653393 Fri Sep 18 22:42:12 -0700 2009 84 29 Not About Food 0 5041440 For me, I was trying to log into my e-mail. I couldn't figure out what the problem was. Then I really looked closer - instead of typing "hotmail.com" I was typing "hotmeal.com" ! What was your wake-up call? ;-D Fri Sep 18 22:42:13 -0700 2009 111267 meatn3 1 5041575 i did it just the other day. the post was about pistachio brittle. instead of typing "heart of the desert" brand, i called it "heart of desire." Sat Sep 19 04:17:51 -0700 2009 5041440 105717 alkapal 1 5041719 My former assistant stopped by to say she was getting married and my first question was 'what are you serving?'. Not what is your dress like or where is the honeymoon? She just laughed because we worked as event planners together so she knows my mania about menu planning.She seemed to have learned something from that experience because they are having a smaller wedding so they can have better food and wine. Sat Sep 19 06:53:51 -0700 2009 5041440 169994 pengcast 1 5041873 LOL, meat, et. al. You each gave me a good giggle this morning. :-D My obsession tends to evince itself not in terms of food, but through cooking equipment. Not humorous, but instead pathetic--I spent an evening recently being upset because I had accidentally put a favorite spatula on the bottom rack of the d/w, instead of the top, and the handle got brutalized. After about four hours of brooding (not openly--I'm not *that* insane--just somewhere there in the back of my mind), I remembered that the thing cost about seven bucks and is readily available. Doh. I just liked the thing, you know? It had been properly broken in. :-D Sat Sep 19 08:12:22 -0700 2009 5041440 1104013 Normandie 2 5042340 normandie, i'm with ya girl. mr. alka once melted tupperware into a lovely old school revereware. damn! Sat Sep 19 13:06:33 -0700 2009 5041873 105717 alkapal 3 5043592 you're just bitter because after my rubbermaid into the toaster melting incident you realize it could have been saved Sun Sep 20 08:25:22 -0700 2009 5042340 165021 Firegoat 4 5044363 you are a hurtful, cold individual, and i DO remember that rebuke. dangit!! <er, can i make the smiley face now?> Sun Sep 20 15:24:18 -0700 2009 5043592 105717 alkapal 5 5135658 Yes, yes you can. I'm planning to go to Kansas City this weekend to see the fiancee, move some things, job hunt..... and all I can think about is what I want to eat while I'm there. Pretty sick. Tue Oct 27 15:57:33 -0700 2009 5044363 165021 Firegoat 6 5136768 hey firegoat, best of luck there in the ole k.c. and...you've got your priorities right -- after all, you have to eat, and it might as well be good food! ~~~~~ (that reminds me of this couple we knew, who when we said -- as everyone does -- "hey we should have dinner sometime," the wife replied, "oh, that's great, we eat every day!"). Wed Oct 28 05:49:00 -0700 2009 5135658 105717 alkapal 2 5126081 I am still mad about my spouse putting the wooden spoon rest too close to a burner and charring it. We still use it, years later. Fri Oct 23 14:15:30 -0700 2009 5041873 280735 tcamp 1 5043685 I ask my college age son what he ate that week BEFORE I ask how classes are going. Sun Sep 20 09:16:13 -0700 2009 5041440 36312 HillJ 1 5043852 When someone posted a little while back on my local board about the possible "ETA" of the opening of some restaurant I then posted to note that I suddenly noticed that one could make not only "EAT and ATE" out of that acronym - but "TEA" as well. At that moment I knew I was undoubtedly "one toke over the line Sweet Haysus..." ;-D> Sun Sep 20 10:56:24 -0700 2009 5041440 108169 Servorg 1 5045058 About a week or two after we got back from Nassau, we figured out that the reason we didn't like it was that we had not had a really good meal there. The best we did was buy a couple of nice watches. Sun Sep 20 21:10:19 -0700 2009 5041440 10743 yayadave 1 5045827 When I am trying to help a customer with an animal related question, I somehow work human food into the conversation. "Oh yes, you can give your bird various fruits and veggies such as ....... and you can even take a little batter if you are baking something and add their favourite veg/fruit/pellets ..... Yes you can give your bearded dragon lettuce, but it's nutritionally poor, try collard greens, dandelion greens, etc...., yes I know your bearded dragon won't eat mustard greens, just try some of the others though, mustard