I had such a great time with my family on this trip. I need to get up here more! Hopefully now that I’m back in school I’ll have the opportunity to travel more on breaks.
The Biggest Dog in the World
This afternoon we went to visit my aunt and uncle who, seriously, have the biggest dog in the world!! He’s probably twice as heavy as me and SO cute! And his bark rattled the walls! He had a sister who was just as big and just as cute, but 10x as shy, so we never got to meet her – she was hidden behind arm chairs peeking out the whole time we were there. I tried to get a good photo of Winston but he was too busy moving. Here’s a blurry snapshot while he was trying to lick my chin:
Cocktail
At dinner I decided I wasn’t in a wine mood and splurged on a cosmopolitian! It was SO GOOD and I should remember to order them more! I have to say, the liquor went right from my empty stomach to my head 8)
I also had a sip of my grandmother’s Old Fashioned and because I now love bourbon, I think I might order one soon!
Dinner
Dinner was at the Peppermill, the most senior citizen-dense restaurant in Towson, with my 97-year old uncle Mel and my Aunt Betty, my grandparents, and my Uncle Chris. I LOVE the Peppermill though – the food is great! It’s a great kept secret – especially the crab cakes and the homemade desserts! Here’s our group! (L to R: Uncle Mel, my sis, Aunt Betty, me, Grandmother, Uncle Chris, Grandfather)
There were great looking rolls on the table, but I made the decision to pass on them because I wanted dessert. And I knew I had a great meal on the way. This was a big step for me, as I usually mindlessly eat bread.
For starts, I had the complimentary salad with bleu cheese. I dipped my fork in the dressing and gave my sister half of my bleu cheese crumbles. And I ate all the veggies!
For dinner I got one of the Peppermill’s famous broiled Maryland crab cakes. Unlike the oniony crab cakes across the rest of the country, Maryland knows how to make them: just crab! It was excellent!
My dinner plate. My crab cake, stewed tomatoes, a pile of my sister’s mushrooms, and half of my grandmother’s baked potato:
B-52 Cake
I knew I wanted dessert – the Peppermill is famous for them! My sis and I split the B-52 cake: layers of orange mariner (sp) creme and Irish Cream and chocolate cake with chocolate sauce. It was AMAZING! This is half the slice, which they split on 2 plates. I also had a bite of my grandmother’s coconut creme pie – OH MY GOSH it was good!
And hot tea:
Tomorrow
Tomorrow we wake up early, run, have breakfast and head home!! Breakfast is here, lunch is on the road, and I’m trying to make it 7 hours home to the husband for homemade chili and bread! It’s been a great trip and I’m so glad I’ve gotten to visit my family. But I can’t wait for classes to start!!
G’night!
arimcg says
Maryland definitely has the best crab cakes! I've never been able to find any that compare, and it's one of my favorite things to order on special occasions. Lump crab = AMAZING.
Paula says
I'd give you an A+, Kath! You've done great! Have a safe trip home!
Fig says
I agree. A+. You enjoyed yourself and monitored portions-I think this is a true sign of maintence.
Would you now consider testing yourself and no longer weighing food on your return?
Casey says
You are my personal proof that one can go on vacation, eat sensibly and healthy, and yet still enjoy it.
Thank you – and I agree, definitely at A+!
Fig says
BTW: Just want you to know my comments are not negetive. I think you have made incrediable progress, I very much enjoy your blog and I tip my hat to you.
I applaude the mindfulness of your food choices and even the daily recording. That is a sensiable approach to weightloss and maintence. Only thing that bothers me is measuring of foods. I think you have established a great relationship with food and have a good eye for it. You realize its fuel and is required for all aspects of a healthy life. You also have not minimized the enjoyment of food choices and how it is the mainstay focus of family, fun and get togethers.
All of this I praise.
My worry does not lie in your weight. Its the weight of the need to weigh foods before serving. Wheather the meat is 3oz or 4oz will not effect your health. Please be well and enjoy.
All said with complete respect.
Christie says
Hey Kath,
Just wanted to see what classes you were signed up for, maybe we have some of the same ones or I have recently taken the ones you have taken. Just curious.
jenniferB says
When it comes to weighing foods,portions make a big difference,therefore i feel the need to measure and weight what i eat.Underestimation is what might lead to weight gain.
Shelley says
I agree, A+!
and what's in an Old Fashioned besides bourbon? I loooove bourbon, but I don't know many bourbon drinks, so I usually just put it in Coke Zero :).
Lisa says
I agree, especially if you do not have an eye for portions, than especially if you are trying to loose weight than measuring can be a very useful tool! I have lost 92 pounds over the last few years and so much of it I attribute to teaching myself how to measure appropriate portions, which also helps me get my recommended servings of each food group. Yes, I often rely on food scales, measuring cups, etc., but honestly it has worked for me and obviously Kathy than to each their own!! Portion-distortion is one of the biggest problems North America today, and as long as measuring or other weight loss/maintenance tools does not become an overpowering obsession, then whatever works for you to reach or maintain a healthy weight is great!
Caitlin says
Fig: I can't speak for Kath – But I just wanted to comment from my personal perspective, measuring foods is actually a bit of a problem for me. I started being more mindful of portions while trying to lose weight after college (recurring theme in this blog!), and the main way I did this was to measure everything I ate. In the several years following, this took more of an "obsessive" turn and really, the measuring became less about the food and nutrition and more about an obsessive habit. Lately I have had to work really hard NOT to measure my foods (at the advice and guidance of a therapist, actually). So I can totally relate to why the weighing/measuring concerns you. That being said, everyone is different (another theme in this blog!) and what works for some might cause problems for another 🙂
On another note, Kath – I'm glad you had a good time in Baltimore! If you're in the area again and would like some more suggestions for crab cakes or healthy lunch ideas (ask your grandparents about Atwater's – best homemade soups ever!), give me a shout!
