Mascha van Tongeren

It’s been really sad. Last week Holland lost the World Cup to Spain and I have been binging for 2+ months which pretty much turned me into a headcase with low self esteem and my body started to resemble the body of the Michelin Man.

Heavily disappointed in some of our fine soccer players that could’ve written Dutch history and become overnight heroes that day …we left Times Square and I went home to do one of the things I do best when I am upset … nap.

A couple of hours later my friend Andrew text-ed me that he was going to be in my area with his brother Joseph and if I wanted to come out for a bit. I figured, why not … these are the last 5 hours of the last day of my ‘ eat – and – drink – all – you – can – possibly – eat – and – drink ‘ days. We went to Ravel here in Astoria. I got dropped off back home a little bit before twelve and I decided that the restaurant downstairs would be the place to drink my last couple of shots/ cocktails for the next 90 days …

The following day … Monday July 12th 2010 … I was hungover, felt like a total slob … a loser… it was the perfect day to start my new lifestyle … one of no more alcohol , no more sugar and no more salt … well at least for the next 90 days.

I have to admit that that first day, I was kinda lost. I realized that everything that tastes good … contains sodium and the more sodium … the better it’ll taste. Basically I threw out everything that I had in the fridge and cabinets. Except for the black truffle salt. I love that salt – and it loves me. So the cabinets are pretty empty and so is the fridge … no more fabulous Brianna’s peach-poppy seed salad dressings , creamy garlic dressings or terriyaki sauces … even the mustard had to go.

Fast forward 7 days … things are looking up. I am getting kinda used to cooking my way through the day. I eat more than I have ever eaten … it’s just clean. Cooked from scratch. I lost 5.6 pounds so far and I know … it’s mostly water weight … but that doesn’t make me less happy !!

This weekend I went to a b’day dinner party at a noodle restaurant. My dinner consisted of rice -> $3 , salmon sashimi -> $7 and a couple of glasses of water. Say what ? Not only am I getting healthy, losing weight and in fantastic shape [watch out bitches !] … I am going to save lots of money ! It’s a win win situation !

There are quite a few advantages to cleaning up my poor eating and drinking habits

I go to bed early … every day before 12 o’clock
I have funny – vivid dreams
my acne is getting a bit less
I am losing weight
I am saving money
I feel so much better about myself
I am excited to work again
My mind is not as messed up from the alcohol, hangovers and guilt trips and I am starting to see things a bit more in perspective. I think that this time around , sticking to what I want and believe in is right and real and letting go of what I don’t want and believe to be wrong, false or bad for me in general, will be more manageable as I am feeling stronger and better about myself every day.
I have a lot of time to pursuit new hobbies , start making new friends and rekindle old ones.

I am kinda laughing about myself because I sound like an idiot … but I do mean it … I feel like I am RENEWING myself … just like Ramona from the cast of the Real Housewives of NY haha … seriously … I am all about it.