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by Philipina A. Marcelo
It has been a long week... and I needed time to think about the week that went by, mostly with me as an inactive participant. In fact, at many points, a very helpless participant. But I need to return to my "regular" activities if things were to go back to "normal" again. Therefore, writing this "Sunday foodie" section of this blog has to be done even if I had to wince in pain the whole time that I'm pressing keys in my keyboard! I know it's going to be worth it. :)
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A foodie in shackles
I have been detained, but not unwillingly so, for a few days in a place where "crisis management" is painful, but quite fruitful. Actually, extremely fruitful, in my case... and I thank and praise God Almighty for it! :)
Most people call it hospital, I call it a "pivotal" place... because of its "critical importance" to me. :) I have something that needed to be taken care of.
My "detention cell"... a few minutes after I received
my precious "release order" - freedoooom! Woohoo!If not, they would turn into a full-blown "crisis". It was only in a place like that where a threatening "crisis" like mine could be managed properly, abated significantly, and eradicated for good in the end. While I appreciated (I will forever appreciate) what the valiant knights in white armor do in that place of pivotal significance in my wellness, I wasn't crazy about the food. Not that anybody expected me to be, anyway! :) Apparently, if I were to contribute to the management of my own "brewing crisis" at all, I needed to endure the food. I, of course, tried... but I failed miserably!
By "tried", I mean, I "sampled" the food... and while it did what it should do, which was to keep my stomach busy and give me the
Bland? A sample of my "detention meal". necessary fuel while the crisis management was on-going, without interefering with the management process, it didn't make me smack my fingers with gusto. :( Okay, again, no one was expecting me to do that actually! =) But I'm a "true lover of food", and I expect my every encounter with food as a sacred "ritual" where considerable sensory satisfaction is a must - no compromise! In extreme cases (such as this one), at least some sort of curiousity must be aroused - by the food. Okay, to be honest, I thought the desserts weren't bad at all! :) And to be fair, I guess, if I weren't in a "state of crisis", I would've appreciated the food more.
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Eating with a vangeance!
With the crisis contained and the cause of the problem "uprooted"...
Awesome detention companions. Celebrating
my foodie freedom!uhm, and quite literally, too, I was given a "release order"! Freedom was mine again! :) And so, I rallied my "detention companions" to celebrate with me. We chose one of our fave neighborhood places for eating for our mini celebration - Pancake House! Yaaay! :) And we ordered some of our "usuals". One chose a platter of the delightful pasta gambero in the patio pasta menu and another ordered the sinful but highly recommended classic pan chicken.
I was determined to re-awaken my taste buds and give them some degree of
Freedom meal. From bland to "bam", indeed!satisfaction. And so, I ordered what I usually don't order: hamburger steak special set. This consisted of a juicy hamburger steak with rich gravy, spaghetti with meat sauce and grated cheese, mixed veggies, and a glass of iced tea to wash it all in. When my food arrived in front of me, and after saying grace, I stared at my plate until my mouth watered... I sipped a little bit of iced tea to continue titillating my taste buds. And then, when my stomach gurgled a little bit, I knew it was time to dig in... and so, I did! Aaaaaahhh, heavenly!! :)
What's a visit to Pancake House without sampling their famous pancakes? :)
Want pancakes? Caramel banana walnut - simply
irresistible.While it was in the middle of the afternoon, the time of day didn't stop us from ordering one of our faves: caramel banana walnut pancakes! :) Of course, there was a little struggle in the decision making process considering how much we wanted all pancakes... and I mean, "all"! :) But, I needed the banana... to address some "crisis management issues"! :) As usual, the pancakes were perfect... and the banana and nuts didn't disappoint either.
Aaaahh... sweet freedom!
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Photo credit: I own all photos.
