The long version

There are some restaurants that are just easier to totally avoid rather than try and abstain from eating my favorite foods. Lucy's El Adobe Cafe is one of those restaurants. I have probably been going there for almost 50 years. It's my home away from home. I ate my first BBQ taco dinner there when I was about 9 years old and I have wanted to order it every single time I have gone back since. When my husband suggested that we take my mother there on Saturday night, I knew I would be in trouble. However, just because I have a weight problem, doesn't mean I should punish Tony for my lack of willpower. I agreed to go. I tried to make some changes from my usual El Adobe experience.  I didn't order the freshly made delicious guacamole. But, I did eat the hot, crunchy  tortilla chips. I couldn't pass up the incomparable quesadilla with mild peppers especially when my husband added jalapeños to it. Normally I would order the taco dinner, but I ordered a boiled bean tostado with a fresh (not fried) corn tortilla on the bottom. Who was I kidding? I just ate a bowl of chips!  Add the special Santiago margarita and my diet was totally gone. Now, maybe I would have had more willpower if I was going there more often. But, I haven't been there in over 3 months, and it was Saturday night, and well.....oh well.

Last night

Today's entry could either be really long or really short. I am going to opt for the short version. My husband and I took my Mom to dinner last night.

 

Splurge

I don't mean to overwhelm you with pictures, but, really? Last night I ate dinner at the home of my good friend, Lynn. Lynn is the type of person who over thirty years ago, introduced me to Iranian caviar. She had all of the accompaniments to go with it perfectly displayed. It was beautiful and delicious and something I will never forget. I tell you this to warn you; I knew what I was getting into last night. I didn't think I was going over and asking her for celery and carrot sticks. I was totally prepared to splurge, and splurge I did. We started off with a chilled Hendrick's martini, served in our own stainless steel ice cold mixer. Then, we sat in the den to "catch up" while snacking on duck pâté, creamy foghorn cheese, crispy fruit infused crackers, and olives that I thought were fake. (So shiny and beautiful) This ex- Nutritarian was in heaven! We moved into the kitchen where dimly lit candles twinkled and the smell of roasted chicken permeated the room. I don't remember when I enjoyed a meal more. Lynn instinctively knows that attention to the smallest details really makes an evening. I so appreciate everything she did for me. (She has always been an expert at caring for others.)

 Thank you, Lynn. Patti's plate has never looked so good!

Poached Eggs

Today, Patti's plate had the most delicious breakfast on it. Two perfectly poached eggs were laying on top of a bed of endives. Again, credit goes to my random new friend, Laura, who labeled me anemic a couple of days ago. She said I should be eating eggs at least twice a week. She also told me to make sure that I eat the entire egg, not just the whites. (Something about bringing "new life" into my body) Hey, it works for me. They are much tastier with the yolk. The other bit of advice that she gave to me, is to make sure that I eat them with greens and not toast. She said it is never a good idea to mix protein and starchy carbohydrates at the same time. She was thin and had a European accent so I tend to believe her.

Floradix

Yesterday, a random woman looked at me and asked me why I was so anemic. No, I wasn't dressed up as a ghost. She questioned what I normally eat and I told her. She then lectured me about the merits of eggs and animal protein. She wrote down the name of a vitamin supplement and told me to immediately go out and buy it. A couple of blocks later, I found myself in front of a vitamin store. I went in and had a long discussion with the owner. He told me that there has never been a famous athlete who was a vegetarian. (I don't know if that is true, but he did have an autographed photograph wall of body builders in his store - even Arnold!) He didn't carry the supplement I was looking for, so I ventured on to Capital drugs. (A homeopathic drug store) I bought the bottle of liquid vitamins.  I'll let you know if I notice a difference.  Also, for the first time in over 6 weeks I will be eating eggs for breakfast this morning.

Happy Halloween!

This post is to announce that in my entire life, I don't ever remember NOT eating a piece of candy on Halloween. Well.....tonight was different. I am proud to say that I am going to sleep tonight without one piece of candy having touched my lips. (In the old days I could have said that and still manage to get it in my mouth and technically not be lying, but today  I really didn't eat any candy) My nephew was kind enough to hand the candy out to the little (and not so little) trick or treaters and I left the house. It made it much easier to refrain. Now I need to make sure that all of the left over candy is removed. I can't have it hiding in the cupboard haunting me.

 

 

Olive oil

Many of you have been wondering, "what's next on Patti's Plate?" Actually, I'm not really sure. I have been enjoying waking up lighter each morning. I am definitely going to continue a healthy eating plan. However, I am going to take a break from the very strict Nutritarian eating. One thing that I have abstained from and have definitely missed, is olive oil. There are a lot of mixed opinions about oil. Many experts believe that a little oil in moderation should not only be allowed, but is encouraged. Dr. Fuhrman is not of that opinion. He makes a point of discouraging olive oil. "Fat can be stored within minutes, without costing the body any caloric price". I'm Greek. We have always been taught that olive oil is good for you.....period. (Except during lent, so I guess I should have said comma) After reading "Eat to Live" I feel guilty eating olive oil. Tonight, I gave my husband a choice. Delicious oil-free dressing or a small amount of olive oil. He's Greek too. I'm making my chicken salad tonight with oil!