Sweet Tooth Confessions

Confession time.  I have a major sweet tooth.  Some days I seem only to be craving sweets to eat.  Not good at all. I confess my sweet tooth needs to go away.  Far away!

I'm slowly working my family towards  healthier eating habits. We're all healthy and where we need to be as far as weight is concerned. However, I know processed food is not good for our bodies and I'm trying to make a change. I don't think we'll ever be 100% whole foods though that would be great.  I'm willing to make changes while also being realistic. Things like this don't happen overnight.

That being said...my sweet tooth (teeth in reality, every dingle dang one of them) is holding me back.  My cravings definitely cycle and its not always around "that time of the month".  The last week has been sugar central for me.  Not good at all.

My husband will tell you that while I'm not the best cook (thanks honey) I am a good at making desserts, treats and yummy snacks. He says its my talent.  Some are healthy. Most, not so much.

Here are my sweet downfalls:

Anything with chocolate and peanut butter.  Enough said.

Brownies...Full fledge MAJOR addiction people!!

Chocolate chip cookies....Warm and melts out of the oven.

Twizzlers....Funny thing is I don't crave them until I've had one.  Ugh. 

Sponge Candy....It's a Buffalo thing. I had my dad bring back four (don't judge) containers when he visited my brother in February.  I've been really good. I have two tubs left.  Hoping for more in June.

On a positive note, most of the sweets I eat are homemade.  So its not processed and I can control fat and sugar content.  I just have to work on controlling those things.

What foods are your downfall?

Ummm....hubby brought home a big package of Twizzlers and they're calling me.  Excuse me while I run away from them and my sweet tooth cravings!!

Confessions

I have something to confess.  Come closer.  Closer.  Closer, so know one else will hear.
I have a problem and I keep it bottled up inside.  My secret, the last year or so, I've become a compulsive shopper.  No not clothes.  Not shoes.  Nothing so glamorous.  It's the grocery store.

See, a little over a year and a half ago I was injured at work.  I was told to go out on worker's compensation.  In December of last year the company I worked with for the last 7 years let me go.  I'm not physically back at full capacity but they wouldn't take me back at light duty.  It's been really tight money wise in our house.  I'm trying to find work but so far no luck.  My husband's had to take a second job.  My comp case is on hold while the doctors (mine and the insurance company) duke it out.  No money coming in from there, just a bit trickling in from unemployment.

My fear...is running out of food.  I know it sounds a bit crazy but I worry about it in the dark recesses in my brain.  I know it won't happen but the fear is real and it's lurking there.

I'll pursue the grocery store ads looking for deals.  I'm not a super savy shopper and I don't use coupons like I should.  It seems that the coupons in Sunday's paper are for things I don't normally purchase.  So, it seems like they're a waste.  I really need a serious couponer to sit down with me and help me set up a system that works for me and what I buy.

That being said, I'll look through the local ads for the best deals.  I'll stock up on things I know we'll use.  Problem is I'm worrying now that I'm spending more money "stocking up" than I should.  Should I put the money into savings?  Should I use it to take the kids to budget friendly things during the week so they can get away from the house during the summer?  I just don't know.

At this point I have 10 tubes of toothpaste, 6 boxes of waffles, 10 boxes of cereal, tons excess baking supplies (because I love to bake), boxed mixes for quick desserts, boxes of snacks for the kids, boxes of juices boxes.  It's not extrememe excess but still more than I think I should be purchasing on a limited shopping budget.  I have to tamper down the need I feel to buy more.  It's really becoming a problem.  It's skewering our budget and adding to my anxiety level.

I find myself compulsively going to the store to pick up "just a few things" 3 or 4 times a week.  Many times a $5 quick stop will turn into $25-$30.  That doesn't seem like much but I find that some weeks I'm spending $150 on my trips there.  I'm trying to limit myself to one trip and asking my husband to pick up fresh fruits and veggies as needed after he gets out of his second job (at the grocery store).  I'm battling it daily., tampering down my anxiety. I need to stop this compulsive behavior.  I don't think my husband realizes what I'm feeling.  I don't want to add to his stress level .  He has enough on his plate.

That's my confession for today.  Do you have any compulsive behaviors?  Feel free to share here.