Slight Gag Reflex

I have three things I'd like to talk about today. This picture above, the Guaca-doughnut, and the next big food craze.

Fact: I think about food, a lot. Around 30% of my day is spent on reading, researching, visualizing, budgeting for, and wishing for food. Sometimes, while I eat dinner, I think about what I'm going to eat for each meal the next day. Sometimes, when there are so many foods I want to try, I visualize how to fit them all into one week. And sometimes, I think I should be disgusted with myself.

But whatever. I'm sure I'll get over it one day. If not, that's fine because I tend to think about exercise, dance, running, general health, and physical fitness for 25% of my day. So it all evens out. I have a lot of time on my hands.

First things first. I found that picture above on a blog called Foodbeast.com. Just look at it! John, of course, wanted to know were he could find such a fine heart attack. The mission of Food Beast is to follow food trends. I found a lot of things on cupcakes and pancakes. And a new recipe that I'd like to try, pb & j cupcakes. Tasty food noises.

Which brings me to my next topic. The Guaca-doughnut. I ask, why has Foodbeast not caught onto this trend? And why has no one perfected it into cohesive unit, instead of two - one dipped into another. That's right, you understand correctly. That's a doughnut. Dipped into guacamole. John and I enjoy spending our time watching "The Good Guys". And Dan Stark enjoys doughnuts dipped in guacamole. John admitted that he's thought about it before. And now I, although only recently converted to guacamole, am desirous to test this new concept out. I may have to post my first ever recipe on the blog in the next coming weeks. I'm already convinced it's going to taste great. Even if I'm currently dealing with a slight gag reflex.

Which brings me to my last thought. I like to predict trends. It used to be fashion, but I gave up on that once I got married and especially once I moved to New York. Now I'm into food trends. In New York there seemed to be a huge craze over bagels in the 90's. This is evidenced in bagel carts inflaming the map of the tiny land mass of Manhattan. But even more, you will notice as you drive down any road in Staten Island that most of the names of delis contain "bagel". Bagel and Things, Bagels and Buns, Bagel Depot, Puttin' on a Bagel, Bagel Bin, Hot Bagels and More, Bagel Land, Sunrise Bagel, Bagels R Us, Brothers Bagels, Bagels on the Lane, Bagel Time, Bagels Bread and Butter, Bagel Bistro, Eat-A-Bagel, et cetera forevermore. Bagel starts to sound odd once you say it enough. And guess what?! They all taste like cardboard (except Au Bon Pan - try their jalapeno cheese with the honey pecan cream cheese - exceptional).

Recently in New York, the trends seem to surround cupcakes (obviously), macaroni and cheese/comfort foods, ramen soup, and burgers. The only failed trend I can think of is the macaroon. I have no idea why it failed. And I know I'm still a novice at all this and I could be off. But I think the next big thing should come straight from Utah. Jello casseroles! Redefining Jello to New Yorkers in the way of the Relief Society sisters! Over time I noticed that the time church potlucks got flashy at ward dinners was when the elderly Sisters brought a jello dessert. Carrots, sour cream, pecans, peas, turkey stuffing (ick!), pineapple (one of the better options) - I'm sure the list could go on. What do you remember (Michelle)? I wonder who I could interest in a start up?

P.S. Did you know that the color orange can pique an appetite?