Cut the Crap-Special Words

Just wanted to let you know you’re not alone! I don’t have the office parties to contend with (since I work from home), but that doesn’t seem to really reduce the CRAP I am surrounded by on a daily basis. So, since you’ve shared so much with us I thought I’d return the favor on a few lessons learned.

1: If you take your kid and her friend to the movie and she wants popcorn (WITH butter), you will have to sit for at least 90 minutes with a bucket of CRAP in the lap of the person next to you. My solution? I bought a 10-pack of red striped “popcorn bags” from the dollar store and split one popcorn among the attendees. I let them have the buttered stuff on top and took my popcorn from the bottom of the bag where the butter didn’t reach. So I ate less crap and the kids were happy.

2: “Just Say NO” works for events where CRAP is served just as well as it works for drugs… wait… isn’t overeating an addiction too? Anyway, I seem to be getting more and more invitations to parties, gatherings, home shows (Pampered Chef, 31 party, etc.) where junk will be served. I’ve simply said “no thanks” to three of them in the last 2 weeks! Bottom line… I wouldn’t invite an alcoholic to a bar, so why constantly put myself around foods that tempt me? If I’m not there… I can’t be tempted.

3: When you want to eat something, drink instead. I seldom crave chocolate, but when I do I want that Snickers right THEN. Of course, since I’m watching those refined sugars closely now, the cravings last week were frequent and intense. But instead of eating, I got some Nestle “No Sugar Added” hot chocolate. Whenever that craving hits me now, I sip a cup of hot chocolate which satisfies me and stops the cravings. A hot cup of Vanilla Chai tea with Splenda does the trick too!

4: If you wanna CUT the crap, CONTROL the crap. Instead of heading off to spend Thanksgiving with one of my relatives and wondering what they’ll have that’s even remotely healthy to eat, I’m cooking at my place. That means I get to decide how much fat, sodium, starch, refined sugar and processed CRAP ends up on the table and in my family!

5: Cutting the CRAP can make a life changing difference.
My daughter Katrina and I had a moment yesterday. About 6 weeks ago, she wrapped her arms around me at a friend’s house and my friend said, “Look Katrina… a few more inches and you’ll be able to hug Mommy all around.” There was a gap of about 5 inches between her hands.

Yesterday morning, she wrapped her arms around my back to say good morning, and she immediately started screaming. I didn’t know WHAT was wrong with her!! But she was excited because for the first time in her life, when she hugged Mommy… her fingers touched!!!

Can I just tell you that she was SO excited she jumped up and down and danced around like it was Christmas morning. I think she told everyone she SAW yesterday that her mommy has “lost some pounds.” It was hilarious but it made me feel great.

Thanks for all you do. You have given us all even more to be Thankful for this holiday season.