Category: food

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Happy Birthday to My Cousin

Birthdays are not a big deal to me. After all, once you hit 18 you have it all – so what’s the big deal now? But, in my family, we make a big deal out of birthdays. We always have a party on the actual day – my mom will not put off the party until the weekend or a convenient day – it HAS to be on your birthday.

So, I know that my cousin Monica is having her birthday today. And since she is out of town for the big convention,we can’t have her party tonight. I guess this time it will have to wait a few extra days.

So, sorry you are not here to celebrate, but hope you have a Happy Birthday anyway, Monica!

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The Fridge!!

One of the major intersections around our house is the refrigerator. It seems the kids are always in front of it and looking in. I have been known to open it and stare in myself. The thing is that I know for the most part what’s inside, but still hope to find a hidden morsel that will assuage my hunger. The fridge has many other uses as well.

We have many magnets on our fridge which hold any number of papers. Some are the kid’s school papers which have good grades on them and some contain semi-important phone numbers. Of course we have the usual amount of pizza places and Chinese take-out flyers. If you want something to be noticed, I think the best place to put it is on the fridge!

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Food safety

There has been some debate lately over whether or not farmers should need licenses to sell small amounts of food. Vendors at farmers markets are pushing for deregulating strict laws that put an unfair burden on them they say. Selling a few of mom’s apple pies takes a lot of government red tape that makes it almost impossible for mom to make a few extra dollars.

Those in the food safety industry are saying that controls need to remain in place. They say food borne illnesses are a threat to the public and not having the ability to inspect where food is produced will hamper their ability to maintain public safety. Small food processors also say that they could lose thousands in sells to those who don’t have to pay for inspections.

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Thanksgiving Day

Today is one of everybody’s favorite holidays. Thanksgiving has finally arrived and I am so ready to dig in to some turkey! We are going all out this year and are preparing a meal that would fit a king. You name it, we have it! We will have a house full of people and I imagine that everyone will bring something to eat with them as well. The refrigerator will surely be packed with leftovers by tonight. I also want to wish everyone a happy thanksgiving holiday!

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Happy Birthday!!

It’s that time of year again when somebody I know is having a birthday! I wanted everyone to lend me a hand in saying Happy Birthday to my niece Amanda who is turning 5 years old today. I hope she will have a great day and I’m sure she will.

I was informed that Amanda will be spending the day at a local Chucky Cheeses with several of her friends. I believe that along with all the presents she will undoubtedly receive, she’ll be in for a day to remember.

Happy Birthday Amanda!

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Are There Safe Dog Treats Anymore?

About a year ago, I was devastated to find out the my dog’s favorite treat in the whole world, chicken jerky, was killing dogs. We found out that the treats were being made in China and the Chinese were adding something to the treats and other pet food that was poison to dogs. Everyone looked to the FDA to find out what was going on and to stop it, but the FDA didn’t seemed to worry about it, as it was dogs being poisoned, not humans.

Everyone eventually stopped buying the chicken jerky treats and passing the word along to other pet owners about the thousands of dog deaths and the stores stopped selling it. Notably, WalMart was one of the very last retailers to stop carrying the poisoned dog treats. That kinda pisses me off in itself. WalMart should have been the first to raise hell with the Chinese and make them clean up their act. But, no.

I have now become suspicious of any dog food or dog treat that is not made in the USA. I was OK with the fact that dog treats are made from the less desirable parts of the animals and that it was not human grade food going into the pet food and treats. But poison? No.

Have you found any dog treats that are made in the USA and are similar to the chicken jerky treats that we used to buy? I have seen some knock offs, but they are lying on the label, saying they are made in the USA when they are actually just packaged here. The poisoned dog treats are just being put in different packaging and using deceptive wording on the label to make you believe that they are not made in China. I’m too smart to fall for that bull shit.

I have money I am willing to spend on an American made, safe dog treat. Why isn’t someone making them and selling them?

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Apple Harvest Season

Everywhere I look there are apples being sold, as October is the middle of apple harvest season. The roadside stands are full of them, the local orchards are advertising everywhere, and the grocery stores have many varieties in the produce section – all begging to be taken home to someone’s kitchen and cooked.

I like to eat an apple just out of hand rather than cooking them into something fattening. Let’s face it, most recipes that include apples also include butter, sugar and flour. Why add all that fat and cholesterol to something that tastes great right off the tree?

My favorite apple variety is still the Red Delicious Apple. This is the apple that I grew up with – my mom kept a bowl of apples on the kitchen table as a centerpiece and we were encouraged to eat an apple any time we ran in the house and complained of being hungry.

I heard that Johnny Depp lost about 100 pounds for a movie role by eating nothing but apples and drinking nothing but coffee every day for about 4 months. I find it interesting that the apple was considered healthy enough to replace all food for that long a period of time. He seems to have suffered no ill effects from starving his body like that for the movie role.

 

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Shopping Equipment for my Truck

I have started looking for some of the things I will need when I get my own truck. After just a couple weeks of shopping at truck stops and checking the internet, I have realized just how much I am going to have to spend to get my truck where I want it. I will need a trucker’s GPS and a CB radio to start.

I have looked at a couple of the GPS units that they have at the Pilot truck stops and of all of them I am either going to go with a Cobra or a Rand McNally. I haven’t decided – I really like some features on both of them. I am kinda leaning toward the McNally, because most companies build their routes using that system, but the Cobra has some really cool features, like speed trap warnings and it also tells you what lane you need to be in and when you are on a road with a weight limit.

As far as the CB radio goes, I just want one that can be heard clear and I will have to get an antenna that reaches further that the stock one that will come on the truck I get. I am eventually going to have to get a small fridge to go in the truck and a 12 volt skillet to cook with, because all of this fast food is killing me. I love a burger as much as the next man, but nothing but fast food makes my mouth water for some vegetables (and I never thought I would say that!).

I have to get back to work – time to put the tarps on my load and it takes me a while, so better get busy.

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Trainer

I am so tired, I finally got the hang of sleeping while driving and let me tell you we are on the go all the time. I love this job I have already been some very cool places. One of my life long dreams was to see California and I was really lucky that my first trip was to San Francisco. I can’t get use to the eating on the road I miss my home cooked southern food already, truck stop food consists of fried food or nothing, I am afraid I will get fat so as soon as I get my own truck I will have to get me plenty of exercise tools and weights. I am really glad the guy that’s training me is really cool and laid back. He said that it helps that he already trusts me because I am a good driver, he told me most of the time it is two weeks before he can sleep with a student driving but by the second night of me driving he was snoring up a storm. That made me feel really good and I wasn’t as nervous about making a mistake after that if he trusts me why shouldn’t I trust myself. Well wouldn’t want to get in trouble my first week so I will keep you posted and every time you pass a big truck think of me.

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Party time

So we decided to have a party and make it a seafood extravaganza. Since we got that big Marlin,  we smoked the meat in dad’s smoker. Well, dad did it since he is retired and had the time, but we also are getting oysters and clams for the party as well. It is going to be a little seafood fest for a few family and friends. We will give away some of the meat as it is just too much to keep. I know that everyone is going to have a blast though. After all, everyone loves seafood. Or at least everyone I know does.