Matcha Eyes

There were times in my life when things got so bad in the family, eating alone in my room was a blessing. The more the family sat at the table together, the more likely the neighbors would be watching a live version of "Cops". I can certainly say that it wasn't not having lively family suppers that got me addicted to cocaine. There is so much more to good parenting and happy, healthy family besides mealtime. Communication is the key, and that can happen at anytime of the day or night and anywhere, not just at the table.

I have been eating shiritake noodles for a few years. They don't taste like regular pasta, but then again to me they don't really taste like anything. I guess the chewy texture is what makes them different. The only thing I had to get used to is the odor of the water they are packed it. When you first open the bag, it gives off kind of a fishy odor but it doesn't affect the taste. Once you rinse them, the odor goes away. Yes, sadly, it is true that sometimes they can come up or out in the same shape. I did overdose on about 4 packs of noodles in 1 day and they came back up. That was the only time I got sick after eating them. However, it could have been something else I ate that made me sick. I won't get into the science of vomiting. My favorite things to use shiritake noodles in are mostly Asian-inspired dishes like miso soup. They are bulky and filling, but without the refined carbohydrate effect. They fit my vegan lifestyle so I don't have to worry about eggs being in them. I like both the regular shape and the fettucine style- sometimes the store only has the fettucine in stock. I like to cut them in half first because they are really long like ramen noodles. I haven't tried them in Italian-style pasta dishes because I don't think they work well when it comes to getting sauce to stick to them. When I have added them to stir-fries, they still retain a lot of moisture even after straining them for a while. The low calorie count makes them popular with people watching their weight. From what I know, most people either love them or hate them. It all comes down to personal taste.

Has anyone tried Shiro? I can't remember where in Novi it is, but I have been past it a few times when it first opened. The building is beautiful but I don't know anyone into Japanese cuisine so I didn't want to go alone.

Bourdain's commentary was quite humourous, as was the Food Network awards awful. But... I find it kind of juvenile for Bourdain to continue his verbal grudge against FN. Yes, I'm guilty of enjoying his fuck-the-food-network shtick, but that will eventually get old. Maybe instead of always acting like a 14 year old girl about what FN is doing, he could try striking out against them in a more constructive way. Like for example, using his celebrity and influence to start his own network with other chefs. This way people might actually be able to view the kind of food-related content other food enthuiasts want to see. I'm sure he wouldn't have trouble finding support. If you can't bring down the beast that is the Food Network, make your own.

I'm so excited about the renovations for Eastern Market. I love going there, it's worth all the hassle of sitting in road construction traffic.

