My Mouth is Watering

{source}

THIS WAS A REAL THING??

{source}

Vegan Challenge 2K11: The Report Card

Well folks, we're halfway through the first week of the challenge. And I'm still in it. I even gave up free Ben & Jerry's ice cream to keep in line!! Don't worry, I am so buying Jimmy Fallon's ice cream as soon as this is over.

One of the reasons why I thought becoming Vegan might be possible was because a lot of the items I saw on the suggested Meal Plan from Oprah's website were either things I already eat or things I've eaten before that I didn't think were disgusting. Bagels? Check. Tofu? Check. Fake butter? Check. It also probably helps that I'm not that picky of an eater, so I most certainly will try those beefless beef strips.

Luckily, Trader Joe's also has a handy list of foods they carry on their website that are Vegan friendly. Below is a a report card of a few of the new items from TJ's that I've never tried before - and will never try again.

First up are the Dairy and Gluten Free pancakes. Overall, I'd give these a B+. For some reason, I expected them to be bigger, but they're actually like silver dollar size that you would get from Perkins or something. I prepared them in the suggested method of cooking, in a toaster, which surprisingly made the centers soft and the edges a little crispy. But as far as the texture goes, that's where I deducted some points, as it got to be a little ... spongy? Overall taste was pretty decent, if I didn't know these were dairy and gluten free, I probably wouldn't have known the difference.

Next up is the Vegetable Pad Thai. This was a winner, winner, charlie sheen dinner. The sauce, noodles, tofu and spices were perfect. There might have been a little too many bean sprouts, but still amazing none the less. This one gets an A!



Finally, we have the beefless beef strips I mentioned earlier. Now I decided I'd get all Bobby Flay and mix these strips up with some garlic, onions and peppers, and put them over some rice, as suggested on the front of the box. Look how nice it came out:


Yeah, no. Looks are decieving. This was me:

I couldn't even finish this. The "beef" is made out of obviously NOT beef, and like beans and veggies instead. I just could not handle the texture of it, and the other shit I put in did not mask the disgustingness of it. So basically, Fail with a capital F.

I have higher hopes for the veggie burgers and chickenless nuggets... well, maybe.

This Is Happening

devin and I (ok, mainly devin) made Indian food from her new cookbook. it came out perfectly!

not shown: custard with bananas.

!

Heart Attack or Heaven on Earth?

OH. GOD. how is this even legal? what does it taste like?? I WANNA KNOWWWWW!

This slightly awkwardly named dessert consists of two pies, a pumpkin pie and an apple pie, baked into two cakes, a vanilla cake and a chocolate cake. The cakes are stacked as they would be in a regular layer cake and whole thing is topped off with very generous amounts of buttercream. When finished, the cake weighs in at 15 pounds, stands more than a foot tall and will feed a pretty large crowd.

{source}

You Don't See These in Lunchables

{source}

The Neverending Controversy

As most of you know, I grew up in western New York. Growing up, I always said 'pop'. It wasn't until I went to college in Boston that my usage of 'pop' was looked at as weird. From then on, I made it a habit to call it 'soda', because frankly, everyone else was doing it.

This map pretty much shows exactly my conclusion on the 'pop vs. soda' debacle. 'Coke' has always been the word down south, no matter what kind of soft drink it is, it's always been 'Coke'. Rochesterians have always been known to have almost a midwestern accent, and the use of pop is no different. As you can see, pretty much from Rochester through the midwest and to the West Coast of Seattle, 'pop' is the commonly used name. However, in Boston, where I adopted the new term, 'soda' is more prevalent, including my current residency in California.

Which side do you take on this one? And let's be honest, does it really even matter? (I don't even drink 'Coke'...)

{source}

This is a Real Thing

'Golden Gaytime Ice Cream'

No. Really.



{source}

Anytime is Wafsicles Time

I gave Mr. and Mrs. Crawford a waffle maker for their wedding. Maybe I should have splurged and bought this. Or maybe I'll just buy this for myself...


[source]

This Looks Like LA

[source]

4th of July Smores!

[source]

Welcome, Summer

I mean, what. This guy decided because it was so hot out, that he would make a refreshing fruit drink. Here's the recipe, folks!

Watermelon always tastes so good in the heat, and it you spike it with some lime flavored vodka its even better.
You make a hole in the watermelon all the way into the meat.
Place a funnel in the hole and pour in the vodka.
It takes a long time for the watermelon to soak it up.
2 cups takes about 2 days, so do it in the fridge.
The result is awesome. Cut the melon into wedges and serve.

[source]

Summertime Treats

[source]

Hooootttt Pocket!

Jimmy Fallon, reinventing the way people advertise Hot Pockets.

But What Happens to the Toy?!

Author Joann Bruso has been blogging about the 'life' of a McDonald's Happy Meal she bought over a year ago. Here are the results of said Happy Meal a YEAR later. Disturbing? Maybe a little.

NOPE, no worries at all. My Happy Meal is one year old today and it looks pretty good. It NEVER smelled bad. The food did NOT decompose. It did NOT get moldy, at all.

This morning, I took it off my shelf to take a birthday photo. The first year is always a milestone. I gave it one of my world famous nonna hugs as we've been office mates for a year now! (Okay, maybe my sanity is in question.)

[source]

The Melting Pot

I don't even know where one can get this fantastic chocolate fondue item, but i want all of it.


[source]

Want. Now.

PIZZACONE. It's a real thing, and exactly how it sounds. This place in NYC sells a different variety of flavor and combos. I just hope it tastes as good as it looks.
[source]

Have Your Dress & Eat It Too

For my friends getting married who have yet to find a dress and/or cake for the wedding, here's my suggestion on saving monies: A CAKE DRESS.

[source]

Spampersand

This one's for you, Brian.

[source]

The Most Work You'll Ever Do For A Cupcake

So some lady decided she would make 100 cupcakes. If you're a PTA making these for a bake sale, this doesn't sound crazy at all. What is crazy is if you decide to have a Game theme, and each cupcake is decorated to be a different popular game. These are the results.

MORE at the [source]!!!