The Age of Anxiety

I don't care what is on Patti's plate tonight. I doubt anyone else does either. Today our country was reminded again of just how horrible life on Earth can get. Sure, for you optimists out there, stories will follow about heroism, kindness and casseroles.  I personally prefer to wallow in our misery. This is just too sad.

Day 7, Beck Solution

Lately I feel like I'm writing a restaurant blog instead of writing about weight loss. That's not good. I've been maintaining my weight with the better choices that I am making, but I think I'm ready to start losing again. It's probably stupid timing with the holiday season, but I can definitely try harder during the week.  Day 7 of the Beck Solution suggests that you change the tempting environment in your house. I need to rid my house of all fattening unhealthy items. This is definitely difficult with 4 other people living in my home, all of whom do NOT have a weight problem. Why should they suffer because I am overweight? Because we are talking about health, not just calories. I usually don't buy anything except healthy whole foods. The other night, Anne decided to make chocolate chip cookies. They have been calling to me every single night since. I am going to tell her tomorrow to take them to work, or they are going in the trash. They are definitely too much temptation.  As far as dinner goes, just another boring salad made it's way to Patti's plate.

Cobb Salad

I usually am not one to "do" lunch. I have never been part of the "ladies who lunch" club. However, today I celebrated my skinny sister's monumental birthday. (A year and a few days late.) We went to the Tavern in Brentwood and fell in love with the ambiance of the restaurant. Since my sister makes a habit of eating healthy, these days I just follow her lead. We started with a small white bean purée, and then we both had the Cobb salad. It was aesthetically beautiful, as well as nutritious and delicious.  And believe it or not, unlike my sister,  I didn't even finish everything on my plate.

Wine Tasting

I'm hoping that all of the walking I am doing today will counteract the amount of food and drink that I am consuming. Anne and I spent time walking through the quaint decorated streets of Solvang and San Ynez. Since she is used to living in an area that is inundated with wineries, she was able to navigate our walk and introduce me to the intricacies of wine tasting. We tasted great wine and met some really nice people. But of all of the wine we had, it's hard to beat our own Greek favorite, Retsina. We stopped for a glass   and a salad at Petros Restaurant.

Thanks, Anne. I had the BEST time!

Solvang

I have the best daughter in the world! Anne has the day off tomorrow, so she took me to Solvang for an overnight getaway. We used to go here during Christmas time when the kids were small. The little Danish village is decorated for Christmas and it looks like a little winter wonderland. We went to a restaurant owned by the boutique hotel where we are staying.We split little small plates, so although it wasn't exactly dietetic, I didn't feel stuffed at the end of the meal. It was fun and delicious and worth the extra calories.  Anne convinced me that I was doing fine since everything was so small. She also told me that I am not supposed to diet while on vacation. I guess she is definitely out of the running as my weight coach.

Musso Franks

This was probably not my best choice, but it was Saturday night and we were at Musso Franks! How could I not eat steak? The good news is that I only ate half so we definitely have enough left over to make into tacos for Tony tomorrow. On another note, Day 6 of the Beck Solution requires me to find a diet coach. It needs to be someone who I will be accountable to and who will give me encouragement when I am faltering. I've thought about who this person can be for awhile now. Most of my friends are too kind and let me off the hook too easily. I need someone who understands the "dieter" mentality but who also will have the strength to tell me when I am being too lenient with myself. I haven't decided yet.

Lamb Chop and Endives

I'm not sure, but I think boiled endives are my absolute favorite vegetable! (Um....I take that back if avocados are considered a vegetable.) Tonight I am having a perfect meal. I have made salad, lamb chops and endives.
The meal is so good, I can't really describe it. Does it compete with Barone's pizza? Actually it does. (on some strange level) My husband doesn't eat lamb, but LOVES pasta. I used to succumb to his wishes and make spaghetti pretty often. Tonight, he made himself a delicious smelling pasta, and I made myself two small lamb chops. We shared the endives and salad. We were both happy, but I'm telling you, my dinner was spectacular. Eating healthy has never tasted this good. (I know, I think I've heard that before.) My only regret is that I didn't put it on a prettier plate.