Food and Whine (a new magazine premise)

Yes.Every once in a while I ponder the meaning of life.

But, more often, I ponder even deeper, personal questions.
Which leads me to this list of food related ramblings....

"Why....."

1......can't the caloric value of an apple be equal to.....the same size portion of " death by chocolate" ice cream?..or vice versa?

2......isn't the weight you gain, evenly dispersed....if you stand while eating?

3......do I always feel that eating the spiciest, 5-alarm Mexican meal is more of a personal dare, that I constantly seem to repeat?....(Learning by doing, doesn't seem to work for me.)

4.....should I be surprised that if I divert from a recipe, by re-interpreting level tablespoons for heaping tablespoons......that it's more than likely, not going to taste the same?

5.....do I feel sorry for "the cheese" in the "Farmer in the Dell" children's song?.....guess it's the whole cheese being ostrasized situation..."The cheese stands alone.The cheese stands alone....."

6.....do people still feel they can break the cardinal rule of the proper time to consume White Castle hamburgers (etc.)?....They can only be eaten after a long night out...in the early a.m. hours.That is the only time your body can efficiently repel the after affects of this unique food product.( And you know what I mean.)

7. And my final brief thought....."What does a "pinch" of an ingredient do anyway, in the grand scheme of things?..... That's like saying I'll have one potato chip, one piece of chocolate.....I'm sorry,but that just ain't gonna happen.

So these are a few of my foodie thoughts that occupy my mind.... What food grievances or enigmas would you like to bring to to the forefront? Just wondering?

To Sushi...or Not to Sushi...That is the Question....

I have always been a fairly daring person when it comes to trying new things..in the realm of edibles.Yes, I have eaten escargots. And yes, I have not had any adverse reaction to them. It is amazing what butter and garlic can do to enhance the most "bizarre"/unique foods. And lest I forget to mention, that I have also consumed clams on the half shell, clams oreganata, clams casino.....also a few semi-icky things,which I will omit. Due to the fact that my aim is not to make anyone queasy.

Though I do have to add that I am unyielding about what I like and dislike. To me there is no way to make liver not taste like liver.After you get past all the masking of ingredients....it still is liver. Brussels sprouts is another of those mystery veggies, that I can't get past why someone, of their own free will, would even attempt to consume. I understand that I am probably encouraging some seething anger in those folks who are pro liver..pro brussels sprouts. ( I apologize....it's me, not you.)

So mentioning all that, here is an experience that I've had lately, that i never thought I would.My newest food curiosity to date, was to put to rest......about a particular food.....that I was always discouraged to dabble in....Sushi! ( And the accompanying, death-defying-act of manipulating chopsticks. First timers should be given the option of using a safety net.) I believe now, after eating Sushi, that the sticky rice that is molded with the fish/veggies,would be the translation of safety net, in this case.

It was highly recommended to me to try a variety of Sushi that had the best chance to impress on first sight and then would have a high probability of making past the inside of my mouth.(......in other words, not make a return appearance to the outside world, if my taste buds changed their minds. I know how ridiculous I sound, really.) So my first Sushi variety was smoked salmon. I love salmon to begin with, so I thought I had half a chance. Yes, it was raw..but the flavoring was wonderful! Sliced thin.Placed on top of formed rice....very thin slices of ginger...a little wasabi or a little soy sauce optional. Another "comfort food" to add to my repertoire.

....I know there is a whole new frontier of foods still left to sample......Just Bring It On!!!