You go over to the window of various baked good as your stomach grumbles. "I guess my quick breakfast stop
satisfying me quick!" you thought, smirking to yourself.
You decided that 11 was a little early to be sugar loading on cake or pie, and the scones looked dry like
cardboard... You passed the breads, which looked delicious but the slices looked thin and your body was
craving quantity as well as quality.
You came to the muffins which looked like small servings like the bread but then you noticed the "Powerhouse"
Muffin which was about three times the size of the other muffins. Apple Cinnamon, blueberry, banana nut, pecan
delight were all easy enough flavors to distinguish but powerhouse?
"Can you tell me about this powerhouse muffin?"
"Oh sure." The cashier slowly got up, it was difficult for them to pull themselves away from their phone
apparently. "Umm, yeah, so the powerhouse is our meal replacement muffin. I'm sure you have heard of meal
replacement bars and shakes, right?"
He waited for you to nod before continuing his spiel. "Those products have the right idea but they are missing
the point. People today are eating things that have been processed beyond recognition, our muffin tries to
help with that, its loaded with raisins, cherries, bananas, nuts, fiber, protein and our special..."
Your stomach is rumbling as he checks his new hire cheat sheet for the rest of the script he is undoubtedly
required to read. You wait patiently while he finishes, knowing that he is probably going to be monitored from
the video feed to ensure that he's following the rules.
"Healthy Life Transformation blend to help you attain your goals of a healthy lifestyle." he finished a moment
later.
"I want it," you respond to get things moving. After waiting for him to start moving on getting the muffin you
ask, "I hate to do this to you, but what is in the 'Healthy Life Transformation blend'?" laughing at the corny
name as you said it.
"Sciency stuff?", he replied apologetically, clearly having missed that day of training.
You smile, offering that its probably some protein-vitamin-enzyme blend and that it isn't important because
you don't have any allergies.
He smiles back knowing you just let him off the hook and offers to sell you a drink. You think that a drink
would be good and just go with milk to wash it down. He offers to warm the muffin and puts it in the microwave
for 30 seconds (activating the Healthy Life Transformation blend) and rings you up while you wait.
True to his word, this muffin replaces the budget you had for a meal, costing $9.87 with the milk and tax. You
feel perturbed till the warm muffin is in front of you and smelling like heaven. when you pick up the plate it
is surprisingly heavy and you know this will fill you up very well.
You sit down and begin to eat your brunch. It is delicious. Each bite is a delightful medley of flavor,
texture, smell, and warmth that reminds you of walking into a house after cookies, cake, or bread had been
baked.
Before you realize it you had polished the muffin off and finished your milk. You almost feel disappointed
that you are perfectly satisfied and couldn't possibly eat another.
Returning your fork and plate you speak to the man behind the counter, "That was really, really... really
delicious. I was thinking of taking some home for later, how long do they last?"
"They were all made this morning, so if you take them home and refrigerate them they will be good for 5 days."
"I'll take four." You surprise yourself as the words fall out of your mouth, you aren't usually this impulsive
with purchases. "For the family, you know." You lied, though you earnestly intend to have a modest one per
day.
"Total is 26.37"
You pay, relieved it isn't the 39 something you expected... having forgotten you werent buying 4 milks too. as
you grab your purchase and turn to walk away the cashier calls to you.
"Oh, Dude! I almost forgot! Make sure you refrigerate or freeze as soon as possible, and ... It is strongly
recommended that you serve it warm; nuke for up to 40 seconds. I hear it tastes awful if you don't."
You smile and agree to follow his advice. Heading home you feel energized, poor and oddly peckish,
like you could eat again... That's really strange, a moment ago you were nearly stuffed.
As you exit the mall walking toward your home a few blocks away, you had to stop yourself repeatedly from
breaking into a jog. Not that you were in a hurry but you were overflowing with energy and wanted to spend it
physically.
Which is rare, if not unheard of.
You loathe running, and most physical exercise besides walking, at a very slow pace for very short distances.
You aren't fat or anything. Skimpy would be more accurate, physical pursuits were never your forte and other
things were, so you focused on enhancing them.