Grocery shopping

To some a chore. To others a refuge from the world. A place where it is clean and friendly. Cool in the summer, warm in the winter and always dry. To me, it's like being in a candy store (that's why the candy aisle is my favorite part of the store). It would be the ULTIMATE experience if only we didn't have to pay at the end. Smells. Samples. Social. Yes, to many it is the social highlight of the week. To some the day. Today there are so many options. That's good. Options mean competition. Competition means lower prices. In Greenville, we have many options. I wish we had more to drive those prices down. I see three levels...$$$, $$, $. What sets them apart, apart from the money, is really the level of service. That translates to experience. To save money, you can't beat the $ level. To have an enjoyable outing, you can't beat the $$$ level. To me, it's hard to beat saving money. I can have my great experiences some other way:

$$$
• Fresh Market
• Earth Fare
• Whole Foods
I enjoy my visits to Fresh Market. I just never buy anything. Earth Fare is just too organic. Whole Foods has been way too expensive, but now maybe Amazon will bring them back to earth

$$
• Lowes
• Publix
• BiLo
Mainstream. Lowes and Publix a definite notch above BiLo. If it's not BOGO, I don't buy it. "You want Salmon this week, but it's not on sale until next week...how about Tuna Fish this week? You'll enjoy the Salmon a lot more next week"

$ 
• Aldi
• Lidl
• Walmart
• Trader Joes
The Lidl experience is much better than Aldi. Both have great prices. Both house brands are good. Walmart is not the greatest experience, but they do have low prices. Not great house brands. Trader Joe's has a few good things at reasonable prices. I rarely find much there that I want

The big boxes...stay away from Sam's and Costco. You pay for the privilege of shopping there and then you end up buying too much. You will not save anything. Better... go to Costco to use their Pharmacy. You do not have to be a member. While there, eat lunch. You do not have to be a member. Hot dog and drink - $1.50. Pizza slice - $1.50. Better yet, while waiting on your prescription, wander around and partake in the samples. Save your $1.50 for another day

TEM

Understanding the All You Can Eat Diet

As with many of these crash fad diets, the 7 Day All You Can Eat Diet has a strict plan for what you eat on each of the days. Here’s how it goes:

·       Day 1: Eat all the fruit you want, except banana

·       Day 2: Eat all the vegetables you want, with soy sauce, vinegar, or mustard

·       Day 3: Eat all the fruit and vegetables you want

·       Day 4: 5 bananas with 5 glasses of milk

·       Day 5: 4 3-ounce steaks (beef, chicken or fish) with fresh vegetables

·       Day 6: Same as Day 5

·       Day 7: Same as Day 5

So, as you can see, although you can technically eat all you want of fruits or vegetables, you aren’t really being allowed to eat all you can. Instead, your diet is so heavily restricted that you’re likely to create a calorie deficit.

The theory is that eating more nutrient-rich foods will give your body a sense that it is doing better receiving the nutrients it needs and therefore will lose your hunger. Also during the period, there is no exercise recommended. It’s worth noting that the original version of this diet didn’t necessarily include the 7-day plan above, but, rather, included a wide assortment of fruits and vegetables, emphasizing “fat-burning” “BOMs”: berries, onions, and mushrooms.

(No, the above photo is not a selfie. And, no, I don't recommend the above diet. I say eat all you want. Life is short)

TEM

Bet you didn't know...

1. The oldest evidence for soup is from 6,000 B.C. and calls for hippopotamus and sparrow meat.

2. Pringles once had a lawsuit trying to prove that they weren't really potato chips.

3. Pound cake got its name from its original recipe, which called for a pound each of butter, eggs, sugar, and flour.

4. Ripe cranberries will bounce like rubber balls.

5. An average ear of corn has an even number of rows, usually 16.

6. Consuming dairy may cause acne

7. Most wasabi consumed is not real wasabi, but colored horseradish.

8. Central Appalachia's tooth decay problem is referred to as Mountain Dew mouth, due to the beverage's popularity in the region.

