A Nice Weekend

As a commenter recently noted, I've been away awhile. I'll back-post a few things I have drafts of, but in the meantime, I'm pretty proud of how I handled myself this past weekend.

I went down to visit my family, which is often a major diet-killer. I got there Saturday night, and my parents and I went to a steakhouse for dinner. I thought I was safe ordering a flat iron steak with a burgundy reduction sauce... but they served it with a big pile of delicious French fries. I managed to eat around them and enjoyed the heck out of my steak. I rewarded myself with a low-sugar ice cream which fit within my daily carbs despite having 11 grams.

Sunday was easier, as I ate turkey roll-ups and then my father barbecued a bunch of things, including cheddar wurst and sausage patties with cheese for me. I made Caesar salads for my family, and they all enjoyed them. I was even able to enjoy a Caipirinha made with Splenda - fabulous.

On Monday, my mother and I got dinner at Ruby Tuesday's, and I was tempted to take a page from the Carbohydrate Addicts' diet, wherein I would eat a carb-laden meal, but keep all my carbs within one hour. Or something. I'm not even sure that works, but I'm glad I decided against it anyway. I got a portobello mushroom topped steak with Parmesan cream sauce that was spectacular. My dish came with steamed broccoli and a baked potato, but the waitress was all too happy to sub in some broiled green beans, which were also delicious. On the way home, we got a package of CarbSmart ice cream bars which are only 5 grams per, but I did end up eating two, which was a definite lapse in self-control. Nevertheless, I stayed well below 20 carbs for the day and felt proud of myself for finding a way to make it work.

Lastly on Tuesday, I went most of the day without eating, and was feeling kind of dizzy as a consequence. I cooked Ropa Vieja for my family before heading out, and while I thought it was spectacular, they felt it was too spicy. I began to wonder if Atkins is effecting my sense of taste and flavor, since we add so many spices to cut that greasy "Atkins taste." I will have to look into this.

Since returning, I've continued being really good, though I'm concerned that not eating for long portions of the day is lowering my blood sugar and causing my weight loss to plateau.

I did make a fabulous dinner tonight, though, and I wish I'd thought to take a photo. I grilled chicken breasts and sauteed a bunch of vegetables, then topped it all with a decadent homemade Alfredo sauce. Being on Atkins is about the only possible situation in which I'd consider that sauce healthy, but man, it was delicious.