Keeping Faithful to My Diet

The family went to Tagaytay over the weekend, thinking we would avoid most of the Valentine's Day traffic in Manila.

Boy, were we ever dead wrong. It seemed like everyone had the same idea. Friends reported that there was hardly any traffic in the city, which was a sharp contrast to the gridlock in Tagaytay.

We passed on the swanky places and headed to the homey Mano's, a Greek tavern and dad's favorite restaurant in Tagaytay.  My dad is usually in high spirits when he's anticipating a meal in Mano's, but this time the traffic was so bad that the usual five minute drive took almost forty five minutes. Dad was so incensed (do not get between a hungry man and his meal) that he parked the car into a corner a block away from the restauarant and told us all to walk. Thank God I didn't bring S, who was with her father that day.  I don't mind the walk, but to expose her to the choking exhaust fumes was simply not an option.

Things calmed down in Mano's.  Even if we initially had to settle for the table outside ("At least we smell the barbecue smoke and not the exhaust." Remarked my dear, old, hungry dad), the kind owner bustled us in once a table was free. Thankfully, Greek cuisine is relatively healthy as I was famished at this point. If we'd eaten somewhere else, I would have ordered the biggest, juiciest steak with fries and something that involved ice cream. The BT program was still in my head as I took in an order of Dolmades (grape leaves stuffed with rice and meat and served with tzatziki, which is yogurt with cucumbers) and the Greek salad.  I stole bites of M's lamb chop and passed on the dessert, after my mom remarked on my sleeker frame (her words, not mine!).  

By the time we finished dinner, the traffic had eased and it was actually pleasant enough to walk back to the car.  I missed S, but was glad that she would be back tomorrow afternoon instead of the morning, that way I can still do my morning jog.

It's been really challenging to do all this work, but I think it's paying off little by little. I've learned to really curb cravings and being smart about my food choices. I don't feel cheated at all, because I didn't cut off any food from my diet, but simply learned to make better and more informed decisions.

Photo taken form www.foodtrippings.com (karlaredor)