The following is an encore presentation of Back to the Fridge. It’s late. I’m tired. I have a headache and one severe case of writer’s block. So please enjoy this re-run from October 3, 2008. In the meantime I think I’ll opt for some BBBB.
It’s Friday! Know what that means? It’s one of our top seven favorite nights of the week to eat out. If you’re dieting (and you are) then you’ve already heard (or learned the hard way) that you should make every attempt to check nutritional information before you head out.
Easier said than done, though. While most large chains post this data on their web sites, you might be out of luck if it’s a smaller chain or a local establishment. And even some large chains don’t make it easy to find, or go to great lengths to hide it behind all their so-called healthy food.
I was particularly disappointed with Outback Steakhouse recently. While trying to dig up some data, I was happy to see the “Nutritional Info” link displayed prominently on their web site. This is typically very encouraging, so away I clicked. The page had links for Gluten-Free, Healthy Weight Loss, Diabetic, and Low-Carb items, among others.
But as I scanned the page I noticed something missing. The actual nutritional information. It was pathetic. I mean, how many of us would consider this worthwhile?
Seared Ahi Tuna – Add dressings if your program allows
Gee, thanks. That tells me everything I need to know.
My guess is it’s a distraction technique so you don’t inquire too closely about some of the things they serve. Like the one Men’s Health discovered and crowned as The Worst Food in America. It’s the Outback Steakhouse Aussie Cheese Fries with Ranch Dressing. They say “worst” but I say, “nom nom nom nom.” I mean, it’s cheese fries for Pete’s sake. Besides, how bad can it be?
Whoa. Um… it’s bad. I take back what I said. Here’s the damage: 2,900 calories, 182 grams fat, 240 grams carbohydrates. And remember, this is one appetizer. They didn’t list salt, but I’m pretty sure it’s probably one and a half cups.
So, where we going out tonight, peeps?
on January 23, 2009 at 6:07 am
Charlie, reruns are good too and it was your birthday yesterday, so you deserve a break today. (I think I hear a McDonalds jingle in the background). So get out and get away. Have a breakfast mcmuffin and kick back. It’s Friday.
Oh and as for the cheese fries, who wouldn’t want to start with 2900 calories before the main course?
on January 23, 2009 at 6:35 am
I love Charlie reruns! Hope you had a fantastic birthday my friend!
on January 23, 2009 at 7:27 am
Well, for me the worst part of the rerun was staring at an empty screen for 45 minutes before deciding to go with the re-run. I wish I’d just made up my mind early on then I might have actually had a chance to enjoy myself. Or at least get an extra three-quarter hour of sleep.
And yes, Tom, I probably deserve a break today, but unfortunately there’s no rest for the wicked yet…
on January 23, 2009 at 8:03 am
HOLY freakin cow! I had no idea…
Thanks for that…I think 🙂
on January 23, 2009 at 8:14 am
I will read a re-run of your stuff any day! Happy Friday everyone!
on January 23, 2009 at 9:03 am
I have been mourning my diet at the all you can eat buffets… poor defenseless diet.
on January 23, 2009 at 9:08 am
Sorry I missed your birthday Charlie but I’ve been down with pneumonia. Hope your headache isn’t a sign that you are getting the dready lurgy that has been going around in Connecticut! We are, in fact, eating out tonight so thanks for the tip 🙂
on January 23, 2009 at 4:18 pm
No eating out for me tonight. I’m having some black eyed pea soup like substance I made earlier this week, and a tiny turkey/meunster sandwich with microgreens, hot pink radishes, a slice onion, and vinegar. Because mayonaise is strange and unhealthy, and mustard is nasty, but vinegar makes everything yummier (except chocolate).
BTW, congratulations on making an attempt to post something everyday. I don’t know how you do it, I can barely get to it once or twice a week.
on January 24, 2009 at 6:26 am
Jeez! That’s 2 day’s worth of food in an appetiser! It doesn’t look very appetising anyhow!
Perhaps you should blog about different subects, other than diet/food? I’d love to hear you rant about slow car drivers or youths of today or mobile phones on the tube…etc
Just a thought!
Tusc 😀
on January 24, 2009 at 7:24 am
Tusc: Well, that is what I set aside Wednesday’s category for. That’s my “anything goes” day. I’ve written about art supplies and “music these days” and celebrity childhood crushes and, of course, these week’s guest post by a goose.
I still like the 5-day layout, but I have to admit, I have no real idea about how long I can stretch it out. Sooner or later, this will end up being like a magazine. Ever read a health mag? Or a hobby mag? Or anything that specializes in a niche? Essentially you can read it for one year, and then they’ve said everything they’re going to say on a topic and it repeats. The only thing that changes is the date on the front and the advertisements. And I don’t have any advertisements, so I don’t even have that option.
So we’ll see!
In the meantime, browse through some of the leftovers.
on January 24, 2009 at 11:19 am
Cheers Charlie. I tend to read your blog most days so have seen the Weds ‘anything goes’ day. It just didnt twig that it wasn’t about food/diet :S How funny! However, just goes to show that I don’t visit your blog to read anything specific, just to enjoy your writing of ‘whatever’. I do like your Monday weigh in’s tho, as it reminds me of me and my slavery to the scales, but even that will become difficult when you reach your goals.
So yeah, ‘see’! It’s your blog so you can do anything you like to it 😉 I think a creative writer needs to have the freedom to create on any platform. Ok, some days may be more interesting to some people than others, however, niche audiences are limiting…….so ya pays ya money……etc
Take care
Tusc 😀
on January 24, 2009 at 8:36 pm
Have you read your shampoo bottle lately? Its instructions are lather, rinse, repeat. Thanks for the repeat. You’re human (and a year older), and we’ll take whatever we can get. 🙂
on January 24, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Just got your book in the mail, Charlie. I’ll keep you posted on my progress with it. Should warn you that I am “progress-challenged”… as in, I seem to suck at it.
on January 25, 2009 at 1:09 am
I had to do reruns two weeks ago, but I cheated and pulled from previous blogs so it was still new, hahaha! Since I didn’t wish it in the last comment, happy birthday!
on January 26, 2009 at 5:42 pm
A belated happy birthday, sugar!
Meanwhile, there’s nothing wrong with re-running something when you’ve fought the good fight and found yourself struggling.
Meanwhile, have you seen the Texas Cheese Fries at Longhorn? They go one better than Outback by adding chili to the mix. Groan.
Thank goodness I’m too broke to go out more than once or twice a year…
Shade and Sweetwater,
K
on January 29, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Totally catching up on reading but I have to say… I LOVE the idea of a rerun. LOL genius. Just genius.