Mt. Molelog: Archives

Lou's, Gino's and the USDA

I like good Chicago-style deep dish pizza, but I don’t live anywhere near Chicago. To try to rectify this obvious problem, I occasionally treat myself with mail-order frozen pizza.

Tonight, I tried a Sausage pizza from Gino’s East (suggested by Anton Nym in a comment over at Making Light). It was good, but not as good as the ones from Loui Malnati’s, or maybe I just overcooked it — the crust was dry and crumbly, and not in the pleasant flaky way. Lou’s is cheaper, too, plus they’re available at Amazon.

I ordered 2 Sausage Pizzas and two Pepperoni Pizzas. What I got, though, were 2 Sausage Pizzas and 2 Cheese Pizzas with 7.14% Pepperoni; the same thing happened on my last Lou’s order as well (although the percentage was probably different), but not on my earlier Lou’s orders; the first time, I actually got Pepperoni Pizzas. It goes further than that, though — if you order from Lou’s own site, you can’t get Sausage Pizza either, just Cheese with Sausage. You can still order (but presumably not get) Sausage and Pepperoni from Amazon, though, and you can order Veggie, Spinach and Deluxe pizzas from Lou’s

So what’s going on here?

It seems the USDA used to define terms like “Pepperoni Pizza”, but they no longer do but as part of the transition they require this percentage labelling. Their Q&A Page addresses such questions as “What guidance exists for naming substitute cheese and real cheese on pizza-like products?”. I’m not sure this is the real, or full, explanation though: this rule went into effect October 22, 2003, and that predates Lou’s switch by at least a year. It also doesn’t explain why the Sausage Pizza is still “Sausage Pizza”.

Plus, it doesn’t explain the other note on the Gino’s pizza: “USDA requires 11%”. That seems to directly contradict the current rule. The mid 2003 Food Standards and Labelling Book says pepperoni pizza must be at least 10% pepperoni; sausage pizza must be at least 12% sausage.

So, am I missing a current rule, or are Gino’s and Lou’s both complying with the pre-October 2003 rule (and maybe getting the rule wrong)?

2005-06-16 21:49:04 | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Misc::Food

All-In-One Personal Groomer

When Amazon offered me a Norelco All-In-One Personal Groomer, I suspected that my definition of what an all-in-one groomer should do differed from Norelco's.

Little did I know just how much, though.

It turns out, this thing is a "Cordless, rechargeable, all-in-one beard, mustache, nose, and ear trimmer". Who ever knew noses and ears wanted trimming?

2003-11-28 15:16:00 | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0) | Misc::HowStuffWorks

Mar-V-Cide

Things the William Marvy Company's barber-shop disinfectant, Mar-V-Cide is effective against, in priority order:

AIDS
Athlete's Foot
Herpes
Rust

2003-10-01 17:28:00 | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Misc::HowStuffWorks

The American Red Cross's Acceptable Titles

If one donates to the Red Cross as one is urged to do, one gets to choose a title. The possibilities are rather more comprehensive than in most situations.

Mr.
Mrs.
Miss
Ms.
Admiral
Ambassador
Bishop
Brother
Captain
Cardinal
Colonel
Commander
Congressman
Congresswoman
Dr.
Drs.
Father
General
Governor
Judge
Lieutenant
Lord
Major
Major General
Master
Messrs.
President
Professor
Rabbi
Rear Admiral
Reverend
Secretary
Senator
Sergeant
Sister
The Honorable

2003-09-12 17:09:00 | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Misc::Lists

Lay's Stax Potato Crisps

PR Bop sorts through the world's press releases so you don't have to!

Frito-Lay Stax Crisps Consider, for instance, "Frito-Lay Introduces New Lay's Stax Potato Crisps", in which we learn that

Starting next week, Frito-Lay begins rolling out Lay's Stax, potato crisps stacked in a portable, resealable, crush-resistant container with an irresistible taste people have come to expect from the Lay's brand.

Mmmmmm, mmmm...that container has an irrestistible taste!

Frito-Lay is the convenient fun foods division of PepsiCo, Inc.

