Eating Out: Mexican Food

Let's be real. Most of us like to eat out, whether it be for the different foods, good company, or just to get out of your house. Eating out is inevitable. You can eat clean and prep all your meals, but sometimes it's just nice to go out. It is even nicer going out, and not totally messing up your healthy habits. You CAN go out and still eat well. I have some tips for you, and today I want to chat about one of my favorites MEXICAN FOOD!

TIP #1: If you are going to splurge on eating Mexican food, splurge on quality Mexican food.
I have a few of my favorite spots, that are actually worth going to. I would rather get a scrumptious meal out, if it's going to be worth the calories!

Javier's:
Mixed ceviche, skinny jalapeno cucumber margarita, Javier's Salad (no cheese, dressing on side, add salmon), seafood enchiladas (share these, super rich, and definitely a diet "cheat")
Gracias Madre: 
Squash tacos, Caesar salad, mojado tamal, side of tortillas with guac and black beans
Tacolicious: 
Kale salad with shrimp, veggie tacos, tequila flight,
Mamacita: 

Crudo de Hamachi, shrimp ceviche, little gem salad,

Colibri: 

Beet salad (I order no cheese), ceviche (sub corn tortillas for chips), pozole soup
Cha Cha's: LATIN
Ceviche, salad with salmon, sangria

TIP #2:Share your favorite GUILTY treat.
If you want nachos, get them! I would recommend getting them for the table to share so you can enjoy them, but not consume the whole thing alone!

TIP #3: Order some veggies!
I always get veggie or fish tacos with corn tortilla's and a side of veggies and black beans instead of rice. I sometimes even do a big salad with salmon on top (my go to at most restaurants).

TIP #4: Order skinny drinks.
If you plan on getting wild and crazy, do a skinny margarita! You can also do tequila, lime, and soda water :)

TIP #5: Don't order everything fried
Pick one or two fried things IF YOU NEED IT, if you don't there are plenty of dishes that aren't fried

TIP #6: Don't be afraid to subsitute
NO SOUR CREAM- GUACAMOLE IS OK
NO CHEESE -OR LIGHT CHEESE
CORN TORTILLA-INSTEAD OF FLOUR
NO DRESSING- LIGHT DRESSING- OR DRESSING ON SIDE
NO RICE- OR SUB BROWN RICE (IF THEY HAVE IT)
SKINNY DRINKS

Now go out, and enjoy your night. Don't stress about it, just keep these tips in your back pocket!

The Inevitable Cheat Meals and Drinking

For all of you that wonder if it is really possible to eat healthy all the time, my answer for you is yes. If you were to ask me if that is normal, my answer would be NO! In my opinion, we are all human right? We want to have fun and enjoy life. Watching what you are eating all the time can definitely get in the way of your social life.
What I like to do in this case, is make room for cheat meals or nights out. Allow them, because if you don't then it may drive you a little crazy and could possibly result in a binge. I wouldn't advise you to have a cheat meal everyday, or sometimes even every week. BUT on certain special occasions allow yourself to indulge:) I try to hold off on drinking, unless ALL my girlfriends are getting together and going somewhere. I don't ALWAYS want to be the only one not drinking, but STILL don't drink massive amounts! Be classy, and sip on a lower calorie drink or glass of wine (what's the point in binge drinking anyway?).
I try to go as long as possible without "cheating" but when I do, it is PLANNED. Yes!! You heard it. If you plan your cheat meals beforehand ie. Holiday, Birthday, etc. than you won't feel guilty afterward. When you are working hard reward yourself for your hard work with other things besides food. NAILS, HAIR, CLOTHES, ETC. The special occasions you do go out, don't OVERINDULGE. Allow those few drinks, that restaurants dinner salmon, or my favorite YOGURTLAND! Don't go above and beyond though, because that's when the guilt kicks in. Don't get fries a burger a shake and then drink all night (it's not worth it). If you're at a party, you should STILL skip the chips and the junk food if you decide to have those drinks. Don't think that since it's your cheat meal you are going to eat everything in site, pick and choose.
Stay on track all week long, pack your meals on Sunday and don't allow room for slip-ups. If you do slip up THAT'S OK! IT'S NORMAL!!!!! But that doesn't make it ok to think "we'll I ruined it today, so I'll start eating healthy tomorrow". Once you eat bad, your next meal should be healthy, it will make you feel BETTER! Once your down, do yourself the favor pick yourself back up instead of continuing to kick yourself. These battles are NORMAL and we all go through them!