Quote Originally Posted by Kitsune06 View Post

I'm a person who will order the biggest entree I can for the lowest price and just take what I need/want and box the rest. I'm with Mimi- if I'm trapped at work, darn straight I'll want a good lunch.
Kit, I think you have the attitude of most people, but the majority of the people who order in restaurants eat it all and they don't bike a zillion miles. That is why you are healthy and they are not, because you have portion control and you are an athlete.

Years ago I gave myself an attitude change about how I select food when I am eating out. Yes, the majority of people order restaurant food so as to maximize calories for the lowest cost. Instead, select food using the criteria of health so as to eat wisely from the food groups, and don't use cost as a consideration unless you are really broke. For example, I like small portions and a variety, so I might make several selections from the apptetizers along with a dinner salad, perhaps a shrimp cocktail, Asian salad rolls, a cup of soup and the dinner salad. That is more than enough for me and I don't have leftovers. I have also gotten very aggressive over the years about the side dishes that may come with a sandwich. French fries are empty calories, so I refuse to eat them. I ask for a salad or soup instead of the fries. If the restaurant can't make the substitution, I leave the fries on the plate untouched.

The original poster mentioned her purchase of asparagus. Here is my contribution regarding asparagus. Cook it in the microwave or steam it. Pour a vinaigrette of your choice over the asparagus and chill overnight. Serve the chilled asparagus on a plate with fresh sliced tomatoes, a portion of fresh cut fruit, and a selection of healthy protein, such as a grilled filet of fish.

Another fantastic way to cook asparagus is to cut it up, add it to low-sodium chicken broth, and add a bit of garlic, a splash of lemon and a bit of olive oil. Simmer for 10 minutes. Using a stick beater, puree the cooked mixture. Serve hot or cold.

Everyone who loves to eat fresh vegetables and fruit should own a stick beater. Right now is when winter squash is in the produce markets, and this year there is an incredible variety. Peel and cut the squash of your choice, and cook in low sodium chicken broth. Add some other items of your choice, like a sweet potato, or an apple or pear, or garlic, or an onion, or nutmeg, and so on. Simmer until done. Get out the stick beater and puree right in the pot. Serve hot. This soup is like the asparagus soup, exceptionally low calorie, and extremely delicious and nutritious.

You can use the stick beater on almost any vegetable or bean. For example, garbanzo beans puree nicely into a soup, or carrots.

By the way, the fried chocolate in Scotland, I think that has to be the most disgusting food choice ever, worse than anything at the burger fast food restaurants in North America. The only thing that comes close is if you get caught in a buffet type of restaurant and you look around you and everyone is eating plates piled high with nothing but fried food, and you are the only one eating from the salad bar. Ever been there? I have.

Darcy