Out for lunch the other day.  Ordered some fab salad and noticed that it comes with hot bacon dressing…I cringe.  Thinking..ugh, is that the one where when it cools off it turns into solid white bacon grease fat?  Yep….probably.  So I ask for a different dressing – gorgonzola ranch – on the side.   I get the salad and it is absolutely fabulous!  Realizing quickly that it already has the hot bacon dressing mixed all over it, therefore I leave my gorgonzola ranch untouched. 

Then later I have this revelation!  I think to myself how I was disappointed in all the saturated fats that I probably consumed when I had that hot bacon dressing.  But then I think, wait!  So would it have been better to consume a dressing that was full of partially hydrogenated fats and pro-inflammatory oils like soybean oil?   

This is the complex issue many of us are in – getting mislead into thinking that the animal fats are the absolute worse for us when really it is those partially hydrogenated trans fats that are the biggest offenders.  Next time…I’m just going to insist on having the dressing on the side!

Picture this…I know you’ve been here before.  I know I have been here more than once.

Headed to an event which starts at 6:30.  6 pm babysitter arriving so must get kids ready before she gets there.  Hurry to event, get there, relax and realize as you drink your glass of wine that there isn’t much food here and guess what.  You didn’t eat before you left the house. 8:30 the event concludes which leaves you 30 minutes to get home for the babysitter who you is expecting you home at 9 pm.  You would like to go out and grab a nice bite in the restaurant but decide against it  – no time.  Instead you grab a horrible sandwich and french fries ”curbside” and head home.  To eat cold, greasy sandwich and soggy french fries.  Halfway through you think “this is not a good idea”  You stop eating and throw the rest away.

Well that was one of my nights recently!  Great example of an unplanned, typical life event that gets in the way of your regular healthy routine.  And such is life. 

So the question is “Was it worth it?”  I must say absolutely not. 

I am not used to eating this way anymore and was quite uncomfortable with my choice the majority of that night and part of the next day – feeling blah and fatigued.  Am I beating myself up for it?  No, but definitely reminded me of a valuable lesson – planning ahead is essential.

Have you Mixed yet?  Mixed is a fast-casual restaurant specializing in made-to-order salads right here in Sioux Falls on Louise Avenue.  This last week I sat down with Cole – entreprenuer and owner of this new Mixed restaurant.  This “go green” experience all started with a conversation between father and son – what a great story of success.   I love finding other people who are just as passionate about being an entrepreneur as I am!

So what’s one of my favorite thing’s about Mixed?  ….if you stop in between 9 and 10 am, Monday thru Friday you can pick up your lunch salad for $4.99 - and I’m always looking for a deal.  Did I mention they have a great kid’s menu, catering and curbside pickup is available, and even FREE business delivery for over $20? 

So join Your Diet Designer and Cole at Mixed as we work to improve the health of Sioux Falls  – one deep green lettuce leaf at a time!