Your wedding dress:

Start shopping right away. You won’t feel rushed or pressured into buying something and you’ll be able to shop smart.

Simple plain dresses are usually less expensive than the ones with lace, pearls/beads etc..

You could buy a plain dress and add lace, beads etc.. yourself. Or get someone to do it for you.

Rent or borrow a dress. If you like your mother`s, sister`s or friends dress ask them if you could borrow it. But don`t be offended if they refuse as a wedding dress is very sacred to most women.

Look around second hand shops/charity shops. You`ll be surprised at the amount they get given, and they are usually inexpensive.

The venue:

Book the ceremony/reception well in advance you may be able to negotiate a better price then you would if you left it to the last minute.

Have your wedding on off-peak months. November to April rates will probably be reduced. Christmas weddings are more expensive though so if you are planning a Christmas wedding you will have to cut your finances.

Instead of a grand ballroom or banquet hall, think less-expensive venues, like publicly owned buildings and parks, registry office, the church or temple hall, the backyard, the beach, a restaurant’s private room. You may have to get a permit to marry in a public place, but it will be less than a private banquet room.

Catering:

Look around for caterers. Get different quotes before you decide on one.

Choose cheaper entrees, like prawns instead of lobster, vegetables like broccoli instead of asparagus will cut the cost, too.

Cut down on courses. If you’re having a cocktail hour, do you really need an appetizer course? Do you need soup and salad?

Instead of waiter service, have a buffet bar.

Think ethnic! Mexican, Indian, Italian, or Chinese food is fun and much cheaper per person than the traditional wedding menu. See if your favorite restaurant caters.

If you are having a themed wedding create your menu around the theme.

Have the wedding cake only as dessert and eliminate any other sweets (eclairs, pastries, etc.).

Consider a wedding breakfast or brunch (omelettes, muffins, pancakes, French toast), or a tea (a variety of tea flavors, finger sandwiches, scones and jams, etc.) to save money.

The more tiers and decorations your cake has the more expensive it will be.

Buy your own drink it will work out a lot cheaper than paying the caterers or venues prices.

Photos:

Compare hourly fees and package deals to see which is more cost-effective for you.

Give disposable cameras as wedding favours. Then you can get copies of the day’s events from family and friends.

Have a professional photographer take the formal pictures and shoot the ceremony; have guests take all reception photos.

Visit your local college`s photography department and check out some of the students’ portfolios. They will do your photography a lot cheaper and just as good as a professional

Ask friends and family to video the big day for you.

Flowers:

Use flowers that are in season and/or locally grown they’re less expensive than out-of-season flowers that must be shipped to your area.

Have bouquet with just a few large flowers, like orchids, tulips, lilies, or sunflowers, tied with a ribbon.

If you are marrying at Christmas or Easter, your church may already be decked out beautifully.

Arrange to share the cost of ceremony decorations with the couple marrying directly before or after you that day.

Use silk or dried flowers instead of fresh ones in table centerpieces.

Music:

DJs are less expensive than live bands.

Ask a family member or friend’s child to sing at the reception.

Hire music for the evening reception only. People are usually too busy chatting to notice anyway.

Ask at the local college/university for young musicians.

Invitations:

Send invitations that are light enough when completely assembled to require only a single stamp for mailing.

Make your own invitation cards. They are cheaper and more personal.

If you are having a themed wedding make cards to do with the theme.

Transportation:

Limousines are cheap enough to hire for an hour. Find out in advance how long the ceremony will take.

Only hire a limo for the bride and groom; have attendants driven in relatives’ cars, or have them drive themselves in groups.

You might be able to hire a horse and carriage for just as less. Check the Yellow pages for any in your area.

We hope these are of some use to you. Good luck.

If you are looking forward to a great vacation, South Lake Tahoe should be your destination. From lodging to activities to entertainment, it offers a wide array of choices fit for all kinds of people—families, students, business groups, or newlyweds.

