A grand slam to the heart
Denny’s continues its celebration of obesity in America by hosting a second Grand Slam event — free Grand Slam breakfasts from 6 AM to 2 PM today. According to NYDailyNews.com, 2 million showed up for breakfasts in 2009.
Denny's Customers Line Up for Grand Slam Breakfast Event (img via Lee Bennett/flickr)
The only point I want to make here is that a Grand Slam breakfast can easily weigh in at over 800 calories. I’ve heard Adelle Davis’ kingly advice time and again, but I just cannot rationalize why some people continue to eat up these sensational and blatant digs at the nation’s attempt to curb a dire health problem.
Brilliant, resilient… Have you heard of the Doodle Diet?
Ridiculously inventive, and bordering on irrational (but in a fun way), is The Doodles Diet, Deborah Zemke’s book of 36 engaging placemats that each serve up something better to do than eat.
Obviously drawing is way more fun than skinny jeans. Kidding!!!
via chroniclebooks.com
I know some people who would love this, and a couple who’d despise it. If I actually sat down at a table to eat I’d probably consider buying it. If only…
Juxtaposed: Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?
via ffffound.com
Joyce Carol Oate’s “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” can be read here. Dedicated to Bob Dylan, you will find critical theory here. I wrote about this in college but don’t have access to the paper. The music is here.
It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue (lyrics via bobdylan.com)
You must leave now, take what you need, you think will last.
But whatever you wish to keep, you better grab it fast.
Yonder stands your orphan with his gun,
Crying like a fire in the sun.
Look out the saints are comin’ through
And it’s all over now, Baby Blue.
The highway is for gamblers, better use your sense.
Take what you have gathered from coincidence.
The empty-handed painter from your streets
Is drawing crazy patterns on your sheets.
This sky, too, is folding under you
And it’s all over now, Baby Blue.
All your seasick sailors, they are rowing home.
All your reindeer armies, are all going home.
The lover who just walked out your door
Has taken all his blankets from the floor.
The carpet, too, is moving under you
And it’s all over now, Baby Blue.
Leave your stepping stones behind, something calls for you.
Forget the dead you’ve left, they will not follow you.
The vagabond who’s rapping at your door
Is standing in the clothes that you once wore.
Strike another match, go start anew
And it’s all over now, Baby Blue.
Tasteful convenience: Just add milk
Two additions to grocery shelves — the Yoplait Smoothie and General Foods International’s line of latte drinks — offer the promise of convenience, but do they taste good?
I wonder if anything gets lost in the simplicity of these insta-beverages. The smoothie makes portioning easier by offering two servings a package. You could just buy a bag of frozen fruit, but you’d miss out on their unique flavor combinations: Strawberry Banana, Strawberry Mango Pineapple, and Triple Berry.
If you love fancy coffee drinks, of the espresso-variety, you may be tempted to try GFI’s lattes. With just some hot water or milk, you can quickly blend a Vanilla Bean, Vanilla Caramel, or Mocha latte… for a lot less than you’d spend at Starbucks (especially with their recent price increase).
Anyone who knows me can be certain I’ll give both a try. Verdict TK.
Homemade healthy sides are best served… disguised
With about an hour to pull together dinner last night I certainly ended up bowling myself over with the help of Green Giant’s newer line of frozen vegetables, Health Blends. Toss these packets with whole wheat pasta or rice and you have a quick, tasteful way to bring color and nutrition to the table — of course that’s if you don’t have time to throw a salad together. And no one really needs to learn you were not the creative genius behind these flavorful combinations of vegetables, do they?
img via bettycrocker.com
The Healthy Weight blend I mixed with bow-tie pasta got great reviews, save for the kind tip that I add some salt. I swear I am the only person in this house who pays any attention to sodium! The medley includes sliced carrots, snow peas, black beans, and edamame in a light butter sauce — with just 90 calories and 240 mg sodium per 2/3 cup serving.
Learn more about the health benefits of frozen vegetables.
