Naughty, but Nice...

[DDT (12)]

Oh my, I’ve been such a devious boy… Nobody I know was around to witness the commission of this… whatever it was, however. I have seriously toyed with the idea of just keeping quiet about the whole incident and letting it go unnoticed… but… A disapproving conscience can be a bear to live with, as we all know, so…

It isn’t a case of dishonesty or disrespect to someone or even anything overtly evil, it’s just that… I have this reputation and all, you see, and I’ve sort of let that particular aspect of it grow into something larger than it truly warrants. (I’m getting nervous here… and, I’m not at all sure I want to go through with this mia culpa…)

Lately when on the road, I’ve taken to eating one meal per day (that’s not the source of my embarrassment)… My good friend, JP (Hard6), clued me in that the large breakfasts I was devouring, particularly hefty orders of biscuits & gravy, were the reason I was getting drowsy an hour or two later and transforming an innocent meal into something dangerous!

I did some subsequent research and experimenting, and… I concluded he was right, at least in my case. So, while I will nibble on something small most of the time, like a bowl of cereal or an order of bacon, or even a small serving of fruit, and a small snack during the day is also not uncommon, I’m skipping large, full meals nowadays until ALI and I are off the road for the evening. It has helped with the drowsiness; however… it has also made the distinction between various traditional types of meals become rather blurred… and, more precisely, the combinations of meal items…

Like a lot of folks, I enjoy ‘breakfast’ anytime of the day. Most restaurants don’t offer that, but some who do are known to have me seated inside them fairly regularly! Waffle House is famous for many things, and any item on their menu anytime is one of those… I like them for several reasons, this being but one. Anyway, Waffle Houses are all over the south, and that’s where our girl and I are rambling around at present…

Besides their breakfast offerings, I also have a hefty liking for their Texas Bacon Philly/Cheese/Steak sandwich, and their Texas Bacon Patti-Melt sandwich. No problem here, but when I order one of those sandwiches, I usually go for the ‘plate’ option, which means they also come with hash-brown taters. For years I’ve just eaten those spuds plain, as they were more for bulk than flavor…

Well, due to an error one evening, a cook made some extra grilled onions for me and put them ‘on the side’ of my sandwich plate… I’ve pretty much avoided onions in recent years, because they don’t seem to like me much anymore; however, I have been able to tolerate them fairly well in moderation if they are cooked. (Vidalia onions are the exception… I can actually still eat those raw without problems! I learned that consuming ‘Scooter Dogs’ made special by LadyDraco.)

I experimented with those delightful but risky morsels that fateful evening by mixing them with my taters just because they were there, but I didn’t have any expectations I’d actually like them… I was wrong again! I liked them very much; and, since I didn’t have any ill-effects afterward, I’ve taken to automatically including them whenever I order hash browns… (That’s not the source of my embarrassment either.)

I was recently in Americus, GA (just down the road about fifteen miles from Jimmy and Rosalind Carter’s place over in nearby Plains), and I dined next door to my motel at the local Waffle House. I decided to have breakfast this time, so I ordered… sweet tea, scrambled eggs with cheese, white toast, country ham… and hash browns with onions (‘Smothered’ in Waffle House jargon).

There, I’ve done it… (That’s the source of my chagrin…)  I confess to voluntarily having breakfast with taters instead of grits; and, truth be told, I did feel rather disloyal in doing so… But, I gotta admit, that was a fine meal!!! Heck, I suspect I just may haul-off and do it again, too! Have I committed the sin of sacrilege? And, would doing it again make me a recidivist? A serial sinner? I still feel southern and all that goes with that, but… I dunno… I reckon I’m just gonna have to ponder on that fer a spell…

DDT

[Thunderbolt]

Bruce you know I have sorta taken a liking to the hash browns at the Waffle House.  I like um plain and kind of crunchy with Ketchup.  Sure good to see you able to post about riding and eating again..................  If memory serves correctly when you and JP went on your trek there were a lot of pictures of food.  But seems as if Strider was the one that started the whole picture of the plate thingy.

[Rams]

Bruce,
I can't and won't judge you on this.   Some decisions should be left to an authority with better judgement than myself.   The taste buds may crave certain delicacies but, they do not have the final authority.    Many times in my own life, my taste buds have led me astray causing my body to let me know of when I (and my taste buds) had committed an offense.   The end result usually left a memorable experience for me and whoever else was in line at the restroom.    

