Pan-Clay-ke

Working Actor... Coming Through.

2011-08-13T14:49:00.000-07:00

I really wish there could be a badge I could flash, Law and Order Style, telling the world of my prominence. I could just walk into a room and say in my Ron Burgandy Voice "Working Actor here, whats the sitch?" Everyone in the room gasps and starts whispering 'he's a working actor?' 'My father told me about them.' Yes, thats right kids. We are THAT rare. Put a working actor on a unicorn and you have something the JRR Tolkein couldnt even comprehend. Hence why there are no working actors in Middle Earth, unless you count Sir Ian. "There will be no scripts ON THE NIGHT!'

'Clay' you ask, 'did you really search for a starbucks, set up your computer, find the internet server, connect to it, answer some Emails, get a coffee, hit on the barista, pee, check facebook, refil the coffee, text a couple people, pee again and then sign onto your blog JUST to tell the smallfolk how prominent you are?" In so many words, yes, but doing it to prove a point. A year ago today I was on top of the world with a job offered to me that paid more money than I was used to getting.... a job that was offered to me again. The money was good, they co-workers were tolerable, the work was not hard and my bosses were ten types of awesome. But I didnt take it this time around. I didnt take it because I was tired of not following my heart, of not waking up and being exited to what i got to do that day. Ergo... I may have no money right now and I have no plans to get rich anytime soon, but I am lucky enough to have good things on the horizon and thats all that matters.

I totally went on a rant there and lost my train of thought so I thought to start a new paragraph. I could just delete but who cares... get your own blog! Im pressing on. NOW, we need to talk about the wonder that is prayer and God. When I lived in Austin and had my own place I got lonely A LOT! Like Jim Carrey in The Cable Guy lonely. I would surf the TIVO and rent a movie every now and then but from the outside looking in i was a sad sack indeed. It was not until I moved that I realized i was lacking two big things: Listening and Trust. The same things you need to make an improv scene good or to make a play work for the audience. you have to listen and you have to trust. In this respect you have to listen to God... but thats only half the battle. You have to be open, ask a question, not have an opinion. Whatever God has planned for you got gotta be ready to roll with it and you have to......

TRUST! This one is hoooge. Know that God is ready to take care of you because He loves you like no other. The bible says to look at the birds in the sky and the plants on the ground. They are given food, shelter, sunshine and grow and thrive. Arent YOU more important that a raven or a dandelion? Of course you are... ergo trust God to take care of you the same way.

I spent the majority of my summer praying for something good to happen. That I would have more trust in God and let Him do good things in my life. There were times where I thought i was just spinning my wheels and even times where i just said the words I normally said and had no intention behind them. I mean, it got prety dismal for me this summer and we will talk more about that later. But the point right now is that i have job upon job upon job coming up which are gonna pay me enough to take care of myself. Maybe even enough to take a lady out to a nice dateski. 'But Clay, dont you have a girlfriend?!'

Oh yeah........ no. #savedforalaterdate <-- gotta get you guys to come back somehow.

But for now, know that God is taking care of you right now. Its okay if you dont believe it, cause He believes in you and thats enough for right now. Trust in him, have patience and good things will happen. Cause your awesome!

Peace and Love;
Clay

Hits and Misses

2011-05-20T13:21:00.000-07:00

The days as of late have been somewhat uneventful. Shows in the morning and maybe a shift a week at the Broward Center to sling out liquor for the masses seeking to be entertained. This past Tuesday was such a day when I dolled out the wine at an event at Parker Playhouse. The space was beautiful but the crowd was definitely less so. It was for an event called 'Senior Idol'. If you're asking yourself "Could this event e what I think it is?" you would be right. Senior citizens singing some of the favorites fomrt their youth. Among the highlights were: Let it be, All that jazz and my personal fav.. Chatanooga Choo-Choo.

However, there was one event the other day which threw me a bit. Epona, the most beautiful car the world, was harshly beaten by an BIOTCH in a chevy who decided that she needed to make it into a Walgreens before the rapture happened! So uncool. Bitch speeds across three lanes of traffic while there are cars within touching distance and then talks to me like IM the asshole for moving when i have the ROW. AND she had a kid in the car (he was like 17 but her offspring nonetheless). Further proof why some people should not reproduce. I DO NOT need more of those people running around South Florida hurting more innocent Hondas.

The good news though, is that Epona is driveable and only cosmetically hurt. So, if all goes according to plan im going to take it to the progressive body shop and have speed racers insurance company cut me a check I will then use to fix the car. And by 'fix the car' I mean take my lady on a dream date. Thats right............... Taco Bell drive thru in a limo! Seriously, it seems juvenille but how epic would it be? Like, you know how tacos taste better in the backseat of a car when your watching the sun go down? Well, picture that..... but in a LIMO. Dream date. Superdate in fact.

Oh also, color me cool.... I just got me one-a-dose fancy 4g phones. I have all these G's and I am LOVING IT. Aint noting but a G thang..... baaaaaabaaaay.

So, to sum up. Epona is fine, Phone is awesome and i better get a check this week. Will keep you updated (of course) and.... until then, remember....... just because you CAN have kids doesnt mean you SHOULD.

Out of the ashes.......

2011-05-17T09:49:00.000-07:00

What the EFF is up everyone in the world on the Blogsphere! Dont ask me why I decided to pop on an account that I apparently have not been to in the past year and five months but thats totally what went down this morning as I sit in a starbucks sipping this coffee that I now get FREE REFILS on what what!?!?! Yes, thats right, im a gold card member and loving it. I think i got it in record time too. Like two and a half weeks after I registered my gift card online I had somehow ordered thirty drinks at the bucks. Frappy hour indeed!

So, elephant in the room. "Clay" you ask, "why have you been hiding from the Blogsphere for the past year and a half?" Well, glad you asked my friend. The answer is there is no real answer. I would love to say ive been studying for the Bar Exam, working on my new rock opera about the Zombie Apocalypse or building churches for those invisible children in Uganda. But in reality I just woke up one morning and thought that nothing I had to say was really that interesting. So, rahter than make some adventure happen I decided to re-watch all my DVDs and see how much Wii i could play. The answer is a lot, in case you were wondering.

HOWEVER!!!!!!!!!!!! This day in the starbucks as I think over the past year and a half i realize that I had a flippin awesome year! Like, its interesting to me when I lay it all out on the table at one time. So, i decided to give everyone a quick recap of the last year and a half in a photo journey.

Starting from the beginning. During the last Oscars (when the last post was done) I was starting rehearsals for Assassins! Its a musical by Stephen Sondheim about all the people who have or have tried to assassinate a president of the United States. So fun for the whole family. Now, this production was insanely important to me since it marked the first show I have been a part of since college. Having not met ANYONE in Florida theater when the auditions were happening I was intimidated to say the least. But, for some reason unbeknownst to myself I was cast as John Hinckley and got to fire a gun on stage. AWESOME! Not only that but I also got to pretend to play guitar and got an awesome write up in the local paper about the song I sang with Squeaky Fromme (played by Chris Groom) "Unworthy of your Love". Needless to say it was an awesome production and rekindled my love for performing. Being in front of people and making them feel ways about things. Also, it was where i met my soon to be girlfriend (now my ex girlfriend). That will be the first and last time she is mentioned to enjoy it. Done? Ok, lets move on.

After Assassins closed and during the last week of performances I was blessed to have another job lined up and the 4 star Marriott Harbour Beach Resort and Spa. This hotel was swankified beyond all reason. The rooms went for like $200 a night, there were three restaurants and a private beach! What were they thinking letting yours truly work there? Well, they needed someone to host a kids show written by the first network for kids.... NICKELODEON! Seriously, this was my job. I got to play with kids all day and dump slime on them. Color me awesome! And orange for that reason. So, for three months I got to wear shorts to work, got an awesome tan, sweated like a mother effer and learned that I Megaloathe rich peoples children. Honestly, some of the kids we would perform for were so 'Entitled" it would make me weep for the future. I tried to teach them well but I guess I have to let them lead the way. Either way, it was an awesome job and it was sad that they only wanted us there for the summer season. Go figure, people dont want to stay at a beach resort during the winter! They asked some of us to stick around to work in other areas of the hotel... but not me. Why? who knows. Maybe im not as charming as I think I am, maybe cause I was stealing towels. But it mattered not cause I had an AWESOME job lined up that made me give that hotel the middle finger in a big way.

No! Playing guitar while rocking my 'Geek chic' look was not my new job, although that would have rocked! No, this is juat what I got the opportunity to do on the side while I was waiting for my new job to start....... stand up comedy! Yes, you may remember me performing at the Hollywood Improv here in Florida a blue moon ago, well it didnt stop there. I grabbed my guitar and made some more people laugh in a big way. COMING AT THEM FULL-FORCE! This particular picture is me doing my favorite bit, picking a girl out in the audience and singing a song to them titled "Can i hit that?" The answer has been 'No' just in case you were wondering.

This right here was my jam after the Nick job. Thats right, the same theater company that cast me in Assassins decided to bring me back to play Eddie and Dr. Scott in their rocking production of "The Rocky Horror Show." You want to talk about an awesome show! This was some of the most fun I've had on stage since... I dont know when. Not only was the cast awesome and amazingly talented, but we were selling out the theater some nights. A 700 seat house in WEST BOCA being sold out for a midnight show. Yes please! You know, some people shoot up to get high, but let me tell you. There is no better feeling in the world than kicking a door down and screaming 'Special Delivery" while a giant crowd cheers you on to sing 'Hot Patootie." Thats a high for you. And we get to do it AGAIN in October. See it before it goes back into the vault (hopefully this time around I wont have that flabby pooch hanging over my belt :P)

-Now, sadly I have no pics from the next chapter in this EPIC year. After Rocky ended I began my job as a singing waiter at Laffing Matterz dinner theater at the Broward center for the performing arts. It was an awesome job and I was really blessed to get it. In spite of some inherent drama that came up every now and again I loved everything about it. I loved meeting new patrons during service, my co-workers were (for the most part) the best people i've ever met and my bosses were wonderful. They were the flippin Waltons they were so nice! Their season is over to take a break for the summer but I should be going back there to work for their next season, unless they find someone better looking and more talented. Which is DEFINITELY a possibility.
WTF?!?! Yep, thats right.... more jobs!!!! Right about the time Laffing Matterz had their auditions the Actors Playhouse at the Miracle theater in Coral Gables hosted their Season Auditions. BIG DEAL since theyre one of the three equity theaters (meaning they pay well) in South Florida. While I wasnt cast in their Mainstage season (yet) it seemed i was what they were looking for when it came to their childrens theater season! I stared off the season doing a four person childrens show called King Midas and his Friends. The title is grossly misleading since King Midas is in no way they main character and none of the other characters in the show are his 'friends'. Nevertheless it was a really fun show to do, i got to play like 12 characters including Zeus, Posideon and Atlas (as you can see from the picture where im dancing with Hercules). Side note, Hercules (played by Aaron Goldenberg) is now one of my best friends. We try to hang at least once a week and hes one of the few men who have ever cooked for me, no homo. So, even if the show sucked (which it DIDNT) I got an awesome friend out of it. Oh, and did i mention it was a musical? Yes, it was. I played King Midas and had this song called "Gold Fever" that I sang FIVE REPRISES of! no joke! If i never hear that song again it will be too soon.

So, when I wasnt doing awesome childrens theater or dinner theater I would spend my time in Coral Gables at the Just the Funny improv theater. Some of the most fun i've ever had has been here. Improv comedy was something ive always toyed with but never thought of it as an art until I started performing here. When you see six individuals with a group mind its a beautiful thing. There were honestly some points where it would seem as if we rehearsed something we would perform. Thats REALLY good improv. Not to mention all the fun 'Whose Line is it Anyway" games we would get to play.... also good. This pic is from the latest show i did with them, the 12th anniversary. Granted, ive only been there a year but the fact that I get to perform with the Mainstage cast there so much is beyond me. I feel theyre SO MUCH more talented than I am and theyre just oblivious to it. But I wont tell them if you wont.

Nearing the end finally, props for sticking around this long! So, in the midst of awesome improv and after taking a break from Laffing Matterz I was doing some more awesome theater. This picture shows me playing one of the roles I knew I HAD to play before i died... Amos Hart in Chicago. This show was a blast to say the least. Not only did I get to play the ONLY endearing character here but I got to take the stage for a solo that was ALL ME. I mean, ive sang solos on stage before but there has always been someone else on stage with me. There was always a buffer to save my ass if i dropped a line, someone to play off of and someone else to give me their energy. Not this time... this time I was hanging out by myself as I busted out Mr Cellophane for a house of over 200 people. Like I said before, there is no better feeling. Making that many people laugh and 'Aww' was something I looked forward to every night. The only problem i had with this show..... it didnt last long enough.

WHAT!!! More childrens theater!?!?! You know it! Another four person show at the Actors Playhouse... but this time its in their massive 600 seat house! Its a new show that won the 'Theater for young audiences contest' the playhouse throws every year called the Emporers New Clothes. Im actually in the middle of the run now and am having a BLAST. Like, seriously... this is my job! I get to wake up every morning, put on tights and a funny hat and prance around the stage like a flipping leprechaun for an hour... and theyre paying me!?!? Fine... if that what you want.

So, there was my year in a nutshell. Some of the parts you missed. Well, did P90X for a month and might try it out again. Started dating one of the most wonderful women in the world and NO, i dont have any pics of us (yet). Got a job as a bartender that im working NOT to get fired from. Saw Wicked more times than i care to count. Made a bunch of awesome friends, gotten in three car accidents, drank a ton of coffee, broke my TV, sold my broken TV, went to the Keys for Pie, saw Black Swan and learned that God will always take care of me. So i guess im not as boring as I thought that one day.

Stay tuned for the next adventure.... which i promise will be updated sooner than a year from now!

-peace and love!

Oscar nominations 2010!

2010-03-07T06:07:00.000-08:00

Once a year the American Public gets together and talk about movies... EFF YEAH! It has been affectionately dubbed as 'The Oscars' but i like to refer to it as "Best. Day. Ever." It always seemed nice to me how the U.S. can take every movie that has passed thir collective eyes this year and narrow it down to so few when it comes to deciding the best of the year. Of course there were some that i thought should be there that were hiding amongst the wayside (i believe i made a reference to The Wrester) but for the most part i agree with these being the best of the best when it comes to the majority. So... what kind of movie buff would i be if i didnt pull a miss Cleo and make a few predictions about whats going to happen tonight? The answer.... not a good one. So... without further adoo... may i present: OSCAR NOMINATIONS 2010!!!

Sugar Highs and Long Goodbyes

2010-01-13T17:52:00.000-08:00

The last day in Austin is one that is, for lack of a better word, a bittersweet one. During my time in this fair city i can honestly say i truly enjoyed myself. For those of you out there that are strict dieters and never allow themselves a treat every now and again. I can tell you from experience, that is no way to be. I know this because i lived that all throughout college, and since i was here and threw caution to the wind i noticed all the wonderful things i missed out on while at school. Things that i could have savored over the course fo five years rather than cram them all in over the course of a week and a half, but hey... thats what the gym is for.

Today was a day of sugar... wonderful sugar. I got to have a cake ball, something that idnt surface until a year before i moved home to Florida and let me tell you... it is awesome. Most desserts this decadent leave you feeling heavy and not wanting to do anything but take a nap, while these little beauties leave you still feeling light enough to go for a walk with two of the sweetest ladies in the city of austin. This is mostly due to the fact that they are so small, but im not gonna complain on size when flavor is this awesome.

Then we continued the wonder that is refined sugar with cupcakes... out of a trailer! Only in austin my friends. Now, the city of austin raves about these bad boys so i figured i had to try one, and have to say... there is nothing too special about them. I mean, yeah... its reall eclectic to get them from a trailer on the side of the road, and judging from the line i can tell im not the only one, but i have had a fresh baked cupcake before and the taste is not too far off. However, it was a delightful little treat and were definitley well made... so i think tey should be tasted, savored, and enjoyed at least once.

Then... the alamo. Need i say more, this is without a doubt the greatest movie theater ever thought up. Honestly, any place that serves fried pickles before the previews happen has to get the thumbs up. Also, they have a special even called 'Master Pancake Theater' which makes me smile, think Mystery Science Theater 3000..... but with pancakes in the title! Awe-Suh-Ummm! They also made me my favorite pizza which is not even on the menu at the location Jose and I were at! Southern hospitality... i loveth thee.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, there you have it. Tune in next time or..... oh man, now i have to think about something else to write about. So tune in for that! Until then this is pan-Clay-ke reminding you that diets dont kill people, but thin people die anyway. Whoa... sugar makes me morbid, guess im coming off the high.

A Birthday fit for a King

2010-01-12T12:30:00.000-08:00

Elvis would have been 75 today, can you friggin believe it? Neither can I. Granted, there is a hoooooge sect swearing that the King is alive and kicking... but either way, the birth of the King is a wonderful excuse for a small celebration with some close friends.

That being the case, i was off the Whole Foods' little brother... Known to the natives as 'Central Market'. Its nice in the sense that its smaller and more local... although the variety is not NEAR as wide as the afore-visited Whole Foods. In spite of that... i have to say i like Central Market a little bit more. How much more? Well, lets just say when it came time to have a special birthday dinner last year there was only one place on my list and that place, my friends, was the market.

And dont even get me started on Amy's. Think Cold Stone Creamery if they listened to indie rock all day and swore that meditation was the cure to anything that ails you. Well, meditation and ice cream. Im not gonna lie though... this is about the fourth time i visited Amy while i was in Austin. There is something about a place that gives you a freee crush-in when you get a quote from a movie correct. Since that is my greatest talent, after all, there is no other place i would rather get my cream from. That, and i had a stamp card that was 4 away from getting a free T-Shirt. A T-Shirt i may or may not be wearing at the moment.

Well, Ladies and Gentlemen, there you have it. Tune in next time for the greatest movie theater ever and the last thing you would expect to find on a stick. Until then, this is PanClayKe reminding you that everything is better when a graham cracker is involved.

The Birth of 'Clay-pe?'

2010-01-08T21:27:00.000-08:00

cDThe Austin trip is nearing its end lovers of the cake. Shhhhh, dont cry, i'll be back again next year. Hmmm, is there a reason why i sound like Frosty the Snowman? Oh Yeah... cause it it SEVEN TEEN DEEGREES!!! Fail austin, epic fail.

However, i refused to be taken aback by captain cold this day and i opted to venture out into the world of austin eateries that, ironically, have no indoor seating. 'Sure', he said to himself, 'wait till the end of the rip to go there, money is going to be a bit tighter and its gonna be far along from christmas so the weather will be nice.' Well, at least i was half right... the money is tight. But that didnt stop and outing to P Terrys and Flip Happy Crepes.

Final thoughts were that the burger was perfect! Size, texture, grease:meat: bread ratio... the whole shabang. It was actually kind of allieviating to not have to forgo another massive eat-feat consisting of something else that was 'texas-sized'. The fries were, for lack of a better word.. fresh. You can tell they were flash fried to order beacuase they are hat from cooking when you get them and not just warm from a nice long tan under the heat lamps. And the shake... O-M-G! Just a little knowledge... i never hget a shake when i go anywhere cause i think 'BFD, someone melted some ice cream or made a thicker milk', but this place reminded me why Shakes are awesome. It was not oversly sweet to the point of not being able to taste the chocolate and, even though it was cold outside, did not freeze the mouth over like the ones from McDonalds used to do (from what i remember). Also, the fries tasted better when they were dipped in the chocolate shake which, i dont know about you, is kind of the way i decide whether or not i like the shake or not. So fat the only other place that has passed this test has been Wendy's frosty... but i think we have a new reigning champ.

Lastly, as far as the Crepes go.... i contemplated moving to France if that would mean that i get to have things like this everyday. Seriously, this was light but not without substance, it was sweet but not unpallateable and it was french but not smelly (see what i did there?). Also, those of you who watch 'Throwdown with Bobby Flay' on Food Network may remember when he came to Austin and went toe to toe with the flip happy chefs... and got smacked in his pretentions, herb oil loving, ASS! How do you like Austin now FLAY?!?! Go back to NY and meet your grill.... and count your money.... and say hello to your super hot wife for me. There is, however, a downside to Flip Happy Crepes and that is that their hours of operation are something ridiculous, closed monday and tuesday and closed at 3:15 for the rest of the week after opening at ten (maybe) and only during daylight savings. I dont even know, but what i do know is that a trip to austin would not be complete without a little nutella love, eespecially when its nestled in a fresh... made to order crepe.

Well ladies and gentlemen, there you have it. Tune in next time for the 'other' whole foods and the only way to properly celebrate the birth of the King. Until then this is PanClayKe reminding you that a Crepe is a pancake thats just a little more lazy and therefore decides not to rise when you cook it. Lazy? That IS French!

ASK ME ABOUT MY WEINER!!!

2010-01-08T17:35:00.000-08:00

Riddle me this.... what is it that you do on a trip to Austin that cannot be done IN Austin? Give up? Go get hot dogs in Houston. Yes friends, today we find our hero needed in another part of the lone star state to rescuse a parter in crime. The trip to Houston was fun, filled with Glee (volumes one and two!), some flirting with one of the most dense gas station attendants i have ever met (seriously, i used the word intimidated and she replied 'i guess i can be pretty imitated'... only in Texas) and finished off with more Mountain Dew than the nation of Ethiopia posesses. What can i say... i travel hard.

Anyhoo, after the rescue and the drive back to austin (accompanied by the Avenue Q Soundtrack and more Glee) we were then whisked away to the land of 'Leslie' and proceeded to see how much gin could fill seven people in an hour. The answer.... a whole lot + five cans of cherry 7up and a box of ritz crackers. Isn''t science fun........ damental?

