Not So Sweet

I had a typical Philadelphia lunch today. Well, I guess I should say yesterday since by the time anyone other than me sees this...It will be Friday Morning. Yesterday, I went to Lee's Hoagie shop and had an Italian Hoagie with the works, Bottled water and a Tastycake. My hoagie was made on that good thick bread that is only made in the southeastern area of this state...And then there was my Tastycake.

If you're not from Philadelphia, you don't have any inkling of what I'm talking about. Tastycake is the logo used by the Tasty Baking Company. This company has been around longer than I have. If you were born and raised here..you know about their pies and their cakes and their jelly krimpets and their coconut juniors...Sure you do...Every Philadelphian...regardless of race, religion, gender, gender preference or economic standing knows what a Tastycake was. Yesterday I got the shocking news that the company is in financial straits.

The Tasty Baking Company was founded in 1914 (See ,I told you it's been around way longer than I have.) and headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is one of the country’s leading bakers of snack cakes, pies, cookies, and donuts with manufacturing facilities in Philadelphia and Oxford, Pennsylvania. Tasty Baking Company offers more than 100 products under the Tastykake brand name. So what happened?


Charlie P. Pizzi, president and CEO of Tasty Baking Company, says they experienced a shaky fourth quarter last year.Mr. Pizzi blames financial problems on unexpected production difficulties at its new bakery facility in South Philadelphia’s Naval Business Center. He cited other factors such as the impact of the bankruptcy filing by A&P, and the sharp rise in commodity costs.

Tasty Baking Company is said to be discussing various alternatives to solve its problems with their financial lenders group led by Citizens Bank, the possibility of a potential merger, or the complete sale of the baking company. Tasty has also retained Janney Montgomery Scott to evaluate various possible financial and strategic options including refinancing long term debt due in September 2012.

During the process, the company will continue to operate its two modern bakeries and produce, distribute and sell Tastykake products to its customers and consumers. Pizzi concluded, “While this has been a challenging period for us operationally, we remain focused on growing the business. To that end we continue to partner with new grocery and convenience store customers within our core markets, increase penetration with key customers, and launch new products into the marketplace. Finally, despite the challenges we have faced, we have continued to outpace the category and grow our overall market share.” Economic talk for -"We are in trouble"

Philadelphia Mayor and personal friend of mine, Mike Nutter is optimistic about Tastycake's future...If you ask him , he'll tell you so. Mayor Nutter says he was fully briefed on the financial woes of Tastykake by Charles Pizzi, and Mayor Nutter is optimistic that the firm will get through this.

“I think they have certainly plans in place. They’re still selling products. There are no issues in terms of folks getting their Krimpets and Tastykakes,” said Mayor Nutter.

Mayor Nutter said Charles Pizzi did not raise the issue of the need for any sort of tax relief from the city, though their value to the city, he stressed, is huge. “Tastykake is an institution in Philadelphia. It is a part of the fabric of the city,” said Mayor Nutter.

Indeed it is. Just so you know....I did my part to help keep Tastycake solvent....I bought some Jelly Krimpets too...To eat later.

Check Out My 3rd (& Last) Blog!

GOOD FOODIE
My adventures in good cuisine and the places that serve it!

For the benefit of my readers who haven't discovered it yet, I would like to extend an invitation for you to stop by my new blog and see what's cooking! One thing my wife and I like to do is eat out at nice (and sometimes, not so nice) restaurants. From time to time, this blog will feature recipes, reviews of restaurants, and healthy eating information.

After I get this blog "off and running", the posts will not be published quite as frequently as Keith's Space and Escapades, but I do hope you will enjoy what it has to offer too. Just click on the screenshot or text link above and you're there! WARNING: If you're hungry, you might want to stop by later, after you've had something to eat (smile). If you're dieting or fasting, all I can say is... proceed with caution-LOL!

What's Good For You (Now)

So, I lost 8lbs, gained 'em back, and lost 'em again. Finally, I stopped playing around and cut pork, beef, and all red meats out of my diet, for the time being. I cut big breakfasts out of my diet and limited myself to cereal or just fruit and a cup of coffee. I saving my big meal for dinner and this seems to be working for me.

I also walk off a lot of nervous energy during the day. I haven't dusted off that exercise bike in my basement yet but, now that my wife and I have cleaned the basement and I can actually SEE the bike, now seems as good a time as any. I found out recently that you don't have to go cold turkey on everything you like... you just have to learn other ways to prepare it and eat in moderation.

I was doing some research on foods recently and look what I found out, much to my surprise, is actually good for you...

Buttermilk: Originally, buttermilk was the liquid remaining after cream was churned into butter but today, it's made by adding lactic-producing bacteria and non-fat milk solids to pasteurized milk. Buttermilk can be made from whole milk but, the more popular varieties are low-fat (1% fat) and reduced fat (1.5% fat). Related recipe: Buttermilk Pancakes. Who doesn't like pancakes? I know I'll still get a lot of flack on this one but, you know (of course) I jumped on this. Can't you see me grinning?

Cream-style corn: There was cream in your grandma's recipe but, the liquid in today's cans is actually a component of the corn kernels themselves and other ingredients such as starch. If you look at calories and fat, canned cream-style and whole-kernel corn are identical. Related recipe: Corn-Cheese Soufflé: Ahhhh, don't know if that's my cup of tea.

Pork: Lean cuts (tenderloin, boneless loin chops) compare favorably with skinless chicken. So, if your family is crying "fowl", vary the menu with these healthy cuts of pork. Related recipe: Pork Tenderloin with Dijon-Fennel Rub and Sweet-Potato Fries. This (on the other hand) sounds great!