Brianne says
I agree that the scale has its place and sometimes it can become a unhealthy habit. Right now I use it frequently as I am trying to loose the baby weight I gained and it has been a very useful tool! However when I have reached the weight I am comfortable at I will no longer use the scale with the intention of counting calories. I will probably just be using it to measure out portions for tricky things like meat and pasta. I wont be measuring my apples anymore! If it works for Kath and she is not restricting or obsessing then I see no issue- I just wound not choose to do all the time myself (nor do I have the time due to my lovely baby)! I was curious if Kath, you have any intentions of not counting calories/measuring in the future?
VeggieGirl says
wow, Winston is HUGE!! haha, such a precious dog – I love the "action" shot :0D
looks like your dinner was quite enjoyable!!
Erin says
Wow that's the biggest dog I've ever seen!! Glad to hear you had such a good time – the picture of your family is adorable!
Kat says
There are a couple of different ways to make Old Fashions but I start with an orange slice and a few cherries, few grams of sugar, and a alcoholic syrup called bitters, muddle all of these together to enhance the flavor. Then add ice, bourbon and a splash of water. It is definitley not the easiest bourbon drink to make.
As a southern girl who loves bourbon I drink mine with a little water or just a little ice. But, in the summer time I love bourbon with a little lemonaide and water or gingerale.
Allison says
Yum! all of that dinner looked so good..and I don't even like crab cakes! I know everyone else has said this…but you did an amazing job making realistic, healthy AND enjoyable choices.
And that dog…adorable!
Lauren says
Kath,
I have been reading your blog and see that you take a lot of spin classes. I am interested in taking some classes but do struggle with some cardio because of asthma (or maybe being out of shape). How did you get in to taking these classes? I don't want to go and embarrass myself if after 10 mins I can't keep up or is that normal? Any advice – Thanks!
Becky says
I think the weighing and calorie counting can be obsessive at times and probably has more to do with control and perfectionism than anything else. I would love to see Kath move away from this habit and focus on the overall picture of health. That said, we all have our own methods and ways of staying 'sane' in this calorie laden world…so I do not judge people who use these methods. My mom used to be a big calorie counter, and it eventually drove her crazy. She stopped doing it because it took over her life and she says she feels free and much happier. To each their own though. 🙂 I love this blog and I will read it regardless!
Aimee says
Lauren – I know you asked Kath, but I figured since she is pretty busy now I'd answer so you could have a quick one then maybe she could get to it later! I instruct spinning classes 6x a week. I get all kinds of "students" in my classes, from those who bike competitively to those who maybe have never been on a real bike.
My advice to you is to try it out. Inform your instructor of any special needs before the class however. (I'm not sure how bad your asthma is but every instructor wants to know of any possible complications).
Everywhere I've taken spinning and instructed it I've found that spinning is very individualized. You create your workout. You decide how hard to turn the tension up and how fast to pedal. No one will know if you feel like you're not "keeping up" b/c the work out is up to you.
You should try it!! I got my father into it (who also has health concerns) and he loves it!
Ashley says
Lauren,
I also wanted to commentthat I have made my fiance attend spinning with me and he has asthma problems. He had a little bit of a hard time at first but found that until his lung capacity improves with the cardio if he skipped the positions where you are out of the seat he did better. He just remained sitting the whole time. He would recommend taking your inhaler though since he forgot. 🙂
alexis says
Kath, I enjoy the blog and am glad that you found something that you say works for you. You look great, but PLEASE give the 'shirts under the sweater' look a rest! Hopefully that came across in the nicest way possible 😉
Cathy says
Just like Kath I am going back to school for a masters in nutriotion and to be an RD. I have started weighing food as well, not only for myself, but to truly know and understand what TRUE portions looks like. As an RD, this will be a great skill to have and what better then to start teaching yourself now with a food scale. PLUS, I don't know about some of you guys, I enjoy weighing things and counting calories (not all the time, but sometime) it's just fun and it challenges me. I am sure a lot of other people on this blog are like this too! Deeming is obssessive is only a matter of opinion.
Kath, you did a great job. Hope your trip went well!
arimcg says
Hey Lauren,
I wanted to comment too – I love spinning but the first time I was definitely intimidated. Here's the thing, though – I don't know if you've taken any other group exercise classes, but I think that you're much more likely to stick out if you can't keep up in, say, an aerobics class than a spinning class. You control the tension on your bike, so you can have it turned all the way down and no one would know. Not only that, but in spinning everyone is so focused that no one will pay any attention to you, I promise! I would choose a bike in the back your first class, and then after that you'll be good to go.
Casey says
Alexis, I just have to disagree with you there.
From a teenager's point of view, I adore Kath's east coast button down + sweater combination… it's just so timeless and classic, especially compared with the 2-minute trends most people wear!
PuraVida says
I think your outfits are adorable! It's not my style, but I think you look classy.
Laura says
way to go Lisa,92 pounds,you go girl:)
Lisa says
Laura, thanks so much! It was hard work but a complete 180 degree turn for the better in every part of my life!
kristin says
I love the shirt under sweater combo, kath! Don't change!