Well ladies and gentlemen, there you have it. Tune in next time for something that made Bobby Flay cry and perhaps the perfect way to celebrate the birth of the once and future 'King'. I mean Elvis... not Arthur. Until next time this is PanClayke reminding you that a girl without a 5 syllable vocabulary is what we in the 'biz' call a Deal-Breaker.

Behold... the Flagship!

2010-01-08T17:09:00.000-08:00

During my journey throughout the city of Austin there has been many allusions to a 'Flagship'. I guiding light in the ehart of hte city that inspires all who come within 20 yards of it. A place that no Austin trip should go without... and if it does then you definitely have something on your list for the next time. Today... my journey took me to this 'Flagship' with my PIC 'elle-bell' where we proceeded to wander through aisles of foreign and expensive treasures... not to mention some of the best mashed sweey potatoes you have ever eaten!

WHOLE FOODS! You didnt see that one coming did you? Afterward there was only one way to continues the day and that was to cross the street to my favorite record store and listen to all the featured bands that were on display. Sadly though, being one who has HOOOGE buyers remorse... i opted to buy a totes awesome T Shirt (which i am currently wearing) and then finish out the day doing something that can NOT be done in the city of austin... confused? You bet you are!

Well, ladies and gentlemen, there you have it. Tune in next time for crepes out of am airstream trailer and the only way to properly celebrate Elvis' birthday. Until then this is PanClayKe reminding you that eating out of the bulk bins, while not being illegal, is frowned upon.

Pizza... The Final Frontier

2010-01-07T04:55:00.000-08:00

Living in Austin, especially on SoCo, there are two names that become synonymus with pizza: Home Slice and Southside Flying Pizza. Being familiar with both of them but never really into pizza i always asked myself the question of who had the better pie. However, like asking a native from philly who has the better cheesesteak, this question is met with differences in opinion ranging from the flavor of the water in the crust to the mood of the cow that made the milk that yeilded the cheese eventually. Our hero has had wnough of the argument and decided to put the question to rest once and for all.

Bottom line.... Southside is the better pie. While homeslice is good the crust id too flimsy and is normally not cooked enough to keep the toppings on the pie. Speaking of toppings, they seem to be thrown on quite haphazardly... however, i think it only fair to assume that the reason for this is because there is normally a line out the door of people seeking a vaccine to their pizza-addiction in the form of a single slice of peperoni served from their pick up window. Southside on the other hand has the quality that comes from taking time to care for each pizza as it is ordered and not before. The crust is also not cooked in a conventional oven like it is at the Slice but rather in a wood fired oven behind the counter. Now... not only is this fun to look at but the smell coming from this oven fills the eatery with something that can only be described as LEGIT.

Well, ladies and gentlemen there you have it. Tune in next time for another EXTREME austin burger, a full pack of rolaids (lol) and the answer to what the 'flagship' is. Until then this is PanClayKe reminding you that its only Amore when the moon hits you like a pizza pie and nothing else. No... not even if its apple, sorry.

Austin: Day 6, Part 1

2010-01-07T01:18:00.000-08:00

The six day in austin was pretty low key and full of amazingness. Between one of the ebest hidden coffeeshops in the world and everyones favorite barber... there isnt much bad that can happen if i do say so myself. And i just did.... sooooo, enjoy!

well ladies and gentlemen, there you have it. Tune in next time for some awesome ice cream happenings and the only cupcakes i know of that come out of the back of an airstream trailer. Until then this is PanClayKe reminding you that this is NOT Calcutta... therefore Bohemia is alive and well.

A Great Big Part of what we Love about Austin...

2010-01-06T18:10:00.000-08:00

... They're Thundercloud Subs! Today was more of a Low Key day and was basically just filled with awesome conversation... not to mention enough sugar to light up Las Vegas. Honestly, if today alone does not give me Type 2 Diabetes then I will be very relieved.... but when someone asks if you want a Doughnut with bacon, you get a doughnut with bacon DAMMIT!

Well ladies and gentlemen there you have it, tune in next time for cupcakes out of an airstream trailer and something know simply as the 'Flagship'. What could it be... come back and find out. Until then this is Pan-Clay-Ke reminding you that a moment on the lips equals an afternoon on the toilet. TMI?

2010-01-06T18:06:00.000-08:00

Since Emeril Lagasse is known far and wide as a 'Super Chef' i decided to treat him like Levar Burton and 'take is word for it'... however, rather than listen to him concerning a cookbook or a book about cooking i decided to trust him on his choice of burger. The results..... WIN! This burger was legit beyond all reason and when you add the athmosphere and the company.... it was definitely one of the best nights spent in Austin to date... enjoy!

Well, ladies and Gentlemen... there you have it. Tune in next time for the breaking of the Chicken-fried cherry and the answer to the question of who truly does have the best pizza in Austin. Until then this is PanClayke reminding you that you can go twice as high..... take a look, its in a book....... eat Huts Ham-bur-gers!

The Birth of a Legend

2010-01-06T11:34:00.000-08:00

This is the ture accound of the birthplace of our hero. Just like a phoenix is born out of ashes and invention is born out of necessity. Panclayke is born out of some e[ic pancake action. And is sometimes met with a free T-shirt.... holla.

Well ladies and gentlemen there you have it. Tune in next time for a walk around one of the most famous streets in austin and some of the most awesome doughnuts in the world. Until then this is panclayke reminding you that Blackberries have some of the highest antioxidant levels of any other fruit.

Hey, remember when I was Vegan

2010-01-06T09:47:00.000-08:00

Yeah.... neither do I. Especially after being in austin for about a week and being around some of the greastest BBQ in the world. Yeah... you heard me Memphis, what cha gonna do about it?

Anyhoo, today we find our hero ingesting a Shitload of said BBQ-ed cuisine. Where to go though? Being there is no shortage of places i decided to go for both the combination of Flavor, Atmosphere and general Austin-ness. After all, everybody can go to a Smokey Bones... but not everybody has... The Salt Lick!

*note: a HOOGE thank you to my loves Angelica and Devyn for joining me in all my quest to Devour the World. Needless to say there have been a surplus of rolaids bought and a renewed gym membership.

Bottom Line.... go here. If you already went today then go back!

Well folks, there you have it. Tune in nest time for emerils favorite burger and a walk down the legendary SoCo! Until then this is Pan-Clay-ke reminding you that all you CAN eat and all you SHOULD eat are two very different things.

Austin Trip - Day 2

2010-01-02T11:26:00.000-08:00

So its the second day in Austin and I could not feel like im back in college again more if I tried. This is a good thing though, since its all the college but none of the schoolwork. WINNER!

This morning the temp 'roomies' and I met the common aftertaste of the overindulgence of the new year with the hangover... and not the movie. Now, im not a drinker but i have not been sleeping well so i was definitely in need of some R and R. Whatever to do with this need to re-charge the batteries? Looka like teen-nick had the answer to this question by delivering me a marathon of EVERY SINGLE EPISODE OF DEGRASSI EVUHHHHH! So, now im following emma, terry and craig from the beginning. Excited? You bet I am!

So, after about six hours of non-stop canadian middle school drama we all started getting a little stir crazy and needed to go see a movie, the Alamo Draft House Cinema aided the call with their showing of 'Nine' which we answered. We were not the only ones who heard the call, however, so we were met with a sold out movie and hunger for Alamo food that seemed destined to fo unanswered. Until we decided to go to a regular theater for a later showign of 'Nine'... btu what of the hunger. Our questions were answered by the best buffet in Austin... the BUFFET PALACE!!

What did we learn? 1) never automatically turn sushi away just because its seemingly 'haphazardly done' and 2) 5 plates may be a bit too many when it comes to buffet time. There is a reason why i only go here once a year.

Well ladies and gentlemen, there you have it. Tune in next time for some awesome BBQ and some of the best ice cream in the city of Austin. Until then, this is Panclayke reminding you that not every Guido is found on the Jersey Shore.

Austin Trip - Day 1

2010-01-01T15:53:00.000-08:00

Well, its official, the year is over... or is it just beginning? Either way its going to be amazing!

My apologies for my lack of postage recently but there has been some shit going down. And not the good kind that Eminem talks about which is really bad but ends up turning you into a better person in the long run, it's... wait, actually thats exactly what it is. BUT! More on that later because there is too much happy today to worry about stupid things that make you sad, am i right?

First off, let me say that i missed Austin a whole lot. I went to school out here and there is hardly a better place when your looking for genuine people, an ecclectic atmosphere and some of the greatest food you have ever had... not to mention the birthplace of my pancake addiction (which i assure you will have a post dedicated to itself). How did i get out into Austin you may be asking... can you say Christmas Present to myself? This trip (plus the Wii i bought on Black Friday and put under the tree) are the reasons why its a good idea to take matters into your own hands sometimes.

Wednesday i flew in, so forgive my lack of video/photo coverage but the nice gentlemen with the rectal-exam gloves said no. Oh, and good news... im finally walking without a limp after a stint with airport security. KIDDING! But seriously, the flight was nothing to report. If you NEED to paint a picture for yourself then find a crying baby and sit in front of it for three hours. I am never having children...

The first FULL day was full of wonderment, and the perfect way to say goodbye to 2009. Woke up late on one of the most comfortable couches in the world and proceeded to go to Round Rock donuts. If you saw the epsiode of Man V. Food where be went to Austin then you know what im talking about and i assure you... his euphoric reaction to the taste of these beauties is on the ball. They were indeed delicious and possibly the biggest i have ever seen. I choose to ring in the year with the consumption of one of the biggest donuts in the world.

(for those of you saying 'man, this is the unhealthiest person in the world' I have already come to terms with the fact that there WILL be a gaining of weight on this trip. Luckily, the gym is going to be in florida when i get back... MAN, did i luck out on that one or what?!)

Anyway, after the eating of pastry-zilla i was escorted by two of the most b-e-a-utiful women in the city to Docs, a restaurant where the sweet potato fries are friggin awesome. I had a lot of orange food today. UT! We then proceeded to ring in the new year drama free, bright eyed, bushy-tailed and ready to make 2010 the best year yet. I believe in the Chinese calendar this is known as the 'Year of the Clay', im guessing thats significant.

Well, Ladies and Gentlemen.. that is all the Austin Adventures i have at the moment... but i assure you there is more to come including a trip to HEB (best grocery store ever? no, but nostalgic) and the biggest steak ever! Until then this is Panclayke reminding you that, other than hamburgers, bigger is SOMETIMES better.

(until then i leave you with some pictorals of the donut outing)

Panclayke likey... Panclayke want Dough dough!!

<-- Ringing in the new year, with the biggest pastry ever!

Poor Ol' Grandad...

2009-12-22T18:59:00.000-08:00

Final thoughts on Grandpa's were that the food is definitely good... and we ordered wayyy to many things. The danish were good (cheese and lemon flavor) but make sure you dont fill up on them as they are light and addictive. The bacon is nothing really special, not thick but not thin (Bob Evans it Aint!). The Reuben was good, if the other lunch fare is similar then i need to come back for lunch, the corned beef didnt taste over salted and was defnitely slow cooked as it was coming apart very easily with each bite (ergo, fat was rendered out during the cooking). The Reuben's crust.... joyyyyy. I could have put that in a bag and eaten an entire one in front of the tv during a football game.

Onto the stars... the pancakes. Flavor-wise they were good and the blueberries were definitely fresh as they were giving the bloose (blueberry juice) to the rest of the plate. However, they were a little bit overcooked and, in turn, hard to cut into and a bit more chewy and less light than i would have liked. The French Toast was thick.... a little too thick. They followed the first rule of thumb by making sure the bread was stale... but since it was so thick there was a lot of needed 'soak time' which i could tell was not given. However, I let that go since we ordered so much of it! The crust was also a little tough to cut through... in the end it was good but not as soft as this foodie believes French Toast is supposed to taste. At least not the way THIS GUYS Grandpa makes it. And, last but not least, the waffle. To quote SNL: Jizz - in - my - pants! This was one of the best waffles i have had in such a long time. Crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside and topped with the fresh, homemade whipped cream and strawberries. Heaven. I would not mind getting buried alive if my coffin was made from that waffle (may have to change the name of the blog to 'Cla-ffle'). Eh.... i'll think about it.

All in all, i will definitely be going back for some wonderful breakfast and some good service. Even though they were a little slow in keeping the coffee filled... i let it go since we were in the back of the place kind of hidden and that our waitess was a sweetie.

Also, if you stop by the bakery on the way out (provided your not too full) try the cinnamon stick and cheese danish. Honestly, do it now and thank me later... then we can both go to the gym and hit the treadmill with a belly full of sugar-love.

Grandpa's Bakery and Restaurant : 4/5

Well ladies and gentlemen, there you have it. Tune in next time for updates on Feeding South Florida and the results of the Ice Cream Challenge! Until then this is PanClayke reminding you that old people, though slow and dangerous behind the wheel, can still serve a purpose.

(ill be right back... DONT YOU GO DYING ON ME!)

2009-12-20T16:59:00.000-08:00

Well, ladies and gentlemen, there you have it. As for now i am of to take a nap... a long long long long long long long nap, lol. Until next time this is PanClayke, reminding you that bigger is not neccesarily better.

The once and Future King...

2009-12-17T19:13:00.000-08:00

Final thoughts of The Kingdom are that I will totally be going back... but Im gonna stick with the queenburger next time. Honestly, the meat was perfectly cooked to my liking and had a real nice flavor, not to mention the rustic and homemade feel of said burger. All these reasons attributed to yours truly setting a new RECORD for the Doomsday's consumption (11min 32sec... BEAT THAT MAN V FOOD!) *note - Man v. Food will be coming to the Kingdom on 2/3/2010!* Basically, the burgers make one remember how homemade burgers taste... giving someone the taste of home. Now, the fries.... im not gonna lie i expected more. They were nice and well seasoned with something that tasted like a garlic/herb blend, but they were a bit too dry for my liking... i like my fries like my women; thick, hot and covered in cheese. The onion rings, however, were totes on point. cornmeal encrusted and seasoned with the same blend. The only warning i wil give you is that the crunch that comes with these bad boys has the 'Cap'n Crunch' effect and the roof of my mouth is not doing so hot at the moment.

The service was almost better than the food. I dont know if we just had an awesome waitress or she was just astounded by the eating of the doomsday... but our waitress (Stephanie) was a friggin angel. She even shared her wings with Matt and I! She was also extremely attentive considering she was the only one there.

In the end, Matt and I already have plans to go back as The Kingdom is totes a winner! from the service to the food everything was on point. If there was a downside its that it might have been a little too loud inside for the general conversation... but how will you realize that when your bust taking down a friggin awesome burger.

The Kingdom 3.5/4 Pancakes

Well, ladies and Gentlemen, there you have it. Tune in next time for more happenings in South Florida food and, hopefully, the report about how children have been made happier through Quickies Toy Drive... not to mention 'Feeding South Florida'. Until then this is Panclayke reminding you that 1lb = 12oz.

'Sonny'... with a chance of Hoagie.

2009-12-15T11:03:00.000-08:00

Well ladies and gentlemen, there you have it. Tune in next time for more food-ventures/updates in a life currently stinking of awesomeness. Until next time this is PanClayke reminding you to do the Helen Keller and talk with your hips.

Here Boy!

2009-12-13T14:19:00.000-08:00

A wise man once told me about a comfort he has at the end of a bad day. Contrary to the 'norm' it was not an illegal substance, a round of retail therepy or a hooker. No, it was something simple, the all american Hot Dog. I did not understand this in the sense that the Frankurter has never been something that gets my dog hot... until today.

In an earlier post I talked about something special vs something you get in the supermarket... and today was the perfect example. Whenever I think of a hot dog I think of something small and born in a litter of eight that dwells on the stove in a pot of luke warm water until its ready to eat... and may or may not have some 'cheez-like substance' in the middle. All this changes today with a trip down Hallandale Beach Boulevard to Fat-Lous.

I remember tasting the Fat-Fare back in high school when a friend who lived nearby told me about the gyros and insisted on my accompanying him on a gyro man-date. From what i remember I went for the gyro and liked what ensued. However, looking over the menu displayed the chicago theme of the restarant perfectly. Dishes from Itallian Beef to Gyros and even baby back ribs. However, flipping to the back of the menu you find a selection of hot dogs with over 20 different topping combinations. Now, of course, the chicago dog is a must and i must say that Lou is doing it right. The frank is all beef and no filler and the poppy seed bun is steamed to perfection before it is topped with fresh relish, onions, tomato, dill pickle spear, mustard and peppers. I think i might need to go to the windy city just to see which i like more but from what i hear this bad boy was too legit to quit. There is something about the saltiness of the mustard and pickle with the sweetness of relish and fresh tomato. Not to mention the crisp casing on the frank and the aroma of the celery salt. This guy took me back to backyard BBQ's and baseball games, coincidently the only two parts of my childhood i dont loathe to this day. This dog also ate less like a snack and more like a whole meal, no wonder Chicago is 'my kinda town'. However, judging from the size of the dogs i have had before and my magical ability to ake food disappear i asked my Chicago Dog if it wanted to bring a friend.

That. It. Did. Since there were 2 dozen of them on the menu it just became a question of which one wanted to come. This led me to the insurmountable need to choose. What was i craving? Well, the 'BBQ Delight' seemed to have something with the sauce and grilled onions, but the 'Mexican Dog' had the tortilla chips for a nice crunch and... OMG look at the fries that guy over there ordered! The only option was the 'My Way Dog' to which i went for BBQ sauce, grilled onions and French Fries. I kid you not when i say i wanted to make love to this burger. The frank was grilled this time which was a nice new texture and the bun was as well lending the sweetness of toasted bread to the equation... as if the BBQ sauce wasnt gving enough sweetness, right. Needless to say, by the time PanClayke was leaving he was two dogs heavier and as happy as a 'puppy with two peters' (city slickers anyone?)

The food was on point and i intend on going back to sample more but not all was perfection this time around. First off, the owner is a HOOOGE chicago fan, im talking Christ Farley 'superfan' huge. I think i may have gotten a dollar in my change that said 'in Ditka we trust'. Therefore, when yours truly wanted to watch the dolpins go at the Jag's, all I could see were 'DA Bears!' The service was also something to sneer at, as it took me at least 20 minutes from the time we sat to the time we ordered (from 2 different waitresses), and then another 20 to get the appitizers (note: Wings are legit, ergo - were eaten before pictured).

In the end, Fat Lous = 4.5/5 (loved the food and will go back... regardless of the 'waiting game')

MAZEL TOV

2009-12-11T16:42:00.000-08:00

In honor of the first night of Hannukah I decided to go somewhere 'super-specsh' for lunch on the way home from work. Good thing i was hungry since it was a long work day, it wasn't supposed to be... but there were waitresses from a certain ,restaurant that shall remain nameless which were great at diverting our attention for awhile. Thennn, there was a press screening i had to make, i wont ruin the surprise but rest assured the movie was friggin awesome! Will tell more later. Until then...

Lo-HEIM!

Can you say Deli Heaven? I dont know what it is, but i think a Deli is one of my favorite restaurants, not only is the food a 'mish-mosh' of dishes ranging from sandwiches to bagels to fish to tounge... but there is also ALWAYS a breakfast menu happening and always something new. In a way, going to "Roasters and Toasters" was a little like getting married...

(^Can you say legit home-y-ness?^)

Back to the matrimony...

Something Old: Buttermilk Pancakes! Anyplace that has pancakes available at 4 in the afternoon is someplace where I want to be. Especially when they are made from REAL ingredients and not that "just add water" stuff that I refuse to HOP to. Honestly, they were light and fluffy while simultaneously being filling. However, the saltiness was a bit stronger than i would like, but i thing thats a characteristic of a restaurant that specializes in corned meats. Something New: POTATO PANCAKES! Thats what the little nuggets of love are keeping the pancake company. Seriously, i have not had latkes in forever and im pretty sure I will wait until im back in NY to have them again. The flavor was not bad but i prefer my latke to be more like a pancake as opposed to a chicken nugget. However, dunked in a little applesauce and anyone will be doing the "Yiddish Muppet"

Something borrowed: Turkey Sandwich. Why is this borrowed? No idea, perhaps because there was so much Turkey on this bad boy that only half could be comfortably enjoyed in one sitting. For realsies, if anyone ever wondered how the Hebrew people walked through the desert for so long i think the answer is the size of their portions... this thing fueled me until like ten at night (at what time i may or may not have had the other two pancakes that came with the order I got at the Deli). The Sandwich was served straight up on wheat so you could have the freedom to dress it as you wish (totes appreciated), the turkey was a bit dry... but nothing a little mustard and light mayo didnt fix.
Couple the good food with a great atmosphere and a great waitstaff = a great dining experience. However, the opinion of the waitstaff is speculative since i got my order to go... but the lady that took the order and got me my food was funny and laughed at my jokes... ergo, i love her. The only thing keeping me from going back right now... a bit to pricey for my current cash flow, aka - non existent. This made me the something Blue :(
Roasters and Toasters 3.5/5

Everybody's brother is up in the armored air.

2009-12-06T12:12:00.000-08:00

So so so, it has been a while since a good movie review, eh? Granted, if I had my way this would not be the case... but my reviewing talents have been given to the Paul and Young Ron show at the moment and they have first dibbs. However, there are some days where that times get too hectic (with news and sport happenings, not to mention guests - more on that later) for a good movie review which means.......

PanClayke... AT THE MOVIES! Brothers:

Much like Maguire in this film i but my body through hell and back in order to see something I love and that is a movie with Natalie Portman (however, this love has gone by the wayside recently after a rip to 'Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium). This movie, however, was the slid-y thing on the Etch-A-Sketch in the sense that it erased all former offiliations with past roles these characters might have played. Maguire is no longer Peter Parker and Portman could not be farther away from Queen Amidalia. And, lets not forget the other boy in the band... who will be remembered, but not labeled, as one of the last people to sleep with Health Ledger.

Kidding aside, the performances in this film are powerful and genuine, the director really put some work into the acting and you can tell. It also refuses to fall into the political satire of the U.S's occupancy in the middle east, which is very pleasant. I just wanted to see a good movie and didnt need to be reminded of something i saw the night before last when Obama adressed the nation.