Salmon: Yes, half of its calories come from fat but, it's the heart-healthy omega-3 type (often called fish oil). Some studies indicate omega-3 fats reduce the likelihood of blood clots that can lead to heart attacks or stroke. Related recipe: Five-Spice Salmon: Unfortunately, I can't eat Salmon or any kind of fish. I'm allergic.

Eggs: One large egg is a significant source of a number of vitamins and minerals, and contains only 75 calories and 5 grams of fat. Moreover, most of this fat is the healthy, unsaturated variety. (Eggs are high in cholesterol but, the chief villain in raising blood-cholesterol levels is not the cholesterol in our diets but rather, in saturated fats.) Also, egg yolks are rich in the pigment zeaxanthin, which seems to help protect the eyes from macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in people over 65 years old. Related recipe: Asparagus Omelet: Now, that sounds interesting to say the least. I might just try it.

Chicken thighs: They are higher in fat and calories than breasts but, as long as you remove the skin and any excess fat, economical thighs fit into a good-for-you diet. They also provide 25% more iron and more than twice as much zinc as the same amount of breast meat. Related recipe: Country Chicken: I love Country Chicken!

Frozen/canned fruits and vegetables: We agree that fresh locally grown produce can't be beat but, frozen and canned fruits and vegetables compare favorably (in terms of nutrition), providing an array of vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and fiber. Related recipe: Frozen Fruit Yogurt: I don't like frozen yogurt at all. Frozen fruit juice, fruits, and vegetables are things I'm already eating.

Beef tenderloin steaks: Ounce for ounce, this tender cut has about the same calorie and fat content as skinless chicken thighs. The key is portion size. At home, count a 3/4 inch thick steak (about 3 + 1/2 ozs) as a single serving. At steak houses, order the petit filet mignon. Related recipe: Steak with Mushroom Sauce: I'm a meat and potatoes kinda man. Now, this is what I'm talking about!

I got the above information from a site called Delish that has interesting facts about food and healthy eating advice. If any of you have the notion, check it out sometime. Bon Appetite!

Chicken Lickin'

One of my co-worker's emailed me yesterday and asked what I was doing for lunch. I replied that I didn't have any plans. She then told me that she was sending me a link from Oprah Winfrey which would enable us to get free Chicken from KFC. The first thing I said was, "Is this some kind of internet hoax? I don't want my computer to get any more viruses... I just had it cleaned a week ago." She assured me it was not. She said that Oprah was giving everybody in America a free Chicken dinner at KFC.

I was certain that she misunderstood and that there was some kind of catch... the kind of catch where we had to wind up paying a small fee. Nobody "gives" you anything and I guess that's just the cynic in me. Then again, I thought that Oprah does give people stuff on her show every once in a while and she does have it going on financially like that so, who knows? I went to the link and downloaded two coupons. I even got fancy with it. Instead of sending it to the black and white printer, I sent it to the color printer in another part of the suite and then rushed to get it.

Armed with my two tickets (in KFC red and white no doubt), I met my co-worker outside of my building and we caught the subway downtown to the nearest KFC. Guess what? They didn't honor our tickets and they didn't even know what we were talking about. We got back on the subway and rode further downtown to yet another KFC and not only did they not know what we were talking about, they were out of chicken! Yeah, you know my reaction to that... "For God's sake! How are you going to call yourself Kentucky Fried Chicken and you don't have any chicken?"

By this time, we were both hungry and had four useless coupons and a 1/2 hour of our lunch hour was gone. We got back on the subway, returned to the original KFC we went to before, and we were told that they had run out of chicken too! How do you run out of chicken during the lunch hour?

Dog tired, we got back on the subway and headed back to work. We both got some General Tso's Chicken and fried rice off of a lunch truck. I asked my co-worker if she thought this might be a hoax. She told me that they were talking about it on the radio and that everybody in her office was talking about it too. Was it a hoax? I still don't know for sure but, what I really want to know is how did two KFC's run out of chicken during the lunch hour?

(Update: It's no hoax... it was for real... and it was for the Grilled Chicken only.)

Go Nova!

Villanova Official Website

I don't have to tell you that I'm a big basketball fan... always have been and always will be. As I write this, it's about 7:00pm Saturday evening. By the time this is read, we will know the outcome of the only basketball game I care about right now... Villanova (local college) and the North Carolina Tar-heels.

I'm a big Philadelphia sports guy so, even though I like North Carolina (sorry ShellyShell), I'm going with 'Nova. I remember the last and only time that Villanova won a national championship. It was in 1985 against Georgetown. I think I was in Denver, CO watching it with my Air Force buddies. I felt so much civic pride when the Wildcats upset Georgetown.

I thought that St. Joe's was going to win a national championship a few years back when they had an undefeated regular season but, it was not to be. Tonight doesn't necessarily mean that the cats will win a national championship. If they get past North Carolina, they still have to face the winner between U-Conn and MSU. As I'm writing this, it's halftime and MSU is up 38-36.

I'm thinking that I will spoil myself with a "Belly Filler" from Larry's Steaks, rumored to be the best hoagies in the area. The kids at St. Joe's swear by it. As far as the eating goes. I've been pretty good for the past few weeks... cereal and fresh fruit for breakfast or no breakfast at all, a salad and water for lunch, and a big dinner (no fried foods but, I could've cut back on the pasta a couple of times). I made sure that I got my rest. I've lost 8 pounds so, I'm back on track. I hope the hoagie doesn't set me back-lolol! I have to have it in time for the second game. I have also cut out drinking sodas altogether and have replaced it with water or iced tea but, I digress...

