LET THE FEAST BEGIN

As a rule, I am not big on being cute with me groceries.  It is all about the gobble, gobble, gobble....

Friend on FACEBOOK did this platter and I thought it was clever.  Just a small part of the 3900 calories most folks will consume tomorrow.....

What the heck, it is the holidays...

PLATE LUNCHES WITH MUCH ALOHA

Plate Lunch to die for

Potato and Taco Salads

The plate lunch is a quintessential Hawaiian meal, roughly analogous to a Southern US meat-and-threes. However, the pan-Asian influence on Hawaiian cuisine and root in the Japanese bento makes the plate lunch unique to Hawaii.

Standard plate lunches consist of two scoops of white rice, macaroni salad, and an entree. A plate lunch with more than one entree is often called a mixed plate.

Although the exact origin of the Hawaiian plate lunch is disputed, according to Professor Jon Okamura of the University of Hawaii the plate lunch likely grew out of the Japanese bento, as they "were take away kinds of eating and certainly the plate lunch continues that tradition". Its appearance in Hawaii in recognizable form goes back to the 1880s when plantation workers were in high demand by the fruit and sugar companies. Laborers were brought from around the world, including from China, Japan, Portugal, and the Philippines, who would eat "leftover rice and a lot of things like canned meat or teriyaki or cold meat or maybe scrambled eggs or pickles, and almost no salad or vegetable," according to The Honolulu Advertiser's former food editor, Ms. Kaui Philpotts. Mayonnaise, macaroni, and gravy for the meat were added later.

As the days of the plantations came to an end, plate lunches began to be served on-site by lunch wagons to construction workers and day laborers. Later, local holes in the wall and other stand-alone plate lunch restaurants began popping up, then plate lunch franchises. Eventually these made their way to the U.S. mainland, beginning with the L&L Drive-Inn chain in California in 1999. At that time L&L founder Eddie Flores re branded it "L&L Hawaiian Barbecue", explaining that "When we went to the mainland, the name 'Hawaiian' is a draw, because everyone just fantasized, everyone wants to come to Hawaii".

Robert with his plate lunch

Dressing with care, like wearing a Hawaiian Shirt is a stretch, the old geezer was ready to go and feel the love at the BBQ.  My Pacific Islander friends had chatted up the day for weeks and would have been very sad if I did not attend.  It was all I could do to make my way to the apartment complex and feel "Hawaii"...

Paul is gobsmacked at large plate

My good friend, Paul, does not get out much, and was wondering what he had let himself in for.  I could tell that he was most interested in meeting more of my friends and having an experience.

Paul does not get out much but this day made up for many lonely days.  He was beside himself taking in all of the activity.  One can safely say that Paul had a grand time.

Anna and Robert -  Friend and Organizer

What is there to say about Anna.  I know, Ana likes to see her name spelled with one N, but I rather think to two N's add a little class to her.  As if Anna needed any more class.  She has buckets of it.  Anna is originally from Samoa, but like most Pacific Islanders, made her way to Hawaii.  You will have to forgive me for thinking of Anna as my Hawaiian friend, but she is so full of ALOHA, she defines best what I like best about the people who live in Hawaii.

Anna loves to add little touches to her daily costume, like hand made flowers in her hair.  AND, very colourful glasses.

Val- One of the cooks and my friend

 Val is another Samoan met through Anna.  Another member of a very colourful and loving family.  Val has a smile that could light up a room and a laugh that is so full of life.

Sadly, Penny was at church and not available to hang with.  Anna's sister Sal was there.  Sal was in charge of the cash box and making sure that orders kept flowing.  Sal is a very lovely lady, a bit camera shy, hence the lack of a snap to share.

Pacific Islanders are big on OHANA, and the members of the family were all there keeping the conversation flowing and the fires burning.  There were sons slaving on the BBQ pit, smaller children helping out with the plate lunches and enjoying the hustle and bustle of the day.  I was nice to see so many members of one family all pulling together.

During my stay at the BBQ, there was a call from relatives living in UK.  See, even at a plate lunch gathering, the UK pops in.  Asked the lovely lady ringing where in the UK she was.  "In the south", she says.  That is a pretty big place so I pressed for a specific location.  "Dorset" she says.  Lovely, I know it well.

