Heather

Through his own efforts, and the pills he was a spokesman for. My life depends on pills. There is no aspect of my metabolism that operates on its own steam. I eat normal meals and walk every day. Despite that, I have a difficult time losing weight because while the pills simulate thyroid function, they are kept at an artificially low level to avoid damage premature damage to my heart. None of my medical history is apparent just by looking at me, though. It's easy to think you know the whole story, and condemn someone for "bad behavior." The truth is that unless you are their doctor, it's probably wise to be less judgemental. Not to say that she hasn't handled this badly, but I have to wonder how much fear of losing her livelihood influenced it. She was an unknown single mom that overcame poverty, agoraphobia, and panic attacks to become a success based on a certain TV-defined persona - a "brand." The prospect of losing that brand isn't pleasant. She should have had better advisors & PR.

It's called polygenic hypercholesterolemia, and it runs in my family. Fat or thin, dieting or not, we all have high cholesterol than is most effectively controlled by medication. The specific genes involved haven't been discovered as far as I know.

Outstanding. I love this thread.

I'm still planning to be there.

Gingerbread pancakes for Shrove Tuesday Bacon Applesauce Cider or orange juice

The upper-right square is funnier.

Homemade ham salad on wheat toast.

It will be amusing to see how it progresses. Maybe they should research the Quarryhouse as to how it's done. They have been open since 1934.

We have taken our kids to Shady Grove Pediatrics since Emma was a week old, in July 1999. Wonderful, caring doctors who don't talk down to kids, separate times for sick & well visits, and Saturday hours. I've never called with a sick kid and not been able to get in the same day. Emma and Ian usually see Dr Brigitte Burgett, but we've been happy with Carol Plotsky, too. 15215 Shady Grove Road Rockville, MD 20850 301-320-3216 Heather Johnson

I'm in, and will probably be there between 5 and 5:30.

Don't rule out the Posh thread. Don was implying that the fieryness gets disproprotionate attention - that it's good or "authentic" only because it's hot. Places like Joe's Noodle House have more going on than just the heat.

It's not just you. I would suggest there's a certain amount of culinary boasting in eating unfamiliar-to-western-palate ingredients, too.

I used to go to the one in North Miami Beach from time to time, and would put it about on par with Baja Fresh. They are opening a location in College Park, too.

A lot of shills on small food sites are on the dole, too. Well, kind of. How many "crappy yet trendy on social media" restaurants in DC are doing just fine? Or worse places - there is a social media gathering in Bethesda on Friday morning sponsored by Dunkin Fucking Donuts, and being hyped by many of the DC social media "leaders" - AKA young marketing types with Twitter accounts. This is the market right now.

There wasn't always advance preparation, and when there was it was a business decision by the chef or manager. These days, restauranteurs have more internet outlets at their disposal to drum up business, and they are hiring publicists to arrange their Yelp happy hours or blogger dinners. It was the same back in 2005, except on a more primitive level. Pick a place and a day, and see who can make it. Thanks for reviving interest.

This place is growing on me. The sandwiches are pricey, but make two lunches, and I'm hooked on the salad with turkey & black beans with chipotle ranch dressing.

Chicken chili verde Garnishes: scallion, tomatoes, lettuce, guacamole, sour cream, sliced pickled jalapenos, salsa, crushed tortilla chips Crispin cider for the grownups, milk for the kids Ben & Jerry's Peanut Brittle ice cream

It's lovely with Citadelle gin.

I timed a trip to Target poorly, and ended up needing to feed the kids before shopping. If you have the choice between Friendly's and McDonalds, for the love of God, go with McDonald's. Friendly's has bad food, and even worse service.

(I have no dog in this fight at all, but Jesus Kibbee Nayee, could you give it a rest? We get it that you hate this particular chain. Maybe channel that rage into a worthy endeavor?) Don, sadly I suspect that they stock what sells. I'd be willing to bet that the average consumer thinks that Blue Moon is a craft beer.

You won't regret it. I have used both and much prefer the larger KA. The bowl attachment is a good investment.

Teriyaki chicken breasts steamed rice with nori sprinkles Asparagus/mushroom stir fry

Maybe I should donate the www.Gourmet411.com and .net URLs that I have parked.

Sure! In a nutshell: it's a chewy oatmeal cookie recipe, sub dried sour cherries (from Trader Joe's) for raisins, add a handful of sliced toasted almonds and sub almond extract for vanilla. I'll transcribe the recipe after the kids are in bed.

Name recognition is key. I've recommended this site to many people, and no one can ever remember the name of it. It doesn't stick in their heads as a food site, or a DC site. I get "Oh yeah, that site with some guy's name" :-/