Living like there is no tomorrow can be fun but, it does have it's consequences.   Make your choices and enjoy the ride.  

Rams

[Oss]

Yep, a big breakfast or lunch can surely draw a nap out of the ether

One year G-Man and I were on our way back from Johnson City and I saw a Waffle House at the border of WV and MD.  Boy howdy I had full waffles lots of that fake syrup (Spoiled by the real thing around these parts) and potatoes and toast and about 30 miles down the road I needed a nap bad from all those carbs. WTF I am getting old too.

Actually pulled off under an overpass and leaned into the side and closed my eyes for a spell

Ever since I limit it to a half a hard boiled egg and water bottle until
the riding is done. Lesson learned

Sorry you were unable to fit grits on the meal plan that day
Glad you are ok Mr Naughty

[The emperor has no clothes]

Nothing to feel guilty about. It appears you are just expanding your horizons a little. When you are ready for that next step and are ready for an Eskimo breakfast of akutaq, let me know. 

[trout dude]

Hey Buddy There is nothing wrong with getting ready and conditioning yourself for the big ride. You know as well as I (Better that anyone) that GRITS will be off the table along with SWEET TEA a lot of places on You and Big Wolfs Big Ride     So i look at this as you getting prepared for y'alls epic ride  Ride on my friend and have fun see y'all in Taos   

[DDT (12)]

Bruce you know I have sorta taken a liking to the hash browns at the Waffle House.  I like um plain and kind of crunchy with Ketchup.  Sure good to see you able to post about riding and eating again..................  If memory serves correctly when you and JP went on your trek there were a lot of pictures of food.  But seems as if Strider was the one that started the whole picture of the plate thingy.

Terry,

Ya know, those have been kinda growing on me, too. I've experimented with ketchup, salsa, mayonnaise, even steak sause... lots of different ways. Crispy with lots of salt & pepper, though, was the most usual way for me... until now! I may have started something here!!!

Yeah, ol' Strider sort of started all of this food pic stuff, and he raised it to an art-form! He and JP were big-time eaters, and that became a feature of all of their travels... I do miss both of those good ol' boyz a bunch...

I talked to JP on the phone last night, BTW... He's back at home, but he's weak and still having some trouble swallowing. He's also down to making tough choices about 'quality of life' issues. He hasn't decided about returning to chemo treatments or just letting things run their course. I wished him well on behalf of all of us.

DDT

Bruce,
I can't and won't judge you on this.   Some decisions should be left to an authority with better judgement than myself.   The taste buds may crave certain delicacies but, they do not have the final authority.    Many times in my own life, my taste buds have led me astray causing my body to let me know of when I (and my taste buds) had committed an offense.   The end result usually left a memorable experience for me and whoever else was in line at the restroom.    

Living like there is no tomorrow can be fun but, it does have it's consequences.   Make your choices and enjoy the ride.  

Rams

Ron,

Thanks for not second-guessing me or finding fault after-the-fact. I do feel better about myself now that I've come clean... like the way Hillary & Donald & uncle Joe must also feel. I've also learned that willful carefree indulgence can have consequences far beyond our expectations, and those consequences can be rather... harsh! Hope your recovery is progressing well, even ahead of schedule! We miss you out & about, frolicking with the rest of us kids...

DDT

Yep, a big breakfast or lunch can surely draw a nap out of the ether

One year G-Man and I were on our way back from Johnson City and I saw a Waffle House at the border of WV and MD.  Boy howdy I had full waffles lots of that fake syrup (Spoiled by the real thing around these parts) and potatoes and toast and about 30 miles down the road I needed a nap bad from all those carbs. WTF I am getting old too.

Actually pulled off under an overpass and leaned into the side and closed my eyes for a spell

Ever since I limit it to a half a hard boiled egg and water bottle until
the riding is done. Lesson learned

Sorry you were unable to fit grits on the meal plan that day
Glad you are ok Mr Naughty

Oss,

One of the several reasons I've taken to carrying my camp chair around with me again is... among its primary purposes is as a nap chair! It does 'sleep' rather well, and I know this through extensive experience. Still, it's better, of course, to not get sleepy in the first place, so, while I can, I'm choosing to pass on some of my favorite vittles, at least during the day. Life can be so vexing sometimes, what with all of the hard choices we're forced to confront, huh...?

