Chocolates without nuts are vile, not even garden variety vile but really, really, vile! This was the mantra I repeated to myself as the chocolate sat on top of my desk, catching the light and glinting in reflection, almost as if to remind me that it was there, at arm’s reach, waiting patiently for me to remember that it was once a very healthy cocoa plant and had gone through quite a lot of transformation before sitting at my desk.
I am normally quite a strict person, but then I asked myself a question: Can I really ignore the cocoa sacrifice, torn from a life of leisure with the sun and wind as its companions? Obliged to travel long distances – in some cases weeks on a ship to get to a manufacturing plant. Fermented, dried under the sun, roasted, crushed and put to the test, yet yielding up its best aroma, taste and texture? Surely such sacrifice should merit at least a bite, at least a little nibble.
Three chocolate pieces later I sit at my desk disconsolate. The wrapper shows I have once again consumed 600 calories at a sitting. Oh well, even if I gain a bit of weight, it doesn’t really matter as it means there is more of me to love… ‘or hate- whispers a silent voice within me’ I sigh.
I know I should tell myself the truth but for now, I am consoled in the age-old adage that only one with peace of mind gains weight, so I wrap this comforting adage around myself like a cosy blanket and get on with my work.
Alas, the day of reckoning comes. I have an event to attend but can’t seem to fit into any of my dresses. Do I diet/exercise or do I just buy clothing a size bigger? After all, a new article has just been released that shows the traditional BMI calculation was derived for Caucasians and does not accurately represent the African body shape. As I muse over this, another chocolate brazenly makes its way from the table into my mouth. I savour the sweetness of the nuts and brown chocolate before reality sets in! Another 250 calories that I really do not need.
I am of course shocked as I really did not have a hand in eating the chocolates in the real sense of the word! It was a reflex action and so I had to empty my drawer of the chocolates, so they do not sneak past my defences. I stoically endure the sight of my happy colleagues munching away my favourite chocolates and at lunch, I celebrate my newfound strength – eating only vegetables and fish.
I tell myself that if I had more time, I would be healthier, and then the next morning, I see the Chairman coming out of the gym. This is when it occurs to me that I have been lying to myself. The Chairman makes out time to work out despite his schedule because it is important to him. So, I decided, No More! I have a new role model. My health needs to be important to me too. Except my resolve lasts only for 24 hrs.
I have now found an exercise regime that I love and can stick to. I go home and I dance for 30 minutes. I find that I go to bed refreshed and I wake up eager to face a new day. Also, this has the upside that it has healed the rift between me and chocolates. I still take Chocolates occasionally in recognition of the sacrifice it embodies and to keep the demand up so my fellow Africans who contribute over 40% of the world cocoa trade can earn a decent living. But I also have an outlet to fight off its less noble effect. However, I still believe Chocolates without nuts is vile. 😊
Lol. Stop cheating, Ifeoma. But really, you’ve made me think about following through on other outlets as well as I too am really dedicated to contributing my quota to fellow Africans in the cocoa trade.