Escaping Winter (To Canada?)

Jade and I, Chateau Frontenac, QC, Canada

Every year, when July rolls around in Argentina, I happily announce that I'm "escaping winter" and heading to Canada.

Yes, I realize how ridiculous that sounds.

For anyone unfamiliar with Canadian weather, saying you're escaping winter by flying to Canada feels a bit like saying you're escaping water by jumping into a lake. Still, for a few glorious weeks between mid-July and mid-August, Canada is exactly where I want to be.

This summer's visit was particularly special. We spent time with my parents, my brother and sister-in-law, caught up with dear friends, and, of course, I got to enjoy time with my niece. Watching her grow and discover the world is one of my greatest joys.

One of the highlights of our trip was a weekend getaway to Québec City and Île d'Orléans. If you've never visited, imagine charming historic streets, beautiful countryside, and farm stands overflowing with seasonal produce.

As someone who has always loved food, not just eating it, but understanding where it comes from, I was completely in my element.

We went berry picking, visited a wonderful goat cheese producer, and stopped at a beautiful farm specializing in blackcurrants. They transformed those little berries into everything from gin and hot sauce to salad dressings, sweets, and other delicious products. We even visited a gourmet chocolate shop where my niece was determined to try Dubai chocolate after seeing it all over TikTok. She also convinced us to bring home some dark chocolate and a strawberry bark that disappeared much faster than I care to admit.

More than anything, I loved watching her connect the dots between the food on her plate and the farms that produce it. In a world where everything seems to arrive instantly, there's something special about seeing children learn where food actually comes from.

Of course, vacations often come with another topic that many of my clients worry about: food.

As many of you know, I am currently in maintenance with my Metabolic Balance program. My mom, however, was still actively losing weight during this trip. She had been following the program since January and was understandably a little nervous about how she would manage a weekend away from home.

The answer?

Balance.

Were there challenging moments? Absolutely.

But most of the time, we found restaurants where we could build meals around lean proteins and vegetables instead of deep-fried foods. We enjoyed fresh salads, a delicious taco bowl, poke, chicken bowls, and one of my all-time favorite meals at Chez Victor in Québec City.

And yes, we also enjoyed treats.

We shared a BeaverTail (for my international readers: a delicious pastry covered in cinnamon and sugar, not the actual tail of a beaver), sampled gourmet chocolate, and enjoyed a drink or two.

The weekend wasn't perfect.

It wasn't supposed to be.

What mattered was that my mom followed her plan consistently before the trip, enjoyed herself while we were away, and returned to her routine as soon as we got home.

The result? She still lost weight that week.

Mom and Dad, in Tadoussac

Speaking of my mom, she recently reached an incredible milestone: 80 pounds lost and now successfully maintaining her weight. I'm incredibly proud of her.

Her experience reminds me of something I've learned over and over again.

Healthy living isn't about perfection. It's about consistency.

Many people abandon their healthy habits the moment they leave home. They assume a vacation automatically means overeating, drinking excessively, and abandoning every routine they've worked so hard to build.

It doesn't have to be that way.

In fact, during the eight years I lived and worked in Roatán, I spent most of my time surrounded by vacationers. If anyone had a reason to view every day as a holiday, it would have been me.

Over time, I developed a few simple habits that helped me stay balanced without feeling deprived.

First, you don't need to try everything.

Unless you're staying at a luxury resort charging thousands of dollars per night, chances are the buffet will repeat itself during the week. If you miss something today, it will probably be there tomorrow.

Choose one protein. Chicken, fish, pork, seafood if it works for you. Then fill your plate with vegetables. I usually gravitate toward grilled vegetables or the salad bar and skip the fried options.

Most of the time, drink water with your meals. Your body and, for my scuba divers out there, your dives will thank you.

When it comes to dessert, fruit is often my first choice. That said, if there's something truly special on the dessert table, I enjoy it and move on. Life is too short to ignore a really good slice of yuca cake.

One small word of caution: if fruit isn't a regular part of your diet at home, vacation is probably not the time to start eating massive amounts of it. Your digestive system may have opinions about that decision.

Finally, move a little.

You don't need intense workouts.

Take a walk on the beach. Explore the local streets. Swim. Go for a hike. Go diving if that's your thing. Small amounts of activity add up and help you feel better throughout your trip.

At the end of the day, vacations are meant to be enjoyed.

They're also temporary.

A few shared desserts, a special meal, or a cocktail on a beautiful summer evening won't undo months of healthy habits. What makes the difference is what happens before and after.

Enjoy the trip.

Taste the local food.

Make the memories.

Then come home and carry on.

That's what balance looks like.

Wishing you good food, good company, and a little balance wherever life takes you.

Julie