I didn't come into this world until the final weeks of 1983, but this thread made me dig out my mother's 1970 edition of Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book. Here are some retro-sounding recipes. Some of them are classic, some weird, and others seem rather disgusting. This book also tells you all the different ways to set tables and how to behave. Not to sound sexist, but the book seems like a retro guide for yesterday's domestic engineers. Appetizers: Curried Wheat Snacks Deviled Almonds Dried Beef Log Tropical Fruit Fluff Tuna Pate Luau Bites Teriyaki Minatures Swedish Pickled Shrimp Punches: (remember punches?) Raspberry Cooler Apricot Swizzle Quantity Fruit Punch Sandwiches: Broiler Tuna Burgers Frosted Ribbon Loaf Teatime Sandwiches Cakes n' Stuff: Chiffon Cake(orange, pineapples, maple, etc.) Pineapple Upsidedown cake Sponge Cake Boiled Frostings(and coconut on everything) OoOoOoH! Here's a fun section! Casseroles and one-dishers! Shrimp Curried Eggs Cheese Fondue Bake Hungarian Noodle Bake Chipped Beef Puff Hungarian Goulash Stuffed Pepper Cups Veal Rolls Divan Classic Chicken Divan Rice Rings Newburgs(lobster, crab, shrimp) Fried Rice Tuna-noodle Casserole Desserts: Cherry Angel Dessert Berry Floating Island Ambrosia Apple Betty Cherries Jubilee Raspberry Bombe Tutti-frutti Tortoni Java Tapioca Parfaits Baked Prune Whip Pots de Creme Cottage Pudding Apricot Bavarian Chocolate Charlotte Russe Pineapple Cream Loaf Beef: Swiss Steak Rump Roast London Broil Ginger Sauced Tongue Chicken-Fried Steak Pork: Chicken-fried Pork Chops Crown Roast Ham Loaf Fruit Stuffed Pork Canned Picnic Shoulder(okay, I just vomited in my mouth) Eggs: Deviled Eggs Ham and Egg Divan(apparently you can "Divan" anything) Creamed Eggs Fish and Seafood: Codfish Balls Salmon Loaf Halibut Royale Clam-stuffed Shrimp Rock Lobster Tails Chicken: Chicken Kiev, a la King, Croquettes, Parisienne, Sweet-sour, au Vin, etc Salads!(another exciting chapter) Frosted Cheese Mold Waldorf Salad Spicy Apricot Mold Jellied Chicken Salad Summer Tuna Mold Hot Five-Bean Salad Cucumber-cheese Ring Tomato Aspic Green Goddess Salad Vegetables: Creamy Green Beans Beets in Cream Creamed Peas and New Potatoes Scalloped potatoes, tomatoes, corn, etc

I don't really care for marijuana(which is ironic since one of the places I stay is just filled with it), but the few times I have smoked a blunt, I craved cereal. In fact, after I crashed from most of my cocaine/ecstacy binges, I craved cereal too. Lots of it. My favorite blend would be something like cocoa/fruity Pebbles mixed with rice Chex and either bran flakes or a Kashi cereal. Add some vanilla soy or almond milk and I could eat sometimes 3 huge bowls of it in one sitting before going to sleep for the next 15 hours. Good times...

As the posters above said, you have to give yourself adjustment time. I used to work at a cheesecake bakery from 6 am until 2 pm, then work as a manager at Subway from 3-10. I also had school twice a week. It's hard as hell, but after a while you get used to it and missing sleep doesn't affect you as much as before. You'd be suprised at how far your body can go before you hit burnout. Most of all, remember that this bit of stress you are going through now will pay off so much in the end. Working as a pastry assissant is great and finishing college will only open up more opportunities. Good luck!

What was your family food culture when you were growing up? Definitely blue-collar. When my dad lost his job in 1986, we ate really yucky food. I remember those grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup nights all too vividly. We also ate alot of Polish food too because both of my parents are Polish. Was meal time important? Not really. Both of my parents worked odd hours and two of my 3 siblings were already teenagers. So long as you got food in your belly was all that mattered(and you didn't waste it). Was cooking important? Not really. I grew up in the 80's. Processed food was becoming pretty acceptable. I was fine with eating Pac-Man cereal out of the box for all 3 meals. My mom was always on a diet so I think our refrigerator was never without a pot of that cabbage soup stuff. It was not until a few years ago that my parents got serious about eating wholesome, homecooked meals. What were the penalties for putting elbows on the table? None. Not that I can really remember having an elbow problem in the family. We had a belching and cursing problem. And that's nothing compared to my ex-husband's gas problem at supper time. Who says Europeans are more cultured? Who cooked in the family? Both of my parents cooked. My Dad would usually cook on the weekends, especially after his hunting trips. They still take turns, but my mom has alzheimer's disease so we try to stick around to help her out in case she has a problem. I prepare all of my food because I'm vegan and prefer to take care of myself when I get stuck at home. Were restaurant meals common, or for special occasions? From the time I was 8 until the time I was 15, we lived on Burger King. Yuck! Did children have a "kiddy table" when guests were over? I still get stuck at the kiddy table. Yes, at 23 years old, I am still at the bottom. And people wonder why I ran away. When did you get that first sip of wine? I don't remember about wine, but I remember sipping my Dad's pop when I was 3 and wondering why it burned my mouth. That was my first introduction to cheap vodka. Was there a pre-meal prayer? Every meal we had to say that grace before meals prayer. My parents are pretty devout Catholics, so skipping grace was a big no-no. Was there a rotating menu? No. But during Lent we had to follow all of the fasting and abstinance rules on Fridays and such. I still cannot think of tuna, eggs, or fish sticks without gagging. How much of your family culture is being replicated in your present-day family life? Very little is present. I survived my anorexia, which made returning to regular meals hard. In the last year or so my cocaine/ecstacy binges would have me go days without food, and also sent my culinary school knowledge out the window. My rehab attempts/withdrawls sometimes make regular, good meals difficult. When I stay with my boyfriend, I cook as great as Martha Stewart though. So I guess everyday is an adventure with food.

