My eats have been somewhat black and white lately. Smoothies, salads, vegetables, sweet potatoes, tempeh, and pretzels. What can I say, sometimes I like simple.
Dessert has been a hefty bowl of rice chex mix with almond butter and cacao nibs, because I’m currently obsessed with them. OH, and chocolate. Always chocolate.
Starbucks has new smoothies (in select locations) made from cold pressed juice. I add fresh kale and banana to mine. Absolutely obsessed.
Eating a consistent diet most of the time makes the days I do “splurge” that much more rewarding. If I eat like a teenage boy every single day, I pay for it.
After my root canal last week I had plans to venture to Seattle for a run at the lake and a feast to follow. I planned this adventure days in advance. Thankfully everything went smooth with my tooth, allowing me to run and eat just fine.
Very welcoming for solo diners like myself.
I ran five miles, and walked another four miles before ending up at stop number one. A local vegan cafe with a menu packed full of hearty comfort food. I went with tempeh “bacon”, spinach, and tomatoes wrapped in a rice tortilla.
Paired with the best spuds I’ve had in FOREVER.
In an attempt to keep the space in my gut free for the main event, I walked to and from the cafe. My main objective was to visit my current favorite V/GF bakery in the quaint Seattle neighborhood of Fremont. I love eating local.
Scratch that, I love eating…period.
I walked in with my morals, and walked out with 5 extra pounds.
It started off innocent, one cupcake for me, a scone to share, and a slice of berry coffee cake perhaps for another day. Then I saw the pizza…THE pizza that would soon become one of the best slices of pizza to ever pass through my largest facial orifice.
Cauliflower, roasted carrots, spinach, red peppers with house-made garlic aioli on a gluten-free crust.
I struggle to find the right words to describe this, I couldn’t believe it was gluten free.
I thought I was home free after snagging a slice, and then I saw the discount bin. You know, the one that’s tucked to the side that slowly calls to your soul telling you to splurge on day old items that you definitely don’t need, but that you definitely want.
On top of the scone, the coffee cake, the cupcake, and the pizza I also bought three brownies. Ready for the kicker? I ate a brownie right away. Then I ate the coffee cake, followed by half of the scone. The best part…I felt completely fine.
No sick stomach, no bloat, no guilt. A few hours later I ate the pizza and then demolished my cupcake leaving me with nothing left (I gave the other two brownies and half of the scone to my mom and sister.) My soul and body were equally full.
Moral of my story is this: when you eat clean 85% of your days, the remaining 15% of indulgences taste so much sweeter. Today I’m going to the dentist to get a crown, and if another day like this is coming my way I’ll get dental work done anytime. Kidding.
Kind of.
Four treats in one day will not be a regular occurrence. Thank goodness for running.
Q: Do you eat whatever you want everyday, or do you moderate what goes into your tank? I feel really crummy when I eat poorly too many days in a row.
Blissfulbritt 
60 thoughts on “Moderating Indulgences”
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West
Hi Brittany! Cauliflower on pizza? That sounds delicious. And I’ve seen the new Starbucks smoothies and am interested to try them. I have always saved my desserts and indulgent food to the weekends only. Unless on vacation or going to something special. That way, when I way, when I eat dessert, I truly appreciate it. Some people believe you should have a small helping of your favorite sweet/salty every single day to avoid the binge. But that’s not how I do it. To each his own! 🙂 hehehe I’m with ya!
Hayley
I want each and everything you ate – THAT PIZZA. I pretty much eat what I want now every day but I also do think about what will make me feel good…sometimes. All about balance yo, which you clearly have down.
chapeltheresa
I have to moderate! Even though I run treats add onto me at a much faster rate than I can run them off! I ‘try’ to spread them more evenly throughout the week so I’m not depriving myself. This week, after running a half marathon on Sunday, has been tough because I’ve been allowing my body to rest but still eating like a runner 😉
pickyrunner
Whenever I try to “cut back” on my sweets I end up going nuts. Which is why I eat dessert daily. No, it’s not always a giant bowl of ice cream or huge slice of cake, but I’ll eat a couple cookies, or a few chocolate squares… something. Plus my daily large hot chocolate, but that’s not going anywhere. I’m with you though- I don’t feel guilty about eating those sweet treats because I eat pretty healthy the rest of the time. I eat my veggies, so when I want something more indulgent, there’s room for it in my diet. But yes, thank god for running 😉
kathy at real talk
sooo….. i only have dessert ONCE A YEAR – on my birthday – and that’s literally at the END OF THE YEAR (dec 30). i eat clean 90% of the time and 10% not so clean and those ‘not so clean’ times are things like homemade chocolate chia seed pudding or maybe an extra half muffin of a home made grain-free banana choco chip muffin. come to think of it, my 10% actually sucks! i should indulge more!
