YES!!! I said NO!
Well, well, well. I guess you can teach a middle aged dog new tricks! Let me set the stage. I was at a superbowl party. The setting was beautiful and the spread was massive. Delectable treats included the most stylish, checkerboard pattern Mexican dip, shrimp, chicken wings, bbq chicken wings, hot wings, ribs, ground turkey sliders, ground beef/cheese sliders, buffalo chicken dip, crab boil with shrimp, potatoes, and corn, pasta salad, green salad, individual, well-seasoned and cooked to perfection -LAMB CHOPS! Giiirrrrlllll, it was a par-tay! There were also chips and fried chicken with waffles as well as desserts and drinks.
Ok, so, my plate was full of protein and no carbs! No bun for the burger, no ships for the dip, no waffle. I tried to grab some of the tri-colored pasta salad, but ended up with a spoon-full of diced peperoni, green pepper and tomato. Thanks Universe! It was good with a capital G! Everything was made with love and just the right seasoning.
I tried to escape before the desserts were brought out because I know myself. And, after seeing the main dishes that these ladies had created, I knew the final course was gonna be good. You will not believe it. She brought out the trifecta in little, cute, perfectly arranged dishes.
Banana pudding - instantly brought memories of the big, yellow, ceramic bowl my dad used when he made this for hot summer holidays.
Punch-Bowl cake - I have never heard of this or tried it before, which was just about enough justification for me to take a spoon and slide it down into the colorful, multi-layered goodness.
Cheesecake, with cherries - Oh, NO SHE DIDN’T! Yes, she did. Cheesecake is my favorite dessert. It is what I crave when I’m happy, sad, hungry, full, celebrating, mourning, remembering or forgetting. Cheesecake with visible layers of graham cracker crust, filling and bright red fruit topping.
I didn’t touch it. Had the hostess been a food-pusher, I would have given in. She offered, I declined, and then she made her way to the others in the room. I’m sure I was staring and drooling a bit, which might have been her clue to keep moving.
This is worth celebrating! Now, that brings me to wondering why we celebrate so often with unhealthy food. I am no longer talking about the party and not contemplating my family. Why is it that, when I say I should celebrate, my mind instantly goes to ice cream, chocolate or the two bites of cheesecake my daughter is saving for her after-school snack? Today is Valentine’s Day. Cookies, brownies, chocolates, candy hearts are what the holiday is all about. But, it’s not. It’s about love; love of others and love of self. I want to change the thinking around holidays and celebrations in our home. I’m not ready to rid the house of sugar, carbs and goodies (or shall we call them baddies?!) I will make gluten-free, sugar free brownies that are on the back of my almond flour bag. If I cut them into hearts, my kids will still get the point that I love them, right? If I suggest a Valentine’s Day family walk, it might start the change I want to see. The example I want to be.
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