And for you, Miss?

And for you, Miss?

Last night, I went out to dinner with a group of friends after a show. We went to a German restaurant called Wirtshaus that I’d never been to before. In fact, until last night, I’d never stepped foot into a German restaurant. I am not a big fan of beer, and I don’t quite know what schnitzel or sauerbraten are, so I have managed, up to this point, to steer clear.

But, because my friends were going, and I’ve been known to enjoy a glass of German riesling and a chili dog from Weinersnitchel from time to time, I decided to be adventurous and go.

Once we were seated and handed the menus, I began searching for something familiar. My eyes immediately landed on the soft pretzel, which looked to be the safety item, and also one of my “go tos,” but was quickly told by our waiter that they were fresh out. I attempted then, to decipher what all the German menu items meant, and what I thought I could eat without over thinking what were actually in said German menu items.

After quickly shutting down the blood sausage and duck pate options, I finally settled on one of two choices.

The brussel spouts, or the cheesecake.

As the server, (who for his sake was thankfully not in the traditional lederhosen) went around the table asking everyone for their order, I began creating a pros and cons list in my head of the two items.

Brussel Sprout : PROS: *healthy for you *you don’t eat enough greens *have garlic in them which you love *you really like brussel sprouts *only $4 CONS: not cheesecake

Cheesecake: PROS: *delicious *covered in raspberry sauce which is a fruit which is healthy *also only $4  CONS: *YOU HAD DONUTS FOR BREAKFAST

Needless to say, one con was enough on the cheesecake list to realize I needed to go with the brussel sprouts.

Could I look myself in the mirror after I ate donuts for breakfast this morning? Yes.

Could I have looked myself in the mirror when I got home last night after having donuts for breakfast and then cheesecake for dinner? No.

After our food was delivered to us, and I was served a child-sized portion of brussel sprouts, the topic of conversation landed on Taco Bell and their new Cool Ranch Doritos taco. A friend of mine said he had managed to stay away when they had their Nacho Cheese Doritos taco, but once they came out with the Cool Ranch, he was unable to resist.

As I unenthusiastically poked at my mediocre German brussel spouts , my mind wandered to my college days when I would carelessly pull up to the Taco Bell/ Pizza Hut Express in Fullerton and order a bean and cheese burrito, two soft tacos, three bread sticks and cheese dip to dip all of the above in, without a second thought. And I’m talking on the regular here, like at least once a week. Now, at twenty-seven, I feel guilt ridden when tempted to eat even half of what I ordered in college.

Who knew those five years who make such a difference in a person’s mindset? Do I always make the best decisions when it comes to food; absolutely not. But at least I think about the consequences now.

Though I really wanted to indulge in “Fourth Meal” at Taco Bell last night, I told myself no, and drove straight home. Instead, I got up early this morning, ate a bowl of Wheat Chex, and went to an advanced yoga class at the studio by my house.

Could I do all the moves? No, I could not. But I pushed myself, stretched further than I have been able to in awhile, and felt just incredible once the class was over. It was painful, tiring, and sweaty, but truly exciting at the same time. 

Though during the class I wasn’t having as much fun as eating raspberry cheesecake or Taco Bell, I can honestly say that the feeling post class was far and away better than the feeling after any cheesecake or Taco Bell indulgence I’ve had.

That’s all I’ve got for today.

Namaste!

Ashley