Why I Eat.

It's time. Again. Time to reach for the fruits and veggies and put on my walking sneakers. Because the jeans are all tight, with not much improvement even a day or two out of the dryer.

It's too bad that I've been so focused on food lately. My most recent inspiration sparked while cleaning out my pantry. I came across a recipe book I bought years ago, and only used once. Once or twice a month, I figured, I could try a new dessert recipe. Tonight it was from-scratch brownies with from-scratch chocolate frosting. 

I never knew there was such a thing as too much chocolate, but there is, and it's this brownie. That has not stopped me from eating several squares tonight.

In an effort to inspire myself to say no to gluttony, I have decided to examine my indulgence triggers:

Why I Eat

1. Because I am a procrastinator.

 

(Two weeks ago, I procrastinated all weekend and never did get around to putting their hair into buns for ballet.)

2. Because food goes well with laughter.

(Check out Aaliyah--wearing Noah's Spiderman robe, hair style halfway done, complete with a fairy devil costume and a pair of fashion glasses.)

3. Because food is an effective stress reliever.

 

(Kai at Urgent Care the other night - an IV and everything for what the doc there said was a stomach blockage. Shortly after I took this picture, Kai was in an ambulance headed to Texas Children's Hospital for possible surgery, and I was driving behind him wishing I had a big fat cheeseburger. Yes, while most parents would be too panicked to eat, I was suddenly famished. Thankfully, he just had a tummy bug.)

4. Because eating goes well with reading.

 

(I love this Thankful Heart Kai made in school. Notice the church in the center of his heart??)

(And how could a mom read this sweet nugget and not reach for a donut?  "One of my secrets closest to my heart is that I love my twin sisters...")

5. See #3.

(Noah's spelling words were "while," "stick," and "knife.")

 

(For the record, sentence #4 is his replacement for sentence #3.)

6. Self Explanatory.

7. Because food makes all of life's sweet moments a tad bit sweeter.

(The kids were enthralled with the Ipod Noah just saved enough money to buy himself.)

(I know--I am ghastly white. I was so sick that night, but we were going to Disney on Ice for the first time, so I had to suck it up!)

(Love this Halloween pic)

(Oh, the faces!)

Unfortunately, there is no end in sight. Thanksgiving is coming, after all. And this year we have quite a spread planned. Aside from the expected turkey and homemade stuffing, I'm already drooling over the impending Pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, cake, and key lime pie. Okay, maybe not so much the key lime pie. That's N's choice. 


Since I can't seem to curb my eating, I'm mulling over the idea of starting to exercise again. What a concept. The problem is that in my limited spare time, I'd much rather eat and sit on my duff than expend more energy. 


So maybe I will just let myself enjoy a few more weeks of indulgence before I get back on the diet bandwagon.