What I'm eating while watching the big game really has nothing to do with anything. I'm a social kinda guy and I usually like to watch the game with a group of friends (preferably at somebody else's house) where we can all be as loud as we want to be, eat, and then go home without having to clean up (just kidding-lolol). But, I can't find a friend tonight. Can you believe that? Neither my wife nor my daughter has any interest whatsoever in college basketball so, what is a guy to do? Simple... I'm going to finish this post, go get my hoagie and iced tea, and watch this game in the comfort of my own home. (Updates coming later!)

UPDATE (Sunday Morning - 8:28 am): Congratulations are in order for the North Carolina Tar Heels. They out hustled and out played the Villanova Wildcats last night and beat them by a score of 83-69. I'll be rooting for the Tar Heels tomorrow night against Michigan. Oh, and I didn't buy that hoagie... I actually had some pasta (Fettucine Alfredo) and a nice salad. That's really not the type of food to eat while you're watching a big game... perhaps, I jinxed Villanova.

Cereal Killah

McDonald's Wireless Connectivity
Official Wi-Fi Logo & Website: Find A Location Near You!

Last week, I wrote a post about Terrell Owens being cut from the Dallas Cowboys and I mentioned that I was watching it on the news in a McDonald's. A few people took me to task for eating my breakfast in McDonald's. Never mind that this particular McDonald's is wi-fi compatible and has flat screen TV monitors all over it flashing CNN, Sportscenter, and MTV all day long, depending on what section you are sitting in.

In order to comply with those of you who were concerned about the future of my health, I decided to not only eat healthier breakfasts but, to eat somewhere other than Mickey D's. All of this week, I've been eating at "Milkboys Diner" (yes, that's what it's called). The diner was built the year before I was born and although it is clean, it does not have a flat screen TV, nor is it wifi-compatible. There is a TV in the diner but, it's going to need a digital converter soon. Here, I have been eating some healthy breakfast meals and I might add, meals that are throwbacks to my childhood. For instance...

Monday, I had an old childhood favorite... Cap'n Crunch's Crunch Berries, wheat toast, orange Juice, and coffee. My brother and I ate so much Cap'n Crunch cereal when we were children and up until our senior year of high school that I think we both swore off of it for close to 20 years. It still tastes good. I don't get why people said that it scratched the roof of their mouths... maybe they weren't eating it right.


Tuesday, I had Honey Nut Cheerios, wheat toast, orange juice, and coffee. I saw the character, Omar... the gay stick-up man from my favorite TV series of all time, "The Wire", jack a box of Honey Nut Cheerios from a store in one episode and I became a fan of the cereal ever since. It sures feels funny ordering cereal in a diner. I was so used to eating it at home when I was growing up.


Wednesday, I had Frosted Flakes w/ bananas and strawberries cut up in 'it. (Yeah, I had to buy the banana and the strawberries but, it was worth it... very healthy.) I had apple juice instead of orange juice, no toast, and a small cup of coffee. My blood pressure was 120/75, my weight was 220 lbs., and I've lost 7 lbs. in the past week. I am presently 20 lbs. off of my goal to weigh 200 lbs. by my birthday, which is in two weeks but, I knew that.


Today, I think I'll go with Apple Jacks... another one of my favorites from childhood. I can't go wrong with this one! Maybe, just maybe, I'll treat myself on Friday to some hot cereal... oatmeal or something of that sort. I think I've earned it.

There are some of you who may take issue with my choice of cereals. If so, that's too bad because I'm not eating Grape Nuts or anything like that... you can forget it. This is about as healthy as it's gonna get for me right now. As 12Kyle would say, "Belee dat!"

Cooking To Be Clever

A few days ago, I prepared a meal for the family. It was a delicious meal, if I don't say so myself. My wife complimented me on how well I seasoned the chicken that I baked and how well put together the rest of the meal was... steamed broccoli with melted cheese and a mix of yellow rice with sautéed green-yellow-red bell peppers and onions. It made me think of my humble beginnings as a renaissance man, of sorts.

Most of the older men that I observed in my family could cook (if they had to). I don't think any of them cook as much as I do. My wife and I have an arrangement where we trade off nights Sunday through Thursday... I cook one night and she cooks the next night (no one cooks on Friday and Saturday nights). Whoever doesn't cook on a given night, washes the dishes and cleans the kitchen. It's an unconventional arrangement but, one that has lasted throughout 20 years of marriage.

I didn't set out to cook at all. Like most things in my life, it happened by circumstance and accident. The circumstance was, I just got plain bored with shop classes in high school. In 9th grade, I had electric shop, which was kinda cool. In 10th grade, I think I had wood shop, which I hated. When I wasn't nicking myself, I was dropping something or breaking something. The teacher always joked that it was good that I planned on going to college because I'd never be a carpenter. Another year though, and I'd have made one heck of an electrician. I was friends with this girl and she suggested that I try a home economics class. I thought she was kidding and besides, that was for girls. No guys would be caught dead in one of those classes.

Before you think that I was some pioneer or some kind of "negro first", forget it. There was two guys from the football team and one guy from the basketball team already taking home economics. They were taking the class because their girlfriends were in the class. I didn't have that excuse but, I certainly was tired of my experiences in wood shop and hey, there were some pretty attractive young ladies (the entire cheerleading squad, to be exact) in the class so, come junior year, I enrolled in a home economics class.

There was another guy in my class who lettered in football, track, and basketball and who (like myself) was a ne'er do well. We became fast friends and since we were both on the track team, we sat together in the class. (Today he's a cop and I don't think he cooks.) He was a clown and he did things on purpose to get a laugh... like toss dough up on the ceiling and then, laugh when it fell off and hit someone. Strangely enough though, I applied myself and finally, in addition to being good at track, I had found something else that I could do. We made Quiche Lorraine, pizza, pancakes, and for our final project...we baked a cake. My cake fell but, the teacher was impressed with my effort and this was the beginning of cooking for me.

