Lunch at a small Park!

The month of September can occasionally deal out a robustly warm to hot day. The sort of day that keeps many folks inside, in air conditioned comfort. That was what normal folks did. I was cut from a more abnormal piece of cloth, and so decided to head out to see a few sights at a local Park, while enjoying a burger and fries.

I.
 

A half hour before the noon hour found me in a rather short line at a McDonald's drive through just off the main drag in a town called Forsyth, MO. Since it was a Tuesday and many guys and gals were working or in school, thus I didn't have very long to wait and quickly arrived at a little order box that you have to talk into to get any food. A barely discernible and squeaky voice greeted me.

"Welcome to McDonald's, can I take your order?" For my part, I was fumbling in my pockets for my wallet and some loose change. Inevitably, a few coins got loose and fell down into an area between the seats... never to be seen again.

"Uh, yeah. I'd like a Quarter Pounder and a medium fry." I spoke this out in a reasonably loud and clear voice, while hanging half out of my car window. (Order takers seemed to us customers making the effort to be uncomfortable. That thought could have been just in my head, though).

"Would you like something to drink with that?" Came the tinny and garbled counter response. (You could tell that the order taker was a bit bored and had done this routine something like a million times).

'Nope. That's all. I brought my own with me." I could swear I heard a muffled swear word, and then a small electronic window, right across from me, lit up with my order description and the total. As usual I blinked twice when I saw the amount. (Not long ago, the cost would have been well under a buck. Those days were long gone, as it was the 21st Century).

'Please pull around to the pay window", I was instructed, and then was dismissed in favor of the next vehicle behind me. I grabbed the wheel with one hand while holding some bills and change in the other. (Each and every time I'd done this, I reflected that it all seemed a very awkward way to do a transaction. It was well into the 21st Century for chrissakes)! In a minute or two, I had pulled up to the pay window and dutifully handed over a small ransom of hard earned cash. Receipt now in hand, I then proceeded to the next and final window where I would be rewarded with what I hoped was my actual order. (Not a few times, I had driven away with someone else's order of chicken and gumbo rice or whatever). That was always an instant McBummer, each and every time.

Looking quickly into the bag, after it had been handed to me, I caught a glimpse of what looked to be the correct stuff and casually tossed it into the seat next to me. With my repast now safely ensconced in my Jeep, I then drove a relatively short distance down a Park that was situated next to the Bull Shoals Lake. It was a quarter to noon and the fabulously clear day was warming up fast!

II.

I arrived at the Empire Park and was happy to see only a few other people out and about. Lots of water and windless days most always elevated my mood. I pulled into a parking spot and then walk over to a picnic table that was next to the water. There were just a couple of houseboats plying the calm waters and I think food always tastes a little bit better in surrounding like I was in. Apparently, so did a bunch of flies who had also developed a taste for fast food. They attacked my burger with even more gusto than me and were a constant threat. Somehow, I muddled through the meal and at the end the score was me 1, flies 0.

Is McDonald's McRib sandwich cancer inducing?

Recently I came across an article posted by Living Traditionally (https://livingtraditionally.com), that charged McDonald's with selling a McRib product that contained over 70 ingredients! Another site – Mercola (www.mercola.com) posted an article charging that this popular sandwich contained the growth hormone 'ractopamine' – a substance that had been banned in many countries. Truthfully, I was very concerned as I've eaten many of my share! So, I contacted McDonald's direct to find out the truth. 

While I was waiting for an answer, I copied their published ingredient list and posted it here. Truthfully, I could not find anything like what the other sites were complaining about – Sure the McRib is not the most healthy choice of food to eat, but then again how many fast food products are?

McRib Ingredient list:

MCRIB PORK PATTY

Ingredients: Pork, Water, Salt, Dextrose, Rosemary Extract.

HOMESTYLE ROLL

Ingredients: Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, Sugar, Yeast, Soybean Oil, Contains 2% or Less: Corn Meal, Salt, Wheat Gluten, Mono and Diglycerides, Enzymes, Ascorbic Acid, Calcium Propionate (Preservative).

Contains: WHEAT.

MCRIB SAUCE

Ingredients: Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Tomato Paste, Distilled Vinegar, Molasses, Natural Smoke Flavor, Modified Food Starch, Salt, Sugar, Spices, Soybean Oil, Xanthan Gum, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Chili Pepper, Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), Caramel Color, Beet Powder.

