Happy, healthy and hot in Dallas

 

I was on the road again, spending a few days in Dallas, TX.  It’s a fun place to visit.  Even though I deviated a bit from some of my healthy habits, no harm done…I’m home and back on track!

For the 3 1/2 hour flight, I made sure to have a treat in my carry on.  Since I’m a dark chocolate lover, I packed my favorite 90% bar from Lindt.  It’s pretty bitter, but it really satisfies a chocolate craving.  It has no dairy and is extremely low in sugar.  There was a Starbucks close to my gate at BWI, so I grabbed a venti half caf Americano with steamed coconut milk.  I love that Starbucks has coconut milk, even if it has way more additives than the stuff I use at home.

Starbucks and pleather…a perfect combo!  And aren’t my nails cute?  You’ll hear more about them in an upcoming post.

My first Dallas meal consisted of a Texas sized filet at a wonderful steakhouse, The Grill on the Alley, at the Dallas Galleria.  I ordered the filet and grilled broccoli, which was truly all I needed.  Our incredibly nice waiter (you know you’re in Texas when your waiter shows you his bull riding pics!) insisted on bringing out some lobster bisque and a special cake that wasn’t even on the menu.  Both contained dairy (the cake had leche in the name) but I dug right in.  My skin has been pretty clear lately, and the bisque and cake were well worth it.  I boxed up half of the filet…being stuffed does not make me feel happy, healthy and hot.

Our hotel offered made to order omelets, so I took advantage of that each day and ordered an omelet with veggies, and topped it with tons of salsa. No cheese.  I also had some bacon and fruit.  At home, I only eat bacon if it is nitrate free and humanely raised, preferably from a local farmer.  I know that wasn’t the case with this bacon but I made an exception.  Lunch was delicious ahi tuna lettuce wraps with avocado.  I’ll have to make a cilantro smoothie when I get home…I’ve been on a bit of a tuna craze. Later I sampled some fried chicken (it was organic!), sweet potato fries and broccoli at Ellen’s Southern Kitchen.  When traveling, I love to try local food, but sometimes it means just tasting…I  listen to my body and eat when I’m hungry.

Other treats included an Americano with almond milk at a cute coffee shop called sip/stir cafe, and a shredded chicken burrito at Fuzzy’s Taco Shop.  They looked at me like I was from another planet when I asked for it in a bowl.

Some non-food highlights of the trip included The Sixth Floor Museum, which walks you through the day of JFK’s assassination,trying on hats at Wild Bill’s Western Wear, and the Dallas Mavericks beating the Minnesota Timberwolves in overtime.  Oh, and indoor skydiving at iFLY Dallas…soooooo much fun!

So here are a few tips to stay happy, healthy and hot when you’re traveling: Pack snacks you will enjoy for the plane, so you’re not stuck eating the crappy bags of snack mix. Do a mini workout in the hotel room when you first get up.  I did planks, push ups, crunches and squats.  No equipment needed.  And try something new…maybe indoor skydiving!