Over the years, I tried lots of things to appear “cool” to the outside world. Like attempting, in vain, to adopt Farrah Fawcett’s famous hairstyle while in elementary school. Getting everything monogrammed during the preppy craze of the 1980’s. Drinking my weight in beer on various dance floors, and paddling a canoe in Class Five rapids when I couldn’t swim.  Funniest of all was the summer of spray tanning in 2005, when my skin turned an odd shade of burnt orange.

But now, I proudly admit to being a nerd...a blogging nerd, that it. In the past year since I started this blog, ideas for posts come flying in constantly…when I’m in the shower, working out, driving my car, suggestions from my friends and followers, etc. - you get the picture.  I also really enjoy following other interesting bloggers. Today one of them, www.missymaintains.com, wrote a post that really resonated with me. A certified holistic health coach, Missy has struggled with being overweight and then too thin in the past.  In her post, she decided to officially “own” a few things, like enjoying a daily drink and a dessert. 

With so many people beating themselves up for not eating only whole grain, grass-fed, sugar free, low calorie and unprocessed choices 24/7, I thought it was a refreshing and honest change. Made me start to think about how having a designated day of eating whatever I want once a week has helped maintain my long-term weight loss.

So here are my culinary pleasures. I love eating the Pad Thai and an occasional piece of Carrot Cake at Café Sunflower in Atlanta.  Tortilla chips in Mexican restaurants with fresh guacamole makes my heart sing (as long as I don’t try to conquer three baskets). Homemade sweet potato fries baked in olive oil are delightful, as is a serving of warm flatbread with spicy hummus.

I admit that this list is different than it would have been 20 years ago. Back then, my daily three to four servings of vending machine chocolate and curly fries habit meant it took something over-the-top...perhaps a quart of mac & cheese or third of a cheesecake...to qualify as a special treat. Alas, I'm not even exaggerating.

What are your favorite culinary pleasures? Does "allowing" them  - daily, weekly, monthly, or on special occasions - help you maintain a healthy lifestyle the rest of the time?