Last night was a TON of fun!!!
Cocktail Hour at our Favorite Bar
I split a beer with my mom – it’s my favorite local brew in the world!! A nice red amber ale with lots of flavor.
Cheers!
Bosom Buddies
The event, called Bosom Buddies, was amazing. They raised $39,000 for breast cancer!!!! That beats last year’s record of $26,000 by a lot. The room was gorgeous and the entertainment great too.
Look how cute the napkins were!
Hors D’oeuvres
(Everyone should get married so they learn how to spell hors d’oeuvres from the catering meetings!)
All of the food for the evening was donated by local restaurants, and they had a whole spread of snacks out when we arrived. I tried to go heavy on the veggies. And there are about 2 cheese cubes, a cracker or 2, and a handful of veggies that I nibbled on that aren’t photographed. I was eating out of boredom while waiting on dinner to open!
I couldn’t decide between red and white so I got both. NOT smart! My plan was to give one away but I drank both throughout the evening, plus half of one more.
Dinner Buffet
Imagine a restaurant menu on a buffet. My gosh it was hard to choose! Although it looks like I ate the whole buffet, I probably only tried 75% of things. I ate a little bit more than is photographed off the husband’s plate. The highlight was the smoked salmon! I filled 25% of my plate with steamed green beans but I don’t think that did much to prevent the other foods from piling on!
Around the world:
- Bread
- Tomato Pasta
- Green beans
- BBQ
- Shrimp Pasta
- Spanikopeta
- Chicken curry + brown rice
- Enchillada
- Smoked Salmon
- Piece of orange chicken
Dessert
I have said it before and I’ll say it again: my biggest weakness when it comes to eating and willpower is homemade desserts. Try a homemade dessert BUFFET with about 20 different kinds!! Anything that looked “worth it” I had to try, and that was a LOT of dessert. My “worth it” tool did not really work tonight because everything was!
The husband and I split these two plates, and I ate waaaay too much. But they were some of the best desserts I have ever. had. That pile of white goo is tiramisu – so good!!! But the canniolis were definitely the best part.
Enjoying the Night
There was a very powerful speaker. A 25-year-old who discovered she had Stage IV breast cancer shortly after college graduation. Her story was very touching, and I encourage all of you to preform self examinations each month.
Jennachica says
OMG Kath, I have the SAME problem with NO willpower when it comes to homemade desserts. Even if I am FULL, if its there, its mine! I have made myself sick (oops) on a couple of dessert buffet occasions because there was so many different things to try and i had to try a piece of everything! I swear I can just skip the appetizers and main meal and just park out at the dessert table! I know exactly where you are coming from. Darn that no-willpower for desserts!
anou says
Linds, I thought I saw you say in a previous post that you were from Montreal. I rarely post but always read the comments. ANyways, I am from Montreal too and I was wondering were do you shop for your healthy stuff? Do you know where to find hempmilk here ?? I am so curious to try it but I havent seen it nowhere here. Or Fage yogourt too for example. I know it from greece because i am half greek and used to live there when i was small.But i ve never seen it here. Just curious if you would know! Thanks
mel says
aww kath, no worries! It was just one bad night…sometimes I have several in a row so i know one won’t hurt you, even though it makes you feel sick! Have a great time with your family!! Today is a new day!
MLT says
Aw, Kath, don’t feel too bad!
Just think of all those days you “ate under” and realize you will even out!
Hope you have a great walk/work out- Today is another day!
MLT says
Hehe, Mel, I think we posted at exactly the same time…and said almost exactly the same thing! 🙂 Great minds think alike!
Emma says
haha buffets are the worst! and i am so bad with free food! If I had to buy it, I wouldn’t normally get it, but if it’s free, ill TAKE IT!
haha and on my blog I said the same thing about yesterday- “not a good day of listening to my body!” oh well that’s how you learn! I realized (AGAIN – and it proabably will show up again and again on different occasions) how it isnt much fun to be uncomfortably full!
Oh well! Everyone needs a splure once in a while- at least you gave your tongue a treat! The food sounds amazing! Especially the chicken curry- I love curries!
Have a great Sunday Kath- and thanks for all the pretty pictures!