9. Apples belong to the rose family, as do pears and plums.

10. Oklahoma's state vegetable is the watermelon.

11. One of the most popular pizza toppings in Brazil is green peas.

12. About 70% of olive oil being sold is not actually pure olive oil.

13. Real aged balsamic vinegar actually costs anywhere from $75 to $400 or more.

14. Store bought 100% "real" orange juice is 100% artificially flavored.

15. The most expensive pizza in the world costs $12,000 and takes 72 hours to make.

16. The winner of the 2013 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating contest consumed 69 hot dogs in 10 minutes.

17. The Dunkin' Donuts in South Korea offer doughnut flavors such as Kimchi Croquette and Glazed Garlic.

18. Chocolate was once used as currency.

19. There is an amusement park in Tokyo that offers Raw Horse Flesh-flavored ice cream.

20. The tea bag was created by accident, as tea bags were originally sent as samples.

TEM

Tacos! Tacos! Tacos!

I believe tacos are an acquired taste. Until recently, I was not a big fan. I rarely, if ever, ordered tacos when out and my bride rarely makes them knowing I am not a fan. Hers are traditional. Basic. Ground beef and taco seasoning with shredded cheese in a hard shell. Again, not a fan. But, today the taco is making quite the noise. The "Fancy" taco, as I call it, is wildly popular. Trendy taco shops are popping up everywhere. The lowly taco is the biggest thing since the iPhone. Filled with everything imaginable, they are the hit of the menu almost everywhere. And, the lowly taco now commands a hefty price. Much like "Fancy" beers that many waste their money on. So, where is the best taco in Greenville? Well, that is an almost impossible question to answer. Seems that everyone has a different opinion. It is fascinating that such a simple item now carries a complex nature. I have now eaten many at many different places and most, not all, seem about equal. Oh, some seem "fancier" than others. So, the tastes vary, but overall most of these trendy taco shops are near equal. And, with all this complex mixture of various ingredients, it is hard to tell what you are eating. You bite into one and either it tastes good (to you) or it doesn't (to you). But the next person likes it (or not). Most of the time you really don't know what you are tasting. It has Korean Beef with Thai Curry Sauce and Mango Chutney spread topped with melted Feta/Gouda/Jalepeno Cheese. You tell me. Is that great or horrible? I don't know. And, how is that even a taco. Show me that taco on a menu in Chihuahua, Mexico. You can't. Since this is a tough one, I turned to Yelp. They rank tacos in Greenville SC. 1 - 145. Yes, they rank the top 145 taco shops in Greenville. Are you believing we have 145 taco shops? I am not telling a tale. Look for yourself. I told you they are gaining enormous popularity...and I don't know why. I like them... now. I don't love them. There are much better ways to fatten me up. My favs at this point are White Duck Taco, Willy Taco and Kitchen Synch. Those are my top three out of the 145. But, as I progress in my taco search, I am beginning to appreciate that good ole' fashioned basic taco. Maybe from Taco Casa. Maybe I need to try my bride's basic taco one more time, along with a basic Rolling Rock non-fancy beer.
TEM

BAGELS BAGELS WHOSE GOT THE BAGELS

FIRST, WE'RE NOT IN NEW YORK. SO, THE QUESTION IS, WHERE CAN I FIND A GOOD BAGEL IN GREENVILLE SC? THE ANSWER IS, MANY PLACES. THE QUESTION WAS ABOUT FINDING A "GOOD" BAGEL. NOT, A "GREAT" BAGEL. YES, THERE ARE MANY GOOD BAGELS AROUND, BUT FEW, IF ANY, GREAT BAGELS. HERE IS THE LIST:

1) GREENFIELD'S - PROBABLY #1 BY A LONG SHOT. GOOD. VERY GOOD. GREAT? PROBABLY NOT. THEY SUPPLY MANY OF THE LOCAL BETTER BREAKFAST SPOTS AROUND TOWN

2) PANERA - A Somewhat-DISTANT SECOND

3) LOWES FOODS - SURPRISINGLY OK AND BEST ON PRICE

4) ATLANTA BREAD - OK. NOT TOP 3

5) BRUEGGER'S BAGELS - A BIT TOO HARD FOR ME

6) BROADWAY BAGELS - REALLY NOT SO GOOD, BUT NOT MANY OPTIONS LEFT

7) DUNKIN' DOUGHNUTS - ACTUALLY A PRETTY GOOD BAGEL. VOTED (BY SOME MAGAZINE A FEW YEARS AGO) THE BEST NATIONAL BAGEL. IT'S OK. Not Great

