Thursday, February 28, 2008

Binge Eating Victims

Brussel SproutsI don't know if I've done a proper confession here but I LOVE to eat. Some things more than others but food is one of my favorite things. I did a post at the beginning of the year on my favorite diet treats but that just makes me sound like a pillar of self control. Not so.

No, in fact I've have my binges with the best of them and here's the most memorable. I warn you, it ain't pretty.

1. Brussel sprouts. Susan at Food Blogga posted her recipe for Brussel sprouts on Botox a year ago and I've made it up seven or eight or twenty times since then--oh they're good. As it happens, I love Brussel sprouts. I get kind of excited when I buy them at the grocery store (especially if I'm shopping hungry) and I usually buy more than I should but no one here besides me will touch them. I know! I'm shocked too! Anyway, last time I made them I kind of horded them and ended up eating the batch. The whole batch. In fact, after eating so many I got pretty sick which my children found oddly humorous--the fact that someone would eat so many Brussel sprouts of their own free will that they'd get sick cracked them up. They just don't understand me at all.

Twigs Crackers2. Twigs. Do you remember these cheesy-sesame bits of heaven? I don't think they make them anymore but I really remember them fondly. I used to buy boxes in college periodically though I don't think I can make a box last longer than a day.

3. Half a bag of Caesar salad croutons. This one may be my most recent bitter regret. Oh sure, they tasted good going down but who wants to wake up at three in the morning remembering the indulgence? They stayed with me as a garlicky penance for half the next day. Darn salad.

4. Vlasic pickle relish. This one's specific--I'm not really a pickle relish connoisseur or anything but Vlasic makes this dill relish that is really good. No, REALLY good. So good I caught myself eating a spoonful straight from the little expensive jar with nothing to accompany it. Then another. And another until who needed hot dogs? I'll just skip the processed meat product and go straight for the condiment--a meal fit for a white trash king.

5. Smokehouse almonds. Who was it who first looked at an almond and said, "You know these little babies are good and all but what they really need is some hydrogenated soybean oil, some fake smoke flavoring and a ton of salt? Well whoever he is (and I'm betting it's a HE, this has "male" written all over it) was a genius. I can eat a whole can at a sitting if someone doesn't shoot me first. Save me from myself!

6. Brie. I'll just refer you to this post here. Enough said.

7. Cheese in general. I LOVE cheese, but my favorite thing to do (and this is just embarrassing to admit) is to cut off a chunk, throw it on a plate and nuke it until it's a little cheesy puddle on my plate then slurp up the melted strings with moans of satisfaction. Yes I'm odd. But it tastes mmmmmmm . . .

8. Nachos. Which reminds me of my nacho experience. You see when I was a kid there was a neighborhood Quick Stop that was at the Outer Limits of the Biking Border--or the farthest place we were allowed to ride on our bikes for a good portion of my childhood. They had this magnificent candy store there where you could buy every candy on earth (I was partial to the little Sweet Tart skeletons that came shaped like tiny bones in their own little plastic coffins. How morbid is that? What next? Dissect-a-Frog bubble gum pieces?) Anyway, I used to ride my banana-seat bicycle to the Quick Stop and buy my contraband there and I remember secretly buying a giant sized bag of Doritos. I don't think Mom ever knew. Or she probably did--I bet the ring of powdery neon orange around my lips was a dead giveaway.

9. 1-pound bar of Hershey's chocolate. While I was buying the nachos I decided that the perfect accompaniment to the meal would be a monster bar of chocolate. Without almonds--that would have been too healthy. This lasted only a little longer than the bag of Doritos--but not much.

Arby-Q-sauce10. Arby-Q sauce. Oh man I love this stuff! I hardly ever eat at Arby's, it's kind of expensive and all, but boy I do love their special barbecue sauce. If they bottled it I'd buy it for sure--though maybe that wouldn't be a fabulous idea because I'd probably end up drinking it. Anyone who's opened one of the little packets and dumped the whole contents into her mouth can't be trusted with a whole bottle of the stuff. And she probably shouldn't be allowed to be around children either--of course it's all just hypothetical of course. If someone actually ate that kind of thing . . .

11. Pizza. I've never told Andrew but I bet I could put away a whole pizza by myself (just like I've never told him what I weighed at the time that Grace was born--that's just my little secret). I'm such a pizza fan that I've only once met a pizza--or a topping--that I didn't like and the rest didn't live long enough to tell the tale. Luckily I have my husband eating with me at most times at night which keeps my pizza binging in check, otherwise I'd be doomed. DOOMED! You know how they say don't drink alone? Well I don't eat pizza alone.

