Happy Halloween at Chipotle

Will the Balvin’s be there? Um, YEAH!

Dr. Pepper’s 23 Flavors

After a long day filled with many activities and little gas (energy) in the tank I found myself wondering, “What are the 23 flavors that make-up the taste of Dr. Pepper?” I did some digging online and couldn’t come up with anything. So, here is the official response from the Dr. Pepper website,

Q: What is the flavor of Dr Pepper supposed to be?

A: Dr Pepper is a unique blend of 23 flavors. The formula for Dr Pepper is proprietary information.

You can find out many other things about the soda on the Dr. Pepper FAQ page.

Keep Drinking Your Soda Friends

If I hear one more news station report about the study linking soda to heart issues I am going to puke.

(CBS News) BOSTON People who drank more than one diet soda each day developed the same risks for heart disease as those who downed sugary regular soda, suggests a large but inconclusive study.

It is interesting that in the lead of the online article the word inconclusive comes up, but during the TV broadcasts the news anchors are reporting this like some kind of matter-of-fact study.

What really annoys me is that they spend a majority of the report discussing how diet and regular soda seem to have the same link to heart problems, all the while ignoring the obvious fact that most people are eating a Big Mac and large Fry while sucking down their soda of choice.

I know I went to public school but I kind of wonder what is harming the heart more in this meal – the soda or the 100’s of calories and fat grams consumed while chewing?

Here’s to drinking soda – regular or diet – Cheers!

Savoring Starbucks

During my drive to the bank this morning I realized it had been a while since I enjoyed a cup of Starbucks coffee. I decided to indulge myself and I am loving every sip of it. Unfortunately I can’t completely indulge without some tiny amount of buyer’s remorse. I have heard to many preachers (probably been one) who hammer on people about drinking expensive coffee while the world starves – notwithstanding the fact that coffee beans provide income for many farmers around the globe.

Today I had a thought. How about preachers take a moratorium on dissing Starbucks on money Sunday, and they start hammering the parents who spent thousands of dollars on food, hotel, and SUV gas driving their kids around to play sports? Or, how about we focus on the money that gets spent on fertilizer, mowers, sprinkler systems, and lawn care products in the name of having the greenest yard in my neighborhood (which is really about pride anyway)?

What other things would you say are a bigger waste than coffee…I’ll try and think of some while I savor another sip.

Good Eats

Just experienced my first black BBQ and I am stuffed.

I gave one of my employees and extended break time so that he could go home and eat BBQ with his family. He brought back a couple plates of ribs, chicken, sausage, and pork chops. Plus he brought a plate full of potato salad, spaghetti and baked beans. The grilled meat and homemade BBQ sauce was amazing.

I don’t know how I am getting anything else done today.

To My Small Group

Small group,

After all we have gone through discussing food and fasting and sacrifice I think that we deserve to indulge our appetites a little bit. I suggest that we make this wonderful dessert. If any of you are up to it click here to get the recipe to something amazing.

Hungry with anticipation of your participation,
Brenton

(HT: Gary Lamb)

Man, That Kid Can Eat

Yesterday I met Stephanie and the kids at Chipotle for lunch. Jacob was running a fever that had him laying down on the couch almost all day. The good news is that the little dude still consumed 3 cheese quesadillas and was wanting more! Amazing. Just like his dad.

It just proves that there is NO bad time to eat at Chipotle.

A Night Out

Yesterday Stephanie and I spent some time with our friends Jon and Emily Towey. We have gotten to know and love Jon and Em since we went to Bethel University with them.

A couple highlights from the night included:

– checking out a photography exhibit at Church of the Open Door, which featured compelling black and white images from Open Door’s outreach programs in North Minneapolis, MN and Africa
– finding and buying an ESV New Testament for .50 cents at Northwestern Book Store
– eating 1/2 off appetizers and drinking $1 beer at Applebee’s
– laughing, debating and enjoying friends we love deeply and who we don’t see enough of

*Thanks to my sister and her friend who took on the task of watching our kids.

why i love halloween

I wish I had a camera. Right now I am the happiest guy on the planet. Sitting right on front of me is my half eaten steak fajita burrito from Chipotle. It is stuffed with lettuce, hot salsa, sour cream, pinto beans, rice, and guacamole. Oh man, it is so good. And even better because it was free.

Just wrap tinfoil on your arms and go into the store looking like a burrito and your food is free! Chitpole must be taking a huge hit but I am loving it. I’m taking the whole family there tonight. We’re all dressing up! I love Halloween.

Ok I gotta go. This thing is staring at me and begging to be eaten…