After writing yesterday about cravings and appetite, I took a minute to ask myself what I’d been craving. The answer: relaxation, socialization, and libation! I BBMd Jacki that I had made an executive decision. Our tentative local sushi plans were being upgraded. We were going out out to Tom’s Oyster Bar in Royal Oak.
First, though, came the relaxation! I have been working on weekends for the past month, and, while productive, it’s making me crazy. So I forced myself to take yesterday off. I G-chatted with my friends. I watched “Giada at Home.” (Her comfort food recipes looked TO DIE FOR!) I did my nails. I started re-reading Eat, Pray, Love. I lay in bed napping/listening to music for an hour and a half. And it felt amazing! I like working on Sundays, but this is going to be my Saturday MO going forward.
After a lovely day, the hair got did, the eye make-up and four-inch heels went on, and off we went. It was seriously a perfect friend date. The whole time I was thinking, “OK, what am I craving?”
Answer: merlot….
…and Tom’s crab cake salad.
I’ve recently become hooked on crab cakes — this is new for me, as I generally don’t like crab (or crabs) — and Tom’s salad, with greens, onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, and blue cheese, does not disappoint.
We were also craving bread, so we asked our waitress to bring us some, which we devoured…and we were definitely craving dessert, so we split an ice cream sundae!
During dinner, there were a couple times when Jacki started to justify the food with talk of going to the gym or what else she’d eaten that day. And for the first time, I just cut it off. I told her I didn’t need an explanation. The explanation was simply food is delicious and we want to eat!
Dinner was fabulous. We had such good chats and then hung out at Tom’s for a little while after dinner. I thought I’d be craving some extra bar time, but actually I wasn’t at all. We were both so seriously satisfied from dinner that we didn’t end up seeking out any new friends at any other bars.
When I got home, I was craving Honey Nut Cheerios, so I ate some in bed. More than a serving. I’m sorry I’m not sorry!!!
The little trip (Royal Oak is about an hour drive from us) was exactly what I needed in my life. We both felt so good and swore on our red wine that we’d plan an outing every other week at least. I felt totally recharged and great about working today. Lately I’ve only been feeding my appetite for career and success — but I’m realizing that’s like thinking you can subsist on bread alone. (OK, I’d love to subsist on bread alone, but you get my point.) You have to take time to meet all your needs or, honestly, you’ll just resent the things you’ve worked toward. Who cares if you lost 10 pounds if you no longer go out with your friends? Or if you get a promotion but don’t recognize your tired, sad face in the mirror?
This week, I felt myself getting dangerously close to saying, “I wrote a book all about sexing and drinking in college…which I no longer do because I was working so hard to sell my book about sexing and drinking.”
I realized I hadn’t been out out in six weeks. Six weeks?! That, my friends, is the point at which I start to lose the very essence of my being. It’s not like I think up topics for Shed Theater sitting in front of my Mac…I come up with them sitting in beds that are not my own! The time has to rediscover drinking, eating, flirting, and over-the-top hair and eye make-up…or, as I like to call it…inspiration.
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
What an awesome post! I am glad you came to these realizations and went out to fulfill all of your cravings. I bet you’re a blast to go out and about with. Maybe when I get back to the big MI we’ll have to plan a little get together! Any other MI bloggies that’d be interested???
Oh and those crab cakes indeed looked to die for!
~Christie (http://rollerkoesterrun.wordpress.com/)
.-= Christie (http://rollerkoesterrun.wordpress.com/)´s last blog ..On A Mission =-.
Loooved this. You do work crazy hard, and I’m so glad you listened to your cravings. I especially liked the fact that you refused to justify what you wanted at dinner by talking about the gym or whatever else you had eaten that day. As women we all do that way too much. So insightful, as always!
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Are Eating Disorders Contagious? =-.
Great post! I’m trying to work out now when I should give in to my cravings and when I should really seek out the root of why I’m having these cravings. If I want chocolate, do I really want chocolate, or do I want to experience those few quiet moments of bliss?
.-= Emily´s last blog ..Pain Pain Go Away =-.
I think I need to read this post about once every couple of months because I find myself in the same work work work mode, and not to mention the food splurging once in a while without feeling guilty! Plus, I really do think I’m entirely too awesome and fun to be depriving the human race of my company, not to mention the fact that my sweet dance moves aren’t getting the exposure they deserve. Great post!
.-= Manon´s last blog ..Random Ramblings….. =-.
One of my friends and I ALWAYS justify what we do. We catch ourselves in the middle of it all the time-and even if we try to stop-we start again without realizing it (with food, shopping, pretty much any and everything we think we shouldn’t be doing)! I am glad to see I am not the only one! Also glad to see that you stopped it! I need to stop it more often!
So true!! Glad you had such an amazing night. I am drunk now. Woo cravings!!
.-= Dori´s last blog ..Early Morning Yoga + DMB =-.
SUCH a fun night!! There were several literal LOLs. By the way, if you continue to crave Honey Nut Cheerios, I will be more than happy to send my father your way. You know we stay strapped with about 10 boxes at a time!
I think getting drunk in the worst when you always crave something. Normally I have the will power to resist snacking on nesquik cereal, but after a good night out I will go through half a box before bed!