A hallmark phrase used in TOPS is “portion control”. That mantra has been so important on my journey to improve my wellness. It is also important in how we manage our lives.
There was a THYME that I did not understand that “just a little can go a long way”. Something so BASIL that I could eat anything I wanted, as long as I did so in moderation, was truly a PAPRIKA moment.
Many of my friends and family who witnessed my loss of 101 pounds simply did not understand or believe that a small change in my habits was one of the factors in my success.
I now have another way to help explain portion control. Anything, no matter how good it is, can be detrimental if used in excess. The spice, CLOVES, can serve as a perfect example. While CLOVES can be just what your favorite recipe needs, using too much can ruin the dish.
As I refract on my pre-TOPS life, I now understand that my all-or-nothing approach had a negative impact on my success.
Moderation is SAGE advice. Taking a little step towards success is better than taking no step at all. Slow and steady will help win the race to longevity.
I did not forget the towel story, and will get that in next THYME when I explore CARAWAY. However, in the spirit of how a little can go a long way, this will most likely be the shortest blog of this series.
You can all take it from here. Refract on your own or at your chapter meeting on how just a little has helped you go a long way.
Clove (Syzygium aromaticum): A warm, aromatic spice made from the dried, unopened flower buds of the tropical evergreen native to Indonesia’s Maluku (Spice) Islands. People have prized cloves for centuries in cooking, traditional medicine and the spice trade. Because cloves are highly concentrated, they should be used sparingly. A small amount adds warmth and depth, while too much can overpower other flavors.
Cloves have a sweet, pungent flavor with notes of cinnamon, nutmeg and pepper. Their strong aroma comes primarily from eugenol, a natural compound that gives cloves their distinctive fragrance and mild numbing effect.
Cloves are available in two forms: whole, used in soups and stews, and ground, which is commonly added to baked goods, blends and desserts.
They are a key ingredient in pumpkin pie spice, gingerbread and spice cakes, and mulled cider and wine.
Today, cloves remain one of the world’s most valued spices, adding rich aroma and distinctive flavor to both sweet and savory dishes.
