No cheese, no booze January - Day 1

Little Christmas parties, holiday with plenty of socializing, New Year's party with sparkling wine and sparklers ... time to start 2012 with a 31 days long No cheese, no booze challenge. With one exception: Philadelphia. In moderation.

First breakfast of 2012 was an immediate test of my willpower, as Lebanese cheese was calling my name. Brain started to rationalize that since Philadelphia is an exception, maybe the Lebanese cheese could be too. As the Yes - NO - Yes - NO - battle was still going on in my head, my fingers were approaching the cheese in a slow motion, getting closer and closer. In the last second brain said NO and fingers did a quick turn to grab chocolate instead. Willpower 1, cheese 0.

Nepalese lunch at friends was delicious, and for sure white wine would have complimented the food amazingly, but willpower won. 2 - 0.

The big battle was a January 1 party at another friend with plenty of cheese and booze available. Hostess carefully inquired whether I could start my challenge a day later, but after a little hesitation I said no. Armed with a liter of tea I entered the kitchen to help in preparations. Ham rolls were safe to attack, but a constant no nibbling-reminder was needed when rolling cheese slices.

No matter how many plates of dips, pickled things, veggies and ham rolls the table carried, the cheese was the king. Cracker without a cheese? Unheard-of. But doable. Sigh. When the fellow-party-goers heard about my no cheese challenge they were eager to point out any hidden cheese, like mascarpone in tiramisu. Simultaneously they were trying to convince me that it's actually not cheese, it's just cream. Tough call, but no to tiramisu. Heartbreaking.

In the early stage of the party, while I was avoiding brie, gouda and getting bored with carrots I indulged a mysterious ball, rolled in sesame seeds. The flavor was slightly lemony and texture a little too creamy to my taste, but good nevertheless. Only later, when someone mentioned "cheese ball" my mind connected the dots - that's what the familiar has been taste: cheese! Dammit. But since it was an accident, it doesn't count, right?

First day of no cheese, no booze had been full of challenges, and even with the little cheese ball accident I congratulated myself for the 3 - 0 score. 30 more days to go!