Mind Trickery

I've been trying to cut back, just a tiny bit, but I do what every other committed food-junkie would do: replace one bad habit with another. Shopping!! Shopping is wondrous because if I over-haul, I can take the junk back the next day. It is not entirely intentional, it just sort of happens--the buy-it-then-return-it cycle. I buy something I believe I MUST have to move forward in life, then I get the "stomach ache," typical buyer's remorse. It's not so big a problem as food and sedentary life-style. If shopping made me gain weight I would be a good-looking, plus-size model (a comfortable size 12): heavy, but nothing outrageous. Unfortunately with food there is no receipt. "Taking it back" is called bulimia.

I've found a couple things that make me feel like I have indulged when I really haven't. The first is Salt N' Vinegar kettle chips. When I crave salt, I can't go to any regular potato chip--the bag would be mostly empty in just 10 minutes time. Instead I eat Salt N' Vinegar Kettle Brand chips. They are so potent that my tongue can only handle about 5 or 6 chips while still fulfilling my salt craving. The next is Ben and Jerry's--so, so naughty (Yes pumpkin queen, I'm talking to you). I am a little bit lactose intolerant, so I can only eat a few bites of ice cream before my body says, "No more." Oh! You must try the 3 oz. container. It comes with a little spoon; perfect for cheating on-the-go. But, as I said in my last post, there are some treats that are simply off-limits. It's just a matter of coming to terms with those limits. What if I had a little burial for all of my naughty treats? That might be funny, but honestly, I'd be grave-robbing within a few hours.

Luckily I have recently discovered a little mind-trick for the shopaholic in me: Craig's List. While it is wildly popular, I just made my first purchase--a whole garbage bag of girl clothes for $15! There were more than 30 items inside, and sorting through them was like Christmas morning. I am going to wash them in hot, hot water, maybe twice. My sister-in-law tells a horrific second-hand story of buying a fur coat that caused a lice epidemic in her dormitory, YIKES.

I need to find a trick for one particular spending obsession: Calico Critters--overpriced little animal figurines with tiny clothes and accessories, way too cute for any self-control. I love toys and having a daughter is the perfect excuse to buy too many of them. I decided to set aside a little money to buy critters for potty training motivation. I've only purchased two little animals, but I've been simply obsessed with them. They are my spending version of the powdered doughnut. When I am kicked out of my apartment and swimming in animal figurines, I'll know that it is time to go on a crash toy diet.