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| Fried chicken with french fries (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
As you read this I should hopefully be in Houston, Texas. I drove. It's not that that I have a fear of flying or anything like that. I just don't like to fly with air transportation being like it is now. And driving the open road is something I enjoy doing. Sure, it takes longer, but I don't mind. Road trips are fun.
If you're thinking my blog post title has a typo, it doesn't. This post is not really about flying, but it's about frying. No, I'm not turning Japanese--at least I don't really think so. It's summer and I'm concerned about frying in the heat.
Of course in a humid place like Houston I might be experiencing simmering rather than frying, but I always have some expectations of hot weather in the summer. I'm not a big fan of hot weather which is one advantage to living in Los Angeles. Oh, we do get some hot weather, but it's not often miserably hot night and day like it can get in the southeast United States.
Since I'm composing this post a couple weeks in advance I don't really know what the exact weather will be like, but usually it does get warm. I haven't heard about any cold wave coming to us this summer and besides since we're in the midst of global warming I guess hot weather is in the forecast.
Frying fears not only apply to the weather but to our food as well. I love fried foods of all kinds. I often regret that fried seafood platter or fried whatever after I eaten it, but it's so good while I'm eating it. Maybe we won't have to worry about eating fried food eventually since the government will probably ban it along with anything else they might think is bad for us. Pretty soon we won't get to eat anything with salt or sugar added or anything fried. No french fries, chips, sodas, alcoholic beverages, meat, or anything Big Brother (or Sister) thinks is bad for our health.
Horror of horrors! We may soon be only allowed to eat fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains. Nothing processed, everything fresh. Good-bye McDonald's and Taco Bell. Hello Farmer's Market. I wonder if the Farmers' Markets will start having drive throughs.
Do you try to avoid flying? Do you like fried foods? Do you think the government should tell us what we can or cannot eat?
I am afraid to fly and fry... never been successful at either and I don't mean trying to do both at the same time. Every time the government puts it's two cents in, it ends up costing us money... as they say to better help us. Help us! We need to live longer, work longer and eat healthier... yes I get it. Want those benefits you worked your whole life for, well spent it. Why is it that my father who worked his whole life, earned and paid into his retirement... then dies and that money [earned] goes to "gov", my mother receives none [well a little until she retires]. I think it should all go to the next person in that legal family member. Oh wait... life longer, eat better... work longer. I think there is a point in here somewhere...
ReplyDeleteJeremy
Jeremy, your example is one of the reasons I decided to go ahead and start collecting my Social Security.. Might as well have it now and start using it.
DeleteLee
Hi, Lee! I just checked and you can expect a high of 93 there in Houston today. Stay cool, good buddy. Mrs. Shady and I thoroughly enjoyed our drive across the desert last summer from San Diego to Tuscon. When we drove past Phoenix on the way from the Grand Canyon to San Diego a week earlier the mercury reached 111.
ReplyDeleteIt wouldn't bother me a bit the government banned all foods except fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains because my diet consists mainly of those food groups.
Have a safe trip, Lee!
Hot and humid in Houston today and predicted for the rest of the week.
DeleteI admit that I need to eat better.
Lee
If I never get on a plane again it'll be too soon. Over and above my unease about crashing, flying has become so unpleasant with the lines, security, baggage rules, tiny seats, ala carte food, rude flight attendants, screaming children, etc etc etc.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a huge fan of fried foods, other than french fries. Whenever I cook food that is traditionally fried, I bake it instead (chicken cutlets, fish, etc). And I don't like the govt telling people what they can eat. They are so concerned about transfats but god forbid they do something about Monsanto, their use of Round Up and GMOs. I find that far more dangerous.
JoJo, the hassles of flying are the worst part.
DeleteI enjoy some fried food in moderation. I don't cook much fried food other than eggs and potatoes.
Lee
I hate to fly.
ReplyDeleteYou get closer to the East Coast, and yes, you will be frying in the heat and humidity.
I avoid fried foods. Which is tough in the South as they deep-fry everything. Even the salads.
Alex, in Houston I think we'll be more parboiled then fried.
DeleteI don''t think fried salad sounds too good.
Lee
I'd be okay with that. I already eat farmer's market food.
ReplyDeleteWe're hot enough here to fry an egg.
L.Diane, I need to check out my local farmers' markets. There are a lot around L.A.