2003-09-08 10:23:00 | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0) | Misc::Food

Tamper Reistant Driver Bits

Lara Specialty Tools has a stunningly good selection of tamper resistant and unusual driver bits, including bits to remove the "one-way" screws commonly seen in bathroom stalls. Their site is also well-designed, clearly showing what each bit style looks like.

Their prices, on the other hand, are a tad on the steep side. If your needs aren't quite so esoteric, you might be more satisfied with this 100 piece set, this 39 piece set or this 33 piece set might be more suitable.

2003-07-29 00:55:00 | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Misc::HowStuffWorks

Where to get big balloons

teedlo asks, "I just want to know where you can get huge balloons like that. Anyone know?".

I didn't, but looking at the various looner sites gives some useful google keywords, like tuftex, qualatex and unique (okay, that one isn't actually very useful). Those take us to Balloon Lovers Corner (where they cleverly use Java instead of html for their navigation links, so your browser will run more slowly, it won't work for paranoid people, and you can't tell that those things are links until you click on them), Balloon Ideas, Big Balloon Factory, Qualatex and Prosper Balloons.

And then, of course, I remembered Ken "Тату Kissing" William's post with the scary scary picture, from Big Boys Balloons.

2003-07-22 08:57:00 | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0) | Misc::HowStuffWorks

Cadbury Caramel Eggs by the case ... or not

I was excited earlier about a place that had Cadbury Caramel Eggs by the case year round.

Alas, it's not to be. They are 'temporarily out of stock', and I'm to reorder. With no indication of how temporary this is, but I'd guess till next Egg season.

And nothing on their website gives any indication.

And nothing in any of their email gave any indication.

I didn't find out until the rest of my order got here. Silly people!

2003-07-08 14:09:00 | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0) | Misc::Food

Belgian Fries

Boycotting French Fries but think Freedom Fries are sily? Just want something new?

Belgian Fries look yummy. Too bad it involves cooking...

2003-06-27 17:23:00 | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Misc::Food

Silicone Putty

Dow Corning's "3179 dilatant compound" seems to be the basis for Silly Putty and the like. Tim Spencer's putty page has images of the Material Safety Data Sheet:

DESCRIPTION

DOW CORNING ^® 3179 dilatant compound is a coral-colored silicone polymer that exhibits high elasticity, high bounce and a unique combination of rheological properties. It offers ease of movement under low mechanical force and yet exhibits excellent resistance to slump or flow when at rest. It is virtually nontoxic and nonirritating to skin or eyes.

USES

DOW CORNING 3179 dilatant compound is designed specifically for the novelty toy market for use by children to bounce, stretch and snap. Its nonslumping characteristic offers an additional dimension to this product. It can be used to mold simple shapes such as cubes, rectangles and pyramids and retain these shapes for weeks, a feature that can expand the scope of this product from the novelty to the educational.

Its ingredients are:

65% - Dimethyl Siloxane, hydroxy-terminated polymers with boric acid
17% - Silica, quartz crystalline
9% - Thixotrol ST
4% - Polydimethylsiloxane
1% - Decamethyl cyclopentasiloxane
1% - Glycerine
1% - Titanium Dioxide

It can be ordered in its straight (coral-colored, like the classic Silly Putty ^®) form from Dow Corning in 50 pound units (although you'll need to order at least 100 pounds to hit Dow Corning's minimum order amount).

Silly Putty ^® can be bulk ordered in a few colors, in 5 lb blocks (apparently empty eggs can be ordered by the 100 as well).

Crazy Aaron's Puttyworld offers "Thinking Putty" in a variety of colors (some Glow in the Dark!) both by the 1/5lb tin and the 1lb bag, and they offer custom color matching services.

The Silicone Bouncing Putty portal has links to most of these, plus a mailing list and some sculpture pictures.

I also have some retail-bought putty that came in a peanut-shaped container rather than an egg, and which smells somewhat like Play-Do; I no longer remember the brand name and can't ID it. Does anybody know any more about this?

2003-06-21 23:09:00 | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0) | Misc::HowStuffWorks

Tinfoil Baseball Cap

Tools for Wellness (which has a design blatantly stolen from Amazon) sells something they call a Cell Phone Cap.

