Oh no. They’re back.
It’s with mixed emotions that I welcome Girl Scout thin mint cookies back into my life. Certain words and phrases come to mind when I think of these treasured treats: delight. Compulsion. Lack of self control.
Thin mints and I have a long, storied history together. While I was in college and law school, my mom (who is always a proponent of indulgent eating) would kindly send me several boxes of thin mints each Girl Scout cookie season. Once during college, I polished off two entire boxes in 45 minutes and promptly threw up (in a sick way, not in a bulimic way). A few years later, I decided I wanted all of my favorite desserts at my wedding, so I purchased several cases of thin mints from a co-worker’s daughter and froze them for 5 months until the wedding (I feared the co-worker would forever look to me for big cookie orders, but he hasn’t). I killed a box the night after the wedding to make up for months of deprivation.
Sadly, my self control has not improved after all these years. I still break into a cold sweat when I see that little harnessed Girl Scout screaming in joy on the bright green box (side note on the box: why the helmet and harness? Is this girl zip lining in Costa Rica? If so, how many cookies did her troop have to sell to afford such an extravagant trip?). My heart thumps in my chest and my peripheral vision blurs. When I get my paws on the thin mints, I refuse to share them and hoard them like a closet eater. Once I start eating a few, I can’t stop – snapping them out of the silver sleeve one by one like candy. I know I’ll feel like absolute hell after I’ve eaten so many (my stomach never fails to writhe in pain, cursing me for being such a loser), but I never learn.
Everybody has her own thin mints – that food that you just cannot pass up no matter what your circumstances or willpower you thought you had. What’s yours? Has anyone figured out a way to overcome this monster?
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Have already polished off a box of the peanut butter chocolate ones, and they’re not even my favorite! My favorite are the samoas, and I’ve got an order of thin mints on the way. It’s a difficult time of year for us all…
I’m right there with you re: Thin Mints. Have been hoarding two boxes in my office and somehow managed to keep them intact for whole two days … That is until this afternoon when I polished off a sleeve and, after going across the hall to complain about my stomach, was told to come back and read this post. Haha. :-)
Mine- Oreos. The mini ones are extra deadly. For Mike it’s cheese curls.
I take it back- those Reese’s Easter eggs. Holy moly. They don’t stand a chance near me. As a matter of fact, your sister bought me a 6 pack for Easter last year.
HCG, as a silver lining, you could consider yourself lucky that thin mints come around only once a year. My downfall is, and has always been, and will always be, Reese’s peanut butter ________ (fill in the blank–cups, eggs, whatever). Available year-round, this is a constant struggle.
I currently have three boxes of thin mints and two boxes of caramel delights staring me down from across my desk. It’s like they’re taunting me…
Update: One sleeve of thin mints did not survive the day. My stomach is angry.
This is a tough one. I originally thought cupcakes, but I typically don’t eat those until I feel sick. Not because I couldn’t, more because it’s socially unacceptable. My downfall would have to be Starburst Jelly Beans. Random, yes, but they are available year round and I could polish off a bag in a night and then have to deal with the repercussions later.
I bet Tara chooses Nibs. For those unfamiliar with this unconventional candy, click here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/oskay/768586712/
Due to a STRESSFUL evening—I am embarrassed to say that I broke into the thin mints that were hidden (not too well) in my freezer….ate a few and a few more and well…whatever…maybe a few more.
Girl Scout Cookies make January a good month to look forward to!
One word: Denny’s
Junior Mints! thankfully I only get these at the movies, and only when i go with friens that I know well, never on a second (or third) date :) – only because I will eat the entire “family size” box. But any kind of chocolate item or cheese in my house will be gone in seconds.
I’m almost certain that this post wins the award for most comments (even with Jenn’s and KB’s double comments). This post prompted me to ask lots of people what their most threatening foods are, and it always made for lively discussion (especially with my dad who kept changing his answer and adding more foods). Thanks to everyone for their thoughtful responses! Seeing 11 comments on a post really makes HCG’s day :)