DeleteLee
I love to fly. I grew up never thinking I would ride on a plane, but my dad was a pilot and an airplane mechanic at Robins Air Force Base. I was enamored with being aloft in a plane. My last plane ride was like riding on a crowded bus. I'm just glad I got to fly while it was relatively cheap and still had some amenities.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to the Writer's Police Academy in Wisconsin later this year. I'm debating on upgrading my ticket to first class for $144. Just to have the experience once in my life.
Don't worry about the government making sense with what we should eat. Crazy legislators stopping welfare moms from buying spaghetti sauce when every mom knows that spaghetti is once of the cheapest foods that kids love to eat. No logic is involved by politicians. Of course, we may all be eating cotton candy made with hot air.
Ann, I love to fly, but I don't like the current hassles related to flying. Years ago when my sister worked for USAir I used to be able to fly standby and once they did upgrade me to first class and it was wonderful. I never like to pay the extra to do it though.
DeleteLee
It's beautiful where I am right now high I think will be 74, but I just got back from the southeast of the US and yes, it was humid and hot and sticky!
ReplyDeleteHR, 74 is ideal for my taste in temperature. I'm not a fan of hot or cold.
DeleteLee
Flying used to simply be a quicker way of getting somewhere, now it entails surrendering privacy and freedom and I'll walk before I submit to that. Big Bro has grossly over-stepped in so many aspects it's not surprising that food choices would come into play sooner or later, but it's wrong! Whether folks want to eat fried chicken or backyard grass it is their choice and should remain so.
ReplyDeleteDiedre, I figure all my privacy is already gone so I'm not overly concerned about that, but flying is a lot of hassle much of the time. Food safety is a good thing for government to take an interest in, but what we eat should be up to each of us.
DeleteLee
I've never been a big fan of fried food. Just French fries. Frying seafood is near sacrilege to me.
ReplyDeleteOur weather here in Texas has been unusually mild. It's also been wet, which is helping to alleviate the drought. If you're driving I10 on the way to Houston, you'll pass right through my town.
Bish, I do like fried oysters and clams and certain fish like catfish, but mostly I like my seafood baked or broiled.
DeleteWe were on 10 for the entire trip until about 40 miles outside Houston where traffic started backing up and I took to the backroads.
Lee
We both hate flying with a passion, and will only do so after ingesting mass amounts of alcohol. In other words, just ship my body across the country and I'm happy.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the government - saving us from ourselves! We're both thin. We both like fried foods, but we eat them in moderation and work out. And we don't need any laws to make us do that. Crazy thought, right?
Beer Guys, I try to eat in moderation much more than I used to. Government needs to leave our ingestion preferences alone. What next? Ban beer?
DeleteLee
I like the heat of summer. I seldom eat fried anything, maybe french fries once per month. We should all eat the healthy stuff but the truth is, it's more expensive to eat that way. Poor people often eat more 'bad' food because it's affordable. And I'm sure the government will find a way to regulate farmers' markets and even our own gardens at some point.
ReplyDeleteSusan Says
Susan GK, maybe the government needs to show me how to grow a garden. I've been a miserable failure at growing my own food.
DeleteLee
Karen, flying can be quick, but I still enjoy the driving.
ReplyDeleteLee
I'm not a flyer, I would rather take the road myself :) I am sure if you came across Arizona you got some hot temps; frying in Phoenix this past weekend at 111 degrees. I don't think the government should tell us what to eat or what not to eat. I think we should take the Bible's take on it with eating all things in moderation. Enjoy Houston!
ReplyDeletebetty
Betty, the temp across AZ and NM averaged 103 all of Saturday as we drove. Moderation is always the wise practice.
DeleteLee
I flew for years, and you couldn't pay me enough to fly again.
ReplyDeleteMy life is none of the government's business. What I eat is one of the many things they have no say over. If I want to eat fried food, that's my business. And I love fried food. :)
John, when I don't have the luxury of time to travel sometimes I have no choice but fly going back east so for me it's sometimes a necessity.
DeleteI too love the fried food, but my digestive system doesn't handle it as well as it used to so I do have to be careful not to overdo it. Unfortunately if I'm in a restaurant I do tend to overdo it. But it's so good while I'm eating it!
Lee
The govt won't ban sugar and stuff, at least not high fructose corn syrup. It's in everything. Have you read food labels? It shows up in the weirdest things. Which isn't a good thing.
