Real vs. Fake Variety

FAKE Variety

REAL Vareity

OK... I'm using that picture again.  You know I love it - I can't help it.  This is a story about me and maybe it will help you.

Recently, on the way to somewhere - I don't remember where, I just remember that I was in a hurry and quite hungry - I went into the Black Oak Coffee Shop for a tea to go.  I was standing in the line, which of course puts you standing... and waiting... in front of the pastry case.  I was hungry and feeling strongly tempted by all the pastries.   Bear claws, coffee cakes, croissants, etc..

Then it occurred to me - that what I was looking at wasn't a variety of things - it was the illusion of variety - in reality it was just different variations of processed white flour, sugar, and butter.   Folded up in fancy different patterns,  garnished with jellies, chocolate sauces, and powdered sugar.  But this wasn't really a variety - this was all one thing.

I suddenly found it easier to say no - to this one thing - as opposed to saying no to a whole case of things.

My caution to the weary shopper - watch out for fake variety.  In fact, more than half of the super market is the illusion of variety.  Aisles and aisles of corn and wheat masquerading as hundreds of different foods.  If you walk in saying no to flour and corn - you've eliminated half the store!  Good on you!