Now, only a month
has passed since Christmas, and I’m already munching on the Valentine
chocolates. I’m addicted to chocolate. Is there a 12-step program for people
like me? What is it about this stuff?
Scientists tell
us the taste is probably addictive because it affects serotonin levels in the
brain. That’s the problem. Temptation is a war of the flesh. Anything that
tastes good or feels good is hard to control.
There’s nothing
wrong with chocolate. It’s actually good for your health—but sugar isn’t, especially
too much. Another temptation to struggle with, and if you’re like me, it’s a
lifelong struggle.
Wanting to limit
sugar intake isn’t enough, neither is the desire to do right. It takes will.
The will involves more than thinking or saying, “I’m going to do it.” The will
does it. Denying yourself, even of chocolate, is like a sacrifice offered to
God. I think of the will to do righteousness as that sweet smelling savor
rising up to the heavens.
It’s still a
struggle, but I will buy those apples and snack on apple slices instead of over-indulging
in chocolate, though I’ll probably dip some of them in chocolate.
What foods do you
find hard to resist?
I love this post. I love chocolate. I love tortilla chips and salsa. This post speaks to me. I seem to have no will power but I did buy a bag of apples yesterday. Apparently, great minds think alike.
ReplyDeletemauback55 at gmail dot com
Melanie, you're one of my favorite commenters. I like tortilla chips too, but with guacamole dip. The avocado makes it healthy, right? We won't even think of all those calories. Sometimes I rationalize too much.
DeleteVery fun article, Elaine. Thanks for sharing. Personally, apples and peanut butter are one of my favorite snacks, but I'm also a chocolate addict. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Amber, I keep the pantry stocked with peanut butter for emergencies--you know, like hurricanes or two-inch snow storms like we just had. It keeps well, has lots of protein, and tastes good on anything.
DeleteOoh, chocolate is at the top of my list of foods I find hard to resist. Well, most any sweets are on that list! Like you said, it does takes willpower to keep from overindulging in these sweet treats.
ReplyDeletetexaggs2000 at gmail dot com
Thanks for stopping by, Britney. You're right, the key is to keep from overindulging. Moderation in everything. But that's easier said than done.
DeleteI'm totally with you on the chocolate <3
ReplyDeleteand I'd be dipping the slices in chocolate right beside you =)
EnJoy - make it dark chocolate & it's even healthy for us ;))
That's so true, and I like dark chocolate, even semi-sweet. But if we'd just kept consuming our chocolate in a bitter brew like the Aztecs, it would be very healthy. Then the Europeans mixed it with sugar and made it taste good. Let's just blame them.
DeleteGreat post. Funny, I just read an article on fb this morning that ties into this. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2546975/One-twin-gave-sugar-gave-fat-Their-experiment-change-YOUR-life.html Maybe you'll benefit from reading it as well. I use to have ice cream every day. It's dairy, what could be so wrong about it, right? After I discovered my cholesterol was up, and started having issues with my hear tracing. I had to rethink what I was eating. Cut out the small piece of dark chocolate every day (it was only a bite, how harmful could it be?) Stop drinking the powered forms of hot chocolate and French vanilla cappuccino. I needed to keep warm, right? UGH! All of these things I craved, and loved, but were doing me so much hard. Loaded with sugar. I never thought it possible, but I no longer have ice cream every night, stopped the daily chocolate -for the most part, and reduced greatly, the hot drinks loaded with sugar. At least the latter is only during the colder months. I heard once that a habit can be made or broke in 30 days. Just 30 days. So if you can stick it out for 30 days, life will be easier and better.
ReplyDeleteWaving to Kym, one of my writing buds. Thanks for health article. Breaking a habit can be done. I, too, cut out ice-cream and don't even miss it, except for the French silk with the big chocolate chunks.
DeleteI can stay away from chocolate, pasta...everything but bread. I love rolls, fresh bread, sourdough bread.,bread.bread. :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Patricia
DeleteIn my effort to cut out processed foods this year, I'm going to start making my own bread, but I'm afraid that's going to turn into a whole new temptation.
I can't think of anything better to blog about than CHOCOLATE!!!!! A batch of my mothers home made fudge is my absolute favorite treat. It's probably a good thing she only makes every once in awhile. Your right, Elaine the Brits are to blame for making such a sweet treat. Lol!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment, Dana. Homemade fudge is my favorite form of chocolate. Store bought just doesn't have that flavor, and you don't get to scrape the pan.
DeleteHi Elaine! I am coming over from Twitter via Laura Hodges Poole.
ReplyDeleteOh my. I do love my chocolate that's for sure. Oh, and ice cream too! I think I'm probably addicted. If you find that 12 Step Program, please share it!!
Happy to meet you today :)
Ceil