Donuts12. Donuts. Same said about donuts, there isn't a kind they make that isn't a temptation--though the cake ones aren't my thing so much. I can resist those pretty well but then for some reason I don't think they qualify as legitimate donuts per se. You've got to have yeast to be a donut in my book. Persians . . . Bavarian creams . . . cinnamon twists . . . plain old glazed goddesses . . . maple bars . . . jellies . . . apple fritters . . . egg donuts . . . they don't stand a chance around me.

13. Cherry pie filling. Oh this deserves the number one spot because I still have trouble with this stuff. I love it love it love it and can snarf it down if I'm left without supervision. Mom used to keep cans of the stuff in the pantry when I was a kid and what does it say about me that I'd sneak a can and eat it just like that? I don't think I've mentioned it to Mom, I should probably come clean and fess up after all these years of quiet guilt.

Technorati tags:

61 comments:

Anonymous said...

You're making me drool (except for the Brussels sprouts, but maybe I'll try the recipe once). I'm hooked on those smokehouse almonds as well and buy them in bulk at BJs.

Unknown said...

So that's why I could never find it when I needed it!! mom

luvmy4sons said...

Gosh now you've gone and made me hungry. You have to try making brownies with those LARGE Hershey's chocolate bars. You make a brownie mix and put half on the bottom of the pan, then put three of those large Hershey bars (I prefer dark chocolate) on the batter and then cover that with the remaining batter...yum yum!

Jennifer said...

I always thought you were a fairly normal, if not an exceedingly crafty woman. Now though... I realize that you too are human. I think of all you listed, it was the dill pickle relish that put me over the top. I just started participating in TT too, though my food list is not nearly as interesting as yours!

Juliana RW said...

hmmm..i love pizza :D

Will you visit mine :D Thanks

Edi said...

It's probably good we don't all binge on the same things or the store would be empty of what we need!

I personally don't eat relish straight from the jar but I know someone who does.

Why can't our binges be relatively calorie/fat free (guess your brussel sprouts qualify there unless coated in butter and salt)??

It just seems "unfair" that that which we love so much - is not necessarily good for us.

Anonymous said...

I think I love you, Michelle! I hold you in such high esteem, that a post like this makes you seem like the rest of us peons - kinda like seeing a celebrity with cellulite on her thighs . . .

I have never tried a Brussels sprout before, although I've had a bag of them in my freezer for the better part of a year now (yikes!). But I have to agree with just about every food item you've listed. Speaking of eating things directly from a jar, I do that with jarred pesto. Mmmmm - no need for noodles.

You've made me really hungry now!

Megan Cobb said...

Oh I might have to jump in and write a post about this myself. I've been guilty of this one, too. (Witness the FriedOkra sampling episode from yesterday.)

I feel worried about how your tummy may have responded to a few of these binges - mine is rumbling and lurching just thinking about them!

Stephanie Wilson she/her @babysteph said...

Oh my goodness- I've never met anyone else that loved Brussels Sprouts as much as I do! I am ADDICTED to Vegan with a Vengeance's recipe for garlic braised Brussels sprouts and hubby has banned me from making them for a while. I've not been able to eat anything but soup anyway lately, but still, I long for them!

Steph

Carina said...

I can't binge on anything, because it makes me sick, sick, sick, but if I could, pizza and donuts would be right up there near the top!

Shannon said...

Arby-Q sauce alone??? Hmmmm...never thought to try that. I don't think I have quite the affinity for the stuff though. I have the same binge eating problem every now and then. I wonder what my list would look like. Never thought to write it out but I just might now:)

My sil LOVES pickle juice. She would rather take a big swig from the jar than eat a pickle. Weird!

Sandy said...

I'm hungry now.

Anonymous said...

I checked out the Brussel sprout recipe and since grocery day is tomorrow, I'm going to try them. They do look delicious, something I NEVER dreamed I'd say about brussel sprouts.

Thos donuts look like Krispy Kreme. 12 gone in seconds!

Lately, TLC Pumpkin Flax Seed bars have been my weakness. The saving grace is they are wrapped two to a pack, so most of the time something kicks in to save me from eating the whole box! Oh and triscuits....keep the box back!

Marie N. said...

I am the brussel sprout lover in my house. Earlier this month it was expected my husband would be in Florida for a week for work. This meant I could adjust the grocery shopping to indulge the tastes we don't share. I cought a heaping container of luscious fresh brussel sprouts. His trip was cancelled! I got to enjoy a wonderful brussel sprout soup (two meals a day, three days in a row) and have my husband at home. Heaven.

Janet said...

I agree with you on the arby's sauce and the donuts. But they have to be Krispy Kreme.

Cheetos (puffy, not cruncy)
oreos (double stuff, because after all it's the creme part)
And I have been known to eat Eagle Brand Condensed milk out of the can using a spoon.
Yes I know.

Anonymous said...

I too, love brussel sprouts! I'm the only one around here that would even begin to entertain the thought of actually eating them! Yum.


