New Finds From Your Resident Foodie

As a Food and Nutrition major and as an all-around lover of all things edible, rarely does a day pass by where I am not faced by food. I receive daily recipe e-mails from Chow.com and TastingTable.com, I wrote a paper for a class last night on the seven ingredients of a flour mixture, my idea of a fun weekend includes a trip to Whole Foods, I am currently reading a book entitled "The Art of Simple Food," and I just downloaded the Epicurious app on my phone. It has taken me years to reach this conclusion, but I am now fully confident in this statement: My name is Mary Alice, and I am a food nerd.

One of my greatest pleasures comes from sharing info about new food-related finds with others (please see above statement). Plus, what better way to avoid studying than to write about food? The following is a list of such that I hope you find worthy of your Internet time. Happy eating! M.A.

Things to try:

The Braised White Beans side item at Zoes.

I was skeptical at first, as well, but figured they were worth a try. DELICIOUS. Jodes will vouch. Flavored with rosemary, they were a healthy way of changing up a typical Zoes meal.

The Mediterranean Salmon Salad at Panera.

If you are like me, you do not incorporate near enough fish into your diet- much less the fish high in O-3s. This salad is a great way to put an end to that. Though a little high in calories, it still makes for a great lunch or even dinner if halved and added with a soup/sandwich.

Create-Your-Own Veggie Pizza from Domino's.

We all get the craving for pizza now and then, and with Dining Dollars Monopoly money, how can you go wrong with some Domino's delivery on a Sunday night? I confess that I have a problem of overindulging when it comes to ordering the "personal," "small" pizza (10,000 calories later it does not seem so small). My pseudo-solution to this came in the "build your own" option. My advice: thin crust, less cheese, every veggie imaginable and go for the "extra" option on each, and either chicken or no meat. Yes, this is still a pizza, and yes, you will still be consuming a large amount of calories, but at least it is a healthified not to mention even more palatable take on the old pepperoni pie! Plus, when that doorbell rings and Paul, the delivery man, applauds you for your culinary expertise and finely honed pizza-building skills, you can't help but be proud.

Whole Foods Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies.

YUM. Whether you are a tree hugger or just a curious person, these cookies will disappear fast. I'm still not sure where all of mine went...

Speaking of Whole Foods (I believe this is now my 40th reference to the food Mecca), I highly recommend its bistro. I had never even noticed this teeny restaurant in the center of the take-out foods area but will certainly not forget it. Homemade sweet potato wedges, daily specials including fish tacos, and a cute guy cookin the food in front of you. That all I gotst ta say.

Another recent find is the Pie Lab of Greensboro. This place is SO worth the roughly 45 minute drive from T-town! It serves up a variety of pies baked on the spot each day and also has a few quiches and such, as well. Their coffee is some of the best I've ever had and of course pairs nicely with a warm slice of pie! If anyone wants to take a field trip, I'm there. I'll drive :)

Lastly, just a shout-out to the Homegrown Alabama's Farmer's Market. The first market of 2010 will kick off this Thursday from 3-6 pm at Canterbury Episcopal Chapel (on campus).

The market offers local fruits and veggies, honey, flowers, baked goods, t-shirts, etc. and is a fabulous way to not only support local farmers but also to rack up on some top-notch whole foods!

Here's a link to Homegrown's website if you are interested: http://www.homegrownalabama.org/calendar.html

For the love of food.

Things that make me ask Why?...Vol 1

Being a music major, I make the trek down University Boulevard many times a day to Moody Music Building. I enjoy this time, using it as a few moments when I can clear my head, make some phone calls, and just enjoy the scenery on campus. Alas, I can never enjoy a peaceful walk. Why, might you ask? Men.

We have all been there: You are walking down the street and some car full of men decide that they MUST say something to you. "What's Up?" "Hey There" "How You Doin?" "Looking Good" and many other things might be yelled out a car window any time of day. You notice it is always the same guy: dirty, middle aged, maybe missing some teeth, usually missing a shirt. But you know, even if Gerard Butler (yes, this is his second blog reference) drove by me and yelled "Hey Hot Stuff", I would probably give him a dirty or confused look.

