So, my 50th birthday is tomorrow! Woooo! I never thought I would be so excited about this date but to be honest, this is one of the best years I have ever had. I feel strong and happy. I am excited about many good things in my life, not the least of which is the amazing community I have discovered since I made a commitment to being healthy. THANK YOU people, you have been an awesome gift to me!!
I’m planning a fun celebration up at the Russian River on Saturday. My wonderful family will be there, as well as a bunch of beloved friends. I am verrrrrrrrrrrry excited. We’re going to float on the river, kayak, canoe, loll about on the lawn, play games, visit and eat! YAY!
I spent my birthday here last year and it was so much fun we decided to rent the same house and do it again. Except last year, for my 49th birthday, I was self-consciously heavy, not very active and just not feeling very good about myself. I was wearing this kind of awful stretched-out 15 year old bathing suit and… ugh. (you can see this lovely piece of attire at the top of my photos! and the boyfriend jeans at the bottom) What a difference a year makes. I have a brand-new bathing suit (maybe will post a photo next week) and a brand-new strong body. I am ready to charge into my 50s at full force.
I pretty much decided that I did not want to cook food on my birthday. (I want to pllaayyyyy!) Nor did I want to do a potluck because they can be a little anxiety provoking. What if everyone brings hummus and chips? So I decided to order food from a nearby place. They sent me this 15- page catering menu. Ummmmm…. so how do I approach this?
In the Beck Diet Solution, she believes that to “succumb” to celebrations is dangerous, because basically you can find something to celebrate every other day. (or EVERY day – um, isn’t it National Cream Puff Day?) At Weight Watchers, there are different ways to approach holidays and other celebrations. I’ve been mulling this for a while. Should I plan a beautiful gourmet “healthy” menu? Or…?
I decided on “or.” Or maybe a combination. I’m getting a mediterranean platter of :
White Bean & Basil Paté ~ A Creamy Paté of Great Northern Beans, Garlic, Basil and Parmesan, Grana Padano and Asiago Cheeses
Romesco Dip ~ A Boldly Flavored Toasted Almond Dip with Catalan Spice Seasonings
Eggplant Caponata ~ with Olive Oil, Capers, Garlic
Olive Tapenade ~ with Basil, Garlic, Olive Oil, Lemon Juice
Rouxille ~ A Spicy Red Pepper, Pureéd Potato and Olive Oil Dip
Accompanied by Sliced Baquette, Gourmet Crackers and
Fresh Seasonal Vegetables
Doesn’t that sound good? also a big cheese plate (mmmm cheese), a crudite platter (mmm vegies), a huge salad, and….. bbq ribs! Yeah, I love ribs. I love ribs SO much. And you know? I’m having ribs. And bbq chicken.
Also: cake. Something called a black bottom cake which is a dark chocolate cake filled with chocolate chips, with a white cream cheese frosting. It is so decadent and luscious and filled with butter.
I could have had, like.. strawberries? or something but… DUDE this is my 50th birthday. My endocrinologist said it is no biggie if I have dessert and spike my blood sugars like once or twice a week. So. There. I will eat cake!
I did have a little bit of a mind-spazz over this menu though. In the end, decided on a combination of food that I truly love. I don’t think I’m going to be snarfing down Mass Quantities (anybody remember Coneheads? I love them) of food because I am much more excited to be with my FRIENDS – but I am going to enjoy every bite.
I wish all of my bloggy friends could be there too. I will be thinking of you and raising a glass of Prosecco to you all! (my beverage of choice for the party) Bubbles bubbles!
August 13, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Happy birthday to you!
I think you’re going about this the right way…Healthy eating should be a way of life, but it doesn’t mean we have to strike all of our traditions.
We can enjoy cake once a while and still maintain a healthy lifestyle. In fact, that’s the best way for me to succeed. We’re just doing what we plan to do for the rest of our lives, right?
Again, happy birthday! You’ve given yourself such an amazing gift this year! 🙂
August 13, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Happy early Birthday! Sounds like you have an absolutely wonderful weekend planned. Enjoy! Celebrate!!!!
August 13, 2009 at 7:14 pm
Happy, happy birthday, Foodie!!! Wow, 50, that’s awesome! Anb you are rocking 50 for sure, Ms. Hottie-in-Boyfriend-Jeans! 🙂
That sounds like a wonderful party! Not to mention a fabulous menu. (I ate some cake on my birthday, too, and I’m still a healthy pup.) I can sort of see Dr. Beck’s point about celebrations…to a point. I don’t think one birthday feast is going to undo all the great work you’ve done and continue to do.
August 13, 2009 at 11:25 pm
Woohoo, happy 50th birthday!!! I hope this year is your best yet – and they way you’ve been going, it’s sure to be!
Enjoy your birthday food and CAKE – it sounds delicious!!! And go you for ordering such good food…you only turn 50 once!!
August 13, 2009 at 11:43 pm
yay! you’re going to have your cake AND eat it too! and that should definitely happen on your 50th birthday. What a GREAT year.
You’ve inspired me to make my 40th a good one. Time to start getting into shape. 🙂
August 14, 2009 at 3:05 am
That sounds like a fabulous celebration! And yes, you have much to celebrate this year! Congratulations, my friend!
August 14, 2009 at 3:57 am
Happy birthday!!!! You look absolutely FANTASTIC!!!! And so happy!
August 14, 2009 at 9:14 am
Happy Birthday! I came over here from Hanlie’s to wish you a great day. And she’s right – you look awesome in the jeans! Hope your day is wonderful.
August 14, 2009 at 10:08 am
Happy Birthday and welcome to the 50 club!! Having hit that magic number in May myself, I can tell you that it’s absolutely fabulous!! Of course that has a lot to do with the healthy changes made throughout most of 49. But you’ve doing that too and it makes a world of difference. Enjoy!!!
August 14, 2009 at 10:36 am
Happy Birthday!! Many more to you! 🙂
August 14, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Happy birthday! I turn fifty in November. Thanks for all the positive stuff you’ve put out there about getting fit at our age. It’s wonderful, isn’t it?
August 15, 2009 at 8:23 am
I hope you have a wonderful Birthday! ENJOY!
August 15, 2009 at 6:56 pm
Happy 50th Birthday! I passed that birthday milestone a few years ago myself. It is so great that you are looking and feeling fabulous at 50. The celebration you have planned sounds awesome. Enjoy! Here’s to your next 50!
August 16, 2009 at 2:29 am
Happy Birthday, Susan…I’ve found that it gets deeper and juicier beyond 50!
August 17, 2009 at 2:15 am
Happy! Happy! Yay for celebrations! Yay for you!