I was really pleased to read all the comments I received yesterday in regards to the post about Michelle Obama’s Shake Shack Trip. I think the group consensus was that there are much more important matters the public should be concerned with!! I wanted to share a few comments from readers:
Sara at Nourish and Flourish: “Eating healthfully, in my opinion, not only means choosing nutrient-dense foods MOST of the time, but maintaining a healthy relationship with food as well. Michelle Obama is an advocate for balance, and she practices what she preaches. Allowing oneself to occasionally “indulge” merely because something tastes good is MUCH healthier than denying oneself “bad” foods 100% of the time. Health is definitely not black and white.”
Megan @ http://myveganstory.wordpress.com/ :
“This kind of stuff really makes me angry!
I mean, first of all – I applaud her for indulging and I wish America could see that there is nothing wrong with that, and that being healthy doesn’t have to be an all or nothing thing. In our diet obsessed world she is showing that moderation is OKAY.
2nd of all – why do we even care what the presidents wife is eating? There are way more important thing the news should be covering.”
Kristin @ http://eathealthybehappylivewell.wordpress.com/
“what kind of PR fiasco would she have if she went to this new place and DIDN’T order anything?! She needs to support local restaurants as an example to the other DC residents. If she hadn’t ordered a thing, she probably would have been called some sort of snob, ya know?”
There were also several readers who mentioned how “indulging” IS healthy!! Good point!! When a person has a balanced relationship with food, they feel comfortable enough to eat what they truly want, without guilt or remorse. Whether that’s a salad or a burger, their overall diet will balance out the unhealthier foods.
Some people asked what we ate for Brandon's birthday. We started with an oyster appetizer (I discovered they don't taste as bad when smothered in cheese and butter...go figure).
Crab cakes with pineapple, mango salsa. I could only eat one.
Steamed asparagus, no butter!! Garlic sauce on the side (that I didn't use).
As I promised yesterday, I wanted to share my most memorable Michelle Obama-ish indulgence.
While we were in Hawaii, there was a little bar right on the ocean called Huggo on the Rocks. It was just gorgeous.
We ate at this bar on the final day before our flight and I got a hankering for a big juicy burger. Apparently, I didn’t want just ANY burger because I chose a 1/2 lb blue cheese, bacon burger with lettuce and tomato on a ciabatta bun. OH HEAVEN. Talk about the works!
I swear this burger was the BEST I’ve ever tasted because I could not stop eating it! In fact, I ate the WHOLE dang thing.
Can you believe it? Neither could Brandon…he took a picture. I thought I would share.
Before...
After...take THAT Michelle Obama!
No excuses. No explanations. I loved it, I ate it, and I got over it. (and if you judge me because of it…well then perhaps you need to address your own issues with food).
ps. and I did not leave with a stomach ache OR feel overly stuffed. It was just THAT good.
QUESTION: Any fun plans tonight?
Oh goodness, blue cheese-stuffed burgers are SO delicious! I’m leaving for Maui today and definitely plan on “indulging” in delicious eats while I’m there. Life is too short not to…I’m especially looking forward to macadamia nut-crusted mahi mahi and rich coconut ice cream! And you know what? I’m not going to feel guilty about any of it!
Hope you’re having a fantastic weekend, Erin!
So true! A healthy diet is one that allows flexibility. My body craves healthy moods most of the time, but occasionally I want to indulge, and I do! Thank you for sharing with me today. Visiting your blog is an inspiring way to start my weekend. I hope you have a blessed time with family and friends.
lol I love your before and after photos:-)
I love Michelle Obama. She does practice what she preaches and she is such a great face to have on team nutrition! That 1/2 lb burger sounds amazing! YUM! And those crab cakes look awesome. I would’ve gobbled them all up…crab is my favorite food
Erin- same wavelength again. I blogged Mrs Obama/burger and disagree here. Most Americans aren’t in need of “healthy treats” and indulgences. The meal Mrs Obama ate is a meal many obese Americans eat daily and it got her vote. I treat myself, we all do. I wouldn’t, however, go to a popular NYC fast food restaurant and order 1500 calories worth if I new it would be well documented and possibly confuse my clients. I think many nutritionists see it similarly to you.
