French Waffles

     Page One Hundred-Forty-Five.
     Do you remember French Waffles? Last night, I was talking with my sister and she reminded me of the French Waffles we used to get at The May Company, here in Cleveland. This was back in the 1960's.
     We'd go shopping with our mother to The May Company department store, and often as a treat we'd go down to the basement where the candy counter, snacks and treats were located. There were all sorts of various chocolates; hot pretzels (of course); cotton candy; caramel corn and French Waffles.
     If you don't know what these things are, let me try to explain. First there was a thin, slightly sweet batter. In retrospect, I think the batter was probably similar to Pizzelle batter but maybe thinner. Then, there was the mold. It was about 5" wide and about 1" deep and the general shape of a rosette window. And, it was on the end of a long handle. The lady behind the counter would dip the mold into the large bowl of batter then immediately plunge it into hot fat where the batter would fry up. After a couple of moments, she'd remove the mold and the hot waffle, which was very crispy, would loosen and slide down onto the counter. She'd then dust it with lots of powdered sugar. Then, we'd crack the waffle into lots of small pieces and shove them anxiously into our waiting,watering mouths.
    I understand that in other parts of the U.S.A. these things can still be found. In fact, on the internet, I can purchase the molds and the ready to mix batter easily. (Then again, on the internet, I can purchase anything, including earthlings and kryptonite, easily.) I could go for a French Waffle right now as a matter of fact. Perhaps one of these days, I'll purchase said supplies off the net and I'll write a blog about my experience making home-made French Waffles.We all know that I'm the type who would.
     Incidentally, this blog is only ten months old and I've already figured out how to add illustrations. Isn't that cool?

On Increasing Body Weight Without Consuming More Fat

     Page One Hundred-Thirty-One.
     This morning, at the beauty salon, I mentioned to one of our clients my work with food. After telling her some of my experiences, she asked me for some advice. Her question kind of threw me for a moment "cause it's precisely opposite of the types of things so many people ask.
     "Jeremy, Let me tell you something. My husband recently had open-heart surgery. He's lost twenty-five pounds since they cut him open and the problem is, he really can't afford to loose that weight. He's always been a little bit too slender and the doctors want me to put the pounds back on him. And, I'm not a cook. I never  learned how or was interested. What can I do to increase his weight but not with fatty foods, because that's what he's not allowed to eat. And, how can I do it simply, because I can't cook?"
     "Whew." I thought to myself. That's a new one. What little fat he has consumed during the last seventy year went straight to his arteries. So, I thought for a moment. "Does he have diabetes?"
     "No.It's just fat that he's not allowed."
     "How about salt?"
     "His doctors said he can have that too."
     "Dose he like fruit?"
     "Yes."
     "Good. Start making him lots of fruit plates and sprinkle some powdered sugar on the fruit. You actually can increase the calories without increasing fat. Also, does he like breads and rolls "
     "Not a lot. But he'll eat those things if I serve them."
     "Good. Give him some rolls with his dinner every night and give him some dipping oil made with olive oil. He's allowed olive oil, right?"
     "Yes."
     "Good. Then just pour some oil into a dish, like they do in fancy restaurants. Then sprinkle on some Lawry's seasoned salt and mix it for a second. Also, give him lots of starchy vegetables like potatoes, beans and corn. You won't put the weight back on him overnight. It'll take some time, many months. But you can do it." (I gave her this blog address too. So Sara, if you're reading this right now, add rice and pasta to that list.)
     She was quite appreciative of my suggestions. I wish him, and her, positive health in their future.