While the war itself may not be addressed, what does hit home is the PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) a solider suffers after he/she is told/forced to kill another person and then throw back into mainstream life where the biggest problem we have to deal with the the poor HD quality on our flat screen T.V's

However, for those of you searching for a hanky in preperation for a tear jerker... dont worry as there is also a lot of light humor, expecially in the beginning. It is an ectremely interesting juxtaposition when paired next to the situation in the Middle East. i kid you not when you go into one scene smiling and leave the next wondering what the hell just happened. This evokes an extreme emotion from the audience and sets us up for something that will eventually make us all feel something we were not expecting.

That being said, this movie is not infallible. The story is great and the acting is stellar but there is soemthing to be said about 'playing it safe'. It reminds me of the contestants on Top Chef who refuse to cook Foie Gras because its more difficult in spite of the better flavor they would get for the dish in the end. There is so much room to push the envelope with this movie, so much potential that was not taken in order to not piss anyone off too much before the oscar nominations go out (in this critics opinion). Though you will walk out of the theater satisfied with your movie and totally getting your money's worth... the fact that they didnt push it will sour the critical viewer.

4.5/5 Pancakes (Iran, Iraq, I-Loved-It!)

Armored

I'm gonna write a letter to change the title to 'yourmored' as I do not wish to offiliate myself with this one. Seriously, i think the only thing that saved this one for me was that i walked out of 'Transylmania' to go see it (was going to review Transylmania, but the fact i walked out speaks for itself)

This story is also about a veteran finding it hard to deal with the day-to-day now that hes back in the states. Unlike brothers, though, this one focusses more on the financial aspect than the mental. Soldier boy is then up in these Hoe's... and by hoe, I mean an armored car that his friends on the job attempt to rob by way of 'the perfect scheme'. However, this scheme arises more questions than it wraps up and is shadowed only by the facade of an everyday joe taking a stand against five guys with scatter guns and enough desperation to want to rob an armored car. Seriously, i dont care how strong a sense of right you have... there needs to be a LOT more emotion behind making the decsion to oppose forces like these and even more when it comes to the decision to put the character there in the first place.

The cast, however, featured some favorites that we always like to see here at PanClayke. Matt Dillon, Cowboy Curtis (lawrence fishburne) and Peter Petrelli from Heroes. However, rather than spend upwards of $15 for a matinee and a soda i would say spend the money on a pizza, six pack and rent Hard Rain (aka... the more attractive cousin of Armored)

2/5 Pancakes

Apparently the title Everybody's Fine concerns the casts acting as well. Do not get me wrong... this is actually pretty ok movie and i would recommend it for adults who still like a date-night and/or children who like to see their parents get choked up. The cast is very nice and easy on the eyes but with the exception of DeNiro the chaacterization is a bit sub-paar. DeNiro even goes as far as to break out of his persona of Paul Vitti and hits home with a widower who is unbeknownst of what is going on in his childrens lives. The ending is also something of a nice little surprise unless your an avid movie-goer and know the few formulas that hollywood is using right now when it comes to the 'reveal' at the end of a movie.

The low points in this movie lie in the supporting roles and how they all lack a background. They are nice to watch and serve their purposes to propel DeNiro thorough is journey but, again, they are pretty one dimensional and are called to be so much more than that. Its hard to pinpoint the cause, whether it is directing or writing, but it was still a good movie all in all. If i had to choose between this and Brothers... the latter wins everyday of the week and twice on Sunday.

3/5 Pancakes

Last, but not least, we have the third installment of the recent Clooney Trilogy. Someone has definitely been pushing as we near the oscar season and i am happy to say he definitely gets a hit with this one. After the 'eh' feelings after 'the men who stare at goats' i found this movie to be witty, original and generally well done.

Im gonna sum it up like this, if you liked Juno, Thank you for Smoking, Whip It, basically any movie thats got witty bantar and finds the humor in the intense normalicy of life then you will dig this movie. Clooney is not only awesome at being rather than playing a part but the classic look that we fall in love with time and time again is alive and well. The supporting roles are also someting to write home about with each one having specific moments to recant and quote as you walk out of the theater. At the same time, when you are walking out your going to be happy with the ending. Not gonna give anything away but there are definitely a couple WTF moments that will leave you happy you saw this one. Yet, the quoteage was the main star of the show for this critic (one favorite: "Think of me as yourself... just with a vagina). All in all it was a good way to spend the evening and you will not regret paying for this one.

The only let-down in this one was that there were a couple of moments that tended to drag, but that comes to be expected when your making a movie based strongly on the day-to-day rather than holding up in an armored car (again, do not see Armored).

4/5 Pancakes

To sum up, when your choosing your movie, if your looking t laugh see Up in the Air and go see Brothers if the tear ducts havent been used properly in a while.

Well, Ladies and Gentlemen, there you have it. Tune in next time for more reviews (restaurant and film) not to mention a training update for the upcomming Titan burger. Until then this is PanClayke reminding you that the director of Armored has the first name 'Nimrod'. I thought i would make sure we all made note of that.

Snack be Nimble, Snack be Quick

2009-12-03T09:47:00.000-08:00

Quickies burgers that is.

As I am working to sample the wide varieties of cuisine in the South Florida area a fellow Food Blogger, who I MET during said lunching, recommended. Oh bloggers, is there anything they can not share with us?

This time around we find ourselves at Quickies Burgers and Wings. A Quaint little sit down/drive thru restaurant that is miles ahead of the competition. Even though, technically, this is fast food... that guy running with the burger is the new once and future king. There are not only burgers here, were talking: wings, homemade sauces, seasoned fries and a milkshake to be named later. Not only that, but the staff has a smile on its face from the minute you walk in the door.... and the burgers, well - JOYYYYY!

First things first, the wait for the burgers suggest nothing more than a homemade feel. Your order is taken and the food is brought to your table about 10 minutes later. Why was i not annoyed by this? Because the burgers are just that... burgers, aka real food and not a McBurgerlike-substance. Then they go above and beyond by topping the tender patty with the spice of the house sauce (they wouldnt tell me but im guessing seasoning salt and some chipotle) and the crunch of some french fried onions.

Heaven....

The fries were spot on as well, as far as fries go. hand cut and not greasy.

Quickies receives = 4.5/5 burgers

This will most likely be a perfect score when i get a chance to try the wings, but I plan on going back... both for the wings aaaaand,

The Titan Challenge!

Some have called me crazy, and iI say... Crazy like a fox! On Dec. 19th i will be taking on the 4lb titan burger which has defeated all who have opposed it. Until now, just call me Zeus!

I have already started training by hitting the gym 3-4 times a week to increase my metabolism and also drinking at least a gallon of water in addition to the normal intake in order to stretch out the stomach. I am also still working to raise money for Feeding South Florida and will be using the sheer spectacle of the challenge to raise money which will all go to FSF. Quickies is also using the event in support of their toy drive - benefitting the local childrens hospital, "Joe DiMaggio".

Well, ladies and gentlemen, there you have it. Tune in next time for a training update and some more reviews on the wonderment of South Florida cuisine. Until next time this is PanClayke reminding you that there is never a bad time for a quickie in the afternoon.

Review - Original Pancake House

2009-11-29T18:16:00.001-08:00

Sunday morning has always been a time for the family meal for yours truly. In fact, a memory came to mind this morning of my mother taking my sister and I to a 'Chinese' Buffet after church when we were young. Granted, it was more American than Chinese food, but the memories and the company were the real stars of the show... that, and this crispy dough thing with sugar on it. Funnel Cake anyone?

So, yesterday when my Pop-Cake reminded me that I would be the man of the house as he traveled to Orlando on business I had a couple flashes of sadness. Im not a daddy's-boy by any means... im a mama's boy through and through... but we DO have a weekend ritual of going to the movies and sneaking in our own food. *sigh* its the simple things.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaanyway, since we were going to miss out cinematic adventure I suggested the Sunday Brunch/Breakfast. Imagine my surprise when they not only agreed... but had the greatest suggestion of all time!

ORIGINAL PANCAKE HOUSEDad = Happy/awesome. Mom = Not as high as she appears (theres a lag on the camera)

Now, as with any breakfast place in America, the line at th door almost scared us back to the car. It was out the door and then some, but we were pleasantly surprised when the hostess sat us in 15 minutes! The waiter carried the torch with speedy service and a smile that would not quit. I also only saw the bottom of my coffee mug twice and those of you that know my coffee addiction know how amazing that is.

As per the menu, its pretty standard breakfast fare. Eggs, toast, REAL jelly, fresh home fries, sausage and PANCAKES. There were a lot of varieties too: buttermilk, wheat germ, buckwheat, sourdough, pumpkin and granola to name a few. There were also some more exotic dishes like breakfast burritos, waffles, blintzes and crepes filled with who-knows-what. Our table ended up with a full array of all the usual suspects.

Also, those of you familiar with Bob Evans will know what i mean when i say: "Thick, peppery bacon." Well; Thick-peppery-bacon was defintley one of the front runners this morning. Mom-cake ordered it and panclayke may have taken a piece (or five).

However, as good as the food/service/company were the TRUE reason people go to the Original Pancake House is the 'Pancakes from Around the World". They have brealfast fare hardly seen anywhere outside of Germany and Finland where these wonderous dishes were first served and consumed. Yours truly could not live with himself unless he hopped a plane to the Netherlands and had a little Apple Baby!

Have I mentioned im moving to the Netherlands and converting to Cannibalism? Honestly, all apple babies better start sleeping with one eye open!

So there are obviously a slew of reasons to get out to your Original Pancake House but are there any reasons why you should opt to stay home? Other than the ringing of the door as the new people came in (we were sitting RIGHT next to the entrance = irk!) and the crowding that rivaled a chinese orphanage there weren't really any to write home about. The food was fresh and the feeling of the restaurant just promoted a aura of happy... is there anything pancakes can't do.

Original Pancake House: 5/5 cakes

*note= the special pancakes and the omelettes ARE cooked to order! This makes the diner happy since they are actually cooking as opposed to re-hydrating their food. However, order a peice of toast or two for the wait to avoid the 'hanger pangs'

Till next time, this is Panclayke, reminding you that eggs are babies too... let the baby-slaughter begin!

2009-11-28T19:18:00.001-08:00

Good evening all, i hope your Thanksgiving was as awesome and as full of food as mine was! Im not gonna lie, there was definnitely some extreme fullness happening. I guess im just one of those people that graze on a bit of everything... unfortunately, there was a lot of dishes that were brought. So, after a 2 day nap, there was only one thing to do and that was to update all the wonderful people out in the land of Blog.

So, i know your all on pins and needles about my last post making the declaration to enjoy the festivites to their fullest. I know what your thinking... "You need to remind yourself to enjoy a holiday? (weeeirdoooooo...)" You would be right about that one, i am a weirdo but one that is set on changing. That being said i think its time to throw the honestly party of the year and confess that i DO have issues with food. Those of you that have been here for a while have probably already caught on to this but i do not think i have ever come right out and said it. In a nutshell, i was an overweight kid and always considered my weight the reason I didnt have a lot of friends growing up. Looking back, i know that the reasons were anything but weight related... but try telling a chubby kid that. So... leave that a few years to marinate and one develops food/weight issues which led yours truly to a point that he would rather not go too far into. Lets jest say it got to a point where i had to take a 'mandatory sabbatical' from my job at Starbucks, there was a therapist involved and even...... the shun of Pancakes!

I know, i know... the tissues are behind you. Go ahead and grab a few... now blow. Good.

But, as Rafiki once said: It doesnt matter... its in the past. Oh man, the 'Lion King' is friggin awesome, is it not? Life lessons AND good animation. This actually became somewhat of a mantra as i walked into Thankgiving. Working to keep the ticks at bay and to take what i wanted, not what was 'good' or 'bad'. The result... a day full of fried turkey, broccoli casserole, grandmas yams (want to run a TRAIN on these) and even some Pumpkin Pie and some of the best Flan i have ever tasted... plus many, many, more. I was full, but i was happy and i walked away thankful to God for the gifts we had received and the wonderful family He blessed me with. All in all, it was an awesome Thanksgiving and I would not wish it any other way.

Not only that... but there were LEFTOVERS <----- best part! However, there was not enough turkey for the families liking so we hit up the farmers market and got a breast for roasting. A turkey sandwich may make an appearance later in the week coupled with the 'splaining of how to make the perrrrrrfect leftover sangwich (years of study cant be wrong). There was also some more cranberry sauce made and......... A PIE!

OR, a cheesecake. Whatever, either way its awesome, healthy and half gone. I may or may not be running a train on this dessert. But... if you have to have a guilty plesure the Enlightend Pumpkin Cheezcake isn't a bad way to go. I subbed silken tofu for one of the bricks of cream cheese for some added protein and i used pre-made crust because my mother did not know what kind we needed... next time i make this i want to use Nilla Wafers cause im from the south and we put them on everything. I will be adding more more brown sugar next time... but, other than that, this is a wonderful little dessert thats nice when your craving something Pumpkin-y.

As if baking is not awesome enough there was some SWAGGGG accumulated over the break that i will go into later (im sure i have bored you enough already). Until then i will leave you with a little warning I saw at the beach after i had breakfast the other day that made me laugh... since i had chosen to NOT have oatmeal that morning.
How do you like that one Mitri?

Also, still on a high from the Terminator Success! I am now taking down another food challenge that has daunted South Florida for far too long. Will update more later on so be ready.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, there you have it. Tune in next time for an update on the SWAG and the 'Challenge' not to mention a restaurant review or two. Until then, this is PanClayke, reminding you that when you fry a turkey on high heat it creates a sear that keeps the bird from getting greasy but keeping it moist. haha, i said moist.

Post from the berry

2009-11-26T07:14:00.000-08:00

I'm doing this one from the blackberry, apologies for the shortness.

I just wanted to wish all a Happy Thanksgiving, i will do the obligitory 'thankful' post later on... but i wanted to get out at least one sentiment before I chow on some bird.

Speaking of, the second thing is a wish to ENJOY AND BE THANKFUL! I'll go into this more later as well. For now, i plan on thanking God for my extended family in the land of blog and diving into a massive spread. Im a little anxious but im going to enjoy EVERYTHING! From the sugar-y yams, fatty- creamy cheesecakes and fried turkey. I'm actually shifty thinking about it but know its going to be a good, no... a GREAT day.

What am I saying? Tune in next time to see why.

Until next time this is PanClayke, reminding you that if you buy one Blackberry you get another of equal or lesser value for free. Thank YOU Verizon!

No Turkey for Panclayke!

2009-11-18T14:08:00.000-08:00

My apologies friends. I meant to regale you with my 'Turkey Donation Stories' but things dont turn out like we plan all the time, as im sure we all know. You see, the open mic night had the prize of a Turkey which i was going to donate to the Daily Bread Food Bank, but the judges of the Open Mic did not see fit to award me the turkey. I guess that was due to the turkey being a prize given to the 'least favorite performer of the night'. Instead, they saw fit to award me with the GRAND FRIGGIN PRIZE of opening for a future comedian at the Improv!!!! Im happier than a mecrophiliac in a mortuary right now, if im not being too subtle.

So theres the good news, The bad news, however, is that i do not have a new 'rideo' to post for all you wonderments as of yet. This has been a busy movie week (4!), speaking of which i have to head out and cheer on for Team Edward! However, since i have been gone awhile and sm still looking to raise money through the Clicking Canpaign , im going to leave you with the video of my Open Mic Stand up! Forgive the shaking... but the laughter created somewhat of an earthquake effect.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, there you have it. Tune in next week for the next eating challenge and more pancakery! Until then, this is PanClayke, reminding you that, when it comes to pancakes, it is impossible to not have a 'Culinary Boner'.

Jonesing for a Cookie

2009-11-15T18:10:00.000-08:00

So, the other day i was thinking about some treatage. I have always been a fan of muffins and i think my momma makes some of the best nanner bread in the world. So, after some deliberation and a trip to whole foods i was on the hint for some sweeties but nothing was tickling the facny... until i saw the cookie section. This was strange because i NEVER jones for a cookie, unbeknownst to myself as to why. Either way i took a chance and bought an oatmeal carob raisin cookie. OMG, how have i never been jumping all over these my entire life?!?! This one was warm too which was even bettah!!!!! Im not gonna lie, i may have not been able to hold off for the entire two miles back to my house. There was a red light and screw you for juding me.

It was then i knew why i never really crave a cookie. I believe that sweets and treats are no longer something special. There was once a time when the family getting in the car and going out to ice cream was a total special thing. This made the ice cream something special as it didnt happen all the time, coincidently the company was pretty much awesome.

Now, when you walk through the grocery store you see mountains of cookies and gallon ice cream by the gallon (its late and my gift of gab is fading a bit). The reason i never really crave sweets, i believe, is that i grew up on them. They are almost the norm, but rest assured that after you realize how special a cookie is from whole foods.... you totally will crave one every now and again!

Yes, this was immature and a little ramble-sive... but I wanted to let you guys know what was going on in the life of Panclayke for a couple days while he is gone. See, im gonna stretch my funny bones and perform at an open mic night at the Ft. Lauderdale improv on tuesday. Needless to say this is a big deal and there will not be a lot of time where i will not have my nose buried in my notebook pondering over what flavor soup is the funniest. Not only that, but there is a prize of a chicken dinner! which i plan to donate to a needy family via the Daily Bread Food Bank . Nervous, oh yeah. Hopefully my humor can transer to those NOT in the blog-world. I will let you all know how it goes and will give you a full report the milli-sec im back to reality (whoops, there goes gravity)

Well, ladies and gentleman there you have it. Tune in next time for an update of the Turkey... and the prize for the open mic night (im the turkey, get it?). Until then, this is PanClayke reminding you that a cookie is just a pancake to a midget.

Party, Pauly, Pancakes!

2009-11-14T10:59:00.000-08:00

AAAAAAAAAAAAAA YYYYYYYYYYYYOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUU GGGGGUUUUUYYYYYSSSSS! The Goonies friggin rock, no questions asked. However, this movie was not gracing my sights this weekend as I am making plans to hold a little marathon for myself. So far the Set-List contatins: House (season 5), Up!, Flight of the Conchords (Season 2), The Hurt Locker and The Taking of Pelham 123. Man... thank goodness i've already been to the gym this weekend.

LOOK-IT! The last time i had Egg-Nog was in Freshman Year of high school when a friend invited me to their annual Holiday get together and i had never tried it before. Have to say... i liked it. How much? Well, lets just say there was a quart of it that i choose to carry about the house like it was a mug of Grog and i was dining in the Halls of King Arthur! Sword and the Stone friggin Rocks, no questions asked. Anyhoo, even though IHOP already got to them before i had a time to make a batch... there was only one thing to do with the wonder of Silk Nog

IHOP can suck it!!!!

Just so you know, the little one with the bites taken out of it? Yeah, i like to see one of you get through making a batch of Nog-Cakes without nibbling on somehing. Plus you have to test the griddle so - "This just in... the pigeon brothers have been killed. Authorities have found the weapon to be a single stone."

How were they? Well, lets just say that if the Terminator tasted like these... it would have been a LOT easlier to eat.

So, yesterday was friday the 13th, it was also my mom's birthday. I would like to take a moment of silence to appreciate this coincidence.

So, to celebrate, the family drove down to Coral Gables and had the most delicious dining experience in the friggin universe! Hole in the wall restaurant with a grandma cooking in the back room? Negative. We went...
Yes, its a chain and you can find like three in every mall in America. But you know what... they know how to make some cheesecake! Possibly of the Banana-Nut variety and garnished with banana slices and real whipped cream which was eventually licked off the index finger of yours truly. More about this in a sec, first i must hum a song in the tune of 'joy'.

After dinner the fun continued and we saw
the one
the only

WEASEL!
We laughed, we cried, then we laughed some more! All in all it was one of the better birthdays i can remember celebrating with my mother. The worst? Definitely when I lost my glasses and we had to go to the mall and buy a new pair. Not to mention the mall was a ghost town since it was after daycare and the stores were closing. Happy Birthday Mommy!

Okay, so earlier in the post and the other day i made a couple additions to my diet that weren't vegan. Why put yourself through this/How could you do that!, you ask? Well, long-time readers have seen my need for balance and I feel that when i went vegan cold turkey it was in a place that was, for lack of a better word, not. Therefore, in light of Truth Week i decided to do some reflecting and decided that i did not switch to veganism for the right reasons. I chose to do it so i could set boundaries for myself, limit what i could and couldn't have. Take a certain amount of control over my life by what i do/do not eat. Sounds crazy, but this is the mindset of the dieter and it is where my mind has been for awhile now; which, ironically enough, is the farthest thing from healthy I know of. Therefore... i have decided to take a page out of Sarah and Holly's books and make peace with food. Choose NOT to define myself by whats on my plate but rather what is on/in my heart. My drive to help others and to simply live. Granted, I love eating natural and whole foods and will continue to do so because I truly do want to. But i will no longer set boundaries because they dont work. As of now people at work have been calling me the 'part time vegan' or the 'artist formerly known as vegan'... I would rather be referred to as Clay (panClayke for long).

Lastly, as just mentioned, I have a drive to help other and am working to help the Daily Bread Food Bank , and have discovered an awesome opportunity to raise money for them. Not only is there a donation button at the tippy-top-o-da-blog, but i am have recently become a featured publisher on Foodbuzz (you can see the badge above the donation button) and, in turn, get a little money from foodbuz for every click on the pages of my site. Basically, its the same thing that my Chocolate Covered Princess
, which i thought was a pretty good idea. What does this mean for you? Well, it means more: Rideos, pan-creations and general musings altogether. All in all, there is going to be more for you all and, in turn, more for those in need. So... Click Away true friends, click and smile.

