CPK Cobb Salad for Lunch --- and Dinner!

Yesterday, Donnie and I and one of the sons decided to use these scratch-up coupons from California Pizza Kitchen that had appeared at our house. I remembered having a great garlicky chicken caesar salad there, and figured I would get that, sans croutons.

I also remembered lots of delicious wood-fired pizzas there, too, but I am low-carbing, so those were out! I have learned not even to look at the menu section for things that are off-limits for me, so I contentedly checked out the salad section.

My husband LOVES Cobb salads, and was pleased to see one on the menu. For some reason, at the last minute, I ordered one, too, instead of the planned chicken caesar salad.

WOW! Is that a LOT of food?! I ordered a full salad --- should have gotten the half-salad instead. (Note to Self: When a place offers half-salads, that is a clue that their full salads are too big!)

It was big and jam-packed with plenty of rich items. The CPK menu describes it as:

Chopped lettuce with applewood smoked bacon, fresh avocado, grilled chicken, diced tomatoes, chopped egg, basil and Gorgonzola cheese with our herb ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing. Fresh beets added upon request.

We both got the works, with blue cheese dressing. My DH gave me the avocado from his salad, since he is not a fan of the yummy green stuff. (Something is wrong with that!) I gave him my beets, though I AM a fan of their ruby goodness, since they are somewhat carby for me.

I didn't realize the salad would arrive with the lettuce already tossed with AMPLE dressing. By the time I mixed in all the other goodies, including double avocado, it was a pretty creamy salad, more like cold creamy soup with lettuce mixed in than like crisp fresh salad greens with a bit a dressing.

Don't get me wrong --- I liked it! It was pretty heavy though. Online sources put it at 585 calories and 10 net carbs, which is well within my daily target, but just more than I normally have for a lunch.

I would have preferred that the dressing not be mixed in already; if I order this again, I will ask for that. That way, I could still get a whole salad, which is a better bargain than a half-salad, yet the half I take home would not get soggy.

Maybe I'll just save the heavy salads for hungrier days.

Anyway, we had a pleasant meal, good conversation, and enough leftover Cobb salad for my dinner, all at 10% off.

Mooyah!

As an former San Diegan, I miss In-N-Out Burger. *sigh*

Here in Texas, I've tried Sonic and Steak 'n Shake, which are probably fine establishments in their own right (or not), but nothing has come close to In-N-Out to me. Especially on a low carb diet, (or any kind of diet, for that matter), the breaded and fried fare at Sonic or the larger-than-life menu illustrations of mega-deluxe milkshakes at Steak 'n Shake are just about deal-breakers that make those difficult places to dine wisely.

This week I tried something that almost --- but not quite --- comes close. Mooyah is a small local chain that seems directly modeled after In-N-Out. Same concept of a small menu of burgers, fries, shakes, and soft drinks; same emphasis on fresh beef and hand cut fries; even the same red and white color scheme.

On the plus side, Mooyah offers a bigger list of condiments to add for free to customize your sandwich. They offer a choice of American, cheddar, or swiss cheese, and also have whole wheat buns for the asking. The atmosphere when we were there seemed calmer and friendlier than In-N-Out, and the service was speedy.

What I went for was the very aptly-named Iceburger, which is the burger of your choice nicely done up in a generous wrapping of cool crisp iceburg lettuce leaves instead of a bun. In-N-Out offers this under the prosaic label of "Protein Style" on their 'secret' menu, but I think Mooyah may do a better job with the lettuce wrapper, and the name is more clever. (In my opinion, this may be the world's only legitimate use for iceburg lettuce.)

On the negative side, Mooyah costs more than I remember paying at In-N-Out. The thing that really aggravated me, though, is that they do not list or publish any nutrition info that I could find. They do not make it easy to know exactly how many calories, carbs, fat, sodium, sugar, points, or anything people on various diets or with certain health issues might want or need to track. That seems pretty backwards to me.

Plus, well, it's just not In-N-Out.

Nice enough, though --- I'll be back.

Sonic Drive-In, Low-Carb Style

Though hardly fine dining, Sonic is one of those places just about anyone who lives with driving distance of one ends up at sometimes. It's just so convenient when you are out and about.

We stopped there for a quick bite this weekend, and I was glad I had prepared myself with a handy guide to what-to-order-where.

Lots of low-carbers know to order a burger or grilled chicken, and just toss the bun and any carby go-withs. I have often done that. I am often skeptical of what might be injected into or sauced onto some of the meats, though. I will usually get a salad if I can, just because I do like my veggies, and appreciate the fiber and the freshness. Many fast food salads can cost hundreds of calories and 13 - 19 carbs or more, though, so do not assume that just because it is a salad it is safe diet food. A fully dressed Caesar with croutons and cheese is not much different from a cheeseburger, by the time you add it all up.

