Showing posts with label fat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fat. Show all posts

3/25/10

You Are How Much You Eat

I read this article in AMNY yesterday that made me very happy. It states that “potion control yields more weight loss than changing the foods you eat or exercising more.” I’ve already started exercising more than I ever have in my entire life (considering I’ve never worked out before). But one thing I did not want to do in order to get back into my pre-baconista jeans is to change what I eat. I love meat, ice cream, all fatty foods in general and I’ve never had a problem with my weight eating what I do. Granted I am now in my 30s and I spent an entire year eating out excessively, hence the new work out DVDs. But this article makes me feel much better about the pork taco (notice that’s singular) I had for dinner and the corn dog I had for lunch. I mean, what good is it to eat salads everyday if you eat 3 times as much as you should? And for those of you who think AMNY is not the best source for health advice, here a few others that claim the same thing:

The NY Times says people who exercise don’t necessarily lose weight without changing their eating habits. You burn 200-300 calories in a typical 30-minute work out—you replace that with one Gatorade. Good thing I don’t drink Gatorade... wonder how many calories are in coconut water?

Lisa Young, a nutritionist and professor at NYU says, “How much you eat is more important than what you eat.” 78% of people on diets think all they have to do is watch what they eat, she wants them to realize that quantity is a bigger concern.

Everyday Health says what we eat contributes to the obesity epidemic but “how much we eat and our lack of portion control may be even more important factors.” Ordering an appetizer as your entree or from a children’s menu is recommended when eating out.

ABC News shows that a low-fat, average protein diet resulted in the same amount of weight loss as a high-fat, high protein diet. What matters more is sticking to your chosen diet... I choose bacon!

12/12/09

Adopt-A-Bacon

Like actual bacon, this wild boar colored dachshund named Bacon is a bit fatty. But I think he's just adorable. Unfortunately, he has been in rescue for nearly 2 years! Who wouldn’t want to bring Bacon into their home??!! For more info on Bacon (the dog) click here.

10/28/09

Candle / Condiment

Most of you know that I am anti-condiment. However, should there be a bacon fat votive adorning my table, I would certainly be inclined to drizzle the melting fat onto whatever I’m eating. Rick Gresh of David Burke’s Primehouse created this dual-purpose candle which is also available in a beef suet variety. If you can put one thing on your table to make your meal both prettier and tastier—this is the thing.

Thanks to Gavin for posting the article!

10/1/09

More Mr. Bumble to Love


No update on whether Mr. Bumble—the bacon-loving skunk—has lost any weight yet. Thought I’d share more pictures of the plump little fella (courtesy of metro.co.uk and dailymail.co.uk). I had no idea how fat he was from the initial picture I posted—still rather adorable though. This should be a clear warning that an all-bacon diet may just be too much of a good thing. I’m not saying bacon is bad—in fact it can be quite good for you! It’s all about balance... and contrary to popular belief, I do eat a vegetable every now and then. No one wants to end up Bumble-sized.

9/28/09

Skunks Do Not Eat Bacon in the Wild

So please do not feed them bacon sandwiches because they will get super fat like this dude. Mr. Bumble the skunk is now on a strict diet of greens and melons as well an exercise routine of two 30 minute walks a day. Apparently, skunks are a popular pet in the UK. Crazy Brits... I guess they are pretty cute little guys, even when they are a bit chunky. Unfortunately, many are being abandoned as a new law prohibits the removal of their scent glands.

By the way, no pets should be fed bacon. It’s bad for them (yeah, I’m talking to you Grandma)! Not even my own Bacon Bit snacks on real bacon—Beggin’ Strips for him means more bacon for me.

7/7/09

“Pork. Fat. Salt and Sugar.”

I can’t think of a better flavor combination. A lot of sugar, cream and butter—and bacon of course! I’ve not made candy before but might just have to try my hand at this bacon caramel recipe from not without salt. Although it would be even better if someone just made it for me...