Well ladies and gentlemen, there you have it. Tune in next week for more Pan-creations, and a Promised Rideo (I already know what the subject is). Until next time, this is PanClayke, reminding you that IHOP can suck it... Bud-dy.

Your Terminated F#@*ER!

2009-11-09T08:27:00.000-08:00

First things first, i must apologize for my absence. Things have been busy, and this time... that is totes a good thing. the radio-time, the movies iv'e seen and the new people ive met have just gotten better and better. I definitley feel like the luckiest little girl at the ball (metaphorically speaking... i am very much a boy at the ball.) Sadly, though, there has been so much awesomeness happening recently that it cannot all fit in one post so im gonna put some highlights up for the moment and hit then make like Pat Benetar and hit you with my best shot.

First off, remember the Terminator?

FRIGGIN OWNED!!!

Yes, i am now the first person EVER to take down th biggest pancake breakfast in S. Florida. Granted, im pretty sure the agony of my tumbly was revenge enough for the Terminator, but such is the price of glory. Now granted, this is TOTES not vegan, in fact i think its the exact opposite... but that topic is going to delve into a whole other realm of things so i think im going to save that for the next post. Just, be forewarned, it will most likely be long-winded and highly introspective..... read at your own risk.

Also, another first on Panclayke... VIDEO REVIEWS. You see, there are a whole bunch of culinary wonders about S. Florida which i have yet to discover and feel deprived as a result. I mean, im talking places that even Guy Fieri forgot to visit when he was down here. Now THAT is messed up. Plus, i feel a bit boxed in cooking for myself all the time (especially since i can REALLY only make pancakes). Ergo, I decided to do my own little culinary findings and bring them to the masses. Let me know what you think and enjoy the first.... 'Rideo'!

Well, Ladies and Gentlemen, there you have it. Tune in next time for yet another pan-creation and perhaps another Rideo. I cant give too much away but i think there may be something about egg nog and a fun thing to do with oats. Until then, this is PanClayke reminding you that no dogs were harmed in the making of this 'Rideo'.

I want a Mexican.... 'Rideo"! (FAIL!)

2009-11-03T21:00:00.000-08:00

First of all, please let me apologize for the lack of color on the plate here. I know you eat with your eyes first and right now it seems as though i served you a plate of burnt frnech fries. Ill explain at the end the reason for the lack of color... but for now, here is what has been going on in the brief stint iv'e been gone.

I told you it was coming... well, let it be known that PanClayke is nothing if not a man of his word. First off, the question on everones lips... The Final Hour was tiring beyond all reason and more taxing than, well.... taxes. Friday night alone we were all there from 6-2 in the morning and did the scene over 100 times for groups of 25 people at a time. Needless to say... by the time two o'clock rolled around yours truly was ready to go to sleeeeeeeeep (and renounce his faith for Taoism, but thats besides the point). However, with one more night there was nothing to it but to do it, and we even ended up getting out early, getting a lot of complements on what we had accomplished and let a lot of people to Christ who would not have normally attended a church service. Also, i let the people who were providing food for the event what the term 'vegan' means... i was actually offered a chik-fil-a sangwich and told to eat the bread and throw the meat. MMMMMMM, bread. I almost feel like im taking advantage of you all! Luckily, Subway was across the street ready to dish out the veggie D-lights, and a hand of bananas isnt too expensive. That... and Rockstar energy drinks were four for five at Publix this week (WINNER!). All in all, if i had the choice, would i do it the same way again? Mayyyyybe not the entire run of the event, but i would definitley help out.

Next up, there has been a HOOOOGE movement on the 'career-front'. Many of you loyal followers have noticed the movie reviews that litter the blog, well... i am happy to say that these are going to start being more mainsream. Yes, i am now reviewing movies on a local radio station... LIVE! (and the crowd goes wild). Will this mean that some movie-love will not end up on here? In some way, yes... but - plan on new DVD reviews along with some CD's!(Starting with Michael Buble:Crazy Love, and 'Food Inc.').

Last, but not least, The Terminator is so getting taken down this Sunday. The team is assembling nicely (Grandma is staying home) and we are confident as only 20 yr old guys can be. I may even just wear my Superman Cape... Im not sure. That being said... make sure to stop by the Daily Bread Food Bank and se what you can do to help. Recently there was a meeting with Pizza Rustica (a miami-based pizza chain) about making a donation in response to me creating a scene by eating a big pizza. Gee, let me think... I raise money by eating some awesome pizza. Im sorry, I think I just felt the lift side of my body go numb. Very Excited about raising the money and thinking i should get Pepto to endorse me until then. Speaking of giving during the holidays, my girl Katie is raising money for 'Africards' and 'Project Pillows' and helping to raise money could not be easier. All you have to do it go look at her page, THATS IT! She is an awesome writer and has a buttload of awesome/healthy recipes (may or may not involve chocolate) that im sure you will love and make in the future. Enjoy her site and thank you for all the help.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, there you have it. I apologize, as i meant for this post to contain my first video review of my Sout Florida Restaurant Tour... but the uploading is not being my friend at the moment. Tune in next timefor more creations tomfoolery (not to mention, immaturity) and hopefully... a video review.Until next time, this is PanClayke reminding you that punctuationandspaceingoutwordsisoverrated.

Pair-of-waffles Activity

2009-10-28T16:21:00.000-07:00

See what I did there?Here at Panclayke we enjoy a good scary movie. However, there is something to say about the differences between something 'scary', 'frightening' and 'disturbing'. Not sure what i mean by this? To put it simply...

Saw - Scary (plot that could happen and you really hope doesnt)
House of Wax - Frightening (horrible movie that relies on things jumping out at you in order to try and scare you. Pretty much most scary movies in the last 5 years)
Paranormal Activity - Disturbing (something that is real and evokes a memory or something you have gone through that makes you spill your Reeses Peecies all over the floor)

This movie was definitley disturbing. And yes... i have seen a ghost before. Setting the stage: Freshman year of college in the dormitory communal bathroom - had some Chinese Buffet that was looking to make an 'encore' at three in the morning. Needless to say, yours truly definitley had some tunnel vision happening. Going past the shower stalls it was a quick right turn until i found what i sought. All of a sudden someone flung open one of the shower curtains like they were looking to hit me in the face for calling their mother a whore. I didnt care who was so mad at me, i was on a mission. After everything was situated and it was time to taea breather (cautiously) i noticed, i never heard a door close - i never heard footsteps - not even the light scraping of a towel across a freshly washed body. GHOST!!!!!!!

Yeah, i saw me a ghost. This might even need to inspire a pancake (something with raisin eyes, yeah). Anyway, back to the movie. While the camera work is a bit shakey due to the handycam-look, much to the tune of Cloverfield and the Blair Witch. The story centers around a couple who have recently moved into a new house together and discover a 'disturbance' that the girlfriend has apparently gone through before. Right off the bat the audience recognizes a plot like this one (something is following the girrrrrrllllll, howl). However, what makes this movie different are two things. The first is the role of the boyfriend and his insatiable need to protect her which does nothing more than to anger the spirits within. The second are the nuances concerning the haunting. There is nothing really jumping out at you, just looking for a cheap thrill. This is a movie that gets you concentrating and opens your senses looking for something, this openness makes something as simple as a door swinging scary... this isnt to say that there arent a couple WHOA-ments (<-- playin with words!) but these are not all this movie has to offer. In the end, we at panclayke give Paranormal Activity 3.7/5 quija boards. It will definitely be rented when there is a pizza party at the casa, but will not be bought for general use.

There is also....
THESE!

Van's Waffles... from the Freezer! Freezer waffles are back in action after a reputation set by the eggo company placed the waffle in the same realm as ice cream. I guess since they share a room then they must also be the same thing. NEWS FLASH! Go and get these and reclaim your breakfast! These are not only organic but are also VEGAN! This was definitely a plus, not to mention the crispyness that comes on these guys right out of the toaster (setting 6 to those of you with a black and decker). Will i be buying these again. Well, with variations like: Blueberry, belgian, gluten free and homestyle... i would have to be crazy not to. Not to mention that the make me happyyyy

OOOOOOOOOO, whos a happy boy?!!?

Well folks, i regret to say that i will be MIA for a couple of days as there is going to be A LOT of shtuff going on soon. Add together the Morning show, promotions department and the final hour all backpacking on the other one for the next three days and you have the recipe for a menaje tois of pain. Needless to say.... im heading out to Publix tomorrow and picking up some red bulls and 5 hour energies.

However, before i head out i want to remind you all to support the Daily Bread Food Bank... i actually thought of another way to make this happen. As you all know, I have attempted the terminator with less than perfect results. So i purpose a wager. A bet, of you will, to see if I will be able to take it down or not. If not, then i will apologize and make a huge donation (i was gonna anyway but just thought i would make it seem more noble just then) BUT, when that last bite is taken... perhaps a dollar to the Daily Bread. No pressure ya'll, just really passionate about this cause.

Well folks, that is all for now. Tune in next time for a new pancake and new life-enings. Until then, this is PanClayke reminding you that a Quija board will only make the demon mad.

Consumption Junction..... what-your-function?

2009-10-26T09:40:00.000-07:00

- would you like a.... ba-nana or berry?

Berry... Blue, that is.

Sadly my friends this is going to be another short-ski as I must embark from the casa soon. I also suspect i am a bit more tired than usual cause I have an 'aura' about me that I dont approve of. I mean, I showered and everything but there is still something. It got to the point where I needed to distract myself with some light cakerey... but could not bring myself to attempt the new cre-cake-tion I have recently been contemplating... more on that one later. Instead, today was the oldie but goodie..... Whole Wheat With Bloobs.

As i was flipping and happy about how these were turning out i asked myself why 'add-ins' are so popular in the cake world. Then i recalled an old phrase... 'variety is the spice of life'. Granted, there was cinnamon in the batter, but.... well, you catch my drift. And honestly, the textural variety that the bloobs give the pancake are perfect. Each one was like a mini explosion of anti-awesome-dants (i am so the wordsmith today!). Speaking of which... a new word was invented in between the 'yums' today.

Bloo-gasm: (n) the small explosion of flavor occuring when a blueberry is bitten into when used as an ingredient to employ a texural variation.

(i sent an Email to webster... im hopeful to hear something soon).

Okay y'all, i gotta make like a baby and head out. I apologize for the quickness and for being to verbose (...if I had a nickel). Tune in next time for a new feature, new pancake, and new attitude! Until then, this is PanClayke reminding you that the suffix -gasm makes any word ten times better.

I better have a seat saved..

2009-10-23T09:57:00.000-07:00

Just to let you know how important you all are to me, i had to sneak in a little post-ski before work. Just two things... then maybe a bigger one when i get home (thats what she said)

First: Dont forget to donate to Daily Bread food bank! The link is right there, dont you just wanna give it a click?

Second:>

I dont know if i mentioned how im helping out with this or not, its a haunted house experience that my church has been doing. ITs been good, the goal is to spread the gospel and get people saved... and last night alone something like 2,000 people came! Praise be to God!

The Catch... sitting on a tire, outside, in the rain, until 2 in the morning. Then... they walk by and try to lift our spirits with promises of pizza today before the show starts. AWESOME, oh wait.... nevermind (veganism much?). However, the bible does say to find joy in the hardships for they are, in the end, bringing glory to God. I have never prayed harder that this will be my focus. Until then, i just need to take it easy and rest up... Panclayke - sleep = Angrypants McGoof.

I think i might just have to have a massive burrito beofre the thing tonight. Review of the best burritio ever to follow~

*UPDATE*= So, there is some time now for a more proper Panclayke update... but nowhere near enough to leave me satisfied. Like, when you leave a restaurant having payed too much money for too little food. Speaking of which...

The East Coast Burrito factory almost made up for all the 'stoggie' tex-mex food ive have since ive been home to Florida. While we have the best cuban sandwiches for miles... the burritos leave something to be desired and the breakfast tacos are non existent. However, this took those bad boys to the bank and made me remember what i love about the burrito. Tortilla love. And honestly... bang for your buck much? This thing was the size of a human baby and weighed about the same (im guessing about 2-3 lbs!). Sadly, i got caught up in a conversation before the run of the Final Hour and before i knew it someone had eaten the entire thing. I dont know that happened! Howevsies... I am not a little more prepped to take down the Terminator again... considering I pretty much ate a human child and didnt even know it (well, not REALLY a baby but... well, you get the picture). And honestly, with loads of vegetarian and a few vegan options as well... the East Coast Burrtio Factory is definitely going to be a repeat on the blog. We, at panclayke, give it 4.5/5 pads of butter.

Update on Final Hour - God's will and not my own... that is the mantra that i hav been repeating as i sit on a tired at two in the morning doing a 2 minute scene for the 100th time. Sounds fun? Well, what if i added the rainstorms of late and the fact that we are outside to the equation? You wanna help out right now dont you? But again, God's will be done. I DO know that tons of people have been showing up and a number of people have received God's love and gotten saved. There is a part of me that says this is not important... but the 'correct' thinking dictates this as the most noble job on earth. Four days and the rest of my life, thats all. But like I said... i better have a seat saved.

That's all for now Meine Lieblings! Tune in next time for a new pan-creation and a dedication to the strongest of the strong! Until then, this is PanClayke reminding you to that you are what you eat... and apparently I am 14 inches long and weigh 2.5 lbs (HELLO!).

Because it made me smile.

2009-10-21T12:10:00.000-07:00

In surfing the web i have come across many things.

grapefruit diet

total body cleanse

the 'obey' rule to get flat abs

cosmetic surgeon websites

online calorie counterd

online support groups

facebook

Bo Burnham

All these things are good and they serve a purpose... but for the most part do not make people smile. In fact, has anyone else noticed were normally stressed when we log on to google? I think this is because we are searching for something and are frustrated since we have NO CLUE what it is. I mean, if we did then we would not be on the internet looking for it. Because, looking for it means that we dont have it, ergo---

literally, my eyes just crossed..

Anyhoo... once in a blue moon my travels lead me to something that peels back the lips like a ripe 'naner and exposes the 32 pearly chicklets the world needs more of. Today was such a day when i stumbed upon this. You see, being overweight did teach me one thing. You are a lot happier, albiet... not always healthier. I never knew why, but there were some days where i could not keep the smile from my face and others where making the peeps around me ROFL was commonplace. I couldnt run a mile to save my life though, which is apparently all that matters in high school.

What am I saying... what am I saying... hold on, let me 'google' it. OH YEAH. Society is warped, based A LOT around the outside. Dont get me wrong... i can be as shallow as the next guy, but if there is a cricket in my jolly rancher wrapper.. i dont care how pretty the wrapper is cause I am not going to eat a friggin cricket. Unless its Jiminey, in which case i will throw the Kaibash down on that sephlopod. But yes, the outside shouldn't matter... but, sadly, it does in modern society. The solution is, what i shall call: THE PERFECT LIFESTYLE! Just follow these easy steps and you will have the best life there is.

Know that you are not your own- we belong to God and He is in control. It may be scary to think we are 'powerless' but i trust Him a lot more than myself.

Get out on occasion- show the world your awesomeness! I have never been to the louve so i have yet to see the Mona Lisa. Even if one is in france they have to wait in line and be bored... then theyre in a bad mood and don't appreciate it as much. But, if the lady was in a public square of some kind then there would be a much greater ease to see her... which is why DaVinci did it in the first place.

Be a Hero - exercise is a good thing, but not if you dont enjoy it! I like to be superman so i like to strength train... but i dont run because it sucks worse than a recently un-clogged toilet. Therefore, find whats fun and train to do it. Also, take advice from 'Whip It" and be your OWN hero. i.e.=find a role madel and aspire from there.

Pretend its your grandma - Were you about to NOT hold the door for that lady? Were you about to cut that guy off on the interstate? What if that was Nonna?

Be Confident - there is one scene in the Neverending Story where Atreyu is walking through the gate to get to the Southern Oracle (dont ask me why he's walking... I KNOW THE FLYING DRAGON IT RIGHT THERE!) and the trip is pretty problem free... until he starts to doubt himself. Then he almost gets zapped by freaky eye lasers from a sphinx with an awesome rack! The lesson... when you are confident that you are the best you can be... nobody can touch you. Not even with eye lasers.

Well, there you have it, the prefect plan. follow it until you die and let me know what happens. Wow... that was morbid and unecessary, in return i will close with some humor...

People Who Are Overweight: Ben Franklin, Pope Benedict XVII, John Candy, Reuben Studdard, John Adams, Gerald Ford, Henry Ford, Hurley: from Lost and Stanley: from The Office. Oprah, Horatio Sanz, Drew Carey (just donated 50 grand to Feeding South Florida) Ben AND Jerry, Aretha Franklin and Aaron Neville, Christopher Columbus, Socrates, King Arthur and everyboy's father.

People Who are 'Slender': Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Carrot Top, Lucifer, Osama Bin Laden, Lex Luthor, Napoleon, Kim Jong Il, Benito Mussolini, Count Dracula, Lex Luthor, Attila the Hun, Ted Bundy, Mary: Queen of the Scots and Ryan Seacreast.

Well my Peeps, there you have it. I hope, at the very least, a smile was cracked and the world was made a little lighter. Please remember to spread the word about Feeding South Florida as well! Until next time, this is Panclayke reminding you that TOP CHEF RESTAURANT WARS IS TONIGHT!

Labels

2009-10-20T11:13:00.000-07:00

Being a dieter and a vegan have made me realize the importance of label checking. Who knew that nearly every 'vegetarian' product is nowhere near vegan. Well, regardless... ill tell you who knows now.

OOOOOOO! Before i get to deep into the black hole of my mind allow me to let the flight attendant direct you to the link to the right ---->. Yes, yours truly is going to put the 'NO' in November when he takes down the Terminator... once and for all. Be prepared for a video that will make you laugh, cry, hurl, pass out, laugh again and leave you wanting peanuts for some reason.

Okay... back to labels. The are nowhere near as helpful as people wish they were, in my opinion. Yes, they are great in respect of telling what the ingredients are in foods. Heaven knows that there are enough allergies and intolerances in the world today without people needing to constantly worry about weather or not their bread contains something that will make them sick.

On the other hand.... there is an aspect of obsession. Horrible, nagging, thought-clouding and mind numbing obsession. I remember spending 2 hours in the grocery aisles looking at the differences between THIS bread and THAT bread. "Which has more protein. Whats the serving size? Is there enough fiber in this one?" Yeah... im a freak, or at least was. The only thing is you fail to see yourself in that way since the realm of thinking is: "They put the labels there, i HAVE to check them." This way of 'healthful thinking' would result in me spending 5-10 minutes looking at a label having an inner debate about whether or not i should eat something... later on, it evolved into weighing out apples and oranges and making sure the lighter ones were what i went with. And, sad but true, there was even a period where the food scale would come out and weight/measure bagged salad. Friggin iceberg lettuce down to the exact ounce. Good Lord, just saying it makes me wonder how something like that can be thought of as 'healthy'.

If your still hanging around, then mad props to you. Like i said here i feel the need to be more personal throughout the Panclayke-sphere... maybe to my detriment, but only time will tell. That being said, i dont think there is anything more personal than the contents of ones fridge/pantry.

Yeah... remember how i mentioned how labels suck? The tupperware is definitely insane, mostly homemade hummus but still. This leads me to my next challenge.... THE PANTRY CHALLENGE! Cleaning out the pantry the only way I know how... by eating it! (There is gonna be a LOT of hummus sandwiches) Now, there is still going to be trips to publix/whole foods for fresh things (fruit, bread, veggies, etc), but no other food will be coming in the house until the tomb is empty. Why do it... that brings me to my next point...

Okay, so ive been eating vegan for a while now. This, i find, works well since apples and sweet potatoes dont come with a nutrition label. I've learned to appreciate fresh food and respect it at the same time. Even though the tomatos on the vine didnt have a 'personality', there is still the inkling that it is helping me be better by nourishing me. Ergo... when said tomato goes bad i always feel guilty... almost ungrateful and disrepectful (i am SUPER-sensitive... hey, i have a super power!). There is also a more real guilt to be had... in the sense that many are going hungry in the world today. Now, THAT makes me sad... so, again, allow me to direct you to the donation icon at the top of the page. Feel free to visit the site or Email me to learn more but the readers digest version is that im going to take down the eating challenges of S. Florida as somewhat of a stunt to get donations for the 'Daily Bread Food Bank'. I encourage you all to help me kick hunger (mine and others) in the FACE!

Last, but not least, something uh-maize-ing happened today. I mentioned to my mum-zies that i was thinking about pulling my savings moula and buying a refurbished video camera so i could start some video postage (WHOOPS, Gave away the surprise) but, then she told me to wait before i went to Best Buy... left the room for ten minutes and came back with a SONY HANDY-FRIGGIN-CAM! This thing is like brand spanking new and is going to fuel some new realm of postage... and WAY better documentation of the 'challenges. Which, as of now, contain

Terminator (pancake)
5 lb burrito
the kitchen sink (ice cream)
the Vermonster (<-- google it!)
5 lb burger.

Well my loves... thats all for this tired blogger. I am not off to enjoy some Neil Patrick Harris and a quilt with my name on it. Until next time, this is PanClayke reminding you that that people are like food and should not be determined as a 'label'.

TFMA!

2009-10-18T10:54:00.000-07:00

No Cakes? Well, maybe. The day is still young and there is some newly grilled eggplant chilling in the fridge. I dont know, rat-ta-two cakes? I think we may have a winner... but regardless, thats for later.

For now im instigating a new category in the PanClayke-world and that is the "TFMA List'. TFMA? Just a little shorthand for 'Top Five Most Awesome! Those Letterman fans will know what im talking about... bascially, its just a random category and you list the top 5 ______'s and give a reason why. I don't know about you, but im thinking this will be enduring and awesome at the same time. 'endusome'?