My brother and I took a summer job at a Jewish summer camp and we both cooked breakfast, lunch, and dinners for children ages 5-15. We took another guy with us but, he did more skirt-chasing and joint-smoking than cooking. From there, this lead to more jobs as a short order cook when I needed some quick cash. I may have liked to cook but, I still never intended to be one. It was and still is a side thing... a side skill that I have and insurance that I'll never starve.

In the Air Force, I worked in the Port Mortuary. I put tags on the feet of the recently deceased and made that dreadful call that nobody likes to get to somebody's parents or next of kin, telling them that their relative was no longer amongst the living. It was depressing and after the death of a 21 year old guy, who I had known in passing, I knew that I never wanted to see another dead body, process another form, or call another relative so, I cross-trained into the cooking field. The Air Force sent me to their school at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, CO, where I was trained extensively for four months and I graduated close to the top of my class.

I cooked in large facilities for both the Air Force and The Navy and by the time I was 30 years old, I was supervising my own crew... which meant, I just prepared the menu and they did the actual cooking. I got bored with that and cross-trained again. This time it was arms training... firing the M-16, the M-38, and the M-45. I taught the safe usage of the weapons for about three years and had to qualify on all three weapons every six months. I enjoyed it but, during the last 10 years of my time in the Air Force, I returned to supervising the dining facilities and cooking. I found that I loved it and there was no shame in doing it. It had it's perks. I got to travel anywhere and with any unit that wanted to eat, which was everybody. So, I got to do something else I came to love... travel.

As proud as I was of what I could do in the kitchen, I remember the first time I brought my then fiancé over to my house for a meal. We got to laughing and talking so much that the meal got away from me and when I looked in the oven, the "meal" was black enough to poot smoke. She was cool about it and we wound up having a happy meal from McDonald's. The next time she came over I did better... I fixed a delicious spaghetti dinner (easiest thing to fix) for her and as far as I know, I haven't burned a meal that I've prepared for her since!

My Wonderfully Normal Valentine's Night

Well, the weekend is over and I hope that everyone had a very Happy Valentine's Day. For once, just once, I wasn't "Last Minute Lester". There were years when I just picked my wife up from work and walked into three or four "tony" (I always keep it "tony" on Valentine's Day) restaurants only to be told... "I'm sorry sir, we're all booked. You should've called for reservations." We had to hope for a little luck, mixed with divine intervention, to get into a nice spot.

Last year, three days before V-Day, I realized that I hadn't made any reservations so I said, "Forget it. It's too cold to even go out so, I'm going to do something original." I went to Bed, Bath, & Beyond and bought new silverware and plates. Then, I went to the State Store and purchased a bottle of wine. Next, I went to the market and had them to cook some seasoned shrimp and scallops. While I was waiting for that, I purchased some lamb chops, potatoes, and some fresh lettuce and vegetables for a nice salad.

Long story short, when my wife came home, I had the candles lit and a nice meal cooked that included lamb chops, shrimps, scallops, au gratin potatoes, salad, and a bottle of wine chillin' in the refrigerator. I had the remote control in my hand and I hit the CD player which began playing "Just To Be Close To You" by The Commodores... one of her favorite songs. She was surprised, to say the least, and happy. When you calculate it all, I may have spent the same amount of money if we had went out. The night was just as fabulous and better still because it was original. But, that was last year...

This year, I called and made reservations at a nice restaurant like I was supposed to do. (Ahhh, the wonders of Microsoft Outlook and its reminders!) With the reservations made and confirmed days ahead, I was free to get that fresh haircut, get my clothes ready, buy a V-Day card, and gas-up the car for the occasion. As a result, yesterday went off without a hitch. We enjoyed a delicious meal by candle light at a very nice spot, saw a small jazz band, and had a delightful "Clark Gable"-like conversation (I was "Dark Gable").

If you were expecting somebody to take their shoes off, pull out their teeth, or anything else bizarre, you are reading the wrong post. It didn't happen last night and we had a very nice time. I may need some of the money from President Obama's stimulus package to help pay my Visa bill next month, though. (I'm kidding... well, not completely!)

Coffee Wars

There are two Starbucks and one Dunkin’ Donuts within one block of where I work. I don't know why there is a need for two Starbucks but, there they are. Both Starbucks are free-standing establishments with nice tables, comfortable couches, an upstairs, wifi-compatible, and hip music of all genres playing. One Starbucks even has two flat screen television monitors playing ESPN and CNN respectively.

If I ever get a laptop, Starbucks would be a great place for me to blog from on the road. There is only one problem... I don't like Starbucks coffee. It tastes like wet grass to me. Now, before I go any further, let me just say, to each his own. This is just my opinion and not the gospel truth by any means. If you like Starbucks coffee, that's cool... but, I don't.

I believe that I have stated either on this blog or my other one that my coffee of choice is Dunkin’ Donuts. I said once that Krispy Kreme donuts and Dunkin’ Donuts coffee is my ideal combination for a continental breakfast. Oh... and you can throw in some orange juice to balance it out. So, I was surfing the net yesterday (primarily the money section) and I came upon this tidbit...

Dunkin’ Donuts War On Starbucks
With the latte giant reeling from overexpansion and a softening economy, the doughnut maker took aim at its upscale rival. Now, McDonald's has joined the coffee fray as well. Can Starbucks pull through?

In late 2007, Dunkin’ Donuts made a surprising announcement: In a national taste test in 10 major U.S. cities, the chain had put its most popular brew up against Starbucks and clobbered the coffee conglomerate 58% to 42%. The test was held in two cities where Dunkin’ Donuts had a distinct disadvantage: Los Angeles, where the company doesn't have a single store, and Starbucks' hometown of Seattle. "We wanted to show that nationwide, people prefer Dunkin’ Donuts to the perceived leader," says Frances Allen, the company's brand-marketing officer.

