Wish List

The holidays have come and gone.  Next up is Valentine’s Day, but I don’t know anyone who does a gift exchange for the occasion.  In any case, here comes the 10 month stretch of no gifts (excluding birthdays).  Tis time to treat yourself to something special.

My wishlist:

A plain ole meat tenderizer.

There is some debate on the utility of meat tenderizers, but I love me some flat chicken.  I hate chewing my way through 2 inch thick chicken breasts.  The end.

Lush shampoo bars.

These smell gorgeous, use real organic ingredients, and last forever.  I really can’t say enough good things about Lush products.  Find a store immediately and ask the salespeople to demonstrate their products.

Basil.

I need some full-grown basil in my herb planters.  Stat!

How I Met Your Mother: Season 6

How I Met Your Mother is obviously one of the best shows on TV.  If you don’t believe me, just watch seasons 1 through 6 and then get back to me.  I need the sixth season.  The sooner the better.

A new Prius.

Obviously a new car would be helpful.  Anyone want to buy me a Prius?  Seriously though, gas expenses are killing me!  I work 50 minutes away from home and my 10 year old Isuzu Rodeo only gets 18 miles to the gallon.  With gas at $3.43, you can do the math on how much of my salary goes to the pump.  Woof.

I may or may not have revealed how much of a hippie I am in this post.  I am a sick hybrid between hippie and yuppie.  You shouldn’t be friends with me and you certainly shouldn’t be reading this blog.

What’s on your “it isn’t a holiday, but damn it’s time to buy myself some stuff” wish list?

-Mads

My Brief Beef with Beef

I LOVE hamburgers.  I will probably never stop eating them (in moderation…sometimes in excess).  I don’t feel bad for the little cows that go off to slaughter, and I definitely don’t care if they mixed up crappy parts of the cow and mixed it in with the good stuff.  Burger is totally delicious.

However, I have a huge problem with the public and personal safety that has recently come into question with beef.  Let me fill you in on the reasons I’m contemplating greatly reducing or eliminating dining out on burgers…
Japan has been rejecting our beef for years because of Mad Cow Disease.  Mneh?  I find this to be a rare concern for the time being, but Mexico has recently rejected US beef as well!  MEXICO?!  Home of montezuma’s revenge?!

This is greatly disturbing to me.  I realize checking for safe levels of toxins in foods costs a lot of money, but perhaps health care costs would go down if we made a little effort in food safety.  Right?

It’s not all darkness and horror folks, Mark Bittman has a solution to e-coli and other health concerns!  While this is a bit excessive (I’m all about a quick burger), I might attempt to ease into my own burger making.  For the time being, I’ll be ordering whole cuts of meat.  Damn.

-M