When on a diet, splurging is often called a cheat meal. Cheat meals can be awesome, but dieters beware if you like to eat healthy Mon-Fri and cheat all weekend you are not on a weight lose diet, you are on a maintenance diet…(or even a slow .5-1lb steady creep up diet!)
That being said, cheat meals are awesome, especially when you make it yourself with fresh ingredients! Remember fresh ingredients provide way more nutrients than processed ones. Most restaurants–especially if they are chains use processed ingredients because they are cheaper and store longer.
This week after my 6 mile “long run” for the week I went up to my mom and dad’s to celebrate their 27th wedding anniversary! [It’s funny to call 6 miles a long run but welcome to the friendly world of 1/2 marathon training!–ALSO WORD TO THE WISE: If you are going to have a cheat meal make it on a day where you get in a great workout! 🙂 ] There we began to cook up a feast!
I was put in charge of stuffing the ravioli, while my dad tended the french meat and white bean dish, Cassoulet!
Our first course was sautéed muscles and clams, which are actually a very healthy appetizer! This is a great choice to make on your own or to order if you are at a restaurant!
Next came the lobster ravioli with a simple tomate sauce and asparagus!
Finally we had the main course, a blood orange salad with fig balsamic dressing, and the completed Cassoulet! Dinner was paired with an Australian 2 Hands 2009 Shiraz and a 2005 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon. (My one of two lenten exceptions!)
The intent was to burn off these calories with a day of skiing….
However, conditions weren’t having it so we headed down the mountain and I squeezed in my exercise for the day
Stacking wood and taking a quick 3 mile sunset recovery run to shake out my legs from yesterday’s run.
When I got back it was time to get set for the rest of the week. I was able to use the broth from the cassoulet for a slow cooked meal for later this week!
The only thing missing is yoga, but I’ll get back to that tomorrow!
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