BBs Blog

I’m quite proud of myself right now. I have managed to stick to my resolve, and limit myself to only two Coca Colas per day. The ever present red and white can of coke has been replaced by a yellow butterfly pattern thermal cup. The colorful butterflies on my thermal cup remind me that transformations, both big and small are possible if I really want them to occur. Each time I wrap my hand around that cup instead of a can of coke, I am making those transformations happen.

Choosing and making the tea that goes into that cup is starting to become a surprisingly pleasant little ritual for me. One that is giving my taste buds a flavorful healthy break from the constant of flow Coca Cola that once poured over them. If I feel my taste buds need a little jolt now, I brew up a cup of Raspberry or Lemon flavored tea. Or pleasantly tickle their fancy with a cup of Mint Medley, Perfect Peach, or Pomegranate Pizzaz tea. And for quiet moments, there is plenty of Chamomile, Sweet Dreams or Sleepy Time tea. Although my taste buds prefer the flavor of the caffeine free herbal teas, I have to admit there are times when I have to hush the screaming caffeine addicted monster within by soothing it with a cup or two of green or flavored black tea.  

I’m learning to truly enjoy the guilt free good for me pleasure tea time brings to me. Afternoon and evening tea breaks are especially sweet when accompanied by a few cookies. Treating myself to a few cookies during some of my tea breaks also helps soothe the monster within that sometimes still screams its ugly head off for a can of sweet syrupy coke. The last of cup of Sleepy Time or Sweet Dreams tea I have each evening may not always ensure my dreams are saccharine, but it does send me off to dreamland with a wonderful feeling of quiet satisfaction.

By limiting myself to only two cokes per day I am doing something good for the inside and outside of me. And when I do pop the top on a can of coke, I really do enjoy that decadent liquid pleasure. Perhaps in time, when my body finally adjusts to only getting two cokes a day I will get really radical, and only allow myself only one can of coke per day. I don’t intend to completely give up that decadent little pleasure because after all, what is life without a few little decadent pleasures added to it?

Breaking free of the cola monster I had created through years of overindulgence hasn’t been easy. I still am suffering from occasional headaches and even flu like symptoms as I write this column. I am determined to beat that cola monster I created though. I will continue to tempt and tease my taste buds with flavorful teas, and feed the cola monster with 100 calorie pack cookies and other healthy treats instead of giving into that monster.