Brittany
Once….a year? I can’t….like…I really can’t. My mind does not understand.
kamillej2014
You go girl!
Jessica @ VEGGIE RUNNING MOMMA
yumm that pizza looks amazing.! all the food on this post actually.!! 🙂
yes. Thank goodness for running.!!! I would be a big blob if I didn’t run. haha.
I eat really crappy. I’m trying to clean it up though and eat more real food. I’ve gotten better, hope to be at a 85% soon also.
kamillej2014
Agreed! That pizza looks amazing! Confession: One of the reason exercise is so I can eat more!
Skinny Jeans Mum
Amy
You always have the BEST eating adventures!! Pretty jealous of those fries… and sweets… and pizza… and basically everything. I need to channel some of your adventurousness and start poking around in my city too!
charissarunning
That pizza looks AMAZING! I’ve never seen anything like it 🙂
Most of my days I’m good at the whole eating in moderation thing, but I love to treat myself now and then. If I go too overboard with it though, I feel icky too.
Kelsey
That pizza looks absolutely amazing! Ahh! I kind of just do what I want, but really…it ends up meaning I have that 85/15 balance – and I love it! Got treat your soul once in awhile.
amysrecipefordisaster
For the most part I moderate. Some of it is simply out of necessity, some of it is out of laziness and the other part is because it does make me feel better. I do have some kind of treat daily though – I find chocolate on a daily basis is for me!
di @ life of di.
Oh my word – THAT PIZZA! Are you serious? Fly me to Seattle right now just so I can try a slice (or five.) I haven’t seen a pizza like that anywhere in Columbus. ERGH. Also, I just added your favorite bakery to my Yelp! bookmarks list. I have to go there whenever I’m in Seattle.
As for your question – I’d say that I eat healthy foods for the majority of my week (I usually only treat myself to dessert on Sunday nights); however, I could probably indulge a few more times a week if I didn’t binge on peanut butter so often 😥 I’m trying to get a grip so that I can do so. I’ll see a yummy pastry at a local cafe and pass but then go home and eat 800 calories worth of peanut butter. I’d much prefer the yummy scone to the peanut butter. I’m not sure why I can’t implement this mindset/struggle so much. Any words of wisdom? Yes, I know – probably just need to really commit to not keeping nut butter in the house. I can go a couple of weeks and then I buy a jar thinking that I can be trusted around it and then, by the next night, the majority of the jar is gone.
Brittany
OMG Diane, I have some crazy news…SO I did a bit of a food experiment with myself because something finally clicked in my brain. Anytime I eat peanut butter I feel pretty crummy, and always just assumed it was because it was fatty and such. WELL, I noticed I never had the problem with almond butter which I eat more of, and only lately I’ve been buying more PB again. WELL every time I ate it I got immediately bloated, gassy, fatigued, my hands broke out in a rash (eczema flare up!), my lungs felt swollen causing me to have labored breathing and I FELT LIKE HELL!! SO long story short I’ve concluded I have somewhat of an intolerance to it. Part of it is sad, but a lot of it is NOT SAD. This was the push I needed to STAY AWAY!
I hope you find your push. 😉
Kristel
I am SO pumped about the Starbucks smoothies!
Laur
THAT PIZZA! Garlic aioli?!! I want a bucket of this… and a tub of Tums. But seriously, please bring me with you on your next outing!!! Gosh, why can’t you live closer??!?
Shawna
haha love your “ate all the things in one day” honesty here. i am generally a notoriously annoyingly healthy eater (“that friend” who everyone always has to check in to make sure there’s something there for her to eat, brrrppp), and i recently had to cut out dairy (making a lot of difference, thankfully!). i love salads and grilled chicken and fruit. i do end up eating a lil chocolate almost every day at work. weekends i’m actually healthier, b/c i’m out and about and not thinking about food and don’t end up eating til like 2 pm most days!
