JPW

I think that discussing it with the instructor one-on-one is an excellent idea. If not for anything more than for the benefit of future classes. Frankly, the issue of pre-natal or post-natal nutrition has not come up at all in the class. I'll have to see if I can find a way to put the issue in play without coming off as a complete horse's patootie. (Which obviously I don't feel the need to avoid while sharing somewhat anonymously on an online forum).

Yeah I thought of that later. But, for argument's sake, I also question how much longer it takes to run into the grocery store and grab a few more healthy things. I didn't eat them. For argument's sake, I guess that the second sentence could be a good alternative explanation. However, given the fat levels of those who brought the other snacks I saw some evidence for my assumption. GOod idea. I had not thought of nuts. Good protein as well.

It's really why I posted this. It's more important to eat healthy when pregnant than at any other time. While the mother only needs an extra 300-500 calories per day to properly account for the energy that goes into the growing fetus, it has to contain the correct nutrients to allow for the proper development of the fetus. The issue continues during breastfeeding (for those who do it) but where 500-1000 extra calories a day are needed. For the combined 1-2 years of these two periods, the child is wholely dependant on the mother for the fuel needed to grow. The quality of that fuel is directly related to the quality of the fuel that mom consumes. There's also the perspective that, if my assumption that these snacks are typical of what they eat at home holds true, then that's what the kid is going to start in on as soon as he/she starts eating solids. That, to me, is a recipe for disaster.

So, here's the picture. My wife and I are attending a condensed series of childbirth classes. The first class was Tuesday 6:30 - 9:30. The instructor brought in a few snacks consisting of Famous Amos chocolate chip cookies, Cool Ranch Ruffles potato chips, apple juice and cranberry juice. The last couple in the door showed up with McDonald's for their dinner and proceeded to eat a 9 piece McNugget and fries (him) and a Quarterpounder with cheese and fries (her). Since I swore off fast food almost exactly 6 months ago the smell made me absolutely nauseous. I almost had to move to the other side of the room. As the class began, the instructor suggested that we should sign up to bring snacks for everyone for the Thusday night class and the Saturday all day class. The first couple put down "drinks" for Thursday and I put down "fruit" and passed it along, hence not knowing what others would bring. Thursday comes along and I show up with a big ziploc of orange wedges and a fuit salad with kiwi, strawberries, granny smith apples, and seedless green grapes. I place it on the table in the front where in due time it is joined by -- a bag of Guacamole flavored Tostitos a bag of Smartfood popcorn a bag of store brand potato chips a 2 liter of Pepsi a 2 liter of caffeine free diet Pepsi Oh yeah, the McDonald's couple showed up with a huge bag from Baja Fresh which they proceeded to devour while sitting on the floor. I could only assume that this was typical of eating habits outside of the class. While attempting to suppress the wrong-minded and inappropriate feelings of superiority that grew as a result of observing this spread of snacks, I began to worry about the health of the soon-to-be children, not just now but once they are born. Granted it's a sin, but is my pride completely misplaced? Am I just being snobbish? As the saying goes, "Discuss among yourselves".

Monica, Every time I look at that menu posting I start drooling. I can't wait! Thank you SO much for organizing this! You rock!

There are several vineyards in VA about an hour or so (depending on traffic) out I66 and off Rte 29. I always thought those were an excellent date idea. Also, see the other threads on the many food festivals that pop-up around DC in the summer. Not as socially confining as sitting in a restaurant for a meal in the early stages of dating. Good luck!

The more important question Jenny is Are YOU going to enter the contest? It sounds right down your alley!

tom, Do you work near there? Or do you call each day? Roberto's a trooper. It's 87 degrees. Yeah, but when you're over the grill it's a dry heat.

