NSV: The Salted Caramel Ice Cream Caper

oedipa_maas

First of all, let's be clear: nothing on god's green earth is as good as Bi-Rite's Salted Caramel ice cream. It's smoky sweet heaven in a spoon. I very rarely bring ice cream into the house, since I do have trouble not binging on certain foods. I completely agree with people who adhere to the "don't deprive yourself" philosophy, but I had an eating disorder and part of my recovery involved introducing trigger foods into my home rather carefully. I work on dealing with my emotions without numbing myself with food, or rewarding myself with food, or stuffing away difficult feelings with french fries in a bucket of ice cream (not that there's anything wrong with french fries in ice cream).

I decided to get my favorite ice cream from Bi-Rite, renown for their hand-made ice cream, esp. the salted caramel. I've been feeling bummed about a romantic situation and also struggling a bit with PTSD from a very scary medical incident that put me in the hospital at the end of August. In the past, right before I abuse food, I would feel this sort of panicky "nownownownownow" when any kind of strong feeling would overcome me.

Well not this damn time. I brought the ice cream into the house. I had a few spoonfuls. Then I had a few more to make a half cup serving. Then I thought, "Let's eat the whole thing." Even though I was full from lunch and was satisfied, on one level, with the ice cream I had just eaten. "But I'm feeling bad, who cares? Come on, what's the use, you're going to binge on this ice cream anyway, everyone in here knows it, just do it now." Stupid sabotaging brain!

Only I didn't do it anyway. With great effort I put the ice cream back in the freezer and went about my business. And this is a huge NSV for me, because for once I didn't let my anxiety or sadness or fear run the show. Sorry kids, I'm in control now.

rpsg0534

That is so wonderful! Be so proud of your accomplishment!

WhatMeRunning

Congrats! That is a win!

fifty6ford

Great accomplishment!!

YOU GO GIRL!!

JazzFischer1989

Wow, good for you. I can't relate to those panicky feelings that come w/binging but I do understand how difficult it is to stop myself from eating a whole bag of Cheetos or several slices of birthday cake, lol. Saying no to yourself is tough, since there's nothing physically stopping you from doing what you want. Keep it up!

Kate7294

Great job!

NoStoppingNow77

I totally understand the panicky feeling before the binge eating. But, I like the feeling of having the power over the food now. Good for you!

Amestris

Congrats! I'll have to check out the BI-Rite Salted Caramel. Talenti makes a sea salt caramel that I am obsessed with. Congrats again.

Julieboolieaz

A huge NSV!!! Woohoo!! Great job conquering that little voice, enjoying your serving and putting it away for later!! Huge!! WTG!,

Slinky_BraveHeartBunsOfSteel

Nice one! Salted caramel ice cream...my favourite!!!

Mariachicat

I love salted chocolate caramels! I have a handful on a medium sized ghiradelli dark chocolate frozen yogurt with sliced almonds, and it's heavenly.

oedipa_maas

Thank you everyone! It's so great to be able to share these things; keeps me going on the right track.

oedipa_maas

I love salted chocolate caramels! I have a handful on a medium sized ghiradelli dark chocolate frozen yogurt with sliced almonds, and it's heavenly.

Oh yum!! I've never heard of that stuff. It sounds awesome! I live in San Francisco, Ghirardelli's home base, so it must be here somewhere.

oedipa_maas

Congrats! I'll have to check out the BI-Rite Salted Caramel. Talenti makes a sea salt caramel that I am obsessed with. Congrats again.

Bi-Rite is the best. You can go to their stores and get it, but Instacart will deliver from Bi-Rite if you're in SF!

oedipa_maas

I totally understand the panicky feeling before the binge eating. But, I like the feeling of having the power over the food now. Good for you!

It's one of those feelings where a small part of your brain says, "You can stop this, you know," and the panicky part refuses to listen. I'm so glad you too are experiencing some power over food. It's pretty novel for me. I almost hate writing about it, for fear I'll jinx myself.

markrichtsspraytan

That is awesome! What I try to do with food like that is challenge myself to make it last at least as many days as there are servings in the container. I bought a bag of Mint M&Ms on Monday in which there are 5 servings. Today, I still have some left, which means I ate a serving or less per day. It's a helpful way for me to make sure I don't binge on anything.

NoStoppingNow77

I totally understand the panicky feeling before the binge eating. But, I like the feeling of having the power over the food now. Good for you!

It's one of those feelings where a small part of your brain says, "You can stop this, you know," and the panicky part refuses to listen. I'm so glad you too are experiencing some power over food. It's pretty novel for me. I almost hate writing about it, for fear I'll jinx myself.

I started MFP over again a month ago and I've been good every day since except for ONE DAY where I kinda pigged out on junk. But then I worked off the calories later that day. I haven't been back there since. Because I came to the realization that it just wasn't worth it. But OMG do I know that mode....like, i'm going to eat this entire kitchen and it'll be total and utter bliss. And ya know what it is...until the damn guilt kicks in after I'm done.

NoStoppingNow77

I bought a bag of candy corn last week and I'm allowing myself 19 little pieces a day...which is a serving I guess. Who knew? After all these years I never cared to know that while I was eating handfuls at once.

SteampunkSongbird

Fantastic achievement, well done you; an important mental health victory as well as a NSV!

(Also, fries dipped in ice cream is totally yummy.)

meltedkeys

that is a big deal! so proud!

fabnine

Huge NSV!
Sometimes half the battle is recognizing why we eat the things we do.
Then giving ourselves permission to eat reasonable amounts of the foods we like.
Way to Go!

oedipa_maas

That is awesome! What I try to do with food like that is challenge myself to make it last at least as many days as there are servings in the container. I bought a bag of Mint M&Ms on Monday in which there are 5 servings. Today, I still have some left, which means I ate a serving or less per day. It's a helpful way for me to make sure I don't binge on anything.

I love this! That's brilliant. I'm def. going to try this.

oedipa_maas

(Also, fries dipped in ice cream is totally yummy.)

I knew someone out there appreciated this combination

melimomTARDIS

you stopped a binge? mucho respect from me. I ate a million tablespoons of peanut butter a few days ago after a particularly stressful day. Not even peanut butter, but the high sugar peanut frosting kind of peanut butter.

anyways, good on you!

oedipa_maas

you stopped a binge? mucho respect from me. I ate a million tablespoons of peanut butter a few days ago after a particularly stressful day. Not even peanut butter, but the high sugar peanut frosting kind of peanut butter.

anyways, good on you!

I've been there, and will probably be there again. The trick is to not give up after a binge. Ever. Also, peanut butter is crack. That's my take.

melimomTARDIS

Peanut butter is definitely crack.