It is that magical time of the year when the coffee shops get peppermint white-chocolate mochas on the menu. That first sip that tells you it is indeed time for the merriment of the holidays just around the corner. Holding the warm cup in your hands as you watch the snow dance gracefully along the street. Smelling the steam that comes off, warming your heart and soul.

As I write the top paragraph, I realize their may be another reason for my sugar problem: Happy memories associated with tasty treats. For me I get excited when I have my first peppermint mocha of the season. Or second. Or fifth. Or tenth. It is just a thing I have during the cold winter months. And it conjures up sweet memories along with that sweet taste.

So what is a sentimental fool to do? I could say “it is just for the season, it won’t hurt to keep having my coffee concoctions for this small length of time.” However, how then do I justify the Peeps at Easter? The pie at Thanksgiving? The chocolates at Valentine’s Day? Name a season and I can find a sweet treat that can go along with it.

I could say “No, I will not have one drop of Peppermint Mocha this year!” But what if that creates a worse beast that what I have? What if by cutting it out completely, I start diving in to all the other assorted goodies out there: Christmas cookies, candy canes, pies, chocolate, and the list goes on and on. I know myself, and the odds that I will be able to keep all these at bay is worse than those of winning the lottery.

For this year, I am instead going to limit myself. I can get one on the first day of December, one during our Christmas shopping session, and one on the last day of work before we break for Christmas. I hope by limiting myself, I will still be able to enjoy my memories without being overly saturated with needless calories.

In the meantime, I am going to try and find some non-sugar based food to turn into a seasonal treat. While I doubt I can convince my brain that kale will be just as much fun as my mochas (bleah!), maybe I can do something else. Green bean casserole? Peppermint Tea? I will have to try out my options and get back.

Thank you everyone for reading. I hope that this season finds you having fun and enjoying your favorite treats (in moderation)!

-Aurora