Musubi anyone????

Stacked up next to the cash box were Musubi.  A massive box.  With each arrival, the pile went down and down.  I was gobsmacked when Paul asked if he could purchase one.  Funny, never gave Paul credit for being daring.  Truth be told, Spam,rice and seaweed is not something most folks are 'au fait' with.  Personally, I adore SPAM and remember fondly each and every Musubi ever ate.  Paul loved the Musubi.

The crush of folks craving a good plate lunch was so great that all of the lunches were long sold out before the even came to an end.  Needless to say, the box containing the Musubi was as empty as box of donuts at a policeman's convention...

Aloha in the Hawaiian language means affection, peace, compassion and mercy. Since the middle of the 19th century, it also has come to be used as an English greeting to say goodbye and hello. "Aloha" is also included in the state nickname of Hawaii, the "Aloha State".

In Hawaiʻi someone can be said to have or show aloha in the way they treat others; whether family, friend, neighbor or stranger.

When I meet folks who tell that they never meet interesting people, and it is oft, I remind them that it all starts with the word, HELLO.  Yesterday I shared my Pacific Islander friends with another friend and kept the circle growing.  Is that not what life is all about?

ALOHA FRIDAY

It is going to be a grand weekend.

My lovely friends are going to have a huge "Plate Lunch' sale this weekend,  There will be loads of flowers, musubi, baked goods and lots of things that have a real touch of Hawaii.  I can not wait.

Paul and I have our tickets and will spend the day drinking in the "Aloha' that Anna, Val,Sal, Penny and so many islanders will be putting on at their apartment building.

Funds raised by this Hawaiian BBQ Plate Lunch Sale will go toward the Satoga/Lilio Family Reunion.  Sunday, September 7th, 11AM - 2PM.  Call 775-376-1299 if you want a little Hawaii in your weekend.  Come by and feel the ALOHA.

EVER WONDER?

DAILY DIET PLAN

 There is nothing like a short stack to get you going in the morn.  The sugar has me completed wired for the day.

 Do not forget the protein...

 I find that a snack of kangaroo testicles get the 'little grey cells' working....

What better way to end the day than with a massive offering of ice cream.  Sit on belly and spoon it in whilst watching the telly.

Did I mention that it is APRIL FOOL..............

WHERE DO THEY THINK THE LAMB CHOPS COME FROM?

Jessica Bridges added: ‘What do people expect, it’s a butchers. At least they know where their meat is coming from.’

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2566242/The-market-butcher-forced-stop-displaying-meat-game-townies-object.html#ixzz2uClMFUXM
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

I rather think that many of the 'townies' against this window display would rather just deal with the nicely packaged finished product found in the local 'supermarket'.  How silly.

CHICAGO 'TOMATO PIE'

Even though many believe that thin crust pizza evolved over time into its Chicago deep dish counter part, Scalia stands by his original belief that , 'Real pizza is Neapolitan. It is thin. It is chewy and crispy, OK?'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2562569/Supreme-Court-Justice-Antonin-Scalia-thinks-Chicago-deep-dish-pizza-really-called-tomato-pie.html#ixzz2tlWUo0Gg
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Alan will be sad to learn that another Chicago great is not so great........

KILL THE TASTE OF FAT AND SUGAR

The poor chap featured in the snap is a very large 750 pounds.  The doctors tell him that he will die, just like his father and sister, if he does not take off the pounds.

I gather the chap is taking part in a telly programme that features folks who weigh more than 600 pounds.  He wants to lose some weight so that he can have the surgery to staple or cut his stomach.

This old geezer never weighed so much.  429 pounds was the largest and it was horrid.  I took off a great deal of the weight with diet.  Was still rather large when I had an operation on my ears.  During the operation, the doctor cut the nerve that controls taste.  I will never be able to taste food again.

The real plus of not being able to taste is that I no longer crave sugar or fat.  I was just over 270 when I lost the ability to taste and now am at a very comfortable 170.  I have no problem with food.

As drastic as it may sound, if I were the chap with the weight problem, I would run to the doctor and tell them to cut the nerves that control taste.  Unless this poor chap really reforms, he has a long history of over eating and has comes from a family of over eaters that have died.  The odds are not in his favour.