Protect your brain from RF (radio-frequency) pollution with this handsome baseball style hat.

Specially designed to shield the head (30db or better) from frequencies of AM through microwave, including cellular phone frequencies.

Lined with a sophisticated fabric using polyester and finely spun silver coated copper fibers with extremely high reflective characteristics. The waves actually bounce off the fabric with little or no absorption and no electric discharging.

The rest of us would call this a "tinfoil baseball cap". Besides protecting you from cell phones, it's also good for keeping out the CIA's mind control rays. And since it looks like a normal baseball cap, THEY won't know you're on to THEM.

Only $40!

2003-06-18 18:53:00 | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0) | Misc::HowStuffWorks::Bullshit

Balance Bracelet

From the "what the fuck?" department..

The Balance Bracelet was designed in Spain. Each Balance Bracelet is handcrafted of German surgical steel; the terminals are made with 6 different alloys and are coated in both 18k and 24k gold. The Balance Bracelet is available in Men's Oversize (7 3/4" and above), Men's Standard (7"-7 3/4"), Women's Oversize (7"-7 3/4") and Women's Standard (7" and under). Product includes: Trezenda Classic Gold Balance Bracelet.

All this, for only $80!

So, um, what does it do?

The manufacturer makes no claim that there is a scientific consensus regarding this product. The statements on this site have not been evaluated by the FDA. The product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The Balance Bracelet is a non-medical device. Consult doctor before using if you have a pace-maker or other electronic medical device in place. Always read and follow manufacturer's directions that come with this product.

Yes, that's right, it does absolutely nothing. But presumably there are people out there who have become convinced that Spanish-designed German-crafted surgical steel mixed with 6 (count 'em -- 1, 2, 3, crunch!) different alloys will...do something or other.

Poor Mr. Barnum was born too early.

2003-06-17 19:17:00 | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Misc::HowStuffWorks::Bullshit

Freedom Paradise Redux

I previously commented on Freedom Paradise, the fat-friendly resort south of Cancun

I can't find a website, and the article doesn't say whether they've put any thought into making travel to and from the resort any more pleasant for the execptionally plump.

Well, they have a website now.

Unfortunately, they hit two pet peeves right off the bat.

AT FREEDOM PARADISE HOTELS WE ARE AWARE THAT YOU SHOULDN'T WAIT TO LOOSE WEIGHT TO START DOING THE THINGS YOU LIKE TO DO. ENJOY YOUR LIFE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN TODAY...

It's "lose", okay? Lose the llama, loosey. And you can stop shouting at me now.

2003-06-16 11:55:00 | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Misc::Food::FatStuff

Pop The Soda Shop

I've mentioned them before, but Pop the Soda Shop deserves mentioning again.

Of particular interest are Blenheim Ginger Ale, red cap, YooHoo, Moxie, Nehi, Coca-Cola with sugar and Dr. Pepper with sugar.

They have good selections of ginger ales and beers and cream sodas in general.

2003-06-13 17:18:00 | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Misc::Food

Cadbury Caramel Eggs by the case

Oh my oh my, the things we're given when we give voice to our desires...

McKandy apparently has Cadbury Caramel Eggs by the case year round.

This will not be good for my girlish figure.

2003-06-13 16:28:00 | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Misc::Food

Ohotniche

I impulse-bought some sausages the other day, and once again I'm reminded one silly reason why I buy more 'processed' food than I probably should -- it comes with instructions, and the 'real' food doesn't.

They're labelled:

OHOTNICHE
A Russian Brand Boy Scout Sausage
KEEP REFRIGERATED
Ingredients: Pork, Beef, Salt, Sugar, Garlic, Black Pepper, Sodium Nitrite
EUROPEAN MEAT SPECIALTIES
12926 SATICOY ST.
NO. HOLLYWOOD CA 91605
MADE IN U.S.A.

So, the question is: are these pre-cooked? If so, are they intended to be heated or eaten at room temperature?

I'm about to try eating one without cooking. If I never blog again, you might know why.

