THE MINDLESS MUNCH

After yesterday's blog, I was bombarded with every kind of recipe and readers told me how they liked their popcorn whether it was sweet and salty with caramel or drizzled with chocolate.  That didn't bode well for any of us.  By evening's end everyone was down the garden path and led astray.  Even my houseguest diverted her travels to Whole Foods and bought popcorn drizzled with chocolate when she arrived home about 7 p.m. last night.  Well we hadn't yet eaten dinner and devoured the bag between us mindlessly munching and talking.  It got worse from there.  We cracked open the wine and waited for the sushi order.  Needless to say, the scale reminded me this morning of last night's indiscretions. 

Now that I am in the mood for confessing, I might as well tell you that I had eaten the popcorn left over from the meeting the day before which was left over from New Year's Eve's party.  I had bagged it and put it away after New Year's and brought it out again on Monday to fill a decorative silver bowl in the middle of the table.  Last night, waiting for Deb, I got hungry.  I started off with a banana which was good but ended up taking measuring cupfuls of cheese coated popcorn from the silver centrepiece. I went back again with my 1 cup measuring cup, then again. 

What can I say, I am still in party mode?  Or, that I am not around long enough to weigh in at Weight Watchers?  That may be true but here it is... the quote of the day "If hunger isn't the problem, then eating isn't the solution".

Solution #1:  PURGE MY PANTRY
I am almost teary-eyed to think I will be saying good-bye to all my favourite popcorn, chips and the like.  All I need is an hour and a garbage bag. 

Solution #2:  PRACTICE SAYING NO
I am always amenable to chillin' or partying.  Sometimes, we all need to say no... to your colleagues, your friends and your family... for the sake of your health.  This is another sad moment for me to deal with when I would rather not do that but here it is "No thank you... No thank you... No thank you!"

Solution #3:  SCRIBBLE EVERY NIBBLE
The only time I don't write every bite is when I transgress ... like last night.  But... Here we go again, mark down the chips from your mate's plate, the granola bar that was stashed in your glove compartment... it is so easy to mindlessly munch.  How about the food tasting especially in Costco?
No Thank you ... Practice Practice Practice and if you must.... SCRIBBLE EVERY NIBBLE.

Solution #4:  PASS THE POPCORN
The fancy stuff is going into a garbage bag this morning.  No more cheese covered, caramel or chocolate drizzled good stuff for me.  I am not saying no to popcorn though.  Like too much dressing on salads and sauces on foods, these things can make good things bad.  So here is the scoop:  three cups of air-popped (and fibre-packed) popcorn made from a quarter cup of kernels in your own kitchen is ok.  You can add a little butter ... a tiny bit but account for it.  Hold the salt but maybe add cinnamon, chili powder or garlic instead.  Voila.... cravings curbed.

Okay, I have said it all.  Now to put it into practice.  Please don't talk to me today about chocolate, caramel or sugar.  I will be busy purging the pantry and the only popcorn I will be eating will be my own from my air popper.