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As far as I'm concerned, the best Bourdain episode since the first Food Network season. SB

This depends on the particular facility. In any case, I'm sure the ingredient quality is better than fast food and junk foof, at least as good as most restautrants, and far better than most people in this Country and the World subsist on! I don't know about the existing businesses, but I'd expect and encourage this, and then expand my offerings to include more elaborate techniques and meals. Compared to the alternatives, I'd say "yes." About the same time they started watching Food Network? SB

zilla, THANX! There's a link in the article to the industry's trade group, the Easy Meal Prep Association, which lists member's locations by name and by state. I find it interesting that while there are a few franchise outfits, most of them look more like mom & pop operations. SB

The NY Times had an article yesterday about the rapid growth of the meal preparation center business. (If somebody more adept than I can provide the link I'd be most grateful) It's easy to be immediately dismissive or distainful about a concept like this, but upon reflection I think it's a great idea. Most people lack even the basic kitchen skills, mental and physical. They are also chronically short of time. They don't demand or expect gourmet fare every night, but only a step up from fast food, take-out and delivery dinners. You can argue with their life-style choices if you want, but it's a fact. You can't argue with the idea that anything that gets people to eat healthier meals, and eat them together as a family is a good thing. I would suspect many people "graduate" from this form of cooking to doing more things for themself as they become comfortable in their own kitchens. I followed links in the article to the site of a three location operation in the Twin Cities: www.mixitupmeals.com I'm impressed by the business plan, especially where it emphasizes social interactions like family participation, group fundraisers, and the camaraderie of preparing meals with friends. I've contacted Mix It Up Meals already this morning about a possible location in a lease-hold I have in a very attractive area of the Twin Cities. SB (better to light one burner rather than curse the cold dark ovens of $100k yuppie kitchens) PS: While I'll admit to being a notoriously poor speller, I can't believe I'm the only eGullet poster who ever tried to edit a message title!

steam

We usually just use "coffee", singular or plural. "I'm going fo coffee." "You guys having coffee?" SB (does it almost every day)

I tend to feel that even RecipeGullet's Ingredient Wizard is way too much structure for me. I like recipies to read more like short stories than chemical formulas. SB

What would be an appropriate stuffing for roasted poohbear? ← Excelsior! SB

I think I'd pass on the "stuffing" though. SB

I've never heard anyone use the term in person. SB

Why? ← I'm cursed. SB

I pretty much buy, cook and eat whatever I want. SB

I didn't think it would be possible for me to admire Sara more than I already do, but you've convinced me. A great story! SB (maybe she'll invite you on her new PBS show?)

I used to make sure to have my USDA Recommended Minimum Daily Adult Requirement of Caffeine, Nicotene and Velveeta, (aka: the Nutritional Triad), but when I quit smoking I lightened up on the Velveeta consumption too. SB (still gets plenty of caffiene though)

Every now and then I'll buy a 99 cent bag of fried Cheetos. I don't hide them, per se, but I don't eat them when others are around, (aka: share), or leave the bag out in plain view. "That orange color on my fingers and mustache?" "Cheese powder?" "No,no!" "It's hallucinogenic drugs! Yes, dangerous hallucinogenic drugs. You couldn't handle it." SB

Water in a bottle for more than $1. SB (except maybe in the middle of the dessert)

But try it some time when you're sober! SB

I used to watch Tony's shows on FoodTV religiously, but missed most of the last series on Travel Channel. I caught last night's show, but I was actually bothered by it until I began to appreciate the fact they were intentionally making a lousy show about making a lousy show. But, enough of that. I hope the new episodes will shed some of the snarkiness and instead recapture some of the spontaneity and wit of the early shows? SB

I don't know about better? Cheaper anyway. SB

Wait a minute! Am I losing my mind (that's just a rhetorical question) or didn't somebody just post here about wyverns? Anyway, I was going to say they wouldn't be so good for those of us who like drumsticks. SB (but it's a great Scrabble word!)

http://cgi.ebay.com/Tupperware-Egg-Lifter-...5QQcmdZViewItem SB (thinks they're actually pretty cool!)

Has anybody noticed that men seem to have a penchant for food that can be eaten while held in their hands, while "women's food", although often served in smaller portions to begin with, is generally cut and eaten with proper utensils? SB

I solve that problem when I bake pies by converting everything to a different base number system. SB (too clever by a half)

Marigold Custard? SB (or maybe pizza)

Pumpkin Seed Oil, from Eastern Europe, is interesting. It's rather hard to find, and fairly expensive, but it's supposed to have healthful benefits. http://shop.store.yahoo.com/chefshop/hirstyrpumse.html SB (and it's a nice color)