AmericanStomach.com

A Short History of the Korean Stomach, New Jersey spa-style

This great post comes from AmericanStomach.com's newest guest blogger, Elizabeth Beier:

People say it’s women and their bodies—that we’re so screwed up about how we look and what we consume, overlaid with the bugbear of control issues, that it’s impossible for us to be free about our bodies or, certainly, free about what goes into our stomachs. But if Fred Kaufman shows nothing else in A SHORT HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN STOMACH, he shows that the problem isn’t women and their bodies—it’s Americans and their bodies.

Just think of the typical spa experience in America: there’s much promotion of a particularly constrained and tasteful variety of luxury, and there may be actual luxury in the thread count of the towels or the sourcing of the essential oils for the aroma feature in the massage rooms. But there certainly isn’t luxury in the food department—at Manhattan’s sleek and cheeky (and co-ed) Bliss spas, where you may be famished post-90-minute Oxygen Facial or Deep Tissue Massage, you will be able to consume exactly this: tea, a glass of iced cucumber water, thin half moons of green apple, a bisected walnut, a piece of brie no larger than a vintage piece of blotter acid.  It is a universally accepted equation: health = abstention. 

But let’s compare the clean and scientifically-portioned Bliss spa experience to the exuberant and animal delights of King Spa Sauna in Palisades Park, New Jersey, just 5 physical--but 5,000 psychic--miles away on the other side of the Hudson River.  On a recent visit (full disclosure: with author Kaufman’s non-abstemious wife, Lizzie), a delightful and sybaritic spa experience included a long and sensuous foot massage, head-to-guts-to-toes skin sloughing at the hands of a black bikini-and-bra-clad practitioner in a buzzing women-only steam and shower room, and (brace yourself): food.  Glorious food. Lots of food. Hot, spicy, flavorful, messy food.

Tenderloin and Beer and Not Much Else

After the Yankees won the Revolutionary  War, a so-called "Fat Parade" marched down Broadway, a proto-ticker tape event before ticker tape had been invented. On that day, teams of mounted butchers followed an endless stream of floats of slaughtered lamp and pig and beef. The Fat Parade became a New York tradition that continues to this day . . . in New Jersey!

Insta-Cookbook

In a matter of minutes you too can compete with Julia Child. Fastest cookbook writing anywhere on the planet.

The Supermarket Guru Speaks

Phil Lempert, "The Supermarket Guru," host a radio show, "Before You Bite." I'll be there tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. to discuss the future of squash and pumpkins. Not to miss . . .

Wasteland On Air

Wisconsin Public Radio has asked your friendly blogger to spend an hour speechifying about American Waste (our poop, ourselves) tomorrow morning, 11-12. Sound nuts? Well . . . WNYC's own Leonard Lopate has invited same to discuss same on his show, on Ash Wednesday (fitting, perhaps), 1:30-2:00.

The Power of Radio

After an hour of my voice on Boston public radio last week, A Short History of the American Stomach surged to #17 on Amazon's food history list. Truly amazing. Perhaps I should get myself on Fox for the Superbowl halftime  show to discuss chips and guacamole. Come to think of it, not such a bad idea . . .

American Stomach Hits National Public Radio

You heard it here first. Today, from 11-12 EST, I'll be addressing gastroporn, competitive eating, and roasted cilantro shisho chiffonades, not to mention any and all other American enteric obsessions, on Tom Ashbrook's "On Point." Catch the streaming sound from OnPointRadio.org.

Google's Foodie

The Los Angeles Times reports:

"Google, which has nourished employees with free food for nearly a decade, is grooming a new generation of discriminating palates."

The most discriminating of all goes by the name of Thunder Parley.

What to do in the Denver Airport?

Eat, obviously. Start at Que Bueno! with a trifecta of deeply satisfying soft marinated steak tacos (with the works), and finish next door, at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Those candied apples smothered in chocolate chips looked pretty good, although I went for a dark chocolate almost turtle. Have a while to wait before I catch a flight to Eugene, and not in the least perturbed.

Valentine's Day Eco-Trendiness

What better way to declare your reverence for nature and planet earth than a gift of puce and blue icky sweet sugar hearts? Check out the latest in VD insanity.