I took a long weekend plane trip with my daughter to just north of Los Angeles to check out a school that she is interested in. I won’t mention the city, since I don’t want to offend anyone who might live there. But, it was a culinary wasteland.

We stayed at a mid-priced chain motel where a buffet breakfast was served each morning. If I had been strict BTD, I would have only eaten the scrambled eggs and whole fruits (apples, bananas, and oranges) that were there. And it would have been quite enough and satisfying. But….they had the "dreaded" bacon next to the eggs every day. I couldn’t resist.

We couldn’t find any restaurants in town that weren’t part of a national chain. There was Applebee’s and Chili’s and Marie Callendar, to name a few. Lots of pizza places. One chain restaurant is the same as another to me. It seems they all serve the same kind of foods. I was able to find at least one compliant entrée on each menu. I know they were full of hidden avoids. And, being with my daughter, who is not BTD, I couldn’t be too picky about food. (I’m a wimp). And I did eat some wheat.

For lunch one day we found a Jamba Juice. They had one berry smoothie that was 'dairy based' instead of soy. I was happy for that.

Each morning I woke up with a swollen face. Ugh! Evidence of dry motel air and avoid foods. And I am three pounds heavier today than I was last Thursday morning. That will take me until Friday to shake off.

It will be a long week.

But, the trip served its purpose. Daughter decided against this school and is closer to some real decision making in her life. The weekend wasn’t totally lost.