The living accommodations vary from hotels, bed and breakfast, private home rentals, vacation rentals and cabins, campgrounds, and RV parks. For quaint and intimate setting, bed and breakfasts, like Inn at Heavenly and Black Bear Inn Bed & Breakfast will be the perfect place to stay. It is less costly without sacrificing comfort. For people who like luxury and pampering, hotels and resorts are available all over Lake Tahoe with amenities like heated pool, full service day-spa, and Jacuzzi tubs. Condos and homes are situated in the top areas around the lake. This is an alternative for families who are staying longer than usual and for those who prefers privacy and comforts of one’s home. During summer, campgrounds are just the right backdrop for those burnt marshmallows and barbecue.

Although there are many choices, booking may be a problem especially during peak seasons. For less hassles, you can make reservations online. For the townhouses, the real estate will be more than happy to accommodate your needs.

South Lake Tahoe is the best place to be, whatever time of the year it is. In winter, they offer skiing and snowboarding. It is, after all, North America’s largest concentration of ski and snowboard resorts. From November until April, the place is filled with tourists seeking fun and adventure in snow.

In summer, they have activities like golf, boat-riding, and hiking to keep you occupied. Lake Tahoe is the home of Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course where the 18th annual American Century Championship Celebrity Golf Tournament. More than 75 stars in sports and entertainment visited and loved the golf course.

With the breathtaking mountain view of South Lake Tahoe, weddings and honeymoons are made unforgettable. Chapels, ministers, coordinators, and photographers are handy to make that walk-in-the-aisle truly a memory to cherish. One of the famous hotels in the area, 3 Peaks Resort & Beach Club has a Romantic Lake Tahoe Vacation Package including champagne, romantic dinner, and a dance cruise. Newlyweds will surely go back to Lake Tahoe for their second honeymoon.

If you are one of those people who lives during the night, your nightlife is not going to suffer while staying in Lake Tahoe. Good music, grilled food, friendly bartenders, well-stocked wine cellar, chilled beers—you can find these in the local bar and restaurants. There are specials once in a while like dinner/dance cruises and karaoke.

If you are not the bar type, entertainment still would not be a problem. Casinos are open all days of the week providing first-class entertainment like annual Summer Outdoor Concert Series. Montbleu Resort Casino & Spa has a theatre house featuring movies old and new.

You won’t worry where to eat your next meal. There are over 100 restaurants in the South Lake Tahoe area. Whatever you are craving, be it Italian or traditional Mexican, it’s just a short walk away from your hotel.

Of course, before going home, shopping is a must for souvenirs, mementos, and postcards. For this task, Tahoe Emporium boasts stores offering local, regional, and national brand names. From clothes to sports equipments to books, you will find what you are looking for. The stores are conveniently located near resorts and hotels.

Vacation is something all people are looking forward to. It is like a much craved dessert that you would want to savor bite after bite. South Lake Tahoe has all the ingredients that will satisfy even the most fastidious appetite there is.

Christmas is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus. This feast was created by the pope to promote Christianity and remove pagan festivals celebrated at the winter solstice.

During the IVth century, the pope decided to bring the Christmas day on December 25th.

Christmas has always been represented by religious ceremonies and gifts and
greetings exchange.

Here are some Christmas symbols:

* The Advent consists of a burning candle each Sunday four weeks before Christmas;

which symbolize the rebirth of light after the winter solstice.

* The December 24th Christmas Mass; which celebrates the birth of Jesus.

* The Christmas Crib; which symbolizes the birth of Jesus in Christian homes.

* The Christmas tree, a symbol from the pagan celebration and representing life.

* The Yule log; which represents the log that we put in the fireplace to warm up on Christmas Eve.

* Santa Claus, an American creation, inspired by the Christian Saint Nicholas (celebrated in Belgium, Netherlands, Germany and Alsace. This character wears a luxurious red cape, he has a long white beard and wears a red miter, he also holds a golden crosier. Saint Nicholas rewards good children while his companion Pere Fouettard/Black Pete punishes nasty children) and the elf Yule Goat, celebrated in Scandinavian countries.

