Some Things I have Learned about Eating Out

I took a long walk with Chico this morning and stopped by a new restaurant for a bowl of beans. If you have read very far back on my blog, you already know that I love to eat out. Since starting my new diet, I have had to learn some new rules for myself. Here they are:

1.  Don't eat the bread they serve before the meal. I love those sour dough rolls with butter but I have learned to give them to someone else at the table.

2.  Don't order a drink. Order water with no ice. Ice is bad for the stomach. And don't drink too much water either.

3.  Pass on the salt shaker. I have had to learn to love the taste of the food as it is served to me.

4. First check out the appetizers because they might be healthier than the main courses. At least they are smaller and I am less likely to eat too much.

5. This is a hard one for me because I was taught to never leave food on the plate because of the starving people in China. But I am learning to leave food on the plate. Just because it is there, it doesn't mean I have to eat it all. I am a grown up now and I can make that decision.

5. Don't be afraid to taste something that I wouldn't have ordered for myself because it is too rich or not on my diet. If I don't at least taste, then I feel deprived. Feeling deprived is the worst thing for a diet.

6. Don't order dessert. Don't even look at it.

7. Most restaurants either have delicious food or a beautiful view. It is hard to find one that has both. I prefer the delicious food. I can see the view after I eat. Walking is a good thing to do after a meal anyway.

8.  Eat slowly. That too is hard for me. I have always been a a fast eater.

9.  Even if I only order a little bit of food that doesn't cost much, I like to leave a good tip. Service is service, no matter what the cost of the meal.

10. Don't be afraid of food, or become a food fanatic. And it is okay to slip and eat things that aren't on my diet. No reason to beat myself up for those slips. 

So those are my new rules about eating out and they seem to be helping me with this new diet. I think the most important rule for myself is to be KIND to myself. Be kind and patient and not beat myself up for when I eat things that aren't on the diet.  Self love, that has always been a hard one for me.

Lunch with Chico at an Indian Restaurant in Ajijic

The kitchen

The vegetarian sampler with hot sauces in little cups

After my very frustrating experience at the heart doctor's office, I decided to take a long walk with Chico. There is an Indian restaurant by the plaza that I decided to try for lunch. Since I am now mostly eating vegetables, I figured it would be interesting to see what Indian food tastes like and now I know. I don't like Indian food. Neither does Chico. That lunch saved me a trip to India so it was well worth the 80 peso bill.

Two Happy Dogs

My Heart Doctor and his Healing Center in Ajijic

Dr. Garcia

The outside of the healing compound

Dr. Arch sent me to the heart doctor for a check up. This is the huge compound that Dr. Garcia and his wife are setting up in West Ajijic.  Swimming pool and even a small pyramid. I knew I was in over my head as soon as I stepped into that extravagant and very expensive compound. Before I went there, I called and asked the heart doctor how much the test would cost and he told me 1000 pesos. That is what I brought with me. Since the Oncologist only charged me 500 pesos, 1000 seemed a little high but I had no other choice. The appointment was already set up by Dr. Arch.

At the end of the test he told me the cost was 2700 pesos.   And that, he said was half price because he could tell that I am not a wealthy woman. (Maybe it was my jeans and well worn tennis shoes that gave me away. Or the fact that I have no car.) When I complained about the added cost, he said, You don't have to pay the rest today. You can pay it later on. This happens often when Mexicans raise the price at the end. Then there is an emotional and moral dilemma added to the mix of surprise and anger.  When do I pay for the unexpected added expense?

I had a stress test and my heart is strong. He said my lungs are clear too. I had some other kind of test where he looked at my arteries with a greased up machine. I am clueless about these things. I was just very upset at the added cost with no warning.  I am guessing that all the walking and swimming  I do is the reason for the strong heart and healthy lungs. Good diet now too. I am hoping my recovery will be quick because of these things. Plus, all the love and support of my online friends and friends here. That is priceless.

The Hospital in Guadalajara

The clinic across the street from the hospital

View from the window at the doctor's office

The wall at Dr. Arch's Office

Dr Arch

These women work in Dr. Arch's office

Above are photos of my adventure into Guadalajara to see the Oncologist, Dr. Arch. The taxi driver from here didn't know the way and I was late. I HATE being late to anything. I think it is extremely disrespectful and my nerves were really on edge by the time I got there after the taxi driver went around in circles, yelling out the window for directions. But everyone at the hospital was very kind.

Dr. Arch said I have to have my thyroid removed. The surgery is set up for January 3rd in a small hospital in Guadalajara. My friend Leslie is taking me and she will stay with me overnight there.

The taxi driver got lost again on the way out of Guadalajara and it took him an hour to get us out of town. I was showing him the Chapala signs and I know nothing about Guadalajara. It took us two hours to get home instead of forty five minutes and I was exhausted. The taxi driver made more money than the Oncologist...... The Oncologist charged me 500 pesos. The taxi driver charged me 110 pesos.