Addiction

Addict:  As defined by the American Heritage College Dictionary Third Edition (the dictionary I won in college for an essay I wrote...just saying...) 1. To devote or give (oneself) habitually or compulsively.  2. To cause to become compulsively and physiologically dependent on a habit-forming substance. 

Addiction can come in many forms, from the obvious - alcohol,  drugs, nicotine, to the not so obvious - diet coke, Reeses peanut butter cups, and of course ice cream!  I've come to learn that as well as being addicted to substances, we as humans can be addicted to just about anything.  For instance, one could be addicted to attention; whether it be negative or positive - there are some who have the compulsive need to be the center of attention (you know who you are!).  I think it is fair to say that we are all touched, or possibly a better word would be plagued, by addiction in some form or fashion.

That being said I am making a confession right here and now on this blog that I have an addiction.  This might not come as a surprise to some of you, as you have yourselves brought this addiction to my attention often, and I myself have proclaimed it to be true - however for those of you who don't know here it is -

I AM ADDICTED TO EGG NOG.

There, I said it - isn't that the first step, admitting it? Those who know me best understand that with the Holiday season comes my yearning, uncontrollable craving for the creamy liquid  sunshine.  Not just any egg nog will do of course.  No, it must be Hood Goldem Egg Nog - that's the only one for me!  Words cannot adequately describe the love, no obsession, nay, infatuation I have with this delectable drink.

Egg Nog, to me isn't just a treat for my taste buds, no, no it is an experience.  When the cool, thick, creamy stream of heaven enters my grateful mouth, I give it a lovely swish before allowing it to trickle down my throat and it brings me home.  Egg nog is happy child hood memories, it's a cuddly blanket that wraps around me, it's Christmas music being played on my mothers record player, it's laughter, it's love...okay okay I'm getting carried away!   The point is I LOVE IT!  And I've already gained 4 pounds drinking it.  

Every year I am teased about this addiction and every year I proclaim with great confidence "I can quit anytime!"  An easy statement to make seeing how Egg Nog is a seasonal drink!  I have no choice but to quit at the end of the season when my heart glow fades as the beloved Nog is no longer stocked on the super market shelves...well this year is different.  This year tragedy has struck.

The day before Thanksgiving I was told I had pneumonia...this was very inconvenient.  Not because of the constant phlegm riddled cough - though I was sounding like the Dementors of Harry Potter with my rattling breath!

Not because of the headaches said coughing caused...not even because of the horrendously stuffed up nose I had or the constant feeling I was drowning in mucus.  No the inconvenience came when my cruel-hearted loving sister in law explained to me that I probably shouldn't drink the egg nog due to the fact that it would make the phlegm issue worse.  I choose to believe she told me this out of love and concern and not because she enjoyed seeing me cry at this news (and yes I really did cry - hey!  Addiction is hard!)  Well I tried and failed misserably to stay away from the Nog on Thanksgiving.  I only had two glasses (which is actually really good for me considering I usually drink both cartons on my own...)  After the two glasses though I realized my gasping coughs did increase a tremendous amount and had to admit defeat...at least until this blasted pneumonia ends!

Anyway, why am I telling you all this?  I'm telling you because I have reigned victorious (at least for today).  I successfully went to the grocery store and walked by, with great restraint and self control, the many - and I mean many Egg Nog cartons without grabbing one.  It was hard, I'm not gonna lie to you, but I did it.  With great sorrow I left the store with only my veggies, chicken, beef stock, cereal etc.  Though it pains me dearly to resist there is no egg nog in my fridge!

Now I can't say what tomorrow will bring - I might very well crack and go on a nog binge but today - today I am nog free.  One day at a time folks...one day at a time!