Florida? Be Careful!

**sourdough** · 02-13-2019, 08:50 PM

Having traveled to FL for the last 7 years it has become abundantly clear to me, and DW, that there are things here you need to be warned about and possibly steer clear of.

For the last many years we have traveled to FL for winter, spring etc. The first couple of years it was not noticeable, but it was for 2 months or so. Now, after 3 years of spending 5 months, it's indisputable....the state makes you FAT!!

The last 3 years I arrived back in TX 15-20 lbs. heavier than when I left. I return, work my tail off, and lose the weight only to return as soon as I've lost the weight and gain it again.....we think it's the salt air

...or something.

In TX I don't eat sweets; I don't eat fried food and doc says I'm doing great. Land in FL and what happens? Great seafood everywhere (and yes, I love fried seafood and eat it at every chance) and, weirdly, I get an unstoppable craving for sweets. I buy sweets at every store I go to. The Winn Dixie has a WONDERFUL dark chocolate cake with an exquisite cream frosting....I buy one....and EAT it !! What to do, what to do?? We have determined it is the low altitude and high humidity...SO, all of those comtemplating coming here...BEWARE! At first I thought it was the beautiful blue water and the exercise of taking puppy out to the lake every day but now we are convinced it is the above...so, just be aware....or bring your exercise bike!!

rhagfo · 02-13-2019, 09:02 PM

Danny, you might want to watching the weight on your TV then. We really don't want you running over weight!

I do know what you mean about great food!

**sourdough** · 02-13-2019, 09:41 PM

The truck's not going to be overweight YET.....

, but if I don't get a handle on my eating they'll have to pull me out with a forklift when I get home...

AND, who would have ever thought low altitude, blue water and high humidity could have caused that???

You could knock me over with a feather!

notanlines · 02-14-2019, 02:54 AM

All this talk about repairing relays in slides, leaks in black tanks and patching seams in rubber roofs leaving me lacking in interest. This latest talk about getting fat in Florida, fried shrimp, buying trucks to haul the bigger load; now THIS is a subject on which I can speak with authority.
Yesterday we took a short trip to Costco in Fort Myers for a pre-lunch, drove to Farmers Market Restaurant for chicken gizzards, potatoes and gravy (yeast rolls made on site) and made it back to the park in time for happy hour. I got my physical work-out later when I did a nice pork tenderloin on the grill.
Uh, did I mention I got carrot cake to go at the restaurant?
And don't let Danny fool you. He's not the fat-butt he might profess. I have met Danny and his DW Susan and he doesn't fit that mold...

Frank G · 02-14-2019, 04:02 AM

Just checked the 10 day forecast, mid 70's to upper 80's and sunshine. Back to Costco for grilling supplies. Lobster Bisque is on sale.

roadglide · 02-14-2019, 05:00 AM

I left my scale at home so I'm checking my weight by the seat of my pants and retired the belt on this Arizona trip. Danny there is nothing like fresh deep fried sea food for tast.

CaptnJohn · 02-14-2019, 05:41 AM

Doc put me on Lipitor and had my gallbladder removed so I can eat all the fried I see. I live on th southern coast of NC and spend 3 months in Florida. Lots of fried everything including deep fried pork chops.

travelin texans · 02-14-2019, 08:24 AM

We've wintered in Florida, Rio Grand valley in Texas, Texas Gulf coast & now the last 4 years in Arizona & everyone of those places have the same effect on my waist line. I think it's peer pressure from all the other snowbirds to eat, drink & be merry. It's a tough lifestyle, but ain't it FUN!

**hankpage** · 02-14-2019, 10:54 AM

Danny, If you think vacationing here is fattening, try living here. The secret is that Florida comes with a built in sauna they call summer to melt away the extra pounds we put on in winter.

Yes, sea food must be fried or grilled at home. Grilling at a restaurant does not work for me. If I wanted it blackened I would let Lynn cook it.

Leave the exercise bike at home and just wear stretchy pants and loose tropical shirts and enjoy our fine cuisine and beautiful weather.

Gotta go ... it's happy hour and I hear a Grouper Ruben calling my name, Hank

**sourdough** · 02-14-2019, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hankpage

Danny, If you think vacationing here is fattening, try living here. The secret is that Florida comes with a built in sauna they call summer to melt away the extra pounds we put on in winter.

Yes, sea food must be fried or grilled at home. Grilling at a restaurant does not work for me. If I wanted it blackened I would let Lynn cook it.

Leave the exercise bike at home and just wear stretchy pants and loose tropical shirts and enjoy our fine cuisine and beautiful weather.

Gotta go ... it's happy hour and I hear a Grouper Ruben calling my name, Hank

You are 100% right on the above. We learned the first year that "grilled" meant thrown on a flattop with about a gallon of grease and some sort of "secret" seasoning to help it "slide" down. If I want grilled, or blackened, I do it at home the others just miss the mark for us. Fried? Well, I'm a sucker for a crust that I don't have to make I guess......

whcarr · 02-15-2019, 05:42 AM

A China bomb belt! Now that's funny! Life is good.

