Try, Try Again

Just yesterday we were patting ourselves on the back for having spent only $22.77 over the course of two weeks, and today we fell off the wagon straight into plates full of fried rice at Panda Express.

We left home with good intentions, having eaten a breakfast of homemade waffles, baked apples, and bacon. We even picked up cans of soda before our outing. Having fallen for the free 30-day trial membership hook, we headed to a DirectBuy presentation. By the time it was all over, we walked away from the trial membership just to escape the pressure tactics, but that is another story. Feeling annoyed and slightly used and abused we decided to make a pit stop at the mall to look at shoes. Of course, as we made our way to the shopping Mecca, stomachs began to rumble. We probably should have stopped at QT for a snack since that is always the least expensive option, but I didn't want to eat junk, but by the time all was spooned and plated, I probably consumed just as many calories at the mall.

The food court is a wondrous thing. Where else can a person choose from ten types of cuisine within twenty steps of each other? Though I do have to wonder if property managers and designers actually think mall food courts are enticing. There were large screen televisions dropping from the ceiling around the perimeter of the seats so noshers could watch music videos and advertisements. At the same time, echoing kitchen sounds competed with the music and voices for aural dominance. The overall affect was one of frenzied movement and a dull roar which was impossible to talk over without shouting. Still, our tummies demanded food and we surveyed the choices carefully. My husband and son made a bee-line for one of their favorites - Panda Express. I meandered the circuit waiting for something to catch my fancy. I studied pictures of brightly colored food swimming in a variety of sauces at Japanese, Mexican, and Italian cafe fronts. A couple of deli-style sandwich places smelled of seasoned fries and Philly cheese steak. Even the old-fashioned Hot Dog on a Stick had updated its menu with vegetarian corn dogs. I contemplated each place before moving to the next, and finally found myself back at Panda Express where the guys were paying.

When they arrived at the nearby table I had chosen, my husband offered to share his meal since I hadn't found anything to my liking. He reasoned this would save both money and calories, which made sense. So we ate our fried rice and vegetable spring rolls without shouting over the ambient noise before moving on to books, shoes, and other shopping goodies. The sad part is it wasn't that good. There was nothing wrong with the food; it just wasn't interesting. As we tossed the paper plates into the trash, I made a mental note to pack a cooler even if we don't think we're going to want it. So, today's lesson is live and learn. Tomorrow, we'll get back on the budget horse and eat from the trough at home.