This time around:

TFMA MOVIE TEACHERS

Really? Heck yeah! I was thinking about how the 'Top Villains' are debated over and over again. Well, i got tired of seeing why Darth Vader is meaner than Micheal Myers and decided that behind every villain prompting the protagonist to save the day... there is a teacher who inspires the same hero to save the same day. So instead of a villain i started off easy and went for the polar opposite. Now, may i present (in no particular order)... TFMA Teachers!

(*critereon: A teacher - also known as a tutor or instructor - is one who imparts skills to the pupil while simultaneously inspiring the pupil towards a goal benefitting his/her life.)

Mr. Miyagi

He stole our hearts when he fixed Daniel Larusso's bike, and made us think when he would make his only student wax a car and call it 'training'. Then, he makes us cry when we find out his true love passed away in a POW camp... no matter what the emotional state Mr Miyagi not only taught young troubled youth how to defend themselves... but taught with the intention of calming a soul that had no direction. Notice that throughout the 4 Karate Kid's there was at least one occurance where Mr. Miyagi would either verify that karate's purpose is so you DO NOT have to fight and an instance of dissapointment when the student would get over zealous and use karate for the 'wrong reasons'. Not to mention, Mr. Miyagi is someone who practices and implements the subject he teaches in every movie we see him in. Even when he was getting a bit on the old side he still beat the crap out of Micheal Ironside.... for this, Mr. Miyagi is on the list.

Hannibal Lecter

Okay, awesome! We notice in 'Silence of the Lambs' that Clarice would never have been able to delve into the mind of Buffalo Bill without the shovel that Hannibal equipped her with. Couple this with the way the good doctor would evoke emotions from our heroine through random stories about lamb kidnapping and you have the recipe for a teacher who truly understands the subject matter to the point of using just about any topic to get the point across. See, he didn't KNOW about the lamb before Clarice told him... but once he had the smallest idea about what it could represent he rolled with it to the point of teaching a lesson.

(Hannibal lecter is also noted as one of the top 50 villains as determined by AFI)

Veronica Vaughn

Sooooooooo hot, want to touch the heinie, AAAAHHHHHWWWOOOOOO! Yes, call me what you will but she was a good teacher. She is one that not only used what she was good at to impart knowledge to her pupil by exploiting some *ahem* to teach about the Spanish Armada... but she also inspired our hero Billy to truly do what was right with A) his fathers hotel company and B) his choice to be a teacher. In fact im waiting for the sequel: Billy Madison: Grad Student.

Granted, it would go straight to video and star Jimmy Fallon as opposed to Sandler, but i've some to terms with this. Also, she made sure i always remember the year of the Spanish Armada just in case i end up in a similar situation one day (1588)

Yoda/Obiwan Kenobi

Yes, these both count as one person because they are from the same movie and they both helped take down the same villain. This was actually a difficult decision to make since the Emperor could also be seen as a teacher, since he inspires Vader to the dark side and all that. But i had to decide on Yoda/Obiwan when i considered the girlish scream i let out during the end of attack of the clones and the fact I say at least on obiwan quote each time i play video games. For inspiring young Luke to save the universe and, in turn, instilling ideas within Vader to bring balance to the force... Yoda and 'old Ben' rank in the list.

Master Splinter

This goes without saying, I mean... he's a rat that friggin knows Karate! Splinter is also Miyagui-esque in the sense the teaches life lessons through martial arts as opposed to just teaching how to kick the Shredder in the face! Also, be reminded of a scene in the first (BEST) turtle movie where splinter gives the life-changing advice: "all fathers care for their sons". This got a kid to leave the foot clan, betray the shredder and return stolen merch' to April O'neill; oh yeah... and it was given when Splinter was CHAINED TO A WALL CLINGING TO AN INCH OF LIFE. If that doesnt show an insatiable need to teach i dont know what does.

Man... that was awesome, the only thing that could make it better would be some pancake action... but who has the time to make a batter, heat the pan, etc.? I asked this question myself as i scoured the pantry wondering why they dont make a microwaveable banana pancake dinner. Then i thought... hummus?

Pan-Mus! Take a can of chick-peas and blend with some maple syrup, banana extract and a 'sceetch' of cinnamon and you have a spread that may or may not have been eated with the index finger of my left hand for the initial tasting and then for a little while longer as i looked through the pantry for the unsalted tortilla chips. (*note: yes... it WOULD have been gross if the chips were salted). Stay tuned for more uses of the amorphous pancake creation. Im thinking Pan-Mus and jelly? Ideas are most welcome!

Well, my friends, it is 9pm and i have to wake up to bring radio to the world so I must leave you. Tune in next time for more creations spanning both pancakes and other cuisines! Until then, this is PanClayke reminding you that there is a reason why they called it the 'magic' bullet.

Insert pancake name here

2009-10-16T02:40:00.000-07:00

Before anything happens i must give out a disclaimer that A) I am a bad blogger since it has most definitely been too long since ive posted sumpin' and B) This post is gonna be like an elephant trunk... super long and surrounded with childish Eufamisms. Okay, now that disclaimers are out of the way....

...PANCAKES HOOOO!
I was feeling a flare of the islands when I awoke this morning and remembered how awesome Hawaiian pizza is. Thus, the 'Pina Cake-loda' was born. Standard batter infused with some coconut extract and chunks of pineapple in the batter and on top. Feel free to add some crushed macadamia nuts as well... but after some hard core looking the nuts were nowhere to be found (eufamism!)

Now, these had a smell coming off them that i cannot describe as anything but heavenly. I mean, look at the pure joy coming through those pores? Actually, it almost looks more like im falling asleep on my pan. Pillowcake?

Note: DO NOT make pancakes when you are hungry. Exhibit A, the abnormally big pancake on the pan that rivals the size of my head. Was it delicious? Oh yeah... and i actually flipped it without too much trouble. Granted, i had to use two spatulas, but that was nothing compared to the "tong incident of '07"

Next up on the agenda, are awards!!!

The first one comes from Mitri: the queen of Steel Cuttery
The Rules: Answer the Questions with one word answers:

1. Cell Phone: Bedroom

2. Hair: Hatted

3. Mother: Hibernating

4. Father: Missing

5. Favorite Food: Pancakes (STFU!)

6. Dream last night? Nope

7. Favorite Drink: Energy

8. Dream/Goal? Helpful

9. What room are you in? Living

10. Hobby? Guitar

11. Fear? Stagnation

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Colder

13. Where were you last night? Church

14. Something you aren't? Conceited

15.Muffins? Banana-Nut

16. Wish List Item? DeLorean

17. Where did you grow up? Atlanta

18. Last thing you did? Sneeze

19. What are you wearing? Patience (see what I did there?)

20. Your TV? Plasma

21. Your Pets? Aging

22. Your Friends? O-hana!

23. Your Life? Gift.

24. Your Mood? Hopeful

25. Missing Someone? Duh?

26. Vehicle? "Skeets"

27. Something your not wearing? Emotions

28. Favorite Store? Whole Foods

29. Favorite Color? Mountain-Dew

30. Last time you laughed? Last night

31. Last time you cried? Homeward Bound

32. Best Friend? Jesus (not a cop out)

33. Place i go over and over? Happy

34. Peson who Emails me regularly? Monster.com

35. Favorite Place to Eat? Mags!

Now... for the tagging of the six!

-
Jose

-Tori

Note: I HAD to limit myself to 6 people since i wanted to just tag everyone in the world of blogs and be done with it. But, you can't win them all.

Next up is an award about being Creative and a bad speller:

This one has to deal with seven interesting things about myself (cue skepticism)

I am deathly afraid of Gecko Lizards
I talk big, but never beat any Sonic Game
I would rather play Pictionary than go downtown drinking
Have a crush on Jennifer Love Hewitt
Steal bulk food from Whole Foods
Aspire to be a competive eater
Still watch Nick Jr sometimes

Your supposed to tag people for this reward as well. However, its been such a long time since this award was 'the rage' that i doubt its fashionable anymore. Im going to say... everyone? YES! Every blogger ever!!!

So, moving on. Let me alert you to #6 on the above list. You see, many of you will remember the Terminator and the fullness that entailed. Well, don't ask me why but i think i was just having an off day. There were factors involved that day that i may go into at another time. However, the other day during a google-sesh i stumbled upon a story about 'Furious Pete' and was definitely inspired. I thought, man... what a strange hero for me to have. Then i remembered 'Whip it' and thought it was high time i was my own hero. Why not? Therefore: the plan is to get more hard core in the old weightroom, increase the metabolism a bit and attack the terminator once again. Not only that, and say what you want, but I have gone as far as to find a list of the eating challenges throughout South/Central Florida. Among the challenges are a 5 lb burrito, a 10lb hamburger, the terminator, and the Kitchen Sink (biggest ice cream sundae ever!). Not only that but also, i think its high time i started documenting the wonderment that is the south Florida eating world. What do you think... man-boy vs food? From now on though... i think ill leave grandma at home. There is something about the Jihad being thrown down by an elderly woman that has severe pancake hindrance.

But Clay... your a vegan! Arent Eating challenged notoritous for being laden with animal? More about this one later my friends. (gotta save something for sweeps week)

Note: That pizza is the vegan-veggie from Joe-Jamz. Two things: 1) totally made this bad boy my beeotch and 2) anyone and everyone in the Hollywood Fl area needs to get down there now! Seriously, this pizza is like god (lower case g) on a crust.

It was actually REALLY out of the ordinary when this pizza happened. While it was awesome my dad brought it home for dinner and he likes eating really late at night. Im not a fan... but I am not one to pass on some vegan love. Long story short, i went to bed with some vegan food-baby action and had to wake up 6 hours later to go the radio station.... and had an awesome day! It was a hard week, im not gonna lie, but Thursday was filled with laughing and awesomeness... not to mention flexing my knowledge about LOTR.

This goes along with the concept i have been working to adapt recently and one that I am REALLY excited about, the concept of letting go. See, last sunday at church the message had to deal with surrendering one's life to God (since it was His to begin with) and not worry about the small things here on earth that really dont matter. Look at King Tut... im not lying when I say you cant take it with you. Now, this conflicts with the way i normally handle things (in a big way). Well, no more. I decide to focus more on prepping for the purpose God has for me and live by faith. Why such an easy transition. To be honest... Pure faith. I figured i could trust Bill Clinton for 8 years...trusting God isnt that hard by comparison.

Speaking of letting go, i have noticed a LOT more flexibility with regard to my routine and, ergo... more excitement. For instance: the day after the vegan pizza happened someone at work invited me to come with for an open mike night. And not as a guest... but as a comic. I asked him "where did that come from" he commented on how i was making everybody laug just then and seemingly not trying too hard. I told him i was just having fun... then told him i couldn't wait to go (something else for sweeps!). So now there is the pressure of perfecting a 'set' in about two weeks. Awesome... figures i would have some homework.

Homework which im going to find hard to do since the schedule is getting to be puh-retty full. Not only am i working at the morning show but also just got another internship with the promo department at the same station. What does this mean? It means three more days of working at the station doing promo calls and working on the websites event calendar, going to events to assist in the set up/tear downs and some killer SCHWAGGGG! (Flight of the Conchords season 2!) Also, my church is putting on the halloween event 'the final hour' which i am performing in. this bascially means three nights a week during the month of October where i perform a 1 1/2 minute skit over and over from 8-12 with minimal breaks (bathroom time is going to be a challenge -- btw, it totally rocks being a guy sometimes.) The funny thing is that at least once a rehearsal i was thinking of an excuse to get out of it. Why do i always do this? It seems as if im constantly self sabotaging myself because im worried about stepping out of my box. I just get really spprehensive when im out of my comfort zone and away from my TIVO (bascially, not being able to be in full control of my life). Well Clay, sorry to break it to you, but that is the last thing you HAVE been in control of for a re-heally long time. Seriously, i have been swayed by so many things that, in the end, are nothing if not inspid and frivolous. This *need* to control every aspect of me has cost me relationships, job opportunities, moving forward, emotional wellness, and physical health... to name a few. It's strange, i think the first sign was when i chose not to play my X-Box 360 when I first whipped it out of the box. What kind of guy doesnt jump on that quicker than a fumble at the superbowl?! It it definitely time to reclaim the things that make ME happy, the only catch is its been a while since i truly knew what that meant. What does this mean... it goes back to letting go/letting God. I surrender myself to you God, to use my life in a way that would glorify you and leave all others as secondary. In the words of 'Mrs. Frizzle', its time to "Take Chances, make mistakes, and get MESSY (eufamism!)

Lastly, there may very well be a new blog direction coming your way! As you can probably tell, one reason why I do not post as much as i would like is due to my lack of typing know-how. Well, im just gonna throw a couple key words out there: Video postage. Intrigued much? You know you are.

Whoa.....all that emoting really takes it out of you. 6:14! Kick me in the balls! Okay folks, that is all for today... tune in next time for sweeps topics and a pancake sure to shock the masses! Until then, this is PanClayke reminding you that the char on fruit is what the pancake maker knows as... 'Black Gold'.

What you YOU like for breakfast Johhny?

2009-10-13T12:53:00.000-07:00

I still remember the first time i saw this and how much wonderment it brought junior year of college. It also makes me remember all the people that i had the honor of coming into contact with coupled with the sadness that i sometimes feel since i don't get to see them nearly as much anymore.... you know, due to the whole different time-zone thing. I wont go too deep into it... but i thought i would toss out a list of the bullet points that stick out as of right now.

Pint night at Opal Divines - in spite of me not drinking
Pancakes and breakfast tacos
3:10 to Yuma
Katamari Damacy and We <3>
Costume Parties
Bohemian Rhapsody and the dressing room 'choir'
Halo in a dorm room
Clap-On!
Denim shirts and syrup
Whataburger
Moonquake Shake
Sea World
Sighs of relief
Jak, Daxter, Ratchet and Clank
The Chronicles of Narnia
Splitting a PB&J on a free couch
Hiding a kitten in my room
Floor Sweeps
Energy Drinks
The Office
'Eating Grass'
Living room forts
Snow days
Reading a book in a tree
Getting all the free muffins i want
The first time I saw Amelie
Chinese Buffet once a year
Metro coffeehouse and finding 3 penny's
Big Mountain Dew from KFC
HUNGRY MAN!

... and many many more. They may not make sense... and there are definitely some that should be up there... so let me know what those are and I will remedy that PDQ. But, until then, I leave you with this...

Hug a Carb Month, indeed!

'Reminisce Muffin'. Until next time, this is PanClayke reminding you that the same method used to make muffin batter is how one should mix pancake batter. Thank you Alton Brown!

Good, Better, Best!

2009-10-11T12:58:00.000-07:00

-Good= Whip It! Now, if you thought Kitty Pride and Juno Maguff were tough then you haven't met Bliss Cavender. Just a small town girl, living in her lonely world, she took the midnight train (or station wagon) to Austin, TX to flex her woman guns in the Texas Roller Derby. Big deal, you say? Well, answer me this... have you ever seen an actual derby? Unles your from the pan-handle then the answer is probably no... i feel sorry for you. They should sell depends at the door with the way these women intimidate the crap out of you (literally). Hollywood has ruined a sport via film before (thank you Semi-Pro) but this one definitely did the derby some justice. Keeping the girls tough and feminine simultaneously. Not to mention a stellar cast. Please allow me to drop some names: Marcia Gay Harden, Daniel Stern, Drew Barrymore (who also directs) and Juliette Lewis just to name a few. May be a bit female heavy... but this is no Waiting to Exhale. There is plenty of Testosterone to go around. Not to mention the message is one that really hits home for a lot of people. How many of us have felt trapped in a cage waiting for inspiration to get out? How many of us want to just "Be our own hero"? (*raises hand)

-Better= Zombieland keeps the testosterone flowing with a comedy that will also leave you a little startled. Granted, this bad boy was no Shaun of the Dead, but how many movies can say they are? I mean... other than Shaun of the Dead. Anyway, Woody Harrelson is indeed a natural born killer once again pumping out enough man juice to make Angela Landsbury want to pick up an Uzi and blow the head off a flesh eating zombie. Couple that with the comedic delivery of Jesse Eisenberg (Adventureland) and you have a recipe for an awesome movie-cake. And, lest we forget, our own Little Miss Sunshine Abigail Breslin who is proving time and time again that she will not only tug at your heartstrings but also wail in the Air Guitar of awesome! There is also one of the best cameos ever, but you have to see the movie to figure out that one. Speaking of Cameos... i have never left a movie theater wanting a twinkie more. Again... another reason to see the movie, and another idea for the most awesome pancake yet. While there were a couple times where the story gets a bit 'zombie movie commonplace' and there are also some scenes where Eisenberg makes me want to blow my own head off (THERE IS ONLY ONE MICHAEL CERA SIR... I APOLOGIZE!) this movie is still a must see for both the die hard and the occasional zombie fan.

Best!- GUESS WHO IS OUT OF THE PANCAKE RUT?! No.... not Alton Brown, seriously??? Bobby Flay?!?! You think Flay? I have finally cracked the matrix of making a vegan pancake that not only has a good amount of nutrition.... but is also tender and light. However, note that these will strick to your ribs.. I had the last batch about 4 hours ago and I am still feeling them. The trick is All.Purpose.Flour. Thats right... Regular old flour that i know you have a bag lurking in the pantry right now. See, ironically, while Whole Wheat flours are much healthier and are good for those seeking to keep a trim figure... they do go far in terms of keeping the pancake heavy (IRONIC!). Thus... no matter the level of aking powder the pancakes would come out dense and heavy. Now, this is not a bad thing at all... in fact i kind of like the Lumberjack sensation of wolfing down some flapjacks before work... but there are some times where Gelato is better than fro-yo and a muffin is better than a cookie. What am i saying? There is a time and a place for everything, yeah that's it. Now, dont get me wrong... there is no need to go balls to the wall when it comes to AP flour (i do still agree that it is almost totally devoid of all nutritional value). But, adding a bit to the batter (about 2 tbsp per 1/4C Whole Wheat Flour) will keep the batter from getting too heavy and results in the kin of panckes we remember Grandma making at 7am on christmas morning.

What was done with this new information/experiementation? Well, i give you....

Chicken Pot Pancakes!

A savory blend of Whole Wheat and All Purpose Flour bursting with the flavor of Black Pepper and swanson broth (who saw that one coming). These offerings are perfect for the savory breakfast and the perfect go-to dinner. Whether the diner hails from the Bible Belt or the 13 original colonies... they are sure to make these a new favorite.

Well, there you have it. Also be sure to check out the Rachel Ray show tomorrow morning as she tried to take the "Cake-Master" title. My apologies Rach... but your kung fu is not strong. Until next time, this is Panclayke reminding you that pancakes are, indeed, a little better when they are a bit refined (flour, that is.)

Honesty Party!

2009-10-09T07:55:00.001-07:00

I've been on the fence for a long time about how much of myself to put into this blog. Should I trust my poker hand and go all in or should i hang back and save a couple chips for the river? Should I write the bolg more for myself and make it a bit more meaty and emotional or just stick with posting a good pancake recipe once a week?

At first, it seemed a god decision to go gung ho, just emote all over the internet and talk about anything and everything that bothers me and end every paragraph with 'why am I like this/what should I do?" in all caps AND underlined. You now i was serious because that is pretty much the internet equivelent of screaming at the top of my LUUUUUNGS (im giving it baaa-aack <--- thanks Mandy Moore) Then i paused and realized this blog is on the WORLD wide web, and though of how many people are actually in the world. The answer? Hundereds..... there are literally, hundreds. Some of those people may be my future employers and others may be the women i eventually want to make a good impression on through the world of speed-dating. I'm a realist, what can I say. So, i decided to add a bit more of myself into these pages but not go all in. Hopefully this doesn't turn out like last nights baked potato and blow up in my face. That being said, i have realized that i need to get more sleep. Part of me feels like im just whining and should 'man up', but then im remembered of two things. The first being that its not about manning up, more about what is needed by each 'man'. Meaning, you may work fine off three hours of slumber and thats totally cool... more power to you. To be honest, i do "okay" on three hours as well.... but I'm the best i can be when i get seven or eight. And, as with the mighty pancake, it is not about how long they take to get on the table but rather how tastey they are. I would like to be tastey pleeeeease. Secondly, while i may not be the best 'philosophizer' i like to think i am smart enough to remember some good advice when i hear it. Some such advice stems from this genius. She once told me: "The human body has three necessities; food, sex and sleep." The first two will have to be saved for a later posting and the third is abviously important since it is dubbed 'necessity'. Therefore; more sleep is necessary.

Why did i feel the need to vindicate something that seems so trivial? Well, due to lack of sleep my brain tends to not be in the greatest state. I dont think clearly and im moody beyond all reason. It gets really bad the more I try to remedy whatever i believe to be bothering me since it just makes me more introverted and results in overthinking to the maxxxx. I can tell this because iv;e been stressing out over things i can't control (the future, other people, lifetime goals, etc) and the second is that im in a depression about lack of 'happenings' going on in my life while simultaneously having no motivation to move from the couch to do much of anything. It's time to be selfish and take care of me, which is something I neglect to do WAY more than i should... much to my detriment. Therefore, i would like to take this opportunity to apolgize to my body or not treating it as well as it deserves and make a promise to be nicer to it. A promise I WILL follow through with this time... after all, this is the one make/model that can't be traded in.

Speaking of taking care of the bod, many of you will remember the recent change in my diet to a way of veganism, meaning no meat, eggs or dairy. Think about how much that entails in todays society..... got it? Yeah, no those. Needless to say, its been a decision met with a lot of discussion and concern from friends/family. "How can you not have meat? Are you getting enough nutrition?" Now, Perhaps this is a decision best made for when i am adequately nourished/rested so we will definiely hit upon this subject later. But for now... its something to think about. Should the PanClayke stay cruelty-free? Only time will tell

OMG! CHALLENGE! Im watching Rachel Ray (no judging) and i just noticed her 'whats for dinner tonight' for monday is a... get this crap..... Chicken Pot Pie Pancake. Now granted, my original recipe has yet to be put into circulation yet, but it also means that there is something wonerful coming your way this weekend! I will, however, be changing the name of the recipe to P-Cubed (pot pie pancakes) as opposed to the earlier renditions name (chicken and dump-cakes). In retrospect, the aforementioned recipe name sounds like a show for Nicelodeon about a wimpy kid and his smelly friend. I think it is fair to say though that the Nick Network could use a bit of revamp-age.

