This is a question that I come back to, time and time and time again.
For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been thinking a lot about ice cream, particularly anything from Dairy Queen with hot fudge on it.
The last time I remember being at Dairy Queen was about 20 years ago with a couple of friends, when we used DQ as a reward for being successful on our diet.
The menu item of choice for me, 20 years ago, was a Peanut Buster Parfait, and I remember purchasing it, eating it, and really, really enjoying it.
So last week, I asked myself, “What do you really, really want?” I had been planning on going for a long run in the evening, but the temperature and humidity never dropped enough for me to feel safe (I’m not a big fan of heat stroke), and so instead of my long run, I decided to do some research into Dairy Queen, Peanut Buster Parfaits, chocolate, ice cream, pleasure, and my desires.
At 7 pm in the evening, the time I had originally planned to run 8 miles, I instead headed out the door to my local Dairy Queen. I walked in, confirmed with young man at the register that DQ does, in fact, still make Peanut Buster Parfaits.
I ordered one, and began to eat it.
And as I was eating it, I also analyzed it--and my response to it. Was it as good as I remembered? Did I like the chocolate? Were the peanuts fresh and salty? Was the ice cream delicious and satisfying?
And about three bites into it, I made some important discoveries into what brings me pleasure. First and foremost, I discovered that I like really excellent chocolate. Dark, musky, deep chocolate. And lots and lots of it. While the DQ hot fudge was delicious, it wasn’t quite what I had in mind--nor was there enough of it to suit me. And while the peanuts added a certain crunchy goodness to the confection, I discovered that I would have preferred saltier, “roastier” (I know it’s not a word!) nuts. And while contemplating the ice cream, and I realized that, while soft serve certainly does have its fine points, what I really like is hard, cold ice cream with a high fat content!
My little research trip to Dairy Queen a few days ago taught me a few things about loving myself and my body. It taught me that my tastes have changed over the decades. It taught me that I still love ice cream but prefer a different kind. It taught me that I still adore chocolate but require darker, richer fudge. It taught me that I like really salty, deeply roasted peanuts. And it taught me that I like lots and lots of fat in my ice cream.
If you were going to do a little research into what makes you happy, what you really want, and what brings you pleasure, what would you research? I’d love to hear yourresults!
E-mail me at nannerl123@yahoo.com.
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