5/14/09

Unexplainable Bacon

“Master storyteller” Mike Daisey will be at Joe’s Pub on June 8th discussing our favorite subject: bacon! Not only that but he will be cooking and serving bacon during the show! If there was ever a time to start supporting the performing arts it’s now...

Mike Daisey Presents Mysteries of the Unexplained: BACON! 
Mike Daisey returns to Joe’s Pub with a one-night orgy of all things bacon: from sizzling fat to swine flu, from baco-bits to Hasids to Charlotte’s Web. In one delicious hour we’ll explore bacon in all its filthy, gorgeous deliciousness.

5/13/09

Baconmobile

Now you too can drive a baconmobile—or at least smell like you do (and only if you live in the Manitowoc, Wisconsin area). Dan and Tracy Kaderabek opened their first Bio-Blend Fuel station proving an alternative to conventional diesel fuel. They are putting pig fat into pick up trucks! Dan Kaderabek says:

“The pork gets run through microwaves to make precooked bacon, the grease falls off and that's what we use. Americans’ bad eating habits ensure our supply."

Even better:
“There's no soot, no smoke, it gives you better efficiency and it smells like bacon.”

Sweet!

5/12/09

Super Bacon!

Easting healthy is all about balance... Wait, why am I talking about healthy eating on a bacon blog? Well, it turns out that bacon is really good for you (in moderation of course)! According to Bon Appetite, bacon is #1 on the list of “10 surprising Superfoods.” Jennifer McLagan, author of Fat (which no one has bought for me yet!!!), tells us that nearly half of the fat in bacon is monounsaturated—this fat is oleic acid. I don’t really know what any of that means but it is basically the same kind of fat found in olive oil—the good for you kind of fat!

Also on the list is duck breast, fresh strawberries, and milk—WHOLE milk to be exact (good, because I hate the 1% crap). Eating healthy sounds a lot more delicious...

Illustration by Travis King.

4/30/09

Joo Know Joo Love It










Today the baconista has been mentioned on my friend Seong’s blog What Joo Say? which is (oddly enough) about fitness! Bacon and fitness, hmm... But if you are trying to get in shape he has tons of great tips to counter any bacon overindulgence. And I love that he encourages indulgence (every once in a while) on what he calls CMD. I've often joined him on his Cheat Meal Day (although that's pretty much every day for me) at our usual spot, Won Jo. And yes, he does eat bacon—extra thick, super fatty bacon! And still he manages to keep in serious shape. There is hope for us all!

4/23/09

Bacontrepreneurs

The boys behind Bacon Salt have transformed their business from what began as a joke into serious success. In an interview on ABC News they claim the bacon biz is recession-proof. With the popularity of Bacon Salt and Baconnaise (which I’ve never blogged about because I hate mayo), they have recently expanded their line of bacon products to include Bacon Lip Balm. People have been purchasing them by the dozen and “love the feeling of bacon fat on their lips.” Hmmm... Yes, I do enjoy bacon fat on my lips—from REAL bacon! I think I’ll stick with my Burt’s Bees, thanks. 

Up next for J&D? Bacon-scented body spray, suntan lotion (now you too can sizzle!), and soap. I personally don’t use any scented body products—not even pretty-smelling ones from the company I work for. But who knows... perhaps J&D skin care could reach BK Flame status. It’s amazing what clever marketing can do for a novelty product.

Thanks to Karen for the link!

4/22/09

Ladies Love the Meat

There’s a misconception that bacon lovers (or meat lovers in general) are all a bunch of male fatties. I chose the name “baconista” specifically because it sounds very feminine. The Daily Beast has a great article that describes the relationship between women and meat. 

Still, the old notion that meat is masculine remains internalized for many women. We suffer the tyranny of veggie plates when we’re hankering for something with charbroiled substance.”

I definitely do not suffer from that notion. I may be a mere 5' tall, 92 lb. chick but yes, it’s usually me who will order the steak and eggs AND a side of bacon (so please don’t set it in front of my male dining companion).