EDIT: This may be randomly disconnected but it was too short for a brand new post so i thought i would piggyback on the earlier one i wrote today just so i could have written records of it happening. What am I talking about? Well, im working a haunted house/ministry opportunity for my church starting this weekend where i play a drug dealer in a one minute scene. This is going to go on for about four straight hours. in the heat. over and over. maybe a five minute break on the hour. But ill tell you right now, i was having fun. People were getting into it and i actually started enjoying myself after a couple of runs... despite me being apprehensive about it as people kept talking about the event and all the hurdles we are going to have to hop over. Either way... I forgot how much i missed acting. Along with the promise to treat myself better is going to have to be the promise of not forgetting what im good at and why I am here in the first place. Could i do other things? Sure... but who would ever want to is my question.

Zen, and the Art of Pancake

2009-10-07T10:23:00.000-07:00

There is a reason my people love to cook so much, its very theraputic. There is something about making something out of nothing that can give a person a feeling of control in a world full of chaos. I think that is personifed extremely well by the cooking of the perfect pancake.

In my searches about the different cookbooks, recipe sites, youtube videos, 'secret' family recipes etc, etc... i have found no two identical recipes. One calls for more flour the other calls for a pinch of lemon zest the other says you cant do ANYTHING unless you have double acting baking powder. Who is right and who is wrong. THATS THE POINT! There is no such thing. Some people are used to thin crepe-y cakes and others NEED them to be a inch thick otherwise the nose goes up into the air and it doesnt matter if the cakes you made will give the eater the ability to fly... they will not eat them. These things are all in the eye of the beholder, the only through-line is that they have to taste good.

Speaking of tasting good, have you noticed how your grandmothers cooking always tastes amazing? No matter what meal it is very good, why? Because its made with so much happiness and love... because your grandma is so happy to see you. You give her balance by just being there. That beign said, when things are out of wack and there is a storm brewing behind closed doors a recipe will get screwed up really quickly. I can tell this because the last couple of days i have pretty much been throwing all the odds and ends into a bowl and seeing what happens... its been nice and satisfying each time. However, before and after the 'Terminator' challenge the homemade batches have been, or lack of a better word, sucky McSuckerson: mayor of suck town. Ive tried pre-making batters, using different liquids, i even ventured to WF yesterday and bought some new flours because i thought that might be it. Nothing is working and the last batch in particular has been thin, flacid and a bit too salty for my pallete. I actually went as far as to throw the cakes away this morning... which is UN-HEARD of. PanClayke does not throw anything away when it comes to food, He eats like a monkey (diet-wise and approach-wise). What could the problem be... i thinking its a lack of balance.

I dont know exactly what that means, but i do know that there is a 'secret ingredient' (opposing what Kung Fu Panda says). So, no more flour experiments and i not even gonna go near the electric skillets again because i barely had enough to pay off my 14.00 griddle pan. Its time to make love to the food again. Next up... is going to be a pancake made with love topped with the notion moving on from the past two instances. (It's the best thing to do right now, especially since its Hug a Carb Month.

And who doesn't want to hug it out with a stack o' these bad boys? Until next time, this is PanClayke reminding you that a life without balance is a lie.

Short, sweet... enough to eat.

2009-10-06T02:15:00.000-07:00

Okay, like the title says, prepare for a shortzie. Just wanted to let you all know i was still alive after the monstorus pancake challenge. The update is the tumbly is feeling better. Yesterday i decided not to cook and to spend the next couple of days cleaning the produce out of my fridge. A good shoice if i do say so myself since my spinach was about to go bad and i do need more iron in my diet.

Also, i wanted your opinion. Many call me crazy but one thing about the PanClayke is that he is stubborn beyond all reason. Its like in 'Lost' and how the main tagline is: '' dont tell me what i can't do''. Ergo, im thinking i may just have to take on the terminator for a second time. What does this mean? It means a couple months of training and drinking more water earlier in the day on the day of the challenge. Stretching the stomach out and all that. IT would also mean, as much as i love her, to leave grandma at home and just head out with the guys... eating challenges are, after all, the pinacle of machismo. But i was also thinking of the "All you can eat pancake challenge at ihop" you see, i think one reason i felt so horrible is because im not eating meat anymore... let alone eggs and dairy. So perhaps it was my body telling me not to digest it all? Im not sure... but i wanted you alls opinion, so i popped on at work to put the question up.

"Should PanClayke re-attempt the Terminator?"

Im thinking the blogshpere motivation would be good. Also, im thinking there has got to be a charity organization or something where i could actually do this for a reason. Not just feel my own gluttony and all that, lol. Either that, or i just need to make some awesome pancakes at home... and soon, because the last batch or two i made in the test kitchen were epic fails! (Note: Stay tuned for "Kung Fu pancakes"). Also... be ready for an epic movie review post including Whip it and Zombieland.

Tune in next time for wonderful reviews, recipies and other things that begin with 'r'. Until next time, this is PanClayke reminding you that 'a coward dies many time before his death... but a brave man tastes his death but once."

Terminator.... I hardly know her.

2009-10-04T14:10:00.000-07:00

The discovery and the challenge is presented.

This is what we were dealing with. People often ask why Mt. Everest was climbed, and the answer was "Because it is there". Well, its time to eat this bad boy... because its there!

There were still a couple more Dedications... the sheer volume of the cake necessitated more people i suppose.

Dear PanClayke... you know your in trouble when Dad and Grandma have both finished their meals and your still tucking into it. Also.... when grandma is worried your going to die.

-Yours truly was feeling strong and was seemed to have this in the bag. Then i realized what the preverbial ' wall' is, you know... the one that marathon runners talk about when they get to the last mile/half mile. For me, however, this came about 60% into the cake. Now keep in mind, not only was this 60% of a 24'' pancake that must have been an inch thick, but i had also chosen today as 'non-vegan day', giving myself the chance to see if i actualy prefer the taste of meat and dairy and went vegan only to jump on the bandwagon of the 'Skinny Bitch' hype. Believe me when i say... while it may have been a hype decision before... it is anything but now. Bite after bite just made me question every decision i had made within the last three hours. My stomach was hurting and I could barely speak above a whisper. I tried all the tricks i could think of (food combining, dipping the pancake bites in coffee, alternating between meats and carbs... however, not only was everything tasting the same after a while (salt, salt and more salt. Even the coffee tasted like salt!) but i questioned the reasons i was even still doing it. It was only for those waitresses in the restaurant and the readers in the blogsphere.

Now, know that i love you all (you know that right?) but even all the love in this little chefs heart couldn't bring him to take another bite this time around. I kid you not when i say that when i left I felt like the bottom of a shoe after one walks through a porno theater... sticky and weird. And apparently, I was not the only one...

Now, to be honest... i do not feel worthy to be called PanClayke at the moment. I know this was a task that is and will be attempted by the truly insane but that still does not stop me from feeling a sense of failure. However, im sure this will be gone once i get some fresh fruit in me (once this massive 'food baby' decides to be delivered).

Now, the final thoughts: Will i ever attempt the terminator again? Maybe in another year on non-vegan day. However, i know my body will start to remind me of how crappy i feel after taking in all the animal product and it might persuade me to do otherwise. However, i may just get on the horn with a vegan friendly diner and see if we can work something out.

Was going vegan the right desicsion? YES!!! My grandma kept telling me that my ody was not going to be able to handle it since i was used to eating so well (i opted to not listen since i am the quintiscential 'man'). But I would have to agree. After a while i noticed i was leaning more towards eating the potatos and sipping the water, even eyeing the left overs of my grandmas greek salad thinking about snagging a tomato. Evidently... it was my subconcious trying to get some actual nutrition in my body. Afterwards... i felt i could have taken it down and was actualy starting to get mad at my 'partners' for rushing me to get out of there. Then, i took a breath and asked myself why i 'wanted' to put my body through something like that? I think it was just because i really wanted one of the apples i picked up at WF yesterday, or maybe a banana fresh fron the freezer after being put in there 10 minutes ago. Uggh, i cant even think about that now though. For now it is time for a walk and then a morning wake up call to greet the radio listening masses.

Until next time this is PanClayke reminding you that there is, sometimes, too much of a good thing (Even pancakes). Tune in next time for the pancakes of the weekend and a review of Whip IT!

Vegan MOP!

2009-10-02T10:28:00.000-07:00

Yeah, your right... like the instrument of cleaning. Not that i use one, in fact... the last time i attempted the 'swiffer' to clean up dried rum on the floor I ended up spreading it around more. Helpful hint... when cleaning alcohol up you cave to wash, soap, wash again, and dry. Its alot like washing the old coiffure, just with a mop and a bucket. Wait, its EXACTLY like washing the coif!

Hair trends aside, the 'strange' title has a double meaning. The first is to give glory to Neil Flynn! You may now him as the Janitor from Scrubs, he was also Lindsay Loan's dad in mean girls, sad that i know this. Guilty pleasure aside, the former is the reason why we honor him this day due to the abundance of Scrubs i have been lving up on recently... season 8 to be exact (SWAG!).

MOP is also serving as an abbreviation for Month Of Pancakes. Let me explain... october is vegan month of food... there, I did it. Numerous vegans in the Blogsphere are documenting the foods they eat and tips for new and aspiring vegans... however, due to my lack of experience in veganism i have opted to rebel out and focus on the wonder of Vegan pancakes. THEY CAN BE DONE! This may be interrupted breifly, more on this later, but a 99% is still an A. An A in Veganology, no wait... Veganomics (winner!). So, lets begin with...

ZUCHINNI PANCAKES!

(you put WHAT in there?)

See, i have a problem buying too many veggies when i go to the store. I dont really have a menu planned... but i know that I may want a veggie sangwich sometime during the week so i get some zuchinni. However, since produce is not as forgiving as meat, it tends to go bad before i can use it. Seriously... DONT USE IT! My toilet can vouch for this after what i dub as the 'radish inquisition'. So, since i cannot stand wasting food i decided to take a former Starbucks Favorite and MOP it!

Start with half a medium zuchinni and chop the buhjesus out of it and mix it with a little milk and sugar. Top it with Wheat Flour, baking soda, cinnamon+nutmeg, and a few chopped walnuts. Mix, pour, flip and VIOLA! You have a pancake fit for a wonderful cup of coffee! Just take a look at that. Veggies for breakast again! Remember These guys? OF course you do.

Now, the bad news. Normally I make the mix with Whole Wheat/chik pea flour or soy flour. Today... i was out of both. This is important because WW flour is heavier and, therefore, makes a more dense pancake when it is used by itself. That being said... the initial flavor was a bit offputting (and a little heavy on the nutmeg if i say so myself). I always forget that not every spice is as magestic as cinnamon. *gutteral moan* cinnamon *gutteral moan*. However, the heat from the skillet softened the zuchinni well and the Waluts provided a wonderful texture/flavor.

Lesson: Half the WW flour so its lighter, less nutmeg and toast the walnuts a but before putting them in with the dry goods. (MAN, am i critical or what?)

Lastly, as promised... what is going to interrupt the Vegan MOP? Well, let me answet your question with another. Can you click on this? IS it vegan, no... will I triumph in a pool of awesomeness? Tune in next time! Until then, this is PanClayke reminding you that guilty pleasures (pancakes and 'Mean Girls') are necessary from time to time.

Shot through the Heart.....

2009-09-29T18:05:00.000-07:00

With a magic bullet! Today was the slowest of the slow... and I say that with all assurance. Normally you hear people gripe about 'sitting on their butts all day' and being unproductive. Well, i kid you not when I say i acttually went as far as to take some away from society. Dont believe me? The day started with a quick drive down to the beah before the sun came up so i could have front row seats to God hitting the reset button. It-was-awesome.... like, worthy of awe. Then i walked along the beach and stood in the sand while making fists with my toes-sies. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Die Hard for the best idea EVER! Honestly... i dont know why people do yoga or anything like that when they can just make fists with the toes! My only wish is that i could replace the carpet in my room with sand so i could start everyday like this. Then i got in the car, bought a loaf of bread and went home. All the while... i didnt pay for parking! Thats right society, i stole fifty cents from you guys and I am totally psyched about it. Now watch, the mayor is reading this right as we speak and will soon be coming for me. Therefore, since this will be my lost post I will leave you with the magical discovery of the day.....

Banana Butter!!!

How could this be? Well, the recent purchase of the magic bullet gave us the tool, and the nine hours of boredom provided the fuel to the flame. The recipe, however, cannot have the credit taken by moi... no no no. The true genius behind this creation is the lovely Katie and i must say im kinda upset with myself that i didnt come up with it myself. Think about it!!! Whats the best sandwich in the world? AFTER pineapple and ham..... right, PB and Naner! Howev-sies, i added my thirty pieces of flare by using Cinnamon Raisin Swirl Peanut Butter. Granted, im sure im not the only one that does this... but i wanted to at least appear creative today.

Seriously... cut me some CUH-razy slack with this. Why are the uses? spread it on toast, muffins, put it on oatmeal and cereal in the morning, dip some fruit in it, make ants on a cinnamon raisin swirl log, style your hair with it, make a dessert pasta. PUT IT ON PANCAKES! Why did i not think about that before i cooked this morning?!?! Now im upset at myself, great. Who said blogging it thereputic again?

In the end... this recipe is easy, tasty, healthy and cheap. so go out and make some.... riiiiiiiight NOW! Tune in next time for a pan-creation that will not only kick cancer in the face.... but ensures a spring to be put into your step. Until then, this is PanClayke reminding you that you give love... a bad name!

Winner Winner, Pancakes for Dinner!

2009-09-27T11:29:00.016-07:00

First things first... the winner of the Brownie Zbars has been chosen, and the winner is... Livin it! Just Email me the address to send these bad boys too and I will ship them out faster than you can say Meatball. Speaking of meatballs....

Many of you may remember the film review that took place one post ago. Well, remember how i said it was making me hungry..... im a sucker for craving things. what can i say? Thus i give you..

Spa-pancake and Meatballs!

It almost looks too good to be true... doesn't it. Either that or your looking for the bucket because:" There is no WAY this can taste good". Well, you would be wrong friend. These bad boys are Savory beyond all reason (and are designed for dinner rather than a breakfast). Although, i can think of no better cure for a morning hangover than a good plate of these bellas. Also, those of you non-believers, let me stifle you gags with a question... Have you ever re-heated some pizza in order to break your fast? I.rest.my.case.

My apologies for not posting this weekend (on the standard american pancake day) but things got a bit more hectic than i would have liked toward the evening. The kitchen was being overtaken by parent 'chicken cookery' so the cooking of things was much easier said than done. Why you ask? Well... thats the secret to these pancakes. You see, there was one thing i was not going to give up on and that was the meatballs creating a 'hill effect' in the billow-y cake plain. The question is: "How do you heat the whole top when there are two kick stands holding up the cake? Then i remembered: baked ziti, mac and cheese, pizza and spaghetti pie. These dishes get the tops cooked because they're baked! So... the key is to prep the broiler while you are mixing (but not over-mixing) the batter and just throwing the cakes in the oven to crisp the top at the time you would normally flip them. Keep them there for no longer than two minutes and then take them out... the next one should be ready for you to pop in there. Now granted, there are a couple more movements involved... but the extra "aerobics" will make us all feel better since we care technically having comfort food from two different continents for dinner. However, these are not only vegan... but theyre not bad for you at all (whole wheat flour, brewers yeast and a bit of EVOO <--- thanks rach).

Not only was the kitchen occupied, but i found out last night that i had to go into work this morning which means jetting out for the radio station at 4 in the AM. The sun isn't even ready to greet me with his two scoops of rasins and im driving around the city of Miami. Thank goodness i LOVE where i get to go every morning.

Also, quick review.... i tried the newest Clif Bar at work today. Let me be the first to say that these will NEVER be given away... they are too packed full of awesome and pecan pralines and MAPLE SYRUP! This clif was totally a coincidence (maple syrup and all) but put me in an awesome mood and had be almost skipping around the station this morning. Im going to give this bar 9/10 bottles of syrup.

Well fellow cake-amore, I am off to get sexier at the gym for a bit (before the crowd shows up). As usual, shoot me a message if you would like to make these yourselves and stay tuned for more shennanigans (*pistol-whip <-- anyone who knows this reference is awesome!). Unitl next time this is PanClayke reminding you that this is the cake... such a beau-tiful cake.... and they call it Bella Notte.

Cloudy... with a chance of Pancake!

2009-09-26T14:09:00.000-07:00

Before we get down to the nitty gritty, there are indeed a couple of announcements. The first is that (oh man i feel awesome!) i am featured by my girl Jenny:Mistress of Peanut Butter. I think its fair to say that i will ALWAYS be a pancake man when it comes to breakfast food. But, oatmeal is still awesome on occasion and that morning something was speaking to me. Also, there is still one day left in the GIVEAWAY! Lastly, there has been a severe thorn in the side of this cake lover recently and i am happy to say that a plan is being concocted for a revenge that is sweeter than pumpkin!Stay tuned for the sweet pancake and the sweet revenge. And now....

MOVIE REVIEW

Now, i'm the first to admit when something seems a little juvenille (even for me). This film started out as no exception, i remember reading the book and that memory alone was jogging some memories for me. Then, when I got to the theater I noticed there was a showing 30 minutes after the one I planned to see that was not only in the imax screen but also in 3-D!!!! I figured if the novelty of the third dimension could save a movie like 'The Final Destination", then it would do wonders for a movie that was already based on whimsy.

Boy... was i right! The 3D was AWESOME. There is something about a giant ball of meat flying at you in that neglected dimension that brings you back to sitting on the magic carpet reading your favorite book while trading a fruit roll-up to the paste eating kid because he is having graham crackers today (can you tell writing this review is making yours truly a bit hungry?)

Hunger aside, the plot is pretty solid and delivers a strong "If you can dream it you can do it" message. There are times where it even gets a little deep. Such moments include the endearing awkwardness of Flint Lockwood around his female love intrest, and continue on to a distant father struggling to give advice to his son... when it is clear the mother did all the talking in this department. However, this proposed a problem for the father (voiced by the wonderful James Caan) since, sadly, the maternal side of the partnership has moved on to the next life. Thus... the struggle of Father and son is surpassed only by the struggle of our hero (voiced by Bill Heder) to not let the fame of food-weather manipulation go t his head while struggling to 'meat' the towns requests. Bascially, Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs may not be a "Homeward Bound Tear Jerker" btu does have its moments when you wish you could reach through the screen and help our hero overcome his life-decisions. All in all, Couldy with a chance of Meatballs gets 7/10 meatballs.

Not only is the plot of the movie endearing/entertaining... but the voiceovers are uh-maiz-ing! Picture this: Bill Heder, James Caan, Anna Farris (House Bunny, Scary Movie), Mr. T, Andy Sandberg (Hot Rod), Bruce Campbell (Evil Dead, Bubba Ho-Tep) and Neil Patrick Harris as 'Steve: the Lab-Monkey!' In the words of gershwin... 'Who could ask for anything more'

Well friends, the tummy is rumbling which is my signal that it is time to prep a snack and sit down in front of some 'Rob and Big' (<-- guilty pleasure). Tune in tomorrow for the winner of the giveaway and a newly inspired pancake! Until then this is PanClayke reminding you; "If you can dream it... you can do it!"

Pie, or cake?

2009-09-24T02:15:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I have been following that show "Man vs. Food" prety carefully since it first came out. The fact that this normal guy who has supposedly held 'every job in the kitchen' is getting paid to travel to these awesome places throughout the U.S. eating all this wonderful food and getting new T-Shirts along the way makes me both laugh and cringe at the same time. Laugh because.... well, a man going into a self induced food coma is funny. And cringe because I would be kicking those challenges in the face while being just as entertaining (if not more... i do sing as well you know). I think its safe to say the Adam Richman is my definition of an 'American Hero', someone who uses a niche (no matter how obscure) and uses it to educate as well as entertain...... sacrificing his body one dish at a time.

This led me to think, how could this humble cake-head solidify his status of heroism in such a way. Well, i like food.... i love Florida....and (though it may not look it) i can put away a whole lotta foodening. The answer? Pick up a fork and be your own hero!

This motivated me to jump on the interwebs and search out the challenges of Florida that i was yet to be familiar with. Two have popped up that are pretty local: one being seemingly daunting and the other being perrrrrrrfect for our purposed on this day.

Daunting- "Pizza Rustica"= a 24'' x 16'' pizza (that can be made vegan!) which takes four people to complete! I have already enlisted assistance from the pizza lovers/food movers in my circle and they are so down.

Perrrrrfect-"Shelby's Diner"= a 24'' pancake known as the 'terminator' covered with eggs, homefries, toast and bacon. A giant pancake! I would have to be insane not to do this.... but it is a solo challenge. Could one do it on their own? Also, this dish cannot be vegan friendly, which leads me to some serious decisions about the choice to make the switch (more to come on that later) However, if i need to... im going to whip out a giant sheet pan and make my own pancake "Uncle Buck" style.... cause im totally jonesing for a giant pancake right about now (I should snack before work tomorrow).

Well, the question then is: 'Cake or Pie', sweet or savory.... the eternal struggle. I pose this question to you and await the answer.

(*note; the picture at the top of the post is a 24'' pizza pie. Just to be used as a comparison. Compare it to something like........... a human baby. Scary, no?)

Pei-Wei's Playhouse!!!

