San Diego

First off, San Diego is a rockin city. My husband and I spent our first Anniversary here a couple weekends ago. Highlights included: walking all over the city in many different parks (Balboa, Safari, and along the water), an awesome pub called the Tipsy Crow with a cool Wall Street style alcohol exchange (prices of drinks literally change before your eyes dependant on how many drinks are purchased), and the AMAZING Mexican food.

Anyone the knows me, knows very very well the I have a massive affinity for Mexican food. So much so, that my husband and I ate or every night for dinner. I really wish I had taken more pictures the first two nights.. But I do have pictures from our anniversary dinner ( a gift from my sister-in-law). By the way, if you ever find yourself in San Diego, make sure you get you butt over to Candela's on the Bay on Coronado Island. It is incredible food, a gorgeous view of the bay and San Diego, and the service is top notch. Our server, Dan, actually brought out his own private port wine and chocolates for us to enjoy at dinner after I asked him for a glass of Pinot grigio with my dessert. I hadn't realized the Pinot isn't the best wine with dessert, so he simply brought us two glasses of port for no charge, along with chocolates he personally carries with him and said "You'll probably enjoy this much more than the Pinot, but please let me know what you think!". Needless to say, he was right and now we're hooked on the butterscotch/toffee port he served. If you come to our place for dinner, you'll probably be served port after from here on. :)

With conscious eating as my new and permanent habit, I got to thinking how this trip might have gone if I was still following my guilt ridden, food restricting life of the past...

First things first: I ate waaaayyyyy too much our first night and paid for it the next morning (but those handmade corn tortillas, fresh guacamole, and amazing 3 cups of salsa were worth it!). This is something to be very thankful for. I didn't listen to my body, and it told me the next day.
The following day, I ate much less... We actually (as we often do when travelling to the US) only ate 2 meals. If you've lived in Canada for a while, or most places in the world- portion sizes are insane in the States. They often provide me with 2 full meals- nice if you have a fridge. Annoying with no fridge and if you have the voice of a grandma who lived through the Great Depression telling you to finish you plate or you're being ungrateful. ( no, grandma- I'm f'ing full!).
So, my body basically just dealt with the fact that I ate plenty the day before and didn't need as much.  (Not a big deal for someone who normally eats like this, but a huge deal for someone previously living as an Obsessive Compulsive Eater).

Second: I decided everyday what I would eat based on what really sounded good.  Of course, I didn't eat a ton of sugar, and I don't eat dairy- so that did limit my choices.  The cool thing is, once I stopped obsessing about how many carbs I was eating, I naturally chose the healthier more nutritious options.
On our anniversary, I chose a vegetarian entree.  In the past I would have obsessed over getting enough protein, thinking it would trip out my blood sugar.  The veggie entree (literally a garden of cooked veggies) made me feel fantastic.  More importantly, I felt nourished and well treated.

So, first weekend officially not freaking out about everything put into my mouth (assuming it would stick to my thighs)?  Big win!