Armed with the test results, Dunkin’ Donuts immediately launched a national multimedia advertising campaign that essentially declared war on Starbucks. The timing was perfect: The latte giant was overextended, battered, and vulnerable. Its stock had slid from the mid-$30s to the mid-$20s over the previous year (it was below $10 this week) and its "on-every-corner" strategy had left it overextended with too many unprofitable locations, just when the global economy was about to fall off a cliff.

Meanwhile, Starbucks is facing an attack on another front: McDonald's had joined the coffee fray as well, positioning itself as an alternative provider of premium coffee. The fast food giant plans to outfit most of its 14,000+ U.S. stores with a McCafé, a coffee bar that will sell espresso-based drinks such as cappuccinos and lattes.

I could gloat right now but, it's just coffee... I don't take it personally. I should mention that the lone Dunkin’ Donuts near my workplace is so small, that after you place your order, you don't even have enough room to count your change... yet, this establishment has customers out the door and down the street nearly every morning. Apparently, I'm not the only one who feels the way I do.

What Did You Eat On Super Bowl Sunday?

Okay, maybe it wasn't quite this big...
but, it was close and it was good!

The Macaroni Hustle

I was on Mizrepresent's blog recently and she did a post about recession era foods. On the post, she also talked about those days in college when Ramen Noodles and other things got you through a day. She mentioned the all you can eat Taco bars at some restaurants and a few other things which brought back a memory of mine that I would sheepishly like to forget.

Up until my junior year, I lived in the dorms and had a meal card that entitled me to eat in the cafeteria and in the dining hall on campus. We had two dining halls, one on the East side and one on the West side of the campus. You showed your student id and they punched a hole in your meal card which entitled you to breakfast, lunch, and dinner. On Saturday nights, they served a midnight meal (I hear that that is no longer done). You couldn't use your meal card for that but, it was so cheap that you really didn't need it. I remember coming from the party many-a-night and stopping by to get a sandwich, soda, and chips to hold me over.

Come junior year, that all came to an end. I moved into an apartment off-campus with five other guys and I stopped paying the "activity fee" which included my meals and free admittance to the football and basketball games. I used my student loan to pay for instruction and the rest for rent. Of the five guys I lived with, only two others (who I'll call Tyrone and Derrick) and myself had jobs. I worked at a Burger King in town and I think the other two guys worked in the local supermarket. You would think that one of us would have thought to buy some groceries but, it never occurred to us and we spent many nights hungry.

One night, I remember that one of my roommate's girlfriends came over and she went in our refrigerator. The only thing in there was a jar of mustard and some Arm & Hammer Baking Soda so, she left. She came back with her four girlfriends and three bags of groceries. They fried chicken and made some Kraft Macaroni & Cheese. One girl made a salad and they cooked some corn on the cob. Another girl used our oven to barbecue some ribs. Well, we all ate, played cards, played some records, and had a grand old time. In fact, they made so much food that we ate for a week. Then, the food was gone. I kept looking at the one box of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese that was left and the gears of my little mind started working.

The next day, I showed up at one of the girl's apartment with the box of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese. We talked and it seemed that she was so glad to have company considering she lived so far from campus. I cleaned her bathtub, mopped her kitchen floor, helped her take her laundry to the Laundromat downstairs in her building, and then helped her fold her clothes (all things I didn't do for myself). When we returned to her apartment, I know she probably thought that my motive was sexual but, to her surprise I said, "Let's make dinner."

I started making the Kraft Macaroni & Cheese and I went in her refrigerator and took out some lettuce, cucumbers, and whatever to make a salad. She was so grateful for all of the help I gave her that she began making cornbread, potato salad, and frying Chicken. She even had some Sangria. We sat, we feasted... and there was so much food left that she gave me a few bags of food to take back to my apartment. She thanked me profusely and was so impressed that I was such a gentleman. I didn't try to make any moves on her at all. She was so impressed that she told a few of her friends about it (like I knew she would).

For my part, me and my roommates had food to eat and I had another house to clean. Everyday after class, I would go to another girl's apartment, clean it, and start cooking some Kraft Macaroni & Cheese... and, almost everytime, I would be asked to stay for dinner... the grateful young lady would be so happy that she would start cooking... and I would wind up taking more food home with me. It was great until a casual friend of mine (who I will call) Gregg Pruit, discovered what I was doing. We were sitting in the student union building and I was bragging to him about my sweet little "Macaroni Hustle" and we were laughing our heads off. He was clapping his hands and saying, "Keith, you Philly guys are off the damn hook! All of you all are natural born hustlers... every one of you that I meet!" And me, like a fool saying, "Ain't we, though?"

Well, within days, Gregg was trying to do his best imitation of me only, he didn't clean as well and unlike me, he wasn't willing to start cooking. He expected the young lady to cook for him before he even started working and what was worst, he was making all kinds of unwanted sexual advances at these girls. I don't know if he was kicked out or not but, the next time I saw him he had a black eye and a swollen face. Apparently he tried the "Macaroni Hustle" on somebody's girlfriend and their man wasn't too impressed.

The next time I came calling, I was told nicely "thanks but, no thanks" and was shown the door before I could even get started. Gregg Pruit had ruined my good thing! I would open my refrigerator door, see a container of mustard and some baking soda and just get furious! Finally, one of my roommates said... "Hell, why don't you just buy some groceries?" Mind you... he was one of the ones who didn't have a job and who barely contributed any rent yet, he had a great idea. I quit my job at Burger King and got a job pressing shirts at the dry cleaners which paid a whole lot more money. I began investing in groceries every time I could. Tyrone and Derrick, the other two roommates who worked, also followed suit and we began cooking our own food from that day forward. It was a lot easier than cleaning somebody else's place just to eat.

