How to Keep Baking Shows From Making You Fat

If you’re looking for the next installment in the Virtual Conference Success series, don’t worry. I already have a title, and hey, that’s half the battle.

However, I think we’re due for a snack break. Have you seen Nailed It!–the Netflix sort-of-baking show?

All my life, during stressful situations, I’ve binged on doughnuts, chocolate, or some other form of sugar.

Thanks to the InterWebs, I can replace nutrition-deficient candy calories with calorie-deficient brain candy. Netflix binge, anyone?

During the first part of quarantine, I shopped for groceries online, eliminating my opportunity to make impulsive “double-decker-tiramisu-is-a-reasonable-entree” purchases. Sugary and carbohydrate-y snacks no longer entered the house.

In the first few months of Covid, I finally lost the “Freshman 15” weight I picked up during my Sophomore year of college. If I’d dropped four more, I could have said I lost the Covid 19.

Stop rolling your eyes. You know it’s funny.

Alas, my grand plan for making millions with The Covid 19 Diet crashed and burned before leaving the ground, mostly because of my kid.

We have a teen daughter who wants parents to watch shows with her. She likes to share the magical experience of staring together at a screen.

I realize this is a rare gift and I treasure our time together.

However, finding a show with mild-at-most language, innuendo, violence, etc., (AND one that isn’t Caillou or some Australian mermaid show) is often impossible.

And then we found Nailed It! This baking show is great.

Instead of watching a bunch of professionals create a level of perfection I’ll never attain, we laugh at regular people who are convinced they have baking skills (they don’t).

I want Jacques Torres (famous chocolatier and the Nailed It! head judge) to adopt me. Thanks to the show, we crave carbohydrates and *insert French accent here* boot-a-cream frosting. You dream in color? I dream in chocolat.

I made a batch of buttercream yesterday, and (yep, stressful day) “tested” it more than necessary.

Have you ever suddenly realized you just ate the equivalent of a stick of butter, a full cup of powdered sugar, a tablespoon of whipping cream and some vanilla? Yeah.

Pretty sure vanilla extract is a vegetable. Right?

This is why I’ve gained back seven pounds. Thanks a lot, Nailed It! More like FAILED It!

But if I’m honest with myself, it’s not Nicole Byers’ fault. Not Jacques’ fault. Not even the buttercream’s fault.

I’ve returned to old habits.

And not just food habits. In the beginning of quarantine, I prayed and read my Bible ALL the time. Craved those words.

Since the world started feeling (just a little) less crazy, sometimes I forget to spend time paying attention to God’s message.

I don’t take the time to read the words He knew I’d need.

Really, it all boils down to the same thing.

In order to eat healthy, I have to plan ahead. I need to make sure nutritious food is in the house, and then choose to eat an apple instead of apple pie.

To be spiritually healthy, I have to plan ahead to put God first in my day.

Before I listen to my brain-candy book, I need to turn on my audio Bible. Check in with God before I check Facebook. Make time to listen.

Ephesians 4:22-24 encourages us to give up old habits, to renew our minds and to make an active, conscious choice to “put on the new self, created after the likeness of God, in true righteousness and holiness.” (ESV)

Getting rid of old habits isn’t easy. Creating new habits is just as difficult. Temptation to allow myself to be distracted lurks around every corner.

I’m thankful for the reminder in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that we’re never alone.

“Everyone deals with temptation. God is always faithful, and he’ll never allow you to be pressured beyond your ability to withstand. Whenever you’re tempted, look around. He always provides a way to escape. You can get through this.” (Becky’s No-Nonsense Paraphrase)

If you’re feeling pressured, or tempted, or overwhelmed, or just tired of old habits you can’t seem to kick, I promise: you’re not alone. Not ever.

What habit do you need to drop? What habit do you need to begin forming? If you’re ready to share, post your answer below.

Now, I leave you with one last thought, which isn’t technically nutrition-related, but still seems relevant to our food discussion:

Whoever has control of mouth and tongue stays out of trouble. – Proverbs 21:23 (BNNP)

Featured image Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Pexels.com