Special Treats

Naptime.  It is one of my favorite times of the day.  The kids are sleeping, I am able to focus on my list of to-dos, and everything is peaceful.  The first few minutes of naptime, I feel a sense of relief that I made it through another busy morning and afternoon.  I feel like I deserve something.  A treat.  Something special to reward myself and celebrate the quite peace of sleeping kids.

Just what should I have for a special treat?  What will give me that satisfying feeling of a small indulgence?

From the time I was a small child I learned that special moments must have special treats.  My family made Friday nights our “treat night,” which usually meant ice cream.  Now that I’m older, treats are still important.  More recently I’ve discovered ways to have a treat without having the calories.  Flowers, for instance, instead of chocolate.  Or a shopping reward instead of an eating reward.

Here is one important concept that I have realized about edible treats: the specialness of a particular treat depends on what I eat the rest of the time.  Here’s what I mean.  My goal right now and for the next few weeks is to eat no more than 1500 calories a day.  When naptime comes I sometimes treat myself to a cup of iced tea and a white cheddar rice cake.  It tastes wonderful.  I feel like I’ve really had a treat. 

Switch gears to a day when I’m overeating, setting no limits for myself, and indulging in any food I feel like having.  My kids go down for a nap, and the tea and rice cake don’t appeal to me one bit.  I want candy corn or something that’s really a treat!  But candy doesn’t satisfy.  Usually even chocolate doesn’t satisfy on those days.  Special things in life are only special if I don’t spoil myself.