I have a very small sweet tooth. Ever so slight. The problem is that when Easter rolls around, and with it, the abundance of candy available, my slight sweet tooth goes into overdrive. It just happens that a few of the things that I like are available now. Cadbury Creme Eggs. They totally do me in. Jelly beans. Love them. And the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups in the shape of eggs. All this from someone who doesn’t really have a sweet tooth.

I’ll never forget the day I signed up with a personal trainer to get me in shape for my wedding. A local drugstore had all their candy marked down to 90% off. I had bought way too much a bagful of Cadbury Creme Eggs for 5 cents each. Just too hard to resist.  As I sat at my desk, talking with the trainer, I tried to push the bag further underneath my desk so he wouldn’t see it. As soon as he left, I threw them away.

Even though we’re adults and with our own kids, my mom still makes Easter baskets for us. I love that. Sometimes it’s nice to feel like a kid again and forget all those weighty responsibilities we deal with day to day. This year I told her “no candy. Please.” I just don’t want to be tempted. I have so far managed to avoid the Easter candy that I’ve seen while out and about, but I knew if she bought it, I’d give in. And I didn’t want to.

Then recently, I read that 10 jelly beans is only two Weight Watchers points. I’m not on Weight Watchers completely (more on that next week), but to me that meant that maybe I could relent. Just a little. I e-mailed my Mom. “Jelly beans are ok. But nothing else.” She responded with “Oh good, because otherwise you’d be breaking a ten year tradition.” Nothing like a little good Catholic guilt to get me back on the wagon. See, every year I buy the bags of jelly beans. I eat the red, purple, pink and white and then pass it along to my mom, who eats her two favorite colors, and then my dad gets the last two colors, which happen to be his favorites. It works out quite well actually.  We’ve been doing it for as long as I can remember. Apparently ten years now. And to think I almost stopped! So, for now, our glass cookie jar is filled with jelly beans. I’m rationing. Ten a day. …

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