Caught Like a Fish

"But, Mommy, fish is a meat," Sis reminded me as I ordered the #4 combo with crispy fish. Oooh, caught.

Yes, I have a confession: I've eaten fish three times this month, all of the fried variety. It's not that I'm one of those vegetarians who eats fish (and is therefore not a vegetarian, except, apparently in Asia, where "meat" means beef, poultry, pork, as I understand it, leaving seafood okay to eat). I'm a lapsed vegetarian. Having cravings.

But the cravings aren't for meat, per se, but for salt. Nothing matches the salty crunchiness (or probably fat) of something like a fish sandwich (though, what I really want is a chicken tender, but I just can't do it). Even a french fry (yes, I tried those. With the fish sandwich). Yeah, sure, I generally crave sugar and chocolate when I want comfort, but during this month of back pain and MRI uncertainty, I wanted something . . . more. Maybe something like the meals of my childhood, sans the beef and chicken, which only leaves fried fish. Which is why, despite my political issues with Cracker Barrel's history of discriminatory employment practices (no GLBT--and it's legal!), I had the best meal with the family there earlier this week: biscuits, fried fish, pinto beans, hashbrown casserole, greens, sweet tea, and Double Fudge Coca Cola Cake, which reminded me of birthday cake. I was all-smiles the rest of the day (and didn't eat again, either).

Anyway, I think I've gotten it out of my system, which is good because I'm back on my healthy lifestyle after this stress-related lapse. I don't feel guilty about it. Maybe only sorry that I had a witness.

I guess now I have even more.

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Double Fudge Coca-Cola Cake

(from Ask Yahoo)

1 cup Coca-cola
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup (1 stick) margarine
3 Tbsp cocoa
2 cup sugar
2 cup flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla


In a saucepan, bring Coca-Cola, oil, margarine and cocoa to a boil; mix
the sugar, flour and salt, Pour in the boiling liquid and beat well. Add
the eggs, buttermilk, soda and vanilla and beat well. Pour into a greased
and floured sheet cake pan and bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.


Frosting:
1/4 lb. margarine
3 Tbsp cocoa
6 Tbsp cream or milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup pecans chopped
1 lb. confectioners' sugar


In a saucepan, combine butter, cocoa and milk and heat until the butter
melts. Beat in the remaining ingredients, and spread on the hot cake. Cool
and cut.