8) STARBUCKS - MAYBE I AM JUST DESPERATE, BUT THEIR EVERYTHING TOASTED WITH REAL BUTTER FOR $1.50 IS QUITE TASTY

WHOLE FOODS AND FRESH MARKET ARE BOTH OK. NOT GREAT. PUBLIX IS WEAK. BI-LO IS WORSE

THERE IS AN EINSTEIN'S BAGELS IN CLEMSON. IF IT WAS HERE, IT WOULD PROBABLY BE #1. SPECIAL NOTE RE SULLY'S STEAMERS. THEIR BAGEL SANDWICHES ARE GOOD BECAUSE ANYTHING STEAMED IS GOOD. THE BAGELS THEMSELVES IS NOT THEIR FOCUS

TEM

Hot Diggity Dog!

The great american hot dog. Or is it?
In fact, two German towns vie to be the original
birthplace of the modern hot dog. Frankfurt claims the frankfurter was invented there over 500 years ago, in 1484: eight years before Columbus set sail for America. But the people of Vienna (Wien, in German) say they are the true originators of the “wienerwurst.” Whatever. Do we really care as long as the great tradition continues? Healthy for you? Not by a long shot. You don't want to know what goes in one. And speaking of going in one, don't ever try a Kobayashi. He  finished 69 hot dogs, one more than the officially recognized previous world record. That world record stood as the highest ever eaten until 2016 when Joey Chestnut ate a record 70 at that year's Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. Pure disgusting. But, every once in a while I need one. I don't really want one. I just need one. And, since moderation is the foundation of all that is good, I eat one (or two). Where?
1) QT - Yes, the gas station. Best hot dog in town. And, best hot dog deal in town. $1.49 for one or $2.49 for two. Toppings are free and they
are really good. Chicago style relish, sauerkraut, cole slaw, onions, pickles, etc, etc. All you want. Or rather, all you can fit on a hot dog. All beef. Big. Steamed buns. My #1
2) Johnny F's - The Real Chicago deal. Very good but pricey compared to QT
3) Fuddrucker's - Big. Not cheap for a hot dog, but you can make it a meal since the salad fixins' are included
4) All the "Clocks". Good and a fairly good deal. They work since they come with onions and chili
TEM

                                 

Time, Time... does anybody really know what time it is? Does anybody really care?

Shout out to past favorite, Speros Big Clock at the corner of Stone and East North. It blew up a few years ago under questionable circumstances and the lot remains vacant. Luckily, we have a couple hundred other "Clocks" to fill the void

Tic Toc Tic Toc. The clock never stops. Time keeps marching on. And, so do the infinite number of Clock restaurants in Greenville. There must be hundreds. Thousands. Every block. So many Greeks.  The Clock. The Clock on this. The Clock on that. The Big Clock. The Original Clock. On and on. Just about every corner. All almost identical. Cheeseburger half 'n half. Sweet tea. Next. Even when they are not "Clocks"... they are. So which ones are the best? Here's a start...

1) Comos Petes on Augusta

2) Palmetto Fine Food on Laurens

3) The Clock on Congaree

4) Carolina Drive-In on Buncombe

5) The Clock Drive-In on Wade Hampton

6) Petes on Pendleton (now Bikas)

TEM

It's never too late to eat right. But never eat too late

More tips below for those who are experienced eaters

Eat more frequently
Smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day keep you energized and satisfied.Try snacking.You should be eating every 2-3 hours, just like a new born

Use more spices
Increase your protein intake.Choose foods that help with digestion.As people age, their sense of taste and smell may slowly decline. Actually, their sense of everything declines. Using more spices not only helps add some flavor to seemingly bland food, but it also helps digestion and provides additional nutritional value. Go ahead, spice up your life 

Speaking of protein, it's important for seniors to up their intake as they grow older. The decrease in stomach acid that's typically seen throughout the aging process is one of the major reasons why protein becomes more important in old age. The body needs protein to generate acid for digestion. Foods like chicken, fish, nuts and legumes are great choices for a well-balanced diet. So are Snickers

