I think rewards and bribes are very efficient tools to motivate behavior. So, if you train hard or study a lot or complete some big project at work or mop the floor, then hell yes you should have some pay off. Despite the title of this post, you should not feel guilty about it. As Nigella Lawson says, “Never feel guilty about a pleasure.” Well okay then.
My guilty pleasures? That’s easy. They are not complex or expensive, but they bring great joy and satisfaction.
1. Climbing under my heated throw blanket. If you don’t have one of these you are missing out on one of the great inventions of the world. From October until April I am freezing and can usually be found with my down coat on while I’m cooking dinner. Climbing under a heated blanket is nirvana.
2. Clif Shot Bloks. Yeah I know this doesn’t seem luck much of an indulgence, but these things are not cheap and I happen to love the taste/texture of them (especially the margarita lime ones). It’s always a good run when I have these babies along.
3. Wine. I don’t have to explain this one. I could probably drink less and it would be better for me. But I do love my wine (preferably an oaky chardonnay).
4. Reading a magazine or book in the bathtub (preferably with #3). This activity combines many favorite things: being warm, reading and being left alone.
5. Having my feet rubbed. No one around here likes to do it for me and I am not above bribing an innocent child or senior citizen to rub my feet for money. If I could afford to, I would get pedicures every other day just for the foot rub part. Throw in some peppermint foot lotion and the angels might be singing.
6. Farting and not saying anything. Sometimes I like to see how long it takes for a friend or family member to notice. If I’m in public, I just blame it on babies.
7. Buying entire seasons of a show on DVD. I don't do this often because it’s really impractical and expensive. But, for Christmas I asked for the first season of Homeland and the first two seasons of the Good Wife. The only other time I did this was with Friday Night Lights. I love being able to watch all episodes in a row and not have to wait days and days between.
8. A new piece of running clothing. I’ve gotten lots off free stuff over the past couple of years, so it’s hard for me to justify buying even more stuff. But ever once in awhile I’ll indulge. This week I found this Brook’s running shirt on sale at Running Warehouse. I also found an online coupon code and got free shipping. So, after all was said and done, this baby only cost me $37 (down from an original cost of $65 – coupon code to put in at a checkout is BF15D in case you’re interested).
9. Watching infomercials. I’m not kidding. I never buy anything, but I get so sucked in by the promise of what these crappy things can do. My favorite is the Shake Weight, which I actually got for Christmas last year. SNL did a hilarious parody on this one. See it HERE.
10. Picking a scab. I don’t get many of these anymore (at least not since my last meth rampage), but during the summer when it’s mosquito season, picking the scabs is pretty fun. But not great for healing or avoiding scars.
I would make 50 Shades of Grey #11, but I think I was the only woman in the universe who didn’t like the book. I can’t wait to see how many pregnancies are attributed to that one!
How about you? What’s a guilty pleasure on your list?
Have you seen Homeland yet? We’re only on episode 5, but it’s good.
What’s the last piece of running clothing that you bought for yourself?
SUAR
