Lessons from a Ted Talk and a Lemon Scone

This afternoon I went out to lunch with Michelle Gurr to the Pierre Cafe located in Millcreek. She had learned of the bakery from a blog comment from a man in Seattle. He mentioned he never missed the chance to visit the cafe when in Utah. His words sent us directly to Millcreek today.

When we entered the bakery, both Michelle and I knew why he managed to always stop by. Everything was charming, that is until the time came to chose just one of the spectacular-looking desserts behind the glass counter.

If there's one lesson I've leaned lately, it's this: too many good options create a pathway of turmoil and torture, a.k.a. purgatory. (This is confirmed by one of my favorite Ted Talks linked below.)

So upon reaching the counter, I did what I always do. I asked the attendant her opinion. She suggested the lemon scone. Now, I love lemon anything, but REALLY? A lemon scone? In my mind I kept trying not to voice, "You have sugar cookies, macaroons (French and coconut), pecan bars, at least ten cake options, plus a bunch of dreamy looking brownie bars and you're suggesting a scone?"

I decided this needed further clarification, so I asked her once again in a slightly different way. "So when you have a sugar weakness in the middle of the day, you reach for the lemon scone?" She confirmed with a head nod and a yes.

Now this is where things can get awkward. But it's an awkwardness I know how to deal with because 90% of the time I already know what I want. I just want it reconfirmed. So when the attendant says something different, it causes me to lie and say things like, "I'm allergic to scones, so let's just go with the triple-turtle-caramel-divinity bar."

But lately I've really tried to be open to others opinions. So I went with the lemon scone. After eating it, I reflected on the lesson I had just learned. Be open to others, but when it comes to desserts, go with your gut reaction and get the double-decker-chocolate-mint thing that appealed to you in the first place.

My Favorite Ted Talk: The Paradox of Choice















http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/barry_schwartz_on_the_paradox_of_choice.html

Diet Soda and the Devil

Since I've taken on this goal, I have dramatically increased my intake of diet soda. I usually have Diet A&W Root Beer or Diet 7Up Pomegranate in my fridge. Diet Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper is also pretty amazing.

With this increase in soda, I have noticed a couple things. One in particular. DIET SODA MAKES ME FAMISHED. Then this past week I read this: "Diet soft drink users, as a group, experienced 70 percent greater increases in waist circumference compared with non-users. Frequent users, who said they consumed two or more diet sodas a day, experienced waist circumference increases that were 500 percent greater than those of non-users."

You can imagine my horror. Tonight I began to realize how similar the devil and diet soda really are to each other.

1. They both offer the temptation of something sweet/tempting without really presenting the full story/consequences.
2. I really don't understand how either one works, so I probably shouldn't play around with either one.
3. I usually regret any encounter I have with either one. With diet soda, I always get that weird sweet taste on my teeth and feel a little shaky after (plus that whole famished thing I mentioned above). I haven't really had an encounter with the devil, but I would imagine I would also feel a little shaky afterward (perhaps a little famished as well).

I also have the most difficult time saying aspartame. If I can't say it, I probably shouldn't be drinking it. Here's to water and drinking more of it.

If you want to read more about the evils of diet soda, check it out at: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110627183944.htm