Over the centuries, Christmas has evolved and Christmas Eve with our family, replaced the religious ceremonies.

The gift exchange: luxurious for the rich people and useful – sometimes only one orange – for the poor people, has been replaced by the modern marketing. People not only buys gifts but also spend lots of money in decoration items, food, drink…

The secularization of our society removed the true meaning of Christmas Time; which is, obviously, becoming a pagan feast.

Here are some countries which celebrate Christmas:

Belgium: Belgians have a festival especially dedicated to children; which is Saint Nicholas (Sinter Klaas) on December 6th. The Great Patron of Schoolboys, who is supposed to bring candies in their shoes, brings in fact toys by the thousands to our children.

In Belgium, Christmas is rather reserved for adults: the streets are decorated and illuminated, we decorate our houses, windows, gardens, Christmas trees. Belgium seems to forget that it is a Catholic country and closes more and more churches, therefore, the Midnight Mass on December 24th usually happens at 6 or 8 PM. We then eat with our family and at 12 PM we exchange our gifts. Children usually receive a book or some clothes.

Christmas Day has little meaning but practicing Catholic go to church. Belgian people visit their family on January 1st. In the Belgian Ardens, people celebrate December 31st and not Christmas.

France: Christmas is dedicated to children. The streets and the houses are decorated several weeks in advance. French people have lots of Christmas customs: Christmas Markets, the Christmas tree, the Christmas Dinner, Père Noël, Christmas gifts, stories, songs, Christmas turkey, The Christmas Crib, the Yule Log, and so on. In Alsace, however, Saint Nicholas predominates on Santa Claus.

The Netherlands: They organize their St. Nicholas (Sinter Klaas) festival: the old bearded man traveling by boat and accompanied by many black aids, who distributes gifts to good children. Dutch people reserve the big gifts for Christmas Time because they profit for some great bargains after Sinter Klaas.

Germany: Christmas in Germany lasts two days. On December 26th they visit their family and their friends. Christ-Kind offers gifts to the children on December 24th families and friends. Germany has also a Saint Nicholas festival on December 6th.

Great Britain: Christmas is celebrated in England with enthusiasm. Children sing “Christmas Carols” in the streets, they eat the famous “Christmas Pudding” at the end the Christmas Dinner. In England, Santa Claus fills the English children socks with gifts. British people also exchange greeting cards; which are a British creation.

Spain: If Santa Claus has little importance in Spain (Magi distribute gifts to children on January 6th), Spanish people decorate the streets with lights during the month of December. The windows of the shops are filled with lots of gifts and Spanish celebrate the Christmas Evening with their family.

Portugal: Christmas Eve is a holiday. The Portuguese attend the Christmas Midnight Mass; which is the “Missa Do Galo.” If there is no Christmas tree in Portugal, there is nevertheless a “Wooden Christmas”.

Italy: Christmas lasts three days, from December 24th till 26th. However, Christmas traditions vary from one region to another one and, depending on the region it is Babo Natale (Father Christmas) or the “Gesu Bambino” (Little Jesus) who brings gifts on December 25th. The Italian Christmas dessert is “Panettone”.

Scandinavian Countries: During the Christmas Dinner, Scandinavian people reserve a place for the souls of the deceased members of their family. Once they finish to eat, they read the bible. The whole family is singing Christmas songs and dance around the Christmas tree.

Other European countries: In Romania, on December 24th, there is a Christmas candle burning until the morning of December 25th. In Russia, Christmas Day happens on January 7th, according to the Orthodox calendar. In Greece the Christmas period begins on Christmas Eve and ends at the Epiphany. Christmas is less important than Easter.

USA: The Saturday after Thanksgiving, Santa Claus is coming to announce the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. American people love to celebrate Christmas and set up a decorated Christmas in their home. Children hang empty stocks empty on the fireplace and on the Christmas morning they find them filled with candy and small toys.

