too much food
Breakfast buffets have been my downfall lately. I’ve been reasoning that if I’m going to pay 35 euros for breakfast then I’m going to get my money’s worth.
I blame my Indian father for this ridiculous logic.
Afternoon tea at the Ritz-Carlton in Madrid.
So I’ve gone from simple breakfasts at home consisting of protein shakes to eating lavish plate after plate of things like smoked salmon covered with cream cheese and capers. Scrambled eggs loaded with butter and salt. Samosas. Pancakes. Fresh mozzarella. Dried figs and raisins.
The best smoked salmon - at the Westin Madrid breakfast buffet.
Jam straight out of a tiny jar – no bread needed. Digestive biscuits. Nutella on a spoon. Churros with chocolate – sorry, I don’t understand the appeal of this dessert! Spanish donuts. Too much tea and coffee. Freshly squeezed orange juice.
Sitting under this beautiful stained glass in the hotel restaurant each morning didn't exactly make me want to stop eating.
When we reached Madrid I realized I had to stop. I had to stop before my clothes stopped fitting and I was faced with a whole new set of problems.
The hotel definitely felt like a palace...so pretty.
So for breakfast today I had a piece of toast, a kiwi, and a glass of water.
I felt like I let my dad down but at least I didn’t feel sick to my stomach.
Our living room at the Westin Palace Madrid.
Ali, on the other hand, consumed a bowl of fruit, an omelet stuffed with avocado, a bowl of cereal, 2 croissants covered in raspberry jam, a sourdough roll, a glass of both orange and pomegranate juice, and 2 cups of tea loaded with sugar. All at one meal.
How much you want to bet he hasn’t gained an ounce?
While I'm not going to win Mother/Wife of the Year Award anytime soon, I haven't killed anyone yet or shot myself in the head. And that, my friends, is how I calculate success these days. 
FANCY THAT FANCY THIS 
LOL! I am a sucker for getting my money’s worth too!!
Are you Indian by any chance? 🙂
Haha your dad sounds like my mom- she hates taking me to buffets because I don’t make my money’s worth…Sorry, I’m not sorry that I don’t always want a glass of champagne with my lunch! The variety at breakfast buffets kill me–> I always want to try a bit of everything, overdo it, and then justify that it’ll hold me over through lunch as well…yeah right, my appetite is on fire when I visit new places! Glad you’re having a fun, albeit stuffed, time :D…and as for Ali, I feel the frustration, my friend…I share the same sentiments towards my brother who can eat whatever he wants without a care in the world or without putting an ounce on!
I was so full from breakfast that I would usually skip lunch! It was a gross feeling.
Ooooooh, I know now where I want to stay if/when I make it to Madrid!
I like that you mention the jam “straight ot of a jar” and “nutella on a spoon”. Some condiments were meant to be enjoyed solo…er, actually I guess they aren’t meant to be, but that’s how I like ’em:)
Me too. Why bother with the bread? The taste comes shining through directly on the spoon!!
Ooooooo…. It sounds like you are having a great time.
And enjoy! Your on vacation…. So what if you wear yoga pants for a week or two when you get back…. Everyone in LA does. Plus, how often can you justify eating nutella off a spoon in public?
Oh yes, the yoga pants are ready and waiting for me!
I try not to go to buffet, always end up eating more than I should because one, I want to try everything an two, I am Chinese so we were taught at an early age to not waste food. Not eating enought for what I have paid for is wasting food… LOL!
I was taught never to waste food either! This is a huge huge problem for me.
it is a GOOD LOGIC 🙂
all that foooooood .. wowo
Too much food…far too much!
Don’t even get me started on men and their metabolisms…or Digestive biscuits. Oh my gosh, the chocolate coated ones? I used to have friends bring them back to me from England, but now I can find them in my local grocery store. Not good. Not good at all.
The chocolate coated biscuits are the best! And even though I can get them here I always bring some back from my trips. They just seem so much better when I get them directly from England!
men…
This is why I can’t do buffets with my family. We go crazy. Because, just like your dad, my dad always says (probably in the middle of chewing a massive bite of food), “gotta get your money’s worth”.
