Nourish the Thought

Our Five Cents - My Last Supper

I've had a few days to soak in the stories and photos of this book and contemplate just what my last ideal meal would be.  As one thinks about their last meal, you sort of have to get philosophical.  What do I want this meal to say about me or does it matter?  Do you want it to be filled with dishes that you find comfort in or ones you never tried?   

A proclaimed non-foodie and creature of habit, I'm not an adventurous eater by any stretch of the imagination and live my life according to daily routines.  Many might find such existence too boring and uneventful, but it suits me.  That being said, I would obviously not pick dishes that I had never tried before - what if I didn't like them and then my last meal would be a failure?  I would choose comfort foods, including several from my mom, all sure to make my last meal a soothing experience filled with memories.

So here's my last ideal meal:

A bleu cheese bacon hamburger, where the bleu cheese crumbles have been melted under a few swiss cheese slices with crisp, thick applewood bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion straws and chipotle mayo on lighted toasted buns.  My mom's version of a dinner salad and for dessert, chocolate peanut butter ice cream with my mom's homemade brownies.  The beverage of choice would be a tall glass of soda with just the right amount of crushed ice.

As you thought about your last ideal meal, I hope you learned as much about yourself as I already knew about me.

Your Five Senses - Your Last Supper

Recently I came across the book, My Last Supper: 50 Great Chefs and Their Final Meals / Portraits, Interviews and Recipes by Melanie Dunea. The author wrote to 50 famous chefs and asked them to describe their last ideal meal.  I found some of their responses to be surprising and as distinct as the chef themselves.  And the Vanity Fair - style portraits only add to the work.  Each revealing the personality of the chef.  I mean, who wouldn't expect Anthony Bourdain to pose nude, except for a strategically placed butchered leg bone.

As I flipped through it I couldn't help but wonder what my last supper might be.  Would I choose something daring & unfamiliar or would I turn to my favorite comfort foods, either homemade or restaurant favorites.  Giving this more thought, my only question might be how many courses am I allowed?

So, if you had to describe your ideal last meal, what would it be?

Our Five Cents - Soda or Coffee?

More than half of you agree with me; soda in the morning, not coffee.  But why are so many of us choosing this cold, caffeinated morning beverage?

Could it be rebellion?

If you grew up in a house similar to mine, Mom had the final say, and it was never, "Make sure and drink your soda in the morning."

Now I can have soda whenever I want.

Young adult phenomenon?

Harry Balzer, an NPD executive vice president who has studied American eating habits for more than 25 years, said the growth of soda for breakfast is probably related to the fact the heaviest consumers of soda are the 18 to 25 year old group.

In all actuality, it shouldn't be too surprising that soda as a breakfast choice is rising.  According to a study commissioned by a milk group, nearly half of the U.S. population 4 years and older, consumes soft drinks on any given day.

And yet, despite this growth in popularity of soda for breakfast, both Coke and Pepsi have formed alliances with coffeehouses.  Pepsi distributes Starbucks products and Coke has partnered with Caribou Coffee, the nation's second largest coffeehouse chain.

So it seems no matter your beverage of choice in the morning or your reasoning for drinking it, the debate over which is better to have will continue.

Your Five Senses - Coffee or Soda in the Morning?

As I was flipping through this magazine, the ad to the left really resonated with me.

Drinking soda has been apart of my adult life morning ritual.  Not drinking coffee.  I cannot function if I don't have my soda of choice in the morning.  And finally, an ad that speaks to that.  Because for me, there is nothing better than that cool (somtimes downright cold) refreshing caffeinated beverage down the back of the throat.  Something I'm sure coffee drinkers might not get.

Turns out I'm not alone.  Consumption of soft drinks at breakfast has nearly doubled in the past 15 years, while coffee consumption at breakfast has fallen nearly 25%.*

So what does your morning ritual consist of, coffee or soda?

*The data is specific to drinks with meals, eaten outside the home.