A Really Long Chocolate Story

Most of you who know me well know that I haven't eaten chocolate for 16 years. When I was 14, my mom offered me $100 to go without chocolate for a year. I did it, and I got my money! But then I never started eating chocolate again. During that year I didn't miss it too much, and I started to realize that chocolate wasn't my favorite thing in the world. I tend to prefer my sugar in other forms: caramel, peanut butter, fruity flavors, jelly beans, etc. So it seemed like, since I was already used to not eating chocolate, and since I didn't miss it too much, that I might as well go on avoiding it. It was nice to have one category of dessert that I always turned down without having to think about it. I also think that, deep down, I was afraid that if I started eating chocolate again, I would gain ten pounds in the first week! It just seemed too dangerous to me!

Fast forward 16 years. I'm about to turn 30, realizing that it seems like a perfect time for a momentous life change. I keep hearing about people's New Year's resolutions, people who are committing to eliminate sugar or processed foods from their diets, people who are committing to exercise regularly, and people who are going to start being more adventurous. I decide that now might be as good of a time as any to start eating chocolate again. How's that for a new goal for myself? I have to laugh when I realize how it sounds like the OPPOSITE of a good, healthy life change. But here's the thing: I feel like, at 30, I can finally trust myself to eat chocolate again. I am not going to eat a whole pan of brownies in an hour [and now that this is published on the Internet for everyone to read, I have to stick to that :)].

I go back and forth with Ben over whether I really want to make what seems like such a HUGE life change. He offers a suggestion: how about a birthday party where I get to try chocolate for one day, and then at the end of the day I can make my final decision? I'm sold!

It didn't take much to convince a few friends to come over and try to woo me with their best chocolate creations. I love these people (and more, as they didn't all get in the pictures).

Eliza with her chocolate pie

Becky and Heather

Jamie and Mary

Susan and Christy (sorry, these pictures are a little blurry)

Me with Christy and Mary

and my two Loves

There were husbands and kids here too (Chad, Tim, and Romney above). It was actually a pretty wild and crazy party!

[aside: Sam and Lucy had a little moment -- as they often do -- she is obsessed with him!]

[another aside: I found this on my desk at the end of the party: a stack of freshly sharpened pencils! One of my favorite things! Probably a service/present from one of Henry's friends (I think it's awesome how much kids like to sharpen pencils)].

And here I am, posing for the Martha Stewart look-alike contest! And eating chocolate! WOW, I tried some yummy things. I had to take it really SLOW. It was pretty overwhelming, after so many years of not having chocolate.

And the consensus? It was a hard decision, but I think I will be going forward with the life change. I'm going to become a chocolate eater! I was a little surprised to discover that the rich, chocolate-based stuff really was too much for me -- so I'm not afraid of going overboard because I know I'll get sick if I do. The stuff I LOVED was the same stuff I always love - the caramel stuff, the peanut butter stuff, and the non-chocolate based stuff with chocolate chips in them. Now I just don't have to pick the chocolate chips out (which really was a silly annoyance -- if I'm going to eat the cookie, I might as well just eat the cookie!).

Welcome back, chocolate! I'm excited to get reacquainted over the next decade. And if I really do put on ten or fifteen pounds in the next little while, you'll all know the reason. And then I might be announcing a more traditional life change for my 40th. :)