My mom sent me a list of essential things to buy every week like soap and toilet paper (things we thought would just naturally be there) and our living arrangements that last year got better. The ladies that stopped by were also a lot more likely to stay longer since we had food. I don't know why we never thought of it sooner!

Better Living Through Eating

As I may have stated, I was a tall, skinny guy most of my life. I'm not skinny today because of 19 years of marriage, working, and going to sleep on the couch after eating dinner. Today, I stand at 6'1+1/4"and I weigh 220 lbs. If you had known me as a young man, you probably would have never believed that I would ever reach 200 pounds, let alone pass it. I think when I was 25 years old, I might have weighed 160 pounds and that's stretching it a bit. I always had a voracious appetite and I could eat any three people under the table. I also had a crazy metabolism so, I never gained much weight. It didn't bother me because it was never my goal in life to be Johnny Atlas.

However, I did set goals for myself, with the reward always being to treat myself with some kind of dish. I think the idea came from my fourth grade teacher who told us to always set goals for ourselves... small goals and when we achieved these goals, to reward ourselves. I couldn't reward myself with much in my early years because I didn't have much money, so I guess I rewarded myself with food.

In college, I had a ritual... I would study for a test all week and stay up half the night two days before the big test, drinking coffee and studying. My girlfriend at the time, Shelly (who I've mentioned in previous posts), hated this because it meant that I kept her up too, drinking coffee and studying to the point of giddiness. Then, she would oversleep and either be late for or miss her classes the next day. The day before a big test, usually the finals, I wouldn't study at all. I would sleep late, not go to any classes, put on some Frankie Beverly & Maze, and just chill... sitting in my room sipping on some wine coolers and relaxing. Then, the next day, I would take the big test, ace it, and then give myself a reward. The reward would be a big juicy sirloin steak, baked potato with sour cream, and maybe some creamed spinach. I felt as though I deserved it.

Years later in the military, if we had a successful drill or operation I did the same thing or I celebrated with steak and eggs (three eggs to be exact) for breakfast. The day after I got married, my new bride and I celebrated with a huge pancake breakfast that featured hash browns, sausage, and two eggs. It was okay because the U.S. Air Force was making me run three miles a day and do so many push ups, sit ups, squat thrusts, etc. Plus, I was riding bikes in the afternoon and playing several games of basketball with the guys in my unit. I was in great shape and I was "burning it off", as they say.

When we bought our first house, my wife and I celebrated by ordering Chinese food and sitting on the bare floors of our new house (that had no furniture and echoed because it was so empty) and ate and laughed at our good fortune. I had discovered this new Chinese food dish called "General Tso's Chicken" that I'm still hooked on to this day.

When I got my drivers license, I introduced my driving instructor, who was an Arab named Muhammad, to African-American soul food. I took him to a place in Germantown that I used to frequent and we had smothered pork chops, turnip greens, candied yams, macaroni and cheese, and sweet ice tea. He loved it! He said, "American soul man, you are the greatest!"... a high tribute, indeed.

Some friends of mine used to play the numbers on the street and if one of us hit, that person took all of us to a dive called "Scotty's" in West Philly that served great soul food and we had a couple of cold beers and sodas to wash it down.

Well, years and years of this type of "celebrating" not only slowed my metabolism down but, changed that once skinny, scrawny young man into a contender for the heavyweight championship of the world. I couldn't believe it when the scale said 220 lbs. yesterday! All of which brings me to this conclusion... next year, I'm getting on my exercise bike, going swimming and running, and hopefully in March, I can write a post about how I'm down to 200 lbs... maybe even 190 lbs. That's my goal. I'm going to find a better way to "celebrate" my milestones and it won't be eating.

There was a girl in that same fourth grade class, who lives just a few blocks away from me. She's an undertaker now and I talked to her about our fourth grade teacher, who she laid out when she passed away. I asked her how did she celebrate her milestones. She told me that she bought herself a new pair of shoes. If I had done that, I'd be writing a completely different post, now wouldn't I?

King Of Cheese Steaks

History & Recipe for Philadelphia Cheese Steaks

A few days ago, this man (who I can't name here for legal reasons) who runs a steak and hoagie shop in West Philly that I patronize, told me that his great-grandfather was the "King of Cheese Steaks." A strange boast, but okay, if he wants to say that... It's fine with me... It's not like I haven't heard it before.

I have always come into his establishment around lunch time or on a Saturday afternoon and have ordered my personal favorite, a cheese steak hoagie. He uses that thick Italian bread, slathers mayonnaise across the top, spreads lettuce across it, drapes freshly cut tomatoes, raw onions, and pickles across it, and then adds the chopped-up steak with Cheese Whiz melted on it to the mix. If you live in this area, you'll find that this is the norm for most of these type establishments.

While I was sitting there waiting, the man's great-grandson (who is about my age) confided to me that his great-grandfather actually invented what has become a Philadelphia staple... the steak sandwich. Of course, I thought... he must be kidding. You can go to any neighborhood in North, South, or West Philadelphia, Roxborough, Manayunk, Mt Airy, or Germantown and find a neighborhood steak and hoagie shop... they will tell you the same thing useless they are Asian, Greek, or Black (because then, they know that you know they are lying).

If you venture to South Street, you'll find places like GENO's, Jim's Steaks, and Pat Oliveri's House of Steaks that will brag that they make the best cheese steaks in Philadelphia and their owner is the true"King of Cheese Steaks". This is all debatable. So, I asked this guy to tell me the story of how his great-grandfather invented the steak sandwich and this is what he said.