I just read this post; http://foodtrainers.blogspot.com/ , which made me a little angry, I must say. I’m so glad you agree that Mrs. Obama did the right thing here!! Some RDs are apparently up in arms about Mrs. Obama’s food choice. Me? I love it! I hate being known as “food police” and I think it’s healthy to indulge once in a while. SO GLAD you agree (and it sounds like many of your readers do too. YEAH!)
You eat that burger girlfriend!!!!!
I LOVE the fact that you ate the whole burger! Ever since my family noticed that I started eating healthier, they’re shocked when we go out to a restaurant and I polish off my meal. I eat so rarely that when I do, I treat it as an indulgence and go for it! As long as I’m not forcing myself to eat it just to eat it, I try to ignore the guilt and enjoy
That burger sounds delicious and I totally would’ve eaten the entire thing too!
My husband & I went for a nice & long bike ride after dinner. T’was great!
I have arm envy right now…hahaha…you look so good!!!!!
I am all about treating yourself!!!
what an awesome burger story. i love it. and that you got a before and after picture!
i just got back from spending the afternoon and early eve with my two little nieces. they ALWAYS make me feel balanced and put my priorities in perspective!
Looks like you enjoyed every last bit of that burger! And as said above, I really admire that you allow yourself to indulge without the guilt and balance it!
Good for you and eating the burger
I remember one time that my mom and I went out to dinner. I had order a fairly healthy grilled salmon with side salad and I ate the entire thing because I was hungry. And our waiter actually told me that he was suprised I ate the whole thing because I looked like a girl who didn’t eat!?!? Who says that? Needless to say my mom didn’t leave him a large tip.
I’m glad you had a nice birthday dinner!
What a great indulgence! That burger looked amazing!
Good for you! Indulging once in a while guilt free is so good for the soul! Blue cheese on a burger (or veg burger in my case) – you’re a girl after my own heart!
That does sound like HEAVEN! I indulge quite frequently. I actually think when I stress about it is when I gain weight. If i just forget about it and move on I’m not phased.
Haha I love it! That burger looks yummy! And even though I have pretty much stopped eating meat I know for sure that there will be burgers like that in my future! Every now and again anyways and I’m ok with that! in fact I’m actually LOOKING FORWARD to it!
No great plans tonight, absolutely dead after 2 workouts today so early an bedtime is in order I think! Thanks for another great post, always love each topic you write about! 
I completely agree. A healthy outlook is just as important as the actual choices we make. Guilt over a burger is a wasted emotion and will do more harm then the burger ever could in my opinion! Thanks for sharing!
Yum! I’m a huge burger fan!! I think I’m making up for all the times that I was a vegetarian or not eating red meat.
YES! The hubby and I are getting pizza and browsing around Cost Plus! Love that store.
Love the pictures!! Totally agree with you — there’s no enjoyment in eating if you’re stressed about what you’re eating!!
Everyone should have a burger like that once in a while
No fun plans unfortunately, maybe just a run. I wish it was Friday!
That’s awesome that you polished off that burger!!! I used to do that at Chili’s with their burgers! I think it was the butter on the bun that just made it that much better
Thanks for featuring my comment! I loved reading the other comments as well because it’s so nice to see that so many people are feeling the same way about indulging.
Nope. No fun plans for me tonight. I wish there were though! I agree that some indulgences are healthy, but I think I take this a bit too far. Every weekend is a bit much, so perhaps I need to work on that. You’re a great role model.
Good for you! I think that indulging every once in a while is a part of a healthy “balanced” lifestyle. There would be no balance if all someone ate was carrot sticks and water…or cheeseburgers for every meal…you have to have a little bit of both!