I just returned from a road trip to Savannah. My husband and I drove from our home in Philadelphia to visit our daughter 
who’s currently working there.
Long trip, right? Driving for 12 hours with Mario Andretti can be anxiety producing, but I had my rosary and iPod so that went well. And the daughter was a little grouchy, but even that didn’t deter my mood.
No, I had an absolutely wonderful, fabulous trip and I have Green Mountain to thank. Here’s why.
Don’t Avoid Local Cuisine Because of “What You Should Eat”
I have never been to Savannah before. I’ve never really vacationed anywhere in the South. I have; however, been lucky enough to visit tons of other wonderful places, including many European countries.
This vacation was the first that I allowed myself to enjoy the local cuisine without guilt or deprivation and that made all the difference.
Listen, I’m a foodie. I love food! I like good tasting food, I like good-looking food, and I like the texture and flavor and even presentation of food. So, it’s only natural that any vacation would involve an appreciation of local fare.
I am tantalized by foods that I’ve never tasted, sometimes never even heard of.
Related Article: Healthy Eating – Food is Food!
Imagine me in Paris, coveting the chocolate filled croissant or in Rome craving the homemade raviolis stuffed with local mushrooms – but ordering a salad instead. Torture!
I’ve ordered too many salads because that’s what I thought I should have instead of ordering what I wanted to eat. It would ruin the meal, and usually the rest of the day.
Talk about ruining a vacation, I have walked the streets of Madrid and not seen a single sight because I was obsessing about the lunch I didn’t order. Ridiculous.
Would I eat foie gras and gnocchi on a daily basis? Absolutely not, they’re too rich for me, and not conducive to my health goals. But should I have enjoyed them as part of a vacation experience? For sure.
Eating Mindfully Includes Eating Fried Chicken (If You Want!)
So, while in the Deep South, I want you to know that I enjoyed fried chicken, savory collard greens, melt-in-your-mouth biscuits, homemade cornbread, peach cobbler and hush puppies. I tried foods that I’d never tasted before – fatback (don’t tell me, I’m not sure I want to know!), fried gizzards, grits, fried okra, Gullah rice and pralines.
Related Article: Eating and Exercising During Family Vacation
I was in heaven!
Plate model was out the window, but I ate reasonable portions in a mindful manner and I was happy, happy, happy!
I’m back to my routine now that I’m home, trying to follow my program of healthy foods, plate model, mindful eating and exercise, and I feel good.
Most of all, I don’t feel like I left the “food experience” behind in Georgia; I experienced it all. I only regret all those vacations where I deprived myself.
Luckily, Paris and Rome aren’t going anywhere, and should I be lucky enough to return, the croissant and the pasta will be definitely waiting for me.
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