BLAME IT ON THE LICORICE!

 

That little corner grocery store a block away from my elementary school and another block from home had the most amazing array of licorice—strawberry, cherry, spearmint, chocolate, and of course black.  Sometimes if you got there on a lucky day, they even had the licorice wheels in different flavors.  Oh, there were plenty of other candy treats, but my favorite was always licorice.  The wonderful elderly couple that ran the store warmly encouraged me to check out what was on the shelves behind the counter.  

At the end of every week in elementary school, my dad handed out my 25 cent allowance, and it was mine to spend, without restrictions.  If I wanted to go to a movie, that was separate and I needed to ask my parents.

 

Now that I’m supposedly grown-up, I still haven’t kicked the licorice habit.  I love it as much as ever, especially the Australian style.  I can resist most any other candy, but not that delicious chewy delicacy.  A friend of mine once told me that black licorice caused cancer, and although I didn’t really believe it, I was a little frightened and thought about not buying it anymore.  Of course that didn’t last long.  I had about as much luck with that idea as dieting.

For decades I stayed at my high school weight, but then like many people I know, a shift occurred and it wasn’t pleasant.  I continually struggle to lose that extra weight, and just when I seem to be focused and on the right path, the scale tells me another story.  Even when I’m sure that something must have happened to that scale overnight and I weigh myself a second and third time, I know the willpower I once claimed has disappeared. 

Seeking to find some inspiring and motivating answers, I discovered a book called WINNING WORDS.  I quickly turned to the chapter on diet and exercise.  Here’s some of what I found, including one of my favorites:

            “Never eat more than you can lift.”  (Miss Piggy)

            “The best way to lose weight is to close your mouth—something very difficult for a politician.  Or watch your food—just watch it, don’t eat it.”  (Ed Koch, former New York City mayor)

But perhaps my two favorites are:  “I’m on a seafood diet.  I see food and I eat it.”  (anonymous writer), and  “I’ve been on a diet for two weeks and all I’ve lost is two weeks.”  (Totie Fields, writer).  In response to those remarks, since I’m constantly around my grandchildren and they’re always ravenous, I never hesitate to make excuses for myself.  Hence, if it’s around, I’ll eat it.  And my so-called diets work great for half a day; it’s the other half that’s unforgiving.

But I’ll still keep trying because I know, as the comedienne Fran Lebowitz explained, “Food is an important part of a balanced diet.” Some things you just don’t doubt.  And of course who can argue with the brilliant American hero Ben Franklin when he said, “To lengthen thy life, lessen thy meals.” 

Just don’t ask me to give up the licorice—that’s one vice I’m not about to change!