2003-06-07 23:07:00 | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0) | Misc::Food

Freedom Paradise

Freedom Paradise is a new "size-friendly" resort, the AP reports.

The resort, which formally opens June 15, targets people afraid to go out on the sand with a few extra pounds, or a few extra dozens of pounds. No more enduring cruel jokes on the beach, or wisecracks from the staff.

Freedom Paradise has big, wide benches made of tree trunks, four-foot-wide chaise lounges, and 26-inch wide dining room chairs. All the furniture is reinforced and made of wood.

I can't find a website, and the article doesn't say whether they've put any thought into making travel to and from the resort any more pleasant for the execptionally plump.

2003-06-07 23:03:00 | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Misc::Food::FatStuff

The Ploughman's Lunch

Cheese cheese glorious cheese.

A good ploughman's lunch should be enough to rid the world of all those jokes about English cooking, it seems to me.

2003-06-01 21:40:00 | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0) | Misc::Food

Bandage Plaster

So, if you have a cast fetish or just want to make your very own Hulk Legs to go with your Hulk Hands, where do you go?

Why, to the Internet, of course!

Grogan's Healthcare Supply has everything you need; there are choices of setting speed (fast or extra-fast), cut it yourself or pre-cut, width (2 inches, 4 inches or 6 inches) and flexibility (rubber-elastic or gauze). The prices don't seem out of line for a dedicated amateur, either.

I wonder if they come with instructions?

2003-06-01 20:52:00 | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Misc::HowStuffWorks

Ngau Pin

I'm so glad they included safe handling instructions.

2003-04-29 04:06:00 | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0) | Misc::Food

Sanus Furniture at Amazon

The Amazon Juggernaut continues: Sanus A/V furniture is now available -- some of it, at least. They don't seem to have the Euro style I have (and like very much), but they do have the newer similar Accurate style.

2003-04-14 22:06:00 | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Misc::Furniture

SteadiCam

No, really, where are the gyroscopes?

Eric Swanson's SteadiCam FAQ is a treasure trove, explaining in clear simple language how a SteadiCam® really works.

The Steadicam is a camera stabilization device that, in the hands of a skilled operator, combines the image steadiness of a dolly with the freedom of movement of a hand-held shot.

How useful is the Steadicam JR?

The JR does provide similar camera isolation to the larger rigs. It has a three-axis gimbal to reduce rotary jarring; it spreads the weight of the rig to increase stability; however, instead of the Articulated Arm, the JR uses the more sophisticated but less predictable Human Arm.

One thing common among these shots is that the camera shows the floor or ground. With a dolly, looking ahead or behind would reveal the tracks, in sequences like the Big Wheel, would have required an incredible length of track. To illustrate the size and loneliness of the hotel, the camera often shoots from a great distance, including most of the room -- including the floor! -- in every shot. Throughout The Shining, the Overlook Hotel gets most of the frame.

2003-04-11 13:47:00 | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0) | Misc::HowStuffWorks

Licquorice Skittles

Oh man, oh man, oh man, I'm so jealous. They (the UK? Italy? All of Europe? It's not clear) have Liquorice Skittles!

Black, aniseed, mint, vanilla, and spice, oh my.

The review is pretty scathing, but at least they're trying! Nobody over here cares about aniseed at all!

2003-04-01 06:35:00 | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0) | Misc::Food

It's Caramel Egg Season!

Valentine's Day is over, so it's time for the next grocerystore holiday! Yes, that's right boys and girls, it's now Cadbury Caramel Egg season!

According to Cadbury, "Cadbury" brand products in the US are made and sold by Hershey's under license. According to the labelling on the CCE in my hand, though, it was "made in England for Hershey Foods Corporation". The question is still open, then, about who actually made this — was it Cadbury, as Hershey seems to be implying but not saying? Was it Hershey, as Cadbury says? Was it some random chocolate factory in England? I don't knwo, but they're darn good.

I've Been Told that they don't taste quite like "real" (that is, British) Cadbury Caramel Eggs, though, which might mean they're not made by Cadbury. Or might mean that they just send us their rejects or something. So, where does an American acquire a "real" Cadbury Caramel Egg?

