Why Justify?

I don't ask people to justify things to me often.  In fact I am pretty tolerant of most things (barring violence etc., let's call that a given and move on).  I feel that people are basically deserving of living their lives the way they would like to live them, given that they are doing so without harm to those around them.  Okay, this is not a preachy session so moving on.  The point is.  Live and let live.  And its really worked.  I try to be as accepting of other's ways of life as possible in the hope that in return I will be given some leeway when they see me in line at the video store with some cheesy sci-fi for flick I have seen a bazillion times or if I'm caught redhanded listening to Madonna (you know you do it too).  But lately I have found myself justifying to every person I meet my eating habits.  This baffles me.  For years and years I ate the JCG diet.  Junk, crap and garbage.  I wallowed in fast food, eating out most nights and going to the store with a list that often included more food manufactured in a plant than food manufactued on plants.  I got "chunky" and have always been pudgy and no one said anything.  Nobody raised an eyelid if I bought Lean Cuisines by the dozen or if my cart was filled with chips, ice cream and soda. 

Lately I find that everytime I start to load my groceries onto the conveyer belt I am met with raised eyebrows by those around me and soemtimes by the cashiers themselves. I raise up my chin, prepared for the questions and answer session as I remain pinned between a stranger buying Corn Nuts and Mentos to soak up his Red Bull and mom buying organic milk to wash down her Ding Dongs and the questions, it seems, are always there.  "What's up with all the Gluten-free stuff?" Really none of your business but, "We have some intolerance going around."  Which is usually met with rounds of sympathy, disdain or that shared look amongst the group that says "Yea, right, crazy lady on a bandwagon." 

Why?  I have lost almost 15 pounds.  I am not taking medication for my ADD.  My daughter eats better than I ever did.  My husband does not complain of chronic mouth pain or stomach problems.  Why should these people judge me now that I have made a health choice for my family?  Where were they when I was in line at 2 in the morning for Dick's cheeseburgers and fries after work?  Or when I couldn't decide between yellow and chocolate Zingers when I was pregnant so I ate both and washed them down with a Slurpee that could have drowned a small colony of rats?  Now that I have health and wellness why do they look at me like I'm a freak?  And don't even get me started on teh looks I get when they find out about the meatlessness!! You'd think I was announcing plans to terrorize school children with bowls full of peeled grapes calling them eyeballs. 

I mean, is it really so bad?  That I want to feel good and be around to see my daughter grow up and this works for me?  There are people who are out there killing other people with guns and you have to judge me becuase I don't want to eat wheat? Really. Come on.  Let's get over it.  And if you are really feeling sorry for me, pick up some flourless truffle brownies, the ones in the blue and white striped box and whip up a batch.  Heck, splurge on some organic butter and make 'em really naughty.  I dare you to feel sorry for me after you've tasted those bad boys.  Believe me, Zingers? Peeshaw.