2009-09-22T17:59:00.000-07:00

Mekkah-lekah-hai Mekka-heiny-heiny-hoooo!
Those of you familiar with a vegan diet (no animal products) know how hard it is to eat out with friends. For those of you that dont... peruse the grocer and think of what does NOT have eggs of milk in it. Even products such as these contain eggs and milk = grocery store fail! However... there are some restaurants, even in the ocean of corporate chains, that provide a shining light in a sea of omnivores.... Can you smell it? Yep. Its time for a

(*Fanfare*)Restaurant Review!!!(*Fanfare*)

After a romp around the world of Ikea the yours truly and a bestie (aka 'Evie) decided to pass the Panera, Cruise past Chipotle and jump past Jamba Juice. Instead... we made a Pilgramage to Pei Wei!

Noodles and Tofu and Brown Rice, oh my! Im telling you, i have not been to a Pei Wei in a number of years... and it was like seeing an old friend at a High School reunion. If that friend was covered in a 'swicy' (sweet/spicy) sauce. But, you ave to remember, before the race you have to do a quick stretch.

<--- Winner, Winner, Steamed Edamame! The salt was not used however as it was, or lack of a better word, TOO salty. I mean, this stuff is like the sea salt you find at Gordon Ramsay restaurants... and we got it at Pei Wei! Also, these portions are HOOOOOGE! There were two of us going after this appiteizer and we couldn't finish it to save our lives. So, imagine the shock and awe that occured when it was time for the Main Event! Spicy Korean Tofu and Vegtetables, with brown rice on back-up vocals! And the crowd goes wild! Whats sad is, aside from like half the rice, i PLOWED through this plate of vegan-friendly love that is about the size of 2 of my heads. I didn't think that was a big deal till i was remembering that scene in Jerry Maguire where Tom was telling that nerdy kid in the backseat how the human head weighs eight pounds... and i had TWO! I thought there was no way he could know for sure... then i remembered he was some sort of a scientist and i shut my mouth.

Couple all this fun with a wide assortment of drinks of tap (FREE REFILS, WHAT!!??!) and a waitstaff thats attentive to the point of annoyance (i don't like being 'sideled') and Pei Wei Asian Diner scored an easy 8/10 chopsticks.

"Where is your favorite 'go to' place to eat when you can't think of anything else?"

Well, the sheets are calling as i must be up before the sun. Tune in next time for the revelation and application of the next secret ingredient and more immature ramblings! Until next time this is PanClayke reminding you to eat with a new utensil once in a while.

SWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGG

2009-09-22T01:29:00.000-07:00

Stuff. We. All. Get! I have literally decorated my entire condo with all my SWAAAAAG! (The Office Reference!).
So, if you notice the Last Post you will notice there was a lot of retail therepy yesterday. Totally needed, trust me. I don't know what it is but i have a problem with buying something just for me, like im not entitled to something nice once in a while. I think it spawns from a past experience of invesing my entire alowance on poorly produced animated movies (Rock-A-Doodle not withstanding) and/or Beast Wars action figures. It took a couple mishaps to realize I didnt know my own strength as a kid..... many a figure suffered as a result of finding this out. Anyhoo, yesterday was an exception like whoa! It involved three different retailers, two trips back to the car, and a few things that I did not know existed. That being said... lets review some of the new finds!

First off we got a little thing called 'Nutritional Yeast', apparently all the rage when it comes to being a vegan. It tastes kind of like flakey cheese and has the texture of some fish food. Your going out to get some right now aren't you? Well, what it misses in looks if gains in nutrition. There's an abundance of chromium and selinium to regulate the blood sugar and it has a hooge complex of B-Vitamins which are hard to find in a vegan diet since these vitamins are the ones found as a result of bacteria in meat sources. I take a supplement for this already... but its nice to have something else that tastes like cheese around the house. Have so far sprinkled it on soup, toast and stir fry's an an extremely pleased with it. Couple that with the nutrition powerhouse its packin... and its definitely a good buy. Its also kind of cheap since you get it from the bulk bins.

ON TO BEST BUY!!!!!

Need to make this quick... i gotta meet the new boss by 8am. Honestly, is there anything better than finding out one of your favorite shows came out on DVD and you didnt know about it? Its such a wonderful surprise as I have seen every season of Scrubs thus far and am SOOO ready to keep the trend going. Actually, picking this up reminded me of the first time I ever even saw the show. Thanksgiving day, sophmore year of college, half a pumpkin pie all to myself and a feeling of explosion was immanent. I was definitely no superman that day.

Then... it was decided that enough fun had happened and it was time to head to Publix and get the bare neccessities................ or so i thought.

First off, anything with a monkey on it immediately catches my attention. Couple that with a love for rasins and a Peter Pan syndrome and Presto! Peanut Butter and Co answered my prayers yet again. Not only are there son EFA's running through the nut butter, but cinnamon helps the digestion a whole bunch and rasins make me want to throw on some tap shoes and do and antioxi-dance! Taste-wise... it definitely aimed to please. Especially when paired in a sengwich with apple sauce instead of jelly. Apple butter might also work well... but there was none on hand so we had to make due. All in all, in giving this guy to, very enthusiastic thumbs up!

Now for the list. Apples? Check. Salad stuff? Yepper. And how bout... WHAT THE HECK IS THAT?

Those of you from the carribean will recognize the 'Bonatio'. To put it bluntly, its like a less sweet, sweet potato. Its got a whole bunch of vitamin C not to mention a good deal of fiber. You cook it and eat it like you would a potato... so im thinking it might make the appearance as some home fries tomorrow morning. Either that or some carribean latkes... but I havent thought that far ahead at the moment. Have yet to taste it but i will be honest in assuming its got some big shoes to fill. Will update later... while listening to Kevin Rudolff (ANOTHER AWESOME PURCHASE!)

Well kiddies, Happy Swagging and wonderous cake making to all.... and to all a good night (or a good morning as the case may be. Note=re-form sleep schedule soon in order to resume the world of the living. Tune in next time for more misadventures and cake making.... plus, a new ingredient (i am soooo iron chef right now).

Boo-Cakes!

2009-09-20T18:53:00.000-07:00

Happy Pancake Day (aka sunday)! It seems as though the entire blogsphere has been taking this wonderful 24 hours to do nothing other than making themselves happy... and I'm te first to admit I thought that was a pretty good idea. Soooooooo, after a wonderful message at curch this morning preceded by a quick praise in the car since that cop who saw me speeding on the way there (stoopid office season 5 on DVD keeping me up all night!). Im as nostalgic as the next guy but i think its time to bite the bullet and get a new alarm clock as 'Ricky-tiki-tavi' has been lacking in the dependablility dept recently.

(*Note, problems with alarm clocks are never the result of human error!*)

Anyway... after the Good Word there was the discovery of the best whole in the wall pizza place in the world. Now, i can only judge based on the asthetics of the place (a re-modeled 3-bedroom house!) since the fundage was not in my favor to blow $18 on a pizza... but this is the first place ive found with some Vegan Pizza Goodness! Plan on a critique of this wonderful find later on in the week as I have totally planned to go back! However, today the visit was about the wonderful conversation that was shared... sweeter than pinesapple and more meaty than canadian bacon. MAN! Loves me some 'Big Hawaiian'!

Post pizza led to a romp in my two favorite places... Best Buy and Whole Foods!!!! Will do a complete post of all the wonderous SWAG later on... but some higlights were vegan cream cheese, something called brewers yeast, and Kevin Rudolff. This was follow by a less miraculous trip to Pubix to replenish the produce stash (Yes... i know i am missing out on the better produce by not getting it organic/local at the WF.... but, again, the fundage is not in my favor). Then, while walking away from the produce i noticed the Halloween oreos!!! Remember the ones that have the orange frosting since orange is scary? Well, theyre baaaaack! But, they are not vegan which made me a little sad, then i realized that I have made chocolate pancakes.... whats to stop me from making orange?

(*fanfare) NOTHING! THATS WHAT (*fanfare)

Now, while i did not have the dough for the 'good' pears this week, there was an extra 98cents in the budget for a packet of butterscotch pudding mix. The only thing is (as indicated on the box) the puding will not set up with soy milk. I was worried but then realized that if i just added a LOT less milk to the whole packet then there was a chance...

Imagine how epic it felt when my butterscotch started to get pudding-y and wonderful?!? You may notice a bite taken out of the pudding bowl..... lets just say there was a lot of gum chewed/urging for the panakes to be ready to flip.
(will power + clay = non existent)

Once the prayers of the pancake kicked in it was all a matter of stackage and snackage.

Now, if you will excuse me... there is something more pressing that requires my attention. Tune in tomorrow for a wonderful SWAG post and a review of a few wonderful things. Until next time, this is PanClayke reminding you to 'let it rock!'

500 days of GIVEAWAY!!!

2009-09-16T17:33:00.000-07:00

There was a lack of pancake happening this morning. Am i insane? No, but i am out of baking powder and there is NO way im gonna not have the lightness that the powder brings. So far the shopping list is

Baking Powder
vital wheat gluten
'naners
Teddy Grahms (screw you for judging me!)

I was also thinking i was falling into a rut of oats and 'cakes and want to make sure that i dont get too much of a good thing. Add this to the nostalgia i was feeling after looking through some old facebook pics from Austin... and the only option was some 'Migas and homefries'. These were good enough to be wolfed down like there was someone keeping time. Winner, winner, migas dinner! Or breakfast... whatevs.

Anyway... the lack of sugar this morning got me craving something sweet and nothing could be sweeter than my future wife Zooey Deschanel. How could you not love her?! I mean, not only is she amazing on screen but she has eyes that gaze into the soul AND she sings Billie Holiday. Also gotta give some love to my boy Joseph-Gordon! I actually debated for a good hour the other day whether or not to buy 'Treasure Planet' on DVD the other day after seeing the movie on the Disney Channel. I choose to save the money i WOULD have spent and spend it at the big people movie theater.

Let me tell you... better late than never! There is a reason why this movie is still running so long after the original release. I mean, you have to love it when a movie sums up the next two hours of your life within the first 10 minutes. To quote the narrator: "It's the story of 'boy meets girl' but it isn't a love story". Take what you will from this and make your own assumptions. rest assured that there is awesome dialogue, killer soundtrack and a Dance Number. Not to mention a fantastic chemistry between the two lead roles and plotline that shows the different extremes of love as we see Joseph Gordon Levitt toggle between day one and five hundred with no concieveable pattern. Bottom line, i give it a 500/500 - definitely worth the eight dollars (Highway robbery I tell you!)

Okay... all Zooey's aside, im sure you all are wondering what the giveaway is all about. Well, let me answer your question with another question:

"How much do you love brownies?"

So, this one is mine but im talking 6 of these bad boys coming your way for freeee!!!!! How could I be so lucky you ask? Well, its as easy as one-two-three

Mention the giveaway on your facebook, blog, etc
Leave a comment with a link to where you mentioned it
Go see five hundred days of summer (this way you get to see an awesome film regardless!)

The winner will be announced a week from sunday (pancake day!) 9/27/2009. Wish you all the best of luck and look forward to read your comments. Until next time this is Panclayke reminding you that there may be 500 days of Summer, but everyday is Pancake Day!

Why Pancakes??? (part deux)

2009-09-16T03:39:00.000-07:00

Many of you will remember the 'self-conversation' from a few days ago. The clifs notes version is an inner monologue which vindicates my decision to reside in the kingdom of Neverland for the rest of my life. Which is good, since i always wanted to live on a ranch anyway.

WHAT!?!?

I keed, I keed. Seriously, i like a natural immiturity. I mean, i dont think i could imagine living in a world without Ren and Stimpy or Salute your Shorts. I also dont think its a coincidence that some of the highest earning films of late have been Superhero moviesand Theme park attractions . I think its because, as children, we dont have a sense of 'needing' to do something. There are no deadlines, papers, TPS Reports, bills, jobs, etc. As children we do things out of instinct and, therefore, only do what were passionate about. Ergo... when we see something that rekindles memories of childhood in an adult fashion, we remeber that sense of passion and get the URGE to get out there and do it.

Which leads to the meat of the post... the cream in the oreo, if you will. Passion. Right now is when a lot of cake-lovers (self included) are searching through the wastes of the world trying to find what they are supposed to do with their lives. Im sure it comes from there being so many options out there in the world but thats another story (and another pancake). We search and search hoping that the 'hail mary' pass will land in the end zone. When it would seem we should be asking ourselves what our passions are. Then do THAT.

After extensive thought and 2 liters of mountain dew, I determined that I am no closer to finding out what said passion is that i was ten minutes ago. However, i then asked myself the same question in another way.... "What would you gladly pay someone to let you do?". (get your mind out of the gutter. Okay, one gutter thought-------- STOP!)

There were few things that popped up after this thought... things that ive pondered upon in the last few months and others that have permeated my life like vanilla extract in a pancake batter.

Culinary School
Guitar/german/voice lessons
DVD's (like whoa)
Membership to a gym
An agent
Community Theater (dont normally pay for this, but the lack of pay in present economy carries the same principle IMO)
Working with children (same reason as community theater)
A Good night out with friends

What does this tell me? At first glance I couldn't make heads nor tails, so I started to push a couple down the list. Culinary school and german lessons were the first to go, since I know how to cook already and have enough German books around to practice vocabulary when I need to. DVD's went down too and are not categorized in the 'special treat' category, the gym membership still stands and agent got coupled with community theater. Needless to say, this process went on for quite some time. Upon completion I realized that I would GLADLY pay to do something a little more 'widespread'... and that was make people smile.

Sounds whimsical, no? How could one make money doing this you may be asking, but i ust couldnt stop thinking about the face someone gives when you plop a big stack of flapjacks in front of them, or the look when you make someone laugh while performing on stage. Even when you can serenade someone who's dealt with screaming bosses and children all week... and even shouting in German for more ale when chatting with strangers at a bar. I dont know EXACTLY how im going to make a living on this aspirition but ill let you know when i get there.

So... that being said. Why Pancakes? Because i always smile at least once on pancake day no matter what... and love think that other people may be inspired to make a nice treat once in a while... and thus, smile.

*Mission Accomplished*

-What would you PAY someone to do? I say do that no matter what!

Tune in next time for a new creation inspired by an ollllllld favorite. What could it be? Come back and find out!

When you wish upon a Pancake...

2009-09-13T17:08:00.001-07:00

So, on the way home from church today there was a little cricket i passed by on the way to my car. I didn't think much of it... until i noticed he was singing and wearing a monocle. Strange. Anyway, this got me thinking that it was high time that i expanded my fruit horizons and made a trip to whole foods to get something that i had no idea what it was.

BEHOLD! THE STARFRUIT.

Aside from a lack of name-creativity there is nothing bad about this guy. Think the flavor of a peach with the texture of an apple. Tasty? Yes. A wonderful novelty when added to the chocolate pancakes? Heck YES!

Had a lot left over as well... so put some slices in a bowl with a little bit of later and some sugar and microwave it for thirty seconds. Didnt use all of the slices since i didnt want to turn the whole thing radioactive (lol) but definitely used a few and they finished off the cakes marvelously! Marvelously enough to even make the sun and the moon come out and play in their honor.

and your dreams........ cooooooooommmmmmeeeee, tttrrrrrrrruuuuuuuueeeeeeeeeeee!

Apologies for the quick post fellow cake lovers, but there is a call at 4 tomorrow to bring radio to the masses and the only stars i want to see until then are the ones that i pass on the way to the station. So, until next time this is PanClayke reminding you that there when it comes to pancake ingredients... 'youuuuuuuuuu got no strings, to hold you down!"

Destination: Mexico!

2009-09-12T16:43:00.000-07:00

You know how people always say that:'Death comes in threes?' Apparently, they were talking dimensions rather than people.

Thaaaaaaaaaaaat's right... its time for a MOVIE REVIEW!!! Now, those of you who follow the Final Destination movies knew what was in store when the first previews were shown. Typical story... boy has vision and indvertantly saves some people, death gets pissed, survivors die in the order they were supposed to and just when you think everything is happy...... someone gets hit by a bus.

Now, dont get me wrong. Yous truly loves a good explosion movie as much as the next guy. However, where the road to our first final desination was paved with the wonder that is Ali Larter and Devon 'to sexy' Sawa... the most recent boy in the band is packed to the brim with no names that, sadly, do not leave you wanting more. The writing is another story, if there was ONE thing i did want when i was leaving the theater it was for some more body in the script. I mean, im a (vegan) meat and potatoes man as much as the next guy but this movie proved to be ALL potatoes... pre-made at best. However, the light at the end of the tunnel on this one was that the potatoes were in 3-D! Explosions, debris, and BLOOD like there was no tomorrow... in 3-D! It almost made me want to go outside and ust soak up all the wonder that is this third dimension that I have been taking for granted this entire time. WHY DID NOBODY TELL ME!?!?

All in all, in spite of the 3-D novelty, occaisional nudity and the nostalgia of how awesome Devon was... The Final Destination receives a bottle of syrup 2/10 full.

Aside from the regret that i will never get my $10 (riiiiiiip!) back, the saturday was not a total loss. No, sadly the new pancake has yet to be unveiled... but, there was an awesome new breakfast creation worth mentioning.

Ladies and gentlemen... I give you: Chip-Oatmeal! A savory oat creation that had the taste of a taco and the texture of a risotto. Yes, only a meal as wonderful as breakfast can take you to Mexico and Italy simultaneously. Now, I have never tried a savory bowl of Oats myself, but it was recently broght to my attention that i ALWAYS have a spicy stir fry with brown rice, whats the difference between that and oatmeal? Ill tell you.... nothing!!!!!

"You Put WHAT In There?"

We got the oatmeal, thats a given. Couple that with a diced chipotle pepper, some balck beans, a dallop or two of salsa add some diced avocado at the end and you have the recipe for a breakfast that takes you south of the border while singing 'Bella Notte'! I highly siggest everyone break the oat wall sometime this week and add some spice to that Guy on the Oatmeal Box. (p.s., i Cap'n Crunch just an animated version of that guy? They look pretty similar if i do say so myself).

Well, true believers, it is late and i have some fine Fringe dvd's to watch before the sheets happen. So, until next time, this is PanClayke reiding you that there is a reason why 'Best movie in 3D' is not an oscar category.

Fresh-Pan Cake-teen

2009-09-10T12:04:00.001-07:00

Dood, seriously... i JUST thought of that title. It may not seem like a big deal now... but wait, its all happening riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight -GO!
OK, so first things first.... the award for the first guinea pig is going to an old favorite, i'll give you a hint: "Silly Rabbit _____ are for kids."

Good Job: "Petophilios!" (awkward) No, the real ansnwer is Trix, for two reasons. The first one being pity. The fact that the rabbit can't have some cereal is a picture of all the injustice in the world. It's pure discrimination and that is WRONG! The second is that I was thinking of a theme for the first expriment and was remembering the first year of college where ALL i had in my mock pantry (bookshelf) were trix cereal and diet mountain dew(<-- im healthy!).

Thus, we had the addition prepped and ready. P.S., why did nobody tell me that the Trix cereal stopped making the cereal in the fruit shapes and started making little, fruit-ish tasting balls? Sure, they were swirly, but have the fun was pretending you were going through the farmers market picking the ripe fruit. Well, i guess fruit is for adults and balls are for kids (awkward squared).

Then we had to make the batter nice and liquid-y, so i whipped out the other half of the freshman essentials and threw it on in there. And... O-M-G, i found the missing factor to the airy pancake that everyone looks for. The carbonation coming from the soda maintained in the pancake just enough to make it airy and wonderful... not to mention gave it a hint of citrus which was pretty refreshing early in the morning. *Note: prepare for more recipes involving some form of soda and/or energy drink?

Anyway, once you incorporate the mix (not to much) oil up the griddle and plop some love down... panclayke style! Then drop some Trix along the top like snow falling on the cedars and wait for the bubbles to come to the top to play. Then its time to flip for a couple minutes, repeat process and

Viola!

Paired with a delicios iced coffee and you have th recipe for a wonderful breakfast and a nostalgic morning. Also, there was a little surprise on the 'flip side' when i noticed the sugar in the cereal had burned a little on the top and carmelized nicely.. kind of like making a s'more out of peeps.

Whoa... peeps? Talk about taking a trip back in time! Looks like its time to hop into my DeLorean and gun it to 88. So, until next time: This is PanClayke reminding you to draw inspiration from anywhere and prepare for a surprise on the flip side.

Also.............. don't discriminate, 'specially something as cute as a bunny.

A Revelation of Experimentation

2009-09-05T14:58:00.000-07:00

So, today at the grocery store i noticed a whole bunch of fun things in the cereal section... but looking at them i dont see breakfast at all. From cookies to cinnamon toast, to ship captains and vampires. Who can decide? Not only that, but you know the entire food world is screaming how bad kids cereals are for you. Just..... there are some days where you feel like a kid and who do you think Trix are for? I like to think of cereals like these as a nice little dessert to be enjoyed once in a while anyway... I also wanted to add some cereal into a pancake concoction soon! This brings me back to the point that if the number of cereal choices were people, the aisle would be China! But i forgot about the Fun Pack...

Golden Grahams
Frosted Cheerios
Cocoa Puffs
Lucky Charms
Honey Nut Cheerios
Trix
Cinnamon Toast Crunch
and Cherrios (straight up)

Can you not see the fun?!?! Then, after reading the ingedients, i realize General Mills adds b12 into their cereals. While im not a fan of additives and things of that sort, it is hard for vegans to get adequate B12 in their diets so these will be nice (as far as a desert goes). Also, compared to ice creams, cupcakes and other typical dessert foods, the sugar content of these guys is low. Not to mention there are times where you need to feel like a kid again... which is good for mental health (something that often gets neglected in the current health scare).

So, coming up next....... the experiement of which cereal tastes best in the world of pancake. Who will win, who will be sub-par and who will flat out lose? In the words of Tobias Funke...

Why Pancakes?

2009-09-02T10:46:00.000-07:00

So, today at the station i divulged the wonderment that is Panclayke. Now, dont ask me why, but in my minds eye i saw everyone at work hoisting me up on their shoulders and singing 'Flap-jack do it again' while carrying me out of the building Officer and a Gentleman style.