VeggieGirl says
Glad you had a great time at the event!! The last picture of you and Matt is priceless :0) Just remember, today is another day, so don’t worry about the indulgence ;0)
Mel says
Kath-
I recently injured my foot which has put an end to my running, and ultimately anything more strenuous than just everyday walking, for a few months. Running was honestly the best way for me to relieve stress, so the loss of that outlet combined with some unfortunate (and very stressful) life events recently has left me with a severe loss of motivation. Whenever I attempt to work out, I honestly just get sad and feel like it’s pointless. The stress has also resulted in a recent struggle with insomnia (probably not helped with a sudden loss of significant activity), and lots and lots of 2 am type nighttime eating, regardless of how well balanced I make my meals during the day.
The doctor couldn’t suggest more than a glass of warm milk before bed. I’ve also been trying to maintain a 30 pound weight loss for a little over a year, but the pounds are coming back all too quickly. I leave on a family trip for Hawaii in a couple of days, which will mean eating out for literally every meal for 10 days. I’m nervous that my lack of motivation and the stress will prevent me from making good decisions (when possible, some of the meals will literally just be “family style” helpings of whatever they feel like giving you) while also enjoying my trip and making it as therapeutic as possible.
Wow this was way longer than intended, but I was just wondering if you, or anyone, had any tips or suggestions as how to regain motivation and handle the vacation, or any tips about how to handle the injury.
eliza says
Stress can truly and utterly change the way you deal with situations.
You have to find a new outlet on vacation..maybe going on walks every morning?
I wouldnt suggest trying to start any intense work out regimen anytime, you arent in the right mental state to handle it.. I would suggest walking, swimming, enjoying your vacation!
Keep your portions small..and get some rest. Have an amazing time in Hawaii!
Jana says
I totally understand how you must feel today but the food looks SO delicious, mmmmh that mouth-watering chocolate!
I’ll bet that power walk will do a lot of good, fresh air and motion usually work wonders.
I’ve just started reading “Fit from Within” from your recommended reading list btw, and it is quite an eye-opener. I’m glad I got it.
Have a wonderful Sunday!
Ashley H says
hey at least you overate ate at a good cause! 😉 right? I think I am going to go for a nice walk this morning too and then to the farmers market. Have a great Sunday!!
BethT says
You know, even though you feel like crap, you have probably made all of your readers feel better because we all do the same thing at buffets! 🙂 Just goes to show that it’s OK to splurge every once in a while as long as you eat well 90% of the time….and as long as you get back on track the next day!
Anne says
Oh man, tha’ts the worst feeling the day after overeating or overdrinking (the latter was my problem on friday night… oh man i felt horrible all yesterday… need to remember how that feels next time i’m tempted to have 500 mixed drinks!!). Anyway, once you take a nice walk and get some fresh air you’ll feel much better. Exercise always helps me! And I’m sure you’ll be right back on track in no time 🙂
Have a great day!
TimeofButterflies says
I’m not married, and I certainly know how to spell “hors d’oeuvres”…
Kiala says
Oh good, I feel slightly less bad now about our Fourth Meal Friday night.
Stupid Taco Bell.
Kiala says
OH! Also…I thought you all might find this interesting. It’s a chart which shows which giant corporation owns our favorite natural organic food brands. Gah.
http://awesome.goodmagazine.com/features/009/009buyingorganic.html
Natalie says
Kiala, thanks for posting the link. WOW! That makes me sad and now I’ll probably have to check the products that I buy a few times over because of what might be in them! Grrr.
Caroline says
I covet those cupcakes!!
kay says
When I see a lot of different foods, I just want to try them all! Even if it’s a little bite of each one…. but they add up in the end. 🙁
I understand how you may feel “gross.” I feel like when your body gets used to “clean” foods, it becomes more sensitive to other less healthful foods. Like buttery desserts, yummy but digesting those is tiring!
What kind of mind set do you have before you go to this kind of events? I am just wondering if you prepare yourself or go with the flow?
I love the napkins and how they are placed to make a ribbon!
This is a silly question but do you color-coordinate when you go out with your husband? I only do that when we go to weddings and such but sometimes we end up wearing very similar colors, like dark jeans and black t-shirt!!
Kelly T says
No worries Kath, i had a night like that last night. Except it was all beer. Which is why i am off to the gym right now.