While some of these comments are flattering and I am glad you think I have a nice butt, I do not care. Of what benefit is this for these men. I am not going to answer, you are driving too fast. I am not going to lift up my top as a thank you. I am not going to fling myself into your car just because you have said a flattering comment. This whole thing makes zero sense. I wish I could take a poll from these men, asking why they feel the need to do this so often and at all hours of the day. Maybe one day, but until then I suppose I will continue on, getting yelled at, and alas not knowing why.

I've neglected my blog child for far too long now...

Lately I've decided that my mom has been lying to me for the past 20 years. Contrary to what Barkley may insist, May birthdays are simply not the best. Reasoning:

1) 86% of my friends are 21. I am 20.

2) 86% of my friends have plans at 10 pm on any given night that do not involve going to the rec. I do not.

3) I could not go to Junior-Senior.

4) Junior year is somewhat of a wash as far as going out is concerned. Where is there to "go out" to? (Those with earlier birthdays, I might add, have had a whole extra year of the bars in college than I will have).

5) Let's face it. After exams everyone splits for the summer. May/summer birthdays get placed on the back burner.

6) I feel like I've missed out on some really fun nights. There. I said it.

Enough of being a downer and crying a river to flood the AGD house--

On the bright side:

1) I have saved money that I could have been spending at the bars.

2) This semester (minus Ireland) has been my most alcohol-less semester thus far, and my liver thanks me.

3) I have not had to spend a night in jail or pay a hefty fine for getting caught with a fake (call me a chicken all you want).

4) Watching movies at the house/Late night rec-ing it up/ Going to bed early really isn't all that bad...

5) Lastly, and this one is my favorite, when said 86% of friends is 30, I'LL STILL BE 29 SUCKERS!!!!

Even More Thoughts From the MIA Bookend

Recently I was inspired to write this blog, and I encourage my fellow bloggers to respond with their thoughts as well. I don't consider myself an angry person or someone simply bursting with excessive rage, but I do have a list of things that simply get under my skin...pet peeves. Webester's Dictionary defines a pet peeve as "a frequent subject of complaint". These things might not occur frequently, but when these annoyances do cross my path, they simply will not do. For some of our friends these might be jeans in the summertime, big umbrellas, or even when her drink holder isn't called by its proper name...well, these are mine:

1. Pedestrians directing traffic: Have you ever been backing out of a parking space and one out of line pedestrian finds it necessary to direct you out of your spot? First of all, I have obtained a valid driver's license, therefore I know how to back out of parking spot. Second, I SEE YOU. I am not going to hit you as long as you cease from your traffic directing ways. You are not a police officer nor a flight attendant, so stop waving your arms and get out of my way before I hit you out of pure spite.

2. Leggings as pants: I have never met one person that can pull off this look. leggings and a dress? sure why not. Leggings and a top? NO. Leggings and big oversized Tshirt? HECK NO. Why is this accepted today? I can think of no reasoning that makes this okay. Did you wake up late and you were simply sleeping in leggings, so you grabbed your nearest shoes, which are alwaus your uggs, and ran out the door. I am quite positive that this is never or not frequently the case. Ladies, just put on some pants. your social and dating life will thank you. You look ridiculous.

3. Really far parts (in your hair): When girls part their hair reallllllly far to the side. This causes your hair to puff uncontrollably and cannot possibly be comfortable. It looks crazy and like you have been playing with your hair. Part your hair normally, and take off your leggings, you know who you are.

4. Facebook statuses that tell every aspect of your day: Sally just woke up, Biology at 9, then to the rec, lunch at the house, then homework (yuck!), naptime, dinner with the girls, movie tonight, then off to bed!.....SALLY! NO ONE CARES!.... If i wanted to know where you were at 11:46 pm then i would A. Stalk you or B. hire a private detective, and there is really no one besides Gerard Butler that is interesting enough to take that kind of time or effort. So people, If you want to put your entire schedule on facebook for the world to see, then be prepared for freaks that you graduated with to mysteriously "run into you" at your favorite hotspot or be waiting for you outside of your biology class, hoping to see you. and he will see you too, because he knows your every move. In the words of Sting, "I'll Be Watching You".