We normally have leftover pkgs of Arby sauce in the fridge... I often open those little foil pack of yumminess and use them in lots of things.

Too funny what some of us will eat and will not eat.

marcia@joyismygoal said...

oh my all but the brussel sprouts w/you

Maddy said...

Hmm we could almost start a Brussel sprouts club! People seem to either love them or hate them and the majority seem to be int eh 'hate.'

With you on the cheese but the rest are......unfamiliar.
Cheers

Anonymous said...

Let's see...brussel sprouts, pickle relish and Arby's sauce all by itself?

If this is what you eat normally, I'm not so sure I ever want to know what you eat when you're pregnant.

I'm just sayin'...

:-)

Laura Paxton said...

Brussels sprouts...YUM! and the donuts(MUST be Krispy Kreme)! and CHEESE!!

Happy T-13!

Heather said...

Well, most of that sounds good to me!

Deb said...

I am struck by the comment that Vlasic dill relish is expensive. I'm a real cheapskate and all but it's the same price as the sweet here and one of the least expensive condiments I stock. Maybe Alaskan economics isn't in my budget?

I could never stay inside an Arby's long enough to try the food. The smell of the barbeque never agreed with me.

Sea Star said...

Never had a brussel sprout in my entire life. They just don't look good to me at all.

I am with you with the pizza, donuts and cheese. My downfall every time.

Kelly @ Love Well said...

I don't know how someone can post about liking Brussels sprouts AND donuts in the same post. But it's one of the reasons I love you.

(I like them both too, by the way. But the Brussels sprouts must be fresh -- not from the freezer. Once again, I have a recipe from Susan at Food Blogga bookmarked.)

Melissa said...

Pie filling! Oh yea...I could put that on anything! I love apple though! Unfortunently Curtis doesn't liked baked fruit so I don't get to use it in as many things as I would like

Montserrat said...

Well, it goes without saying I'm always on a chocolate binge. I am so a cheese head. The funkier the better.

Dedee said...

I am so hungry right now. You feind!!! You got me on the cheese. I can just about resist everything else, but melted cheese! Love Love Love melted cheese!

Deb said...

Ooh, pizza... One of my absolute favorites too - I just had 3 (large) pieces for lunch today and I don't think I'm going to need to eat again for a week. :)

Oh yes, and I'm with you on the chocolate and donuts too - but not the brussel sprouts! My T-13 is food related today too.

Valerie said...

I have to admit to the same petty theft of cherry pie filling from the pantry (hanging head in shame), but it was so good! You know that I'm going to be headed to the grocery store soon and if some cherry pie filling finds its way into my cart, I'm not responsible.

BTW, hubby loved, loved, LOVED the beef carnitas. Thanks for sharing the recipe!

Amanda D said...

I fondly remember twigs. MMM... I wish they still made them. Yum.

Melissa Markham said...

You binge on Brussel Sprouts? I can understand pizza, brie, chocolate, cheese, smoked almonds...but Brussel Sprouts! You are one crazy gal:)

Anonymous said...

Oh, yes. I am especially with you on the brussels sprouts (really, I have loved them since I was little) and cherry pie filling. Now that's a meal right there!

KJ said...

mmmmm...brussels sprouts (steamed, with a light cheese sauce), smokehouse almonds, relish (in potato salad and on the kosher hot dogs at Costco!), cherry pie filling. Dump a can of cherry pie filling into a dry cake mix, add the specified eggs (omit the oil) and 1 tsp. almond extract. Bake in a greased bundt pan according to package. Cook, sprinkle with powdered sugar or drizzle with powdered sugar icing. Delish! I promise!

Anonymous said...

Krispy Kreme donuts hot off the machine in the store- mmmmmm- I'm definatly drooling.

Tim Appleton (Applehead) said...

That post really mad me laugh out loud each time! Pretty confident on number 5 huh? Stephanie is right there with you on number 6, as am I.

Mean Mommy said...

Oh, man. Now I'm so hungry. In addition to many of yours, I do this with Goldfish original crackers. The box says a serving is 60. 60! 60 would surely take forever to consume. So I can just keep eating them, right? There's probably only about 60 in the whole bag...right?

Mrs. Gray's Class said...

So funny - I just got from the store with the biggest Hersey bar ever - with almonds, of course!

Anonymous said...

Okay, brussel sprouts? That is just gross! My husband absolutely loves them, and I have failed miserably as a wife by preparing them exactly once in 16 years of marriage. Sorry, I don't cook broccoli either. I am definitely not winning any contest of "Best Vegetable Preparing Moms Ever." Corn counts, right? And cucumbers? So I'll be watching for that cucumber recipe. Thanks for the laughs.

Daisy said...

