The Chatty Gourmet

Summer is slowly coming to an end, and that means vacation time is as well. Whether you are enjoying a weekend getaway or a month-long vacation, many have a difficult time with keeping their food routine through the summer months. I know that when I hear the word "vacation," it makes me think I can over-indulge in all those yummy foods I don’t normally eat. Last week I visited my mom in North Carolina, and before I even arrived she asked me if I had any requests for home-cooked meals. Upon arriving at the airport, I had started what I call my “food vacation” with a Cinna-bon. When I arrived I indulged in homemade spaghetti, lots of breads, brownies, shrimp and grits, and a waffle cone with ice cream. The majority of the time I would have been hard on myself for eating that way in such a short period of time, however, I made sure to do lots of activities. My sister and I went swimming, played Wii, and walked the river walk. In my opinion, I think as long as you stay active and have fun in doing so, you should be able to eat what you like on vacation. However it is also important to make a commitment to yourself to get back into a healthy routine when you return home. If you would rather not over-indulge, you could go to the local grocery store and make some of your own heart-healthy meals. That way, you can save the calories for going out to dinner one or two nights enjoying some of the local cuisine. It is also a way to save money. So enjoy your vacation, because it’s the experiences that you remember most.