How to go out to eat (without regretting it).

If you are anything like me, I absolutely love sharing a meal out somewhere with friends. I adore getting together with girlfriends without the worry of what to make and then having to clean up the mess. It is like a mini vacation. There is nothing that I would be willing to give in exchange for the memories we make when we break bread together. Top of the line companionship and certainly no shortage on laughter. I have wonderful, loyal friends whom I love dearly. Friendship is to our soul what oxygen is to our lungs. I believe that with all of my heart. However, if you and your friends are anything like me and my friends, we love to eat! Love, love, love it! So today I am going to give you tips on how to go out to eat, without regretting it later.

I do not order off of a menu. In fact, I do not even open a menu when I sit down at a restaurant. I order a water with lemon, a hot tea with lemon and inquire about their vegetable of the day. I wisely choose a grilled chicken breast and a vegetable. I request the chicken breast be served plain but, depending on where I am at, will also ask for a side of diced tomatoes or pico, if available. I will sometimes just ask for a slice of lemon to squeeze over the chicken breast. If I am told I get two sides with the chicken, I double up on the veggie. There are times where I struggle with that. There are moments where I find myself wanting to scream, "I'll take the macaroni & cheese!" or "Bring me a loaded baked potato, plllllease!" It's gotten easier. :) I look at the big picture instead of living in the moment. Yes, I admit all of that high calorie food tastes heavenly and DOES offer momentary "happiness", but it is simply not worth it. I had to change my selfish way of thinking and so do you. We are a society of instant gratification, regardless of consequence. (I, unfortunately, know all too well how this topic stretches far beyond eating habits.) I really have gotten to a place where I approach my eating as simply a necessity to fuel my body. I still want to enjoy it and look forward to it, but I refuse to allow my life to revolve around it. If you are currently in the position where food is dictating your life, please listen. Close your eyes, take a deep breath and think of only lovely things. How about letting love dictate your life? How about kindness? Generosity? Friendship? If I were to ask you to make a list of things you cherish with all of your heart....what would that list look like? Do it. Make a list. Whether you jot it down on paper or just make a mental list, take a moment to ponder the first 5-10 things that popped into your head. Let me share mine:

1. Ema, Eva & Eliza June
2. My family (parents, siblings)
3. My girlfriends
4. Prayer
5. Sunshine
6. Music
7. My sense of touch

Notice what's not on the list? Believe it or not, pie was not on there. Neither cheesecakes nor  cheeseburgers were able to make the list. What I value most in this life has nothing at all to do with food. I imagine that you were able to reach the very same conclusion. So why do we not begin living a life that accurately reflects us placing priority upon our lists? I can give you one reason: We forget to put ourselves on the list. You not only have to be ON your list, you must be at the very TOP of it. The last relationship I was in drained me of who I was. It robbed me of my joy and I lacked peace of any kind. I knew I was still in there somewhere, but didn't see any hope. I am so truly thankful I have been given a second chance, away from all of that....away from the dishonesty, disloyalty and hurt. What I came to realize the hard way is that no one's affection is worth me having to sacrifice myself in order to receive it. It has been such an incredible journey so far and I can't help but feel that this is only the tip of the ice burg. I want you to appreciate yourself for who you are. Do what you can to transform yourself into someone you can't live without. Someone worth of the #1 spot on your list. 

So back to breaking bread. You already promised no more fast food (right?), so take another leap forward to limit what you consume in sit down restaurants. Leave the menu closed and order according to what your body needs. Or, if ordering from the menu, make substitutions. Do not be afraid to ask that the kitchen prepare your food in a healthy manner. Think of the "eat this, not that" principle. Instead of ordering a stuffed pasta, order whole grain angel hair pasta. Instead of the sauce that's normally on it, request that they drizzle it with olive oil and garnish with diced tomatoes. Then add a little lemon and pepper to taste. Little changes will make a world of difference. Limit the consumption of alcohol (especially at mealtime). Avoid consuming liquid calories. Think of why you truly there. You should be sitting down to a meal to fuel your body. It's certainly not a crime to enjoy the company either, so savor every moment of it. Go to make memories, not mistakes!