How to Survive a Cook-out or Party

Well, I had my first test this past Sunday, when Hard Working Man and I had to make an appearance at a family cook-out and what better way to practice my new healthy eating tools than around family.

I casually asked Hard Working Mom what she was planning to fix and when she said burgers and dogs on the grill, I boldly asked her if she minded if I brought some marinated chicken breasts to throw on the grill for me!! She quickly agreed that it would be fine, so my primary problem was solved. I am learning to be honest not only with others, but with myself. The "before" me would have never been like that...I would have gladly stuffed whatever was available just to appease the host or hostess...NOT ANY MORE.

It may seem rude, but I am not willing to go back on my quest for a healthier and happier me...nothing can get in my way...not even a holiday, party, or a family gathering. If they want to see me, then allowances must be made. PERIOD.

I also made a side salad to share, but was made within my own specifications so I at least knew I had my healthy options available to me.

I made a Cole Slaw recipe that was posted by Meg at Soup is not a Finger Food. She made a really appealing Pennsylvania Pepper Slaw that I knew instantly I could adapt for my plan. Instead of the 1.5 cups of sugar the recipe called for, I used 3/4 of a cup of Splenda...half the calories and carbohydrates than regular sugar and no loss of taste what so ever. In fact, I love the Splenda website...it has wonderful recipes and guides to replace sugar with a healthy alternative while never giving up the taste or replacing it with a bitter, chemical taste that often other sugar substitutes can do.

I drank lots of bottled water and when cake time rolled around, I grabbed a handful of grapes I had packed and told myself NO.

I often read a lot of other weight loss and healthy lifestyle blogs where people allow for bad days or "just a few won't hurt" mentality. I am sorry, but that theology just won't work for me. Do I want to go back to the way things were? NEVER.

I made these REALLY YUMMY pumpkin, carrot, oatmeal, spice muffins this weekend both in regular size and in mini muffin size. I packed them into serving sizes for HWM and myself. Each large muffin had 67 calories and only 1 gram of fat...They are called Weight Watchers 2 point muffins and really they are so delish and EASY. Just four ingredients and nothing more. After I bagged them, they went into the freezer, so bingeing would not be an option.

1 Carrot Cake Mix
1 15-oz can of pumpkin puree
1 cup water
1 cup of rolled oats


So, I didn't fall off the wagon, my party experience wasn't dampened by eating differently than everyone else, and the happiness I felt the next morning having accomplished another huge mountain in my quest to change my life was met. The definition of insanity is to keep living life the same way, but expecting different outcomes. I am ready to live my life a different way and that means changing everything in my life. FOREVER.