German Food

 The boys ended up taking me out to Zum Rheingarten restaurant last night, my Mother's Day surprise dinner.  http://www.zumrheingarten.com/  I have loved German food since the eighties, when I was stationed there.  The only problem is German food can be seriously detrimental to the healthy lifestyle change I am committed to continuing.
  When we got in the car, and the boys told me where we were going, I worried.  I gained about 20 pounds over the two years I was stationed there (from 1982-1984).  I wasn't going back there.  I knew right away this evening would be a challenge.
  Now, I understood why my husband had made the comment about my diet not applying on Mother's Day..German food.  He promised that I wouldn't gain 20 pounds in one night.  Comforting, right?
   When we walked in, our table wasn't yet ready.  We sat at the bar and had drinks.  I tried their Spring special...Reisling, Champagne, and sliced strawberries.  I am not normally a champagne drinker, but it looked refreshing.  My husband had a German beer.  I'm told they make the best beer.  Our son had a coke.
   When our table was ready, we were escorted upstairs.  With only one other group up there, it was quiet.  with fewer people to judge us, we goofed around more than usual.  I cautiously picked up the menu.  I think my husband half expected me to order what was once my favorite of all favorite's (Jaegerschnitzel -veal cutlet in a thick, mushroom gravy).  I didn't.  Veal is beef, after all..worse baby calf.  And I have sworn off beef and pork this year.  Trust me.  My body thanks me for it every day.  Instead, I searched the menu for items that were healthier.
   We ordered a cheese and meat appetizer plate.  I munched on the Brie and crackers...some honey dew melon.  On the menu, most of the main dishes were items I was trying to stay away from.  I was proud of myself and my continuing willpower especially when faced with all those wonderful gravies and sauces.  You know what?  I wasn't even tempted.  I found four things to choose from...a rainbow trout dish, a fillet of Salmon, a vegetarian Zucchini Schnitzel, and a simple chicken schnitzel.  I was leaning towards the fish, but in the end decided to just share the chicken schnitzel with our son.  My husband got a steak and shared his too.  Our son isn't a big eater and he is picky.  It worked out great.  Afterwards, our son had a decadent black forest cake.  We each had coffee drinks with brandy and whipped cream.  That night, I started to feel ill.  I think it was the mixture of the champagne/Reisling wine and the brandy coffee.  I should have known better than to mix alcohols.  It always screws with my head.
   Anyway, today is a new day.  After a good night's sleep, I feel better.  I walked five miles in and around the neighborhood, then came home and did my normal workout routine.  I added some extra butt lifts hoping to make up for any excess I may have had with the German food.   Isn't that where German food goes? To your butt...
  My husband doesn't know it, but tonight...we are having a chicken salad plate for dinner.  I mix it with apples and put it in a sliced organic tomato.  Then lay the tomato on a fresh bed of dark lettuces.  Yum..and healthy.  And no drinking for me this week.  I went overboard this past weekend.  Bad girl...I symbolically slap my own wrist...and promise to get back on track.  Have a great week this week...Make good choices.  I know I will.  : )