Day 3 - I heard the bells

The bells.  Ah, yes.  They are the tingling in your mind.  The sound of want.  The distant jingle jangle of what could be, with merely the swipe of a debit card.  

I heard Chipotle, friends. 

It called to me tonight.  Just a bit.  Jingle, jingle…right about the time I was trying to decide how to feed myself and the children.  Rather, what to feed us.  But I use the word “how” because I am so woefully inept in the kitchen. 

So yes, Day 3 and I’m already hearing the bells.  Not a great sign – but 27 days left to go and I can already guarantee you that I will be first in the lunch line at “Big C” on October 1st.  Can’t be helped.

Moving on…

Today's Menu had only one, and I mean ONE precious highlight.  That, my friends, was breakfast.  AB was back in the kitchen and I have to say, my mouth was watering just watching the prep of my favorite morning meal.  I give you, Anton's Eggs Benedict: (an AB specialty for sure)

Seriously.  No…SERIOUSLY.  Who gets up on their Saturday and takes such great joy in preparing this wonderful treat for their wife and kiddos?  And people, my kids CLEANED THEIR BOWLS.  Nothing left.  Not a drop.  This man can COOK.  And yes, the Hollandaise sauce is homemade – from scratch – totally and utterly melt in your mouth amazing.  Amen.

Lunch was a wash – we were still full from our amazing breakfast, so it consisted more or less of some casual snacking on left-overs. 

Dinner – I’m embarrassed to admit was of little substance.  We still weren’t that hungry. (Way to go AB keeping our tanks going all day!)  Since Anton had to work, we were left to our own devices and it was pared down, to say the least.  Ok, I’m beating around the bush.  It was fruit and yogurt.  Also some cheese and salami slices.  Very light.  The kids were deliriously happy not to have MEAT/RICE/VEGGIE pushed on them for a night, and I was happy to have found a way around putting a pan on the stove.  Lazy.  I know.

Which is where I come full-circle in telling you that this was about the time when I heard the bells.  Calling to me.  “Burrito Bowl”….”Chips with Lime Salt”….”guac”….oh. my. gah.  And then I remembered something:  having all of that means two things.  1) that I have eaten very well for dinner and silenced the bells, and 2) that I have failed miserably three days into a challenge that I knew full-well would be difficult for me.   Enter sad face here.  Can’t fail.  Not an option.  My debit card is quite happy to have a rest.  No guts, no Chipotle GLORY.

Also?  I’ve heard from many of you in the Challenge to say that you’re struggling as well.  Starbucks, pedicures, purses, shoes, not to mention all the Labor Day sales this weekend.  I can only say to that – BE STRONG.  You can DO THIS!  Remember; everything that you never knew you even needed will be beckoning you.  Opportunities will seem way too good to pass up. 

Pumpkin Spice Latte’s will seem completely and utterly irresistible.

You WILL hear the bells.

Keep walking, friend.  Just keep walking.