HEALTH

Since I've returned, my goal is to stay fit. Hiking several miles each day, eating nothing but hard boiled eggs, hummus and vegetables (with many attempts at finishing shwarma and falafel pitas) all while drinking enough water for the clearest urine in the land left me feeling quite svelte.  

Not only does my body look better, my brain feels better sans the herb.  In hopes of completing the circle of healthy mind, body, soul, I finally signed up for my Los Angeles Public library card.  There is a book I've been anxious to read and did a little research last night to find the closest library to my humble Valley abode. Echo Park was the location closest with the book in stock so this afternoon after a little Bonnie Hunt Show (I can't help it) and some sit-ups, I made my way to the east side.  

When I got there, the friendly clerk supplied me with my shiny new key to knowledge and culture.  I made my way to the Fiction section only to find exactly what I was not in search of.  A few minutes at the computer delivered some frustration and disappointment. The book I drove specifically to that branch for (I check last night and right before I left my house) was 'in transit'.  Foiled.  

To make-up for it, I picked out a half dozen compact discs and went on my way.  On the drive up Temple, I noticed a juice place and hoping to find pomegranate juice, I stopped.  No pom, no grapefruit but I did discover a brand of potato chips , Rusty's Island Chips . 

Amongst the array of healthy snacks and juice smoothies at the Tribal Cafe, I chose Rusty and his thick, crunchy taters. Apparently they are hand made chips, something you rarely see.  They complimented my Ginger Carrot soup mush and water with basil (?) and lemon quite nicely. A pretty standard kettle chip, however less greasy and cleaner tasting than the competition.  The intense crunch did cause some alarm for the safety of my gums, however. 

Israeli Lay's, Elite, Walker's Mystery Bag #1

A Smokey Grill.  That's all I really had to go off of when I selected this awesome package from an Israeli petrol station.

A worldwide recognized symbol of delish potato chips is the yellow circle with the red banner, indicating a Frito-Lays or Walker's product.  Due to a lackluster education in Hebrew school, I was reduced to pictures and subliminal color combinations when choosing my snacks.

All this standard bag of goodness provided was a picture of a smokey grill.  My reasoning concluded this would be some sort of liquid smoke treat.  As the whole country is pretty much Kosher, I realized it would be unheard of to add some illustrated baby back ribs on top of that lonely grill.

The chips are quite small and have a Pringles-like consistency in size.  The hue is light orange with some spice specks.  They taste lightly of BBQ, nothing overwhelming, which works well with the MSG bait that keeps me going until the bag is finished in less than 30.   

The downside to this compulsive munching is the burning sensation they produce around my lips. To a passerby they might think I've had a bit of a lip licking problem for awhile as my mouth is quite red and swollen.  

I will remain behind closed doors while I finish these mouth rapers. Hmm...not the most pleasant image to leave on.  

Special Delivery

People can be so lovely.
I'm ECSTATIC.  My plea in my last post did not go unnoticed as I thought for some kind, giving, chip loving philanthropist bestowed upon me a box of crisps unknown to me. Zapp's of Louisana.

Since I returned from Israel a few days ago, I've been pretty bummed out, and today was the turnaround.  I woke at 7am and posted one of many photo albums of my trip on Facebook (would have posted more if Facebook were behaving better), did some excercise, went for a run, ate a fufilling meal of sweet potato fries, turkey breast and broccoli, and even showered all in time for work at 3pm.  

Work started on a pleasant note as my friend and co-worker, Jesi, surprised me with a fresh young coconut from Vegan Plate!  When I arrived at my desk I noticed a brown square box sitting on top of it adressed to my name.  Another Box of Louisiana's Own Zapp's Potato Chips read the box.  I open it and it is filled with mouth-watering flavors such as Cajun Dill Gator-Tators and Sweet Potato Lightly Salted and intriguing such as Spicy Creole Tomato Spiked with Tabasco! 

My first thought was who is the wonderful person who sent me these so I dug into the box looking for a card.  I found a white envelope with a note from Zapp's inside with the message,"Happy Holidays. Good luck with the blog".  

As you can see, no signature indicating the giver of a most appreciated gift.  I've racked my brain and I think I know who delivered these delectable crisps my way.  So thank you Matthew Kirsch.  If I am mistaken, I apologize and look forward to discovering the mystery.  It completely made my day and I have a new favorite crisp.

Cajun Dill Gator-Tators

While in Israel, I developed an intense love for the pickles I ate at every meal.  They were dilly, sour and kind of hot.  These chips bring that subtle flavor into a completely well rounded spud.  They are cooked in peanut oil, which in my opinion, makes for a crispy, crunchy, nutty chip.  Slightly sweet and sour, I am reminded of the Israeli pickles I enjoyed so much.

I look forward to tasting, no, devouring the rest of the flavors in the pack that arrived this afternoon.  

Thank you Mr. (or Mrs.)Fellow Chip Lover!

*Note--While in Israel I procured some yummy Israeli crisps and puffs that I fully plan on blogging on for the next many entries, interspersed with my box of Zapp's, of course.