Brittany
Oh girl, story of my life when going out to eat with friends haha. Partially why I adore my solo adventures like this. 😉 YAHOO for giving up dairy!
Annie Emmy Evans
All of this looks DELICIOUS. And now I’m hungry. Crap.
brigi43
Seriously love your posts. It makes me so happy that someone else loves coffee, running/the outdoors + is motivated by food as much as I am 😉 Your posts literally make my day every time I read them.
Brittany
Your comment has just made mine! Thank you. ❤️❤️
BabetaRuns
So… I had a LOOOONG day at work today (13 hours), then went for a quick run and now I’m starving but since it is 11pm here in Prague and I think I SHOULD moderate I’m trying not to eat the chocolate bar I got for my birthday couple of days ago.
BUT!
Now I read this… I’m so going to eat it. NOW!!!
Yumm yumm!
Ellie
I try to do the 80/20 approach everyday. So I try to eat mostly healthy throughout the day and then always have dessert 🙂
Lindsay @ A Runnaroundd Life
Daaaaaamn I want your eats. Looks amazing!!
dorkyxana
I’m glad your dental appointment went well! I currently work as a receptionist at a private dental office and I know that some patients are quite nervous when they have to get root canals or crowns. You definitely deserve to treat yourself! At least you balanced out your indulgences by exercising.
Your eats are so yummy! That pizza is so unique and sounds delicious – I would love to down a few slices of those lol.
I’m a creature of habit, so I tend to eat the same thing everyday, but I love changing things up now and then. I usually like to treat myself to something sweet or some of my favorite savory snacks in between lunch and dinner and after dinner as well! I would say I do moderate what I put in my body, but there are many times where self-control goes out the window hahaa.
familyrulesbyplainjane
I have to moderate, sadly, unless I want to give in and go on cholesterol meds. 51 now. @$#! genetics! 😏
Lauren @ ihadabiglunch
Ugh my eating habits change daily…it’s so hard to pin down.
THOSE TREATS. THAT PIZZA. You always capture the most natural light and it makes your food look STUNNING.
Now I must run back to the kitchen for my third piece of banana bread. I hate you.
PS I love food too. More than is socially acceptable.
P
This is the definition of a perfect day! You did well in selecting your indulgences my friend!!
Jane
I am soooo hungry now! Fantastic pics. 🙂
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
I wish I could eat whatever I wanted every day, but that is what made me 250lbs. So now I have lost that weight, I have to be sensible, but I do still enjoy some indulgences.
shonalika
Ahh, you’re so lucky to just casually have “vegan cafes” round the corner! Heh, I’m definitely not averse to the odd highly sugary fatty dessert. Or anything peanut butter, obviously. I think that the process of moderation following overindulgence for me is fairly automatic, and due to sheer good luck (and my upbringing I suppose) I don’t have to think about it. Which makes me one of those irritating people who basically eats whatever they want whenever they want;)
Brittany
To be fair, I did travel to Seattle for these adventures which is an hour and a half ish from where I live. However, once in the city the vegan cafes and bakeries are pretty abundant. It’s quite fantastic!
taylfeather
stfu with that pizza GAHHHH I’m beyond jealous you live near Seattle, the vegan Mecca hehe. Also thanks for this post, it reminded me that I’m FO SHO due for a treat or 7 in the near future 🙂
The Chaos Realm
I do, I try to eat organic/GMO-free foods, I’m vegetarian, and I’m not really a sugar fan. BUT, my weakness is savory/greasy foods…french fries, fried pickles, etc. *laugh* Being broke, though, means not eating out a whole lot, so I’m saved from that temptation! 🙂
An Unrefined Vegan
We must hang out together.
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
That pizza, though *insert heart-eyed emoji here*
I’d sa that I eat what I want, but i also find that what I want usually gravitates towards the things that I know will make me feel good. It’s a sad thing, but the older I get, the more finicky my body becomes and the less it appreciates those indulgent days. I used to boast about nothing being too sweet for me, but now? Definitely can’t handle some of the things that I used to be able to. It’s a little sad, but probably also a good thing.
pangie223
Hey!
I just stumbled upon your blog — holyyy that pizza looks really good.
I’d say I usually eat what I want every day and I am pretty liberal with my diet but then again I mainly crave nutritious foods. I usually have some sort of treat daily because I’m a cookie addict 🙂
Jess @hellotofit
Mmm those desserts (and that pizza) are making my starch-craved body drool!! Happy Friday, my friend!
Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness
Hahaha, your splurge day sounds AMAZING! I totally agree that splurging on goodies is that much sweeter when you’ve been eating nice and clean. If I eat too many sweets too many days in a row, I feel like I’m in a sugar coma and the desserts don’t taste as yummy. I think I need that pizza in my life – so many veggies piled on!!
Rach @ This Italian Family
That pizza DOES sound good! So yummy! I definitely feel yucky if I go to many days in a row eating out or eating junk food.
katalysthealth
oh man…the things I would do for that pizza. that sounds way too good to be true!
and your splurge day is my kind of day! usually when I do a cheat or splurge its for one meal, so I usually go for something with cheese, for example a plate of nachos the size of my head. sometimes its dessert though, and then I just make sure I get the biggest slice of cake possible with the most frosting. but your way sounds good too 😉
jennifer prod
haha, your adventures at the gluten free bakery remind me of the ‘if you give a mouse a cookie’ story – so much fun to read. i think we’d make great eating partners! oh, and that ‘za- yum!!!
Change of Pace
Sounds like a pretty darn good day! Glad the root canal allowed for you to eat and run!
Ugh- I feel gross if I eat poorly for a couple days, too. Not that it stops me sometimes 🙂
Lucie Elizabeth (@CollectingLight)
Glad your root canal went well….really sad you didnt post an obligationary photo of you attempting to drink a Starbucks coffee before the local anasthetic wore off though, I was looking forward to seeing that! Hahahahaha.
THAT FOOD THOUGH! Looks SO good, and gluten free? Woah, you wouldnt know it, it looks amazing!
(Oh, and thank you for your ridiculously wonderful support on my last blog post, you almost brought me to tears.) xx
kim
Everything looks so yummy!! I eat about 75-90% “good food” on the daily, but always leave room for some goodies! No matter how clean or healthy you eat, no one is going to live forever! Enjoy 🙂
Brittany
WHOA, I love that mindset. Amen!
jejansonius
This is amazing Iwish we had better restaurants here! You are so fortunate!
Aja
When you eat healthy most of the time indulgences taste just amazing. We’ve been eating healthy with maybe 1 treat a week, and it just makes everything taste amazing. Even bread tastes sweet to me now. All of the food looks amazing. Moderation when you live near Seattle must be hard. There is so much good food there!
pbloverblog
We’re on the same wavelength when it comes to the black and white eating. No joke, I am living off of sweet potatoes, pretzels, smoothies and salads. And man if feels good. That being said, I love a good dessert (especially granola 24/7), so I force myself to practice a little moderation 🙂 I’m also very jealous of your eats. How does your blog never cease to make me hungry?
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
You had to go back for that pizza. It would be insane not to.
Also, I will share your desserts happily.
Shera Martinez
Your ventures in these posts are definitely inspirations. I want to try some of these out! Thanks for the like, btw. Novice over here. 🙂
jessie
That pizza may be the most delicious looking piece of food I’ve seen in a very long time. Everything about it just leaves me drooling!!! I feel like someone needs to recreate it @ give me the recipe.. bc well let’s be honest, I’m better @ following recipes then coming up with my own. lol
Nicole Marie Story
this entire post makes my brain happy! the smoothie! the pizza! the cupcake! you are sooooo cute!!!!!!!!! xo
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables
Ohh I had one of those starbucks smoothies recently and it was so good!
I try to eat everything in moderation… which is easier said than done! haha 🙂
Luv What You Do
Mmmm all of this looks SO good! There is some major food porn here : )
Luv What You Do
PS how would i order that smoothie at bux?
Melanie
Your cat and your friend’s cat are beautiful! I’m not even a giant cat lover, but they are gorgeous! I love your good Samaritan story. That is very cool. I had a random person pay for me and my kids’ lunch at Applebee’s once and thought it was so so sweet!
Melanie
Oh that pizza looks insane!!!! Wow. I want to reach into the screen and eat it. I’m a sucker for “day old bargain bins” too. All of those yummy treats seem to always call my name. Your Rice Chex, almond butter and chocolate mix sounds amazing!
ｒｉｋａ
I can’t believe Starbucks has new smoothies made from cold pressed juices…I need to go check them out! Yay for Wayward Vegan Cafe, I love that place…it’s been so long! AND THAT PIZZA!!!!!