sml311

The phrase "Anything you can do I can do better" comes to mind. (Especially when thinking about Perkins.) Exceptions: The really top places I go to a few times a year. (I wish I were that good...) Indian food...the guys at my local place totally kick my ass on this one. That's why I'm a regular . SML

I have the predecessor to that Canon PowerShot S series camera and I'm quite happy with it. The next series up in cameras, which my dad has (A80 I believe), has many more features if you want to play around with the manual features a lot. But the PowerShot S series is small, it's reliable, the compact flash cards it uses are easy to find and the readers for them are cheap. (I recommend a 128 or 256 MB card...I have one of each and a reader for those cards instead of plugging your camera into the computer--much much better uploading, especially on a Mac.) SML

I can't believe I forgot these: the Keebler French Vanilla Creme Sandwich Cookies!! Best packaged cookie ever. I used to get a bag and put them in the freezer and go through them slowly. Then one time I went to get them and they weren't in any grocery. I checked the Keebler website and sure enough they'd been discontinued. I'm still pissed.... SML

Agree wholeheartedly! One of the most difficult to clean appliances I've ever owned!! I also have an immersion blender but I don't use it much. I guess there just aren't that many things I make that would be better with it. Maybe my potato soup.... SML

I thought it was the Klingons who ate live food...gagh I believe it was called. Live worms. (Good to see another geek here ) Also, sometimes when my dog gets hungry he eats his own excrement...(I usually catch him before he finishes) I don't care how well prepared that is....NO! SML

Oh yes, I agree with that. Complete nastiness!!! There were some kind of fruit chews in the 80s that came in a purple package that I LOVED! Don't know what happened to them...I think it's the same company as the pudding roll ups. Remember the Lays Taste of America line last year? The BBQ one they had was excellent. Then it suddenly disappeared. Best late night snack in a LONG TIME! SML

I don't think it sounds that bad taste-wise, but the presentation makes the red sauce look a little like it's coming out of a chest wound. Probably another victim of dish on dish violence...sad... SML

Ditto. Oh lord how I miss that sweet, sweet, frozen pudding goodness. Ok, nobody pee your pants...but pudding pops appear to be back on the market, at least in NC. The Husband and I were in the frozen goods and looked over, and right next to the sugar free fudgesicles (Milhouse, it's FUDGE-sickles, not Fudgicles), there they were. Pudding Pops. I could not get them (Lent), but The Husband and I were jumping up and down like little kids, we were so excited. Damn I love those things. So be on the lookout. "Eat the pudding" Does anyone remember Pudding Roll Ups? Like fruit roll ups, only with pudding. I do not miss those. I miss Chillie Willies. Husband does as well. JennotJenn, WHERE IN NC? I live in NC and I NEED pudding pops. Which grocery store? Please tell! SML Edit: And yes, nice Simpsons quote...saw that one the other day. Maybe we're watching the same network? WB at 6 PM? OK, they have them at the Food Lion at the intersection of Hwy 70 and Lynn Road in Raleigh. Popsicle markets them. If you don't live in Raleigh, check out your local Lion. If they don't have them, they'll probably special order them for you. FWIW, I used to hate the Lion, but they have improved dramatically in the past year. Good luck in your search! Yes, the WB at 6!! I live in south Raleigh/north Cary, so I'll try the one down here first, but desperation may drive me north!! SML

Ditto. Oh lord how I miss that sweet, sweet, frozen pudding goodness. Ok, nobody pee your pants...but pudding pops appear to be back on the market, at least in NC. The Husband and I were in the frozen goods and looked over, and right next to the sugar free fudgesicles (Milhouse, it's FUDGE-sickles, not Fudgicles), there they were. Pudding Pops. I could not get them (Lent), but The Husband and I were jumping up and down like little kids, we were so excited. Damn I love those things. So be on the lookout. "Eat the pudding" Does anyone remember Pudding Roll Ups? Like fruit roll ups, only with pudding. I do not miss those. I miss Chillie Willies. Husband does as well. JennotJenn, WHERE IN NC? I live in NC and I NEED pudding pops. Which grocery store? Please tell! SML Edit: And yes, nice Simpsons quote...saw that one the other day. Maybe we're watching the same network?

