The DIY Diet

I first visited Mrs. Spoonover’s Restaurant, Whitefish, Montana, back in 1997, soon after it was founded by Judy Scallen, a kindergarten classmate from Northeastern Minnesota, where we both grew up. 

I was on my "old hippie road tour of the west", camping out in my old van and visiting some of the places that had played a significant role in my early adult life.  When Judy suggested I make a side trip to Whitefish, it didn’t take me long to head the old van northwest from my last stop in Ft. Collins, Colorado toward Montana.  On the long drive from Colorado to Whitefish, I was reminded how vast and lonely Wyoming can be when you’re alone.  It had never bothered me to camp alone before but in Wyoming in 1997, it did.  I guess I’d grown a little less adventuresome than I’d been in my twenties, thirties, and forties.

(more…)

After a total of 46 hours aboard Amtrak (round trip between St. Paul, Minnesota and Whitefish, Montana) I felt as if I’d been in Never-Never Land.  I wasn’t impressed with Amtrak, at least not the route I took.  Maybe other routes around the U.S. are better but I’ll never know because I won’t take another long Amtrak train trip.  Rattling along the bumpy tracks in a close environment packed with people made for an uncomfortable trip for me.  My back and neck hurt as I tried to find an acceptable sleeping position without imposing on my assigned seat mate for the 22-hour ride to Whitefish.  I admit that I should have done more research about Amtrak before eagerly buying tickets. I was too excited about the adventure of riding the train.

(more…)

You don’t have to announce to anyone and everyone that you are "on a diet".

Well, maybe that isn’t entirely true. You will probably have to share the information with the person or people with whom you share living quarters since they will notice some differences in your eating pattern. And, if you have medical issues of some kind, you’ll likely want to discuss your plans with your doctor.

No one else needs to know, especially no one at your office.

(more…)

Fine dining restaurants are dieter-friendly establishments. They aren’t out to impress you with super-sized portions; they will impress you with the incredible quality of their food both in taste and eye-appeal, and their superb service.

You don’t need a Nutrition Information list for fine dining restaurants. Everything you eat will be properly portioned, prepared with the finest ingredients, and plated to highlight the chef’s most artistic skills. Service is generally impeccable.

(more…)

As you’re probably well aware, dining out can be a challenge when you’re on a diet.

Most casual dining restaurants don’t have nutrition data readily available on-site, but most have it published on their websites, so I recommend checking the calorie count of menu items before you leave the house.

(more…)