Brighton Faire doesn't list any in stock.
The British Corner Shop has the disgusting Cadbury Creme Eggs, and the miniature Cadbury Caramel Eggs, but neither of those are the saemt hing at all.
Paxton & Whitfield Cheesemongers have all sorts of wonderful british goodies, but for some odd reason doesn't carry CCE.
Neither does The British Shoppe.
William's British Style Meats is right out (but they do have British-style bacon, available in the states!).
Expat Direct has the Creme eggs, but not caramel.
British Comforts has no comfort to offer.
Flavour of Britain hasn't this flavour.
British Food Groceries is certainly not British Food Groceries Cadbury Caramel Eggs
Expat Shopping came up empty, too.

And just in case this hasn't wandered far enough afield — have you ever wondered what happens to the outside of the cocoa beans? You can buy it as Hershey's Cocoa Mulch and feed it to your roses.

2003-02-25 18:54:00 | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0) | Misc::Food

Glow-in-the-Dark

Apparently all glow-in-the-dark items start with powdered "glow pigment"; the powder is available in different sizes — the larger, the more intense the effect, but of course also the more grainy the final solution will be.

The common cream-colored yellowish/blueish/greenish-glowing powder is apparently an 'alkaline earth aluminate'; prices range from $80/kg to $330/kg depending on size and intensity. There are also types that glow orangeish red, bright green and bright blue; the cheapest is a yellow-green for $50/kg.

Sample packs, containing samples of all the different groups, can be had for only $50.

Some varieties of powder are also available in small quantities (but at higher per-weight prices, of course) from hobbyist-orinted distributors.

2003-02-18 16:14:00 | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Misc::HowStuffWorks

Hard-to-Find Grocery Items, online

If you're looking for a food from your childhood, and just can't find it any more, Hometown Favorites may be able to help — they'll ship regional foods out of the region they're from (or the region they've shrunk to, for once-national brands now reduced to mere shadows of their former glory.

Hometown Favorites carries some sodas, but for a more complete selection, try Pop: The Soda Shop. They even have Dr Pepper with sugar rather than HFCS, from a small Oklahoma bottler.

2003-02-17 13:31:00 | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0) | Misc::Food

Bricks

Brickmaking is big business, but how often do we think about it? How often do we really look at bricks?

Bricks are available in a wide variety of colors and shapes, including "standard special" shapes.

Easy money at the brick factory.

2003-02-17 01:36:00 | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0) | Misc::HowStuffWorks

Calendars and their History

http://astro.nmsu.edu/~lhuber/leaphist.html

2002-06-10 00:00:00 | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Misc::HowStuffWorks

Units of Measurement

http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/units/index.html

2002-01-20 00:00:00 | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Misc::HowStuffWorks

How Do We Know When It's Ramadan? By Chris Suellentrop

When does Ramadan start? It depends on actual moon observations:

The start of Ramadan can also vary among Muslim communities. Two mosques next door to each other could follow two different sightings of the crescent moon. More conservative Muslims who incline toward the Wahabbi school will honor the moon's sighting in Saudi Arabia, while others insist that the moon has to be seen in their own country.

So the "conservative" Wahabbis depend on modern communications equipment, while the (presumably) "progressive" non-Wahabbis use traditional methods? Something seems wrong here.

2001-11-01 00:00:00 | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Misc::HowStuffWorks

Sausages

http://www.sausagebymail.com/

2001-10-19 00:00:00 | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Misc::Food

MRE

A recent history of the US army MREs. Out are Chicken ala King, Corned Beef Hash and Tuna w/noddles; in are Pork Chow Mein, Pasta Primavera, Jamaican Pork Chops/Noodles and Chicken Strips in Salsa. I wonder if, say, the Chinese equivalent ever includes biscuits and gravy, pizza with meatballs or beef wellington?

2001-09-28 00:00:00 | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Misc::Food

British-style bacon

When I was last in the UK, I had a bacon sandwich, which was very good and very different from anything I'd ever had called "bacon" before. It's available here, though, for much less than the cost of a plane ticket.

2001-09-23 00:00:00 | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Misc::Food

More British Foods

Here's another source for British food.