A Sticky Situation

Surely you have heard the phrase, "stick to your bones food". This can also be referred to as comfort food, or southern food. It is America's original cuisine. Consider the state meal of my home state, Oklahoma. It has at least four stick to your bones items: Fried Okra, Biscuits, Gravy, Chicken Fried Steak. Oklahoma's meal also includes grits, cornbread, black-eyed peas, and pecan pie. Growing up and living most of my life in the Sooner State I must admit that I have had my share of "The State Meal".

Most cafes in Oklahoma, (even the two in my hometown of Tipton) serve chicken fried steak as though it was a gourmet meal. It is, you know? Locals refer to chicken fried steak as chicken fry. For example..."Give me the chicken fry with french fries." That is a four star meal. And who can argue with that? Seriously? I don't care who you are...fried meat, biscuits, or sausage that is covered with "stick to you bones" gravy is going to be very satisfied. There is no way to go wrong! Sawmill gravy is an art. Either you have it - or you don't. It's really quite simple to make. First, you need fat. I have found that the best fat to use is a mix of both bacon and sausage. Next you need flour and a whisk. Finally, you need milk. 2% is fine...whole is better. Salt & Pepper. When we look in the bible for a description of heaven..."stick to your bone" sawmill gravy is what you will find.

There is only one reason for the pearly gates...that to keep everyone away from the gravy that is cooking inside!

So, what does all of this mean? I know my weakness. It's not chocolate. It's not sweets. It's not steak or lobster. It's "stick to your bones" food! The big problem for me is that the food literally sticks to my bones and I can't resist! What's worse? I love to cook that style of food.

I am gaining a new appreciation for the unhealthy qualities that this food type possesses. I am starting to understand that I can't eat those foods like I used to. My grandma would fry bacon in lard, and then fry potatoes in the same lard. I don't remember what they tasted like, but from what my brothers and sisters have told me...they were the best. How could they not be?

Yesterday I let my weakness have the best of me. After losing 18lbs. in a little over a week...I think this minor slip is understandable.

We ate Chinese for lunch...but don't judge...we did very good. I split the egg roll in two parts and scraped out the stuffing.

I didn't eat the fried wrapper. I ate all of my chicken and broccoli, but none of my rice. Not bad huh? Last night for our youth meal we had Brinner (breakfast for dinner). I'm sad to say that I didn't do well. I ate two biscuits with sausage between each of them. It stuck to my bones.

Today is a new day and I am right back on track. Looking forward to hitting the 20lb. mark...but yesterday set me back a couple of days. Hopefully by Monday I will be there!