I mourn these frequently...such an integral part of my childhood. Sigh. And freezing jello pudding isn't the same... SML

Natural flavors, in case you're wondering, often refers to a plant extract called balsam of peru, among other things. I believe it's some kind of base/flavor enhancer. I only know because my dad is allergic. I did find one pretty good premade, grocery guac at Harris Teeter here in North Carolina. I can't remember the brand name, but the ingredients were actually just avocados, onion, garlic, lemon juice and maybe a preservative, but not much as it doesn't last in the refrigerator much longer than the real thing. It was in the pre-packaged salad/dressing refrigerated area. It was completely smooth and the packaging was black with two pouches of guac. This was completely smooth, and I like mine with some chunks in it usually, but for store-bought it was really good. SML

Sorry but I just had to admit this: Two trips to Krispy Kreme in 36 hours. Three hots, two devils foods and a key lime. Also went way out of my way to fulfill a craving for the WORST QUESO IN THE WORLD!! Seriously. I wanted stale chips and industrial queso from this awful restaurant that was at my old college. I ate the whole cup and a half. I even dragged my poor puppy in the car with me.... Sigh. Feel much better now that I've admitted it. SML PS Also, does anyone else lose their appetite as soon as their period starts? I do....

That reminds me of a spiked church punch. (Remember those punches that were sherbet, pulp in juice and 7up??) It actually sounds pretty good to me...maybe I'm just weird SML

I can't believe that!!! (Well, actually I can ) It's kind of like VH1. I mean when's the last time that network actually played a music video. 1997?? Now they're the "I love the 80s" network. Oh yeah, and sucky movies...that too. Edit: Maybe the food network can pick up food-related movies. It really couldn't get any worse, so what the hell do they have to lose? Certainly not that last shred of dignity or credibility. SML

I was on constipating medicines for years after being in a car accident. Personally, prunes never worked for me. High fiber bread always did. Nature's Own Whole Wheat is available in the groceries around where I live and has 3g per slice. A type I get from a local bakery has more like 5g. A couple of pieces a day should help. As far as medicines, the best stool softener on the market is Senokot (Colace is also good.) There is a type of Senokot that has both drugs in it, I believe. Good luck, SML

Have you guys seen that mini blender/ food processor where you blend in the glass then screw on tacky-colored lids. Guac in a glass! Just what I've been waiting for... I can't remember the name of the product...late night in a random hotel. But it was pure genius according to the people on the show and they're ALWAYS right. SML

Absolutely!!

Well, the first few days I can't keep anything down. After that, really good stove top mac and cheese (not from a box), baked apples, ham...all comfort food to me. A lot of soft drinks...normally I try not to drink too many bc of the empty calories, but that all goes out of the window when I'm upset. Anything that doesn't require too much thinking or effort...lucky charms out of the box, things like that. Chips and queso from a local restaurant that does it well. I guess that's about it... I'm sorry you're going through this right now. I'll save you the hackneyed sayings you're probably hearing a lot of right now. Just indulge yourself for a while...get taken care of by your friends...eat copious amounts of food... Good luck! SML

ExtraMSG--I find myself agreeing with you again. A commercial with RODENTS (or at least puppets that look like rodents) DOES NOT make me want to eat a restaurant. In fact, now, when I see a Quiznos, I avoid it. I used to occassionally eat it for lunch, but now, I'd rather eat the rodents! SML

Maybe it could be like that 24 hour IC episode where they went all over France to get the ingredients? SML

I imagine most people did. Sadly, I remembered every last thing. I'm sorry!! SML

Yes they did. There's a really popular Shaker community near Lexington that people visit in the summer. The lemon pie there is a pretty well known dish in Kentucky. It has a more bitter, acidic "true lemon" (as in not syrupy sweet) flavor than other lemon pies I've had. SML

Owensboro, KY (my hometown)=barbecued mutton, burgoo Louisville, KY=second the mint julep, derby pie, hot brown Bardstown, KY=the main bourbon spot Lexington, KY=shaker lemon pie Where in SC is known for she-turtle soup? Is it Charleston or is that dish a state-wide thing? SML

Tissue: So you mean you aren't laid back with your mind on your money and your money on your mind? PurpleWhiz: I'm guessing everyone would probably rather forget that party SML

Definitely good points ExtraMSG and Toliver. I probably am a little cynical about the American dining public. Too many friend and family members who serious can't taste the difference between quality/good preparation and crap/bad preparation. Definitely a humorous/educational approach would be in line with the Japanese version. It will take a very good producer to pull this off, and I hope they do. Most people I know who watched it, watched it because the translation/commentary was funny without being too obvious, plus I think it definitely introduced people to ingredients and techniques they hadn't seen before. SML