German Chocolate Cake vs. A Bowl of Fruit

It’s an epic battle of snacks.  I realize that epic is similar to amazing and adorbs as words spoken and completely overused, sometimes in grammatically inappropriate situations by a generation younger than me.  However, this battle is truly epic….for realz.

Definition:  epic (verb) e pik  1.  Of epic poetry; celebrating the adventures and achievements of a legendary or traditional hero, in elevated language (i.e. Homer’sOdyssey or Milton’s Paradise Lost)  2.  In style of epic poetry; having some of the characteristics of an epic.  3. Very large or heroic; impressive by virtue of greatness of size, scope, or heroism i.e. a scandal of epic proportions.

In a moment of weakness driving home at 8:30 pm on a Sunday, I stopped at the grocery store for milk and saw in the bakery department the most decadent, gooey, coconut laden German chocolate cake.  In that moment I really wanted, no….needed, that cake.  I brought it home, along with three gallons of milk, a variety of fruit and a couple of other necessities.  I cut myself a slice and was transported to chocolate bliss on angels wings disguised as a fork.  Satisfied and with my sweet tooth craving relived, I packed the cake back up and retired for the evening.

I no longer have the crazed, wild eyed, too-tired-to-listen-to-reason need for chocolate.  However one large cake with only one small slice removed still sits on my counter the next morning.   Here is where the classic good versus evil battle begins.

Did I mention I also purchased fruit?  I love fresh fruit.  My favorite breakfast in the world is eggs benedict, yet a close second is fresh fruit with cottage cheese.  Since I’m usually too pressed for time to poach eggs and make hollandaise sauce, I often opt for the bowl of fruit and cottage cheese.  I purchased the fruit just for this reason.  But that particular morning I am thinking that another piece of delicious German chocolate cake would also make a lovely breakfast.

Ah, mindfulness.

At least now I’m thinking about this instead of heading over to the utensil drawer for the cake slicer!

Heroic eating prevails and I slice up a banana, wash up a handful of blueberries and dice up some pineapple and slop a good helping of cottage cheese on the top.  It is, indeed, delicious.  But I can’t stop thinking about the cake.

I physically remove myself from the kitchen, as I am working from home today and go to my home office.  As I’m working through a couple of writing exercises I am distracted by a combative thought process about that darn cake.  I’m not even hungry and I notice that I’m figuring out what time of day would be best to eat another piece of the cake.  I only finished my breakfast less than an hour before, yet I’m pondering if I should have that cake now, or maybe wait until I have a sandwich and follow up with cake for dessert.  Perhaps cake is better served around 3:00 like English tea time cake.  Yes, I could have a cup of coffee and then cake.  That would allow me to take a bigger slice than if I had the cake right now.  Yes, I have decided that’s what I’ll do; hold off until 3, that means more cake.

WAIT…..WHAT AM I DOING?????  I need to get back to work.  I have real things to do and I should not be completely preoccupied by this cake!

This battle wages on all morning.  I manage to make myself a grilled ham and cheese in the presence of the cake but it just…looks….so….good.  Cake.  It is all I can think about.  Finally, I cave and cut myself a small slice and make myself a promise that this will be the only piece I eat today.  However, hours later, after dinner and when I’m sufficiently tired and devoid of basic reasoning skills, I break that promise and have a second piece.

GAAAAAHHH!!!!

“Of all creatures that breathe and move upon the earth, nothing is bred that is weaker than man.”
― Homer, The Odyssey

Mindful eating, I am discovering has much to do with noticing my own weakness.  I am more likely to make a poor choice with food when I am tired at the end of the day.  Also, purchasing an entire cake isn’t necessary when I only “need” to consume one slice.  By hook or by crook I need to be aware of the choices I am making and remember that making one based on an emotional wants isn’t as wise as choices made on logical needs.

This might be easier than escaping a Cyclops but it is epic just the same.

You can read more of Beth's blog on www.theroadtofaith.com or follow her on facebook at www.facebook.com/theroadtofaith