via http://www.flickr.com/photos/glennf/4796581640/

http://blog.glennf.com/

and http://www.boingboing.net/2010/07/15/brain-slug-cupcakes-1.html

See more State Steak shapes here at http://www.toxel.com/inspiration/2009/09/13/united-steaks-of-america/ ... mmmmmm steak.

Burker King in Japan is "celebrating" the launch of Microsoft's Windows 7 by offering this monster.  Definitely TLH in my book.  Though at an estimated 3500 calories and lord knows how much fat, it may be your last.

Great beer low price at Trader Joes

Cut the top off a can of cheap beer.  Install fullcan of beer in cavity of whole chicken. Support on grill.  Maintain around 350 degrees for 45 minutes.  Add damp fruit wood in coals for flavor - or not.

Tired of carmex kisses?  Try bacon.  Seriously, bacon makes EVERYTHING better.  Vegan or Veggie significant other?  Let them enjoy what you enjoy.  BACON!!!!!!!  J&D also has Baconnaise and Baconsalt!  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00247ASKY

while it probably tastes like a board at this point, it looks basically the same as a "fresh" version.  the proud owner of this finely aged specimen did nothing special, just kept it in a plastic box - it preserved itself.  [via http://bestwellnessconsultant.com/2008/09/23/1996-mcdonalds-hamburger-karen-hanrahan-best-of-mother-earth.aspx]

"Egg Carton Cheat Sheet" from http://www.boingboing.net/2008/09/17/deciphering-the-myri.html :

Ideal: Grade refers to firmness, AA best. 
Emblems: National Organic Program, U.S.D.A., Animal Family Farmers (independents, less than 500 chickens), Humane Farm Animal Care, American Humane Society
Organic: needs National Organic Program emblem
Chickens are naturally omnivores, but non-vegetarian feed can contain all manner of terrible things
Pasture raised, which means non-vegetarian
DHA Omega-3
Pasteurized, good for recipes with raw eggs
Antibiotics claim requires USDA or National Organic Program certification 

Less than ideal, but better than meaningless: 
Grade refers to firmness, A good. 
Emblems: United Egg Producers Certified
Cage free almost meaningless, free range is a little better
ALA Omega-3

Meaningless or bad: 
Grade refers to firmness, B bad. 
Terms natural, naturally raised, hormones are meaningless
Fertile

From this NYTimes article, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/17/dining/17eggs.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=eggs&st=cse&oref=slogin : "Some claims on egg cartons are regulated by the federal government, some by the states and some not at all. Some affect consumers’ health, some touch upon ethics and some are meaningless. All purport to describe how the hens were raised, or what they were fed, or what extra benefits their eggs might provide. So, what do these terms mean?"

From the Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) scene when Jaba the Hut freezes Hans Solo in carbonite comes this cake.  while an obvious and simple idea to implement, it is nonetheless great.  being the first (to spread like a virus through the intarweb) bumps it up a couple special-knotches; just wait until the Ace of Cakes does its take!  More pictures at http://mysite.verizon.net/res041jh/snmcakes/HanSoloCarbonite.html

hope you enjoy it because afterwards you're gonna have diabedes.

krispy kream "bun" + bacon cheese burger = salt-sugar-overload

while not exactly cheap, ~$30 for a large combo, old chicago offers a definite change of pizza-pace than the usual run-of-the-mill pizza pie.  it's has become something of a once-a-year treat... probably because it takes at least that long to work through my system.

a few notable charactistics: heavy - our large was about 8-10 lbs; very thick crust (in our latest case, too thick to finish cooking!); ridiculously stretchy mozzarella cheese that goes 'til you bite or cut; yum! but try not to over eat - two slices is probably pushing it.