Canada: Houses, shops and streets are decorated with lights. Canadian people decorate their house with a Christmas tree, a Christmas wrap, a Christmas Crib… After the “Midnight Mass” people have a Christmas Eve with their family. Turkey and the Christmas log are the essential ingredients of a Canadian Christmas Dinner.

They send greeting cards to their friends and family who live far away.

South America: Peruvian people have Christmas parties but also learn to live better on christmas time. Their Christmas season lasts a full week. Mexican people celebrate Christmas with Las Posadas (pilgrimages representing the path by the Mary and Joseph). They celebrate the last Posada on the Christmas morning and then start the Christmas dinner. I Guatemala, immigrants have imported their German customs and the Christmas tree is essential but the Christmas gifts are reserved to the children. Gift exchange for adults is on January 1st.

Australia: Christmas happens during the summertime, so Australian people celebrate Christmas at the beach. People eat cold turkey and pudding.

New Zealand: If there are few decorations, New Zealand people organize Christmas parades and people sing in the parks. They also organize their famous “Christmas barbecue”.

Japan: Christmas is merely commercial significance in Japan. This festival represents Saint Nicholas and it is an opportunity to offer gifts to small children.

China: If Christmas Day is not a holiday, Christmas is celebrated in Chinese cities. This festival was imported into this country by foreign missionaries. For the Chinese people who celebrate it, Christmas is a religious event.

Cooking party invitations for all the chefs in your life. Sounds fun and yummy. We’ve got what you need for your invitations and we’ve also got some great tips for you to make your cooking party go smoothly and be a success.

* If you are doing one big uniform meal, assign your guest certain groceries to purchase and bring with them. This keeps the costs down for you.

* If you are doing different food themes (Mexican, Italian, Chinese, etc.), then assign one person to be in charge of each theme and have that person assign the grocery list within each group.

* Whatever dishes, pans, or utensils you don’t have that you need, assign someone to bring instead of you buying. Keep the costs down.

Cooking Party Invitations

Why not whip up some invitations that you’ve created and personalized to match your cooking party theme? You can easily and for free through Events Listed. With over 60 multi media tools available for you to completely personalize your web page, it’s the perfect recipe. You create the web page first so it can act as your invitation. for help visit www.classic-dessert-collection.com. All of the tools are in a simple to use Web 2.0 environment, ready for you to completely personalize your page to your cooking party theme. Include pictures, videos, audios, surveys, and more. Pop in video of Rachael Ray or Gordon Ramsey. Add some music and even put up a timer that counts down to the party.

Be sure to post the date and time of the cooking party and any special instructions for your guests, such as “no MSG.” Just kidding. You can also post a poll for your guest to vote on which dishes they’d like to create. How about adding a map and directions to the cooking hot spot?

Party Invitations-All Eyes On the Guest List

Once your page is complete, you then invite your guests to go to your page by sending electronic emails with electronic links to your page. They click the link and arrive on your page. They’ll have eyes on the guest list and they’ll be able to respond to your invitation as well as seeing how others have responded. They’ll be able to see who’s ready to cook, who has 86ed themselves, and who hasn’t responded yet.

Your guests can also start networking together online as soon as they wish and you can even promote more networking by cross referencing other cooking unique party online groups. Get great recipes and cooking tips right there on your own web page.

Take advantage of the task manager to assign who is bringing what groceries and/or cooking supplies and post what group they are in. Send out preset, automated email reminders about the party date and time as the date draws nearer. You can check it out from www.bread-machine-cookbook.com. What about posting a budget for each person or each group right on the web page and manage it from there? There’s so much you can do with you web page, why not do it? It will make your life a lot easier. And again, it’s free, from Events Listed. Spot on!

Image taken on 2009-04-10 19:49:56 by Kevin H..