Cheese! Oh, yes, cheese!! And I think I need pizza tonight. My excuse is that I have a major weather headache and do not want to cook.

Beth Cotell said...

Twigs! I forgot all about them! I used to love love love them back in the day.

And I am so glad to know that I am not the only one who eats cherry pie filling. Yum!

And I figure if I am eating just the filling and not the crust or any thing else that would go with pie then surely it is healthy. Right?

Jennifer said...

I am with you on the cheese thing. I used to grate a whole large plate full of cheese and then dip it in ketchup. I know it is weird, and now I would never do that, but I still love cheese.

AlaneM said...

Love your list, here's where we agree...
I love brussels sprouts! I never get them cos nobody else in my house will get near them (sigh)
Twigs are sooo good!
Cheese is ALWAYS better melted (and brie rocks)
Doritos - oh love the cheesy powder goodness (and I remember those skelaton candies hehe)
Doughnuts, yum yum but can't eat more than 2 or I feel sick

My go to food is SmartFood popcorn. I can polish off an entire bag lickety split. And then you get to lick the cheesy residue off your fingers...I gatta go to the store!!

Ice Cream said...

I always make brussel sprouts for easter dinner. LOVE them (when cooked the right way).

Can't stand cherry pie filling, and it lead to many unpleasant childhood situations as all the adults treated my like an idiot for not liking it. But give me apple pie filling and I'm good to go =)

Tasina said...

I'm oddly oddly hungry now.

Heather said...

I was so shocked to see brussels sprouts as your first choice because I just made them tonight and thought surely I was the only person fixing and then ENJOYING them! Yummy!

Ter said...

RE: No. 7 - my husband thinks I'm the only one who does that!! Thanks for proving him wrong!

You can see my Thursday Thirteen on my blog here: http://withanangelonmyshoulder.blogspot.com/2008/02/thursday-thirteen-its-emmas-birthday.html

Phyllis Sommer said...

yummmy!!!! i just bought some brussels sprouts yesterday...i usually roast them which is awesome but i might have to try your recipe... what a great list.

Anonymous said...

You eat Brussels sprouts? Voluntarily? Well, someone has to I suppose!

Kris said...

They DO sell the Arby-q sauce in Canada in bottles...seriously. Next time I go home I might have to bring you back a few...hehe.

K.

Irene said...

Brussel sprouts? No way. I pretty much eat any veggie. But brussel sprouts literally make me gag. I have tried many variations in preparing them, and have given up.

Funny about the Arby's sauce. I am NUTSO about McDonald's hot mustard. I always ask for extra, because I will dip everything and anything in it. Yeah, a bottle would be dangerous.

ewe are here said...

I'm completely with you on the brie, nachos and pizza.... must be a cheese thing. Such a lovely comfort food.

Beck said...

I ate so much brie in one sitting recently that even the THOUGHT of it still makes me feel a bit queasy... bleh.

jubilee said...

Have you tried the lime flavored almonds? Now, there's a snack!

I love cheese too . . . yum.

Anonymous said...

What a diverse list of goodies (baddies???). Many of yours are faves of mine, and I DO wonder what happened to Twigs. Are they repackaged now in a different shape with a different name?

Crazy marketing peeps! :)

Kristen M. said...

I had a similar experience to the brussel sprout incident only mine was with prunes. I actually think prunes are tasty but don't make the mistake of eating the entire box in one sitting! Talk about an upset stomach.

Cagey (Kelli Oliver George) said...

OH MY. I am afraid of that Brussels Sprouts recipe. AFRAID. I have also eaten so many Brussels sprouts that I have gotten sick!

Cagey (Kelli Oliver George) said...

OH MY.

I am afraid of that Brussels Sprouts recipe. AFRAID. I have also eaten so many Brussels sprouts that I have gotten sick! It is all I can do to keep from chowing all of them down while washing/peeling/cutting them!

Anonymous said...

MMMMM brussels sprouts. I like to take them with melted chedder cheese and sour cream. Its the best!

This is a good post. Thanks for the chuckle. I needed it today!

page2 said...

This post made me hungry. Mmmm...pickle relish....Arby's...mmmm. I think I've been to that same candy store when I was a kid! I got grape bubble gum shaped as a hamburger and it came in a cute little fast food style container. Fun memories.

threesidesofcrazy said...

I found your site this AM and LOVE this confession. I was quite sick over the holidays and lost a bit of weight - enough to keep me motivated to lose more and now your post is a great motivator at this plateau time in my diet. I'm going to rush right out and get the brussel sprouts. I love veggies of any kind as long as there is flavor and those sound yummy!

Anonymous said...

Amen to the smokehouse almonds!! Also I can easily polish off half a bag of croutons also. in fact if I hit a salad bar the caption could easily read "would you like some lettuce to go with those croutons. I love those things.