Category Archives: Food Carts

Hola Arepa

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My two years in Portland, Oregon, were street food heaven. Everything you’ve heard is true. There are tons of food carts and they are that good. I knew I would miss them when I moved to Minnesota.

The Twin Cities, however, are experiencing the beginnings of a street food revolution. What I like about street food is that it creates life along city streets; people make connections with the owners and chefs; the food tends to be cheap; there tends to be lots of variety; and the cost of entry for entrepreneurs is low, which can lead to new ideas and better food as everyone steps up their game. Continue reading →

OFG: The Weigh-in, Part 3

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So I’m finally ready to tell the tale of stepping on the scale for my six-week challenge.

Rather than lead you through the streets of New Orleans, perhaps it would have been easier if I simply stepped on the scale. But I got where I am because I am the kind of person who shows up for breakfast with powdered sugar on his sleeve from a beignet appetizer. I’m weak when it comes to food, but throw in any connection to New Orleans and I’m nearly defenseless. This you needed to know as I step on the scale for my OFG weigh-in.

The plan is to lose one pound every week for six weeks.

A little more than two weeks ago was the baseline weigh-in. From that weight, one pound would have to come off every week.

In a game with just one person, cheating isn’t very effective, and that’s why a friend has suggested Operation Feel Good had become Operation Fat Guy. Over the years, I’ve developed a lot of bad habits that are hard to break, but I keep trying, sometimes with success. For example, since my 20s exercise has been a part of my daily routine. However, when it comes to food – oh, the mind games. Continue reading →

Springwater Corridor

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Ah, summer. I’ve lived in the Pacific Northwest for more than a decade. Summer usually makes an appearance after the Fourth of July (in a good year). In Portland this year, we’ve already had sunny, warm days ahead of the solstice. Although I am learning to enjoy riding bike on rainy days, there’s still nothing like a warm summer day for a bike ride.

In June, Portland holds a three week bike festival – Pedalpalooza. I’ve been to a few of the hundreds of events, some of which are huge community events and others are small events organized by like-minded riders. I went to the opening night ride, but I did not go to the World Naked Bike Ride. Instead, last week I created my own event. Continue reading →

Restaurant Swap

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My brothers and I, after a good meal, tilt our heads just like our dad does. It means we are full and we are happy. With some variation we all say, the first part almost a grunt, “Mmm. That was good.” And then look to the rest of the table for agreement to dispel any disbelief that the meal was just a dream.

Last night I had one of those meals. Continue reading →

OFG Day One

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We are now well into the re-launch of Operation Feel Good, the plan my siblings and I have to get fit. My very first day, I made two rookie mistakes. Yes, the very first day. I left the house in the morning without a water bottle and I left the house without a proper lunch plan.

A water bottle shouldn’t be a hurdle, but part of the problem is I can’t bring myself to buy bottled water. I can fill a bottle from my tap at home after all. Forgetting a water bottle, I could, of course, go without anything to drink, but that’s not where my mind goes. The devil on my shoulder tells me that if I’m going to add to the landfill, why not dive all the way in and get a soda. Once I set up the decision as a choice between water and a soda, the bad choices start to rack up.

I’ve never done well when faced with two options. On a family trip when I was a little kid, my younger brother and sister and I were allowed to go through a buffet line by ourselves. Continue reading →

OFG Eve

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My brothers and sisters had decided that Tuesday would be the restart of Operation Feel Good, our plan to get fit and/or lose weight. Each of us has a different goal. Some of us have a pound or more to lose. Some of us just need to incorporate vegetables into our lives. And some of us need to do both.

Monday being OFG Eve, well, some might say I went on a bender.

I prefer to say I celebrated. Continue reading →

A Tale of Blue Cheese and Horses

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I spied a tiny horse while eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich one day last fall. Perhaps there’s some truth to the Legend of the Green Man of Portland, because these things seems to happen in Portland. If you’ve been struck by the Green Man’s arrow, you can see what others can’t.

Sure, there may be other explanations. Continue reading →

Why is there rhubarb on my pork chop?

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Rhubarb, a vegetable that masquerades as a fruit in jams and pies. I refused to eat rhubarb as a kid, even in a pie, and even though my mom’s pies are quite legendary. She even has a blue ribbon for her apple pie. I never wondered whether rhubarb was a vegetable or a fruit. As far as I was concerned, it was a stalk. A stalk. A stalk does not belong in pie. Continue reading →

The Baby Cheesus is Safe

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On Easter Sunday, I ate the Baby Cheesus. I couldn’t picture my grandmother ever ordering the Baby Cheesus (nothing against a Patty Melt), so in honor of her 99th birthday yesterday, I went old school. I ordered the Kindergartner from the Grilled Cheese Grill. As a reminder, I believe birthdays should be celebrated even from afar. I think some in my family might prefer a gift, but instead I eat a meal (or two) in their honor.

A 99th birthday deserves a lot of honor. Continue reading →

I ate the Baby Cheesus

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If a grilled cheese sandwich is on the menu, that’s what my grandmother will order. It’s one of my favorite sandwiches too. We both like them in their simplest form – white sandwich bread, American cheese and butter. As a kid, I thought it was odd that she would order them in a restaurant, when they are so simple to make. To be more accurate, my mom made perfect grilled cheese sandwiches, so I had no need to order them in a restaurant. As an adult, I’ve realized they truly are simple to make, but sometimes it’s nice to be waited on. Since today is Easter Sunday, most people are at family dinners, but I’ve been craving a grilled cheese sandwich. That’s where The Grilled Cheese Grill comes in. Continue reading →