Do you have a game plan when you go out to eat? Do you think about what you really want to have, and what you can reasonably eat, and then adjust your ordering accordingly? Or, do you order one of everything, knowing that you'll have to get a people bag, no matter what you order?
We have an absolutely all time favorite place to eat. It's part of a chain that serves Cajun food. I have eaten the exact same meal there every time I go, because it's so good I'm unwilling to try anything else. If the restaurant was a bit closer to home, I'd eat there once a week.
We always start the meal off with what amounts to a Cajun version of a fondue. Next, a cup of bisque or chowder. Then, a crisp, cold salad. Dear Husband used to order a different entrée every visit, until he tried the planked salmon. Now, he tends to be like me.....stuck in a rut. I order breaded crawfish and crawfish etouffee. Dessert for me is always creme brulee.
As much as I adore this restaurant, it brings out the glutton in me. We're all thinking about diets today, and improving our bad habits. I think I might have hit on the one incentive that might work to get me to stick to a diet. If I KNEW that I could go to this restaurant once a month if I stuck to my diet the other 30 days.....I think I could do it!
On the other hand, if you asked me, in the interest of staying on a diet, to cut back on what I want to taste there, there's not a chance I could do it. I went once with the best of intentions, and only managed to give up the salad! I usually bring most of my entrée home to eat for lunch the next day because there is simply too much food!
There may be a ray of hope though. We've discovered that there is an appetizer that is similar to the entrée I enjoy. Perhaps I could have a taste of the fondue, a salad, the appetizer and the dessert.
Or....this visit I could have the fondue and the creme brulee, and next time I could have the salad and the entrée. (I can sense my doctor shuddering as I write this.)
Maybe I'm lucky this place is too far away to visit frequently. I really envy those of you who have control over your taste buds. When you know how to be satisfied on 1500 calories a day, please let me know. I need help!
Comments (14)
Good luck in finding a good calorie restriction plan for the deep-seated parts of your brain, Buffy. If you find it, I'll help you market your plan and we can both be fabulously wealthy. (How can you forgo the bisque?)
Having read your posting will be my excuse for the weight gain that the scales will reveal when Elegant Friend and I weigh in at the gym this morning. I'm sure that's where the excess weight originates--in my mind--as prodded by words like yours!
Posted by Cop Car | January 3, 2005 8:16 AM
Posted on January 3, 2005 08:16
Oh yeah.....blame it on me! lol
All you have to do is go back over my previous posts, and you can see I'm firmly addicted. I can't help if a little of that should rub off on you. *G*
Noted: Cop Car exercises regularly, and I missed the first day of my new exercise session today. Dratted cold!
Posted by Buffy | January 3, 2005 4:24 PM
Posted on January 3, 2005 16:24
I was not hungery! Thanks girl you took care of that! We have Mexacon place in town that we go to every week! I eat 1500 cal. waiting for mr order! My diet is in trouble girl!
Posted by Joe Smitherman | January 4, 2005 11:48 AM
Posted on January 4, 2005 11:48
Absolutely, it's your fault, Buffy. Why do you think it was so easy to get me to vote for admitting you into our family? You give me one more relative on whom to lay blame!
My new mantra for 2005 (when I think of food) is to repeat to myself the number representing my desired weight. I "only" gained three pounds from the time we left on vacation in the fall and January 1; but, that's on top of the 50 that I had previously gained. I have vowed not to be (such a huge) embarrassment to our Wonderful Granddaughter when she marries in May. (As the only overweight female in my genetic family, I am overly self-conscious about it.) I won't get down 52 pounds, but perhaps dropping 22 pounds isn't out of the question. Think positive thoughts toward my effort, please. (I know that you would without the plea! Thank you.)
Posted by Cop Car | January 4, 2005 12:36 PM
Posted on January 4, 2005 12:36
When I go out to eat, I determine which resturant then determine which choice of drink then I choose the items on the menu *smile* my theroy is this.......if the drinks suck then don't waste your time on the food.......LOL Happy New Year darlin' we so miss you guys!!!