I wish him luck.

SHOE RUBBER IN A BIG MAC????

Subway is not the only company found to have products containing a chemical used to make shoes and yoga mats.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2554742/Chemical-used-shoe-rubber-ditched-Subway-week-McDonalds-Burger-King-Wendy-s-popular-store-bought-products.html#ixzz2slCsfICG
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BUFFET IS A BUST

After much badgering, the old geezer got Alan to take to a buffet.  The thinking was, at least on my part, the the wide selection of food would provide a change to the rather bland diet followed these past two months.

Alan is ever so clever.  He knew that a buffet would be a bust and tried to talk MOI into some sort of different dining experience.  The old geezer's mind was made up and nothing was going to change the plan.

The Peppermill Casino has a rather lovely buffet, and with 'comp' dollars to spend, it was not going to be an expensive meal.  The old geezer was ready to dive in...

Sadly, walking round the many offerings did little to excite the palate.  Chicken has become too dry to deal with, pizza boring and most meat held little appeal.  Slowly, the plate had some items added.  There was a little tomato salad, a few Swedish meatballs, and a bit of fish.  There was also a bowl of bean soup.

With effort and no taste, the food was tried.  Feeling put out by the lack of enjoyment, another trip to the counter was made.  The choice of some pork was huge mistake.  Was right depressing...

Alan on the other hand tucked into his meal with gusto.  There is nothing wrong with his taste and he cleaned off his plate.  Alan was looking forward to a visit to the desert island and he made sure that he filled his plate.  There was a wicked looking chocolate desert, a mouth watering slice of cheese cake and other pastries.  Alan told MOI that he was a bit off groceries, as he did not completely finish all of the deserts.  Mind, the plate looked licked clean when he was finished.  The old geezer had some slices of watermelon.  No taste but it went down well...

Were that it be true, the snap featured would have been grand.  Walking out of the buffet was not with much effort, as the old geezer did not eat much.  One the other hand, Alan seemed to be in another place, with the look of total satisfaction on his face.  Went so far as to tell MOI that the Peppermill did not lose any Cash on him that night.  Too right...

My diet is rather plain.   Lots of soups and dry sandwiches with a few micro meals.  The trip to the buffet was an attempt by the old geezer to add a little zest to meal time.  It did not work out that way.  The trip left MOI more than a little depressed.  What I would not give to be able to taste some of the foods was mad for in an earlier life.

It was a pleasure to break bread with Alan.  He tries to add a little spice to me boring life.  Just know now that meals will have to be less complicated in the future.  Pray forgive the old geezer his depression over food taste loss.

THE OLD GEEZER IS ON THE MEND

Tuesday saw MOI return to ENT doctor for a follow up visit.  Doctor wanted to see if the ear was healing proper.  Using his tools of trade, the good doctor checked his handiwork and announced that he was pleased with the progress.

MOI is also right pleased.  Went on to tell the good doctor that all that could have been got from the operation seemed to be granted.  The infection was gone, as were the headaches.  Vertigo was less and the ringing in ears and swishing somewhat bearable.

When asked if the old geezer was going deaf, the good doctor reserved judgement.  Said he would answer that question in 6 months.  Actually, the old geezer already knows the answer.  Hearing device works less now than before the operation.  Hearing ability is way down.  Might not be totally deaf but it is not good.

The doctor told MOI that he is impressed with my lip-reading ability, and my ability to read faces.  Thinks I get on rather well.  As to what the future holds, who knows.  Bottom line is that the hearing is going.

MOI has to apologize the the lovely lady who does these cake creations.  They are real cakes and am told they are quite good.  MOI uses the pictures of to express a thought.

Groceries are still off.  Not much turned on to things that can not be tasted.  That explains the snap, food is not very appealing of late.

The good news is that in 6 weeks, the old geezer is down 2 stone in weight, that is 28 pounds.  This has to be the best diet ever tried.  Why eat rubbish if there is no enjoyment?

Just think, in no time, MOI will get to see his tackle.......

HOSPITAL FOOD

Truth be told, the old geezer has no clue what the food at Renown tastes like.  Has no sense of taste.

