Candy is not EVIL

... and other rants.

First, the NaNo update. Yes, I have started. No, I haven't written all weekend and I am now "behind" - but this is really no surprise since I tend to procrastinate on everything and often work under pressure just for the "thrill". I am however, devoting a lot of thinking/ daydreaming time to the novel and have a few threads started in my head. Plus I got some good inspiration when I was mowing the lawn earlier today.
What I have written out so far though? BAD- so very very very bad. Seriously amateur material. I am trying very hard not to re-read and to kick my inner editor when she pipes up. It's difficult, so I've been shutting her up with chocolate. It's hard for her to judge with two fun sized kit kats in her mouth... which brings me to my point...

I am sick and tired of people complaining about Halloween candy. I've read so many blogs of people who are "confessing" to eating one fun-sized candy bar. ONE candy bar is not worthy of confession, fun-sized or not! It's Halloween. It's one piece of candy, you do not need to feel bad or guilty about it. It does not bother me if adults say that they are not going to eat any - because if they are anything like me, they might have one and that one turns in to three and that three turns into twenty seven and whatever- hey, that's fine, if it's a slippery slope for you, do what you need to do. Nor does it bother me when people make an effort to only eat one or two pieces a day (or an hour) again, you have to do what you have to do and that has no effect on me. It's the guilt and the whining, and the beating up of oneself that grates on my nerves.

Also annoying are the parents who buy their children's candy from them. Or make them leave their candy out for the "halloween fairy" Gag. Get a grip. If you don't want them to have candy, don't take them trick or treating. If you just want to limit the amount of candy they get, limit the amount of trick or treating they do. (Or put the candy away and use for occasional treats). Halloween is a Holiday and a special occasion and should be treated as such. Yes, there is a childhood obesity problem in this country, but Halloween is not the cause. Not getting enough exercise, not being allowed to play outside, subsisting on convenience and restaurant foods, treating everyday like a special occasion - those are the more likely causes. A little candy here and there is not going to make your child obese. Plus it's a good chance for them to learn about moderation. Or hording.

Also? Trick or Treating in malls. This must end. It's sick and wrong.

I went to a kitchen goods party over the weekend, you know the kind. I was invited by one of the moms in our early childhood class and it was very brave of me to go since I didn't know anyone else there except the host. It was pretty typical, and of course there was some food but when dessert was presented one of the women there pipes up with, "Oh no thanks. I never eat dessert."
Another woman said, "You never eat dessert???" (clearly voicing what many of us were thinking judging by the looks on everyone's face)
"No never, it's a thing I have. I never eat dessert and then I never want it."
"Really? Never?"
"Yes really, I used to and I was super fat, so now I never eat it. And it helps if I remind myself out loud- I never eat dessert."

Um. Ok then, freak. It was very weird. And she was on the slimmer side of normal, but not dessert-nazi thin. And she could have just said "No thanks" but no- she had to go and open up the judgmental door so I walked right through it. Life is just too short to never have dessert.
Too short.

Thank you, my name is Jen.