Sometimes I Wonder About Quesadillas.

Due to a recent phenomenon, the quesadilla has taken a HUGE step forward--from obscurity into light. What once was a side item at that took a back seat to the fajita or burrito*, has now been launched into stardom. Kids are asking for them. People are ordering them. It's the newest link in the recent chain of latin craze.

A trip down memory lane
I enjoyed the occaisional cheesey-tortilla when I was a kid, but much preferred the nachos to the tortilla. I think it was just my young affinity for fried foods that made the chips so appealing. But, as I entered college--yes, college--I was introduced to a cheap snack. And, since my funds were a bit sparse, I relished in this dish. (although relish was used in that last sentence, no relish was used in the making of this blog, nor any quesadilla by yours truly.)

I was straight up PO-O-O-O-OR when I started school. Cheese was expensive, but tortillas were not. And, it provided a nice change of taste from my staple, the local gem. Since then, I have scarffed down quesadillas like mad. I'm a plain kinda kid. Cheese and tortilla is good enough for me. Others get really serious and add all sorts of flavors and concoctions.

Tell me: have YOU ever wondered about the quesadilla? Again, simple, but sublime. What do you like on them? Who makes the best? Is there such thing as a healthy one?

This post is dedicated to the homies from Crestwood. You know who you is.

*click on the video link on the right called "Da-na Da Da-na..."

Sometimes I Wonder about CHOCOLATE MILK

Moving to another state when you are about to be the BMOC (which was 5th grade where I was) is kind of jarring. No friends, no real way of telling what is "cool," no experience to tell if your teacher was a good one or not. Man, I'm almost feeling the pain again.
I showed up to my first day of 5th grade in a t-shirt, some shorts, and my DOPE Converse Skid Grips. In my old hometown, the cool thing was to buy just the right size so as to not have to have your laces in them. It presented a problem at kickball games, but man did you look cool. I had my slightly faded navy blues with no laces on the bottom, some sweet plaid, seer-sucker shorts, and a navy blue t-shirt. I was teased incessently. Even my teacher got in on the zings. "So do kids from Utah not have shoelaces? Or did you just forget yours today?" Eat it, Mr. Smith.
That first day was hard. Thoughts of recess and lunch were running through my head, but who would I play with? Who would I sit with? Recess was uneventful, pretty much just stood around that first day. I may have played four square, but as you can see, some events are better to just fade. Lunchtime. That's where I'm going with this. Lunchtime was the treat.
You see, school lunch was always one of my favorite things. Even when I carried my own lunch in my SWEET Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom lunchbox
I went into the lunchroom with my little red ticket in hand. What came next was a choice that was so exciting to me I'm blogging about it today. Which would I like: Regular milk or Chocolate Milk? Duh. Chocolate. No question. That deliciousness in a box was one of the best things of my new school. I was so glad to know that I had a friend in the lunchroom.
Chocolate milk is one of my most favorite beverages. It hits the spot so well so much of the time. What a treat it was when we were little. What a treat it is now! Buying the huge gallon jug of it is great. Getting the little school sized milks is great. Getting the Milk Chugs is great.
I just can't get it off of my mind right now.
Where did Chocolate Milk come from? Who thought this thing up? Who knew how good it was for us? Don't believe me, check out this article, or maybe this one. Bet you didn't think much about it being a good drink for athletes, did you? Make sure you read the article linked in that blog.
I have my favorite Chocolate Milk. There was nothing better. Perhaps you have a favorite brand. Perhaps you have a favorite taste that goes along with it. I know I do. Cheerios in Chocolate Milk is my Breakfast of Champions. Perhaps you think Chocolate milk is gross. Perhaps you've heard about this NASTY rumor.
Either way, let's hear it. Chocolate milk. Does it make you wonder?

Post script. I actually did make a lot of friends that year. And, my teacher wasn't such a butt after all. He was actually pretty cool.

Sometimes I wonder about peanut butter.

Tonight, for dinner, I had a peanut butter and jam sammich. I have been pretty into eating better since I became a grown up and moved away from my nest. (that sort of implied that i didn't eat well at home. not true. i ate just fine.) Well, tonight with my somewhat occupied schedule, I was unable to create something to eat that had any substance. I opened the fridge, closed it, walked away, then went back and opened it again. I replayed that activity a few times until I realized that nothing had changed since the first time I looked. However, I looked a little bit harder that last time and saw my peanut butter and jam sitting down on the bottom shelf of the fridge door. FANTASTIC.
So, I think I should tell about my fascination with peanut butter. Ok, to call it a fascination gives it a little too much emphasis. Let's call it my interest. I should tell you about my interest in peanut butter.

In grade school I did a report on George Washington Carver. I was fascinated with what I learned about the man, even at that young age. One thing that I learned about the botanist was that he described over 300 uses for peanuts. Although he is one of the names most associated with "inventing" peanut butter, he didn't hold the patent for it. In fact he only held 3 US Patents. (for more information on peanut butter and it's origin, read here.) Some say that George Washington Carver was born on 12 July in the early 1860's. After doing my research, I found a lot of variations. But, since my birthday is 12 July, I like to think that was the day of his birth.

I like to eat peanut butter. I eat it on crackers, bread (toasted or not), celery, chocolate, etc. There are lots of great tastes that are accompanied by peanut butter.

I am amazed at the different kinds: creamy, chunky, extra chunky, organic, salted, unsalted. Who knew that peanut butter, while being so simple, could be so complex?

So, I wonder---what is your take on peanut butter? What is your favorite kind? Was yours a "choosier" mom? Did you fall under the guise of staying young by eating peanut butter? What's your favorite recipe including peanut butter?

post script: my nephew is allergic to peanut butter. it's sad, but he likes other things. like karate.