The end of last week proved to be quite busy, socially. It also proved to be my downfall when it came to healthy choices for meals.

Thursday, the girls and I were invited to a friend’s house for lunch. We had white bread sandwiches, and snacked on crisps and microwave popcorn. I could not resist temptation. (Chips are one of my biggest enemies!!)

For lunch on Friday, DG, RL and myself were shopping, so decided on a cafe. The one I used to eat at had closed, so we picked one I had never been to. It was a fairly modern cafe and although it had a kid’s menu, it was geared more to the latte/beer set than the white with one/water set. DG wanted nachos so I said I would share a plate with her, despite craving a simple green salad. They were the worst nachos I had ever tasted. They were loaded with so much sour cream, salsa and guacamole that the corn chips were a soggy, cheesy mess. I had about 2 mouthfuls then helped RL finish her crumbed chicken peices (upmarket nuggets!) and chips. I mananged to steer the girls out of the shopping centre before their cries for ice cream caused me to relent and buy them both one. I knew if I bought them one, I would have one as well. We instead settled for deliciously cold watermelon at home.

Friday night is take away night. As DM arrived home late and the girls and I were in the middle of doing something else (can’t remember what!) we left our decision quite late. It ended up being Indian. I made sure that I kept my portion size alot smaller than usual, and only ate a small peice of naan bread. It helped. I went to bed late enough to let my meal digest and managed to escape the usual bloated feeling from a large meal. I would have preferred to have eaten a few hours earlier, though.

Saturday night was a family meal at my parent’s house. It consisted of sliced meat, cold chicken and salads. I have always liked my Mum’s cooking, but in later years as she replaces everything with low-fat products, I have not liked it quite so much. I don’t have low-fat products in my own house, except for milk, as I have never liked the (lack of) flavour, nor the fact that they are usually laden with sugar or salt. I know my parent’s are trying to keep their weight and cholesterol levels low, so I have never complained to them about their food preferences. Of course, Mum made custard trifle and that is another food which I find hard to resist. It brings back many childhood memories.

Sunday night, after the girls went to stay with their grandparents, DM and I went out for tea. We decided on Mexican. I refused an entree, but DM pushed his potato wedges under my nose and I couldn’t resist. My beef quesadilla was huge so I pushed the plate away after eating half. Later on that night, my body struggled with the rich spicy food and I felt hot and sweaty and very bloated all evening.

Over the course of the last few days, my alcohol intake has been moderate. My one bugbear I have with myself is that I have been drinking beer. I need to stop with beer and switch to red wine. But a stinking hot Aussie summer is the perfect environment for an ice cold, crisp beer. And we’ve had a few very hot days! And with the frustration of not being able to hear I just shrug my shoulders and say,”Oh well. A cool breeze on the verandah with a cold beer will make me feel less sorry for myself!” Excuses, excuses!!

I’ve been to the doctors today and he has managed to clear one ear, which is a relief. The other is still ringing incessantly and that is causing my neck muscles to tense. By the end of this week, I hope to have the other ear cleared. I’m also off to pathology to find out once and for all what the rash is. My doctor says that if it is what he/I think it is, it’s going to take a while to treat. Not really what I wanted to hear, but a step in the right direction, nonetheless.

I’ll leave you all with a picture of my healthy lunch. Organic canellini beans with tomato and spices.