But Seriously

Is Milk Really Healthy for You? - Men's Health

"Milk is a deadly poison," according to the Dairy Education Board. In fact, if you peruse this special interest group's Web site, notmilk.com, you'll find dozens of articles about the purported evils of this popular beverage. One claim, for example, is that milk from cows contains cancer-causing hormones and dairy industry dollars have kept that fact bottled up. All of which may leave you second-guessing your next sip.

However, as a nutritionist, I've found that most men thrive on milk, whether their goal is to lose fat or build muscle. So to be sure it's safe, I've investigated all the anti-milk claims, sifting through the research while also turning a critical eye to pro-milk propaganda. After all, the only agenda I have is my clients' health. The result: all your milk questions, answered.

via www.menshealth.com

Yesterday it was bad, today it is not bad, tomorrow it will be bad again . . . isn't it funny how science is constantly changing its mind? Nevertheless, I still like to drink milk.

Ore House on the Plaza

via www.orehouseontheplaza.com

A couple of weeks ago, I made a trip through Santa Fe and my family and I ate at the Ore House. I may have picked the best thing on the lunch menu, their fantastic stuffed Poblano Relleno.  Here is how they describe it on the menu:

POBLANO RELLENO 
Asadero Cheese, Bay Shrimp and Roasted Corn in a Poblano Pepper with Roasted Roma Tomato Sauce 

Chile Relleno's are good (some are very good) but the addition of shrimp and roasted corn really set this one apart.  If the upgraded innards are not enough, they top the Poblano Relleno with their outstanding charred tomato salsa.  The salsa is mild, but full of flavor.  To my delight, it is available for sale over the internet through the above link.  The only disappointment about the Poblano Relleno is that I do not see it on the dinner menu.

Feasting on the Gulf Coast

I recently spent a week on the Louisiana Gulf Coast.  I had a great time with old friends at a reunion and I spent an extra few days with my parents.  As is our custom, we spent some time visiting local attractions like the Global Wildlife Center in Folsom (my son's favorite) and this time we did a swamp tour with Cajun Encounters.  Captain Mike entertained us with history, folklore, and tricks with wild gators.

We have some favorite restaurants that we like to visit whenever we come down.  If we are going through North St. Tammany Parish, we will try to pass through Mandeville and stop at It's Another Beautiful Day.  If we are still there in the evening, we may stop in Covington and eat gourmet Chinese food at Trey Yuen.  We also try to eat at Copeland's if we are in New Orleans or another city with one.  This time, we managed to visit all three restaurants (but not in the same day).  Copeland's, unfortunately, was not up to par.  The server was dedicated to her table--well, one of them--but it wasn't our table.  While the Bayou Broccoli was as delicious as ever, the recipe for Ricochet Catfish had been tampered with--they cut back on meuniere sauce and added onion strings instead.  I can't imagine that the onion strings cost less than the sauce, but I can tell you with certainty that they distract from the flavor.  Cutting back on sauce was a big mistake.  The meuniere sauce is the whole reason for the dish.  The crab and corn bisque was delicious as usual and I finished my meal off with a fantastic bananas foster.

We tried a few new restaurants.  Crawfish Paradise introduced me to the crawfish burger. 

We also visited Steve's Marina where I had another dish with meuniere sauce and our very attentive server even brought me extra.  I think Copeland's is officially bumped.

Captain Al's steak and shrimp has a flavorful decor to match a flavorful steak.  The homemade salad dressings are a super bonus.  (Cpt Al, get a web page so I can link to it.)

We also ate at the Times Grill, but I could not bring myself to attempt the 1.5 lb wall of fame burger.  As for all the other burgers, I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu.

Another fine trip with great friends, great food, and great times with family.

Giving Thanks in 2008

The year is coming to an end and once again we find ourselves in a time of reflection and thanksgiving.  Tomorrow we will celebrate the grace God has shown our country, our friends, our family, and the grace we have each been given individually.

I have many things for which I give thanks:  

• My family and I are alive and mostly well this year inspite of the home invasion we "experienced" in January
• I have a job inspite of the slowing economy
• I have a home inspite of the mortgage crisis (which reminds me, I need to re-fi)
• I have loving family that has encouraged me through this difficult year
• I have awesome friends who embraced my family in times of need
• I have an unbelievable church where truth and proclaimed and worship comes from the heart
• I have a loving wife who stands beside me through think and thin
• I have a talented and energetic young son who shines light wherever he goes
• I have so much more . . .

With so much to be thankful for, my family is embarking on a journey to share our blessings.  I will post more details on that story as it develops.  I hope you have found someone with whom you can share your blessings this year.

Breakfast of Champions

Yesterday, after an appointment downtown, my wife and I stopped to eat at the King's Chef Diner.  The diner, unmistakable in it's decor, has won numerous awards both locally and around the United States.  The meals are hearty (and a bit greasy) and the green chili is fantastic - with a robust flavor and peppery spice that has contributed to global warming.

