Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Playing Catch Up

Good morning, blogworld! I'm still playing catch up at work, but I made some serious progress yesterday afternoon on my inbox and other tasks. I'm feeling much better about my workload!

Breakfast today was big bowl of banana oatmeal with pumpkin seeds mixed in for a little extra crunch.


I prefer my oatmeal to have some variety to it, especially if I am eating it most days of the week. I love all of the possibilities-- different flavors, tastes, textures, etc.-- that you can add to oatmeal. Sometimes, my morning bowl is the highlight of my day!


I was craving peanut butter this morning, so I added a large spoonful to my oatmeal. It really was an enormous spoonful of PB-- the photo does not do it justice!


As always, iced coffee with Silk Soy Creamer and 1 packet of Splenda...


Question of the Day

How often do you eat out at restaurants? What is your "game plan" for eating out?

Me: We ate out for every meal on our honeymoon, which is how I came up with this question. However, I typically eat out once a week or so. My "game plan" is usually to order an appetizer as an entree, unless I can take home leftovers from an entree. Most of the time, an appetizer is plenty of food for me! I also order water and sometimes a cocktail, but try not to over do it, especially since the booze tab really adds up.

P.S. THANK YOU to those of you who replied to my google question yesterday! All of your comments were so helpful! I can't wait to explore the labeling, filtering, and achieving options of gmail! (That last sentence sounded so dorky!)

20 Comments:

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Mmm, I love the addition of pumpkin seeds to your oatmeal - how enticing!!

I don't eat out at restaurants very often - only when on vacation/trips; and if I eat out when I'm in town/at home, then it's only about once a month or so. I love cooking/preparing my own meals! :0)

Anonymous said...

hi tina!
i loved your honeymoon pictures!! quick question...did you relinquish all control to mal on the planning/organization? i know he picked the location but did he make all of the arrangements? my fiance wants complete control of the honeymoon and i am having issues letting him handle it all!! i mean i trust him, but i'm a planner!

Melissa said...

So glad you are back Tina. Of all the blogs, I love your recipes/meal ideas the best, they appeal to my sweet tooth!

Anonymous said...

I seem to eat out one dinner during the week and maybe a lunch on the weekends. If a restaurant has entrĂ©e salads, I usually get those with some protein on top and the dressing on the side. If they don’t, I usually go for seafood. Living on the coast means we have fresh seafood and places typically respect the fish and don’t cover it in sauces, breading, etc. When all else fails, I go for the chicken. Seems like every restaurant has a baked chicken breast-something on their menu.

sweetsandsweats.wordpress.com

Anonymous said...

Mags,

Yep, Mal did all of the planning for the honeymoon. I am the planner too, so it was a little tough at times letting Mal do all the work, but he kept me in the loop about some of his decisions-- like asking my opinion on certain ideas/plans. I trusted him, and Mal did an amazing job!

sloank said...

I probably eat out once or twice a week, always with friends. It's so social and fun you don't really worry about indulging a little. I do the same as you, order an appetizer and just one glass of wine. Talking and eating are my two favorite things so I love eating out but I definitely try to limit it so it's much more special!

Protea said...

Tina, I can get used to answering your questions everyday! So fun!
Well, J and I usually go out for dinner at least once a week. Or more if it's with friends, a special event. We like our sushi Mondays with another couple of friends. And sometimes pizza on Friday night when we've had a hectic week, and are both too knackered to cook! That usually comes with a beer or some red wine! : )

RhodeyGirl/Sabrina said...

I usually have dinner out 2-4 times a week, but every other meal is made by me (unless we go out for an ice cream or something).

My "game plan":
1. I order an appetizer salad and eat that before my main meal so I won't eat the bread (bread baskets are a big problem for me)
2. I order EXACTLY what I am craving for my entree but then stick to a certain portion of it.. I either share with a friend or ask for a side plate and fill it up 1 time, and don't allow myself to go back for more. That way my fiance gets lots of yummy leftovers, I get to eat what I like, I never gain weight, or get accused of being the "boring, grilled chicken salad friend" (which is what I used to be).

Oh! and sometimes I will eat a snack RIGHT BEFORE we leave so that I won't be tempted by the bread basket.. I have no control when I'm hungry!

Christine said...

Try granola in oatmeal, even though it is a bit redundant!

