keep you posted ... :)

...