The menu has both breakfast and lunch/dinner selections.  We had breakfast.  My wife ordered the #5 breakfast which included eggs, bacon, hasbrowns, toast, and coffee.  I had a harder time deciding between the Grump and the Breakfast Burrito.  I settled on the burrito.

The burrito should be called a Breakfast Burro.  It is huge.  They smother it in green chili, white gravy, or both.  I chose both and I am glad I did.

While we were eating, one of the other diners stepped out for a phone call.  As he is leaving, the cook said, "leave your medal."  Turns out, the diner was none other than 2008 Bronze Medal Olympic Wrestling champion Adam Wheeler.  While he was on the phone, we spoke to one of his trainers and got a first hand account of Beijing.

Apparently, Olympic athletes frequent the King's Chef making their meals truly the breakfast of champions.

Congratulations Adam.  Your hard work brought honor upon yourself and the United States!

Not for the Faint Hearted

I finally get it. 

For years, I have asked myself, "Why send so much of our resources to other countries when we have people who need them here?"  I am ashamed to say that I just didn't get it.

Today, I looked up one of my favorite bands on YouTube.  Jars of Clay has a song, Light Gives Heat, that touches my heart--and yet I still didn't get it.

I found this video to that song:

Notice the contrast: our abundance to their desolation.  I get it now.  Do you?  We need to send resources to these precious people on the other side of the world or just a country or two away.  We need to because we have the resources and they don't.  We have clean water, and they don't.  We have food that goes to waste . . . and they don't.  Our abundance is so heavy, that the people here who need still have an opportunity to get what they need.  Other countries don't.

I now get it.  I want to help them get it too.

Food Therapy

I visited my parents this week; a little therapeutic escape.  Mom knows, when one of her boys is having a tough time, feed him.  Hence, the whole visit was a non-stop food fest.  We practiced "Po-Boy" therapy and examined the use of excessive amounts of food as a coping mechanism. 

Some of the restaurants we visited are standards we have frequented for over two decades.  We had health food at Another Beautiful Day--I am torn between the mushroom burger and the turkey (salad) sandwich.  I chose the turkey sandwich this time.  My wife tried the Super Sandwich, which I had never ordered before and although I was pleased, I was not surprised.

We also had gourmet Chinese from Trey Yuen.  Some of the best Chinese food I have ever eaten came from Trey Yuen's kitchen.  I had the Tong Cho Chicken--a taste unique to this restaurant.  To my delight, I learned that we could order a jar of Tong Cho sauce to go (and we did).  We also partook of beef fried rice, beef and broccoli, Mandarin chicken, and spring rolls (which put egg rolls to shame).

If you visit the Gulf Coast looking for creole cuisine, you must try Anthony's Under the Oaks in Biloxi, MS. The restaurant overlooks the water and the food is even better than the view.  I had their trout, my wife had grouper in a crawfish sauce that is "to die for."  This upscale restaurant offers a delicious and authentic gumbo every day, but if corn and crawfish bisque is the soup of the day, go for it, you will not be disappointed.

Now, the ultimate in food therapy is Lambert's Cafe.  Home of the "throwed roll" Lamberts began in Missouri and I was in misery when I left.  Seriously though, 12 years ago, the Lambert family decided if they were going to vacation in Foley, Alabama (previously known for outlet malls until outlet malls sprang up everywhere) then they should plant roots there and open another restaurant. 

Lambert's Cafe is "the only home of the throwed rolls."  If you want a hot, fresh yeast roll, waive your hand and call "roll" and wherever he is, the roll guy will throw it to you.  Be prepared to catch the hot roll or be hit.  Portion size is HUGE and even if they were not, you are sure to get your fill of "pass arounds" such as home fried potatos, black eyed peas, fried okra, macaroni and tomatos, and molasses or apple butter for rolls.  Pass arounds are free side dishes for paying customers--but they don't skimp on the quality.  The biggest surprise--most entrees are-all-you-can-eat.  Granted, the amount of food you get will fill you up, but our server told us that he has submitted re-orders on an entree 4 times in the 8 months he has worked there.  Now I grew up in the south, so I can imagine what those 4 people looked like. 

The wait staff checks in frequently to fulfill a need or play a practical joke.  The gift shop has some of the spices, the apple butter, and the molasses you can eat in the restaurant as well as gag gifts like a bald man's brush or the Hillbilly's briefcase.

If you have the opportunity, whether in Missouri or Alabama, you should certainly visit Lambert's, but don't go unless you are hungry.  I know I can't wait for my next opportunity.

Disclaimers:  This is an honest opinion piece and not a paid advertisement.  This article, in no way endorses gluttony as a means of self medication.  For a real ad, see below.