I did well on the weekend. My beau and I were at his mother’s house for most of it and it was amazing to see the difference between Easter Sunday at my Mum’s house and Easter Sunday at his Mum’s house.

First of all, I think that the best thing about being a grownup is that we can have cake for breakfast whenever we want to. We don’t all do that, but the point is that we can.

In my world, Easter Sunday is the one day when kids and grownups alike get to have their cake and eat it for breakfast! Everyone wakes up early to find what the Bunny has left during the night, i.e. chocolate and skipping ropes in the dining room and chocolate eggs or jelly beans hidden all around the house. The egg hunt happens almost immediately and, assuming they haven’t been total punks, the kids are allowed to have some chocolate or other goodies first thing.

[Things have evolved over the years but one hard and fast rule remains: chocolate before Cheerios]

In my beau’s world, things are different. On Sunday morning, everyone got ready for church and had breakfast as they went along. The first evidence of the Bunny’s visit was seen at church where eggs were ‘hidden’ in full view. After church, my beau found me in the living room eating a tiny, peanut butter-filled egg.

“What?” I asked, suddenly feeling guilty.

“You’re going to spoil your lunch!”

“No way. There’s no way it will spoil my lunch and, besides, chocolate for breakfast is the RULE on Easter at my house!”

“Well…I’m glad you’re able to bring some of your traditions with you,” he laughed.

[Note: He truly thinks I’m perfect just the way I am.]

So we had lunch and eventually got down to Bunny business. The goodies were lovely and I enjoyed the company but it made me miss being at my Mum’s place.

For the most part, we’re grazers at Mum’s. I unselfconsciously pick at food all day, whether it’s chocolate, chips, crackers or some other goodie. I’m not saying it’s healthy, but it’s how we operate. Things really aren’t that much different at my place. I rarely make myself supper when I’m home alone, which is most of the time.

At my beau’s, whether we’re at his place or at his mum’s, we eat meals and snacks…but with actual gaps in between. I liked it. I missed the pick-pick-picking but I didn’t feel deprived. A little bit out of sorts at times, like I was missing something, but overall I liked it.

Back to work this week, I’ve been keeping track of my food intake to see what the natural patterns are like and to see how well I do eating enough vegetables, etc. So far, like I say, the grazing pattern is shining through loud and clear. Yesterday, after a morning long breakfast of mini eggs (5), an orange and an All Bran bar, I had a two servings of fresh green beans, a turkey sandwich and a small piece of cheese for lunch. Everything was washed down with a couple of litres of water. But I still wanted something. There needed to be more. When the coffee cart came around, I bought a bag of plain chips. I ate two thirds and closed them up. Then I ate half of a 39 g bag of mini eggs. And then I put those away.

I was virtuous for a whole 40 minutes.

CHOMP! CHOMP! CHOMP!

The rest of the chips and chocolate disappeared.

I kept drinking my water and tried not to feel guilty about it.

I skipped supper in favour of a late night graze on chocolate and a small bag of light microwave popcorn. And more water (4.25 L total by the end of the day).

This morning, I started again.

Immediately, I was off track. Three mini eggs this time, followed by an orange and an All Bran bar. Around 11:30 I started working on my green beans. At 12:30 I had a bacon and lettuce sandwich and a piece of cheese. After all of that I felt physically full but not mentally. There was still a hole there, still a little growly feeling, still a need to eat. At 1:30 I started fantasizing about the salty goodness I would buy when the cart came around.

Amazingly, I took action. Positive action.

I made myself a bowl of instant oatmeal, added a bit of brown sugar and used it to fill the gap. Now I’m full. Seriously full. My brain wants salt but I can’t possibly eat anything.

I need to be sure to eat supper tonight. I have a meeting out of town and will need the fuel to get me through until I get back sometime late this evening when thankfully, mercifully, I’ll be able to go to bed for the night. Can’t wait!