I cook for my guy. But I love it too. I think in the end it makes things less complicated because I am vegan and he is not so I can plan things around each other. In my opinion, if you know you can help someone take better care of themselves by stepping in, than do it. When I cook, I know my boyfriend will get a nutritious and balanced meal. Also, it's my way of showing how much I appreciate everything he does for me. I don't think it is degrading to myself as a woman either. For a good portion of my life my mother did all the cooking and eventually my father took over because their work schedules made if more convenient for Dad to take care of the meals. Whatever makes the household work I guess...

I really hope that your story can help the industry to see that former felons can be just as productive as anyone else. I just lost my job due to corporates finding out about my probation, which has yet to officially start. Sometimes people fall down in life, sometimes harder than others. But it does not mean that we do not have talent or the will to work hard. Perhaps if the stigma of past problems can be tonned down, maybe more people in similar situations would be inspired to explore the culinary arts.

Parts of Jeff's life seem similar to that of Mia from Top Chef. It's a shame that Jeff's literature is being shunned because I don't think many people realize what a release cooking can be. He showed it and wasn't explain the gritty details of what his newfound passion saved him from.

This was fascinating and wonderful. I'm so glad that Jeff wrote this. He leaves me with a lot of hope that I can finish culinary school after despite my current struggles with drug addiction and the law. I look foward to reading more.

One reason for more independent places not being in the suburbs could be the cost of rent(this has probably already been mentioned). Is it really no suprise that rent in Detroit is cheaper than the suburbs? Opening a business is such a huge expensive risk, the cost of the suburbs is just like a second punch in the gut. Although I would like to add that having those independent places in the city is great. There is a strange neighborly feel when you walk into those places after a late night romp in the city and people know your name. It makes me choose those 24 hour joints in the "bad" neighborhoods over the grubby Denny's in the supposedly "nice" areas

It might be the Lunchbox Deli. I don't know they are still around.

I second those cookies. I used to rely on Healy's Health Hut for all my baked goodies(I bake sometimes but the minute my family hears the word 'vegan' they won't touch it), but now I go here as well. I like that Sprout House and Healy's are so close together. I actually used to live on Beaconsfield for a few months back in 2002. I wish they had been there around that time, I miss being within walking distance of my stores. A lot of the roads here in Mt. Clemens aren't pedestrian friendly. I have also been meaning to try Moo-Moo's cafe too. I can't remember what street in Grosse Pointe she's on, but I have bought a few items from the cafe at Healy's last year and enjoyed them very much. My parents could believe some of the food was vegan-friendly.

I have a suggestion for when you need something to eat and you are in a hurry. The Sprout House in Grosse Pointe is heavenly. It's a health food store that prepares food to go as well. I'm vegan so I love that they cater to vegan needs in addition to omnivores. They have fresh sandwiches, soups, and even really great desserts in a cooler in the back of the store. The slices of vegan chocolate cake are probably some of the best chocolate cake I have ever had. It was so dense and the frosting so fudgy and rich, I couldn't believe it didn't have any animal products in it. I really like the fact that this locally owned business supports other Michigan businesses like Avalon breads and Eden Organics.

