Back on the Wagon

You guys, I had a wee bit too much vacation on my vacation, if ya know what I mean. I drank Dunkaccinos almost every day (please, Minnesota, get a Dunkin Donuts IMMEDIATELY), I drank some fabulous wine on the fabulous porch, and I enjoyed so much fried fish, I may have sprouted gills.

I had to face the music when I got back. I was most afraid of my new personal trainer, John. He was surprisingly easy on me. Easier than I was on myself when I saw myself in those gym mirrors. SHUDDER.

Epic diet fail, people.

My roommate and I also admitted that we spent the day I got back in my parents' hot tub (she's house-sitting) drinking Prosecco and downing a family-size pizza.

Sunday we got together and decided we had to get back on the wagon. We took out my humongo binder of recipes and set about creating a meal plan.

 

Instead of doing just a weekly plan, we decided to come up with entree/side combinations for about three weeks and shop every Sunday based on grocery store sales and what we could get at the farmer's market.

When we were done, we were both sort of shocked we hadn't thought of this before. Meal plans can feel so restrictive sometimes. And sometimes you just can't stomach 3 chicken dishes in one week. Sometimes the broccolini just looks so damn good at Trader Joe's, you must have it.

Anyone with me?

Anyway, it's great. Or it will be when we start it next week. We are trying almost 80% new recipes, including veggie sides. We're integrating some good fall-like foods like sweet potatoes.

It's amazing how having a plan can make you feel skinnier in moments.

We also may or may not have set our weight loss goals based on New England Patriots goals.

What? We're kind of dudes sometimes. It happens.

What do you do when you go totally off your meal and/or fitness plan? Do you dive back in or do you have to phase in? Do you go nutty on vacation or stay on plan?

Things I Love Thursday: Prosecco

This is just a quick one because the week of birthday festivities has left me with a to-do list a mile long. If you are a champagne lover, you MUST try Prosecco! It's less bubbly and less likely to cause a hangover than champagne. I tried this the first time at a wine tasting at our local wine shop (if you live in the Western 'burbs, you should TOTALLY try Dolce Vita Wine Shop, they have amazing service and they keep a record of what wines you buy so you never have to do the whole "I tried that one...awhile ago? It had a label with a house on it or something?").

Anyway, it's a dryer taste, like a dry asti champagne. I've had many, and none have been bad. But the Astoria Lounge one pictured here has been, by far, the best one of all. My father-in-law brought two bottles to our dinner and even gave me an extra bottle to savor later. The two bottles were gone before we passed the fruit salad, everyone loved it!

Enjoy, and feel free to comment and share your favorite beverage!