Here is an online nutritional guide to Sonic Drive-In.

I ended up choosing the Grilled Chicken Salad, listed at 19 carbs. However, that includes the crouton packet which I tossed, the onion ring which I gave to my teen, and the grated carrots which I scooped out and left alone. I got it with a packet of Light Ranch Dressing, which I didn't bother to use, because the warm chicken had semi-melted the grated cheese, and it actually tasted quite 'dressed' enough just from that. Altogether very satisfying!

I ordered iced tea, because it is normally my stand-by when at a restuarant, but the diet limeade or diet cherry limeade would also have been decent choices.

So, if there is a Sonic near you, plan ahead!

Chipotle! (This is how I get in trouble!)

Creamy, rich foods! My downfall. I would take that over sweets any day!

We decided to go to Chipotle this afternoon, so the kids could spend time with friends after church.

Now, I know what to get there - a simple and delicious salad, just lettuce and delectable meat and grilled fajita veggies and yummy green salsa, no dressing.

Then why, oh why, did a "Yes" suddenly come out of my mouth when the server pointed to the guacamole?!

I mentally toted up the calculations at lightening speed. I told myself what a healthy fat it was, and that I had been eating quite lean lately. I convinced myself I 'needed' it. At least I did ask for only a half-portion. But, it pushed me up near my personal limits.

I will do it differently next time. *It was good, though!*

If you have a fondness for Chipotle, check out these calculators to help you choose what to order:

ChipotleFan.com

ChipotleLovers.com

Dining Out

One of the earliest pitfalls I ran into while low-carbing was the difficulty in dining out.
My husband and I had a Date Night on Friday nights. We found it a pleasant way to get end the work week enjoying one another's company. Plus, let's face it --- we both enjoyed really good food, and plenty of it! (Maybe that's why he had to lose 40 lbs. and I'm 90lbs. down and still counting!)

When I began dieting, we kept up the weekly (or more frequent) dining out, just trying to make better choices. It didn't take long for me to realize I was usually sabotaging myself. The temptation to dive into the breadbasket or Blooming Onion was pretty strong! The familiar habits, the sense of celebration, the smells, the menus - it was hard to walk the straight and narrow path. Plus, even when I thought I had made good choices, it sometimes backfired. I found out some restaurants add sugar and starch to items you would never suspect! When I would step on the scales the next day, even when I had thought I was so careful, I would usually gain, or, at best, not lose. I soon realized something had to change!

In the interest of saving you the trouble I had, here are a few tips I learned the hard way:

* 1) Go out less often. You'll not only save carbs and calories, but also save money, too!

If all you want to do is get out of the house and spend time together, consider dinner at home (where you can be sure of what you are eating), and then go out after just for coffee, maybe. Or, just go for an activity, like a walk, bowling, dancing, browsing a bookstore, or whatever appeals to you.

* 2) Before you go out, check the menu online. Most restaurants post their menus online, and many include nutritional data. You can usually find it googling the restaurant name, nutrition. For instance, Outback, nutrition will lead you to this.

Other good sources for restaurant nutritional info are calorieking.com and dietfacts.com. You can find almost anything in one of those places.

That way, you can make food decisions with calm focus, not in the heat of the moment! Jot your selection down, and stick with it.

* 3) Grill - the server, that is! Ask questions about whether the dish uses any added injections, marinades, sauces, sugar, etc. (Yes, some places add sugar to salad dressings and vegetables!) Do not be afraid to specify exactly what you want, or to send it back if you don't get it. After all, they are in business to serve you, and they are used to accomodating special requests.

* 4) Reduce and limit unnecessary temptation.
~ Don't gaze longingly at the appealing photos in the menu; you've already chosen before you arrived.
~ Ask that the usual bread or chips not be brought, if that is acceptable to your dining companion(s). Otherwise, set that out of reach, preferably out of eyesight.
~ Ask for a to-go box or doggie bag to be brought with your food. Most restaurants serve portions far too large, so simply box up half your meal when it is served, and take your time savoring the rest.
~ If your companions order dessert, order a nice cup of coffee or something for yourself, add sweetener and creamer to your pleasure, and sip that instead.

* 5) Make it about the moment, not about the food. Don't fret about what you can't have. Rise above the food, and focus on the occasion, the experience, the people you are with, the conversation. Behave like the gracious host or hostess at your own dinner party. Make it an event, not a meal. Enjoy the moment!

That way, you'll also enjoy the weigh-in the next day, too.
Do you have any dining tips to share?