Restaurant Addicts Diet: Moving = Excuses

Wow!  I know myself well, because I knew as soon as moving became a topic that I would use it as an excuse to over indulge.  I'm up a few pounds and we don't move until Saturday!  On the upside our new neighborhood is very walkable and I have been getting a lot of exercise both riding my bike and packing the house.  I better go, I have reservations at the hot pizza place I'll tell you about next time. Happy Fat Tuesday!

Restaurant Addict: Brasserie Montmartre Happy Hour

Lately it seems when I'm headed to happy hour one of my old favorites, Brasserie Montmartre, is the answer.  I was there twice last week and everyone had fun both times.  The happy hour white is a pinot gris that's delicious and the burger with bacon is to die for, not to mention the mac and cheese.  The atmosphere is another huge selling point.  It feels like a cool old loft space with ample seating for both bar and restaurant, and they feature live music nightly. I can't wait to go back!

Restaurant Addict: Irving Street Kitchen Brunch

I had to work this Saturday so I decided we had to treat ourselves to brunch at Irving Street Kitchen.  It was delicious as usual.  I had one of my standards, the 2 eggs, potatoes, bacon and their fantastic homemade English muffin toast.  My husband always gets the smoked scrambled egg nachos, it looks good but I don't like spicy for breakfast.  The mimosas are a good ratio of juice to champagne, but they don't always come fast enough for my taste.  I'm looking forward to trying dinner here, for some reason we have only had brunch.  I've heard their chicken and waffles is excellent and they serve it at both brunch and dinner. 

Restaurant Addicts Diet: I Don't Want To Succeed!

I don't want to succeed!  That's the only logical explanation I can think of for why I sabotage myself at every opportunity.  It turns out we are going to move in two weeks and I am so excited, I celebrated all weekend and had a great time.  Saturday I had brunch, happy hour, and late night eating and drinking.  So here I sit once again trying to use Monday as a launching point for good behavior.  I've been to the store and have salad stuff and chicken strips so there is no excuse for going out tonight.  I rode my stationary bike for 45 minutes and I forgot how good it feels to not blow off exercising.  Our new neighborhood is very walkable so the Fitbits will be fun to use.  Even though I drank all day Saturday I still managed to get over 18,000 steps which I have to assume is the reason for the scale not being as bad as I had anticipated.  I have to work really long days both Tuesday and Thursday and I have challenged myself not to drink until next Saturday when we have plans to go out. 

Restaurant Addicts Diet: I Spoke Too Soon

UGH!!!  I just can't seem to get myself on track.  My excuses have gone as such; Super Bowl, snow storm and now Valentines Weekend.  We are talking about moving, so you know I'll use that excuse whether we move or not!  In fact, I combined Valentines Day and a possible move for happy hour at Jake's Grill and a trip to City Target this Saturday.  It was so great!  It really was worth it even though I'm up 4 pounds from when I started this experiment of eating out less.  Today is Monday, and the one thing that Monday is good for is starting fresh.  I'm on track with breakfast and lunch and I had to walk today and will again this afternoon.  That just leaves dinner and I used all my salad supplies yesterday, so I do need to stop at the store.  I guess we'll see how it goes.

Restaurant Addicts Diet: Making Progress

I did it, I made the jambalaya I had planned!  Everything was going so well until I realized that the brown rice I was using required more cooking time.  Rice is SO touchy!  Once I took the lid off there was no getting it completely cooked.  Luckily I was able to add more chicken stock and cook it quite a bit more, but it just never got to the texture I was looking for.  The upside is it was still good and I was able to adapt to a problem in the kitchen.  The experience also left me wanting to try it again and get it perfect instead of feeling discouraged and mad which is progress.  My challenge today is that I have to work late and that's a slippery slope for me with wine and snacks.    I can't wait until Friday!

Restaurant Addicts Diet: Back On the Wagon Take Two

I am having a very hard time getting back on track after Super Bowl and the snowstorm.  To make matters worse I am working late a few nights a week for the next few weeks which is always a trigger for me to over eat and drink.  Last night we were going to try a new place but I got done so late at work that we hit the drive through instead, very disappointing.  Tonight I'm going to make jambalaya which I've made before and we both like.  I'm already looking forward to the weekend and I can't wait!  However, I do want to feel better going into next week than I did this Monday.  I have ordered two complete dinners and dessert from Elephants Delicatessen to celebrate Valentines Day Friday night.  We decided a long time ago that we don't enjoy eating out on the biggest date night of the year.  Then I'm thinking tacos on Saturday night and I'm going to try low carb tortillas for the first time.