Creatures of Habit

It is part of human nature to be a creature of habit. Whether it be wearing the same belt everyday that you have had forever or having the same morning routine, it is remotely impossible for humans not to find one task in particular that become part of their nature. "I’m totally a creature of food habit. Breakfast is almost the same every day (turkey bacon, fried egg, cantaloupe and OJ." This quote from Gary sums up his creature of habit nature. Perhaps the most common habit of humans comes from their inner stomach that yearns for the same meal when going to a certain restaurant. An example comes from my mother who always orders the same salmon salad from Stir Crazy whenever we eat there. "I don’t branch out too much when it comes to food." This quote from shelbygrapes shows that many people are satisfied with their same meal and that many do not like to branch out when it comes to food. However, some may think, I try to switch up what I eat at restaurants, while this is definitely true for some, others find this task overwhelming and unsatisfying. The people in my family of four definitely feel that ordering different foods all the time is an unhealthy task for the simple minded. While my mother always orders the same meal from Stir Crazy, I always order the same burrito from Chipotle. Though my family does not go out to eat as often as we used to, on the occasions where dining out is a must, we go back to our creature of habit ways and order the same comforting meal that we know and love.

Stir Crazy-
Stir Crazy is the type of restaurant that never seems to fail. They have great food, great service, and a great environment. The staff is incredibly nice and never disappoints when we walk in the doors for a great meal made by some amazing chefs. Their style of cooking is Asian with many flavors that most are familiar to. Though my mother always gets the same salad that’s made in the kitchen, my sister, father, and I always go up to the “bar.” The bar is a see-through glass window where the chefs stand in from of big iron pans. There they wait patiently for your bowl of vegetables and sauce so they can create your meal right in from of your eyes. The cooking takes a minimum of 5 minutes and then it is ready to be taken to your seat and eaten. I would recommend Stir Crazy to anyone who loves Asian food and a good time.
For more reviews on Stir Crazy click here!

Chipotle-
Chipotle is a great restaurant to go to if you need food fast that is not too expensive and is really good. Their place is always clean and homely where you can eat in or take out. My personal favorite is their barbaccoa burrito with guacamole, meat, cheese, and rice. This simple but pleasing burrito is fun to watch them create. The best part is that there are many other choices for your choice of a burrito. No one person has to order the same meal, it’s all up to you.

For more review on Chipotle click here!

Thanksgiving Meal

With the smells of Thanksgiving drawing closer in time, the buzz about what will be cooked is in the air. Though our family always cooks the same meal, there is always the outside chance that something new will make it on the table during the Thanksgiving meal this year. Over the past years in the Gilmore/Carman holiday meals, ideas for new foods are tried and sometimes rejected. This past year, one dessert in particular made the table during Thanksgiving. “Dirty Snowballs” are a delightful Oreo treat made with a overlay of chocolate. "I want to have a good body, but not as much as I want dessert." ~Jason Love. This quote by Jason Love speaks truth to the thoughts of my family on chocolate. These balls of delight were fortunate enough to become a part of the holiday meal tradition. Though the holiday dinner table does not see much new action, the traditional meal is, and always will be, the best.

Here is my recipe for “dirty snowballs:"
- 1 package of cream cheese
- 1 package of Oreos
- 1 package of White bark chocolate
- Brown sprinkles
Steps:
1. Open Oreo package and grind Oreos in a food processor
2. When all Oreos in package are ground, put into a bowl
3. Put cream cheese into the same bowl
4. Mix cream cheese and Oreos grounds with your hands until fully mixed and soft
5. Roll the mixture into small balls around the size of a ping-pong ball
6. When all are rolled into balls, place in refrigerator
7. Take out a pot and melt the white bark chocolate until soupy
8. Take out Oreo balls and coat with the melted bark chocolate
9. After ball is fully submersed in the white chocolate, take out and place on drying rack
10. After all balls are coated, place a few sprinkles on the top while the chocolate is still wet
11. Let dry and Enjoy!

Here is another great recipe using Oreos!

Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for your family and the food you have to eat. One of the largest necessities a person should have is a loving family who supports them and supplies them with food and shelter. I believe is it very important to spend time with family around the holidays because it is a great time to catch up and have fun with the people who will always be there for you. Sitting around the dinner table with all the aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents, you lose track of time because of all the funny stories people have to tell. However, no family dinner would be complete without the food. The food is always prepared by the whole family, everyone has a job. They have generations of experience and years worth of recipes that go far back in time. The great part of holiday dinners is that the food brings us closer as a family. The meal is much more desirable when we all work together to prepare the best dinner possible.
There is one more component to a successful Gilmore/Carman Thanksgiving, a game of cards. The older women of the family enjoy playing cards together and keeping scores for a final winner at the end of the holiday season. The women play the same game every time we come together: Liverpool Rummy. This game takes at least two hours to complete. One may think they would become restless, but these women play to the end, until there is a final champion among us. The smaller girls of the family watch the women play, hoping and waiting for the day when they are invited to play the card game.

My Aunt Jessica makes most of the desserts for our holiday dinners. She also has an amazing blog on food. Click here to view her blog.