When the Cheshire emerges...

I got told by three people today that I essentially don't know how to do my job. At least two of the three were trying to give me constructive criticism (I think), but it still felt pretty shit.

And none of them were in my workplace, which makes it even worse. After a morning of rushing around (including what I hope is my very last visit to Telstra at Casuarina Square - that place is seriously messed up), I just didn't want to start my workday off with that shit.

***

Got caught w a smile on my face unearthing these. Time to unleash @MenzFruChocs power on the newsroom #chocolate #yum pic.twitter.com/o55aYEKdwR
— Katina V (@Katiinkaa) January 15, 2014

I made the afternoon a bit lighter though, sharing some Fruchoc love with my office. I'd done this in Dubbo before where no one really knew about them, and got a good reaction. Most here in Darwin were stumped, but for those that actually knew of the Fruchoc power their faces lit up. It made me happy that they were happy. Such is the magic these chocolates provide...

I've had a couple of self-awakenings this week.

First, I feel really disgusting if I sleep for a 10-hour period (which I never used to be able to do, and will not let myself undertake again).

Second, I really do eat too much sugar.

Photo: art.ngfiles.com

Now, while I don't go obsessive for the round things like Homer Simpson, there are certain sweets I cannot ignore.

Chocolate is the main culprit. I've written before about my excitement for Asian confectionery and baking chocolate cakes, and it's something I believe hereditary from my paternal side.

I drink chai lattes and hot chocolates as an alternative to coffee when out with friends or in need of a hot drink. I put Milo on my Weet-Bix (NOT weird, it actually does taste amazing. Don't knock it until you try it.).

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A couple of weeks ago I thought about all of this, and then combined that with friends' views/experiences on a no-sugar diet.

While I could never go totally without sugar, I decided to look at what I was doing wrong.

First was the Milo. It's been off my cereal for nearly two weeks and it's staying off. I usually try and have fruit with my Weet-Bix when I can, and because blueberries are cheap right now they're great to chuck in - and a bit of fun too...

Is it weird that I have @DisneyAnimation's Hercules in my mind right now? #film #planetsaligned #toogood pic.twitter.com/ky4sbik7co
— Katina V (@Katiinkaa) October 2, 2013

Next is not consuming chocolate all day. Now, with this I often have high ebbs and flows in that I binge for a while and then go off completely for a bit. I've had too many film nights with friends lately to give myself that chance though, so I'm really pacing myself.

I didn't have any sugary/junk food from Sunday to Tuesday, even passing up chocolate mud cake at work (my FAVOURITE). On Wednesday, my day off, I succumbed to an iced chocolate. And you know what? It didn't taste as wonderful as I expected. Still good, but not entirely satisfying.

Then I went and won some chocolates while wearing a crazy hat that night at dinner, ahead of today's Hat Day (great initiative by the way, look it up). But I didn't eat them. They're being saved for a rainy day.

***

The point of all this is really to say that I'm thinking a little bit more about the sugars I'm consuming and how it relates to my general energy levels and wellbeing. I believe if I do eat less chocolate and don't feel tempted to eat as many cakes at birthday parties then I'm on a winning run. And I think I've taken off OK.

Sugar will never leave me, but at least I can control the level of the high.

***
You are whole. You are complete. You are total in every moment that you're alive.

With my recent explorations past Dubbo, I have something to show for it other than photos. Last night I cracked open some dessert wine and cheese from Mudgee, because I could.

Semillion from Lowe's estate and near-blue cheese called Mudgee Rouge from High Valley (I think). So excellent that it helped me crash out on the couch until 2:43am this morning.


And then there are the comforts of home that I hold onto because they can last me a bit longer. Anyone from South Australia will recognise these.



Haigh's Chocolates - the best in Australia. Don't know if I can say the world, I tried that argument against two Swiss guys and their Lindt once and didn't do so well. But my argument was that I'd actually tried both!


And then there's Fruchocs. God these things are good. Fellow ANZACs on my Turkey tour were pleasantly surprised when they enjoyed these as we camped at Gallipoli. Good times.