This is also the excuse I use for eating too much from the pantry (“what? the chips were going to go stale if I didn’t eat all of them in one sitting…”).
I’m totally laughing at the visual of your dad talking while chewing…
I always overdo it on vacations!! It’s hard not to because you feel like you should indulge because your just doing it this once!
I don’t usually have a problem so I’m not sure what my issue was on this trip? Breakfast buffets – I think I need to avoid them permanently.
Indian parents will do that to you! Hey, at last Ali’s eating enough to make up for both you and Maya – win win!
Good point! Although Maya held her own, I must say.
Some men can be so frustrating that way! They eat and don’t gain. Thank goodness that Ralph has the courtesy to put on a few pounds after a splurge, like the holidays! We’re both trying to get back on track. I am enjoying your vacation photos So Much! That stained glass dome is Incredible!
I’m glad Ralph “has the courtesy” to gain weight…you crack me up.
We’re all trying to get back on track I think!
i can soooooooooo relate to that mentality…always brings me down-thank you for giving me my parents as the scapegoats…yes, they are…”finish karo, we’ve paid for it” syndrome:(
and please don’t bother about fitting into clothes-those are the first world problems:-)
So true…clothes fitting me is such a small thing in the grand scheme of things. I just need to keep repeating that….
Smoked Salmon….my husband stuffed his face with it at every breakfast in Vegas and I think it was more to make me jealous, since I obviously cannot have any right now. You have no idea how many times I fought the urge to grab the sandwich from him…
My post pregnancy meal is definitely going to be smoked salmon sandwich with tons of capers.
Can you not have smoked salmon? I know that lunch meats were off limits for me but I didn’t know about the salmon?
And really, I ate the lunch meat anyway. I couldn’t help it!
I know right? I never understand either why most men don’t seem to easily gaining weight like women do. I like Ali’s breakfast better though (I will not survive if I only eat what you had for breakfast today – bravo to you!), except I’ve never head of stuffed avocado omelet.
Have a great weekend!
I used to have Ali’s metabolism but then Maya came along…and the rest is history!
I am the same way about trying to eat my money’s worth in those situations and good for you for attempting to reign it in. Oh and I am with you on the churros and chocolate. When I first tried that in Madrid, I thought I was going to barf. Too greasy.
So glad you agree! They were way too greasy. Even Maya wouldn’t take another bite!
Ahhh – Madrid!!! My best friend moved there almost six years ago so I get to visit every once in a while! Hahaha – at least Ali ate for the both of you and I would definitely say you guys got your money worth even with your toast and kiwi 🙂 Happy Friday!!
Lucky you! I’m envious of your visits to Spain! I wish I had a reason to go back again…soon…
not into the churros con chocolate?! Maybe the rest of us put to much hype into it!
oh and for breakfast, I’ll have what Ali’s having.
also, gorgeous hotel! keep these pics coming.
I even sought out the place you had the churros but we just couldn’t do it! Not sure if it’s an acquired taste?
Curses to Ali and his fast metabolism. I love fresh squeezed O.J., my trick is to fill my glass about a third with juice and then the rest of the way with water. I am so used to drinking it like that. Another trick is to mix some oatmeal and eggs together. It may not sound good but I love it and it is very filling and doubles your size of breakfast.
What beautiful places you’ve stayed. We almost went to Fresno but then canceled our trip. See I am a world traveler too!
I tried mixing oatmeal and eggs together but something about the texture just made me keep gagging! I couldn’t do it.
Pshaw! Everyone knows the calories you consume during vacation don’t count!
This is VERY good to know!! 🙂
buffets in general are just a bad idea for me. I am a notorious portion-control violator, and when there’s not limit, I am guaranteed to overeat.
I have no problems with portion control until I see a buffet. And then I just feel like it’s all going to get wasted if I don’t eat it. Plus the money’s worth thing….
Lol! I bet Ali is going to say that he has to eat so much to make up for how little you’re consuming, that way he gets his money’s worth.