PICKLE SLICES

Ingredients: Cucumbers, Water, Distilled Vinegar, Salt, Calcium Chloride, Alum, Potassium Sorbate (Preservative), Natural Flavors, Polysorbate 80, Extractive of Turmeric (Color).

SLIVERED ONIONS

Ingredients: Onions.
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Once again, I found nothing in that list to generate much in the way of dietary concern. Following is a snippet of the article published by Mercola....

---------------------------------------Segment of Mercola article-----------------------------------

• Sneaky “tricks of the trade” employed by the meat industry include “pink slime” made of otherwise unusable scraps, meat glue, and reconstituted meat—all of which fool you into thinking you’re buying something of higher quality than you are!

• McDonald’s seasonally-available McRib sandwich contains more than 70 ingredients, including a chemical used in gym shoes and other items requiring a rubbery substance. And the pork is actually a restructured meat product made from the less expensive innards and scraps from the pig.
  
  
• Russia has recently banned U.S. meat supplies after discovering it contains ractopamine—a beta agonist drug that increases protein synthesis, thereby making the animal more muscular. This reduces the fat content of the meat. Ractopamine is known to affect the human cardiovascular system, may cause food poisoning, and is thought to be responsible for hyperactivity, muscle breakdown, and increased death and disability in livestock.
  
  
• As much as 20 percent of ractopamine remains in the meat you buy from the supermarket. Despite potential health risks, the drug is used in 45 percent of U.S. pigs, 30 percent of ration-fed cattle, and an unknown percentage of turkeys.
  

I'm currently awaiting (2 days now) the response from McDonald's Corporate office and will share their response here when I do... I also contacted the McDonald's franchise located in Forsyth MO and was told that they were not currently offering it.

Here is the response or non-response I received:

Thank you for taking the time to contact McDonald's for ingredient and allergen information.

To obtain the most current ingredient and allergen information for McDonald's standard menu items, visit the website at www.mcdonalds.com. Available allergen information will always be listed on the menu item's ingredient statement.

McDonald's has worked with Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) to help consolidate all allergen information within our ingredient statements. FARE encourages customers with food allergies to regularly read ingredient statements because ingredients may have changed. Again, McDonald's recommends you visit the website, www.mcdonalds.com, for the most current information about our products. We also recommend that you speak with your health care provider if the information you are seeking cannot be found on our website or printed materials.

We also want you to know that, despite taking precautions, normal kitchen operations may involve some shared cooking and preparation areas and utensils, and the possibility exists for your food items to come in contact with other food products, including other allergens.

Again, thank you for taking the time to contact McDonald's and we look forward to serving you again soon.

Myriah
Customer Satisfaction Representative

So, my take away was the fact that McDonald's did not expressly deny the specific question concerning Ractopamine - Sometimes you have to read between the lines...
 
www.taneyweather.com

McDonald's cooks up a new campaign to help flagging sales!

Starting this April, in a nationwide campaign to spur sales, McDonald’s will be offering soft drinks of any size for just $1. And for a limited time, the restaurants’ McCafe beverages, which include frappes, smoothies, and espresso drinks, will be available for just $2.

The fast-food giant has yet to issue a press release about the promotion, but Business Insider reports that the company’s 2016 sales — which dropped 2.1 percent over the previous year — may have spurred the move. Who would have thought that the Golden Arches would ever be in trouble??

Just another McDonald's Egg McMuffin!

On one not very memorable morning, I got up early to go get my oil changed at a service location which I found was closing. I had arrived there about twenty minutes before they were due to open and decided to use that time by getting something quick to eat at McDonald's!

At 7:45 AM on a Tuesday in late December, the Golden Arches was pretty busy with a lot of commuter traffic. The drive through line was crowded, although the inside of the store was sparse; there being just a couple of tables occupied by old people like myself. I had plenty of time and so, wisely elected to park and head inside where I could see there was not a soul at the order counter.

'Now this is what it's supposed to be like', I thought to myself as I stepped right up and ordered an Egg McMuffin and a small coffee from a young lady who was no more awake than I was. Fifteen seconds later, I had my food and angled (toddled?) on over to a small table in an otherwise deserted venue. (And, yes, there was a smile on my face)!

