In case you're considering consuming an entire tin (40 pieces) of sugar-free chocolate mint Velamints in less than half an hour, please be advised that it's not a good idea. Trust me. This is the second time I've done it.

You see, the first time I did it, I thought the resulting physical malaise (believe me, you don't want the details displayed on this page) was just a fluke. Surely something else had to be affecting/infecting my "system", I reasoned, because there was no way that a mere 40 sugar-free mints could cause such calamity. And besides, the little mints -- which taste like compressed hot cocoa mix swizzled with just a hint of mint -- were just too cute in their little hinged-top tin ... and too delicious!

So today while waiting in line at the Food Emporium, one of the little tins winked at me. For a split second, I remembered what happened the last time, but again told myself that that was probably an isolated incident. And besides, wasn't I a bit of a pig last time? I mean, who the hell wolfs down that many mints in one "sitting", anyway? This time I'd just have a few ... make the tin last through the week ... And the next thing you know, the adorable chocolaty brown tin was coyly smiling up at me as it rode down the conveyor belt.

Thirty minutes and 40 mints later, I knew it wasn't just a fluke.

Will I ever learn?