DDT

Nothing to feel guilty about. It appears you are just expanding your horizons a little. When you are ready for that next step and are ready for an Eskimo breakfast of akutaq, let me know.  

Rob,

I dunno, my friend! Native dishes can include some things my digestive tract is totally unfamiliar with... and at first blush seem... well, you know... Funny, when we grow up eating certain things, they seem like just ordinary items, but to a stranger who's never heard of eating such things... YUCK! Akutaq may be a downright tasty treat, but... I dunno... some of those things in it appear... really 'natural'! Sort of like mountain oysters or hog-head cheese... or Scottish Hagiis. Have you tried it?

DDT

Hey Buddy There is nothing wrong with getting ready and conditioning yourself for the big ride. You know as well as I (Better that anyone) that GRITS will be off the table along with SWEET TEA a lot of places on You and Big Wolfs Big Ride     So i look at this as you getting prepared for y'alls epic ride  Ride on my friend and have fun see y'all in Taos    

Dennis,

Nice line of thought, there, amigo! Thanks! Yeah, that's what it is, I'm experimenting and conditioning... not straying from the straight and narrow of convention and tradition!!! The essence of politics is that anything good or bad can be 'spun' to appear to be anything desired, and that much of the public will buy it without challenge... Antics with semantics… it is a most useful tool to have, and I thank you for reminding me! I don't think I'm inquisitive enough, however, to sample that Eskimo dish Rob posted the picture of above!!! And, I seriously doubt I'd be skillful sufficient enough to spin such an effort into something believable... Hey, I ain't no politician, ya know...

DDT

[The emperor has no clothes]

Nothing to feel guilty about. It appears you are just expanding your horizons a little. When you are ready for that next step and are ready for an Eskimo breakfast of akutaq, let me know. 

Rob,

I dunno, my friend! Native dishes can include some things my digestive tract is totally unfamiliar with... and at first blush seem... well, you know... Funny, when we grow up eating certain things, they seem like just ordinary items, but to a stranger who's never heard of eating such things... YUCK! Akutaq may be a downright tasty treat, but... I dunno... some of those things in it appear... really 'natural'! Sort of like mountain oysters or hog-head cheese... or Scottish Hagiis. Have you tried it?

DDT

Yeah, actually I have Bruce. It was so long ago, I had the "traditional" style of it. Berries mixed with chilled whale fat. Sadly, many of the native cultures are becoming more "civilized" ( that's a matter of opinion though). Most use Crisco or lard from the grocery store now.
  I've always been willing to "try" different foods. Walrus tongue, Muktuk, seal oil are some of the more memorable native foods I've tried. I could never get up the nerve to try the "stinkhead" though. I never got a chance to try haggis while we were in Ireland. But I did give blood sausage and offal sausage a shot. My most memorable "food experience" might be while in the Phillipines with some balhute (sp).

[cookiedough]

I wish there were any Waffle Houses up in the midwest/northern states, none around me.  First time visiting Florida 5-6 years ago we went to a Waffle House to eat first time ever.  Everyday since that first day down there, we ate daily there loved it.  But, gotta admit, we all overdone it eating too much there. 

Last year or so pushing age 50 for some odd health reason,  I have been having major (once every month or two) SEVERE lower chest/upper stomach tightness in middle one small spot only.  I think it has to do with either too much say diet coke or greasy foods (bacon) or chips,  eating too much of one thing or another since few hours later it comes on and hurts pretty darn bad unable to breath and sometimes crying and unable to walk upright.  It feels like I am constipated having to go poddy and have gas for sure since when I either burp or toot or take some baking soda with water forcing a burp out,  I feel sometimes instantly better and the pain goes away.  It is like I have a gas pocket in upper belly that tightens up and bloats me up wanting to release gas.  The pain goes away within 1 hour or so after I go poddy or release gas, very odd. 

I guess as we age we all have to watch what we eat and how much we eat vs. when younger and could eat as much or anything we wanted without bad side effects. 

[Bigwolf]

Bruce,
You were in the south having breakfast with hash browns instead of grits!  I never thought there would be such a day.  And you had those hash browns smothered!  Makes me wonder what you were smoking that morning......heck, maybe the night before too.

Dennis gave you a plausible excuse for this infraction though.  And I would hate to have to deal with you having a mental breakdown over grit deprivation so I am going to accept that excuse for now. ...... but I am going to be watching you!  I might have to check your smokes too.  