Good point. Although I know this never occurred to my husband! He just eats. No thoughts surround his eating.
At least you stopped yourself before it was too late! 😛
Nah, but at least you did get your money’s worth the first time around and hopefully you did enjoy those indulgences (churros w/ chocolate!!!)
By the end of the trip I definitely had a handle on the buffet…so glad I got it together!
Don’t men make you sick? I’m a big one for getting my money’s worth too so when it’s buffet style I’m more likely to go overboard which is why buffet’s are not a good thing for me at all. What a lovely elegant hotel. I’ll hop on a plane and be over in about 12 hours so leave a key for me at the front desk! I wish. Have fun.
The key is at the front desk. 🙂 We’ve checked out so the timing is perfect!
Oh, I’m sure Ali didn’t gain a thing. Hubby is 6’3″ and weighs in at a whopping 170. On MY cooking! The dork! Are you home? I want to get that box started with fresh baked stuff if yes. To make up for that toast and kiwi junk. 🙂
Send it on over MC! I can’t wait. And I won’t be sharing. 🙂
The room does look like a palace! I hope it’s a great vacation!
Buffets during Europe travel seem nearly inevitable, don’t they? And of course everything has to be so tempting!
You put it perfectly: the buffets are ubiquitous and are tempting for sure. I need to learn to step away!
Breakfast buffets are the best ever! They are the highlight of any travel related stay. I love the suite that you guys have put up in.
Absolutely, breakfast is the highlight of any trip!
We were in Hawaii recently, my husband and I, and we just keep going back there to eat the amazing sea food. Both of us are gluttons (I’m so not ashamed to call myself one) and this was one of those trips that we planned ONLY to eat.
This one day at dinner, i started feeling sick with all that food (and I was just 1/4th of the way through a mahi-mahi stuffed with lobster, shrimp and crab dinner) and said – ‘I’m gonna throw up, i’m sick’, and i meant every word of it. My husband looked up from his dinner of fish slathered in butter and lemon and who knows what and said – ‘I have Alka Selzer in the car. Just mix that with water and then finish your meal slowly. You’re only gonna regret throwing up this good meal’. I followed his advise. I’m glad i did! :).
But, if there’s anything I gather from all your posts, you having amazing self control. I’m Indian, i will go to any length to justify the money spent!
This is totally something Ali would say! And he has things like Alka Selzer within his reach at all times.
This really cracked me up! Love the honesty Ashwini!
Your pictures are taking me to wonderful places that we have on our mind to visit in the years to come…Thanks for posting those…and I don’t think a bit of food would make a big difference to you anyways, you are in such great shape!!!…Vacations are meant for breaking all rules, getting spoilt and pampered…at least that is my take ! Of course I am too much of a foodie and I lack that self control and maybe that’s just my way of justiying the feeling I get after having eaten it all 🙂
Thanks Tandra! And when you do go to Spain let me know. I have tons of recommendations for you!
OMG Don’t even get me started on buffets. It pretty much made up my childhood and I’d like to credit 20% of my extra pounds to buffets. I’m still an addict and any buffet for smoked salmon would send me over the moon! 🙂
And I too hate when Binks and I eat the same thing and I hear him exclaim, “I lost 4 pounds.” I on the other hand would have gained 8!!!
The smoked salmon sent me AND Maya over the moon. Some of the best we’ve ever had!
I bet Ali lost 4 pounds. It just seems unfair.
An omlete stuffed with an avocado?
That sounds like the most amazing deeelish health food combo ever.
Is it wrong that I want to eat that entire stand of goodies?
Ideally it would be healthy but it was dripping in butter and oil so I’d have to say it wasn’t healthy at all! But it looked good nonetheless.
Ugh it’s so unfair. Men can eat anything!
Yes…this mystifies me.
Oh honey, I’m the same way. We’re about to go stay at the Hyatt in Kauai. They have a similar breakfast buffet. I doubt we’ll do it every day, but when we do, I am basically going to sit there and eat all day long. Like maybe until dinner. Because for $35, they might as well rub your feet and shoulders while you are eating. And if they aren’t going to rub your feet, then you might as well pig out. I am definitely with your dad on this one.