greens are a bit peppery. But they're good in salad with spinach, gives a nice contrast. Speaking of which, have you tried spinach sautee'd in butter and garlic? Oh yea, you can eat it as is or put it in an omelet, or quiche! In fact they have a sale at X on spinach right now" Mon Sep 21 08:41:10 -0700 2009 5041440 285186 Popkin 2 5046028 "And while you're sauteing that spinach, you may as well add some legumes. Oh, yes, very good in protein. With a little tomato sauce, too." TeeHee Mon Sep 21 09:33:40 -0700 2009 5045827 10743 yayadave 2 5136099 Oh Popkin, you crack me up- that's just what I would do! Tue Oct 27 18:54:38 -0700 2009 5045827 105625 EWSflash 1 5047695 Hello. My name is Karen, I'm food obsessed....(you all say "Hi Karen!") For me, it was when I realized that our travel plans ALWAYS revolve entirely around where we can eat, interesting markets, funky saloons, etc. I suspected I was obessed when I started talking my sweet hubby and some friends into driving almost 500 miles (one way) for my birthday dinner. Mon Sep 21 18:45:28 -0700 2009 5041440 24930 kmr 2 5048492 That sounds familiar. My wife and I are similar but since I'm the one who hangs out on Chowhound, we've developed a division of labor - I research the food venues when we're planning a trip, and she plans the inedible aspects (museums, concerts, etc). We completely trust each other's tastes and it works out very well. Tue Sep 22 06:30:01 -0700 2009 5047695 14386 BobB 3 5048529 Yup-this is mine as well. Several months ago my boyfriend surprised me with a trip-which was incredibly sweet- but I felt very disarmed that I hadnt been able to research every restaurant in the area to find the ones I wanted to hit. Luckily he had done some homework for me :-) Tue Sep 22 06:48:12 -0700 2009 5048492 180029 fmcoxe6188 4 5124818 Hi Karen, I too plan out of our vacation around food, I thought it was just me or trying to pretend that I am normal....I guess not, OBESSED is more like it...And yes, I reasearch evey restaurant, even ones I know we will not visit.. We are going to the Keys/Cozumel in Jan and I all ready know where we are going to eat! Maine in August of 2010 for the Lobster Festival ... We are planning our 2011 vacation around the SOBE Food and Wine Festival... If anyone needs to know a Food Festival in the US let me know I pretty much know them all ;) Fri Oct 23 06:33:14 -0700 2009 5048529 237148 bermudagourmetgoddess 5 5125785 since I will be in Cozumel in April, PLEASE report back on your trip finds for me! :-) Fri Oct 23 12:25:48 -0700 2009 5124818 10158 susancinsf 6 5130089 Will do I write about all the places I eat at !!! Sun Oct 25 16:55:02 -0700 2009 5125785 237148 bermudagourmetgoddess 1 5049852 everyone i know says "yep, of course, her question is ALWAYS related to food." even when playing taboo with friends. I dream about cooking, think about cooking during a boring work meeting, when i'm on hold on the phone, i type spreadsheets of things i want/want to make/wish i could make, i plan my days around what i should have for dinner, i obsess when the house does not have a homemade dessert, i spend my spare time in the food/cooking shops, i read food related books, i plant my herbs, i think relentlessly when i have an event that is food related, all i care about is the food in my wedding (i take a white apron any day..), i want to bake my own wedding cake, i have long discussions with my dear hubby about cookies and what i should stuff the chicken breast with until his eyes roll to the back of his head, i work in an office, and thankfully, i get to think about some of this stuff while i type emails and organizing. there are times i wish i'm chopping onions instead of pushing papers. yesterday, i was going home after work on my commuter train. a nice man declared that he's a chef after seeing me reading "the soul of a chef" i didn't say much. i went home, cried, and made a 3 course dinner. i think i'm a tad obsessive, maybe i should change my field of work? Tue Sep 22 13:11:26 -0700 2009 5041440 133265 jeniyo 2 5050031 Oh, yeah! You need to think about a new occupation. Maybe food related. Tue Sep 22 14:03:34 -0700 2009 5049852 10743 yayadave 3 5065853 I agree--sounds like you have a passion! Mon Sep 28 21:43:51 -0700 2009 5050031 245973 egging 1 5049992 I try to schedule meetings for work near places with good food. I can't tell you how many times I've convinced people to meet