If Puerto Vallarta could be renamed, it would probably be called the Romance Vallarta or Love Nest Vallarta. If you are on your honeymoon, or are in the mood to bring a smile on the face of your loved ones, then this tour called “Rhythm Of The Night,” is the perfect opportunity; it is romance personified.  This cruise departs from “Vallarta Adventures” in Nuevo Vallarta. This dreamy adventure will begin with a cruise across the Banderas Bay. It would be a scene to behold because the sun would be setting over the shimmering water of the bay with the suffused colours of the lights of Puerto Vallarta. The cruise would carry on under the star laden sky towards the beaches of Las Caletas which would be lit up by torches.

You and your loved one can then walk hand in hand following a path lit up by torches to your very own private table. Following that you can enjoy a romantic yet idealistic candle-light dinner while the stars shine down upon you. The luminescent light of the stars and torches along with the relaxing tender sounds of the ocean will provide a great sense of comfort to both your body and mind. Once you have devoured a great dessert, you can continue in making this night perfect by dancing under the sky. You will also be provided a modern dance show which would be in the amphitheatre, outdoor. Once you witness a night so rich in romance as well as comfort, your cruise back to Puerto Vallarta would be a dream comes true.

This cruise runs from Monday through Saturday. The timings are between 5.00 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. but it can vary according to the demand; the duration of this cruise is about 5.5 hours. This stunning cruise formally includes a candlelit dinner on the beach with an open bar. It would also include novel dance performances in the amphitheatre. You will also have the opportunity of listening to good music and dancing on the ride both to and from the Las Caleta beach.

Since you can turn this night into one of the most memorable ones of your life, make sure you do not start your cruise without the essential accessories. Memories are very important. Therefore make sure you carry a Photo Camera or a Video Camera with you. Since you might want to take a long stroll with your loved one along the sandy beach, carry your comfortable shoes with you. You wouldn’t want to miss out on the stroll just because of your uncomfortable shoes. Night air is wild, it’s filled with the aroma of the salt beach and delicious food, but it also carries with it mosquitoes or other insects. Therefore make sure you carry an insect repellent in your bag. We have all watched it in movies, whenever a woman feels cold the man offers her, his jacket. Well, lets keep it real guys, carry a light jacket or sweater, incase you start feeling cold. That’s all for you folks, enjoy cruising!

Get more information on rental properties in Puerto Vallarta, also abbreviated as PV or contact Pvrpv dot com at the following numbers.  Their Mexican office number is 322.222.0638.  In case you are calling from the USA or Canada, call on their local Vonage number 206.388.3703. You can email to Tim. For more details visit Pvrpv dot com which has been successfully servicing the tourists & local community for the past four years.  They have a qualified staff with years of experience and they may help you with rental properties in Puerto Vallarta.

Forget the Traditional Wedding Planning, Go for a Theme Wedding!

Your wedding day is the most important day until the birth of your children, so make it special for you and your fiancée. Start the wedding planning with a theme wedding; these are very popular these days and so much more fun than the traditional, stuffy types almost everyone tends to lean toward. Be different and your wedding will be one of the most memorable events of the year.

There are many themes to choose from in the wedding planning phase of things. If you are to be married on a beach, then go for a theme such as Hawaiian luau, Caribbean islands or for the very fun hearted a pirate theme. If you are getting married outdoors then you could choose to have wedding planning for a garden party theme, Country theme, Backyard BBQ theme, Night under the Stars theme if it is at night or a casual elegant affair for just a few friends and family.

You can also mix things up a bit and have  the wedding planning done around themes such as Disco Party, Hippy Days, the Big Hair 80’s, favorite sports themes, favorite hobby themes, the list are endless of what you can come up with.

Just bear in mind this is you and your fiancée’s day and no one else’s, so the wedding planning should be all about the tow of you and what each of you likes not what everyone else will like. Don’t be afraid to go outside the box, after all creativity is something all of us should use more often. This is how beautiful things come about.

You could even do wedding planning around certain places in the world you would love to travel together, such as an Italian, French, European, Mexican or Portuguese themed wedding with foods from that area and favorite desserts as well as decorations that make everyone feel as if they were magically transported there for one evening only.