The old geezer was placed on a Dysphagia Diet due to stroke and worry that he might not be able to swallow or chew.  That means they create meals using the blender, all is pureed.

Renown is not cheap, the meals were plentiful.  There were snacks, morn, afternoon and night.  My room mate showed his platter and it was very full of food and varied from day to day.

They did a test to see if the old geezer could swallow.  He could, but fessed up to not feeling up to groceries and needing to force oneself to eat.  Was kept on the puree diet, thinking being that not having to chew would encourage MOI to eat more.  Right creative they were in serving up meals.  They made the pureed stuff 'look' like food.  Mind, there were times MOI had to read the menu, had no clue what the mass of puree was.

Renown Dietary came to visit and asked if they could give anything special to make meal time special.  They offered up Fruit smoothies with protein for snacks and made sure that MOI had loads to drink.  How lovely and so very thoughtful.

The menu was full of choices.  Room mate told that it was tasty and filling, and he enjoyed the snacks.  The room mate LOVED his groceries...

The old geezer did not eat much but was right pleased that staff took time to create interesting meal time for.  Very nice touch that was...

FOOD - GLORIOUS FOOD?

My dears, this is no joke.  There really is such a place in Las Vegas, NV.

The old geezer was reading the Daily Mail and came upon an article about.  Seems another morbidly obese person fell to floor whilst dining and had to be rushed by ambulance to hospital.  This being the second person to keel over in as many months.

The popular eatery is owned by a doctor and he makes no apologies, even has a placard in place that warns;

GO AWAY
IF YOU COME IN THIS PLACE,
IT IS GOING TO KILL YOU

Bloody hell.  Can you imagine the size of the person who can tuck this down cake hole?  It is called a 'Triple By Pass Burger'.  Contains 3 slabs of meet, 12 rashes of bacon, cheese.  Flat Liner Fries, cooked in pure lard, what else.  All of this washed down with a lovely Butter Fat Shake.

8000 calories.  Can you imagine?

Not to be out done by American cousins, takeaway shoppe in Manchester, UK offers up the above 12" burger.  It is FREE to anyone who can pack it in in under half and hour.  Seems one person was able to achieved it in just under 18 minutes...

Then there is the Sundae offered by Burger King.  Positively revolting.  I adore a sundae but NOT with bacon.

Pizza Hut is marketing the above pie with hot dogs stuffed into the crust.  At 370 calories a slice, it is a wonder what some must be thinking to order this delight.

Gobsmacked the old geezer be...

To think MOI thought it wicked to shovel a two pound bag of M&M's into cake hole.  Or tuck into a cake, washed down with milk.  Mind, if one is honest, the old geezer did not get to over 400 pounds by counting calories.  AND, never did the old geezer eat such a burger as featured, not even close.  MOI ate in slow deliberate stride that lasted the whole day long, the end result was the same...

After looking at the snaps and reading stories, one could not help but think of Oliver Twist and his begging for more porridge.  "Please sir, I want some more".  Not bloody likely...

EATING IS SUCH A CHORE

The real shocker these past 10 days is how horrid bread is to eat.  Not sure if it due to massive sense of metallic in mouth or just how horrid it has become to eat and swallow the stuff.  Mind, this coming from a chap who never met a loaf of bread with melting butter on he did not fall in love with.

How I miss bread.  Me memories of bread are very strong, going back to Paris ans San Francisco.

The old geezer adores pasta.  When this was served up, it did not go over well.  Forget about the sauce, it just lay on the plate and haunted me.  Took three small, and I mean small, tastes and gave up.

Normally, 'toad in the hole' is one of me favourites.  Again, the attempt to eat eggs was very hard to do.  Not only were the not appealing but did not like the mixture in mouth.  Set me tummy on edge it did.  I am quite fond of 'baked beans over toast' and when tried, was able to get down but a slice before me tummy said ENOUGH...

House mates dined on chicken the other night.  Tried to eat chicken a few days ago and it came off as very dry.  Mind, I did manage to put a small piece between some bread and chew it down.

One thing is sure, me house mates are not put off by my not being hungry.  Last night they finished off a chicken between the two of them, with corn on the cob and large Ceasar Salad.