at one particular venue in Reading (UK) that has a great Ethiopian cafe downstairs. Tue Sep 22 13:52:56 -0700 2009 5041440 14139 Kagey 1 5053391 i eat lunch during my Weightwatcher's meeting... yup... all the hungry ladies look at me! Wed Sep 23 15:45:30 -0700 2009 5041440 133265 jeniyo 2 5054047 I am still recovering from laughing at the image you painted! Wed Sep 23 20:17:00 -0700 2009 5053391 111267 meatn3 2 5136105 LOL!! do they alol look at you like this? >:~( Tue Oct 27 18:56:21 -0700 2009 5053391 105625 EWSflash 1 5065844 The first thing I always ask people, when they return from a trip (or even from the hospital) is, "what did you eat?" Mon Sep 28 21:38:13 -0700 2009 5041440 11408 melly 2 5122334 me, too! Thu Oct 22 07:12:21 -0700 2009 5065844 105717 alkapal 3 5124104 Me three! Huh....if coworkers are at a conference/convention, I'll ask where and what they ate if I know they went out to dinner. :-) My mother goes out for a sorority "lunch bunch" once a month - and she always knows she needs to tell me where they went and what she had. (And she's called a few years before the restaurants are scheduled and asked for suggestions.) Thu Oct 22 18:32:16 -0700 2009 5122334 10532 LindaWhit 2 5126613 haha thats hilarious. I asked a friend what she ate at a gala dinner only a few days ago and she said "I dont remember?" and looked at me like I was crazy for asking. I can remember every significant meal out (and most non significant) for the past few years with incredible accuracy. Fri Oct 23 19:11:58 -0700 2009 5065844 26815 hungryabbey 1 5123420 When I found that I was working our visits to the Uffizi and the Vatican and the Colosseum (and the Trevi Fountain and the Forum, etc, etc.) in between my plans for where we were going to eat in Florence and Rome. Thu Oct 22 13:56:27 -0700 2009 5041440 24468 chicgail 1 5124117 A friend who lives in Oregon called me last evening asking about H&H bagels. I knew she was visiting NJ but she doesn't usually get into Manhattan. I was astounded that she had deliberately chosen to NOT go into Zabars (they have great smoked fish to go with the bagel). And she hadnt asked me my fave restos on the UWS where she was staying. I've pouted about it all day :) Thu Oct 22 18:39:49 -0700 2009 5041440 131001 c oliver 1 5124149 A friend who's a photographer often asks to look at my latest amateur photography. He always comments about the vast majority of my photographs being of food. He thinks I should branch out into other subjects. I tell him that, sadly, I don't get nearly as excited about other subjects as I do about food. My wife claims that I photograph food because, since I'm constantly dieting, it's nearly as rewarding for me as *eating* food. First thing I do when I check into an out-of-town hotel is ask the concierge where there's a gourmet market to pick up salumeria, cheese, and some baked goods. The first thing I ask friends who return from a trip to New York is not "what (play) did you see?" nor "where did you shop?" -- it's "where did you eat?" Thu Oct 22 18:53:48 -0700 2009 5041440 270888 shaogo 1 5124755 I get back to my home town of Chicago for three weeks in winter and maybe six weeks over the summer. Emails between my best friend and I leading up to my visit are almost entirely about food and what I need to eat while I am home. They frequently involve complex itineraries like: "well, we can stop at the soccer field for pupusas on our way to Evanston to go to the Spice House, and Then we might as well go to Skokie to pick up bagels at Kaufman's, and then we'll head back into the city--we can stop at Super Dawg on our way to the fish guy. Does that sound good?" "We need to stop at the Italian bakery in Andersonville on our way, and we might as well go to the Middle Eastern grocery as long as we've paid to park. and more importantly, where are we going for dinner?" Every meal involves a discussion of the previous meal, and another discussion about where else we will eat that day. It's a sickness. Fri Oct 23 05:52:26 -0700 2009 5041440 86221 lulubelle 2 5124786 at lunch out, mr. alka will often ask, "what are we having for dinner?" you'd think he was born in some war zone, where the next meal was never assured.... Fri Oct 23 06:09:47 -0700 2009 5124755 105717 alkapal 3 5134281 We've been doing this for years - my husband gets it from his family who are similarly afflicted. Tue Oct 27 08:20:47 -0700 2009 5124786 