He told me that his great-grandfather, an Italian immigrant, had a hot dog stand down near the docks, which is now known as "Penn's Landing". Several other men had hot dog stands down there, competing for the dollars of the longshoremen, bricklayers, etc. His great-grandfather needed something to give his stand an edge over the other hot dog stands so, he brought some steaks with him one day, cut them up a little bit, and tossed them on his grill. He cooked the chopped up steak and tossed it onto a hoagie roll. The smell of the steak brought some curious customers over to his hot dog stand and voila! The steak sandwich was born! A little later, he melted some sharp cheese, added that to his steak sandwich and thus, the cheese steak was born.

Of course, this is a preposterous story and very much like the one Pat Oliveri III (of Pat's House of Steaks) told me once. Needless to say, I think I believe Pat Oliveri. I don't believe that this guy's great-grandfather invented the cheese steak but, I do believe that "somebody" probably invented the cheese steak the way the told it and the story just got passed around and embellished over time. Like the fish story about the fish that got away, the fish gets bigger each time the story is retold.

Don't get me wrong... it's a great story to hear while you're munching on a cheese steak, some french fries, and drinking a Coke. Of course, these are all of the things that you're not supposed to be eating because, unlike when you were 17 years old and reed thin, you're not reed thin now and the weight will stay on you and make you ashamed to look at yourself in the mirror sometimes. (At age 17, I was 6' 1+1/2" and 146 pounds... today, I'm about 215 pounds.)
Anyway, I asked the man who was telling me this story why his great-grandfather didn't go and get a patent? Why is the family still working in the three steak shops that they owned and, more importantly, why they all weren't swimming in dough right about now? Then, he told me another preposterous story about how his great-grandfather was basically swindled out of his "invention" by the owner of one of the steak shops I mentioned above. Not Likely.

Hmmm, this story is still suspect... but, still a great story to hear when you're eating and not thinking about health and weight issues. So, who really invented the cheese steak sandwich? Who is really the "King of Cheese Steaks"? I don't know... but, I'd love to thank him/her for a great eating idea.
(Can anyone from the Baltimore-DC area tell me about your famous Pit Beef sandwich? Believe it or not, I actually came close to having one when I attended my cousin's engagement party a few weeks ago but, the food was catered so, I didn't have the pleasure. I'd love to hear about it. Holla back!)

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Update: After completing this post, a funny thing happened when I did the image search for a cheese steak... I actually stumbled upon the true history of the cheese steak and it looks like Pat was telling the truth!

Reprieve

You won't believe this but my procedure (colonoscopy) was cancelled. Shortly after I wrote my last post, the doctor called me and said that he would have to reschedule me for this coming Monday. The reason for this is because they feel it would be better if this procedure is performed in a hospital, rather than an out-patient clinic.

After getting this news, you know what I did, right? I went to a place here in Philly called "Big Daddy's Southern Cuisine" (i.e. soul food) and ordered some smothered turkey wings, collard greens, and potato salad, and a big glass of Lemonade! It took me little or no time to polish all of that off and I was still wiping the gravy off my lips when I spotted a nice delectable slice of sweet potato pie... but, I didn't get it. I wasn't about to press my luck... after all, gluttony is a sin. So, I got in the car, came home, and began preparing dinner... a jambalaya casserole. While that was in the oven, it gave me an idea for a short story, "Mabel Mixes It Up", which I wrote and placed on my other blog, "Escapades".

I spent the next half hour on EB the Celeb's blog, listening to cool music... a nice ending to my day. I still got a little gravy on my cheek!

Eating Again

I wasn't going to blog about this but, I'm home from work today and I've got nothing else to do so, here goes...

I'm having a medical procedure done tomorrow known as a colonoscopy so, I have to fast for 24 hours before the procedure. I'm told that African American males over 40 should have one of these done annually. (If this is TMI... skip this and read my next post. I'll understand.) I'm not going to get into all of the specifics but, basically I'm not allowed to eat. Funny thing is... now that I "can't" eat, all I can think about is FOOD!

I woke up and turned on the Television this morning to catch the news and what is the first thing I see? A commercial for IHOP! I check my blog to see if my last post got any comments and there's the photo of a roast beef sandwich on the post.

I got in my car, drove to the gas station, filled my tank, got my car washed and detailed, and then bought the only things I am allowed to have... Gatorade (yuck), bottled water, apple juice and lemonade flavored Kool-Aid. (I can’t even have cherry flavored Kool-Aid!)

I called my doctor and asked him, "Doc, can't I have a light breakfast?" (I was gonna go to I-Hop and eat everything in sight.) He laughed and said, "No, you can't eat anything today... just clear liquids and/or maybe a light broth" (yuck again, I hate broth). Then, the doctor paused... "Look, it's early... you can have ONE cup of coffee but, that's it."

So, I went to Dunkin Donuts and got a large coffee. The donuts on the counter seemed to be calling my name... I looked around and I saw a guy that looked just like me in a red silk suit, with red gators on. He said, "Go on Keith... get just one donut. It's 8:00 in the mornin' and your procedure ain't 'til tomorrow. Who's gonna know? Go on... eat that donut, baby. Ain't nobody gonna know." Then, I saw another guy who looked like me in a white linen suit with some white alligator sandals on and some shades (like Kanye West) who said to me, "Come on brother, let's get out of here. He let you have the coffee. Now, don't mess this up. Don't listen to that cat in the red suit... a red suit? How jive is that?" I was just about to leave when the guy in the red suit said to me, "Don't listen to him. Who wears a white suit after Labor Day anyway?" The guy in the white suit said, "This is Rocawear brother. Deal with it... you so yesterday with that."

While they were arguing over after life fashion ... (Hey, even my angels and devils got style! Don't they?) I left the store with just the one cup of coffee, my clear beverages, and went home.