The decline of stomach acid production makes digestion more challenging for seniors. In addition to adding more spice to your meal, opt for foods that are known to aid digestion and settle upset stomachs. Sauerkraut (on a hot dog), vinegar and coffee are good. For additional stomach relief, add ginger to your meal or sip on ginger tea. I like Ginger Ale with my chocolate cake

TEM

Cars and Food

There has long been a relationship between cars and food. Where better is there to munch on some fries or sip on a shake? Whom amongst us doesn't have crumbs forever embedded between the seats? How many family
meals have happened while huddled in a van...just where GOD intended us to bond together? I like to look at my cars as moving feasts. I can't drive without eating or drinking something. I don't believe the car will run. Because of this questionable habit, I prefer used cars. It cuts down on the guilt. If you are in the market to buy a not-so-new mode of transportation to get you from one fast food drive-thru to another, consider my research below. Those in bold seem to be the winners for each price range. TEM

$5000

• Honda Fit – 2011

• Toyota Corolla – 2011

• Toyota Prius – 2009

• Toyota Camry – 2008

……………

$10,000

• Honda Accord - 2012

• Toyota Corolla – 2014

• Toyota Prius – 2012

• Toyota Camry – 2012

• Lexus ES – 2009

• Lexus GS – 2007

• Honda CR-V – 2010

• Toyota RAV4 – 2009

• Lexus RX – 2007

…………….

$15,000

• Chevrolet Cruze – 2017 (New)

• Toyota Prius - 2015

• Lexus RX – 2009

• Toyota Highlander – 2010

Chicken Salad for the Soul

I love a GOOD Chicken Salad Sandwich. Made on fresh white bread right out of the bag or fresh white bread toasted or fresh white bread grilled. I even like GOOD Chicken Salad on a bed of Iceberg Lettuce (NOT Spring Mix). I like my Chicken Salad carefully prepared with a good bit of full fat Mayo and stuff mixed in it. Bits of celery. Sweet relish. Bits of peppers. Diced Onion. Salt. Pepper. NO bones. Real Mayo for sure to make it moist and tasty. Mayoless is prohibited (sorry Zoes). The best Chicken Salad Sandwiches in Greenville are as follows:

1) The Clock on Congaree. Homemade to perfection by the Clock family. Chicken Salad sandwiches can can be pricey. The Clock give you a great product for a reasonable price. Less than $4

 (Just behind GHS Patewood)

2) GHS Patewood - Do not close your mind to this gem of a hospital cafeteria. The hospital itself is a Monday-Friday resort and the cafeteria has great food for low prices. They run daily specials that are great and their Chicken Salad Sandwiches are excellent. Good portioning. Tuesdays are Hashbrown Tuesdays. The lines are long that day. Good luck finding a nurse on a floor on Tuesdays. Price/Value is very good. The Chicken Salad sandwich is less than $4

(Just in front of the Clock on Congaree)

3) Rick Erwin's Deli Downtown - Grilled Panini style. A legitimate #3. Rick has kept the price reasonable, but not as good as #1 and #2. Approx $8 with a side

(Across the street from the Hampton Inn)

4) Jason's Deli - Not as good as 1-3, but a solid #4 mainly because of the unlimited add ons and the free ice cream. Approx $7 with chips

5) Golden Chick - Two unique points. The bun is a round hamburger type bun but soft and delicious. And, they add cut up grapes. Both make it a winner, plus the price is reasonable. Approx $4

6) Chicken Salad Chick - Good Chicken Salad but pricey. Approx $9 with a side

7) Spinx - Good not great. Low cost. Approx $3. Sandwich is pre made and ready to go, but not too bad. No where near #1 and #2

Publix - Grab some fresh, soft white bread and go to town. Actually quite good for store bought. Creamy with relish. Best value. A loaf of fresh, soft white bread and a container of chicken salad will cost about $6 and make you several sandwiches. So, it works out to approx $2 per sandwich

Note; Chicken Salad Sandwiches are difficult to find in restaurants and very difficult to find reasonably priced. Whether good or not. I like my TEM recipe...Fresh chicken freshly cooked and cut up in very small pieces, real full-fat mayo, sweet relish, celery in small pieces and a bit of chow-chow

TEM