Today I went to the health food store and bought like a single person. All of the snack foods I crave, all of the body soaps I like, and even a vegan lunch that was new and adventurous for me. While the kale "sunshine salad" was a bit too onion-y for me, the rest felt extravagant. Who am I, a mother of 5 to go to the store and not buy everyone else's stuff? Who am I to get special toothpaste and pizzas no one else will like or eat? Truly it was wonderful.

Have you ever thought about that? What would you buy at the grocery store if you didn't have to worry about pleasing anyone else? I know that this is a reality for some, for me, it's a rarity. Not that I am unhappy with my choices, sometimes it's fun to visit the other side of the fence, romp around, then come back home.

After I was satiated at Whole Foods, I took my vegan lunch and went to the dog park (without Cousteau) and ate. Watched the dogs chase their balls and ate TWO salads - and no one was there to whine about it. It was silent, because my windows were up. The sky glowed blue through my sunroof, the trees budded around me and the park was alive with happy dogs. Glorious.

Why did I do all of this? Well, this morning started out with my usual 5am yoga practice, then I hurriedly worked for a few minutes, jumped in the shower and went to my doctor's office for my annual physical. Yup - the works. Pap smear, blood work, EKG, all of my vitals and ended with a good crunch (my doctor is a DO, so I get "crunched" as often as possible to keep in alignment.)

I don't know about you, but my annual physical is much dreaded. While on one hand, I am grateful to be one of those few Americans with good health insurance, I still don't like to go to the doctor - and I love my doctor! He and I have the same beliefs about working towards prevention vs. reaction to our health. He is the last person to recommend surgery and I like that a lot. He is always telling me horror stories about people who went under the knife without trying other methods first. Gall bladders removed, knees replaced, spinal columns fused - he will not authorize that as a first resort. He wants to see us work in a natural way as much as possible to see results. I can deal with that. I appreciate that. And still, I don't like to go.

Treating myself to a wicked Whole Foods trip wasn't so bad. I could also look at it as continuing the trend of healthy eating as much as I can. My doctor told me I am his poster child for going natural. Now that, I really like to hear. Music to my ears. I will hum that tune to myself when I crack open that organic wine I bought earlier today. Chocolate anyone?

Ana Lewis