In praise of…toothpicks?

     I’ve always loved chewing on toothpicks ever since back in the day as a lil’ kid. We’d be leaving a restaurant and my mom would get annoyed at me grabbing one of those mint-tipped buggers from the counter, fearing I’d choke on it, or put my eye-out or one of those things parents typically stress about.

     Now that I’ve grown up and gotten hardcore with healthy eating I’ve since given up chewing gum, mostly because it’s now loaded with artificial sweeteners (one of which I’ve found out for sure that I’m actually allergic to) and if it’s not full of them it’s got a heapin’ helpin’ of corn syrup. But occasionally I miss chewing, especially since I drink a lot of smoothies! So what to do? Well when we were in Whole Foods I found Preserve brand Cinnamint toothpicks. *Mmmmm* (I’m not gettin’ paid to endorse them or anything) They’re freakin good! It keeps my jaws moving, saliva forming (which is very helpful in our central heated world), freshens my breath, and keeps away munchy feelings.

     So with my newly revisited habit  I’m now gonna look like someone trying to kick cigarettes (which my grandfather did successfully with the aid of toothpicks….and no he didn’t later die of Dutch Elm disease :0P ) but, it’s all good!  I was a lil’ concerned that Amanda was gonna be  disturbed by this  as she says “It makes you look red-necky” But, alas she must thinks its’ alright because she had put a container of their tea tree mint flavored ones in my stocking this Christmas!