3/13/09

Char No.4




Char No.4—not unlike Chanel No.5—has it’s own intoxicating scent: smoked meat. I started off with smoked and fried pork nuggets and the house smoked, thick-cut bacon. BIrthday boy Gristle had the clam chowder with potato, leeks and bacon. That's a whole lot of pig.... The bacon was good but a little too fatty for my taste. We all know what Mr. Cutlets says about the meat-to-fat ratio! I would say this was about 35% meat to 65% fat. It was still a nice treat before my grilled hanger steak. The entree was the real star of the meal along with several delicious, well made, whiskey cocktails. 

Extra points for the knowledgeable bartender and the warm, friendly waitstaff—especially the hostess who told me how much she loves Jurlique!

2/18/09

Month of Bacon Update

Here's an update on Mike Nelson’s month long bacon-only diet. He’s actually lost some weight and his blood pressure has gone down! Apparently pork fat is similar to olive oil... really??


2/12/09

Bacon is NOT why you’re fat!

This is Why You’re Fat is a blog of visual commentary on America’s disgusting eating habits and obesity problems. An alarming amount of the dishes posted involve lots of bacon... But I say don’t go blaming bacon for your lack of self-control! If you have weight issues maybe you shouldn’t be making a boat out of meat. I have to admit, some of the images on the site are pretty disgusting. However, many of them look downright tasty! There’s no reason you can’t enjoy bacon in moderation... 
 
Although, I guess a Double Bacon Hamburger Melt isn’t quite moderate.

But a Bacon Shell Taco isn’t so terrible—just eat one!

More Bacon & Bourbon

As you can see, there is no shortage of bacon and bourbon lovers out there. By far one of the coolest events I’ve been to... ever... in life.


Applewood smoked bacon samples being passed around while Josh Ozersky spoke of the importance of a 50/50 meat to fat ratio in bacon. He compared it to a well balanced meal in which “the fat is the meat and the meat is the vegetables.” Ozersky also recommends Benton’s bacon and his preferred method of cooking bacon is in the oven at 375°.


Scott Smith from RUB shares with us step-by-step his recipe for making BBQ Bacon Chunks—cured, triple smoked and deep fried in lard. Note to self: Eat at RUB very, very soon!



Bacon & Bourbon—a wildly successful pairing. Read more about the event here. And check out video from The Feedbag.


1/30/09

The King of Fat


Someone please get me this book! Or better yet, someone just make me a few of the recipes in it! Fat: An Appreciation of a Misunderstood Ingredient (who wouldn't want to read this?!) argues that the quest for health has gone way too far. I agree! McLagan describes pork fat as the king of fat. I would like to believe that bacon fat in particular currently reigns! Recipes include a smoky bacon & squash soup and a slow-roasted pork belly. And she also answers my question with her spice cookie recipe that calls for bacon fat rather than butter. Fat is a beautiful thing...

Thanks to Pete LaCock for sending me the Times review.

I ♥ Pork Belly

As much as I love thin, crispy, traditional bacon I will occasionally indulge in it's thicker, fattier cousin. After all, fat = flavor!

A few weeks ago I had a porchetta plate at Porchetta (of course!) in the East Village. The heavily seasoned pork loin wrapped in pork belly was worth the cold walk over to Ave A. I also enjoyed a side of roasted potatoes with “burnt ends” which is basically chunks of crunchy, delicious pork skin. Mmmm...


Last night I had dinner at the izakaya restaurant Riki near Grand Central. Along with lots of other yummy Japanese small dishes, I ordered pork belly skewers. It was like thick bacon on a stick! Very similar to Korean bacon but I think I may have liked this even better.

12/16/08

Being Baconistic



Pretty funny Miller commercial. But a bit baconist, don't you think ladies? Much like this Wendy's commercial. Why do advertisers always assume bacon love is exclusive to men?? I may not be some fat dude frying things up shirtless—but my desire for bacon is no less enthusiastic.