The First Weekend

There were a couple of interesting firsts this weekend. It started at my local supermarket, where I breezed the aisles looking for grub that was sans meat.

Breakfast is relatively easy to shop for since bacon and sausage are the only tempting breakfast staples (both of which are super delicious, although incredibly bad for you). Eggs, cheese, milk, cereal, English muffins, fruit.

Lunch is a little trickier and although i bought multiple cans of tuna and of course plenty of PB&J fixings, I’m assuming both will eventually get a little dull (thank goodness for fish tacos!). Nuts, nuts and more nuts. Salted nuts are both delicious and apparently a staple for other vegetarians out there. Nuts are also super expensive, although i hear trader joe’s got big bags on the cheap and are the tastiest out there. Tuna, peanut butter, jelly, bread, nuts, fruit.

Dinner is really the most demanding for planning. Veggie burritos with refried beans (vegetarian), corn, tomatoes, onion, avocado, cheese and salsa made an excellent and filling first meal and to tell you the truth i didn’t miss the flavor or the texture of meat in there. This surprised me somewhat, as i figured i would be able to taste some sort of difference. Even in the “full” department, i felt the veggie style was plenty. I see salmon burgers in my future, especially since the BBQ season has arrived. Another staple with be pasta – and of course, white trash garlic bread.


The First Pickoff.

Yes, the first pickoff. I frowned upon the practice for years, even mocked friends for doing it, but yes on Saturday, i picked meat off a slice of pizza to eat it. I was playing an all day volleyball tournament and they had slices of pizza for sale. They were out of cheese so i opted for the Hawaiian (it was either that or the meat lovers). So I picked off the Canadian bacon and had pineapple and a little cheese. Most of the cheese stuck to the meat and came off, so the slice was less than desirable, but at least i didn’t cave in.

And speaking of caving in… turns out there is actually money on my little endeavor. Some close friends have set up a wager on how long my experiment will last. Fascinating development. If you’re interested in the action i’m sure they’ll let you in on the action.

I'm becoming a Pescetarian

It's my next big idea, being a Pescetarian. 

What the hell is a pescetarian?

Essentially, it's a vegetarian, but you can eat fish, eggs, cheese and what not.  So, indeed, i'm becoming a vegetarian of sorts. 

So, now to the why i am doing it.  I read an interesting article surfing the web one evening. It discussed the evolution of man and how humans are natural herbivores.  It also talked about the harm done to human bodies that consume meat. Combine nature, harm from meat consumption and environmental issues i decided to take the plunge.

So this blog will now be tracking my process, the ups and down, the new menu and how i cope as a pescetarian.

 

Big Idea Food Edition

Inspiration comes in mysterious ways... i intended for this here blog to be about ingenious ideas and inventions, but when my friend sent me a picture of the spaghetti panini he had for dinner, my thoughts immediately turned to food. So a quick couple of delicious recipes (note: these recipes are like the way i cook, vague and loose).

Little Smokies Bacon Corn Dogs

A simple concept: take a bunch of little smokies (those cocktail wieners), wrap them in half a strip of bacon, dip them in corn dog batter and deep fry. For an easier way to get the bacon to stay around the little smokies, use a toothpick - this also gives you a more traditional look when serving at dinner parties. Cook until they are golden brown. For those who like their bacon extra crispy, the bacon should be slightly cooked beforehand.

Mac n Cheese Panini

A play on the spaghetti panini, but instead with mac and cheese. Fully cook mac and cheese - adding cheyenne pepper and tapitio. Let cool and congeal slightly. While mac is cooling, prepare the sourdough bread - butter and then sprinkle garlic on the outside of two slices of bread. Scoop the mac n cheese onto the non butter and garlic side of the bread and then grill. For the fancy folks, use your panini maker, but for those who don't go to the lean mean grilling machine - the George Foreman Grill. Is the George Foreman the poor man's panini maker? I think so.

Fun additions: chicken, sausage, bacon or veggies. add cooked meat or veg into the mac as it cools, then scoop in with mac.

For more deliciousness check out: http://thisiswhyyourefat.com/

My Ideas: An Introduction

Alas, my first real blog post. It's only ten years behind the times, but just like my acid washed jeans, and my favorite Slackers album, it's better late than never.

This blog is dedicated to my ideas - or get rich schemes - that may or may not be brilliant. I think i have a million dollar idea rolling around in my head, it's just a matter of getting it out. But not all are great, or even good, and as a dear friend once told me, "benko, that's a $10 idea." Which means i'd need a helluva lot of them to get my million.

My inspiration for sharing all these ideas came to me in the bathroom today. The lights at my office are those motion sensor automatic ones. As I stood there emptying my bladder i wondered if it was possible to be perfectly still and have the lights go out. How long would i have to remain frozen still? Is it possible? Do i have the patience? Has my life and job really brought me to this point?

That's besides the point. The long pose at the john really cleared the way for me to release more creativity into the world, so after nearly a year without a post, Benko's big idea begins.

(Attempt one at beating the motion sensor light: failure after 2:15)