13709 buttertart 4 5134319 I always plan what to have for lunch with dinner in mind. I can't really eat more than one major meal a day (two if I have a big breakfast and skip lunch entirely), so if I know we're going out to a nice restaurant or hosting a dinner party I'll have a particularly light lunch so that I know I'll be really hungry for dinner. Tue Oct 27 08:36:51 -0700 2009 5134281 14386 BobB 5 5134756 We're like that too. My husband also does not generally like to have the same meat twice in a day (this doesn't bother me if in different preparations) so we get around that by planning. And virtually all meals on a trip must be planned in advance - and sightseeing planned around hem! Tue Oct 27 10:44:16 -0700 2009 5134319 13709 buttertart 1 5124989 I am SO loving this thread. It's making me feel slightly more normal about this issue anyway. Fri Oct 23 07:49:18 -0700 2009 5041440 131001 c oliver 1 5125094 I have a new one.... When one of the first things you ask your SO in the morning (who likes food and all, but isn't terribly interested) is something along the lines of "what do you want for dinner?" or "what do you think of X for dinner, maybe Y for dessert? Which seasoning should I use in the soup tonight? Oh, and good morning honey!" *smooch* Him: *groggy look* "I don't know what I want for dinner, and however you make it I'm sure it'll be good" Fri Oct 23 08:29:24 -0700 2009 5041440 285186 Popkin 2 5125368 I start asking the night before about dinner the following day. Other than that, I talk about food more than anything else. It probably drives people nuts. But I don't care '-D And yes, guilty of taking more than one picture of dinners I have made... if they look great, they must be saved for posterity. Fri Oct 23 10:00:17 -0700 2009 5125094 116513 linguafood 1 5125156 For me, it was when I realized all my status updates in Twitter and Facebook were about what I had eaten for lunch or what I was fixing for supper. And yes ... travel is always food-centric. I get worried if I think I'm going to be in a destination free of good food spots. CH usually comes through with a rec, though! Fri Oct 23 08:52:52 -0700 2009 5041440 16216 k_d 1 5125165 We went to the State Fair yesterday.Our first stop was the Pork Council Tent for their sandwich. After taking my first bite, I asked my SO, "So, where do you want to eat next?" Fri Oct 23 08:57:57 -0700 2009 5041440 111267 meatn3 1 5125906 One of the great things about being a local food writer is that everyone wants to talk to you about food. Food they've cooked, food they want to cook, restaurant meals, etc. Even complete strangers who recognize me from my picture in the paper want to talk food. I love it! Fri Oct 23 13:11:18 -0700 2009 5041440 11995 pikawicca 1 5126918 I tell people, "If and when I ever leave NY, I'll miss the food most of all". Outsiders might feel that I don't have high regard for family, friends, museums, prized schools, employers, etc with a statement like that, but hey, I like food, and NY has lots of it. Seriously. Fri Oct 23 23:42:32 -0700 2009 5041440 10609 Cheese Boy 2 5135252 Cheese Boy, I understand!! We used to live in NYC and only went to one broadway show...the whole time we were sitting there, all I kept thinking was how I would SO MUCH rather be eating out somewhere wonderful...not sitting there listening to this person sing! People always ask us how many shows we have seen having lived there for 5 years and we're like...one! It all revolved around food when we were there... and we miss it :( Tue Oct 27 13:17:21 -0700 2009 5126918 248640 care11 1 5127236 When friends tell me about their date last night, the first questions I always ask is 'How was the food? and "Where did you go?" before I even ask how was the person like. My fellow foodie obsessed friend and I always discuss what we should have for dinner while eating lunch. Sat Oct 24 07:31:55 -0700 2009 5041440 98136 DarthEater 1 5128943 I'm a single guy and find I now judge a mate's potential by sussing out their culinary openness. This doesn't mean I seek someone with caviar tastes, but rather someone open to exploring the bare bones strip mall ethnic joint, or going to a different city and not sticking with familiar chains. Sun Oct 25 03:37:13 -0700 2009 5041440 15036 tastyjon 2 5139564 I think I fell in love with my husband-to-be when he cooked me dinner. I was asking him about how he'd made the pasta, and he admitted