Spanikopeta is my favorite food! i Haven’t had it in forever…
linds says
Hi anou!
I am in Montreal (good memory!!). I have never found Fage here though 🙁 I live quite near McGill and I go all over for my groceries- there is an Asian grocery store called Eden that is my favourite for produce (a little pricey but its the freshest and best tasting around) and they also carry more of the nature’s path brand than any other store I’ve been to. I love to grocery shop and I love to walk so I go all over! I like the Provigo on mount royal too, they have a nice selection of ezekiel and amy’s products. The Metro grocery store near me also has a lot of Amy’s brand products. I have never been able to find hempmilk here either!!!! And I am actually on a quest to find a decent Greek yogurt that isn’t made with 10% milk fat. I’ve tried a couple brands (one called Phoenician which was runny and such a disappointment) but so far no luck. Where do you do your shopping? Can you offer any advice to help my Greek yogurt quest? lol
april says
I know that your feeling sick but even though I just wanted to thank you for showing me that I’m not the only one who splurges and stuffs themself once in a while! I always feel horrible and guilty afterwards but it helps to know I’m not the only one! Like yesterday i was being really good until my boyfriend brought me a few huge cookies and peanut butter chips….but it sure was good!!
Kath says
Mel ,
I’m so sorry about your foot injury. I can honestly say “I’ve been there.” Mine kept me from running for almost 3 years. Although for those of us who love running it’s a heartbreak, you have got to find other activities you can do that you enjoy. I got into swimming for a year and then spinning post-surgery and really liked both.
As for your motivation, I highly recommend reading SuperFoods for a reminder of why a healthy diet is so important (or a comparable book). Remember, it’s all about making good decisions. You’re frustrated with your food and are taking it out on your body other ways – make the decision to get back on the health wagon. Start going through the motions and your mind – and motivation – will follow.
Hawaii sounds awesome!! Remember the importance of portion control! Enjoy tiny portions of everything and do your best to enjoy it all in moderation, and of course make fresh fruit and veggies the bulk of your meals (which should be easy in Hawaii with all those great fruits!). A good vacation strategy is to choose between alcohol, bread and dessert at your meals out. Don’t have all three at every meal – enjoy a tropical cocktail one night and have sparking water but a fabulous dessert the next.
Kiala,
Interesting chart! But it’s the ingredients list that counts! I love Kashi Kellogs or no Kellogs.
kay ,
I usually do have somewhat of a plan in my head. Buffets are particularly hard though. My plan for last night was to try a little bite of everything (portion control) but as you can see that didn’t work so well by the time we got to dessert!! I also try to set an alcohol limit before i go out because I know how easy it is to mindlessly sip and how easily a little too much alcohol makes me go overboard and feel sick. I think my whole “worth it” mindset plays a big part. The less worth it an event is, the easier it is for me to use all the healthy tools like skip dessert, but last night was a blast so I knew it was a good time to let loose a little.
The husband and I don’t really coordinate, but I guess we did have on a rather nice combo last night!
Kath
KarenR says
Mel, I’m sorry about your insomnia, that must be terrible. I can’t recommend anything for that, but I really feel for you. I cannot function without sleep.
I went to Hawaii last year and didn’t gain a pound even though I pigged out all the time. The great thing about Hawaii is that all the best food is healthy and light (fish and fruit) so you have that to look forward to. Plus the weather and scenery is of course so beautiful, you should really get a good battery recharge.
Mel says
Thanks for the advice everyone! 🙂
Kath like you said, I started going through the motions today and made myself hit the gym and really focus on what I could do to the best of my ability. I feel better already!
I’m very excited about Hawaii! I’m sure the walking and swimming suggestions will be great there, and I can’t wait for the fruit and seafood. As long as I can control myself with the dessert and bread, I think I’ll be okay.
Kate says
I would looove to go to Hawaii someday, I hope you have a great time Mel. I’m going on a cruise for spring break in a week! I can’t wait. Gosh do all those desserts look amazing or what? I’m sure I’ll be eating well on the cruise ship!! =]
Romina says
That’s a LOT of dessert! Whoa.
Courtney says
Wow, the discussion of where to shop for groceries in Montreal brought me right back to college! I used to shop at the Provigo on Mount Royal. Brrrrr!