If going out for wine on a Friday after a long, hard week of work counts as “eating out,” then I am officially tweaking the rules of the Eat-In Challenge.

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(Oh Napa, I miss you.)

 

Wine is not a meal in and of itself (although I’m sure people are going to argue with me!); therefore, it does not count as an Eat-In Challenge violation.  My challenge, my rules!  Right?  😉

 

Plus – I made dinner in.  I had gnocchi with spinach, cabbage, artichokes, and a peanut satay sauce (which I jacked up with soy sauce and hot sauce).

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Out I go…

If (one glass of reasonably priced wine is wrong, I don’t want to be right!

{ 59 comments }

 

  • Rachel @ Healthy Teacher February 18, 2011, 8:03 pm

    There’s a Mediterranean place around here with $3 house wines and free bread and sauce. It’s AH-mazing. Or rather, it’s absolutely “right.” 🙂

  • Katie @ peacebeme February 18, 2011, 8:05 pm

    I have personally never been much of an eater-outer, but I have always made an exception for drinks. 🙂

  • Alex @ Healing Beauty February 18, 2011, 8:14 pm

    You deserve the wine after a hard week of finishing your book proposal!! Treat yourself 🙂

  • Lauren February 18, 2011, 8:14 pm

    It’s okay – today is actually National Drink Wine Day! So, celebrate!

    • Caitlin February 19, 2011, 9:00 am

      Um, AWESOME.

  • Caitlin @ TPL February 18, 2011, 8:20 pm

    Just make sure to not eat anything while your out and it’s not a violation! Gnocchi sounds SO good!

  • Kara February 18, 2011, 8:20 pm

    Drinking isn’t eating, so you’re safe. Now if it was a milkshake, that might be breaking the rules 🙂

    Now I want a milkshake!

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey February 18, 2011, 8:42 pm

    AMEN! 🙂 I think you’re good. The wine wasn’t your meal, so I think you’re okay.

  • Katy (The Singing Runner) February 18, 2011, 8:43 pm

    Drinking isn’t technically eating. 😉 You’re good to go!

  • Victoria February 18, 2011, 8:45 pm

    That does not seem like a big enough dinner… wine cannot sustain you that much!! Unless you are really going to “bend the rules” Hope you are having fun being your own rebel 😀

    • Caitlin February 18, 2011, 10:15 pm

      There was snacks and lunch and more!

  • Errign February 18, 2011, 8:47 pm

    I say enjoy the wine & Friday night!

  • jen @ taste life February 18, 2011, 8:50 pm

    I’ve never thought about peanut sauce on gnocchi. Sounds good. And I won’t argue with you about the wine, you made the rules, you can break them!

  • courtney @ the granola chronicles February 18, 2011, 8:52 pm

    I think it sounds like a great idea!
    That gnocchi looks fab!

  • Marie-JourneytoBodyZen February 18, 2011, 8:56 pm

    Sounds fabulous to me! 🙂

  • Kelly (meatlesswithaman.blogspot.com) February 18, 2011, 9:02 pm

    That is totally acceptable – completely different from a meal!

    I’ve never thought about have gnocchi with an asain twist… I’ve only ever had it as an italian dish. Good idea!!

  • Kelly (meatlesswithaman.blogspot.com) February 18, 2011, 9:03 pm

    That’s completely acceptable! Totally different from a meal.

    Gnocchi looks fab! I’ve only ever had it as an italian dish, never asain. Good idea!!

  • Sarah @ The Strength of Faith February 18, 2011, 9:04 pm

    Well if wine doesn’t count, then dessert doesn’t count either!

  • Michelle February 18, 2011, 9:08 pm

    I love the idea of moderation and flexibility!! Great job role modeling those concepts!!

  • Lacey @ Lake Life February 18, 2011, 9:16 pm

    I never order wine out. It’s usually $6 for a glass when I know I can buy the whole bottle for $10.

  • Holly @ Couch Potato Athlete February 18, 2011, 9:29 pm

    Having a drink is not going out to eat — although I would rather pay a little more and buy a bottle at the liquor store!

  • Fit Chick Britt February 18, 2011, 9:30 pm

    It’s an “eat” in challenge not a “drink” in challenge 🙂

  • Parita@myinnershakti February 18, 2011, 9:30 pm

    I agree with everyone above me – having a drink does not equal “eating” out!

  • Mary @ stylefyles February 18, 2011, 9:34 pm

    hahhaha I like your style.

  • Tracy @ Commit To Fit February 18, 2011, 9:50 pm

    A glass of much needed wine is not breaking the rules! Enjoy!

  • erica February 18, 2011, 9:53 pm

    dine-in
    drink-out ;p

  • BroccoliHut February 18, 2011, 9:59 pm

    Great grocery haul! I love Trader Joe’s too…and this post has inspired me to do a shop tomorrow!
    I also shop at Harris Teeter, Whole Foods, and Costco.

