Page 7 in the OA 12×12 Arrested My Bulimia + Quick & Easy Garlicky Salmon & Asparagus

Page 7 in the OA 12×12 Arrested My Bulimia + Quick & Easy Garlicky Salmon & Asparagus

I first began to attend Overeaters Anonymous many years ago. I was fortunate to have hit a very hard bottom with my health and bulimia struggles, so swiftly sought a sponsor and began working the steps in earnest. Much to my surprise, abstinence came rather easy for me despite my eating disorder of more than 12 years. I read page 7 in the Second Edition of The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous and took those words very much to heart:

“As long as we refuse to recognize that we have this debilitating, progressive, and ultimately fatal disease, we are not motivated to get the daily treatment that brings about our recovery. Denial of the truth leads to destruction. Only an honest admission to ourselves of the reality of our condition can save us from our destructive eating.”

Those three sentences bored themselves into my brain, and in that process, I found abstinence from my compulsive cycles of binge eating and purging all manner of sugar, flour, and chocolate.

Although I had not been especially large, I had grown increasingly sick and my body had become bloated. I was  definitely showing signs of poor health. Despite my purging and laxative abuse, excess weight was beginning to pack itself onto my tall frame. My poor teeth and belly were becoming a greater and greater problem given the dental damage and digestive harm I had been doing as a result of my vomiting and laxative abuse. I wanted it not to be true, but I knew I had to stop or that could die. As a result, the words on page 7 proved to be my wake-up call.

My food plan is rather simple. I stick to whole and healthy foods that are neither processed nor altered in any way, so most of my meals consist of lean poultry or fish, lots of leafy and cruciferous vegetables (raw and/or cooked), seasonal fruits, and healthy fats such as olive oil, nuts, avocadoes, or grassfed butter. I struggle with portion distortion, so I do weigh and measure my food and find that this proved extremely helpful. Should I go out to dinner, I will estimate my food portions, but I always wind up bringing home at least half of what is served given the large sizes most restaurants serve up today.

I’m in menopause now, so starches (such as potatoes and rice) had to be removed from my food plan to eliminate the weight regain that began when my hormonal changes came about. I admit it wasn’t easy to give up foods I had been enjoying for years in OA, but it was necessary for me to remain healthy and to continue to enjoy the clothes I fit into comfortably. My sponsor and other OA friends, who had also gone through menopause, shared the changes they had to face and make upon entering menopause. It helped to know that I was not alone, and that I too, could and would survive the changes to my plan of eating simply by leaning more into my program and calling upon the grace and mercy of my loving Higher Power.

I’m a BIG water drinker, and love to hike and bike, so I live with a large aluminum water bottle always at my side. Happily, all the headaches I once suffered with are gone and likely because I’m no longer dehydrated or consuming massive amounts of sugary or salty junk foods. Unlike some, I do need to avoid caffeine. Coffee is simply too hard on both my tummy and my nerves. Instead, I drink herbal teas, should I seek something hot to drink, and so I get to enjoy lots of yummy flavors from orange spice to peppermint, and my favorite, vanilla chamomile.

I regularly attend 4 online OA meetings a week, work the steps with 3 to 4 sponsees at any given time, and check-in with my sponsor twice a month, or more often if life proves a bit more challenging. I’ve worked and reworked the steps with her every other year, and am active in meeting-level service and within my local Intergroup. I’ve come to find that my life is good when I am working with a new sponsee or enjoying fellowship with the various friends I’ve made over the years in OA. One day at a time is not just a slogan, but a way of life for me now.

The recipe below is a quick one my husband and I enjoy on those nights when we’re busy or need something quick and delicious before heading out for a bike ride. We both love fresh, wild-caught salmon, and eat it at least twice a week for the Omega-3 and the great taste. Plus, asparagus is one of our favorite vegetables – and the garlic and onion really make the meal extra delicious!

Quick & Easy Garlicky Salmon & Asparagus

Ready in about 20 minutes, it’s perfect for both a busy night or when company pops in!

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs salmon (4 fillets)
• 1.5 lbs asparagus (trim off white ends)
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 1 tbsp minced parsley
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp Himalayan salt
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• 4 large lemon slices

Cooking Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Use a large, rimmed, baking pan: spray with a non-stick spray.
• Place the salmon fillets in the center of the baking sheet, allowing a bit of space between each.
• Arrange the asparagus around the edges of the baking sheet.
• Whisk the butter, garlic, parsley, and onion powder together. Drizzle the butter mixture over the salmon and asparagus.
• Sprinkle the salmon and asparagus with salt and pepper.
• Place 1 slice of lemon over each salmon fillet.
• Bake for approximately 12-14 minutes or until the salmon flakes when you pierce it with a fork and it shows it is cooked through.
• Serve hot, reserving any remaining garlicky butter for atop the salmon.

– A Grateful Recovered Bulimic