The 80/20 Rule

Happy Tuesday all!  Thanks for all the great comments on the Simply Filling Turkey Meatloaf Muffins.  They are definitely a hit in our house because it is not too often I can convince The Husband to eat any vegetables I try to “sneak” in his food.  However, he let me know I can make these any time I want….translation ~ Yup, he is so down with having me sneak in veggie goodness whenever and however I can LOL.

This morning I was up early and out the door just so I could stop at Starbuck’s for a Grande Nonfat Decaf Latte with Caramel Drizzled on top with a banana. (SF) – 3 points+

I have a disclaimer to make to you all.  You will be seeing a lot of dining out and “celebrating” over the next few days with co-workers and friends followed up by the 4th Annual Foodbuzz Festival this weekend.  I am going to do my best to make “smart” choices, but, in all fairness….I am focusing on the 80/20 rule….eating good 80% of the time for the 20% I will be having a few treats.  The scale may or may not be my friend on Sunday, but, I will own up to it because sometimes you just have to go with it and enjoy letting life happen.

After walking for about 15 minutes in the sunshine and along the River Walk, we ended up at the Rio City Café for lunch.

I love that you can sit outside right on the river and watch the boats go by.

It was pretty cool watching the draw bridge go up so the Pirate Ship could pass under it too.

I had a plan in mind for what to order (a salad! skip the bread)….then, this cheesy, goodness showed up at the table.

Cheesy, Garlic Sour Dough Pull Apart Bread with balsamic, olive oil and crushed red pepper flakes!  I decided this was something totally worth it and took 2 pulls to savor.

I also learned this is the easiest bread to make ever….buy a sour dough loaf, cut slices into it without actually slicing it through, put dabs of garlic butter all over the top and inside, top with cheese and baked at 375 for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melting all over and the bread is golden.

Holy Temptation….I am totally erasing that recipe, idea & concept from my memory!

I was super tempted to get the Kobe Beef Burger with Rosemary Fries that everyone was ordering, but, I stuck to the plan and got a Cobb Salad.

My salad was so fantastic I didn’t feel deprived at all ~ I really think the smoked chicken, salty manchego (it’s like parmesan), tart cherries and nutty sunflower seeds made this salad amazing.

Local Romaine lettuce, dried cherries smoked chicken, cucumber, tomatoes, bacon, manchego cheese, sunflower seeds and creamy herb Italian dressing on the side.

Simply Filling + 4 WPA for the cherries, sunflower seeds, cheese and dressing. 8 points+

On my drive home, I told The Husband I wanted to stop to pick up everything to make chicken noodle soup since I am catching a cold. 

He recommended that I have someone cook the soup for me ~ Enter Panera ~ You Pick 2!

Chicken Noodle Soup ~ (Simply Filling Like) – 2 points+

Fuji Apple Chicken Salad sans stinky cheese!  I am completely IN LOVE with these crunchy apple chips, but, have to admit I totally think their Fuji Apple Vinaigrette tastes like Green Jolly Ranchers.  (SF+3 WPA) – 6 points+

All together with a whole grain baguette (SF+ 5 WPA) – 5 points+ and worth every single one!) You know because I “needed” more bread in my life today. 

I LOVE the chew factor and nuttiness of the whole grain baguette.

I am off to catch some zzzz’s and hopefully get rid of this cold before it can become a cold.

There is still time to enter to win a Special Edition Keurig Brewing System!

Q’s

Are any of you going to the Foodbuzz Festival this year?  If so, let me know because I want to meet you.

Night all!