• 
  3/4 shot amaretto almond liqueur


• 1/4 oz 151 proof rum


• 1/2 glass beer

1. Fill a shot glass about 3/4 full with amaretto and top it off with enough 151 proof rum to be able to burn.


2. Place the shot glass in another glass and fill the outer glass with beer (right up to the level of the shot glass).


3. Ignite the amaretto/151 and let it burn for a while. Blow it out (or leave it burning if you're brave - not recommended) and slam it. Tastes just like Dr. Pepper.

Tastes just like Dr. Pepper & Happy! 

Pork Chops: salt, black pepper, white pepper, garlic salt, thyme, basil
Mango Salsa: mangoes, tomato, red bell pepper, avocado, chopped garlic, jalapeno, lime juice, salt

* Did not have a red onion or cilantro on hand! :( Also would have been better if I had time to chill the salsa...

more receipes & pics @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/pipsyrules/

White Tea apparently has anti-cancer properties.  until such is proven, the success of drinks such as these comes down to the following, in no specific order:

• taste experience

• nutrition
• marketing

I like inko's bottle.  I bought it to try something new, and I like the asian inspired label.  Inko is heavy on pushing the healthy aspects of it's beverage, a rather-proven successful technique as of late.  the bottle itself gleems this web address: healthywhitetea.com as if it is the only company making white tea drinks (it's not.)

 * conclusion:

Cafe Salsa, located in downtown Cotati --

[http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=cafe+salsa,+cotati,+ca&ie=UTF8&ll=38.325296,-122.708348&spn=0.006304,0.014184&z=17&iwloc=A]

has great-authentic mexican food.

my fav. is the chicken avocado quesadilla - simple yet osodelicious.  

pictured below is the fish soft tacos and grilled tofu burrido. 

"...Pea Soup Andersen’s, a restaurant dedicated to the lowly split pea soup..."

"We both got pea soup in a bread bowl—the most impressive bread bowl I’ve ever experienced. They cut off the top, buttered both open sides and toasted them on a skillet, before scooping out the bowl and adding the soup. The soup itself was good, a completely smooth puree, not chunky like I was expecting, and it came with a myriad of toppings in little plastic containers: ham, real bacon bits, scallions, cheese, and croutons."

http://www.peasoupandersens.net/

[ via http://justinsomnia.org/2008/04/pea-soup-andersens/ ]

1 oz Malibu® coconut rum
1 oz Midori® melon liqueur
2 oz pineapple juice

Pour the Malibu rum and Midori melon liqueur into a highball glass filled with ice cubes. Top with pineapple juice, and serve. Can also be prepared as a shot.

the bigger the smile, the better your chances for a delectable delight just about anyone can create!  just fire up the grill, catch a friend or stranger off guard, then slice n dice!  tip: wood chips leave a nice smokey texture on char flesh.

regardless of your cooking flare, chompin' down on some happy people bbq will bring a smile to your face and that familar happy feeling to your taste buds.

lastly, please share your prefered spices and ethnicities! 

Premise: everyone brings a pizza topping (or two) as well as libations 

Outcome: # people in attendance: ~10 (was suppose to be many more, there was enough pizza making ingredients for 10+ pizzas!)

Pizza's made:

1. Pepperoni (ahh the classic pizzah)
   
2. Fancy mushrooms and pancetta with fresh tomatoes and garlic
   
3. Caramelized onions with pears and blue cheese
   
4. Garlicky spinach with artichoke hearts

 Homemade Crust (used in all) instructions:

1. Dissolve 1 tsp sugar with 2/3 cup of 110°F water
2. Stir in 1 packet of yeast, let sit for 5-10 minutes
3. In a large bowl combine 3 1/2 cups of bread flour with 1 1/2 tsp of salt
4. Combine the activated yeast with an additional 2/3 cup of water with the flour
5. Knead for 5 minutes
6. Put in a bowl, cover (with cloth or saran wrap), let rise a warm place for 45 minutes
7. (Beware, dough may continue to grow and grow... out of control, muahaha)

See justinsomnia blog post for further details: http://justinsomnia.org/2008/03/not-your-5th-grade-pizza-party/