Nice! I just made the kids bacon fat grilled cheeses yesterday in my cast iron skillet. I told them that there was a whole lotta love in the sammich. ;-)

Hi thistle5,

Wow, I just tried to read through this thread and my head is also spinning.

I would suggest that you utilize CH for low carb meal ideas but in the meantime find yourself a good registered dietician who can help you better understand carb counting, reading food labels, and simply how to make good choices based on what foods appeal to you. A Certified Diabetes Educator is another good resource. And a great online community of diabetics (type 1 & 2, LADA's, etc) is www.tudiabetes.org.

Good luck in your diabetes management and stay the course. :)

I got a big kick out of them selling caldo verde in the McDonald's in Portugal. :)

sedimental, thanks for the article. Wow! I should have known Michael Pollan would be all over this. I'm working my way through the article, there's a lot to digest (nice pun, right?), but its very interesting and informative.

So, I suppose my microbiome is out of whack and needs re-populated. ;-)

I've read about the poop transplants recently. Mind-blowing! And I hear what you are saying about Big Pharma and the medical community not wanting to shine a light on it. There's no money - yet - in it. At least not for them. However, I tip my hat to my GI who opted to go the conservative route and introduce me to probiotics first. No tests, no colonoscopy, no pharmacueticals.

I have had some unrest in my GI tract lately. I was concerned that it might be related to my Type 1 Diabetes so I visited a GI Dr. She thought my issues might be minor and recommended I try Florastor and see if it helps reset my GI good health.

I did some reading and I had no idea that these yeast-based probiotics were so widely used for everything from GI issues to help battle the common cold. They also are recommended for folks suffering from stomach viruses (said to reduce symptoms) and for people who travel abroad.

In addition to the dietary supplements, some foods that can help keep your GI balanced are pickles (refrigerated), kimchi, probiotic yogurts, kefir, aged cheeses, sauerkraut, etc. Who knew?!

Do you take and find this supplement helpful? Do you purposely eat some of the above foods (or others) to maintain good gut health? This is new to me and I'm just curious what other's experiences are. Thanks!

Mmmm, I love Cochon Butcher - why'd you have to nention it. Now I am craving porchetta. ;-)

Your cocktails sounds lovely. I need to seek it out.

I'm sorry for you too. It sounds like a big shake up to your normal dietary habits and that is difficult, to say the least. Do you like tofu and tempeh? They are good sources of plant-based protein. Avocados would be a good source of good fat and I find them to be very satisfying - especially smeared on a piece of toast w/ cumin, chili powder, red pepper flakes, s&p. Of course you would need dairy-free bread.

Often times I pick an ingredient - say tempeh - and then I search Chowhound for new ideas on how to prepare it. Even ingredients you are familiar with - say chicken thighs. There are countless threads about what to do with chicken thighs. Or start a new thread.

Hang tough mikilu. Good health and feeling well will be your reward.

Ditto what carolinadawg said.

While Charlotte was a steak house mecca several years ago it has evolved quite nicely over the past few years and continues to do so. Huge local food scene, farmers markets everywhere and ethnic eats abound.

Ohmygosh, I have expanded mine dramatically. I remember an old thread about why would you "try" to like something. And I just thought to myself "why wouldn't you"? I mean I want to eat salmon because it's so good for me. So, i'll continue to seek out salmon that I like. I'm not at the point where I can order it at any restaurant, but there is one restaurant near me that does it perfectly - barely cooked in the center and baked on a cedar plank and there isn't even a hint of fishy.

Years ago I never ate any fish or seafood. Today, I slurp oysters, eat just about anything out of the sea and I'm working on freshwater fish. Something about freshwater fish and fishy-ness that I struggle with. But I keep trying! Good luck c oliver!

Funny, I used to despise cilantro for the same reason as your DD. - soapy taste. I kept exposing myself to it and now I love it. I have managed to expand my "likes" with many, many things that I wanted to like. For instance, I am warming up to salmon. Never liked it before as I always found it to be too strong & "fishy". I came to like it smoked and sometimes raw in sushi and just recently had some really fresh baked wild salmon that I absolutely loved. The secret (which is not so secret), I learned, is fresh and wild baby. ;-)

Yea, I like the place. Even during the day it's a cool spot to stop by for a burger and a beer. The bartenders we've had have always been friendly and like you said, it has a nice relaxed atmosphere.

The concept just seems like one that attracts families. The few times I've been to the downtown Asheville location it always seemed to be filled with families. However, many of the folks there may be tourists so it's not really a fair comparison in that regard.

But yea, the 2nd floor location & parking are additional challenges as well. In any event, I certainly hope that they are successful and I'm sure I'll visit.

Hmm, interesting location choice. I have a hard time envisioning a homey comfort food restaurant in an urban Southend location. I would think Southpark would be a better fit (more family-oriented).

Wouldn't it be nice to see a regional chain thrive while maintaining all the qualities that made their original restaurant successful? I think 131 Main has done a good job of it.

Good to know! It's going on the list for my visit next month. Great website, by the way.

Thanks roro1831 for the feedback. I was beginning to think the word on it hadn't reached CHers. I'll be interested to see what drinks best compliment it. I'd guess citrus, like you pointed out, would be good.

Chickory eh? Interesting!

Okay, I tried it with roasted asparagus and it was, hands down, not a good flavor comb for me personally. My family of 4 gave it a thumbs down and we're pretty open-minded about new things and flavors. Oh well, we don't have to like everything.

"Now I'm back to storing them in the fridge. And they taste fine. In fact, I'm just finishing a tomato/cucumber/avocado/sweet pepper/harif (hot) pepper/red onion/fresh basil/lemon juice salad that tastes more than fine."

