I just wanted some flavor!

I spent most of last week trying to cook tasty, healthy meals and had a a lot of fun doing it. But I was really looking forward to Date Night on Friday so that I could take a rest from the forced creativity and try new foods that could inspire me for more dishes. I told Kevin I wanted something "ethnic" mainly because I was craving "exotic" flavors that I don't normally use to cook.

Apparently, he wasn't feeling the same cravings. After a drawn-out hunt for a restaurant, we finally ended up at some bar and grill. Bratty Natty reared her ugly head and, though I should be more grateful since Kevin was paying, I was pissed that he won the "what should we eat for dinner." In my defense, I cooked him dinner all week - at my expense. I don't think it's asking too much to take my desires into consideration.

Anyway, I was too tired to fight and starving so I gave in and we ate at "Harpo's," a cool patio bar and grill that would have been fine with me last summer, but just upset me this time. I looked at the menu and pretty much started crying.

It was your usual bar and grill food: nachos, burgers, chicken tenders and dinner salads. There was nothing exotic and nothing healthy. Maybe I'm just bored with the usual food at places like that, or maybe my taste buds are maturing, but nothing on the menu looked appetizing. Nothing. I had saved almost 1000 calories for that meal and I was going to waste it on a patty melt? No, thank you.

I've decided (and I know this is hardly a food revelation) that restaurants have us "addicted" to grease. They take food - normal, yummy food - fry it, and tell us it's tasty. For some reason we believe them. But, after several months of no fried foods, I am over it. Potato cut up and dripping with grease? It's just gross to me now. I tried one of Kevin's fries. It tasted familiar, but was so close to the roasted potatoes I'd made a couple of nights before that it just wasn't worth it. Plus, it was boring. There was nothing creative about it. No hint of rosemary or taste of basil to be had.

I ordered a chicken taco salad, no sour cream and skipped the (FRIED) taco shell that it came in. I asked for extra salsa and it came with jalapenos. At least it had some flavor. But it's a food I serve myself at least once a week at home. Sigh.

Part of me feels bad. I never wanted to change my eating so much that it affected Kevin and made it difficult for me to enjoy a night out. But after cooking things with real flavor I just can't justify asking Kevin to spend his money on such gross foods.

Whose idea was it, anyway, to take wonderful foods, slap them together, fry them and call it dinner? With a side of fries?

Making it right with date night

I know you're wondering how well I abstained yesterday - and I give myself a B-.

By midnight, when I still wasn't half finished but beginning to doze, I hit up a serving of hot tamales - purely to keep me awake! I read somewhere that for long road trips and stuff cinnamon candy is good to keep you from dozing.

Overall, my daily intake was:
1,472 calories 246 carbs 19 fat 72 protein

It would have been a lot worse had I not stopped myself in the early afternoon. I know me. I would have probably eaten then entire box of candy by the time I finished my paper!

Generally, I eat 1300 calories or less. On Friday and Saturday, however, I allow myself 1500. Not tonight! Since I "splurged" yesterday, I am not giving myself and extras today.

I know what you're thinking: Isn't Friday date night? Yes, however, the new house is near a couple of places dedicated to healthy eating. If I can convince Kevin to go to one of those for dinner, and keep my meal under 600 calories then I will be fine.

If I can't convince Kevin to try a healthy place, I recently found out that he loves Boston Market. So, I just gave their website a visit and checked out the nutritional information. They have several options that are beneath 550 calories!

I'm thinking beef brisket, steamed veggies and fresh fruit salad ... that's only 400 calories! I could also add green beans for another 60 calories! And here I thought I wouldn't be able to have a beer. Pshaw!

Stuffed

Well, I got myself full last night - LOL. On beer, cheese, and fries.

Yep, I managed to eat 1977 calories yesterday. To be honest, it's not as bad as I expected considering the junk I put in my mouth. I still feel icky from the amount of grease.

It could have been a lot worse by the way. Sure, it would have been a lot better had I ordered steamed veggies as a side instead of fries. Also, if I had not ordered to Crimson and Bleu Balls (KU bar!) as an appetizer (Fried balls of chicken and cheese - like a cordon bleu). But it would have been worse had I not ordered the turkey patty over the beef and eaten the entire burger rather and cutting it in half for today's lunch!

Hey, mitigating damages is more than a law school thing!

Diet dilemma

Something has been off this week.

Just a few days ago I wrote about how hard it is for me to eat 1500 calories in a day ... and the past few days have found it hard for me NOT to eat 1500 calories. I blame PMS.

Seriously, I don't know what is going on, but I just can't seem to get full.

I've let myself go a little crazy (no more than 1500 calories!), but tonight is diet night and I am facing a dilemma of sorts.

The past two days have found me consuming more than 1300 calories. To balance it, shouldn't I go back to the 1300 I follow? But tonight is date night ... and with that poses some drama. I want to enjoy the evening and DON'T want to be stuck with a garden salad.

Oh screw it ... I'm going to put on my size 12s for their first date night and have fun! As Abby says, I can work it off later!