As for our big roundabout ride to Taos and beyond, my new tire to replace my new tire is now on the bike and the bike is packed.  Just a very few things left to be done before departing for places west of here.

[f6john]

Given the title, I’m a little disappointed sounds like your findings would be good advise for anyone.

[John Schmidt]

Hmmm....not sure about that Akutaq. Looks like it was already eaten once and being recycled. 

[Jess from VA]

I eat at restaurants, rarely.  Mostly when riding around and I get hungry.  

I tend to like to order things I do not make at home for myself (at all, or very often) sort of like a treat.

Well, like clockwork, all that food makes me so sleepy in about an hour, I am unsafe at any speed.  Add in VA summer heat and humidity and I could sleep all afternoon.

So I lay off big lunches anymore.  Really, any big meals; what I do these days is just eat enough to not be hungry, and no more, at all meals.  

I also love breakfast food best, anytime.  But I've discovered if I eat a big breakfast (like they say you should), it just makes me real hungry later.  So I lay off breakfast until about 2PM.

You'd think all this fasting would would contribute to a better waistline.  It doesn't.  

On the upside, snug pants can't droop down and make you look like an idiot.

[Bighead]

Hey Bruce nobody ever said you cant have hash browns and Grits



Cookie you need to have your gall bladder looked at my friend.

[0leman]

Since it was my DW's birthday, took her to out for breakfast.   She ordered couple of eggs/bacon and of course hash browns with a side of country gravy.  No grits in this part of the country.  I had a small 5 egg omelet with hash browns.  We usually have a bowl of cereal for breakfast.

Haven't seen grits offered at restaurant since I left Oklahoma back in the late 60's.  So  Bruce, when you cross the great plains don't expect to see them.

And no, not planning on going for a ride this morning, not with a FULL stomach.  I too have had the feeling I need to pull over and take a nap with riding and after having a big meal.   So only have smaller meals while out and about.  Though not sure its a "age" thing, since noticed the problem when I was a lot younger.   

[MarkT]

Yo Bruce - Don't know how you eat big meals and stay awake.  I never eat much protein anymore when travelling as the blood goes to my stomach and it's all I can do to stay awake.  So I keep the portions small and stick with stuff like salads.  McD's has a great (for them) Southwestern salad and you can order it sans chicken and find it everywhere. That's my goto meal.  Love to have a nice breakfast but if I'm riding over an hour that's off the table so to speak.

BTW I had a boo-boo last Sept - thrown off my tractor and broke 3 ribs in 2 places and tore my leg up.  Was in the hospital several days.  After Nurse Ratchet got done with me I had no appetite and my stomach shrunk.  So it was a blessing in disguise as I lost almost 50# and I'm keeping the portions small - gonna keep the weight loss going, maybe I can get down to my post-military weight and get rid of the resulting medical issues.  I'm down 2 sizes on my pants now and feel better.  Looking forward to reducing the meds...

[scooperhsd]

My breakfasts at Waffle House are
Waffle
Bacon
Hashbrowns (scattered and smothered)
either milk (plain or chocolate) or OJ, depending on how adventerous I'm feeling about my glucose level, if I want to be good unsweetened ice tea (sacriliedge in the south ).

I make the token effort to use sugar free syrup (Waffle House's brand ain't too good, but Smucker's is a decent replacement for regular syrup).

Big breakfasts don't have the sleepy effect on me, nor big lunches. Just as a habit I usually have a bowl of cereal and milk with a small glass of diet cranberry juice or flavored water for breakfast, and sandwich / chips for lunch.

[Jess from VA]

I had a small 5 egg omelet with hash browns.

A small 5 egg omelet?     What are those, pigeon or hummingbird eggs?   

[..]

When doing a solo multi day ride.

No morning ciggies or coffee for me.

Banana for breakfast.

Mid morning before the lunch rush find a local cafe/diner. Western omelette with hash browns.

Mid afternoon an apple, tomato and cereal bar eaten in the most picturesque location I can find.

Evening, a Subway salad - hold the iceberg lettuce and load up with the good stuff.

All the above washed down with plenty of water.

A few times I did multi day trips with Coot we stopped at fast food places. 2 $1 burgers and a $1 salad for lunch.

[..]

I had a small 5 egg omelet with hash browns.

A small 5 egg omelet?     What are those, pigeon or hummingbird eggs?   

I was recently given 30 eggs. All double yolkers.

A 5 egg omelette would have been "UGE.