ReplyDeletePatricia, I'm a nut about reading food labels, but mostly just out of curiosity rather than health concerns. It's true that sugars are in just about everything. But even when I cook my own stuff I'll sometimes add sugar to whatever I'm fixing. I may get in trouble from the government:)
DeleteLee
Good day, Lee. I hope you have plenty of A/C, because it sounds like the weather is going to be scorching.
ReplyDeleteI love flying and fried foods! Don't get enough of the former and try to stay away from the latter, but willpower doesn't always hold up. Had fried calamari yesterday - with Tzaztiki dip. Yum! ☺
Ban alcohol beverages? Perish the thought! Did they learn nothing from Prohibition? I think certain horrible ingredients should be banned like high fructose corn syrup and trans fats. As for the rest, outright banning would be draconian and definitely much too "Big Brother"-ish. Education is a better tactic, plus encouraging restaurants to offer healthier fare. There's already a trend in that direction. Even McDonald's has salads now.
Debbie, banning things is a bad idea because then who decides and where does it stop? There are plenty of those who'd like to ban meat, sweets, or peanut butter. People can eat what they like and please leave my food alone. As long as what we eat is safe then let us each decide what is healthy. Education is the best plan.
DeleteLee
Ah, but are you sure it's safe? High fructose corn syrup can kill you ! Personally I don't see any reason not to force manufacturers to stop using it. Surely they could come up with something less harmful? (As usual, this is all about greed and making a buck.) I don't think that's the same as banning meat, etc., but I'm all for education, in any case.
DeleteDebbie, I'm never absolutely sure of anything, but then that gets into a philosophical realm beyond this post. When I say safe though I mean that processing points are kept to certain standards of cleanliness and no outright contaminants are purposely put into foods or allowed to enter into the process. I think there might be some debate about the fructose issue, but I don't really know much about it. Fructose is probably better than a good many of the artificial chemical sweeteners they come up with. Making a buck is always a big part of the equation though.
DeleteLee
I was at a softball tournament over the weekend, and they had fried oreos. That's got to be like death on a stick. Except, I don't know if they were on sticks, because I didn't buy one.
ReplyDeleteThey can't ban salt, by the way. It's essential.
I've never tried fried Oreos, Twinkies, or anything like them, but they don't sound especially appealing to me.
DeleteI agree about the salt. I use too much I'm sure, but I do like my salty stuff.
Lee
I really don't get into food woo and orthorexia, and really dislike people like Food Babe (whom I prefer to call Fraud Boob). Barring legit allergies and sensitivities, you can't dictate how other people eat. I would've been so upset, as a child, if I'd gone to a school outlawing sugar, peanut butter, chocolate, Oreos, and all the other stuff I've heard about being banned. It's good to eat healthy, but it's not healthy to follow an orthorexic diet. I particularly hate people who give up gluten for no medically-indicated reason. First, it's a fad I don't see any reason for, and second, it really makes it harder for people with Celiac and wheat allergies to be taken seriously when they say they're gluten-free.
ReplyDeleteCarrie-Anne, don't even get me started on this gluten free diet fad or food allergies. If we banned food because of food allergies there'd be nothing left to eat.
DeleteLee
I use my microwave alot, don't do much frying.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the post Lee.
Yvonne.
Yvonne, microwaves are especially handy for cooking for one person. I find mine to be indispensable.
DeleteLee
Whether of not I like fried foods has no bearing on whether or not I eat them, unfortunately... dang it.
ReplyDeleteCan you say "statins?"
Cherdo, if I like the food I'll have a greater tendency to eat it than to research it.
DeleteLee
>>... I just don't like to fly with air transportation being like it is now.
ReplyDeleteI second that opinion.
In fact, the last time I flew was the Summer of 2010, and I don't see it happening again. They can take their airport security and shove it sideways where the Sun don't shine.
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
STMcC, since I have to do most of my flying to the east coast I often have little choice than to fly and since that's where my kids are if I want to see them then flying is what I sometimes have to do. I still dislike it though.
DeleteLee
I eat what I want and what I like.
ReplyDeleteLife & Faith in Caneyhead.
Barbara, amen to that! It's my strategy as well if you can call it a strategy.
