Relative Vacations and Restaurants

Here we are, two weeks into the New Year, and we've already been on one trip. We're heading out again tomorrow for a 'relative' vacation. We giggle and tell ourselves it's all relative – whether it's a vacation or not. Twelve days – fourteen relatives! Of course, they come in twos, so it's not quite so bad.

Actually, it's a grand semi-annual tour: dinner with my favorite aunt and uncle in Charlotte, followed by several days at Ed's parents. We'll see his brother's and my sister's families while we're there (Georgia). Then we round out the 1800-mile circle with a stop in Richmond to see his youngest brother and family. If we had time, we could catch two more in Newport News, VA.
Relative vacations are the greatest. The accommodations are usually free, so you can spend your travel funds on fun stuff. Listen to great stories about 'the good old days', do some sightseeing and shopping … and eat. In America, folks get together to eat! Food has become a national pasttime.

It's one of the best reasons to travel. Try local eateries, ethnic restaurants, diners, and regional favorites. To avoid adding pounds, here's some quick tips:

~Order a dinner to split. Most restaurant meals are big enough to serve more than one.

~Make a meal on just appetizers.

~Enjoy a salad. Studies show that salad eaters naturally eat less food during the meal.

~Drink a glass of water before dining and during the meal. It helps you to feel full.

~If you're ordering a full dinner, mentally draw a line through half the meal. Enjoy half – and 'doggie bag' the rest for lunch the next day.

~While on the road, pack flavored waters plus snacks like grapes, apples, nuts and dried fruit. Chips and pretzels are quick – but completely empty of nutritional value.

~Many menus feature low carb, low calorie and low fat meals. Try them.

~Set a goal to eat healthy at least one meal a day while you're traveling.

Till the next time – bon appetite!