To drink or not to drink?

Good morning,

I came across this picture the other day and literally can't stop laughing every time I see it. Thought it might start your Monday off right. source

But here's my favorite pup, obviously (post water slurp). 

I have the day off today (!) so it will definitely be a Michael and me day <3

* * *

After a conversation about drinking, I started to think about how my relationship with alcohol and how it's changed over the years. 

Like many college students, I drank a lot. A typical weekend consisted of [heavily] drinking Thursday - Saturday. We'd "pre-game" to insure we were arriving to a party tipsy and further drink throughout the night. The next day I'd generally spend in bed (until about 12pm), eat a massive drunken brunch, clean the evidence from the night before, then start making plans for the next night. 

To be quite honest, I could drink the amount of a 200 pound man. And that to me was cool. I still ran marathons throughout college so considered myself "healthy". But looking back, I would have been so much healthier without the binge drinking

I'm not sure what clicked or when I stopped going out for the intention of getting sch-wasted (maybe I just realized I'm not 21 anymore), but I have a much deeper respect for my body. Perhaps it's a coincidence that at the same time I also rid my kitchen of diet foods (and disordered eating thoughts) and focused on food that's actually whole food. But that's another topic in itself..

Today I still go out. I go out to bars. I go dancing. And I still love wine. But what's changed is my relationship with drinking. No longer do I consumer certain drinks because they will get me drunk (hello nasty cheap college vodka). I chose a glass (or two) of wine because I genuinely like the way it tastes or splurge on a skinny margarita, because face it - those things are delicious. 

Do I feel awkward around others drinking heavily? Not any more. At first, I was annoyed when they 283,923th person asked me why I wasn't drinking more. But like any habit that people don't understand or practice themselves, they will ask (hello, healthy eating!). 

Am I perfect? No way. And I'm okay with that. I've never been an all-or-nothing type anyways. From time to time, I split a bottle of wine with a few friends and get a little giddy. But tipsy does not equal wasted, and I'm very fortunate I now know the difference.

So here few thoughts/tips on how I still have a crazy fun social life and still love my liver.

- Next time you're at a bar take a quick scan of how many people are actually holding drinks in their hands. Yes, many may have just finished a drink but you don't know that for certain. Similarly, if you don't have one people aren't going to point and laugh at you. What do they know? And unlike you, they aren't scanning the room for non-drinkers.

- Ask for your water, soda water, etc. in a glass (rather than plastic cup) and garnished with a lime. 

- Before you go out, make the next day's to-do list. This will reinforce the importance of not being hungover the next day when friends are shoving tequila shots in your face.

- Lie. There have been times when relentless friends simply can not comprehend that a 10-mile morning run or yoga class is more important. In times like these, I've just said "No thanks. I've had a migraine all day." Who would know the difference?

- Splurge on a fancy schmancy martini or margarita over delicious food from time to time. We all know I love my skinny margaritas, but these days they are a treat rather than a live-saving necessity.

- Consider a white wine spritzer. These are my new favorites. Not only are they incredibly refreshing, they're 50% less alcohol than wine (half wine, half soda water). So if you order two, that's only 1 glass of wine.

- Savor your wine and drink it as if you were at a tasting. At my recent wine tasting party, I probably tried 6-7 types of wine, but only tasted. This probably added up to 1-2 glasses max.

* * *

OK, onto some food :-)

Last night I made a new dish based on Lauren's recipe. Twas fantastic.

>>Mexican-style Cheesy Chili over Spaghetti Squash<<

(serves 5-6)

This dish is incredibly cheesy tasting but so healthy you almost think your taste buds are playing tricks on you. But aren't those foods the best? 

Ingredients:

1 large spaghetti squash

1 package ground extra lean turkey breast

1 can diced tomatoes w/ mild green chilies

1/2 jar salsa

1 can black beans

1/2 cup fat-free cottage cheese

4 wedges light Laughing Cow cheese

6 T nutritional yeast

1 T chili powder

1 t cumin

1/2 t black pepper

Directions:

(Squash)

Boil squash in large pot for 30 mins (skip to turkey directions while boiling)

Slice in half, remove seeds with fork, and scrape squash into bowl with fork

While squash is cooking..

Spray pan with non-stick spray and brown turkey over medium heat

Add tomatoes/chilies and beans and satay until cooked through

Add remaining ingredients and cook over low heat until cheese melts

(Secret ingredient!)

Enjoy!

Protein-packed, nutritious, and absolutely delicious (if you're into cheesy Mexican tasting meals. Who isn't though?) I can't get over how unhealthy it tastes! 

* * *

Well I'm going to enjoy my breakfast and coffee and relax until BodyPump. 

Low-fat Greek yogurt with leftover fruit from the blogger party

Have a wonderful day!

*What are your favorite healthy foods that taste not-so-healthy?*

* * *

I'll leave you with some funny pics from Saturday night...