DeleteLee
I don't mind flying and I am scared of heights! Inside the plane, though, it doesn't feel scary to me only if I was on a ledge, ladder, bridge. I am one who also enjoys road trips and love to take a longer route rather than a freeway because you get to experience the towns you drive through. Vacation is meant to be fun and if one is driving there, why rush unless you have to. I like French fries and burgers on the barbeque. I don't have the bun with the burger though. I am supposed to stay away from sugar, starch and caffeine since I am hypoglycemic and that is tough! I have a sweet tooth and love potatoes. I am not big on tons of fried foods but that is me. I believe if legislation was passed to place on the packages exactly what you are eating that is OK but I get mighty wary when the government wants to tell me what I can and can't eat. This is a form of control cloaked in "good" deeds. My motto is everything in moderation....now if only I could do this when it came to chocolate
ReplyDeleteBirgit, I don't mind being told what I'm eating, I just don't want someone else deciding whether or not I can eat it.
DeleteI actually like the flying, but the hassles and especially cramped seats are unpleasant.
Lee
I agree with your points and if they make the seats any smaller I will be sitting on someone's lap:)
DeleteThere's a lot of great food in Houston...it's a major city with everything you could possibly want.
ReplyDeleteThe government is not going to take away your precious junk food. And, for the record, I don't think it should.
However, I'd be more concerned with the fake food industry that knows how to appeal to your taste buds and get you to eat more and more processed foods filled with fat, salt, and sugar. They understand the physical and psychological components of food addictions and take full advantage of that knowledge.
When Taco Bell becomes more appealing than a farmers' market, there's a real disconnect. The food industry wants you to rail against government, because then you don't notice how they are picking your pocket and ruining your health for their profit.
We grow a lot of food and get most of the rest from our local farmers' market. I guarantee that if you add more real foods to your diet, you start to enjoy and crave more real foods, and the desire for junk starts to fall away. Our diet is not pristine -- we like the occasional sugary dessert, and a few times a year I will eat french fries. However, these foods no longer hold the same appeal to me that they once did.
Nadine, you're right of course, but I do like for someone else to prepare food for me. I do all the cooking in our household and I don't like spending a lot of time doing it.
DeleteLee
I LOVE to fly. No, I'm not particularly keen on being crammed in a small seat for eight hours. But the feel of take off is exhilarating and I love watching the land below or the cloud below. Or at night, I just love seeing the stars. The only problem I have ever run into was I swear the last time I was on the plane I saw something on the wing. I weird gremlin or something that kind of looked like the Morlocks from the Time Machine.
ReplyDeleteJeffrey, I hope you stayed cooler than William Shatner did when you saw the gremlins. I agree that flying is a cool experience. I'd like it a lot better if I were in my own private jet.
DeleteLee
No fear in flying, I just like being in control of my traveling destiny (which is why I haven't done bus or train traveling since I was a teen). Last time I flew, Eastern Airlines was still in business.
ReplyDeleteFather Nature's Corner
GB, my first flying experience was on Eastern, but I've flown many times since. No fear of the flying itself, but cramping is unpleasant. I do light rail now and then, but it's been a while since I've done a regular train.
DeleteLee
I have to travel on occasion for my job. I have to go to St Louis next week actually. Flying is my only option so I deal. Its funny how some people who don't travel often tell me how lucky I am. I guess in some ways its nice to see different cities and states. I don't consider myself lucky when the planes are delayed, flights are cancelled, sick people and crying kids on planes, security, etc.
ReplyDeletefunny, my husband fried chicken on Monday for dinner. I do not believe the government should have any say in the matter of what we eat. The only thing I do appreciate is the US not allowed to eat dog or horse. Those regulations I can stand by.
Holli, I wouldn't want to eat dog, but I have a queasy feeling that I may have eaten horse meat before.
DeleteWhen flying is bad it's a nightmare, but if all goes well flying is the dream way to travel.
Lee
I read the entire Obama Care Bill and it actually sells they will build a fruit and vegetable stand in every community in the country. That section not unlike the rest of the bill was very hard to understand but it seems that is the plan.
ReplyDeleteAs far as Flying it isn't fun anymore at all. It went from an industry with impeccably high standards when it came to customer service to the worst industry when it comes to customer service.
I hope you don't fry too crispy in Houston,
Doreen, I'm not sure I'd trust that produce stand clause. That's private enterprise--something where government shouldn't get involved. Maybe it would be okay if they provided incentives for growers to market in certain areas.
DeleteSo far I've been indoors most of the time here in Houston. Outside it's somewhat bad, but not terrible in small doses.
Lee
I wouldn't mind flying on an airplane, but I have a lot of trepidation toward airports and the whole process you have to go through to even get on the plane. I'm in Virginia, and it feels like we've been frying lately (90+ degrees).