Let's also include Cathal's response ... Alexandria, Va.: Tom, would you kindly ask the guest that was disappointed with Restaurant Eve to contact Cathal or Meshelle directly at 7037060450, we would like to have an opportunity to show them the true nature of Eve. Thank you, Cathal. Tom Sietsema: Disgruntled guest, are you out there? Also, this sounds familiar.... I agree with Adams Morgan...: Will you please work on your quota of outrageously expensive places to eat? Not to be critical, Tom, but there are few places outside the Inn at Little Washington that cost more that $300 per couple. Come on, man; start helping out those of us who have so much money, we don't know what to do with it. Maybe a $1000 omelette would be nice... Tom Sietsema: LOL

I don't think that you'll get kicked off, but being tied down and force fed one of man's great inventions is another matter. I'm with you on Reubens. If there's anything more vile than "French dressing" it's "Russian dressing" Another one that popped into my head is a venal sin for a boy from Pittsburgh, but I cannot abide sauerkraut. It's like eating greasy eel innards! I do however adore kielbasa.

Shellfish - namely oysters and clams. Anything that filters toxic sea floor sludge is not for me. Plus the inevitably rubbery texture of clams always makes me feel like I'm chewing on the ball from a set of kid's Jacks.

The Ronald Reagan International Trade Building is on the SE corner of Pennsylvania and 14th (?). I know it because it is the home of USAID, among other government agencies. You can't miss it. It's the ugly thing that used to be the home of "jordan's"

Oh yeah, one more. Basement of the Reagan trade buiding has a nice food court open to public. Haven't been in a while so can't tell you who is down there now.

Just north of Union Station on 1st St NE is a Dept of Energy building. You walk in the main door and go up the stairs ahead (the security entrance to offices is to the right). Very good cheese steaks.

There's another pizza thread around here mktye where I mention some of my own misadventures with service there. Sad to hear that the situation hasn't improved. My own opinion of their pizza was pretty non-comittal, just OK, nothing special.

Another thumbs up for any of Kochilas' books. There are some simply lovely dips in Meze My favorite has to be the garlicky apricot yoghurt.

I can understand if you might want a second opinion from someone who isn't the owner, so let me give a very strong second to Bombay Curry Company. Up Glebe Rd is La Libela (Ethiopian) which is decent. For spicy in Old Town Alexandria try Cajun Bangkok which, as its name suggests, serves Cajun-Thai fusion. Guaranteed to light a fire in your mouth (not to mention elsewhere).

I can't recall the name, but it is actually owned by a hawaiin guy. I thought that they had closed.

Welcome LeMieux. Any relation to Mario? signed - A Penguins fan

Rick Bayliss, so I can learn how to "consult" on a new fast food sandwich and get PAID!

Obviously a person whose culinary adventures are focused the delicacies of Silver Spring's new Cannery Row - Romano's, Red Lobster, Potbelly - where he was treated shabbily. I can see it now - Patron "I left my Washington Post here after I was done reading it and I want it back NOW" Poor little 16 year old busboy "Sir, we're not responsible for left items" Patron "Find it now!" Busboy "It probably got thrown out, sir" Patron "Well, damnit you snivelling little piss ant, jump into the dumpster and find it. I had taken some notes of someone who got extra nice service in a restaurant and I wanted to whine to Tom Sietsma that it wasn't fair" Busboy "Sir, I'll buy you a new one" Patronb "No! I want mine!" The patron storms out crossing the parking lot and while traversing Georgia Ave gets hit by the Z8 bus.

Taberna del Alabardero is probably the closest to Constitution Hall (just up 18th) Vidalia is a little longer of a walk but may be a better option.

mktye, Great review. I believe that all of us who went to the Malcolm X picnic will be happy to strip the "self-proclaimed" from the above quote. By the (lack of) power vested (although I don't think I've worn a vest since I worked at a Todd English restaurant 11 years ago) in me (by myself) I hearby proclaim you the Queen of Carbs and Baroness of Bread. You may now toast the crouton.

I don't think anything says summer quite like the beautiful Gin and Tonic. However, I do tend to pull out my experience behind the bar at a little greek place on St. THomas USVI (Zorba's) and start looking for a good Retsina to be served colder than typical for a white wine, or the lovely cloudiness of Ouzo on the rocks.

A second on Weimer. To me, he produces what are easily the best wines in the area.