bourbon | baking | bubbles | babies
I completely expected to write this post about how making caramel for the first time was a spectacular failure. That’s what I want for this blog – not just the beauty shots and wins, but the epic messes, the dropped cupcakes. But apparently I’m getting better at this cooking thing, because these caramels came out pretty close to perfect as far as I can tell (and I taste tested a LOT). Continue reading “Salted Bourbon Caramels”
To quote my dear friend, Gina, “um, what?”
You didn’t read the title wrong. I did. I quit! But don’t think me a quitter. Yes, I’ve quit things in the past. Haven’t we all? Viola – 2 years. Girl Scouts – I’m sure I only finished a year because my mom paid the fees already. The gym – yeah, but only because I saw the skeevy owner canoodling in the gym with a girl who wasn’t his fiancé!
Back to the point – I quit. And not because I couldn’t hack it – I quit because the challenge wasn’t working for me. If you remember, the fitness challenge was 6 weeks no added sugar, no booze, and a bunch of other healthy crap. The husband and I even agreed to cheat days for our sanity. Here’s my issue – the guy who started it boasted excellent results. He lost pounds; he lost inches, and got stronger. Great! I applaud him.
So we’ve done, what three weeks? I’m exercising more, sleeping more, and eating more veggies. I’m taking fish oil pills the size of my pinky. And yet, I gained weight!! I felt way tired, though I’m sure that’s because of 2 allergy attacks, two sick kids, one house crisis, 2 parties and a quick weekend back east.
Making so many things off-limits made me crave them even more (yes, I knew it would be difficult; it’s called a challenge, folks!) and I already crave things like a pregnant lady! On our cheat days, I went nutso. I’m really not exaggerating. Over the weekend, I’m sure I consumed more cake and alcohol than the healthy stuff. It’s as if because I denied myself, when I did allow it, I went all out and gorged myself. It wasn’t pretty.
I’m sure this type of thing works for lots of people. There are a million view points on how to get fit, lose weight, live till we’re old, blah blah. Apparently there’s even a faction who doesn’t think moderation is a good plan. What? Did that blow your mind too??
All I know is this challenge did not work for me. Quite the opposite really – I found myself day dreaming about wine, even though we don’t drink daily and I usually drink bourbon. Suddenly I couldn’t have it and I wanted it every day. And then I’d think: I am NOT an alcoholic! I just want what I can’t have! It also applied to English muffins, taco sauce, and other random things that shouldn’t have sugar, but do.
Then I talked to a friend about it. Trying to cut out sugar and booze didn’t work for her either. Oh thank goodness, I’m not alone in this. So that gave me the nudge I needed to quit without feeling like a quitter. That may not make sense now, but as you get to know me, it will. I promise.
Now, I’ll leave you to it. Me? I’m gonna have myself a little bourbon.