to having fire-roasted the red peppers over the stove. This was before we were even dating, and it made a real impression on me that he would put so much thought into his creation. He is still a great cook, and now, I get to live with him :) Thu Oct 29 04:28:36 -0700 2009 5128943 150094 ChristinaMason 1 5135111 I constantly plan parties in my head (for events that aren't even going to happen) I write out fake menus One of the first things I talk to my husband about in the morning is what should we have for dinner, then most of the day revolves around that I get frustrated with people who don't care about food as much as I do I always played restaurant as a child..."Tiffany's by the Bay" was the name of the establishment and I was "Tiffany." I used to pretend the basement windows on the outside of my parents house were drive thru windows My friend and I growing up used to have a lemonade stand...that evolved into cut flowers, baked goods, candy bags, etc... Her front porch was the "specialty grocery store" when we played I am on this website constantly... Tue Oct 27 12:31:01 -0700 2009 5041440 248640 care11 2 5135506 It's so good to have this virtual community to share our food obsession with. Not everyone understands it. And I feel less like there's something wrong with me (or with them). Tue Oct 27 14:53:40 -0700 2009 5135111 24468 chicgail 2 5135514 care, you are a sweetheart! Tue Oct 27 14:59:28 -0700 2009 5135111 105717 alkapal 3 5136067 Thanks alkapal...I still dream of "Tiffany"...she's now the wealthy owner of a bed and breakfast on the New England coast. She never has any annoying guests stay at her Inn. She cooks them breakfast (which they always love...never any "special requests") and she hosts a wine and tapas happy hour every evening on her boat deck at 4pm. When her wonderful (non annoying) guests go off on their evenings...Tiffany sits with her husband discussing how they are so fortunate to have the life they always wanted, she sips on fabulous wine (that was sent to her by one of her vineyard owner regulars) and eventually goes to bed in the beautiful owners courters overlooking the ocean. She listens to the waves crashing as she sleeps and wakes (to her non annoying guests) to serve freshly brewed coffee, a savory goat cheese strata, warm cinnamon scones, smoked salmon and chive cream cheese on croissants. She's come a long way from "Tiffany's on the Bay" which started as a crab cake cafe in her parents garage down the shore... Tue Oct 27 18:36:38 -0700 2009 5135514 248640 care11 4 5136776 care11, i wonder if tiffany would care to have as a guest a globe-trotting epicure, with whom she forms an immediate food-lovin' bond, and they while away hours (because there are non-annoying guests at the B&B) talking about food customs and food all over the world -- drinking the excellent wine all the while, mind you. then, tiffany's new pal orders up the lear jet and they jet off to..... ~~~~~ next chapter..... Wed Oct 28 05:55:32 -0700 2009 5136067 105717 alkapal 5 5137406 LOL! I feel a new thread coming on... Wed Oct 28 10:03:31 -0700 2009 5136776 248640 care11 4 5137797 No bacon for breakfast? It was an enticing little fantasy right up until then. Wed Oct 28 11:58:12 -0700 2009 5136067 86221 lulubelle 5 5138021 Hmmm, duly noted, no self respecting B&B has breakfast w/out the swine! There's thick cut bacon in the goat cheese strata, along with thinly sliced apples, onions, maple syrup, nutmeg and cayenne pepper ...and beautifully browned hot breakfast sausage links on the side, banana walnut pancakes, crisp pumpkin waffles, fried potatoes with diced up ham, hot fresh from the oven baked bread w/homemade jam, fresh squeezed OJ and champagne cranberry spritzers while we're at it... (Tiffany doesn't need much sleep.) Wed Oct 28 13:01:41 -0700 2009 5137797 248640 care11 6 5138155 ok, i want crisp pumpkin waffles! Wed Oct 28 13:35:34 -0700 2009 5138021 105717 alkapal 1 5135764 I can relate to so many of the posts and it's comforting to know I'm not such a freak after all (or at least, that there are many other food-obsessed freaks like me out there!) Not only do I constantly dream about eating and cooking, daydream about culinary trips and incursions and research restaurants to add to my wishlist but all my landmarks and references appear to be food-related. We were laughing with my boyfriend yesterday whilst walking around London as he finds his