Day 7 started strong – I woke up with lots of energy, ate a big breakfast, had some cold brew coffee before church, and was scheduled for nursery duty with the 1-year-olds. (Nothing improves my mood like giving hugs and high-fives to wobbly toddlers.)

I realized how much more difficult it is to stick to this challenge when meals aren’t pre-planned, and shamelessly went to Chipotle for the second day in a row.

Bam! (I asked for extra meat this time.) My hunger was INTENSE! I’m so thankful for this fast food option.

We spent the afternoon preparing meals for Monday, which was a bit torturous, being surrounded by delicious food smells, knowing none of it was for immediate consumption. (I finally realized why my room always smells like food – the intake vent for our climate control is next to the kitchen. Imagine me, sitting on my bed, trying to resist cravings, while regularly inundated with bursts of chicken-stock flavored air.)

The cravings. They have come.

I went to a 1-year birthday party, and spent the whole time avoiding the strawberry shortcake and beer. The hosts graciously had some unsweetened strawberries and raw veggies I could eat, and those fresh-picked sugar snap peas were delicious…but they’re no homemade shortbread.

After the party, I had a long, unscheduled evening, and I knew the boredom would lead to many cravings. There were many near-tearful moment of opening the cupboard or freezer (WHY DO WE HAVE LEFTOVER ICE CREAM?), staring longingly at something sweet, and then refilling my water glass.

The thing was, I could tell I wasn’t hungry. My stomach was full. A bit too full, probably from that Chipotle, and overindulging in strawberries. But I FELT empty. I feel it now, as I’m attempting to describe it – this sad, mournful emptiness in my throat. YOU GUYS THESE CRAVINGS ARE NO JOKE!

I ate the last of the chicken salad for dinner, and was thankful for the freshness and sweetness of our neighbors’ lettuce. And then I went to bed early, hoping I’d dream about eating ice cream. (If I did, I don’t remember it.)