ReplyDeleteCherie, I agree that it's not the flying itself that is the problem, but it's the entire process. Otherwise I love flying.
DeleteHope things cool down in VA as I'll be there in the middle of July.
Lee
I'd heard somewhere that by 2018 all places are supposed to have trans fat out of everything. To force folks to be healthier (but places can petition to keep if they can prove it's not unhealthy). Crazy!
ReplyDeleteI love fried foods! There's this soul food place near my house that has literally the best fried chicken I've EVER had.
Well, I live near Dallas which doesn't have the exact same climate as Houston (way more humid there) but it's pretty hot here right now!
I hate flying planes. The process to get on it and the fact that I have bad ear pressure issues and it's miserable being up in the air.
Madilyn, ear pressure issues would be bad. I usually don't have that problem.
DeleteI don't see how fried food can ever be banned--at least not in my lifetime.
Lee
Yeah, my ears will pop just driving into different and we go up a hill or down into a valley. It's ridiculous.
DeleteI hope it doesn't! I mean, isn't it what makes America great? To eat this awesome tasting stuff even though it's horrible for ya? haha
Madilyn, a big part of our 4th of July tradition is hot dogs and hamburgers and all sort of stuff that's bad for us, but it sure does taste good.
DeleteFreedom of food!
Lee
That sounds so awesome. I can't wait to have a grill again. Hopefully on the 4th one of our grill-owning friends will invite us over for hot dogs & burgers!
DeleteI hope you made it to Houston fine. And don't fry all summer long.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what to even say about the government monitoring the food. Here's the thing: I don't think that Junk Food will ever disappear. Poor people can't afford to eat healthy (fresh fruits and veggies, etc.) and the government doesn't really want us all to be healthy. Heck, if everyone were healthy and not killing their brain cells with poison, people might start looking at the government and questioning what they're doing. And they don't want that. So, I don't worry about them banning poisonous foods. If anything, they'll ban fresh fruits and veggies and insist we all live on chips.
Robin, I'm here in Houston, fine, and eating a moderate amount of bad foods.
DeleteThe government would have to do some massive educating to get everyone to eat healthy. They've been working on the kids in public schools already.
Lee
I don't mind the Government requiring contents of food and posting warnings. But, what we eat should be personal choice.
ReplyDeleteAnd I really really wanna eat that fried chicken in the picture. It looks YUMMY!!
Mee, I don't mind being informed about what I eat, I just don't want to be forced to eat what the government allows me to eat.
DeleteActually I'd rather have some good Chinese food than that chicken.
Lee
Hey Lee,
ReplyDeleteA nice, short comment by me! I like me a bit of Southern Fried and I've no fear of flying because I always fly on the blogger's favourite airline, "BlogAir."
Happy journeys, dude.
Gary
Thanks, Gary. Southern fried, northern fried--I'll take it all.
DeleteLee
I definitely like fried food, but try not to eat it too much. Lately, I've been hooked on cucumber sandwiches. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is super hot here but not humid, thank goodness.
Kimberly, I try to limit my fried food intake as it no longer agrees with my stomach as well as it used to. I love cucumbers, but haven't tried the sandwiches yet.
DeleteLee
Okay, I love my French fries and chips, but otherwise I try to avoid fried foods. However, if the government ever tries to do away with chocolate, I believe there will be a mass exodus to Canada or Mexico...including me. As for my family, we enjoy camping with five kids, so we also prefer driving to flying. Did you ever try to purchase 7 plane tickets? I don’t even think we could afford it. Thanks for sharing this with your readers, Lee. It's always a pleasure reading your blog posts.
ReplyDeleteVictoria, thank you for visiting. Chocolate is a definite off-limits that could cause massive rebellion if banned. I don't think we'll see that happen especially how many benefits of chocolate have been touted. When I used to fly with my kids we never had to purchase tickets for airlines since my sisters worked for USAir at the time and they got special deals for us. However we did have to fly standby which presented special problems when all of us were flying together. Buying tickets for a big family would definitely be a huge expense.
DeleteLee
I'm southern so by law, I have to enjoy fried foods. And I do enjoy road trips if they're about four hours or so. Other than that, I prefer to fly. I actually enjoy flying as long as after I travel, I don't have anywhere to be and can just relax. Have fun on your vacay:)
ReplyDelete