Saturday, November 13, 2010

Is it possible to improve texture fears?

Many of my friends suffer from texture issues.  I'm talking about the type of texture issue that effects the mouth.  These friends find it nearly impossible to ignore the slimy feeling of a mushroom exploding in their mouth or mayonaise slithering down their throat. I have a few texture issues myself.  For example, I was asked to eat the outside of a kiwi at work a few days ago.  According to my principal, the furry brown coating has alot of fiber in it and is very nutritious.  Does fiber and extra nutrients cause a sinus infection?  Apparently it does for me, because I woke up with one the next morning. 

I have one friend, however, that doesn't seem to be bothered by any type texture.  Chewy, sharp, cushiony, glassy, spoiled, hairy you name it.....he will try it.  His name is Bentley. 


Okay Okay, I understand that it's not surprising that a dog wouldn't be afraid of the texture of a bone.  Just think.....how great would it be if we could chew on bones?  I would MUCH rather listen to people chewing bones at a movie theatre versus the hideous "crunch crunch crunch" sound of popcorn.  Who needs to stop at several gas stations on a road trip when you can have a bone the whole way?  Bone buying is economical.  Cut the cost of hors d'ouvres and turn your happy hour into chewy hour.  Bones are also a terrific conversation starter for a first date:

Boy:  "How long have you been working on your bone for?"
Girl:  "Ever since I visited my cousin in France.  It was a long flight and I needed something to keep me occupied."
Boy:  "You've been to France?  I would love to hear about your experience....."

Mmmmmm!  Nothing feels better on your tounge than a cold glass window.  If you suffer from allergies that cause your throat to feel a little dry and scratchy, try licking a glass window early in the morning or late in the evening.  It's especially effective in the fall because the frost covers the glass just enough to leave your throat and mouth feeling fresh.  Who needs gum, pricey allergy medicines, and popsicles when you have a free snack just outside your door?





Who would have thought an old couch cushion could satisfy your palate?  Have you ever tried licking your pillow after a long nap on a Sunday afternoon?  It's great because the texture of the clothy pillow eliminates bad breath temporarily.  If you give your pillow a quick lick, you will have just enough time to run to the bathroom and brush your teeth for a more permanent solution. 





Are you trying to be more "green?" Have you grown tired of traditional recyling?  Are you trying to find ways to eliminate global warming?  If you said yes to these three questions, you are ready to try the texture of trash.  It's a private affair.  This is not something you taste texture when someone is watching you.  Bentley usually practices his "green tactics" when he is in complete solitude.  Try taste texturing some trash while someone is in the bathroom, mowing the grass, or pulling some weeds in the yard.

Do you ever gaze out the window of your workplace and wish you could be somewhere else?  Don't we all!  Bentley discovered a solution.  All you need to do is chomp away at the blinds to your window.  Your boss will feel so bad that you have been cooped up in your office that he or she will force you out! 




For some reason, the texture of a "clean and showered leg," happens to be perfect substitution for breakfast.  This is especially great for those of you who are trying to lose a few pounds to help you look perfect for all the holiday parties.  Apparently, the soap remains on your leg is jam packed with natural vitamins that increase your metabolism.  After a quick leg lick from Bentley, he doesn't seem to care that he has a fresh bowl of water. 





I challenge you all to broaden your horizons and improve your texture fears.  Wether you decide to join the "bone movement", cure your allergies with some cold glass, or substitute your breakfast with leg licking, your palate and your bank account will thank you. 

Saturday, September 11, 2010

How to look and feel like Julia Childs


If you are wondering how to look and feel like Julia Childs, it's really very simple, all you need are three simple components.  A kitchen island, several small bowls, and a Big Girl Bib will get you started on your journey to the induction of the Culinary Institute Hall of Fame.

I'm having a love affair with this kitchen island.  Forrest and I went to war with the previous owners of our house for it.  It was brutal.  Punches were thrown, cars were keyed, windows were soaped, trees were toilet papered, and underpants were frozen.  Okay, that really didnt happen but I like to pretend it did because it makes you realize how important an island is for your kitchen. 
Ingredients for vegetable pad thai
I had a roomate in Australia who taught me a thing or two in the kitchen.  Before he cooked, he would put everything that he needed into small bowls.  This way, all you have to do is throw it in a pot at the appropriate time!  It eliminates the "oh sugar" moment you have when you realize you still need to spend the next nine minutes grating carrots or mincing garlic. 


 
When was the last time you wore an apron?  I wore one just the other day while cooking and I loved it because I had something to wipe my wet  and slimy hands on.  I also loved it because I have the most disturbing disease.  No matter what I am eating or how careful I am being, I can't seem to make it without some sort of spill on my clothes (or on other peoples clothes).  An apron is what I like to refer to as a Big Girl Bib. It's the perfect medication for a person who has been diagnosed with the disease, spillalloveryourselfdaily. The Big Girl Bib doesn't really have any side effects except they can be a bit pricy if you get too many.  The best part of the Big Girl Bib is to wear it during dinner.  That way you can say, "oh my goodness!!!  I totally forgot to take my apron off during dinner.....ha ha ha ha."  The secret is, you have just walked away from an entire meal without one speck of food on your clothes!




So get your kitchen island, some small bowls, and some Big Girl Bibs and you will be looking and feeling like Julia Childs in no time at all! Your friends will be wooed, your cooking will be fabulous, and your clothes will be clean.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

How to watch Shakespeare at an outdoor theatre

This describes our evening at The Monford Park Players .  The best part of this outdoor theatre is the picnic that you have at it.  There is nothing better than a sweaty evening mixed with dips, dips, and more dips.  Compliments of my newly discovered outlet grocery store, Amazing Savings, I was able to find gourmet dips and chips for under six bucks!







6 Things to remember while watching Shakspeare at an outdoor theatre:

1.  Keep chip chomping to a minimal.  You don't want to disturb non chip chompers around you. 

2.  Cough loudly when opening a bottle of wine.  The pop sound may scare your neighbors. 

3.  Bring a paper and pen.  You will need this to pass notes because you will not understand anything happening on stage.

4.  Practice your English accent on your way to the theatre.  There is always a possiblity you may get recruited.

5.  Wear sunglasses.  The people around you don't want to know that you are staring at them.

6.  When having a sidebar conversation with your neighbor, save your laughter until something funny happens on stage.  This will lead the audience to believe that you are paying attention.....and not staring at them.

Friday, July 30, 2010

Shish Kabobs

So my mom keeps mentioning that I only send her pictures of food over the phone and I came to the realization that I have a serious food photo problem.  I know that I am not the only person in the world with this problem but I just think that food is one of the most beautiful things in the entire world.  In fact, I think that looking at food is more fun than actually eating it.  My mother has taught me that presentation is everything so when I see something presented in a beautiful way I want to capture it immediately!  As soon as the food touches the plate I scramble to find my phone and capture a remarkable moment.  So for my first time as a real live blogger I would like to present these amazing shish kabobs my husband, Forrest, created while I was working on furthering my education in my masters class.  My masters class consists of 2-3 hours of teaching one of my besties how to use facebook, an occasional portrait of some of the students in the class in my notebook, strategically planned bathroom breaks, and facial expressions that demonstrate I am absorbing every word that brilliant people (or so they think) are saying.  So walking in the door after this mind blowing stretch of education I am pleased to see something beautiful.