Archive for the “Food and Drink” Category

The link to this recipe is at the bottom of the post.

This is all the rage across the Internet. It boasts 5,000 calories and an artery clogging 500 grams of fat. The creator’s blog, www.bbqaddicts.com, has had more than 500,000 page views in the past month.

You can find the recipe here.

Oink! – AWB

INDIANAPOLIS – State lawmakers gave a strong nod of approval Wednesday to nearly doubling the state’s cigarette tax as part of a health insurance initiative offered by Democrats in the House Public Health Committee.

The panel wrapped the 54.5-cent-per-pack tax hike into House Bill 1008. The initial amendment sought a 29.5-cent increase after a proposal earlier this week contemplated only a 4.5-cent jump

As I have stated before, I don’t smoke, but man, it sure seems to me like not only the city of Fort Wayne, but the state also, really sticks it to the smokers.

The proposed increase would bring Indiana’s per pack tobacco tax to $1.10. Currently it is 55.5 cents, with the national average being 99.7 cents.

To me this is sad, it is almost as if smokers have become a minority that lawmakers seem to make an example of and punish for their choice to smoke. The sad part is some people are basically addicted to their cigarattes, and are going to smoke no matter what. The tax increase will only be a further negative effect on some families.

The entire store in today’s Journal Gazette.

Posted by Lucy.

I have a confession to make. This was the first year that I watched the Super Bowl for the game! I had so much fun betting this season and watching the games (another first) to see if I was winning that I actually became addicted to the sport of football and became a huge Indianapolis Colts fan in the process – I am contemplating adding a Manning jersey to my own wardrobe – a first in the life of this almost 43 year old woman – a football jersey – haha! IN the past I would watch for the commercials and the halftime show. Well I found this article online giving an overview of the commercials that aired during the game.

I agree with his take on some of the spots.

Winner: Bud Light
In an attempt to appeal to young men, Bud Light delivered a number of slapstick, juvenile numbers that certainly pleased its target demo. From a rock-paper-scissor match that got out of hand, to the auctioneer wedding official, to the English as a Second Language class that taught the ins and outs of gaining and protecting beer, to an axe-wielding hitchhiker, there were predictable yet effective laughs.

My kids were rolling over the rock-paper-scissor match. It was cute.

Loser: Snickers

Two greasy auto mechanics wind up French kissing in pursuit of a candy bar? And that was designed to appeal to whom exactly? If they were determined to go with the lame, played-out gay humor angle, couldn’t they have gotten “Brokeback Mountain” into it?

I agree, pretty disgusting. ‘Nuf said…

Loser: Chevy HHR
A bunch of women driving this car are stuck at a stoplight where a throng of shirtless men – many out of shape or old (this was apparently the funny, zany part) – can’t help but turn into dancing squeegee washers? Rudy Giuliani would have rightfully hit them with jaywalking tickets.

I actually thought that commercial was cute. The kids did too, we were all giggling at it, I was under the impression that it was one of the contest winners and thought it was very elaborate and creative. Aw well, I don’t know much, but I do let my kids’ response be an indicator and they were laughing…

Winner: Doritos (The Crash)
Made by an amateur as part of a Doritos contest, it worked on a number of levels – quick story with actual twists and a happy ending, numerous punch lines and an intriguing look. It was far superior to Blockbuster’s use of two animals (always an American favorite) trying to use a real mouse to order movies, even if it won’t be as popular.

I agree both of the Doritos commercials I saw were hilarious actually, the crash and the supermarket checkout. And I thought the Blockbuster one was cute also especially when they realized the mouse wasn’t plugged in. Okay, so I was able to enjoy the commercials through the eyes of my kids and see life from their perspective, so that leaves me disagreeing with this critic.

The article said nothing about the Coca-Cola commercials and I have to say I thought they were outstanding. They delivered a good “positive” message to the younger audience as well. The first one was a take-off of the popular play station game Grand Theft Auto only it showed what life would be like if they were good guys instead. As a mother, I appreciated the message behind the advertisement.

The article also made no mention of the CareerBuilder.com ads, I would guess them to be the biggest spender of the evening, I could be wrong, but it seemed to me like they had the most commercials and they were very creative in my opinion, and they also spent the week leading up to the big game alerting the audience of their upcoming presence in the game.

