Triumph Over a Dorito

As I mentioned in my previous post about couponing, I've been making some changes in how we eat around here.

Aside from the obvious reasons (Getting married?  The freshman 15 has nothing on you!), I've been reading a lot about food -- where it comes from, what's in it, etc.  Let's just say it has been rather eye-opening.

But change is difficult, and I had to start small.  In fact, as small as a tiny triangular chip coated with a bright orange cheese food product.

Let me be very clear.  I was never under the impression that a Dorito was health food.  I did not, in fact, give it much thought, to be honest.  I just found them irresistible.

When I was in college, my roomie and I would wait anxiously for the Doritos to go on BOGO at Publix.  We would then buy two bags and smuggle them back to our dorm room.  We would fill our plastic orange bowls to overflowing repeatedly, reveling in the cheesy crunchiness while we studied or watched TV.  The bag would never survive the night.

Later, when I got married, I remembered those magical nights and bought the BOGO Doritos once again.  Not surprisingly, my self-control was not much improved, and a bag of Doritos would not last much past the weekend in which they were bought.  My addiction continued...

One fateful day...I actually read the ingredients list on the bag of Doritos.  What was this??  Hydrogenated oils...and MSG??  Be still my soul!

I finally decided to. just. stop. buying. the. darn. things.  Not that I did not love them still -- I just didn't see that the trade-off was worth it.

As of this month, it had probably been a  year since I had eaten any Doritos whatsoever.  A thought of them had not even crossed my mind.

Then, I was out to lunch with my husband and in-laws and ordered a sandwich that came with chips.  Lo and behold, arising from the waitress's hand was the once-coveted red bag adorned with a fiery logo -- my long-awaited Doritos.  I considered whether to eat them or not, but I thought since it was too late to change the order, I might as well give it a shot.  One bag would not kill me.

As I popped the cheesy orange triangle into my mouth...I couldn't believe what my tastebuds told me.  "Ew"???  They were certainly not as good as I remembered.

"Maybe you really can change your tastebuds..."  I thought. 

And then I proceeded to eat the whole bag of chips.

Next lesson: "You don't have to eat it just because it's there..."