[old2soon]

      Been eatin largish breakfasts for a LONG time. Don't make me sleepy at all. On our ride today J T and I stopped at Popeyes and both had the 3 piece chicken coleslaw and smashed taters  and a biscuit and near on a quart of unsweet tea. Bruce-you been hangin bout with some-dare I say it here-Yankees and jist maybe some of it's rubbed off?  Come on Friend I've personally been Southernfied so maybe ya gotz a teeny tiny bit Yankeefied?  What ever it are taters will NOT kill ya-been eatin taters over 70 years and I iz Still here!  Place in Florida just before Georgia on I-95 had cursed good catfish and eggs and hush puppies and the looks i got when i informed them i wanted taters and Not Grits!  You'd a thunk i restarted the Civil War!  At our age we tend to eat what makes us feel better NOT what we Actually SHOULD eat!  Anywho-Again-taters will NOT cncel yer ticket. RIDE SAFE.

[0leman]

I had a small 5 egg omelet with hash browns.

A small 5 egg omelet?     What are those, pigeon or hummingbird eggs?   

No Jess, those were standard size eggs.  Just eat a lot, though not that much for breakfast normally.  AND that omelet really tasted great, had lots of peppers/ham/bacon in it. 

[Jess from VA]

I had a small 5 egg omelet with hash browns.

A small 5 egg omelet?     What are those, pigeon or hummingbird eggs?   

No Jess, those were standard size eggs.  Just eat a lot, though not that much for breakfast normally.  AND that omelet really tasted great, had lots of peppers/ham/bacon in it. 

Yeah, I'm real partial to omelets too.  Unlike other meals, I'm a master chef for breakfasts.  Eggs (2 or maybe 3), a touch of milk, a pile of fresh mushrooms, a little bit of sweet onion, shredded mozzarella, chopped ham.  Cooked slow on low heat with lots of butter, and some toast and jam.  Tall cold milk.

Burrrrrrp.    ('scuse me)   

[old2soon]

I had a small 5 egg omelet with hash browns.

A small 5 egg omelet?     What are those, pigeon or hummingbird eggs?   

No Jess, those were standard size eggs.  Just eat a lot, though not that much for breakfast normally.  AND that omelet really tasted great, had lots of peppers/ham/bacon in it. 

Yeah, I'm real partial to omelets too.  Unlike other meals, I'm a master chef for breakfasts.  Eggs (2 or maybe 3), a touch of milk, a pile of fresh mushrooms, a little bit of sweet onion, shredded mozzarella, chopped ham.  Cooked slow on low heat with lots of butter, and some toast and jam.  Tall cold milk.

Burrrrrrp.    ('scuse me)   

              Jess-flour tortillas heated up on an electric or gas range. TRUST me on this! When I make my Stuffed omlettes I have available for the person I cook for fresh diced onions fresh diced tomatoes fresh diced green peppers and I cook up before hand some good local sausage and some diced bacon. Usually sharp cheddar pepper jack and American cheese and I put strips of American cheese on top with the other cheese(s) inside. I use half & half stead of milk and cook the whole thing up with the fresh bacon drippins. When I say Stuffed I Mean STUFFED.  Or as my departed ex bil used to say-i wanna come over and clog an artery.  RIDE SAFE.

[Jess from VA]

Sounds good Dennis.     (except I have to hold off on the peppers)

Now with these tortillas, so you make the omelette, then wrap/roll it up in the tortilla?

So it becomes walking around food? 

[old2soon]

Sounds good Dennis.     (except I have to hold off on the peppers)

Now with these tortillas, so you make the omelette, then wrap/roll it up in the tortilla?

So it becomes walking around food? 

             Tortillas on the side stead of toast. The way I stuff them ya gotz ta leave it on a plate. 2nd ex and I liked the tortillas heated up buttered then rolled. Oh-dang near fergitted to rekemember-salsa on the top of that stuffed omelette. You also could choose yer drink-coffee milk o j apple juice beer wine whiskey-whatever?  RIDE SAFE.

[shortleg]

  My friend as I have gotten older I have started to just protien first thing in the morning.
Then as the day goes on I eat beef jerky and water.
  Stay away from sweets while on long ride the sugar will make you crash after a few hours.
I guess that was a bad use of words but you know what I was getting at.

[Jess from VA]

I pretty much make it a rule to avoid beer, wine and whiskey for breakfast.

Not that I'm a health nut or anything.