It’s Girl Scout Cookie time. The funny thing is, I could live without them.
The DAD of 7? Well, he’s another story.
This year, he bought $35 bucks of girl scout cookies. $35 bucks!!!!! I just laughed. Whatever makes him happy, well, makes me happy as well. But here’s the deal, DAD of 7 (aka Stephen) isn’t home too much lately, so of course when the GS cookies arrive, I am left to pay for them and manage the daily ration of cookies to the 7 kids.
You’d swear the 7 kids NEVER had cookies, or sweets, the way they want to attack these cookies.
Thankfully, child #2 (aka Jen) announced to the tribe that they “best leave those cookies alone until Dad gets home or he will go postal.” The cookies were immediately taken to the garage fridge (everyone forgets about stuff in this fridge–until it’s too late) for safe keeping. 
Stephen arrived home this past weekend and well, the seal was broken on the THIN MINTS and SOMOA’s. Each child was given 2—maybe 3 if they asked kindly and asked when there were NO other children lurking. After Saturday, the cookies went back to the safe—the garage fridge, until Dad returns home again THIS weekend.
I haven’t checked; I’m assuming the cookies are “safe” in the garage fridge and I’m assuming the kids have listened and not touched them. Pitty the child that doesn’t follow these rules; he/she may be quickly sold on Craigs List if Stephen’s cookies are touched!!!!
But it makes me wonder….WHAT IS UP WITH GIRL SCOUT COOKIES? Why are they so good? Why are they craved so much? Is it the simple law of supply and demand (only available once a year) or are they laced with heroine? (I’m joking of course…….I think)
Help me understand! I just don’t get the craze, the hype.
What I do know, is I’m left at home, with 7 kids who clearly know the “hiding” spot and I’m expected to guard these cookies with my life!!!!
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Now, if you need “tips” on how to mindfully eat these cookies…..check out what I found:
Tips for Mindfully Eating Girl Scout Cookies
1) One reason people mindlessly over eat Girl Scout cookies is due to the way they are packaged. The Thin Mints come in a long sheath and the Samoa, for example, are in rows. The natural “pause point” is at the end of the row or the sheath. A “pause point” is the place that you naturally stop and ask yourself if you want more. This way of packaging unconsciously leads people to eat more than they normally would. (Consider how Pop Tarts are packed in a set of two, to subtly imply that you should naturally eat two). Therefore, a helpful hint is to divide these rows of cookies into smaller baggies. That way when you get to the bottom of a bag of two cookies (instead of a row of cookies) you stop and ask yourself, “do I want more?” Creating your own pause points helps you to think mindfully about whether you really want another cookie. We often automatically respond to the subtle cues of packaging rather than our true hunger.
2) If you don’t want to waste the cookies but feel uncomfortable with how many you have on hand, there are recipes that call for using several cookies at once. See the recipes below. Bring one of these desserts to a potluck, or to an office meeting. http://www.girlscoutsww.org/cookies/recipes
http://baking.about.com/od/leftovergscookierecipes/Recipes_for_Leftover_Girl_Scout_Cookies.htm
4) Freeze a box. If you are like most parents, coworkers or grandparents, you buy multiple boxes to help your favorite little one. The good news is that they freeze well.
5) Bring a box to work or other events. They will be gone quickly. If you worry about contributing to other people’s mindless eating, you might also consider dividing up the cookies and putting one or two on a small plate. Wrap them up with pretty paper. This way you are sharing the cookies without leading others to eat them mindlessly.
6) Get the facts. Check out the nutritonal information on your favorite cookie.http://www.abcsmartcookies.com/cookies_nutrition.asp
7) Don’t panic! Remember that Girl Scout Cookies happen once a year. This challenge won’t last forever. If you do like them, eat them mindfully, savor and enjoy. Eating too many of them takes out the joy of these little treats.
MOM of 7 