After I had myself seated, I opened up the paper wrapped around my McMuffin and dug in. The taste was excellent, if a little on the brief side. After all, you don't get much food for four dollars and change anymore. But, I was happy as the calories came in at only about 300, thereby granting me the opportunity for a more robust lunch later on in the day. I sat and ate like a contented cow might chew his cud. And, before I knew it, I was down to the last bite or two! 'Damn', I thought. Good food is a lot like great sex. We can never seem to get enough of something that, once found, don't last all that long!

A few minutes later, I checked my cell phone and saw that it was almost 8AM, the time when the Mobile One place was due to open. Hurriedly, dumped the now empty tray, grabbed my coffee and departed. After navigating through the line of cars still waiting for the drive through, I jumped into my Jeep and headed back to the oil change dealership.

Random thoughts for November 2015!

Surviving a trip to McDonald's!

I was going to write about how wonderful it would be to visit my local McDonald's and sit down to a meal consisting of a Big Mac, medium fry and diet Coke. But alas, my common sense got a hold of me just in the nick of time! At 880 calories and 1160 milligrams of salt, they gotta be jacking me! No way Jose am I going to do that shit!

So, I settled instead for their plain Jane .89 cent burger (480 calories) and a small French fry (150 calories). (While that caloric total was still up there for someone on a 1500 calorie per day diet, it was manageable). In addition, the cost was not through the roof as I elected to do the drive through and not order a beverage that was basically a glass of water with flavoring. My total came to just $3.55 with tax.

By the way, this very same burger cost only 15 cents not so very long ago...

Could someone just please just shoot Obama?

It's not that I'm advocating an assassination attempt here. No, I'm thinking more along the lines of saving this poor creature from the dawning realization that there will be precious little to place on the walls of his Presidential Library, when he retires in another year. Personally, I cannot think of one thing Obama has done over the course of seven years that hasn't turned into a complete and utter shambles. I would therefore ask for anyone to please advise me of some of his accomplishments as I'm a total blank on this subject...

Mediacom, the gift that just keeps on giving!

I like to look upon Mediacom as though it was an onion. Lots and lots of layers! And like that game Whack a Mole, just when one problem gets solved, another seem to always pop up. What fun.

Recently, I spent over two weeks with absolutely terrible Internet service while everyone at Mediacom stood around scratching their heads. After much investigation by a goodhearted tech, we discovered the problem was with their cable modem. (They had replaced two of these and both proved to be defective).

Finally, the addition of a different modem unit cleared the problem up. Things then went swimmingly... for a couple of days anyway. Then, a new problem 'popped up'. And this time, it seems that it may never get properly fixed as it may stem from a case of simple network congestion. (A problem caused by overloading the existing cable bandwidth with too many subscribers)! A good example of how this works is the way in which the airlines like to overbook their flights. The end result being that a lot of would be passengers end up at terminals cooling their heels. The same analogy works here as the end result is a really slow network connection. (A problem that is all the more aggregating as I currently pay extra for a faster than normal bandwidth)!

Will Mediacom ever improve? More than likely, the answer is no. At least in the areas where they enjoy a virtual monopoly. You know, like where I live, for instance. [Note: Refer back to the second story here. Does anyone remember how a younger Obama promised a better Internet for all back in 2008? Like so much else in this era of Hope and Change...it was all smoke and mirrors...]

A tale of two restaurants!

It's around noonish and time for lunch! But, you're at work and that thirty minute lunch period goes by pretty fast! So, do you do the McDonald's thing or do you seek out a more upscale establishment like Charlie's Ribs Steak and Ale both located in Forsyth MO? Here I compare some important considerations like the time you will need to spend, the cost and the nutritional impact of fast food versus a sit your ass down dining experience.

As I didn't desire to completely blow out my diet in just one day, I choose to go to McDonald's on a Monday and then to Charlie's the following Tuesday (hopefully). Both venues were to be 'sit down' affairs, (although it's understood that you can drive through one and order takeout at the other if your in a big hurry to get back to your cubicle).

The infamous play area!

