After having a self-pity party on Tuesday, I promised myself that I would find a way to make Wednesday better. I spent a little time re-reading some of the comments and advice that you gave me yesterday (while noshing on some delicious grapes) and I can't thank you all enough for supporting me while I was being such a crybaby and a whiny bitch! 
It was gloriously cooler, thanks to the "cold" front that finally arrived, so I set my timer for a full 30 minutes, and knocked out 39 non-stop trips up and down those ugly-ass stairs! After a two-minute break, I set the timer for another 10 minutes and forced seven more trips. My fat ass was definitely draggin' wagon, but I'll put those 46 trips and 40 minutes in my "win" column! And I started drinking my water during my exercise, which got my entire litre drank and refilled and drank again by lunch-time!
I finally had some good produce in the house, so I decided to make myself some leaf-lettuce wraps with bacon and tomato for lunch. Basically, a BLT sammy without the bread and the mayo. I had no idea what I was doing, but they tasted great even if they weren't "picture pretty." 
Dear hubby finished work early, so we decided to clean up and treat ourselves to dinner out, something we rarely do mid-week. First, we stopped in at Mojo Lounge for happy hour. Erin's adorable staff whipped up a scrumptious "Colada Quivva" for me, made with mostly fruit juices and rum, and we sat on the deck and watched the village life slowly pass by. Then we popped down the street to another one of my favorite places to eat, Secret Garden, for dinner. And damn, am I glad we did. I learned soooo much!
My friend Sabrina owns Secret Garden, and she had invited me to come learn a few "secrets" of hers. Unfortunately I can't tell you ALL that I learned -- it is called "Secret" Garden after all! But I am going to share some of it in tomorrow's post, like how to make a delicious sweet treat that seems sinful, but really isn't, that's a delight especially when it's hot. And Sabrina's crew made me a FANTASTIC shrimp stir-fry, which I enjoyed while dear hubby inhaled his juicy steak and whipped potatoes!
And then a crazy thing happened. Sabrina knows my extreme "fussiness" about food, and my weirdness about textures and meat, my avoidance of gross stuff like skin, shells, tails, or bones. She knows that although I like other seafood, I don't like fish. And she issued me a challenge. She bet me that she could make fish in a way that I would not only eat it, but like it. And I rarely refuse a challenge! But you have to understand that I have tried fish every way imaginable in the nearly two years we have lived in Belize. I truly WANTED to like fish. But I had (as of yesterday) NEVER liked fish. Until she brought out these lovely, thin strips of grouper, lightly breaded and cooked to perfection, with a secret recipe "tartar" sauce. 
And all I could say was: YES! I LIKE IT! I REALLY LIKE IT!
And then she told me exactly how to prepare it. I'm sorry I can't tell you. I'm just like the dog on the Bush's Baked Beans "secret family recipe" commercial. The one who talks and really wants to share the recipe with everyone. But I can't.
It IS a secret family recipe after all. But I am so glad that Sabrina is part of MY (Placencia) family and was willing to share with me.
How easy was that? A friend just said "stop by and I'll share a few things with you." I accepted that invitation and now I have another healthier food choice to add to my toolbox. And that one thing made all the difference in my attitude.
Already, I feel more positive, optimistic, and ready to take on the world. Sometimes changing someone's entire day is as simple as that. One friend, sharing their knowledge with another, walking a few steps with her on her journey, throwing her a rope when she's drowning, and just being a friend. With friends like that, how can I fail?!
(See you tomorrow with a delicious sweet treat recipe!)
I can "feel" your energy change jumping off the page, Dawn! So glad you guys got some alone time, especially mid-week - doing out of the ordinary things are sometimes just the jump start we need. And I'm totally not surprised Sabrina gave you a delish recipe - she's an amazing cook. Can't wait to read 2maro! Way to go!!
ReplyDeleteI know, all it took was a such a small thing, sharing some cooking secrets, and a little encouragement, but it was HUGE for me. To share with me her secrets for making some really yummy stuff gave me hope when I was feeling so down. And for me to like FISH - that was, as they say, Un-Belize-Able! :)
DeleteDawn, I hope you'll find an exercise you LOVE...those stairs would get old fast for me. I love walking...exploring our canyon and our little town. Sometimes I park in a new spot, and walk from there. You are doing GREAT! In any given week, as you know, weight can fluctuate. You have already seen that; just roll with it! (Easy for me to say. I haven't stepped on the scale since my flirtation with the Cadbury eggs!) HUGS!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'll ever be someone who actually enjoys exercise, because I've tried lots of different ones over the years. I have never been someone who feels better after exercise - all I feel is hot, sweaty, and tired, and I don't understand those people who are so pumped up and happy AFTER they exercise. All I want after working out is a shower and a nap! ;) But hopefully by switching it up frequently, I won't come to hate any one type TOO much…..
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