I don't eat out often, usually it's at a cafe rather than a restaurant (which means I'm not there to eat much), but when I go I usually either split something, order an appetizer, or I'm going because they have something I really want to try. Also, I order water the most instead of a soda or something. I only try a dessert if it sounds different from what I've seen elsewhere.
I guess I realize that I'm not out to eat the whole world when I go out to eat, so that helps to not unnecessarily splurge.

Beth said...

I usually eat out twice a week - one lunch out during the workweek, and one meal out with the husband and/or friends on the weekend. Often I'll choose to go for breakfast or brunch on the weekend because that is more of a treat for me, AND it's cheaper (i.e. I'm not tempted by booze!!).

Beth said...

Oh and I forgot my strategy....since I eat at home most of the time I usually indulge within reason when I eat out, at least for my weekend meal. It's my one treat for the week.

Erin said...

We rarely eat out anymore - it is so hard with a toddler. We order in about once a week. My usual plan is to find something that I can choose to eat half of - and save the rest for lunch the next day. I am usually full after the first half anyway!

arielle said...

I eat out once or twice a week, usually dinner. I think I probably split 50-50 between ordering what I want and enjoying it, and sticking to something lighter. It balances out, so I try not to stress about it. I love trying new restaurants.

Anonymous said...

We usually eat out about 1-2 times/week, most likely a dinner and then lunch or brunch on the weekend; more if we have plans w/ friends or parties. Since I have control over my meals most of the time, I feel free to be less strict when eating out - but I try to judge my hunger cues and watch my portions. I also always get dressing on the side and have found I enjoy salads more w/ just a bit or even none at all.

Tina - Congrats! I love reading about your wedding & honeymoon!

Anonymous said...

I love the question of the day-and have terribly missed it!

I love eating out but I've been trying to budget myself with only eating out once a week (except for when I'm travelling for work and then I eat out for every single meal). I look through the menu and search for "grilled" or "baked" options (not baked with cheese because then that defeats the purpose) and I always try to order something that I couldn't/wouldn't make on my own (which means I very very rarely order any type of pasta dish while out). Then I eat half of my dish and stop eating for a bit-concentrate on the conversation and allow my food to settle a bit. After about a 5-10 minute break I'll evaluate my hunger and if I'm still hungry then I'll eat more, but stop in between each mouthful and put my fork down, have a drink of water etc. Once I'm full I stop (and bring any of the leftovers home-even if it's only a couple of bites :) )

P.S. The pictures from your honeymoon were gorgeous. That first picture of you in the bikini-the definition your arms and shoulders had have helped recommit me to the gym and I've worked out harder each day since with you as inspiration

Anonymous said...

I absolutely love eating out, but moneys tight right now, so it comes usually only during vacation or if I'm on the road a lot.

If its a "cheap restaurant" as in a place I could care less about but need to eat something, I'll order the healthiest item possible and order a side salad and glass of milk for extra "filling power."

However, if I'm eating out at a place that I love, I'll happily indulge since I don't eat out a whole lot. It's definitely a time of enjoyment for me, and I savor each and every bite.

Of course, even when indulging, I still stop when I'm full. And because of that, I tend to skip the bread before the meal. I'd much rather wait and be hungry for the main event. :)

PonderingRunningYogi said...

I only eat out once per week, usually a dinner out on the weekend with the boyfriend. It's also a good way to budget our money! Since we don't go out often (and I cook all the other meals), I'll usually get whatever I'm craving...although now that's usually the healthier options anyway! Also, we go to places that are "worth it" instead of some junky fast food type place or something. I love trying out new restaurants!

Anonymous said...

My husband and I go out to eat about once a month, sometimes twice. I usually like to go in with a plan. I go onto the restaurant website and find something that sounds yummy and healthy. I try to always eat a small salad before the meal. I usually eat about half [depending on the serving size.. we go to local restaurants so most are decent sized not enormous] and take the other half home. I really focus on intuitive eating especially while out because you can get so wrapped up in the atmosphere and experience that you forget to listen to your body cues.

Eliza said...

your pictures are so cute! thanks for sharing them with us :) you both look great

Anonymous said...

Your honeymoon looked so wonderful and special! So perfect!
At restaurants, I usually order fish, unless it's fried/pan-fried (ew!). I just love fish of all kinds and tend to order it as rare as can be! (I am a self proclaimed sushi addict) :]