November 2, 2015 at 11:30 AM – McDonald's - A typical Monday workday with low traffic levels, but I arrived a little early anyway to insure I would get a decent table. At the counter, I ordered a plain Jane hamburger, a small French fry and diet coke. The total cost was $3.56 Wait wise, it took me no time to get to the front of the line, and only another 2 minutes to get and pay for my order. I also had to fill my cup at the beverage dispenser and then had to get napkins and a cup of ketchup from yet another dispenser area. (Always one to observe proper hygiene though, I used a napkin to push down on the ketchup plunger).

The food was about what I've grown used to over the years. Good tasting stuff that is loaded with salt and saturated fats. Just what an aging old gnome needs to insure an early end to life and living! I ate my meager 480 calorie meal and was out of there in ~ 15 minutes! And, yes! I was still hungry...

Coming soon - a trip to an upscale restaurant!

Eating at McDonald's, or how to die with a smile!

"There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that eating McDonald's style food are not one of the best ways in which to commit culinary suicide, but it is a way!"

The day was overcast with a light drizzle falling outside. I was sitting inside looking at a list I'd made up of chores that needed to be done. Some of the chores had little stars next to them, indicating they were of a growing urgency to got done. Yes sir, there were a lot of starred items on that page. But, surprisingly, (or perhaps not if you know me at all), I had little urge to do anything that had a 'W' in its description. All the items on that particular list required that some sort of work be performed, and so were summarily dismissed from my consideration. What did excite my imagination was two different thoughts, namely 'spend money' and 'fast food'. I glanced at the clock on the wall. It read 11:10 AM – close enough I thought, to be in range to be called noon, and therefore time to eat! I grabbed my keys and headed for the great double arches.

Fast forward fifteen minutes, and I was pulling into the takeout line instead of walking inside. A quick glance at the multitude of customers with drooling toddlers in tow convinced me to avoid that experience. Anyway, the line was relatively short, (it was only 11:25 for crying out loud) and forthwith I found myself by that little speaker from which emancipated a kind of shrilly, female voice.

'Good day and welcome to McDonald's, would you be interested in our mega dega meal, today?' I could have sworn I heard a snicker somewhere in the background. Maybe it was just static.

'No, I replied. I think I'll have the Big Mac with a Medium fry, please.' [Honestly, I had intended to order a Double cheese burger and small fry, but my stomach had somehow taken momentary control of my vocal cords].

Cha-ching went the metal speaker. 'That'll be $6.48. Please drive forward to the pay window, sir.' Again that annoying static. (No, I was pretty sure someone was laughing). No matter, I pulled ahead, paid for my meal at the next window, drove forward and then grabbed my bag of food at the third and final window. Quickly, I inspected the contents to affirm they had gotten the items correct. (Too often, I have driven naively away only to find I had gotten someone else's vegetarian garbage). Let me see now, Big Mac - check. French fries - double check, and away I went.

After arriving back at my home, I immediately went to the fridge to grab a Diet Pepsi (again that annoying laughter) and some ketchup, (I always forget to ask for it and they now never include it with a meal). The cheap bastards, I thought to myself.

As you might guess, the burger and fries tasted awesome and why wouldn't they? I'd just ingested 860 calories that consisted of lots of fat, grease and other assorted oils. Food like this will definitely kill me, in the long run, but what a way to go!!

Critique: McDonald's Egg White Delight!

Nutrition includes EWD and hash browns!

There's no doubt about the fact that the newest McMuffin addition to the McDonald's breakfast menu is a whole lot healthier than the original.

While it's true that the real McCoy doesn't look very much like the advertisements, it did get the job done. The newest member to the so-called 'healthy foods' department at McDonald's U isn't as bad to look at and consume as I first thought! And nutritionally, it blow away the original Egg McMuffin in the cholesterol department! Compare the standard fare's value of 260 milligrams of heart clogging

cholesterol to the meager value of 25 mg and anyone watching their heart health would tell you it's a no brainer! The good news is that, with my eyes closed, I really couldn't tell the difference! This entire meal also only came to 400 calories!

Thanks to the $1 coupon, I only paid a fraction of the cost of a regular McMuffin, so it was a good deal for about $3 and change. That said, it's doubtful that I will re-order one at full boat!

McDonald’s Drive-thru!

For millions of Americans, those Golden Arches beckon one and all, every day right about noon time. Menus on billboards proudly display pictures of Super Big This with oversized bags of That for all to see and desire.  (Could heroin be any more addictive I wonder)? Endless lines of cars passing through endless drive-thru’s. Cars of every type with millions of out-of-condition, glutinous individuals (like me), safely and tightly ensconced within. Cars carrying men and women who are apparently more than eager to commit this form of dietary suicide on any given day.