bearings around pubs (he used to be a big drinker) and I do the same with restaurants, delis and food markets and I kept naming the chefs for many of the restaurants we passed on our way (although I've never been). Tue Oct 27 16:38:24 -0700 2009 5041440 240789 Paula76 1 5136062 My question to all of you food obsessed people, are you a little heavy/overweight/have a few pounds to lose/obese/"big boned?" Just curious because you're always thinking about food... Tue Oct 27 18:34:35 -0700 2009 5041440 18011 Jacey 2 5136073 I spend an hour every day at the gym, so that I can eat what I want and not be "a little overweight." (And while I'm on the elliptical machine, I'm thinking about dinner.) Tue Oct 27 18:39:29 -0700 2009 5136062 11995 pikawicca 3 5136916 Pretty much the same here - not every day, but usually four days a week. And I love how an hour at the gym improves my appetite! Wed Oct 28 06:59:18 -0700 2009 5136073 14386 BobB 2 5136125 Don't ask, don't tell :) Tue Oct 27 19:05:45 -0700 2009 5136062 131001 c oliver 2 5136778 i detect a dog in the manger! Wed Oct 28 05:56:42 -0700 2009 5136062 105717 alkapal 2 5136779 Jaycey, if you're not one of "you food-obsessed people," what are you doing on this board and, more to the point, on this thread? But to answer your question, I am overweight, not obese, but willing to deal with not having my perfect body to enjoy one of life's great pleasures. I also work out very regularly. Wed Oct 28 05:58:13 -0700 2009 5136062 24468 chicgail 2 5136856 I am an average size and weight and in my experience, thinking and obsessing about food does not equate overeating it. On the contrary, most people I know who are seriously overweight couldn't care less about food and just eat junk to fill the gap whilst, somehow, those who are 'food obsessed' appear to be more discerning when it comes to what they put in their mouths (imho). Wed Oct 28 06:34:34 -0700 2009 5136062 240789 Paula76 2 5136863 oh no, i feel a "big-boned/weight-challenged" subthread comin' on...... ;-)). Wed Oct 28 06:36:48 -0700 2009 5136062 105717 alkapal 2 5137189 At the moment I have about 30 extra lbs., but this is due to a long sedentary recovery from surgery. Now that I am finally able to work again (yea!) and be active it is starting to come off. I've never eaten a lot. I listen to my body, eat slow and savor and know when I am full. I also know enough about food and how it is prepared to be aware of the nutritive aspects of my choices. Being over weight isn't always about interest in food. Metabolism, medication, literally feeding some other need, poor nutrition all enter into this. I once was very good friends with a very obese fellow. We were often together 24/7 since we traveled for business together. I* ate more than he did, and he really was not particularly interested in food - just a whacked system. *Very seldom will I eat an entire restaurant meal, usually half or less. Wed Oct 28 08:33:27 -0700 2009 5136062 111267 meatn3 3 5137388 Being obsessed with food; thinking about food; savoring food doesn't mean overeating. It means choosing where, what and when you will eat, how it will be prepared and then eating that and enjoying it. Most of the truly "big boned" (i.e. fat) people I know will eat anything in any quantity, anywhere. They are not CHs. Wed Oct 28 09:57:05 -0700 2009 5137189 24468 chicgail 4 5137409 Well said! Wed Oct 28 10:04:37 -0700 2009 5137388 248640 care11 4 5139146 Yes, I was replying to Jacey... Wed Oct 28 19:30:48 -0700 2009 5137388 111267 meatn3 2 5144927 I'm actually of a rather slender build. I eat very rich foods, but I also can't eat much in one sitting. I take pleasure in all of it; the smells, the tasting along the way, and the preparation. Sat Oct 31 08:19:59 -0700 2009 5136062 285186 Popkin 1 5136377 I returned home from a long flight after a long day to find that my cat sitter had moved in while I was gone. Her groceries were in my pantry, fridge and freezer and her other possessions were stored and displayed all over the place. To top it off things in my house were missing for which she had no explanation. After I evicted her and her things I crawled into bed and was pretty much out cold. Somewhere in my sub or unconscious I remembered I had made pesto before I left on vacation and put it in the freezer for my homecoming meal. Uncharacteristically of me when I am exhausted (like waking the dead) ,I got out of bed and