Weekend Holiday Parties!

Well, it was another weekend of holiday fun and craziness.

We ended up going back up to San Francisco on Saturday for some holiday shopping. And then we had two parties on Sunday. It was a difficult weekend to maneuver. Last weekend I felt like I had a very good excuse for eating a cinnamon croissant…it went so well with my coffee and new bling!

But this weekend? Well….you’ll have to see below how I did. But first…how about a new workout video!

Saturday: San Francisco Shopping Day

I had a typical oatmeal breakfast, and then a protein smoothie for a snack on the way to the city.

Very late lunch/early dinner:

Miguel and I have a San Francisco Holiday Shopping tradition. We always end up at the new West Field shopping center near the Metreon (5^th and Mission) and we go down to the food court to eat. Now before you read this and think I’m crazy…it’s the ONLY mall food court you would ever catch me in! If you’ve never been, it’s a treat. While I’m sure there are deep-fried-over-salted choices, they also have restaurants like Andale and Skewers, both of whom serve up extremely healthy, free-range meat choices, grass-fed beef choices, and organic veggie choices…AT A FOOD COURT! Our favorite is a sea food resaurant (can’t remember the name!) where we order grilled salmon, spinach risotto, and grilled artichokes! So delicious.

We usually go to the crepe and gelato store afterwards…but not this trip. And you know what? I didn’t even really miss it.

SUNDAY: Parties Galore!

I started out with my high-protein Flax Pancakes and blueberry and peach fruit compote. Very healthy, very yummy.

Then it was over to a client’s house for a festive open-house…you can see from the pictures below…

So delicious and so perfectly small!

I enjoyed a shot of Bloody Mary shot with cocktail shrimp and a pomegranate mimosa. And then there were tiny little latkes, smaller egg tarts, and an eggnog French toast in a muffin cup. It was all so perfect—because everything was sooo small, I could try the different foods without feeling like I overdid it.

I've never had a pomegranite mimosa before!

It all went well until dinner.

It was a family dinner and if anyone reading this has a big family, or even more specific, a big latin family…lets just say it can get a little crazy in the kitchen.

I did my best. No appetizers. Half my plate was salad with no dressing. Then I had 2 small pieces of braised beef with a smaller portion of mashed potatoes. Oh…and then the shrimps mixed with onion, cilantro and tomato…I had to have some of that too.

It was the wine that did me in!

All went well until my soon-to-be-brother-in-law kept pouring wine in my glass…and I kept drinking it! Argh! I was having so much fun that I didn’t even realize 3 glasses went down without a thought. It’s the typical story. The reason too much alcohol is such a problem has less to do with the alcohol calories, and much more to do with the CHEESECAKE CALORIES!!!

Yup…I enjoyed a slice of cheescake. Yup…the ENTIRE slice. I didn’t even leave a little on the plate. (in fact…quite the opposite…I practically licked my plate it was so good!)

I’m supposed to be demonstrating control and how NOT to gain weight over the holidays. Well, last night’s dinner was definitely NOT a good example!

In fact…if you want to gain weight during the holidays this year…do what I did last night. Drink too much alcohol so you lose your inhibitions and then eat cheesecake at 9pm.

I’m nervous to weigh in. You’ll see those results tomorrow!