-----------------

It’s twelve noon as I pull up to the McDonald’s ordering grill thingy. It’s just below a large billboard that is cluttered with an enormous selection of food. From the time you are in visual range of the board to the time the speaker asks for your order is a matter of short seconds. My hands trembles slightly on the steering wheel. A metallic (yet authoritarian) voice greets my ears. “Thank you for stopping at McDonald’s! What would you like to order?”

“Yes! I think I’ll have the Big Mac and Fries Meal deal.” (My panic standby order for when I don’t have enough time to select something else). This selection flashes on the electronic board to my right. Dollar amounts appear to the right of each item.

“Thank you! And, what would you like to drink?”

“I’ll have a Diet Coke, thanks!” I’m now getting distracted as I try to pull my wallet out of my back pocket with little success.  My seat, which years ago, provided ample room now seems somehow tight and cramped. A light sweat begins to form on my brow…

“That will be $6.01 sir”, drifts a female voice from out of the metal grill. “Would you like to die a little more quickly and Super Size that order today sir?” As I listened through the window of my car, I could swear I heard a very light, high pitched snickering in the background. (Perhaps it was just my hearing playing tricks on me).

“Uh no…I’m… on a diet,” I say in my most pious of voices. More snickering (static?) comes from the grill. I’m now fumbling in my pants pocket for some change. My wallet which I had wrestled from my rear pocket is now also now wedged in my lap. I manage to pull out a handful of coins, some of which fly off into the far seat. Damn!

“OK, sir, we have a Big Mac, a large fry and a Diet (snicker) coke. Will that be all today?”

“Uh, yeah.” I mumble as I try furiously to locate a penny in my fistful of silver coins. Ah! I sigh, as I spot one lone penny. I deftly pluck it out of the pile, toss the other coins into the neighboring seat, and add it to a ten dollar bill I had fished from my wallet. I find myself clutching this money like it might somehow bring me salvation.

“Please drive forward to the payment window.” I look up and find my way obstructed. What!!

I want to go forward, but three cars block my way! Damn them! There we sit, each of us waiting in line to pay, not unlike a junkie with a handful of crumpled bills who cautiously approaches a dealer for his noontime fix. Finally! After what seems hours (but may have been only minutes), the payment is made! I toss the four singles into the seat next to me along with the wallet! What a mess! Just a few more agonizing minutes as my fingers impatiently strum the top of the steering wheel while waiting for that last damn car in front of me to exit the delivery window.

Ah crap, I think as I watch the meal deal going down in front of me! They must have ordered for something like twenty people! Look at all that crap they’re getting! My stomach rumbles in rebellion at the thought of a delay. The sweat on my brow now forms tiny rivets down my nose. I wipe them unconsciously away with a swipe of my hand.

After what seems an eternity, the car in front pulls away from window. I put my car in gear and eagerly pull up. As I come up even with the window a girl of perhaps twenty is standing there like she’s waiting for a bus. Her eyes travel first to me and then to the far seat where money is scattered all over creation. A slight smile forms on her mouth. Yes, she’s seen this before. Often actually. She glances at a computer screen to her right. “I’m sorry sure but there’s going to be a wait for your Big Mac. That lady in front of you cleaned us out. Would you mind pulling over to a stall and we’ll have someone bring your order out to you?”

What! I can’t believe this! But, like a good robot, I do as instructed. I pull over to an open slot and then watch that window through my rear view mirror. I can also make out a side door that hopefully will open soon and bring me my fix, my meal. Times passes oh so slowly.

At last the door opens and out comes a boy with my order! All is forgiven! I grasp my white bag and carefully place it on top of my wallet in the seat next to me. The coke stays in my hand as I drive the short distance back to my job.  I’d have to eat fast and it would also have to be at my desk as my lunch period was almost over. What should have taken ten minutes had taken twenty-five of my thirty minute lunch break!

Hurriedly, I exit my car leaving the wallet and change lying on the seat. No time to waste as my hot meal is getting colder by the second. Now, at my desk I open the bag to find… ah yes, an Egg McMuffin with no fries. Sighing, I take a sip of my coke and prepare to eat.