I think what Gastronomos was saying is that you seem to not have any flavor or texture issues with a refrigerated tomato so why not just keep doing as you are doing? I think for many folks, myself included, refrigerating dulls the flavors and changes the texture - making the tomato mealy and even gritty. Kind of like a bad apple. But if that doesn't happen for you then that's great! Maybe Israeli tomatoes are a hybrid or variety that stands up to refrigeration. Whatever the reason, enjoy your maters and your delicious salads (that salad sounds lovely). :)

I am from the NE originally and I can say that Charleston is kind of the opposite of "dive bar". I'll be paying close attention to see if you get any suggestions. The closest thing I've come across in the HD is The Blind Tiger. Oh, and they have great burgers too.

That said, I recommend you hit up the bar at Husk and we have always enjoyed oysters and various things that swim at Pearlz Oyster Bar. SNOB has a good bar scene too. I love Cru and although it doesn't have a "real" booze bar, it has a counter-like bar that serves as a chef's table. You can dine there and watch the back-of-the-house action.

If you can find your way to the mom & pop corner grocery store Burbages(157 Broad St.), I recommend it. It's kind of a glimpse back in time. They have quality house-made pimento cheese, great deli sandwiches or a pulled pork sandwich and a Cheerwine then head over that way.

I'm sure you'll get some more good feedback. Enjoy your trip!

I love, love, love brussel sprout salads too. I do a raw kale and brussel sprout salad and the sprouts are sliced very thin and they just add a nice crunch. Of course then you add in all the many salad accoutrements like nuts & bacon. ;-)

Enjoy!

A chef friend of mine has a recipe for roasted brussel sprouts that has converted many of my friends and family members. It's very easy...

Halve sprouts and toss in olive oil & s&p. Roast in a 450 degree oven for 8-10 mins. tossing in some minced garlic during the last minute of roasting (roast until browned in spots). Make a vinaigrette of sherry vinegar & red wine vinegar, dijon mustard, grade A maple syrup and olive oil. Season w/ s&p. Toss sprouts in vinaigrette. Add chopped bacon, pancetta &/or nuts for added deliciousness. Bon Appetit! ;-)

I like it, just not in my Italian food and mostly in sweet dishes (although in Indian it totally makes sense to me). It's not how my mother and her family prepared sauces and I never encountered it until I moved South and went into an Italian restaurant here and ordered a red sauce dish and it was in the sauce. I couldn't figure out why. Ha!

I may try it with asparagus and maybe even w/ my brussel sprouts since many folks mentioned that. I'm not a hater, c oliver, I swear it! ;-)

"I can tell you one thing you shouldn't sneak nutmeg into >
Bolognese sauce" - I completely agree with you. Bleck.

Aggressive is a good way to describe it.

+3 or 4 for not in savory dishes. I am angry when I detect it in tomato/marinara sauce or in any Italian dishes. I am not a fan. But it's fine in desserts.

Oh and Chowshok, I love garam masala on pumpkin and sweet potato pie - yum!

Does having a whole bag of them deter from their deliciousness? Just curious because often when something is hard to come by it enhances your want and taste for it. Kind of like listening to the radio vs. playing your favorite songs from your ipod. It's still awesome to scan the radio stations and stumble upon an old tune you haven't heard in awhile. :)

I was about to type the same. Large ethnic "food scene" in Charlotte. Although, I too don't think having the most ethnic restaurants and grocers = foodiest city either. I am surprised by the little mention of the RTP and Charlotte. I mean Savannah? Really?

And Raleigh and Charlotte areas have tons of farmers markets and strong community support of these markets. That should account for something.

All the cities mentioned have relatively young food scenes that are still growing and evolving. For most of them, there is no where to go but up and I am looking forward to the journey.

Amen to that! And I did find a great recipe and these coconut oil chocolate chip cookies blew my mind. I didn't know they could be this good. DANG!

Here's a link if anyone is interested. FYI, I used 2 whole eggs, rather than the one egg and one yolk that the recipe calls for. The result was a cookie with more loft/rise. Crisp on the outside, chewy on the inside - whoa.

http://traceysculinaryadventures.blog...

I friggin' love that skit. LMAO

@debbypo, you're not alone I am sure. I imagine not-so-chatty Cathy's share your frustration. ;-)

So interesting to read your post from 2007 and then your current post.

Funny how our perspectives change with time, trends, culture, wisdom, etc.

I wonder what will be the latest nutrition trend 6 years from now. And I wonder if coconut oil will still be thought of as a nutritionally beneficial. Time will tell I guess! Now, I am off to continue my search for the perfect coconut oil chocolate chip cookie! :)

I loved that piece Kathleen Purvis did on country hams! I learned so much. The photos were great too.

Church newsletter - now that you mention it, it kind of does. Heck, it even has a regular column written by Billy Graham & a Faith & Values section. I subscribe though, and I always look forward to Wednesday's Food Section and Friday's E&T section.

I was just reflecting back on all the food tidbits and recipes I have gained over the years from The CO & KP and I've racked up quite a lot of good stuff. I remember her writing about her son making nutella crescent rolls (I know so simple, but my kids are nutella junkies). I had my kids make them and they loved them and still do. I also remember her writing about a fresh corn risotto. She read a recipe and wanted to recreate it using what she had on hand. I did the same and it was one of the tastiest things I've ever cooked for just myself.

It certainly leaves much to be desired but I think there is a lot to be said for the small town feel of The Observer, and of Charlotte too.