  • Jen February 18, 2011, 10:03 pm

    I think working at the clinic counts as hard work myself! As a nurse, I think Caitlin’s life sounds exhausting yet so rewarding. 🙂

    • Caitlin February 19, 2011, 9:00 am

      Thanks Jen – comments like that one (which I deleted because it made me want to punch a wall) make me laugh when I’m up at 830 AM and working. 😉

  • Meghan@travelwinedine February 18, 2011, 10:09 pm

    Little pleasures make life worth living and make you even more productive, I am convinced! You still have to take care of your needs, and relaxation and kicking back is, in my opinion, a need!

  • sarah k. @ the pajama chef February 18, 2011, 10:20 pm

    enjoy your wine 🙂

  • Arlene @ Adventures in Weight Loss February 18, 2011, 10:54 pm

    That gnocchi looks delicious. Recipe, please!

  • Raya February 18, 2011, 11:19 pm

    Gnocchi are like pillows of heaven for your tongue. Is the peanut satay sauce from Trader Joe’s?? I just tried some of that this week!

    • Caitlin February 19, 2011, 9:01 am

      It was from Earth Fare but YES – soo good.

  • Kate (What Kate is Cooking) February 18, 2011, 11:19 pm

    I think that if it makes you happy, it can’t be bad!

  • ashley February 18, 2011, 11:55 pm

    the peanut satay sauce from TJ’s has fish of some sort in it i believe. or it used to. i bought it and then returned it when my boyfriend realized.

    • Caitlin February 19, 2011, 9:01 am

      It was from Earth Fare – theirs is vegetarian!

  • Laura Ann February 19, 2011, 12:34 am

    I believe that not only is getting a drink out okay, it’s actually a requirement. Keeps ya going on the plan so you are still getting that needed going out time w/o dropping a load of cash.

  • Ellie@fitforthesoul February 19, 2011, 12:50 am

    Their peanut satay sauce is awesome! So is gnocchi…I’m full right now but this looks so good.

  • alison February 19, 2011, 6:56 am

    Go for it, Caitlin! I personally don’t think coffee should count either, but then again, I’m some sort of coffee addict and refuse to give it up. 🙂

    • Sarah February 19, 2011, 8:02 am

      HA, I take this angle all the time in my “budget” discussions with my husband. “I eat every meal in, so I deserve a few coffees out each week!” 😉

      • alison February 19, 2011, 8:28 am

        Amen to that!

        • Sarah February 19, 2011, 8:31 am

          I’ve also tried the “coffee increases productivity” line. Anything to justify a few stops at the Bucks!

      • Jen February 19, 2011, 12:06 pm

        A recent study suggests that coffee makes women complete tasks more quickly and accurately; nothing wrong with a Starbucks now and then 🙂

      • Jen February 19, 2011, 12:07 pm

        Although I’m more of a Dunkin’ Donuts girl myself haha

  • Lauren February 19, 2011, 8:01 am

    This looks amazing!! And you are making me so excited for my trip to Napa this summer.

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin February 19, 2011, 8:45 am

    There is nothing wrong with enjoying a nice glass of wine after a hard week. In fact, I think it’s mandatory! 😉

  • Cyndi @ Weightless Life February 19, 2011, 8:50 am

    Enjoy your wine!

  • Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table February 19, 2011, 9:28 am

    I thought that wine pic looked familiar, so I clicked the link to your Napa post to verify… yep, I identified Mumm from a picture. I sooooo wish I was there today! 🙂

  • AJ @ Flowing to Fifty February 19, 2011, 9:37 am

    I vote for taking the $$$ for the wine out of the cleaning supplies or laundry detergent budget. Always a good trade off.

    • Caitlin February 19, 2011, 9:38 am

      Hahahha awesome!

  • Kristen @ That Hoosier Girl February 19, 2011, 10:49 am

    I heard it was National Wine Drinking Day so I declare it 110% acceptable 😉

  • National Drink Wine Day February 19, 2011, 11:57 am

    @Kristen Yesterday was National Drink Wine Day! I hope you celebrated the holiday!

  • Amber K February 19, 2011, 1:31 pm

    I say, your challenge, your rules!

  • Kim @ Kim Lives Healthy February 19, 2011, 2:00 pm

    Two of my man’s favorites: gnocchi and peanut sauce – thanks for the idea to combine them!!

    Yeah, one glass of wine is definitely OK 🙂

  • Lizzy February 19, 2011, 2:18 pm

    It’s Friday night, you totally need/deserve a glass of wine! That doesn’t count for your eat-in challenge

  • Kathie February 20, 2011, 9:42 am

    Wine is definately NOT eatting out. ;o)

  • Amanda February 21, 2011, 10:33 am

    How is the already prepared gnocchi? Is it as good as making it fresh? I love gnocchi, but it is so much work to make from scratch.

    • Caitlin February 21, 2011, 10:40 am

      It’s dry-packed and shelf-stable. It was good!

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