Dirty Delicious

Do you remember the song "Dirty Diana" from the late 80s? That's the tune playing in my head right now as I think about all the dirty, delicious food I ate this past weekend.

Thursday night, Mother and I went to Catfish Wharf. I had been craving fish recently, so when she said she wanted to go there, I had grilled catfish in mind. However, we got there about a half hour before closing time and they had already turned off their grill, so our choices were all fried. I had the fried catfish (which was great), a baked potato (that was overcooked, so I didn't eat much), one bite of the mayonnaise-y slaw and 3 hush puppies (that had obviously been under the warmer for a while). Yes, I should have stopped at one bite after I realized how old they were... but I didn't. Oh, and a Coke to drink. I can't eat fried fish and drink water. That's just yuk. That started off my dirty eating weekend.

I have to say, it's much easier for me to eat "clean" at home. My home, here in Columbus, not "home" as in Kennett. I thought Mississippi was supposed to be the fat, unhealthy, obese state. I eat healthier in the Magnolia state than I do the Show-Me state. Most of the time, anyway.

Friday, Hanna and I were at a photo shoot all day. We did have food and drink options, but they were limited and not the best choices: coffee, Cokes, Sprites, strawberries and grapes (that looked OK, but not great), variety bags of chips and some Reese's peanut butter cups. Seriously... I thought models ate lettuce. Well, the staff had ordered pizza... and there was a LOT leftover. I helped myself to a piece of what looked to be margarita pizza. Turns out, it's called "Nana's Spinach Cuisine" which had an olive oil glaze, Ricotta, Feta and Mozzarella cheeses, chopped garlic, fresh spinach and sliced tomatoes and came from a local place in Jonesboro called "Pizza Chef". Oh my it was delicious! After the shoot was over, Hanna and I went there and ordered our own pizza (we had completely missed breakfast and snacked at lunch at the shoot, so by the time we were done, we were starving and ready for supper!). On our way there, I happened to drive by a place that advertised cupcakes. I admit it, I turned around and pulled in. I had to assess the situation. Turns out, they DID have some cupcakes I could purchase right then and there. And I did. 3 white, 3 chocolate. I intended to share; I never planned to eat them all. And I didn't. I just had one of each.

Friday night after we got back to Kennett, we took Mother out to the fair. Since we had filled up on pizza, I didn't get any fair food. Now I'm going to tell you, I love me some fair food! And I don't mean the carnie trailers they have set up that go from town to town, I mean the local food booths. Ever since I can remember, various local church and civic groups have booths at the Delta Fair, in an L-shape with a big covered pavilion in the middle with tables and chairs. Each booth is "known" for something, whether it be "HOT Catfish" sandwiches at the Jaycees booth, the corn dogs at the Sumach booth, the Dippin' Dots at the LaFemme booth, the BBQ beans at Farmers & Merchants or the Tyrone burgers at whatever booth that is. The best funnel cakes used to come from the Theta Rho booth, which was the sorority I was in for several years. I was so proud the year we decided to add a "glaze" option to our funnel cakes--that was my idea. Instead of just powdered sugar sprinkled over the top, we made a powdered sugar and milk glaze that took that sweet fried nasty plumb over the edge! I did, however, get a funnel cake for Mother and I'll be dern if I didn't get busted by Will (my former trainer) with the funnel cake.


One year, I made myself a little goal... by the end of fair week, I was going to have tried at least something from EVERY food both there. I didn't make it. It's all so dang good!

Saturday, my kids and I had lunch with Daddy at Alford's. Alford's is known for its BBQ. However, I have always eaten a Smith patty and fries. My favorite. And it's nothing more than a fried hamburger patty and fresh cut fries. Simple is best. And I was happy.

Stopped at Mimi's that afternoon to visit a while and she had red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese icing. I ate one. Only one.

BBQ Sandwich

That night, we were back out at the fair. This time, I ate. I chose a BBQ sandwich from Farmers and Merchants. They were out of their beans. I had been jonesing for a good BBQ sandwich after I smelled one in the bleachers at the Demolition Derby. It would have been better if I hadn't put the wrong sauce all over it, but I was still a happy girl.

Fried Oreos and Fried Chocolate Butter

I had also been told of something that was described as "chocolate gravy inside a biscuit" and was also known as "crack" because of its addiction qualities. Now, I love some biscuits and chocolate gravy, but I haven't had any in a while for obvious reasons. When I found out the real name of this divine concoction, I knew I had to try it for myself--"Fried Chocolate Butter". Seriously, y'all! The Bridge, which is a religious organization, a group of church people, mind you--are selling CRACK at the Delta Fair for $2 a pop. It was biscuit dough, flattened out, with cocoa, sugar and butter inside, dough folded back over itself in a half moon shape and crimped to help keep the yummy goodness inside, deep fried and rolled in powdered sugar. Shut. Up.

Eating the yummy goodness known as Fried Chocolate Butter

I am SO glad the fair only comes once a year. I haven't checked my blood sugar since last week. But, I'll have you know... I left here Thursday weighing 169 1/2 pounds. This morning, I weighed 169 1/2 pounds, so I didn't gain any weight during my gluttonous dirty weekend, but I hate to think about my blood sugar!

Lunch at Mimi's on Sunday before I left to come home deserves its own post; it's coming up next!

Did I exercise while I was gone? No. Did I eat healthy while I was gone? Obviously not. And I have a couple of friends who insist I'm crazy and/or stupid for posing such things on Facebook for Abby to see. But, I'm honest. Why would I lie about what I have or haven't done? Cheating no one but myself if I do that.

Time for a little detoxing--lots of green veggies and water for me this week! And some serious exercise!