Number 4 · 02-14-2019, 10:40 AM

Hey Danny, eat well and enjoy! However, please check the tag to make sure you're not wearing a China bomb belt. If that buckle fails the flying metal could do damage!

**sourdough** · 02-14-2019, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Number 4

Hey Danny, eat well and enjoy! However, please check the tag to make sure you're not wearing a China bomb belt. If that buckle fails the flying metal could do damage!

Ha!! It may get worse before it gets better. On a whim I bought a little bag of fried pork skins at a local meat market that cuts/grinds/smokes all their own meats, and where I buy all of my meat and sausages. The pork rinds were in little baggies in a cardboard box on the floor by the check out. Wow! They were outstanding! Went back yesterday and asked where they got them....they make their own fried pork skins when processing hogs! Well, I bought all the "hot" (really cajun) skins they had and promptly began to eat most of them. So, I figure these things are just another blow against my battle with overeating here.

As far as the belt/buckle exploding....they won't. I buy custom, American made gun belts from the "Beltman" (Jim Speidel). They are extremely stout. Recently I believe he sold the business and have not bought any belts made under the new owners (I have 4 hanging in my closet), but, if I grow enough to make one of these explode....heaven have mercy!!!

5J's · 02-24-2019, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sourdough

As far as the belt/buckle exploding....they won't. I buy custom, American made gun belts from the "Beltman" (Jim Speidel). They are extremely stout. Recently I believe he sold the business and have not bought any belts made under the new owners (I have 4 hanging in my closet), but, if I grow enough to make one of these explode....heaven have mercy!!!

I don't want to hijack this thread but, can you give me some contact info for this belt guy? They sound interesting.

**JRTJH** · 02-24-2019, 11:34 AM

DW and I were making plans last evening for a trip to New Orleans this fall. She mentioned going to Charlie's Steak House, a place we used to frequent, but that I'd completely forgotten about. If you're going to be around New Orleans, head to Charlie's at 4510 Dryades. You won't find decent parking, you'll have to walk up the steps, your plate may be chipped and your waiter might not smile as much as you'd like and you won't find anything but steaks and sides on the menu. There are 4 choices, 26 oz T-bone, 18 oz Ribeye, 14 oz NY strip or 10 oz filet. I'd suggest the potatoes au gratin and an order of onion rings. Plan on sharing and if you want desert, plan on taking it home for the next day because you won't have room to stuff it into you after eating most of what's served. Closed on Sunday and Monday, forget trying to get a seat on any holiday weekend, but a Wednesday or Thursday evening, after about 7PM, you can usually find a parking spot within a block or two, take a hearty appetite, you'll need it. Oh, the crab au gratin is "to die for"..... (figuratively, of course)..... If you have to wait for a table, talk to anyone about the history of Charlie's. It's quite the place and although no longer owned by Charlie (he died years ago) his wife wouldn't sell it until she found someone who promised not to make any changes to the service, the food or the location.

SummitPond · 02-24-2019, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRTJH

DW and I were making plans last evening for a trip to New Orleans this fall. ...

Ah - the foods of New Orleans! We liked Deanie's near the lakefront (I understand they have a restaurant in the Quarter now) and Bozo's in Metairie for seafood. They used to be well-known by locals; not sure if the tourists have found them (well, obviously "yes" for the one in the Quarter). For steaks it used to be Young's in Slidell on Gause Road.

**hankpage** · 02-24-2019, 01:12 PM

Check out Hanks Belts online. They are what I use and they are a life time belt. The way I eat, my belts take a beating.
No connection to this Hank.

**sourdough** · 02-24-2019, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5J's

I don't want to hijack this thread but, can you give me some contact info for this belt guy? They sound interesting.

Just google "the beltman" and their info should come right up....out of AL.

ken56 · 02-14-2019, 06:08 PM

OMG! The Gulf Pinks are the best shrimp I have had. I bought 3 5lb boxes to bring home, 50 bucks a box. Well worth it to have the fresh frozen shrimp on hand to grill, boil or fry at my pleasure. Trico Shrimp Co. has them wrapped and ready to travel. Right off the boat seafood, San Carlos Island on the way to Ft. Myers Beach. Good place.

CaptnJohn · 02-14-2019, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken56

OMG! The Gulf Pinks are the best shrimp I have had. I bought 3 5lb boxes to bring home, 50 bucks a box. Well worth it to have the fresh frozen shrimp on hand to grill, boil or fry at my pleasure. Trico Shrimp Co. has them wrapped and ready to travel. Right off the boat seafood, San Carlos Island on the way to Ft. Myers Beach. Good place.

Shrimp - get them off the boat at home. All kinds of fresh sea food at home, much off my boat. When traveling or snowbird I look for steak and especially ribs. Best ribs ever are at BFE in Panama City Beach Florida. Best donuts are at Licking Good Donuts in Foley Alabama. Meatloaf at Ned's in St Augustine

You may also like: