BINGE ENDERS CHALLENGE - Sunday, November 29th

914 calories + isolated restaurant dinner
26 g fiber
3 g added sugar
530 exercise calories

We had a few errands to run so we ate out last night at a local bar and grill style restaurant. I had a veggie burger and sweet potato fries with dipping sauce. I was so hungry when we got there and ate every bite. Of course the idea of blowing the entire day ran through my head when DH asked if I wanted to go to dinner in the evening. I decided that it didn’t have to be all or nothing. I could isolate my meal, not have a margarita (my drink of choice) with dinner, and avoid added sugars the remainder of the day. I had peanut butter on a wrap later in the evening which accounts for the added sugars. It was very sad to see how empty the restaurant was, though good to see that people are being careful. On a normal Saturday evening it would have been filled to capacity with a line out the door. I think our restaurants are at half capacity, and there were lots of empty available tables. I tipped our server well.

I got all the decorations up, but of course it led to other things like getting all the cat hair off the back of the chair and a half and dragging the couch out and cleaning behind it (yuck). I was exhausted by the end of the day.

Nancy, I borrowed the Zero Sugar cookbook from the library to get recipe ideas. They are all very high in calories and just not anything I would make. He uses puréed dates to sweeten his recipes. To me, that’s still sugar, even though it’s not “added sugar”. IMO, it is added sugar because the dates are only in the recipe to add sweetness. Anyway. I didn’t get any dessert ideas. I’m thinking maybe some chopped apple or raisins, or even pumpkin purée in oatmeal would be a nice change for dessert. I’ll put a little artificial sweetener in. And since I now have enough calories for nuts, chopped walnuts.
I was thinking the same thing about a trip for you before Janet leaves.

Kathy, I am fully recovered and most relieved that I’m not one of the long haulers. I remember your weight was way down last week and you attributed it to water weight. Darn, I guess you were right.

Lori, this is a sad year for so many. I’m not sure I would decorate if people weren’t coming over. Most of the ladies who come to the cookie exchange at my house have had the virus recently, so we’re going to do it. I think only 3 ladies haven’t had it, and I’ve offered the option for them to just exchange cookies and leave. If it’s a nice day, I’ll open the windows and we can even do it on the deck. We had such a pretty picture of everyone’s cookies out on platters last year; this year everyone will prepackage her cookies ahead of time. Strange times indeed. I talked to my mom on Thanksgiving and she seemed so sad.

Jane, I’m thinking of you.

The weather this weekend was so nice I was able to get in over 10,000 steps both days. I want to enjoy the mild weather as long as I can. Eating was really good this weekend, we had a healthy turkey dinner Saturday night and made fish tacos today. I also made turkey soup and started a batch of Christmas cake balls. There a good freezer cookie so I can make ahead of time. Next, I’ll start writing Christmas cards, looking forward to having time to write notes in them this year.

Nancy, A trip before Janet leaves would be wonderful. Hope it works out.

Jan, great job enjoying your meal and making the decision not to order the drink. Cookie exchange sounds like fun. I’m trying to have a positive mindset and enjoy the holidays as best as possible - find the positives and not focus on the negatives. Starting with extra time to write notes in Christmas cards also planning a Christmas brunch with WW friends (like we did for birthdays).

Kathy, so sorry your still not feeling well. This virus effects everyone so differently....praying you feel better soon - maybe a doctor’s visit is needed...