Losing weight is easy.......I've got the answer!

Good morning everyone. I have come to the mind blowing conclusion that losing weight is easy! Here's the magic formula. I figure if you pick three healthy, good for you meals, eat them in the same quantities everyday, and at the same time, don't eat out in restaurants, don't go on vacations, never have more than two glasses of wine a day, and not in combination with the dark chocolate, exercise a little, but not too much as to increase your appetite, get 8 hours of sleep a night, take your probiotics, take your vitamins, and don't forget the fiber, keep your emotions under control, hormones too, and don't overschedule yourself so you always have time to prepare and eat your meals, and avoid stress,.....then losing weight will be easy!

I say this tongue in cheek as I woefully report that the scale was up 4 lbs this AM. So those extra carbs each day, all of that wine, negligible fiber, and eating three meals out a day, did matter. Well there's always a bright side and it could have been so much more. I really thought I handled things pretty well. There were many times I passed on even a bite of dessert, turned down the bread basket, choose grilled fish or a salad over something not so good for me.

But then there was all that extra wine each day, those complimentary happy hours with all the homemade dips, chips, hot appetizers. I resisted the homemade muffins and breads at breakfast but a few times I had a small lemon scone. I think I was having coconut bread withdrawal! Little slips here and there. I didn't think they would matter so much.

We stayed for the first time, at a bed and breakfast for three days. It was a lovely villa owned by two men, Jerry and Harold. We had a beautiful suite with our own patio, fireplace, sitting area. It was very private, but the breakfasts were french toast, homemade waffles, fruit. Very heavy on the carbs. One morning I mentioned I always eat poached eggs in the morning, and Jerry, the owner was more than happy to let me make my own. He loved the lesson I gave him, and I made two for him as well. At 5:30 we would come back from our day out of tasting and touring, and Jerry had wonderful cheeses, breads and what seemed like a never ending bottle of wine flowing. He was a wonderful host and I teared up saying goodbye to him. I wasn't sure if a B&B was for me, but this one was very nice.

Our suite at the Villa

Unloading the car at Villa Bella Messina- that's me on the left, and my sister-in-law helping me out!

Then we went on to the Wine Country Inn in St. Helena. Such a gorgeous place, located down a country land and nestled among the vineyards. We always take one of the cottages. They have many room types, but my husband insists we splurge on one of these cottages. It truly is heaven on earth, so private, and has a wonderful secluded patio overlooking the vineyard. He loves these cottages, and I joke that he works so much, doesn't really spend money on golf or other hobbies, so this is his hobby!

View from our cottage patio

The inn also has wonderful buffet breakfasts each morning, but at least they have one type of egg casserole, and hard boiled eggs, cheeses and meats. It was easier to avoid all the baked goodies there. Of course one of their egg dishes was named ' death by cheese'. It was delicious, but there was a lot of cheese in there. In the evening from 4:30 - 6:00 there is a complimentary wine and a whole array of hot and cold appetizers. I tried to load up on the veggies and dips, but there were great little bite size pizzas and other little hot things that I did indulge in. After that we went out to dinner around 8. The inn has a large SUV and they take and pick you up from the local restaurants. The meals we had were fantastic. I have to mention, at one of my favorite places called Market, I had the grilled scallops on top of a cauliflower puree, and then topped with carmelized mushrooms, bacon, almonds and aged balasmic and lemon oil. It was so delcious. Everyone thought the cauliflower was mashed potatoes. It was very thin in consistency, but delicious. I wish I had taken a picture.

 I may have had a gain while away, but compared to past vacations, when I went on a full out, eat whatever I wanted for the week binge, this one was different. I really saw that even with some slips, I had made some real changes in my lifestyle. Not just to lose weight, but because I think it is the right way to eat. Diet soda didn't touch my lips, even though one of my travelling companions has a real addiction to it, and we made frequent stops to replenish her supply. The creme brulee someone ordered for dessert didn't look so tempting to me. It's my favorite dessert and I didn't have any. The carbs were still a bit of a problem, but instead of having a scone one morning, I had some cantaloupe instead. Aside from the eggs, everything else on the breakfast buffet was a BFC no no. Waffles, breads, muffins, juices. So I figured fresh cantaloupe was a better choice. I made consious choices of what to eat. I felt good doing it.

I miss that beautiful part of northern California, and you know I love the wine. I tasted so many wonderful wines. We love to go to the less known, appointment only, type tastings and they really do treat you well. Often they serve some delicious cheeses, and crackers. One vineyard had the chef make us small tarts of puff pastry topped with carmelized onions to eat with their pinot noir we were drinking.  It was delicious, but I didn't over do it.

Tasting room at Hall Rutherford Vineyard

The pool at the Wine Country Inn

The wine caves, the tasting rooms and of course the wines add up to a wonderful experience. I will miss that, and having someone else make and serve my meals. But that is not real life, or a way to live everyday. So, it's time to get back to real life, work, bills, and back to a better eating plan. I've missed all of you and it's good to be back in touch. I woke up with a good, let's get on with it, attitude this morning. I'm still not sure about doing the fast track totally. I like the modified versions some of you are doing. Cutting out the grains, but having some coconut bread or muffins seems like a good plan to me. Until next time!

Thought for the day: "A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it."
— George Moore