The R List #2

That's right! It's an encore presentation of some more of my favorite things.

In case you weren't around for the first one, I'll just explain that I stole the idea from Oprah, of recommending things from time to time. Unlike Oprah, I don't give one of everything to each person in my audience. But then again, I won't make you listen to me campaign for presidential candidates that are very scary to the national security. So when you think about it, you pretty much get a better deal here.

Anyway -

First up today is my current favorite drink from Sam's Club. Ahhh, Sam's. The source of all things good.



You'll have to forgive my photography skills. If I did enough of this I'd probably get better at it.
Naa, probably not.

As you may know, I recently gave up caffeine. It was just as hard as it sounds, too. At the same time, I gave up artificial sweetners, and tried to really cut down on my sugar.

(OK, I was actually trying to give up white flour and sugar (and caffeine and artificial sweetener) all at the same time. But needless to say it made me a little cranky. As in, I might have been less cranky if someone had asked me to give up my left pinky. So I postponed the flour/sugar thing.
But that's another whole post...)

ICE is a drink with NO sugar, artificial or real, and NO caffiene. It doesn't have a lot of strong flavor, but when I want a little carbonation, it does the trick.
It comes in 3 delicious flavors, plus I really like the coolness of the tall bottle. Neat, huh?

NEXT Was a surprise entry. I was hunting for a little packet of Kung Pao mix for a Chinese dinner I was planning for the Olympic opening ceremonies night, when I found these:



They were $4.69 each at Super Target (they have them at Wal-Mart, too) and I decided, you know, what the heck?

I'll say that for under $5 (plus you have to add your own chicken) It was a darn good meal that fed 5 of us with NO problem. It's NOT authentic chinese, OK? But it was fast, cheaper than take-out, and I really liked the flavor.

And here's a little tip for you. If you decide to make the Kung Pao Chicken? Take the seeds out of the dried hot peppers (easy to do) before you add them. I only took about half of them out and it was really really REALLY spicy.


And last for the day, my Very Favorite Drink right now. Every now and then when I start feeling sorry for myself because I'm not going to drink a diet coke, but I really need a little treat, but I really don't want the calories of a little treat, (Because really, once I start, there's no such thing as a little treat.), I drive myself over to Sonic and order this. And I don't feel AT ALL deprived for even one more second.

Now, it's a tricky drink to order, so I'm gonna give you the script.

Ready?

"May I help you?"

"Yes. I'd like a Route 44 size water with a shot of cherry syrup and some fresh lime."

"Uhhhh, you want water with cherry syrup in it? "

"Yes, please. and also fresh lime"

~Pause~

" Is that any good?"

"Fantastic!"

"Would you like anything else?"

~pause here to look longingly at the jalapeño poppers~

"No thanks. "

"That'll be .68 cents, please pull around."

I'm telling you it's better than it sounds. I mean for a big drink of water, it's pretty good. And I have to give my sister Jen all the credit for tipping me off to this incredible Sonic goodness.

Try it - or any of these, and then come back and tell me what you think. Really, I'd love to know. In fact, future issues of the R-list may depend on it.