W10

Who would have thought that putting some meat in between two pieces of bread would become such a phenomenon. The convenience of the sandwich has made it a popular restaurant must have. However, along with a good idea comes improvements and twists to keep it popular. The sandwich has had this happen; different innards, breads, grilled/cold. So when does it stop being a sandwich? I say that regardless the make-up of the "sandwich" it's still a sandwich if it has the easy to eat quality to it.

When a sandwich is made with bread, potato bread, bagels, or even something completely outlandish like two pieces of chicken (yes KFC's smack down was a sandwich consisting of chicken for bread) it is still a sandwich. I think when you use a pita however, it is a pita not a sandwich, also most pitas are more of an open-faced sandwich. Also with wraps, whether you are using tortillas or lettuce. when the food is in the center and the lettuce or tortilla then wrapped, it is a wrap. Which then makes me question the burrito...it is very similar to a wrap same innards, the only difference would be how the tortilla is manipulated. Alas, non of then should be considered sandwiches.
As for the quesadilla that is a tricky question, It does have a top and bottom, yes they are tortillas but the are not folded or rolled. For this particular question I have to play the nationality card. It could be a very flat sandwich; however it has a Mexican history as a quesadilla therefore we should respect that culture and treat it as such.  
In conclusion a sandwich can hold many forms, as long as you do not need a fork and knife to eat it. And I say if you make it you can call it whatever you want.

W9 To Be or Not To Be...Vegetarian

Being a Vegetarian isn't always based purely on the ideal of resisting animal cruelty or murder; but for a more health based reason. I was raised to live and love meat, practically gnawing/gumming on rib bones pre-teeth. However, while I have grown and most recently my last two and a half years on college I have taken in substantially less meat to the point that sometimes the thought of eating it brings on tides of nausea blowing around in the pit of my stomach. Why did this happen? Also, why do I still have cravings for meat but when I think of taking a bite I turn my head in revulsion? It isn't because I picture little chicken, cow, or pig heads on my plate so what?

The first thing that created change was dinning halls; the most grotesuqe of food establishments, with twice-baked processed meats tossed in flour bread crumbs and fried. There began my life of an practically vegetarian Italian. The preparation of the meats were unappetizing and unsanitary in my imaginative mind; I would have vibrant daydreams of how the meal in front of me came to be. The second thing to change my eating habits would have to be my friends; once in a house and living with a veteran vegetarian, meat just never seemed to find a way into our fridge. Lastly, the knowledge gained form classes and the every popular internet; images and documentaries depicting the lives these animals go through, the inhumane, unjust, and disgustingly unsanitary venues in which this meat is pumped out. After declining to purchase most of the main name brand meat labels out in the market place I'm left with little options and after so little meat why even start. 

My opinion in the matter is everyone should switch to local meat, grass raised and fed meat, and free range animals. But the biggest change I think should happen in America is society should switch to Vegetarianism at least three days out of the week. You will not only save on money spent at the grocery store, but your medication and doctor's bill will most likely take a nice black diamond ski slop level plummet. I also think that one of the greatest advantages to these simple change is the ability to add and challenge your creative mind. People think so narrow with vegetables and fruits; there is a broad range of cultures and cooking style recipes easily attainable. A mouse click away if you will. You can have parties with friends and families and have a contest on who brings the most creative and delicious vegetarian dish to the festivities. Possibilities are endless. And why not start off the younger generations right? With them growing up in such creative and healthy atmospheres they can take advantage of the knowledge and help lower obesity for future generations.

In conclusion, the need for vegetarianism is vastly overlooked in this society. Try it, do it for a few days a week and play with you food! Be bold and daring and notice the change that can come over you and your family; being vegetarian or even a half vegetarian doesn't have to be this big political statement if anything do it for your self, set high standards, and have fun.

W8 Foodies and Myers- Similar

After reading The Moral Crusade Against Foodies I must say I was a little unclear about the point of his argument. I do believe that some food writers tend to use rather visceral language that can seen over the top. I do enjoy readings with great details and imagery, but it is not always desired to read about an animal being slaughtered and murdered in a barbaric manner. However, sometimes that type of reading is necessary for the author to make his or her point to the reader. Many of the readings we have done in class have been rather favorable in my mind. I enjoy reading about personal experiences, and I love when history is added to the text as well.
Yes some foodies definitely are and or come across as smug and arrogant, attempting to eat the most wild, expensive, and questionable meals all to brag. Eating such foods may make them feel more superior as not everyone is brave enough to attempt to eat such bizarre foods. Yes when I read and watch foodies I judge them on their word choices and bias'.
I don't particularly care for Myers' writing style either, I found it dense and hard to follow. He is, in my mind as bad as those foodies he writes about. I'm not familiar with the foodies' writing he references but I do know that he writes rather one sided about these people. Pointing out their faults but making no effort to point out why they are a success, or what they need to work on  in his opinion. I was not persuaded by him in the least, what he brought I agreed with to a point, but for the most part I was not given new information. I was not given persuasion just a writer's heavily biased negative opinion on some rather successful people with no facts to back him up aside from his own thoughts. I may have been won over if he took into account other opinions and other writers words on the matter. So in this writing I feel he is the same as those pretentious foodies he so seems to despise.