7 replies to this topic

[nycgirlkat]

Hi Everyone,

I hope you all had a great weekend!! I am headed out yet for ANOTHER office lunch. Due to office politics and time schedules is so hard getting groups of people together so I am privileged to be invited to so many holiday lunches.

We're going to a Mexican restaurant today and so first question is. Are margaritas the worst possible cocktail to order? Should I get Sangria and put some club soda in it instead?

Also, I already know I'll get the ceviche as an appetizer (because their salads come with cheese and all their other apps are fried or come with a sauce).

And last question....What is the least of all evils? Tacos vs. Burritos vs. Enchiladas vs. Quesadillas? They also have a grilled chicken sandwich with spinach, tomatoes and cilantro dressing. Here is the menu:

http://lacamelianyc....enus/lunch_menu

What do you think?

Thanks,
Kat

[I Called Jenny]

It's up to you, of course, but if I was dining here, here's what I would order.

Molcajete de Pollo 14

Grilled chicken breast served in a heated lava rock with poblano peppers, cactus, scallions, chorizo and queso fresco with our special salsa cruda. Served with side of warm tortillas

or

Ceviche de Salmón 10

Thin sliced salmon marinated with citrus and served with a jicama, mango and orange segments

For the appetizer, I'd have

Ensalada de Jicama y Piña 6

Organic Mescalum salad, jicama, pineapple with a orange vinaigrette dresing "Muy Típico"

I'd remove the Jicama and ask for the dressing on the side for whatever dish you order.

And, of course, only eat HALF of what they're serving and even that might be too much so use your judgment on that.

If you INSIST on having a drink, and I TRULY don't understand why it's necessary, especially in the middle of a work day, I'd have a red or white wine spritzer. But there are MANY people who DON'T drink, and truly there isn't a problem with just ordering an iced tea.

If you think you're being pressured to drink, explain you're on medication and can't have alcohol or that you have a project you're working on and need to be alert after lunch.

And step away from the chips and salsa. Those two "freebies" that they bring to the table probably cause more problems than anything else. But the salsa actually would work as a nice replacement for any sauce or dressing you asked for "on the side."

Have fun!

[nycgirlkat]

Thanks for the suggestions, Phyllis! I didn't think I could have something like the chicken, but that sounds good.

As to having a cocktail during lunch. Since I never get to see these people in a social setting (as we are always way too busy and chained to our desk), I would like to have one, year-end celebratory cocktail. I'll get a red wine or sangria with club soda and that will be that. My days of getting lit at lunch and on the weekends is way behind me....

I'll do my best to keep the chips at one end of the table so that I am not tempted.

Thanks again for the suggestions!!!

[nycgirlkat]

OK, so I bombed somewhat at lunch. I ended up eating guacamole AND chips (YEESH). I also had a sangria but I added club soda to it (everyone else had beers). Then I had shrimp civiche with avocado and then had the 3 mini soft tacos (one shredded lamb, one shredded beef and one shredded chicken - the tortillas were probably about 4 inches in diameter. They didn't have anything on them (like guacamole, cheese or sour cream) - it was just the marinated meat, some onion and that was it. I also had a half cup of rice with black beans. Then I had 2 bites of a strawberry crepe and a coffee.

I know I could have done without the chips, sangria or rice and beans but it was SO tasty. I'll get back up on the horse tomorrow and work out an extra day this week and drink lots of water.

Now all I want to do is take a nap.....I'll have to take notes so I can remember when I want to eat this much again!

[I Called Jenny]

Well, I guess you could have done worse - LOL. But, hon, it's REALLY important that if you make a plan when you're going to be going out that you stick to it if you want long-term success.

I know it's a major transitioning of how you've been thinking and eating over the years but you're still so early into the program and I know you want this very badly but you're doing yourself an injustice if you don't follow through.

Glad you made "some" concessions. So good for you on that!

And don't wait until tomorrow. Go and have your Jenny dinner tonight and then stick to the program for the rest of the week and see how much damage, if any, you did at your next WI. You've had two dining out experiences and you still have a few holidays to get through.

I know it was a big deal for you to be invited to these luncheons and I'm happy you had fun. Now let's see if you can have fun without sacrificing all that you've worked towards. I know you can do that!

[PishiCat]

nycgirlkat, on 19 December 2011 - 01:18 PM, said:

OK, so I bombed somewhat at lunch. I ended up eating guacamole AND chips (YEESH). I also had a sangria but I added club soda to it (everyone else had beers). Then I had shrimp civiche with avocado and then had the 3 mini soft tacos (one shredded lamb, one shredded beef and one shredded chicken - the tortillas were probably about 4 inches in diameter. They didn't have anything on them (like guacamole, cheese or sour cream) - it was just the marinated meat, some onion and that was it. I also had a half cup of rice with black beans. Then I had 2 bites of a strawberry crepe and a coffee.

I know I could have done without the chips, sangria or rice and beans but it was SO tasty. I'll get back up on the horse tomorrow and work out an extra day this week and drink lots of water.

Now all I want to do is take a nap.....I'll have to take notes so I can remember when I want to eat this much again!

Hi Kat,
I am like you. I have to go out (sometimes involuntarily) for most of my dining. I have been staying away so far with a whole bunch of excuses. The few times that I tried to go out, I noticed I wasn't ready....I had a plan but when the Cheesecake came, I had 1700 calories worth in one sitting (along with everybody else). So, Phyllis is right. We both have to find the key to staying on the plan we design beforehand. I get very frustrated too.

You have done soooo much better than me when going out. I would have had 10 margaritas and 3 bowls of chips.

Barbara

[nycgirlkat]

Hi Barbara,

Thanks for the support. Eating out is a big issue for me. Growing up we never went out to eat at restaurants (because of the cost) so I grew up feeling that when you did go, it was a very special thing and my parents monitored what we ordered and ALWAYS made us eat EVERYTHING on our plates. So I think its a mix of guilt if I don't eat it all and a bit of adult rebellion, "I can eat whatever it is that I want to" that has got me here.

Bottom line, its going to take a while for me to change my behaviors but I will need to start sticking more to my plans when dinning out.

[I Called Jenny]

nycgirlkat, on 20 December 2011 - 09:24 AM, said:

Hi Barbara,

Thanks for the support. Eating out is a big issue for me. Growing up we never went out to eat at restaurants (because of the cost) so I grew up feeling that when you did go, it was a very special thing and my parents monitored what we ordered and ALWAYS made us eat EVERYTHING on our plates. So I think its a mix of guilt if I don't eat it all and a bit of adult rebellion, "I can eat whatever it is that I want to" that has got me here.

Bottom line, its going to take a while for me to change my behaviors but I will need to start sticking more to my plans when dinning out.

I understand! I grew up poor too and dining out was a MAJOR treat. It was usually Chinese because it was affordable but when our family of five left, there was NOTHING left on the plates.

But I am sooooooo proud of you for recognizing that you have to change your mindset and that it's not an overnight process. But I have faith in you and I know that once you are completely "there" with knowing what you can and can't do, you'll win at this new "game." Good for you!