Haha…I said something similar to Ali like, “I just want to stay here all day and keep eating.”
Hawaii is so pretty! You are one lucky lady.
haha well, Ali got his money’s worth out of that meal. Thats a LOT of food.
I have a hard time with buffets for this exact reason. I want to get what I paid for, but I also want to try everything just so I don’t miss out on anything good. Its dangerous.
There isn’t enough room to try everything…I learned this the hard way.
Ha, I totally get the breakfast buffet thing. When my family travelled to Europe we were paying something like 20 euros for breakfast and I have never seen my dad pack in so much food. His rationale was that I clearly wasn’t eating my share (nor was my mother) so he would make up for it. He also stuffed our purses with any portable fruit. The man knows how to get his money’s worth. lol
I saw people pocketing fruit! I couldn’t believe it. But I’m not above taking opened mini- jars of jam – I reason that the hotel will just throw it out anyway….Ali thinks I’m nuts.
Samosas at breakfast!? Sounds like heaven to me!
Agreed. Samosas anytime are fantastic!
i love how my body knows, on vacation, to magically make more stomach room.
I need tips on how to do this Lynn!
Ah, afternoon tea and starched white, yet fluffy sheets. What a great time!
Afternoon tea was one of the highlights!!
Oh wow…. I can see why you’d have a hard time resisting. And yes, the Indian genes are strong when it comes to value for money 😛
Pfft. Men. Evs is exactly the same. Eats what he wants and gains nothing. Otherwise he goes for a 10k run and all is good in his world again.
10k? That is pretty impressive. At least Evs earns his appetite!
Haha I’d maxed out my breakfast food as well if I have to pay that much!! Blame it on my Asian-Chinese heritage..haha!
That smoked salmon looks divine!! Omelet with avocado sounds so awesome! I just made one for lunch today as well! Looks like you are enjoying your trip!
I guess this is common for most Asians…Indian, Chinese, it doesn’t seem to matter!
–Ameena,
It must be quite difficult to “Not Indulge” in all that gorgeous sweetness.
Why not wait until you get home to slow down…and savor…. Every— Single— Bite.
XX Kisssss
I need to learn to savor! I’m too busy stuffing my face, as though it’s going to be snatched away from me! So silly.
I know that your last post was “Europe is expensive”, and I would like to second (or third, fourth, one-hundredth that). It’s crazy, especially in Spain. You would think that they would want to promote more tourism by dropping prices just a wee bit, but no!
I recommend that you put food in napkins and sneak it out. That would TOTALLY scandalize the Spanish, but as long as you don’t care about being culturally “sensitive”!
And, I’m sure that this is cold comfort for you, but I always gain weight in Spain.
What amazes me is that the news talks all about Spain’s “austerity” but I didn’t see any such thing over there! People shop. And eat. And shop some more. It’s crazy expensive!
I’m not a big breakfast person, but I’d eat a lot of it if it were good croissants, smoked salmon and fruit.
Even if you aren’t a breakfast person you just can’t help it over there!
Oh my gosh this post made me so hungry. Not to mention incredibly jealous that you’re in Madrid. I’m with your father on this one, get your moneys worth! How often do you get to eat wonderful breakfast food that someone else had to prepare?
Love your blog.
xxx
Sibyl
http://www.sibylputyourclotheson.com
Thanks Sibyl!! For the compliment and for reading. 🙂
I want to go back to Europe, right now. Trying to plan a trip over the summer. We’ll see. That hotel in Madrid looks fantastic.
We ate breakfast buffets like that on our honeymoon in Italy. It was amazing. 43 euros a day at the St. Regis though? insanity.
If you end up going to Madrid/Barcelona/Paris and need recommendations let me know!
My husband has this syndrome of getting all the available food’s worth especially during any sorts of buffets 🙂 🙂 I am only half as bad as him, which is also enough to make be burst out of my clothes 😉 😉
And he always loses weight I bet?? 🙂
Eating well is a good habit, everybody does.