For More Information, please visit www.mgproduction.ca

There is no understanding some people – you’ve come all the way to the shores of Banderas Bay, you’re staying in a Luxury Villa Rental Puerto Vallarta, and all you can think about is getting a hamburger to go with that chilled beer. Jimmy Buffett understands your gustatory needs, even if none of your travelling companions do. And you’re one lucky hombre (or mujer), because Puerto Vallarta boasts a number of eateries that feature American cuisine.

Dick’s Halfway Inn Bar and Grill at Basilio Badillo 287 in Old Town offers several different hamburgers. The Deluxe is pretty much a bacon cheeseburger; the Jack Daniels is basted with bourbon barbecue sauce; and the Swiss Mushroom Burger . . . you guessed right – it features Swiss cheese, mushrooms and caramelized onions. If you’re dining with others, you can reassure them that Dick’s is more than just a pretty burger. The menu includes a wide variety of tapas (starters) and formal entrees, as well as other sandwiches. The place gets generally positive reviews, in part because the beverages are reasonably priced. Mama Dolores Diner is another popular spot to grab a bite of American food, and there’s more good news about this spot – if you don’t want a burger, you can get liver and onions, instead. Yummy! As an alternative, try the fajitas or the vegetarian lasagne. Mama says you need to eat your veggies if you want dessert, but odds are, she’ll give in and bring you a flan if you whine enough. Mama takes vacation every now and again, so it’s a good idea to check if her doors are open before you set your heart on one of her meals. You’ll find Mama Dolores in the Zona Romantica at Olas Altas 534B. Steve’s Sports Bar and Grill is an honest-to-goodness, all-American sports bar that promises NASCAR racing every weekend. American Legion Post 14 meets here the third Thursday of the month. It’s almost like being home – and you might want to ask yourself if that’s really why you came to Puerto Vallarta. If you say “yes,” well, come on in and order something with fries. You’ll find Steve’s very near to Dick’s at Basilio Badillo 286; it’s possible that they know each other.

Do what you have to do to make your Luxury Villa Rental Puerto Vallarta seem like home away from home. If that means a burger and a Bud at one of the local restaurants, so be it. Just be prepared to explain to folks back home how you spent your Mexican vacation.

Your wedding dress
Start shopping right away. You wont feel rushed or pressured into buying something, and youll be able to shop smart.

Simple plain dresses are usually less expensive then the ones with lace, pearls beads etc..

You could buy a plain dress and add lace, beads etc.. yourself. Or get someone to do it for you.

Rent or borrow a dress. If you like your mothers, sisters or friends dress ask them if you could borrow it. But dont be offended if they refuse as a wedding dress is very sacred to most women.

Look around second hand shops charity shops. Youll be surprised at the amount they get given, and they are usually inexpensive.

The venue
Book the ceremony reception well in advance you may be able to negotiate a better price then you would if you left it to the last minute.

Have your wedding on off peak months. November to April rates will probably be reduced. Christmas weddings are more expensive though so if you are planning a Christmas wedding you will have to cut your finances.

Instead of a grand ballroom or banquet hall, think less expensive venues, like publicly owned buildings and parks, registry office, the church or temple hall, the backyard, the beach, a restaurants private room. You may have to get a permit to marry in a public place, but it will be less than a private banquet room.

Catering
Look around for caterers. Get different quotes before you decide on one.

Choose cheaper entrees, like prawns instead of lobster, vegetables like broccoli instead of asparagus will cut the cost, too.

Cut down on courses. If youre having a cocktail hour, do you really need an appetizer course Do you need soup and salad

Instead of waiter service, have a buffet bar.

Think ethnic Mexican, Indian, Italian, or Chinese food is fun and much cheaper per person than the traditional wedding menu. See if your favorite restaurant caters.

If you are having a themed wedding create your menu around the theme.

Have the wedding cake only as dessert and eliminate any other sweets eclairs, pastries, etc..