So, here I am... blogging, lurking, and surfing... and trying to get my mind off of tomorrow. By the time you read this, I will be eating again. I will be killing some food. Choi!

Better Living Through Better Eating

Like a lot of people in my new age bracket, I have been diagnosed with high blood pressure. In addition to some of the medication I have to take to regulate it, I have been told that I have to exercise and eat better. If you knew me in my 20's & 30's, I was quite the athlete... often coming home from work and running two to three pick-up basketball games a night. This also means that I either have to give up or eat moderately, all of the things I like...cheese steaks, soul food, hoagies, chinese food with MSG, etc.

I know it's not going to be easy but, I would like to be around to write my 100,000,000th blog post (this one is my 73rd) so, I have decided to change my eating habits. I came across this article on healthy eating and I decided to post it for myself and all of you. Life is precious people, we've all got to eat better and lead more active lives. Someone reminded me recently that you aren't just living for yourself... you're also living for all of the people who love you and think you're something special!

MSN Health & Fitness

12 Quick Tips for Eating the Mediterranean Way
Help your heart and overall health with these simple steps.
By Peter Jaret, EatingWell.com

Food is far more than sustenance. The dishes we eat are often imbued with family traditions, cultural history, and even personal memories—and that’s as it should be. But, as studies around the world have shown, eating patterns as different from ours as those in Sweden and India can be tweaked to take advantage of the health benefits associated with traditional Mediterranean diets. Here’s how:

1. Replace butter with olive or canola oil whenever possible.

2. Snack on nuts, seeds or fruit instead of processed foods.

3. Include a generous leafy green salad with most dinners.

4. Help yourself to whole-grain bread, pasta, rice and other grains.

5. Fix at least a couple of vegetarian meals every week.

6. Add a dish or two that contains legumes (beans and lentils) to your weekly menu.

7. Have fish (not fried) at least twice a week.

8. If you eat meat, favor chicken and other poultry.

9. Eat red meat only occasionally, and in small servings.

10. If you drink, have no more than a glass or two with a meal.

11. Enjoy fruit for dessert.

12. Set aside enough time to savor every bite.

The Foods Of Love

On Valentine's Day, there are certain foods you can eat that can possibly be aphrodisiacs. I have heard this for years and have wondered aloud if this could be possible or if it was just the stuff of legend. Well, apparently there is a scientific basis to all of this and the great editors of Men's Health will once again enlighten everyone on this subject...

MSN Health & Fitness

Have Sex for Dessert
A meal that leads to bed but, not for sleep.
by the Editors of Men's Health

What fuels great sex? The clichéd stimulants, such as oysters and avocados, "aren't necessarily valid aphrodisiacs," says Barry Swanson, Ph.D., a professor of food science at Washington State University. Follow our menu for a libido-lifting, energy-boosting, three-course meal that will guarantee she stays for breakfast. Bon appétit! Your catch of the day starts here... GO!

FIRST COURSE

Drink: A glass of red wine

Why: Grape skins contain the antioxidant resveratrol, the closest thing we have to an actual aphrodisiac. It increases estrogen production, say Northwestern University researchers, and that heightens sexual appetite and makes lubrication easier for her later in the evening.
Red wines from muscadine grapes have a higher resveratrol content than other reds do, say researchers at Mississippi State University. But too much vino in too little time forces the body to absorb the alcohol quickly, causing drowsiness.

Appetizer: Shrimp cocktail

Why: The zinc-dense shrimp increase sperm levels and make orgasms more powerful, according to a study in Fertility and Sterility. They also contain a stress-reducing amino acid and the feel-good hormone serotonin.

SECOND COURSE

Entrée: Filet mignon au poivre (6 oz)

Why: High-protein foods boost production of dopamine and norepinephrine, hormones that increase alertness and assertiveness. Eating too much (and this goes for everything on the menu) can trigger your body to release cytokines—hormones that induce sleep. Black pepper aids digestion, according to an Indian Journal of Medical Research study, and is helpful for any energetic activities after dinner.

Side: Baked sweet potato

Why: It's high in potassium, which helps reduce stress, a great way to curb performance anxiety later that night. "The thing to avoid is dumping on a lot of salt, because the sodium can inhibit the potato's potassium," says Swanson. Top the potato with a dollop of sour cream, another source of libido-friendly protein.

Side: Spinach salad

Why: Spinach is a potent source of magnesium, which helps dilate blood vessels, ensuring the smooth bloodflow that's crucial for strong erections, according to Japanese researchers.

THIRD COURSE

Dessert: Fresh raspberries drizzled with melted dark chocolate

Why: British scientists have discovered that women release four times more endorphins after eating chocolate than they do after making out. The caffeine in chocolate also increases your alertness for what's to come after dessert. Try using Chocolove's Extra Strong Dark Chocolate (77 percent cacao) on the raspberries, and pair them with a glass of port. You'll get a double dose of polyphenols, antioxidants that increase your HDL (good) cholesterol.

Recipe for Seduction:

Seal the deal with these three dinner moves...

1. Strategize Your Seating: Arrange the table so she'll sit with her back to the wall. "She'll feel like all your attention is focused on her instead of wandering about the room," says Joy Davidson, Ph.D., author of Fearless Sex.

2. Don't Hurry to the Table: Meeting her at your front door with the food already on the table can be awkward. Instead, greet her with a glass of wine, give her a quick tour, and then seat her near the counter to watch you prep.

3. Skip the Movie: "Rushing isn't sexy," says April Masini, author of Date Out of Your League. Time-sensitive activities, like going to the movies, are better for when you're not tied to a stove.

And on that note, I'll leave the rest up to your creative imaginations! Happy Valentine's Day Everyone! - Keith