Happy Friday! I’ve just spent the entire week in Sunny California (San Diego, to be exact) with family and will be returning home later tonight. While I normally share my weekly meal prep on Fridays, I thought it’d be fun to show you what the Hungryman and I ate during this trip.

I know so many people, both personally and professionally, who become so fearful and stressed out about dining out while vacationing that they don’t get to enjoy the whole experience to the fullest. I know because I was that person. Then there are people who are on a mission to eat a giant cheeseburger every day since they are in “vacation mode.”

My advice is to avoid black or white thinking. Instead, eat MINDFULLY and in MODERATION. Mindful eating is about honoring your hunger and listening to your body’s internal fullness signals. It’s about being fully present with the eating experience (noticing all your senses) and what’s on the plate in front of you. What it’s NOT is allowing your food rules or emotions to dictate what and how much you put into your body.

// Spotted so many hummingbirds on this trip!!

Eating tasty food is pleasurable and fires all kinds of happy hormones so ENJOY it! The anxiety caused by your food rules can be more damaging than the food itself. Try foods that are unique to the area you’re visiting. Put your utensils down when you feel full and satisfied, regardless of how much or how little food is left on the plate. After eating a cheeseburger, pizza, pasta, etc., your body may start to crave a salad or something fresh. Listen to those internal cues and enjoy some fresh goodness because you crave it, not because you think it’s the “right” thing to do.

All this to say, everything will balance itself out, and you won’t come back 10 pounds heavier than when you had left. I promise. Our bodies are a lot more intuitive and efficient than what we give ourselves credit for. What you will return home with are feelings of refreshment and satisfaction, knowing that you enjoyed your time away to the fullest.

So how did I do on my trip? Let’s take a look, shall we? 😉

 Day 1

 // Arrived at our home away from home around 1pm, and we decided to take it easy on this first day.

Lunch @Miguel’s Cocina in Coronodo Island: Appetizer to share – Queso Fundido Mar y Tierra (basically upgraded cheese dip with shrimp and chorizo). MJ : fish and chicken tacos, the Hungryman: Pollo Asado Burrito. The food was decent. We’ve def been spoiled with AMAZING Tex-Mex.

We were all so tired from the time difference and traveling all day that we got takeout from Village Pizzeria – The Works and Pepperoni pizzas. Everyone agreed – it was just OK.

Day 2

 // Spent the majority of the day at Balboa Park. So many museums in one place!!

Breakfast: Although I didn’t take a picture, we had our breakfasts in the room all week long in the form of breakfast sandwiches with egg, cheese, and jelly.

Lunch @ Balboa Park – MJ: grilled chicken fiesta taco salad, the Hungryman: chicken pesto panini. Surprisingly, we really enjoyed this meal!

Dinner @ The Kebab Shop – MJ: Falafel doner, the Hungryman: Lamb/beef doner. You guys…this place was so so good!! It was hands down the best falafel I’ve ever had. The price was very affordable and portions super generous.

 Day 3

// Zoo day! The highlight was seeing the 3 day old baby hippo with his mommy ;).

Lunch @ the zoo (Saber Tooth Grill). MJ: grilled chicken sandwich, the Hungryman: Incredible Nachos. Blah…typical park food – Overpriced, mediocre flavor.

Dinner @ Carnitas’ Snack Shack. The Hungryman picked this place (less than 2 miles from the zoo) bc it was on Zagat’s top 10 burgers of San Diego list. You know how much the man loves his burgers. While the run-down taco stand facade concerned us at first, we couldn’t stop raving about all the amazing flavors in all of the dishes we ordered. We all ordered something different and got to try a little bit of everything.

MJ’s favorite – Triple Threat Pork Sandwich – pork loin schnitzel, pulled pork, bacon, pepperoncini relish, shack aioli (I Know!)  and Beet Terrine – local beets, goat cheese, spinach, balsamic glze.

Although the Hungryman went here for the burger, his favorite also was the Triple Threat Pork Sandwich. It was epic.

Day 4 

// This was my favorite day. Not just because it was my birthday, but because we got to enjoy the gorgeousness that is La Jolla and I got to toast with the lovely EA from The Spicy RD!

Lunch @ La Jolla. After walking around the area, we ended up at The Sandwich Club. I really wasn’t feeling sandwiches since we had it the night before, so I went next door to the Lean and Green Cafe.

MJ: Power bowl with brown rice, quinoa, black beans, kale, salsa, and olive oil. It was just what I needed. The Hungryman: Blue Chip sandwich – Thinly Sliced Steak with Mushroom and Onion, Provolone Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, and Mayo.

Dinner @ Mitch’s Seafood. We shared: the Fisherman’s Stew – a huge bowl of clams, mussels, grouper, calamari, shrimp…in tomato white wine broth & two tacos – beer battered rock cod and yellow tail served on corn tortillas with lime crema, shredded cabbage, and salsa fresca.

Fresh, local seafood. Cool atmosphere. Awesome price. Two thumbs up!

Day 5

// Meet Ms. Cody, a 26 year old Macaw

Lunch @ Cucina Urbana. We ordered a Margherita pizza and a giant meatball to share. I’m very particular when it comes to my pizza crust, and this one did not disappoint! It was perfectly airy and chewy…just the way I like it. We would’ve ordered another pizza if the restaurant hadn’t been closing in less than 10 minutes. We had a very late lunch.

Happy hour/Dinner @ McP’s Irish Pub. At this point, we couldn’t believe that it was already our last night in San Diego! Goodbyes are always so tough. We decided to have our one last hurrah at this pub, which was literally 5 minutes away from our hotel. I had their house wine, and Tim enjoyed his Moscow mule (click here for our twist on the mule – mango peach mule). As you can see, lots of finger foods graced our table. We continued the party back at our hotel, and needlessly to say, I drank my calories in alcohol this evening. It was good times.

We are planning to go out for a brunch at Clayton’s before our flight. I’ll be sure to share it on Instagram since I won’t have time to upload it to this post. I’m so glad we got to try so many delicious foods San Diego has to offer! Hopefully, we will return to this gorgeous city soon!