Consider a wedding breakfast or brunch omelettes, muffins, pancakes, French toast, or a tea a variety of tea flavors, finger sandwiches, scones and jams, etc. to save money.

The more tiers and decorations your cake has the more expensive it will be.

Buy your own drink it will work out a lot cheaper then paying the caterers or venues prices.

Photos
Compare hourly fees and package deals to see which is more cost effective for you.

Give disposable cameras as wedding favours. Then you can get copies of the days events from family and friends.

Have a professional photographer take the formal pictures and shoot the ceremony have guests take all reception photos.

Visit your local colleges photography department and check out some of the students portfolios. They will do your photography a lot cheaper and just as good as a professional

Ask friends and family to video the big day for you.

Flowers
Use flowers that are in season and/or locally grown theyre less expensive than out of season flowers that must be shipped to your area.

Have bouquet with just a few large flowers, like orchids, tulips, lilies, or sunflowers, tied with a ribbon.

If you are marrying at Christmas or Easter, your church may already be decked out beautifully.

Arrange to share the cost of ceremony decorations with the couple marrying directly before or after you that day.

Use silk or dried flowers instead of fresh ones in table centerpieces.

Music
DJs are less expensive than live bands.

Ask a family member or friends child to sing at the reception.

Hire music for the evening reception only. People are usually to busy chatting to notice any way.

Ask at the local college university for young musicians.

Invitations
Send invitations that are light enough when completely assembled to require only a single stamp for mailing.

Make your own invitation cards. They are cheaper and more personal.

If you are having a themed wedding make cards to do with the theme.

Transportation
Limousines are cheap enough to hire for an hour. Find out in advance how long the ceremony will take.

Only hire a limo for the bride and groom, have attendants driven in relatives’cars, or have them drive themselves in groups.

You might be able to hire a horse and carriage for just as less. Check the Yellow pages for any in your area.

We hope these are of some use to you. Good luck

Yes, you can eat healthy at a restaurant. You miss out on all the fun of being with your friends and having a great time and enjoy yourself. You can go out and have fun and stick to your healthy, low fat diet, but it will take some planning and some discipline.

Plan Ahead

See if the restaurant has a website. If it does, go there and look at the menu. What are the types of dishes? Do they have low calorie, smaller proportioned dishes? Is there a section labeled “we only use oils that have no trans-fats or low fat”? Are the actual calories for each dish displayed? You can use this as a guideline to what you are going to order.

If it is a spur of the moment thing, you do not need to worry. You can always look over the menu when you get there and ask the staff lots of questions that were outlined above.

What To Do When You Get There

You arrive at the restaurant. The first thing you do is to look over the menu. If the waiter asks if you want some bread or crackers, just tell him or her no thank you. If they put the breadbasket on the table without your asking, push it to the other side. The further away they are, the less tempting they will be.

Keep this in mind, you are trying to limit the number of calories you consume. Bread and crackers (and who knows what ingredients are in them) are loaded with calories. Not only that, but also most places serves real butter. Again, that is to be avoided.

When you are seated, ask for water and keep sipping it throughout the meal.  This will help to make you feel full sooner and so you will not over eat. The idea here is portion control.

Many Italian restaurants have dishes that are made with a tomato-based sauce, like marinara. Mexican restaurants will feature salsa. So, have a few tortilla chips dipped in this low fat sauce. Again, the idea here is to limit the number of calories you are eating.

Watch out for those items that are deep-fried in oil. One place we know of has an appetizer that has asparagus dipped in a batter that is deep-fried. Do not order dishes like that.  Finally, when they ask if you want to see the dessert menu, just say no.

Yes, you can eat healthy at restaurants, and keep to your low-fat diet. You do not need to stay home all the time and not have fun. One other thing, if you do indulge in some foods that are high in calories and fat, that is not the end of the world. Don’t fret about it. Just adjust your meals afterwards and then keep on the right path. There is no need to give up altogether. You can enjoy life and keep to your diet plan, just go to http://finallyadietthatworks.com/eatingout.html.