Jodester the Roadster

First off, let me clarify by saying that the "Backhall Bookends" is not a book club nor does it involve books in any way shape form or fashion.
That being explained, I would like to tell you about my epic 4 day 18 hours of driving trek to NC. I left Ttown after an abysmal Physics test and made my way up north. I hit Atlanta right around 3 and I don't know where everyone and their mother was going but there seemed to be a mass exodus and I was right in the middle of it. If Atlanta could just sink into the earth and we could make a road on top of it I would be oh so happy! Along the way I passed a parade of 100 or so police cars- not sure where they were going but they weren't ticketing me- cha ching! I am proud to say I only made two stops on the 6 hour drive to Hendersonville, NC- once in the GA welcome center- nice bathrooms, sketchy soap- and once at a Walmart in nowhereville, SC where I promptly bought a bottle of Diet Cheerwine. For those of you who have never tasted this delicious drink- I am sorry for you- it is a delightful soda of a cherry flavoring. Next to Diet Mt Dew and Crystal Light it is my nectar of choice. They do not, however, make it in Alabama, which explains my second WalMart stop on Friday to grab a case. But I digress, I finally made it to the mtns of NC where I proceeded to drive up and down a windy road in the dark with heavy fog and rain... I'm still alive how? I stayed in Hendersonville for the night and then awoke the next morning to continue to Randleman. As I was leaving the big H my gps refused to acquire a signal- so I set off blindly down another windy, curvy road complete with its own fog and rain. Once gia the garmin finally clued into reality she immediately instructed me to take a left down the sketchiest nonroad in existence. I am now convinced my gps is out to get me and wanted to have me murdered jeepers creepers style. Needless to say, I got back on the right track and reached my destination.... On the way home today I saw a sign that said "incident ahead at mile marker 12" what it should have said was "massive car wreck ahead.... get off now because its backed up for four miles and you will be sitting in your car for all eternity." I interpreted the incident as the latter and got off the interstate... only to be greeted by another wreck- how to I get so lucky. Finally, as I was nearing Athens I saw a University of Alabama van with the logo and all. Not sure what they were doing all of the way out there but they were definitely speeding away- suspicious? I think so. After this epic trip I am now convinced that I should never take a road trip with people seeing as how I managed to nearly get myself killed cutting across six lanes of traffic in Atlanta- I don't want to put anyone else in harm's way AKA my driving!

Random facts

So, on my iGoogle homepage, I have this thing called Useless Knowledge. And it's just what it says it is: useless knowledge. I would like to share with our audience some of my interesting findings.

1. Close to 20 percent of all adults living in the United States have had a cockroach living in their inner ear canal.The roach enters the ear while you sleep.

2. In ancient Greece, prostitutes wore sandals with nails studded into the soles so that their footprints would leave the message "Follow me."

3. If a pin were heated to the same temperature as the center of the Sun, its fierce heat would set everything within 60 miles ablaze.

4. Basketball got its name from the half-bushel peach baskets used as targets by the originator, James A. Naismith, in 1891.

5. There are 40,000 muscles and tendons in an elephant’s trunk. This makes it very strong and flexible, allowing an elephant to pluck a delicate flower, untie a knot, or tear a tree out of the ground; yet the trunk is sensitive enough to smell water 3 miles away.

6. The average adult loses 540 calories with every liter of sweat.

7. The average human body holds enough sulfur to kill all the fleas on an average dog.

8. The lungs of an average adult, unfolded and flattened out, would cover an area the size of a tennis court.

9. A rat can fall from a 5-story building without injury.

10. In Saudi Arabia there are solar-powered pay phones in the desert.

Lets play a game

As I ponder the backhall bookends, I consider all of the other books on the shelf that help contribute to the stories that we share. I am talking about none other than the four rooms that lie between 207 and 211. So, in an homage to our neighbors let's play a game- Guess the backhall resident....

1. She is giving a front hall resident a run for her money in time logged on the couch in the vortex. If this person is not sitting on the couch she is either asleep on the sleeping porch OR alseep in her room.
2. This person enjoys stinking up the back hall with the evils of left over seafood.
3. This backhaller has permanently moved her closet on to the sleeping porch. She recently lost her jeans and ransacked her room for them only to discover they were by her bed on the porch.
4. This resident has tried every kind of dip imaginable and probably has several in her room right now. Hummus, salsa, cheese... Of Course! Marshmallow fluff, nutella, frosting??? Probably
5. This backhaller is a new addition to the madness... she hasn't been in the house long enough for us to discover her weird quirks
6. And finally, this backhaller enjoys tucking us in on the sleeping porch and waking us up with the smell of freshly brewed coffee coming from her room.... is that allowed?