Eating is one thing…over-indulging is another story! And I did the latter.
Holy Wow, what a beautiful hotel you are staying in. I have no control when it comes to tables full of food. I’d have to go to some sort of weight loss clinic after that vacation. The wallpaper in your hotel room is gorgeous!
I need a clinic of some kind right now. 🙂
yeah, i love getting my money’s worth too, it’s the Indian in me. I love buffet breakfasts, they actually work out pretty well in europe since you can skip lunch and go straight to dinner. When I was there, we typically just had coffee for breakfast, lunch, tea time, and dinner. so really 2 meals a day, else it’s so easy to get fat there. OMG, i LOVE the blue stained ceiling with the chandelier, it is so beautiful. So you stayed at the Ritz and Westin in Madrid? 2 hotels.
We stayed at the Ritz in Barcelona and the Westin Palace in Madrid. We did go to high tea at the Madrid Ritz though…
That’s a BEAUTIFUL hotel right there! I hate people who eat truckloads and don’t gain an ounce…it’s just not fair. Breakfast buffets make me go nuts because I want to eat everything on the tables not because I want my money’s worth but just because it’s there and I can’t make my mind up (too many because’s in this but, oh well).
I couldn’t make up my mind either! The choices were overwhelming, to say the least.
I am glad that you are enjoying yourself. I like breakfast buffets like these but late in a day like 12-2 (i guess that would make them brunch). This way I can eat whatever I want and not eat for the rest of the day since I will be too stuffed anyways.
I agree… a buffet lunch would have been a better option instead of eating SO much so early in the morning!
Ali probably lost weight on the trip. Let’s not kid ourselves about what’s actually going on here. His metabolism is identical to Marcus. p.s. You look gorgeous in that snap – I refuse to believe you are a non-makeup wearer! That being said, there is some seriously Excellent Hair going on.
Thank you Kat! You are too kind. I am indeed a non-makeup wearer, mainly because I have zero experience in application. It’s not pretty when I try – trust me on this.
I ADORE breakfast buffets– especially at Ritzes and Four Seasons…in fact they are the only type of buffet I will not shun 😉
I agree though it can be overwhelming and dangerous. I try to limit myself to getting up only once and laying everything on the table at the same time.
I got up one too many times!! It wasn’t pretty.
wow beautiful place !!! The food does look great…my relatives would parcel the food to other relatives, if not eat it themselves! haha
id be in that bed all day
“Parcel the food to other relatives.” I love it. Sounds like certain members of my family!
These buffets are the epitome of being on holiday. ALlow yourself to start the day richly and when you return home the protein shakes will be waiting. The sense of specialness and splurging enlivens your spirit, and I like how men embrace it fully, without doubt or guilt. I had a woman say at breakfast to me, “look at these hips” while placing the food in her mouth. My french friend, chomping off a bite of chocolate croissant, said “you don’t have enough time for such small matters.”
Fueling your spirit with such pretty and nourishing food….how blessed are you!
I shouldn’t have time for such small matters! Your friend is right. And since I apparently do, I think I need to focus a bit more on things that are important! Well said.
Fantastic looking place, and nice pics. I think while your on vacation in Europe – just enjoy the food and eat whatever you fancy – only worry about it when you return home.
I’m home. I’m worrying about it! 🙂
buffets are my downfall…if they’re good ones. went to an awesome one in vegas once…ate so many plates of food that i even bested all the guys. i didn’t know if i should be proud or ashamed!
Vegas buffets are the best/worst. They are scary due to their sheer size but nearly irresistible! I usually manage to avoid them though.
Life tends to be unfair with women. I guess Ali hasn’t gained an ounce, and you have to cut back to have your clothes remain fitting. (On the other hand, Ali is the 4-knives-for-sandwich-making man – not too much different from my dad, btw, who always leaves a mess in the kitchen – and probably didn’t eat much leass before, calorie-wise.
Still, life tends to be unfair to women when it comes to weight.
At least I know some guys who gained and struggle as well. It’s a shame this soothes me, but it actually does.