Posted by Jamie | January 5, 2005 12:07 AM
Posted on January 5, 2005 00:07
My plan when I go to a restaurant is to work out what I want for dessert and then from that decide what to have for the main course and from that decide on a starter. Then the wine/beer/whatever (as you can tell I can have plebean tastes at times!).
However, we don't eat out terribly frequently and so when I go it is for pleasure. Why spoil a pleasurable experience by developing guilty feeling about what I "should" or "should not" eat?!? I can always cut down what I eat the next day.
Posted by Adele | January 5, 2005 8:38 AM
Posted on January 5, 2005 08:38
Sorry, Joe! I know my blog does that to people. I figure, if I'm typing about food, I'm not eating it. *G*
At least I know that I'm in good company, based on your comment.
Cop Car....I should have known there was a reason it was so easy to get into your family! You have a great reason for loosing weight, and a reasonable goal. Is the mantra helping at all? You have my total support. Perhaps your efforts will rub off on me. One can always hope!
Good point, Jamie. If I can't get a decent glass of wine, it's unlikely the meal will be worthwhile either. We miss you guys, too, but the workaholic is not likely to be going anywhere for a bit.
Adele, you do exactly what I was wondering about as I wrote my post. I was sure there were people who choose dessert first, and plan the meal backwards. I've seen people have just appetizers and dessert. My mother LIVES for dessert....the rest of dinner, unless it's lobster, will be left on her plate, just to get to dessert! More power to you! I think you should enjoy that meal out!
Posted by Buffy | January 5, 2005 4:08 PM
Posted on January 5, 2005 16:08
I come from a long line of women who chose the dessert first. Doesn't mean that I miss, say, the main course, just that I have a different order of priorities than some. I like sweet things - and it shows in my figure . Like you I have no control over my tastebuds.
Posted by Adele | January 6, 2005 6:11 AM
Posted on January 6, 2005 06:11
I know, Adele.....it's all MY fault! *G* I sympathize, believe me. I'm girding my loins for another run at weight loss. Perhaps you and Cop Car and I can bolster each other through the winter.
For the most part, I can give up sweets, other than the occasional chocolate or a slice of carrot cake, or ...ummmm...HOME MADE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES. I used to be totally addicted to anything salty, but I think I've finally broken that habit. Now, it seems that comfort food, and things with a complex mix of ingredients draw me.
I have a plan.....maybe I'll just go to the blog for this....
Posted by Buffy | January 6, 2005 7:49 PM
Posted on January 6, 2005 19:49
A three-person support group online. I like it, Buffy. Are you "in" with us, Adele?
Posted by Cop Car | January 7, 2005 4:39 PM
Posted on January 7, 2005 16:39
It sounds like a really good idea and I would love to try it. The thing is... I have an absolute passion for Chocolate and I'm not sure how easy I would find to give it up. Self discipline goes just so far and then.....
Seriously, how would we manage to do this?
Posted by Adele | January 8, 2005 7:13 AM
Posted on January 8, 2005 07:13
Maybe we can find ways to help, Adele. Personally, I don't believe in totally giving things up. I tend to think we all need to eat in moderation. You can still have chocolate. We just need to think about ways to cut back a bit.
Posted by Buffy | January 9, 2005 12:17 AM
Posted on January 9, 2005 00:17
I like chocolate, but I can eschew it as easily as anything else. Were I addicted, I would probably buy/make the chocolate item that I liked most and have a small amount as an appetizer before my main meal of the day. (Might as well enjoy the sinning, but keep it in check!)
Posted by Cop Car | January 9, 2005 12:39 PM
Posted on January 9, 2005 12:39
Hello folks nice blog youre running
Posted by lolita | January 19, 2005 8:39 PM
Posted on January 19, 2005 20:39