's motd Sun July 4, 2010

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4 ON THE 4TH

Sunday, 04 July 2010

First let me say Happy 4th of July to you all. In 1776, the United States declared its independence and became a new country. For many years, England ruled the colonies that would make up our new country. But a group of patriots got together, fought for our freedom and the USA was born!

Oh, what a grand day that was. And do you know how the new country celebrated its newly found freedom? Well, I'm sure there must have been lots of picnics and food! And we continue to follow that tradition by making the 4th of July, not only a day to celebrate our freedom but...to eat. I mean, come on, what's the 4th without a big-old picnic and a cookout, right?Now if you're looking at the title of this message and have no idea what it's all about, lemme explain. I'm talking about me. And it means, in the past, I ate enough for four people, on the 4th of July!Okay, I want you to travel back in time with me many years ago to New Orleans. It's the 4th of July morning and I'm taking a short walk from our home on St. Louis Street to a Lucky Dog cart in the French Quarter. Lucky Dogs were very popular in the Quarter back then and they still are today, by the way. They're little red carts that look like a 3-D version of a hot dog. The guy who had the Lucky Dog cart near my house was named Mike. (He knew me well!) Mike would spot me coming and shout, "Hey, Dicky! So you want everything on it today?" I would just nod my head in a big YES!

Mike would start with a warm bun then place the hot dog inside. He'd take a little knife and slit the hot dog from top to bottom. In the opening, he'd fill the center of the hot dog with cheddar cheese. Then he'd top it with mustard, chopped onion and pickle relish. He'd add a few shakes of Tobasco, top it with more cheddar cheese and...viola! He'd hand that fabulous dog to me. Talk about lucky!I'd chow down on my Lucky Dog on the walk home. And when I got there, my folks would've already fired up the grill to begin preparing our 4th of July feast. My father grilled hamburgers, and he made the tastiest barbecued ribs in town. And while my dad was busy grilling, my mother would be putting the finishing touches on her fabulous potato salad. We always had stuffed artichokes on the 4th of July, too. And let's not forget the onion dip and potato chips to get our tummies ready for the main food event about to come!

I'd have a hamburger, some ribs and go back for more potato salad...several times! And let me tell you, I could polish off a stuffed artichoke the size of my head! Of course, I always saved room for dessert. We'd have warm, homemade chocolate-chip cookies and Italian ice cream. (Mmmm!) And by then, like I told you, I truly had eaten for 4 on the 4th. Oh-h-h-h, I was so full, I felt like I was going to POP...just like some of those 4th of July fireworks!

So, have you ever eaten so much on the 4th that you felt like you were going to pop? I'm telling you the truth, I really used to eat like that on the 4th. But...not anymore!

I'll be home with Hattie on this July 4th holiday. I'm making turkey burgers for each of us and a big colorful salad for myself. And okay, for old-times sake, maybe I'll have a little potato salad...for one! LOL.And how did I begin this 4th of July morning? Well, by getting on the scale and looking at the numbers before getting in my holiday workout. I thought about those numbers as I planned what I'll be eating today. You should do the same. Today, celebrate our 4th of July holiday by eating healthy...for one. Hey, I want you to be free...of those extra pounds!Love,