Well we each have our own opinions of course, that’s what makes this old world so good!

Posted by Lucy.

One more tip of the hat to Dick Freeland.

Eight hepatitis A immunization clinics were conducted to prevent the virus’ spread after a local Pizza Hut server contracted it last month.  The cost to the Indiana State Department of Health was $106,590. Allen County paid for facilities rental and other associated costs to the tune of $22,395.

Dick Freeland’s local Pizza Hut organization is picking up the tab even though the company was in no way at fault for the potential spread of hepatitis A and has no obligation to pay the associated cost. Fort Wayne should be proud to have Dick Freeland as a member of the community.

As reported by Reuters on MSNBC.com

Consumer group sues KFC over unhealthy fat

WASHINGTON – A consumer advocacy group sued the operator of the KFC fried chicken restaurant chain on Tuesday to try and force it to stop frying foods in artery-clogging fat.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest, in a suit filed against Yum Brands Inc. in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia, said some KFC meals were "startlingly" high in artery-clogging trans fat from the partially hydrogenated oils used for frying.

[..

The group asked the court to switch to a healthier frying oil. If that is ruled out, the group asked the court to require signs at KFC outlets saying "KFC fried chicken and certain other foods contain trans fat, which promotes heart disease."

Can’t people just decide what the hell they want to eat without some Ner’ Do Well consumer group deciding for us?

Fort Wayne Newspaper reported today that the Munchie Emporiums on Dupont and also on Maplecrest are changing their names because, as they put it "Munchie Emporiums are a thing of the past, but the Munchie spirit will live on in the restaurants that take their places." Horse hockey.

I’d like to point out that for starters, Mark Melchi – who founded the original Munchie with some partners downtown is now involved with the current owner of the two aforemetioned Munchies, one Rick Rutledge. Melchi was wildly successful during the downtown locations infancy however he proved a financial nightmare for his investors. Later ousted, he eventually attracted new investors to open another Munchie on Covington road only to once again be locked out by his investors.

Then came Annie’s Half Moon Cafe in Aboite. Yet again Melchi wasn’t paying his bills, and a new set of investors threw him out and closed the place down.

The owners of the downtown Muchie have opened two new restaurants, one in Auburn and the other in Warsaw and do not fly the Munchie nameplate because of franshise fees. The reason for the name change of the north Munchies? While I can’t be certain I suspect it’s in part because of royalties being paid to the current Munchie Emporium franchisor, and a desire on their part to distance themselves from Mr. Melchi.

As reported by Tracy Warner
http://blogs.fortwayne.com/tracy_warner/2006/03/saturday_night_.html

… the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission recently put a notice on its Web site reminding bars in the Eastern time zone that at 2 a.m. April 2 they are to advance their clocks one hour – to the regular closing time of 3 a.m. – and immediately cease sales of alcoholic beverages.

From the Associated Press:

TULSA, Okla. – A Kansas man was arrested at a Tulsa strip club after police say his toddler son wandered from an unlocked car into the club over the weekend.

Christopher Greg Killion, 31, was arrested Saturday on a complaint of "encouraging a minor child to be in need of supervision." He posted $500 bond and was released from the Tulsa Jail.

The toddler told police that his father told him to stay in the car, and that if he left it, "monsters would eat him," reports indicate.

Sheesh.. He could have gotten a babysitter cheaper.

A manager at the club had called police to report that about 30 minutes after Killion entered the club, a 3- to 4-year-old boy came inside looking for his father.

From: InsideIndianaBusiness.com

Boston Market plans to give away more than 4,000 free chicken dinners at stores in Indianapolis and Muncie on April 2, following adoption of Eastern Daylight Time.

Muncie? I think they should truck them to Fort Wayne and give them away on the southeast side of town.

"When we heard our friends in Indiana would be changing their clocks for the first time in more than 30 years, we knew we had to help them ease their transition," said Trey Hall, chief brand officer, Boston Market Corporation. "We like to think that when our guests choose Boston Market, they get back a much-needed hour of time for their lives. Our everyday mission of giving you more time for your life will have added significance on this historic Sunday."

What, you calling us dummies?