It would soothe me too! If I knew of a single guy who really struggles with his weight. Or who cares about it. It’s unheard of in my family!
Hooray for the Palace being all it’s cracked up to be! And I don’t understand the churros con chocolate either. So many things I’d rather eat… like that buffet you mention. 🙂
The Spaniard can “let go” while on vacation and live in every croissant filled moment. I, on the other hand still worry about my pants buttoning. Umph… I’ve accepted this. But it doesn’t mean I like it.
Again, so happy to see all of the Madrid fun. I hope you don’t mind, I’ve mentally photoshopped myself into the Ritz afternoon tea. 🙂
If you haven’t had tea at the Madrid Ritz you definitely should … especially since it’s right in your backyard! I wish you could have joined us!
Hi Ameena, It’s time to comment since I’ve been reading your blog for months now thanks to Marie@feeding five. I really enjoy reading Fancy This Fancy That. I think you are so funny and smart with your posts, really entertaining and fun to read. You are staying at some amazing places. Thanks for sharing the pictures. You’re daughter is precious as are you. Take care,
Shauna
PS.. I would just keep enjoying the food! You’ll be home soon to your same routine, so I guess I’m on your dad’s side…. 🙂
Thank you Shauna! Your comment just made my entire evening – you have no idea!
So what you are trying to tell me is that since I did need to book my room for Madrid sometime this week (it really is on my to-do list) I need to consider the Westin Madrid. It looks awesome!
Definitely consider it…and if you book it through Amex they throw in a bunch of cool perks!
Love this post. It’s so easy in beautiful surroundings and when you’re paying to eat in a way you never would at home. And once you start eating like that it’s almost as though your body wants to continue. Beautiful living room reminds me of the Alvear Palace in Argentina. Still jealous though less so now that you’re eating churros.
Argentina is on my list! I can’t wait to go there…
I love how international buffets consider samosas to be breakfast food. When we went to Thailand, they had an Indian chef make a new Indian specialty for breakfast each morning. That in addition to a full dim sum bar, all manner of sushi, and pasta. Needless to say, breakfast was my only meal of the day. So glad you guys are having a good time eating your way through the world 🙂
In Malaysia I had samosa, sushi, idli, sambar, and an omelet for breakfast. Asia has some crazy amazing buffets!
I am now craving smoked salmon…if you’re not going to eat yours, can you Fed Ex it over to me? That way you’re getting your money’s worth and not overindulging…win win!
I would FedEx it … except that I’m already back home. Do you want some of my “color-added” smoked salmon sourced from the spotless waters of Vietnam? Just say the word.
OMG I am exactly like that. You should see me at buffets. I’m the woman people are scared of! But you’ll be proud of me. Last week, we went to an Indian lunch buffet and I only served myself once. That too, nothing with cream in it made its way on to my plate. And I’m so sure Ali hasn’t gained any weight. My husband is the same. I on the other hand ran for an hour on the treadmill 6 days last week. And gained 2 lbs. I want to cry.
Indian lunch buffets are a killer…but usually the food is SO greasy that I don’t really get all that tempted!
I’m so sorry about your 2lbs. I feel your pain my friend. 😦
at least you snuck in some broccoli for breakfast ;). i LOVE breakfast buffets!!! what a great start to the day while on vacation.
I think the broccoli was the only vegetable I’d eaten in like 5 days! Remarkable for me.
I think buffets are most people’s downfall. I always try so hard to eat my money’s worth which just ends with me having a stomachache! lol Your buffets sound amazing though!
Usually I don’t have a problem with buffets but in Europe it was definitely a problem!
That really is a lot of food! And Ali eats like my boys do, amazes me!
Hi Ameena,
All that food looks so good! I love to get my money’s worth too, and yes I am Indian.
My dad would be so proud. 🙂
Hahaha…go Ali go! When it comes to food, I say party now, worry tomorrow. Also partly why I need to lose the 10 lbs I gained over the holidays. Teehee.
I felt sick but it was worth it. No regrets. 🙂