Monday, June 11, 2012

What I learned from eating a large muffin

I never buy muffins.  My husband always does.

It's not that I have anything against muffins. I like muffins. Especially their tops (not to be confused with the ubiquitous "muffin top" caused by waist spillage over too tight, low cut jeans - I don't like those at all.)

I avoid muffins because they are essentially a 400 calorie carbohydrate bomb that will explode once I ingest it - causing the aforementioned ubiquitous muffin top problem I dislike.

Isn't there a proverb about this? Something like, "He who eats muffins the size of her face will soon come to regret the size of her waist." I know I got the pronouns off but I think the rest of that is right. Maybe from Proverbs 32.

But today my husband brought home muffins again. These are extra large banana-chocolate chip muffins. And I can smell them from across the room. Through the plastic wrapping.




And I could tell that this one - the one with the most chocolate chips on top - really wanted to be eaten.

So what's a girl to do? 

I approached this sensibly. I ate the top of the muffin - the very best part. Then I picked through the rest of it, pulling out the sizable chocolate chips, eating them one by one. Next I dumped the rest of it into the sink.

Now it can clog my sink disposal rather than my arteries and my jeans.




All that was needed was a little strategy, and a cold glass of milk.



What task or problem are you facing today? I bet it too could be solved with a little strategy, and perhaps some milk. Ask yourself:

  • How can I break this thing down into parts? And which piece should I start with? 

  • What's the most essential part to get done  - what's the muffin top of it? 

  • Are there parts I can delegate, schedule for later, or dump entirely in the sink?

  • And, how can I tackle this in a way that provides pleasure in the process or reward at the end, with the least amount of cost?


Sometimes when we aren't getting something done, it's because we've failed to take a few minutes to break it down into doable sections, figure out the essentials, and dump what we don't really need to do.

That's what I learned today from eating a muffin.

It will probably be another six months before I eat (or rather half-eat) another muffin. And I'll probably do it the same way. At least now I've got my strategy down.

13 comments:

  1. A delicious analogy! Deciding now what I can dump into the sink.

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    1. The sink is handy for reducing your work-load, or your calorie-load. :)

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  2. I have been having the opposite problem. I tend to juggle many small tasks, when some really do need a stretch of undivided attention.... Writing scripts or doing some technical work on computer based training. So I guess I should eat the whole muffin.

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    1. Sounds like you need to carve out a large block to time, remove distractions, and then get to eating, Teresa. :)

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  3. LOL! I half expected to find a comment with someone yelling at you for wasting half a muffin! {Don't worry it won't be me!}

    I really love the lesson you learned from your snack. I'm doing Melissa's study on Glynnis' book right now and this post is definitely fitting in perfectly! I'll have to share it with the rest of the group in my post tomorrow :)!

    Now to eat my breakfast! A bowl of Lucky Charms {seriously!}!

    <3 Heather

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    1. They're magically delicious! Feel free to share the post, so we can all learn from my mid-afternoon snack. :)

      PS. Rick would probably be tempted to fuss at me for wasting half a muffin but he bought 12 of them in a package from Costco. There is no way we would eat all 12 before they go stale anyways.

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  4. I needed to read this... especially that last part, the part about how can I tackle this in a way that provides pleasure. I think I often dread things that I feel aren't enjoyable, forgetting that I can find pleasure in all that I do. Seeing as I have a flower bed project to complete this morning, this post is timely. ;)

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    1. Look for a way to make it fun. Play your favorite music while you work. Plan yourself a treat for when you are done. Or do what I often do: keep envisioning how relieved and happy you will feel once it's finished.

      A flower bed project - that sounds interesting. Post a picture when you are done and we will all clap for you!

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  5. Love this post, Rachel! Who knew a chocolate chip banana muffin would have more to offer than adding unwanted calories and more fluff to those muffin tops that give so many of us such a struggle. Not that I know anything at all about that, uh-hum : ) Inspiring words to help us take action. Thanks, Rachel, for the smile this morning!

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    1. Thanks for making me smile this morning, Pam.

      (And not feel so alone in my "fluff" issues.)

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  6. AnonymousJune 13, 2012

    Ok....I'm on my way to the muffin store.

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  7. AnonymousJune 14, 2012

    What a great read, Rachel!

    Though I would much prefer eating the muffin top instead of working on the tasks at hand (and there are many!), I never thought to break it into chunks (I don't know why, either as that seems so obvious!).

    May I have your permission to print this out and send it off to my Mom? Since I am my Mother's daughter, the fruit does not fall far from the tree! I know she will find your story entertaining and your suggestions very helpful as well! :)

    We are practically neighbors, do you lead any small groups?

    Have a blessed day!

    Linda

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    1. Hi Linda,

      Glad you stopped by. Yes, please, print and share with your mom. We all need some encouragement to takcle things we've gotten in the habit of avoiding.

      I'm not currently leading a small group but Rick and I may lead a couple's group later this year.

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