03/07/10
PMS Chocolate and Rainy Day Cookies -
Categories: Just when I thought I’d uncovered all my hidden triggers for food addictions, I woke to discover a brand new one – one I’d never considered before. Who knew that weather could trigger powerful eating urges? Lo and behold, it seems as though rainy days have a power all their own.
We’re experiencing colder than normal temperatures in the desert southwest this year, coupled with an above-average rainfall. In my mind, a cold, rainy day translates to BAKING! I awoke to rain and I can’t stop my mind from dwelling on how baking cookies or cupcakes today would make for the perfect relaxing Sunday afternoon.
There’s something about letting the heat of the oven warm the kitchen and family room as we huddle under blankets. Eating cookies warm from the oven, watching movies all day and sneaking in a cat nap or two conjures up images of paradise to me.
I know I could still do all those things, minus the warm cookies and substitute a fresh-popped bag of healthy popcorn, but my flesh wants the cookies! And then I want to bake cupcakes and lick icing off the knife and decorate them with crushed Oreos and drink hot chocolate swimming in marshmallows and whipped cream. And OMG somebody please stop me before I give myself a sugar stroke!
I can’t get these images out of my head. Blame it on the rain! I was fine until it started raining cats and dogs. The radar shows this to be a storm likely to last a couple of hours. Once the rain is gone, it’s still going to be a chilly afternoon – so … how am I going to survive without the cookies and cupcakes?
My plan – and there really must be a plan – first, I’m going to avoid The Food Network channel for my afternoon TV viewing. Because let’s face it, according to the comedian Jim Gaffigan, that’s just porn for food junkies and he’s so right. It’s also important not to watch movies that pertain to food, for example, while the movie Julie and Julia was one of my favorite movies of last year – not a great idea to watch that when I’m in the throes of massive sugar cravings.
Trying to get my brain to focus on something other than food will be a herculean task, but not an insurmountable one. I have many options that aren’t food related, such as DVDs, reading, napping or maybe even a board game with the family when my grandson comes over. Half the battle is fighting the thoughts in my head and if I replace those thoughts of food cravings with positive alternatives, I may have a prayer. Just like PMS doesn’t have to mean chocolate, rainy days don’t have to equal cookies.
Of course a sure fire cure would be to go upstairs and rummage through my closet and maybe pull out all the clothes I’ve outgrown in the last couple of years. Maybe by trying to squeeze into clothes I used to wear comfortably will provide enough incentive to take my mind off cookies and cupcakes, at least for today.
Conquering this rainy day battle is just that, one rainy day and I’m a long way from winning the war on excess weight. But this is a war I must fight one day at a time, one cookie at a time.
Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain. ~ Author Unknown
22One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. 23As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. 24The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25″Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” Luke 8:22-25 (NIV)
PRAYER FOR TODAY: Thank you Lord for the rain that is such a blessing in the desert. I ask for strength to not allow the weather to trigger my desire for sugar and help me to overcome these urges to eat the wrong foods today. I thank you for all life’s blessings. In your name I ask all these things, Lord Jesus. Amen.
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