Don Gorske of recent fame from the Morgan S. film Super Size Me reportedly ate at least one McDonald's Big Mac for the past 36 years, surpassing 23,000 in total (and apparently only missing 8 days during that streak). So what makes me think of Gorske. Today I was in a Starbucks coffee shop buying an iced Chai and it occurred to me that many of their patrons stop there every day for a cup of coffee/tea and perhaps some pastry. Is it an escape from the drudgery of their work-day, some type of routine, a guilty pleasure, or OCD of the Gorske type with perhaps less of a potential adverse health impact (by all reports Gorske is 6'2", 185 lbs, and in good health - so he's apparently beating the odds with his habit or addiction depending on your view). Given the chance I think I could easily drink a cup of decaf Chai (preferably iced) every day for 36 years; but I don't think anyone would want to write a story about it - even if I did keep the receipt for every cup like Gorske did for his Big Macs.Then there is the concept of our project itself - making and eating at least one Indian meal a day for a year. There's a point behind this project of course. Something broadening and mind opening (we hope) about it with the upside of also providing us with a meaningful activity to do together and culturally enrich our lives. It is hard to say the same thing about the Big Macs and probably equally hard regarding the coffee and tea thing. When I came home tonight Lisa had a pot of Chai ready for consumption. A mixture of black peppercorns, fennel seeds, cinnamon sticks, cloves, cardamon, and decaf English Breakfast tea. It was easy enough to drink 2 small cups of it, which I did. I am no more a Don Gorske than the next Starbucks regular but something inside me has me wondering whether we should really care about the Big Mac guy and whether our blog will inspire others to try something new in the culinary field for a sustained period of time to break out of a rut, bring them closer together with someone, or expand their interests?
