Saturday, December 12, 2009

cheating with cheetos



They say confession is good for the soul.


They are correct.


One way or another, our short comings always find us out. In my case, usually around my waist.


My name is Steve -- and I am a junk food junkie. No sugar for me. I cut right to the salt and the grease.


When I started visiting Mexico, I was impressed with all of the unusual flavors for potato chips: chili and lime, habañero, jalapeño.


But it did not take me long to discover that all of the bags contained essentially the same taste: chili and lime. Even the pizza-flavored chips tasted like -- chili and lime.


What was once exciting became boring. But that was fine with me. I was in a weight loss frame of mind -- and cutting junk food out of the picture made the inches melt away.


This week I drove down to Manzanillo to pick up my mail. That drive and some recent life episodes put me in a rather pensive frame of mind.


And I could feel the temptation building when I stopped at the Oxxo to buy a Coke Light. The racks of chili-lime-infused chips called to me.


But it is easy to avoid temptation when the temptress is singing a song with no allure.


All went well until I spotted a familiar package. The Cheetos cheetah. There they were. The very epitome of junk food -- Cheetos puffed corn balls. Every kid in America was weaned to them.


Without one bit of guilt, I grabbed a bag. Grabbed my Coke Light. Paid. And was on my way. Bag ripping open as the pesos soared mano a mano.


I was not out the door before I realized the wages of sin are counted in artificial flavors of -- chili and lime.


Right. I neglected to look at the bag very closely. See the icon at the top? These are not your every day Cheetos corn puff balls. They are chili-lime Cheetos corn puff balls.


If I have learned one thing in Mexico, it is this. Whatever life deals you, enjoy it.


So, I ate my corn balls and drank my Coke Light as if I was dining on squab at Antoine's.


And I bought another bag the next day.


But that was enough.

Because abstinence does not make the heart grow fonder.

15 comments:

Ken said...

Better that than when I grabed a hand full of my daughters Cheetos.. and discovering they were the flaming hot flavor.(which she loves) Couldn't taste anything for a week.
Ken

Karen said...

Oh my goodness, the Cheetos in Mexico are the best, especially the crunchy ones. I am with you, give me salt and grease much better than chocolate. I also love the Mexican chips in the green bags, yummy!!! Enjoy your special treat.

Calypso said...

And you have been doing so well what with the new thinner figure - Coke Light - don't get me started.

Your health NUT amigo-

Leslie Harris said...

Being the mom of 4 kids, I am all too familiar with the chile and lime chips. And yes, I think they all taste the same. I can't believe how spicy some of those chips are, and that my kiddies can eat them! If you're looking for the original flavor Cheetoh puffs, they are in the cobalt blue bag! :D Now, I have a craving for cheese puffs!

1st Mate said...

Sometimes you just have to go with the flow, at least once. When a bag of Cheetos calls your name, you gotta give them a try. Now you can put them behind you. There are plenty of other temptations waiting in line to grab you.

Anonymous said...

we all need a treat once in a while! this is a difficult time of year to be losing weight, but i am slowly but surely doing it. just walked 4 mi. with brenda in 15deg. temp. where's that heat i've been asking you for ;-)

have a great day and enjoy the virgen de guadalupe festivities! wish i were there.

teresa

Ron said...

All those carbs (chips) turn into sugar once inside you. You may as well be sitting down at a sugar bowl with a spoon :)

I only mention it because of your earlier post about diabetes.

Tancho said...

Baaaad Boy!
Do your calculations and see what you are going to have to do to neutralize the calorie offset.
A nice cold juicy apple as a much better alternative to that crap!
Your last picture you so good! A veritable chick magnet!
Toss the chips and puffs!
Take care, I know you will do the right thing.......You will do the right thing?

Charles said...

Steve - I understand the Mexican chili/lime thing - I have a friend who will even buy regular Cheetos and douse them with hot sauce and jugo de limon - a soggy mess one has to eat with a fork or spoon! I think you're becoming a true Mexican by osmosis - not necessarily a bad thing! Have a good adventure-filled week - your writing is exceptional.

Unknown said...

Cheetos is one of my few indulgences in Honduras. They are so much cheaper down there than in the US. That's my reasoning. I also like fried plantains mixed with chicharonnes. But don't tell anyone about that. Those are high on the guilt-o-meter.

Unknown said...

By the way, just checked the menu for Antoine's in the French Quarter. No Squab. But I am sure you wil find not find Cheetos on the menu either.

sparks_mex said...

What I wouldn't give for a plain bag of Fritos now and then - the originals

Anonymous said...

Corn balls? Light Coke?

Are you feeling bloated yet?

A. N. Moose

Rosas Clan in Tulum said...

The smaller the town the harder to find. When i am missing home- especially the food from home. There are very few options to help you. Because Tulum is so small- we have almost othing that you would find in the states. one of the strores has 1 shelf of things from the SUA,Canada and England- $9 US for a thing of Chips a hoy cookies!!!!

Even the peanuts---- still have lime. and the coka lite is not the same either.

Rosas Clan in Tulum said...

The smaller the town the harder to find. When i am missing home- especially the food from home. There are very few options to help you. Because Tulum is so small- we have almost othing that you would find in the states. one of the strores has 1 shelf of things from the SUA,Canada and England- $9 US for a thing of Chips a hoy cookies!!!!

Even the peanuts---- still have lime. and the coka lite is not the same either.