One of me house mates loves sweets.  Blessed him with a lovely pie, to thank for helping me during the days following the operation.  With the taste of sweet being gone, the very idea of tucking into is now revolting.  This coming from a chap who never met 'fat' he did not like.

Truth be told, if you take away the taste of food, it all seems like so much poo.  There is no desire to add condiments to anything fixed, as it does not matter, not going to improve taste.

Along with the complete turn off to food, is the effort required to eat the bloody stuff.  My craving is gone, and I mean gone.  There are times that am quite ill at the thought of eating.

Can you imagine?  The old geezer could not pass the ice box without hearing "I am calling, YOUUUUUUUU".  The doors of cupboards would rattle and beg me to open and pull out all sort of things to stuff into me cake hole.

Having dieted in the past, know full well, how hard it can be.  The mind and the body play tricks on to get you to break down and throw in the towel.  The telly features all of the wondrous delights to eat and before long the door to the ice box is torn off and the orgy of eating starts.

This time round, there is no effort required to ignore food.  There has been a complete shut down of temptation.  I do not feel hungry.  I do not crave anything.  Point of fact, I feel surprising good.  I have energy, no headaches from lack of food, or a burning in the tummy to fill it up.

I am drinking massive amounts of water, and pissing up a storm.  My daily visit to the loo has now become a very light chore.

Who ever thought that the old geezer would have to force self to eat.  I manage to try and get some of the vital 4 things needed for health.  With the huge reservoir of fat stored, not bloody likely to die from lack of food anytime soon.  And as long as I try to eat something, keeping in mind the 4 vital groups, do not feel any great harm is being done.  Am quite sure it will be some time before I start to look like a starving POW.

Do I know how long this will last?  No clue.  After 10 days, the sense of taste is gone and more than like for good.  Not a thing one would want but it has come with a silver lining.  There is a very strong possibility that what seemed impossible is going to happen.  MOI is going to be greatly reduced in size...

ARE YOU WHAT YOU EAT?

Nary a day goes by that guests of the hostel, do not run off to the market to purchase fresh fruits and veggies.  Being that it is Hilo, Hawaii, where a Farmer's Market exists and a fully stocked 'health food' store are but steps away from the hostel, this is quite easy to do.

Regular snobs some of the guests are about food.  There is always someone in the kitchen cooking up newly bought roots, grass and such.  There is a run on the blender as many want to make up a 'smoothie', using loads of fruits and veggies.   Right odd how so many of the smoothies' have a decidedly 'neon green' colour.

The topic of conversation at the common table is quite oft about food, 'healthy' food.

Remembering many of the chats, it was a surprise to find a collection of notes on different fruits and veggies and what role they may or may not play in a healthy life.  I will leave it to the dear reader to come to own conclusion.

Some thoughts on fruits and veggies;

Did you know that a sliced carrot looks like a human eye?  That it is believed that carrots enhance blood flow to and function of the eye?
A tomato has four chambers and is red.  Tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are pure heart and blood food.
Grapes hang in a cluster, sort of shape of heart.  Each grape has blood cell and it is believed grapes are profound heart food.
A walnut looks like a wee brain.  They think walnuts help develop neuron-transmitter for brain function.
Kidney beans look like a human kidney AND yes, is believed they help and heal kidney function.
Celery and rhubarb look like bones.  They target bone strength.
Avocadoes, eggplant and pears target female function in the womb.
Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos.  Fancy that...  AND helps, it is believed with sperm count and its mobility...
Sweet potatoes look like a pancreas.
Olives assist health and function of ovaries.
Oranges and grapefruits look like mammary glands  AND help in that area.
Onions look like cells of the body.  Is believed that onions clear waste materials from body cells.
Garlic is not just to ward off vampires but also eliminates waste material from the body.

This old geezer has seen a massive amount of 'healthy' fruits and veggies these past 6 months.  Truth be told, many of the guests do seems to be quite thin and have a certain glow.

In truth, the guests that cook up a steak, fry up potatoes, mash potatoes with butter, drown fruit with cream, scramble eggs and burn toast are me favourites.  I do so like the look and smell of food one is 'au fait' with...