I just have to wonder if somewhere deep in Asia, a tv show exists in which a host goes around America remarking about what weird foods us westerners eat. Sheesh, everyone eats to live but sometimes we all can't eat the same thing. Sorry, but shows like this one piss me off. While it's fun to learn about other cultures, especially food-related things, I don't think "bizarre" is an appropiate word for cultural differences.

Since people have brought up situations at Chinese buffets that can seem unfair to the customer, I have to ask about this situation: How do people here feel about Chinese buffets that ban customers or kick them out for taking too much of one item and not more of the other offerings? For example: My father works at the huge General Motors tech center and there is a popular Chinese buffet right across the street. The restaurant managers greet General Motors employees with the simple phrase "No Blue-Shirts!" because they feel the guys eat too many of the ribs offered and not enough of the other foods set out. Another example: About 2 years ago I was really excited to try a new Oriental Buffet that opened nearby because it boasted about a large selection of sushi. So I went on a slow afternoon, and went straight for the sushi offerings. I did have 2 small cups of egg drop soup and some kimchi, but it was obvious that I was not into all that fried, greasy stuff stereotypically served. I took about 4 pieces of sushi per trip, and after the 3rd trip the waitor handed me the bill and asked me to leave. I didn't say anything but I felt both angry and embarassed. I never thought I would be able to eat so much to get kicked out of a buffet. But I was also really angry that I was being charged all this money for a few pieces of sushi. It's not like I was eating an entire platter of fatty tuna, and besides it's an all-you-can eat buffet, not Nobu.

After this week's episode, I really admire Marcel more than ever. He did a great job of keeping his cool amongst all the mud-slinging. Intsead of stooping to Betty's low level(I can't believe grown adults behave like that), he defended himself the right way. And like most here, I'm also glad Betty is gone. I work with a woman that reminds me in so many ways of Betty. She's about the same age and acts sweet and perky one moment but she can also turn into a controlling, two-faced bitch the next. People like that are scary to be around because you never know what mood they will be in

Over the whole New Years holiday thingy I finally was able to see this show for the first time. I am crazy-obsessed now! I finally now understand why so many people here love Bourdain. He is hilarious to listen to.

I think that because she's like Martha Stewart on cocaine, I am able to like her so much. My attention span is so short that I find her fast pace on television entertaining. A lot of well-loved Foodnetwork personalities are way too dry and boring for me because I find them to be too monotone... basically not hyper-active enough to keep me from channel surfing again.

Yes, Marcel is weird. But I think that's what I like about him. Despite his behaving like a pretentious twat in the kitchen at times, I think he would be a fun person to meet. I like introverted, geeky types. They often appear mysterious, but then they surprise you with a fun side like when the contestants went swimming after the beach challenge. Okay, I admit that I am forming somewhat of a crush on Marcel. Ilan is a hottie, but probably too hot for me.

Am I being too judgemental for getting rather sick of Gail? She just wouldn't shut up about those eggs! I was never a big Frank fan, but damn! Enough about the eggs! My prediction for next week is that Michael will be next to go. I will be sad when he finally does get eliminated because I really do like his warm, relaxed personality. While he might not be Top Chef material, he reminds me of a good friend of mine. This week really makes me like Marcel more. He's quiet, nerdy, introverted... but I like him. He's confident and creative, not nearly as loud or obnoxious as Betty. Most of all, he really seems to know what he's doing. No, none of the contestants are perfect, but Marcel stands out the most. That's just my opinion of course.

From reading the article, it seems like women might only have different dining styles because of dieting issues. While I do enjoy fruits and vegetables, I can still enjoy many things guys do. Maybe my blue-collar upbrining made me have no shame in saying so either. Also, I don't believe that all women want small portions either. I am a very small woman and can still out-eat most guys when I'm hungry.