It started in 2005. The secretary had a bowl of peppermints on her desk and, each time I dropped off a piece of mail or went to see my boss, I'd grab 2 or 3 mints. Oh, how I loved the crunch followed by that burst of mintiness. (I never bothered to suck them; that'd take too long.) It seemed so harmless. Little red and white circles of instant joy. I'd stop by the desk 2, 3, 7 times a day, crunching my way up and down the office halls.
Over time, I started feeling guilty and would buy a bag of peppermints to replenish the secretary's supply. Only Brach's hard peppermint candies would do. Then I started keeping a stash at my desk. That was the beginning of my addiction. I crunched and crunched as soon as I arrived at my desk, just before lunch, right after lunch, 'round 4:00 in the afternoon, and on the way home (from the handful I dumped in my bag before leaving the office for the day).
At least my peppermint addiction was limited to the weekdays, right? In the beginning, yes. But, every Friday afternoon, I'd pour a bunch into my bag just to "keep me" over the weekend. By Friday night, I had depleted my supposed weekend supply and that's when I began trolling for peppermints over the weekend. I came across a one-pound bag of Brach's peppermints at Kroger. I wasn’t a Kroger shopper but it was on the way to work. Convenient.
Things went swimmingly until Kroger stopped carrying Brach's peppermints. No problem. I'm a Publix shopper, so I just added the one-pound bag to my weekly shopping list. A few months later, Brach's peppermints starting disappearing from Publix's shelves. "What is going on?!," I'd ask the stock clerk. I complained to the store manager, the department manager, the cashier– anyone who'd listen. The department manager promised to "look into it" and let me know.
It dawned on me that these grocers had discontinued Brach's to make way for their "private label" peppermints. I dutifully tried each brand. Ab-so-lute waste of money! The Kroger brand was the worst – the taste was not identifiable (the bag read, "real" peppermint oil, but I think not!) and the candy was pink-and-white in color. The Publix brand was OK but bland in comparison to Brach's. Clearly, no one asked me if this was a good idea.
Then the skies opened: I stumbled across a two-pound bag of Brach's peppermints at Wal-Mart. Ha! I bought a bag and kept it in my trunk. Now I had a major stash of peppermints even before arriving at work. I'd pop a few mints in the morning before starting the car, a few more in traffic, grab a handful on the way up to my office. At my desk, I'd resume my daily routine of crunching throughout the day. On my way home, more peppermints. At night, even more.
Did I mention I have an 8-year old kid? "Mommy, you need to stop eating so many peppermints!" "Mom, it's rude for you to crunch! Everyone can hear you!"
Then there was the time I was preparing for a 3-day road trip. As I packed my bags – and crunched on peppermints - I snapped off a large filling. Yep, snapped it right off. I barely smiled during the entire occasion, so worried someone may see my jagged edges.
I've got to kick this thing. I've gained 15 pounds and my teeth are taking a beating.
Hoping you can help.
-PP
Try min tea, or plant several mint plants around your house. If you don't use pesticides you can just grab a handfull of leaves and chew! :)
ReplyDeleteI just read your post and I honestly thought you were talking about me! People at work started calling me the Mint Lady! I kept my pockets full, I had them in my car, in every room of the house, in my daughters diaper bag, in my husbands car, etc. Thought nothing about buying 2-3 5lb bags at local wholesale store. I couldnt get enough. At the time, what I thought was a completely unrelated issue was the increase in my restless leg syndrome. I had it when I was pregnant, but it really hadnt bothered my since. Now it was daily - and not just confined to my legs. It was in my shoulders too (crazy I know) I went to the Dr. about it and he said he was going to get some labs. He then asked if I had been eating ice...No, but I did confess to my mint addiction. Well, long story short, my bodies iron stores were in the toilet! It wasnt a mint addiction, it was PICA and mints were just my "crunch of choice." I ended up getting IV iron infusions and it honestly was like someone just turning the switch off. I didnt have the craving or desire to eat mints. It was amazing. Now, if I start getting the urge and it seems like nothing else in the world would be better than crunching a mint, I start taking Iron supplements and get my Ferritin levels checked...usually they really are starting to get low again. Hope this helps. I know how you feel!
ReplyDeleteomg.i thought you were telling my story.but i just found out i was iron deficiency and after reading your artical that may just be my problem
DeleteThat’s interesting. Iron deficiency. I also am anemic. I wonder if iron supplements would help me stop. I went through the exact same thing. But after ruining my teeth w hard candies, i switched to CVS Canada mints (they were discontinued 😑). I moved to mentos- too sweet. Then I found Haribo Star Mints and they are perfect to serve my addiction. But now the addiction is worse than ever. I have to stop. I will try iron supplements and see if this curbs my cravings.
DeleteI didn't know you could get addicted to these. Yes, Brach's are the only ones I will buy and I buy the huge bags at Walmart too. Only, I buy 3 at a time to be sure I don't run out. They are in my pockets, my purse, my car console...everywhere! How do you quit eating these? I thought cigarettes were bad, but these are worse!
ReplyDeleteI love peppermints I must eat peppermints the crunch the taste ooooo I must have them in a smoothie I have to pick up3 pounds of them
ReplyDeleteHow can i stop eating peppermints. I go thru a bag a day. I can't seam to stop
ReplyDeleteI thought I was the only one! I go through a whole bag in two days. It started as a pregnancy craving and now I just can’t stop. I take a bag everywhere with me.. it’s crazy!
ReplyDeleteI, too, am afflicted. I've been sober for almost 16 years, so I've concluded that it must have a connection to my addictive behavior, now under control. However, I am not in control of the peppermint habit. But, I feel great! I exercise, am a vegetarian, and am healthy. What gives?
ReplyDelete