These Things In My Head...Taking the Scenic Route

Happy Easter weekend to all! We're heading to Houston in a bit for a quickie trip home to see our families tomorrow for Easter, but I wanted to stop by here to post before I'm away from the computer for the next 24 hour or so. I'm sitting here coloring my hair as I type. Hey...I don't have any kiddos to color Easter eggs for, so I figure coloring my hair is the next best thing!!

Tomorrow is a planned foodie splurge for us...a BIG one! We're going to Easter Jazz Brunch at Brennan's of Houston. The landmark restaurant burned down during Hurricane Ike in 2008 and recently reopened to the delight of many Houston foodies. We had our wedding reception in their ballroom in 2003, so this place is near and dear to our hearts. We're so excited to have scored one of the most sought-after reservations in town. I fully intend to savor every single high-calorie bite of this fabulous three-course meal tomorrow...and I plan to do it with no regrets and no guilt!

As you know by now, moderation is one of my mantras when it comes to losing weight...and it's been working pretty well for me so far. I'm down nearly 10 pounds since February, and I haven't felt the least bit deprived thanks to a few planned, strategic splurges along the way. I've had some people point out to me that I could be down even MORE weight if I'd not taken these "foodie detours" along they way. They're right, I suppose...but this weight loss journey I'm on wouldn't have been nearly as fun!!!

I'm a realist. Birthday cakes and celebration dinners in restaurants are going to happen. Life doesn't stop just because I'm trying to lose some weight. I stay within my Weight Watchers daily/weekly points 90% of the time, but I also have a few splurge meals here and there. They help keep me sane...rather than let them derail me, I find them refreshing. I enjoy a splurge meal...or even splurge DAY for that matter...for what it is. The key is that I get back on track immediately afterward. I refuse to use a splurge as a reason to give up on my ultimate goal of losing weight.

I guess you could say that I'm taking the "scenic route" rather than the expressway when it comes to losing weight!! It might take me a bit longer to get to my ultimate goal weight, but I guarantee that I'll enjoy the experience of getting there a whole lot more.

P.S. I tried a KILLER salmon recipe last night...Bourbon Glazed Salmon from Cooking Light. I served it with garlic-cheese grits and my signature strawberry/field green/feta salad. Come back next week for the recipe. I meant to take pictures, but it smelled so good that I started eating dinner and forgot. Spoken like a true foodie!!