checked the freezer for the pesto. It didn't even occur to me to check my valuables, I was hell bent on whether or not she ate my pesto. Fortunately, she didn't. Tue Oct 27 21:16:41 -0700 2009 5041440 13030 free sample addict aka Tracy L 1 5139165 I am currently in the process of moving to a new country, and all of my Internet searching is about food. Not one inquiry about health care, or education.. newp.. My entire recent history on BOTH computers is things like "best coffee shop in Lae", "mud crabs PNG", "Vanilla pods Morobe province" I kid you not! Oh and the other dead give away? Whenever I clean out old images of my camera I notice that of every 100 shots, only a max of 2 contain actual people. The rest are food. Wed Oct 28 19:38:32 -0700 2009 5041440 86137 purple goddess 2 5139179 How exciting to move to PNG! I was there in the mid '80's - looking forward to your reports... I moved to my state's capitol. People would assume I had scurried about my first few weeks seeing the legislative buildings, the Governors Mansion, reading all the historic markers...Nope, I was checking out the fish markets, farmers markets, ethnic grocery stores! I endured many incredulous looks! Wed Oct 28 19:45:51 -0700 2009 5139165 111267 meatn3 3 5139325 Awesome, Meatn3! Were you brave enough to try the smoked fruit bat? We're moving to Lae, so any heads up on the best places/villages to go for goodies would be appreciated! Wed Oct 28 21:18:32 -0700 2009 5139179 86137 purple goddess 4 5140162 No, We weren't aware of the smoked fruit bat...Most of our stay consisted of a white water rafting trip on the Watut, so meals were provided - basic US/Australian Anglo stuff. The outfitters were concerned about our impact on the villages, so sharing food in any way was strongly discouraged. At that point the country was such a fascinating study of contrasts. You will be in such a great place to explore! When we flew into Port Moresby it looked like there had been a massacre in the airport...then as I looked around and saw dozens of "no betel nut spitting" signs I put two and two together. In Lae I just recall some small groceries with roll-down metal doors like you find on a garage. The products were largely Australian and English. There was a local couple, dressed traditionally, comparing the ingredients between Newman's Own dressing and a Heinz salad cream - Chowhounds are everywhere! I am sure 25 years has added to the food options - what fun you will have! Thu Oct 29 09:02:40 -0700 2009 5139325 111267 meatn3 5 5140472 That betel juice residue freaked me out when I was first in Taipei. Thu Oct 29 10:31:26 -0700 2009 5140162 13709 buttertart 1 5143867 A little story. We live at the North Shore of Lake Tahoe. It's approx. 80 miles all the way around the lake. It's a beautiful fall day today so we put the dogs in the car and headed down the West Shore, stopping at a park where they were allowed on the beach. Then on to the South Shore where we had a great lunch with wine. A couple at the next table are here for a week from the NW CA coast. They asked for must-do things and ALL I could think of were restaurants. Truly. After a few minutes we were able to come up with some non-food-eating things but I was still thinking 'hmm, where could they eat lunch after going to Donner Lake?" It's a sickness :) Fri Oct 30 14:47:05 -0700 2009 5041440 131001 c oliver 2 5143883 I'm sure the visitors were happy they'd run into you. It's been a while, but I seem to recall having a hard time finding great food on the south shore. Fri Oct 30 14:52:54 -0700 2009 5143867 11995 pikawicca 3 5143892 In light of that really good lunch (crab chili relleno and SW braised short ribs, I want to do some more research on the South Shore (and will post about this resto). We really never go down there but it's less tawdry than it used to be and in the non-winter months we should go there more. Fri Oct 30 14:58:21 -0700 2009 5143883 131001 c oliver 2 5144840 It's a sickness I share. A very nice woman I met at PT for my elbow and got friendly with moved into our neighborhood. We ran into each other on the street and exchanged email addresses. I sent her a welcome to the neighborhood/orientation email that was 99% food-related - best supermarket, shops, restaurants, etc. (the other 1% concerned the Brooklyn Public Library - and mentioned their cookbook collection). Sat Oct 31 07:23:42 -0700 2009 5143867 13709 buttertart