Food Shouldn’t Cause Problems

Posted inColumns, Food

I don’t like to have problems with my meals. I try really hard to avoid confrontation with food, but sometimes things spin out of control.

We faced two such instances this week. One of them might force me to write a strongly-worded letter to one of my favorite food companies.

Maria decided to make macaroni and cheese with dinner the other night. A few years ago, I managed to convince her that nothing beat Kraft mac and cheese so she headed right for the familiar blue box when she was ready to cook.

Within a few minutes, I could tell something had gone horribly wrong. She went to get a box from the mac and cheese six-pack she had bought a few months earlier and found a problem.

The six-pack was a five-pack. The sneaky people at Kraft had slipped a box with a Capri Sun sample into the mix. They totally fooled us.

Time for a Party

Posted inBeer, Columns, Cornhole, Family, Food, Wii

In the aftermath of my 40th birthday recently, I noticed something about the gifts I received. Almost every one had something to do with food or beer.

Part of me wondered what this said about me. Do I drink too much or do I just enjoy quality beer? Am I a glutton or do I just enjoy eating out? Am I so hard to buy for that people just fall back on the simplest gift?

After talking to my wife, I realized that I had no room to complain. I liked getting beer and oft cards for restaurants. Outside of someone dropping big bucks to give me a Wii, I really didn’t want anything special for my birthday. I really appreciated that people knew my tastes so well.

Vegas Trip: Mmmmm, food

Posted inAmerica, Food, Travel, Vegas

On my previous two Vegas trips, I have made mistakes. I have had a little too much to drink early in the trip, which has set me back a little. One of the consequences of that action was that I didn’t really get to enjoy a lot of good Vegas food on those trips.

I made up for that this time. I didn’t overdo it on the drinking at all and had some really good meals along the way.

Start the Day Right

Posted inBreakfast, Columns, Food

The culinary world suffered a big loss the other day. Herb Peterson, the man who invented the Egg McMuffin, died.

In 1972, Peterson changed life as we know it by deciding that you could have a sandwich for breakfast. The greatest ideas seem so simple.

I didn’t plan on writing a tribute to Herb Peterson when I started out this week’s column. In fact, when I started writing, I had no idea who the man was.

All I knew was that I love breakfast, and I wanted to share that news with the world. Then Herb Peterson died and made me think even deeper about the morning meal.

Stick to What You Know

Posted inAmerica, Columns, Food, Things I Hate

Daylight Savings Time started on a very bad weekend for us. We had an morning commitment on Sunday, which meant we had to get up earlier than usual the day after we lost an hour of sleep.

To try and help everyone get through the day, I suggested a trip for coffee and donuts after church.

As we sat at Dunkin’ Donuts enjoying our breakfast, I heard something very strange as someone else placed their order.

They ordered pizza. Or a flatbread sandwich. I don’t know which, but I had seen signs advertising both in the store. That had totally flummoxed me.

What is the world coming to when you go to a donut shop for pizza?

Icing on the Cake

Posted inColumns, Family, Food

When Maria left for work last Saturday, I thought I had an easy day ahead of myself.

Bridget had a friend over. They had plenty of activities planned. No one really needed me.

One of the activities was a kit to decorate gingerbread cookies. The cookies came pre-made with the kit so even I couldn’t screw this up.

Or so I thought.

Worth a Shot

Posted inFood, Hanover
I like to try and support local food places. When Maria was working on Saturday, I figured I'd hit a place I had never tried before. I was hankering for…

Peanut Butter Jelly Time

Posted inColumns, Family, Food

I came home the other day to an empty house. Maria had not yet returned from dropping Bridget off at her Brownie meeting so I had some time to relax before I ate.

Two nights a week, I have to fend for myself. Bridget has to leave for activities before I get home so we don’t get to eat as a family. Sometimes, Maria has made something for all of us, and I heat it up. But most times, I make myself dinner, which is fine.

This was one of those nights. I like to take some time to think about it before I have to hop in the car and go pick Bridget up. Like a lot of times when I think about my meal, I get distracted easily and don’t eat right away.

Maria came home, and we sat on the couch watching episodes of “Scrubs” for about the 23rd time. At some point, I had a brilliant idea.

I asked my wife to make me a sandwich. Well, I thought it was a great idea.

I Accept the Challenge

Posted inCollege, Food
I remember going out to breakfast at like 3 in the morning once in college. One place had a huge breakfast special that I hadn't seen anyone ever finish. I…