Instead, i got a look like this. A look that was serenaded by the question: "Why a pancake Blog?" I stumbled to answer but I honestly couldn't think of a hard and fast answer. I had built my shortstack on a paper towel rather than fine china.

So (keep this on the DL) during the show I had my journal out and was writing down 'Why Pancakes?' over and over and over again. Until I FINALLY came up with the answer! It went like this.....

Why pancakes?
Well, they taste awesome and are really comforting and reminiscent of childhood. And i remember always craving them at a certain point.
Yeah, but why.
Well, its kind of like when you want ice cream. You love it, but dont have it everyday cause its kind of an indulgence.
So you want to write a blog about hedanism and gluttony? Youtube already exists.
NO NO NO, once i learned how to cook i started making them healthier. Wheat flour, nonfat milk and egg white (before i became vegan) and sugar free syrup.
Didn't you make one with spinach as well?
You know what, i did!
So this is kind of like you finding the silver lining. The healthier way to have your faves for breakfast and not feel like a three year old constantly eating the "Rooty Tooty Fresh and Fruity".
YEAH! THATS IT!!!!!!! (begins to write down so I don't forget)
Okay, so now we can feel good about having pancakes every morning.
WHOA! Who said that? There are other things about my life than pancakes. Besides... i dont want to get sick of them, that would KILL the blog.
So..... what....... then?
Well, i may want to go see a movie, watch Top Chef, read in a starbucks, play some playstation, go to the beach...
So your going to waste your time everyday.
NOT EVEN. All the things i like to do have some intrinsic value. Like movies... ever see the movie 'Hackers?' I bet i know more about how to bypass firewalls than you do. I also wager that I will be more likely to educate you about showbiz hierarchy since iv'e seen 'Showgirls' so many times.
So, theres a silver lining in the insipid activities you have begun doing?
Well, yes and no. A lot of these iv'e just done since i was a kid.

*REVELATION!!!!!*

Bingo! Yahtzee! Our survey says... Meaning behind the Immaturity (patented, BACK OFF). Healthy pancakes, educational toys, movie reviews random bike riding. Basically, think George Costanza pitching the idea of a 'Show About Nothing' and thats the idea. The only thing is, were going to find the creme in the twinkie (the best part).

So, there we have it. A new direction and an answer to the question. However, no worries about the cakes... they are ALWAYS going to be the star of the show. So, until next time, this is Panclayke telling you to always find the silver lining and go with it. (then get a twinkie)

The Rabbit, the Pear and the SCARE!

2009-09-01T11:28:00.000-07:00

OK... so all this went down in the span of like four hours, and that includes right now (so this stuff is REALLY fresh). First things first..

The Rabbit: HAPPY RABBIT RABBIT DAY!! What? Does anyone else not remember when Nickelodeon ,*cough (was good) cough cough* , used to have a theme devoted to everyday? One day would be potato chip day and the next would be walk on your hands day or something? Well, the first of every month was Rabbit Rabbit day and your supposed to ensure good luck for the month by saying Rabbit Rabbit before ANYTHING else that morning. I have never done it.... until today! Apparently waking up at four AM to go set up for the most awesomest radio show in south florida has its advantages. Here's to a lucky September!
The Pear:

... or is it? BEHOLD THE PRICKLY PEAR!

Those avid cake-ers that remember the Dragonfruit post will recall the bold red color that ensures an amazingly sweet flavor. The color is shared, but where the dragon was bland the prickle is grand! This fruit was sweet and similar to the flavor of a sweet kiwifruit. The only catch is that you have to peel it, chop it, mash it and strain it. This xtra effort is brought to you by course seeds which are random and hard to swallow, like a Paul Walker movie (FACED!).

Speaking of faced... it was happy to see me! And to answer your questions

the pan is working awesome
the Pear Puree was sweet and honestly should have been thickened and used as a syrup
and the color due to Dark Chocolate powder!

I figured since it was a latin american fruit i would try and pair it with something remnant of a mole, however... there was not enough sweetness in the puree to combat the cocoa. So... these ended up tasting more like the wafers in an Oreo cookie which are AWESOME!!! (note: totally remaking these and sandwiching in some tofu ice cream = ice cream oreo!) All in all, im giving these 4.5/5 syrup bottles (<-- new rating system!)

And yes... i ate one with my hands. This... is MEDIEVAL TIIIIIIIIIIIIIMES!!!

3. The Scare: Well, those of you that know me well know how frugal I am. Other than impulse buys i hardly ever buy anything myself, especially since im between jobs right now. So, stopping at the store for something frivolous almost never happens. However, something got me wanting to try a new fruit so i stopped at on the way home. Im expecting to find a nice spice, maybe even a new marmalade... but the fruit jumped at me. AND it was cheaper so im thinking 'double score'! The only thing is that this decision took a lot longer than i thought, and i was sleepy, so i grabbed a soda and started to sip... and sip... and *gasp*. GONE?! Is this okay? Will they be mad. Moreover, is it stealing if i dont pay for it... technically its still in the store right. Well... this look of trepidation must have been plainer than i thought cause all of a sudden a heavy-set jamacian woman came out like a thief in the night and started grilling me about whether i was paying for that soda or not.

My response: "No. But im not taking it with me either... where's the Bathroom?"

Having never said the most unfunny thing ever, i was shocked to see her face... but then cowered in fear and told her that nothing would make me happier to pay. Then i helped her restock a box of Trix that fell off the shelf (im a wuss).

So.. there you have it. Another wonderful pancake to get us all through the week, a bad day at work and the occasional wild rodent. As always, feel free to make suggestions for future creations and message for the recipes. Until next time this is Panclayke reminding you that not all heavy people are jolly.

Blog Fail (not to be confused with Fail Blog)

2009-08-29T23:10:00.000-07:00

Donde Esta Panclayke? <---- the question on the minds of young children everywhere. Seriously, i got asked that by a nice nino yesterday in the frozen food section and it was sad. I didn't have the heart to tell him it was because....

SYRUP FAIL!!!

This is actually a lot more saddening than people would think. I have actually had this bottle of syrup since i lived in Austin. It's been in two different time zones! No wonder i felt smarter everytime I sopped up the sugar-wonder with the last cakey bite. Oh wait, thats not smart..... thats the rumbling in my stomach from eating syrup that im pretty sure was off (wasn't brave enough to check the label). So, the cakening has been put on hold for a bit until i can replenish my supply, not to say i have not been thinking about new combos that psyche the hellz out of me. A few hints, you ask? Well..... ok. (inhale) almondjoysupercitruskewlimechocolatepretzelpizzapizzanewmixescrepeoreochickenparmesan!

(exhale). Ok..... glad i got that one out in the open. Just wanted to let you know i didnt forget about you guys and am literally jotting own a new idea almost daily. If it wouldnt make me feel too glutonous i would have a pan-party every morning... then again, i dont want to get sick of them so im thinking twice a week is good for now. Absence certainly makes the heart grow fonder.

So, just so i can leave a 'proper-ish' post for all you wonderfullz... its time for a product review!

Hodgson Mill Oat Bran:

Think of oatmeal with the texture of grits. Only this bad boy cooks SO MUCH QUICKER than oatmeal, like im talking two to three minutes overall. After than its just a matter of prepping the fruit, nuts and other crush-ins. Couple that with the health benefits of whole grains and enough fiber to help you drop it like its hot and you have a bonafide winner in the breakfast realm. Also a winner if your sick of chewing so early in the morning, i gotta have something soft as my jaw laggs in the morning. (i had crispy toast once and almost choked cause chewing was hard and i got impatient). Not only that but there is a recipe on the box to make some p-cakes!!! Im giving this guy a 8.5/10

And the inaugeral creation..... BBC (blueberry coffee) Oatbran! Im also thinking of calling this one the 'Antioxi-dance' but i didn't want to get too whimsical my first time playing with the new kid in town.

So, again, apologies for the pancake-hiatus... but hopefully you make your way out to try some Oatbran... or a new breakfast in general. Switching up the norm is a recipe for a real exciting day. Until next time, this is Panclayke telling you to make more coffee than you need the day before so you can use it to cook your oats in.

2 dogs, 1 blogs

2009-08-18T21:29:00.000-07:00

Welcome back fellow cake-eaters! Many a wonderful thing has been going down as of late... starting off with a new savory cake as promised. Now, coming from the success of hamburger pancakes i was thinking about another portable/fast food-ish item that reminds me of being a kid again. I thought french fries for a bit, but then realized i could kill those two birds with one stone. So... it took some pantry digging and a little extra prep but we now have the wonder of...

CORN DOG PANCAKES!!!

Starting off simply enough, we use a cornmeal/four mixture (you have to do it this way otherwise the cakes will be too mealy since corn has no gluten in it). Add a little garlic powder and sch-moked paprika into the mix and set that aside.

^You Put WHAT in There?^

Yeah, Tofu hot dogs. Im not sure how they make you more intelligent but i certainly felt more vegan... and consequently a but gassy. However, i dont think the name "Fart Dogs" went off well in the focus group so smart was chosen. A good change. Anyhoo... slice down a dog and brown it in a pan to make sure theyre cooked (remember that little extra prep i mentioned).

Then its time to get your fry on! Just make a pancake like you normally would a blueberry p-cake, use your imagination that the dog is a bloob. However, imagination goes out the window when taste comes into play... especially when paired with the old red and yellow (which, in this case mean go, go GO!) Does anyone else remember getting sickened by green and purple ketchup? Ew. But... bottom line... these pancakes were awesome and were right on the money with regard to tasting like a corn dog. All i can say is make sure you add more corn meal than flour so you still get that cornish texture that we all know and love, and remember to add onion AND garlic powder into the batter (or just some onions sauteed with the dogs).

Well folks... there you have it. Another day, another treat and another reason to possibly buy some pepto. Tune in next time for another wonderful creation (most likely sweet) and some gentle musings along the way.

Also... here at pan-clay-ke we want to hear from you, the readers. Are there any cakes you have joked about while intoxicated one night, or maybe a food you grew up on that would only add to this wonderful confort food? Feel free to leave your comments and/or shoot an email.

So, until next time, this is pan-clay-ke remding you that yellow and red can sometimes mean 'GO'.

Housewives.... thank me later.

2009-08-15T11:52:00.000-07:00

Since the 'New Vegan-nning" I have noticed how hard it has been to do some things involving food, one big example is going out to eat. This was supremely illustrated during a recent outing to a certain international house that may or may not have served pancakes. Now, you would think this blogger would think he had made a pilgrimage to Pancake Mecca... however, there is NOTHING on the menu that is vegan (other than fruit and some oatmeal). Thus, the sadness came into play along with a culinary boner that only pancake making would satisfy. So, after a quick ingredient gathering and an account of what i had happening in the fridge... we end up at the latest installment of.....

"You put WHAT in there?!"

What is that? Well, obviously its spinach... but in a pancake? F YES!!! Upon hearing this some said it couldnt be done, or yours truly was met with a glare saying "really?". However, i was inspired by the first to eat an oyster. I mean, how tasty are oysters and how GROSS are they. I pictured all the friends of the oyster man snickering and pointing, calling him 'snot-sucker' and making him feel bad. Oyster man... this is for you!
Being a HUGE fan of braised greens i knew that you had to cook down the spinach before i could use it, so a quick steam then into the blender. Also, i like the subtle spice of nutmeg and cinnamon on my greens and those are both found in the greatest spice known to man (as seen above... i could put that stuff under my pillow. Why, i have no idea). Anyhoo, added the spice and a little maple syrup and blend we did. After mixing the spinach juice into the dry ingredients you gotta let it set. The spinach is still a little hot from the cooking so the gluten needs to relax before we go to town. Perfect opportunity to heat the pan, brew some coffee and start the first verse to American Pie.

Three pours, two flips and one prayer later and your eyes are fixated on a fluffy mountain that Sir Edmund and Tenzing would have blown a spinach-y, pancake-y load all over. (Whoa... two phallic references in one post <--- win!). Seriously though, these were fluffy beyond all reason, and tasted AMAZING with the addition of the pumpkin spice and the syrup added pre-blend. A little maple syrup on top and some banana action on the side (and a little sliced on top, eventually) made it even better. The only suggestions i make for my next batch of these beauties is to add a little more pumpkin spice (like 1tbsp rather than 2tsp) and serve with some sweetened Tofutti cream cheese (if theres time).

Ready for the kicker? Theres like a cup of spinach in there! Why is that important you ask? Well:

Spinach has
a high nutritional value and is extremely rich in antioxidants, especially when
fresh, steamed, or quickly boiled. It is a rich source of vitamin A (and lutein), vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, magnesium, manganese, folate, iron, vitamin B2, calcium, potassium, vitamin B6, folic acid, copper, protein, phosphorus, zinc, niacin, selenium and
omega-3 fatty acids. Recently, opioid peptides called rubiscolins have also been found in spinach. It is a source of folic acid (Vitamin B9), and this vitamin was first purified from
spinach. To benefit from the folate in spinach, it is better to steam it than to boil it. Boiling spinach
for four minutes can halve the level of folate.

Thank you wikipedia, and i assure you... you could give these to a child who is a picky eater and they would look up at you with a look that irradiated "Thank you". Isnt that worth the extra time? I sure think so. Indeed, i know so. Not only that, but these prove that pancakes are not these sugar-laden junk foods that are currently being served at a certain international house. Indeed, this weekend opt for making some "Popeye-cakes" rather than succumbing to the upside down pineapple or the butterscotch truffle pancakes, your body will thank you for it.
Well, readers. Another day, another wonderful batch of sweet vegan p-cake love. Tune in next week for a new SAVORY p-cake and possibly more musings and product reviews in between. Until next time, this is Pan-Clay-ke reminding you to steam the spinach and lie to your kids about why theyre green.

2009-08-09T21:49:00.000-07:00

I do not want to go to the radio station tomorrow morning. I didnt sleep too well this weekend so i am not looking forward to waking up in like three hours. Although i do like the people i work with over there and it is nice to have a reason to awaken in the morning.

That being said... this post it going to be both short and sweet (ironically enough, much lik a pancake) so i can get my sleep on and catch a DVR'd episode of Ruby. Not gonna lie, it a guilty pleasure. That... and Evanesence.

No children, its not a kidney or a donkey liver. This is the Dragon fruit.

"You put WHAT in there?"

Dragon fruit is either a dark red (as seen above) or a white fruit that is native to, i believe, hawaii. FULL of good antioxidants and pretty low in calories (so if your thinking of health... get some!) Taste wise, however, it was nothing really special. Picture a kiwi texture with the sweetness of breadfruit. Now, ive never had breadfruit but i hear that its not sweet and kind of bland... thats the dragonfruit for you. However, lack of sweetness and blod color ws certainly enough to overshadow the lack of sweetness (i guess this is what mr. maple invented his syrup for). In the end these bad boys lended a wonderful color to the pancakes and actually got a little sweeter when they hit the hot pan. What is it about burning fruit that makes it taste better? All i know is i also pannini pressed a PB&J this weekend and the burned J has surpassed the burned cheese on the grilled cheese as my favorite sandwich runoff. so i guess were at...

Burned Jelly
Charred Cheese
Ketchup
Tofu Salad (formerly egg/tuna before i switched to becomming a vegan

Final thoughts? Glad i tried it, will most likley not go there again and will stick wit bananas. Although, i did feel better with the added antioxidants in my system. I guess that means its time to try Kiwifruit pancakes!

Also, Dragon fruit is apparently good for the old sex drive. Git her Mr. Sun!!! TWO SCOOPS OF RAISINS MAKES EVERY MORNING GOOD (thats what she said). Tune in next time for greencake, or pan-wi. I gotta work on the name.

A Gain, A Loss, and a Wicked Cross

2009-08-06T17:30:00.000-07:00

Everyone talks about 'brinner' and why shouldnt they? Breakfast for dinner is amazing and anyone who says otherwise is lying to you so they can have all the brinner for themselves. Whic is uncool since there is so much to go around.

However, what about Dinfast? Could there be such a thing? It seems to be there is a lacking of dinner for breakfast lately (or hardly at all). This troubld me upon further reflection since dinner is another communal meal that i feel is getting traded for a quick drive thru choice, or a lasagna that just came from a box. Before I go on let me make it clear that I do love the stouffers lasagna and have many a time shaken hands with the hamburger helper, and loved it! I just think current times could stand a couple times a week where dinner got exciting and brought the family together again. That being said, this pan-clay-ke went as far as making a brinner that could double as a dinfast...

First were going to have to dice some onions and peppers and sweat them for a bit. After their softer throw in a little bit of some boca crumbles (or some ground meat for the non-vegan). Mix in a little garlic powder and some s+p (salt and pepper), and this is what your gonna end up with.

Ok, ill be the first to admit that this is not the most attractive meal in the world but stay with me. For our purposes think of the mess over there as a plate of blueberries before you add them into the pancake which has a batter much like this one...

Its a standard pancake batter, vegan style of course, consisting of: Wheat Flour, water, baking powder and... wait for it.... black pepper and garlic powder. What?!?!!?!

"You Put WHAT in there?!"

It lends the cakes a wonderful savory sensation (one.... sa-vor-y sensation!) and creates a wonderful bed for the meat mixture. That being said... its time to put some chilluns to bed.

OH MAN. Picture my excitement at this point. I was like Dr. Frankenstein right before the lightning struck. Coupled with the smells of the meat and the thrill of doing something new by the seat of my pants was a natural high. Some jump out of plane, I make pancakes! But here is the rub, what about the syrup? We gotta put some sort of syrup on the pancake and in no way was i going to make these bad boys ride the maple train. I know i was pushing the batter matrix as much as humanly possible already so there was no way im going to add a......... KETCHUP AND MUSTARD!!!! Simple to the point of being retarted! What makes a burger more perfec than a healthy shot of K&M? That being said i was still a little apprehensive so.....

On the side it is. And after a few cautious dips and a lot of water swigs and pallet cleansing the order goes: ketchup, mustard, pickle (if available) and ham-cake (see what i did there?) If you are not making these then you are making your tummy sad and doing yourself a disservice. Not only that but this is also a wonderful thing to make for the kiddies in order to make them eat some more veggies. No worries.... its gonna be our little secret.

So, time for a man-fession. There was one more reason why i got the inspiration to combine these who dishes into this plate of wonder and that was a heartfelt goodbye to an old friend...

Gandalf the white.... driving off towards that salvage yard in the sky thanks to Obama and the Cash for Clunkers program. I do not have pics of the new car yet but they will be up soon. Also, this is about Gandalf so one thing at a time.

Gandalf and i went through a year of High School, our years of college, six trips across the country, a hearty spooning while camping, off roading, rocking our downtown, a run from the poice, nightly fast food runs and a crash into a fence by my loving little sister. He was where i could rehearse my audition pieces before i entered the building and was always there to help me move (the markings of a TRUE friend if i do say so myself). Not to mention, i heard of Gandalf being referred to as myself if i were a car. When i thought about all this i wanted to cook a special dinner for myself to kind of highlight all the wonder that was our relationship and i couldnt think of anything better than pancakes. Then i was remembering the 'pre-gan' days where him and i would drive down to the wendys and grab up some dollar menu. Thus... hamburger pancakes. We all miss you gandalf... this cakes for you.

So true believers... thats all there is for now. A little emotion and alot of good memories. Thank you for reading and... until next time, this is PanClayKe reminding you to never be afraid to put ketchup on anything!

Short, Sweet and........ Stewie?

2009-08-01T12:27:00.000-07:00

So, i igured out something about myself today. A couple things actually.....
1) I am no longer allowed to read books in the pool. My copy of 'Becomming Vegan' is still hanging over the towel rack. And right when i was getting to the chapter on Phytochemicals. DAMN IT!
2) When i dont have something constantly in the back of my head I tend to let them go along the wayside. Not forgotten, but put on hiatus. This is a challenge for me in the Blog-Sphere considering there are aily experiences and things that i always follow with the phrase... Im totally goin to put that on my blog." And, while i did make some delish pancakes today i decided to save the post for another time (will explain why later) and instead... kick back in the sun and put on a little amibient Family Guy.

Why is this important? Guess what the first episode that came up was?

You can say that again.....

Couldn't refrain from McClain and Plantains in the Rain.

2009-07-29T18:36:00.000-07:00

Dearly beloved, we gather here today since we have no job to join this fruit and this batter in holy matrimony. If there is any reason why these two should not be wed speak now or forever hold your peace.

Do you: Flour, baking powder and cinnamon. Take: Plantains and soymilk in holy matrimony?

I now pronounce you......... THUMBS UP! Fellow lovers of the cake, i assure you, Jack Johnson can write all the songs he wants and keep whisping us off to land of hammoks and rain and not needing to go outside. But as far as bananas go, they have nothing on their starchier, firmer, longer and slightly bitter (get your head out of the gutter) cousin... the Plantain!

Surely, this excitement has a wonderful story to go with it! Sadly, not really. The weekly produce forridge just happened to stumble upon REALLY ripe plantains at 3 for $1 (<-- too good to pass up). Also, i decided to start the theme of

"You put WHAT in there?"

Again, head out of the gutter, i mean ingredients to the pancake. And let me tell you, the plantain definitely scores a nine out of ten. It is not only sweet but keeps the moisture in there and lends a great deal of fiber and potassium. There are a couple of catches though

1) Your going to need to blend/food process the Plantain to make a "milk", THEN make the batter. Your gonna want that liquid to keep the moisture in there.

2) Make sure the Plantains are REALLY ripe. Say it with me: "Deep fry the green guy, yellow-black FLAPJACK" <--- i seriously just sang that.

Along with the aforementioned Jack Johnson song about banana pancakes considering...

'Just another beautiful day in Flordia...'

Needless to say i was not going out for any sort of sunny activity and the gym is really crowded in the afternoon and even worse when theres a damn spin class. Therefore, it was time for plan C...

You GOTTA love plan C.

So, there you have it. Im thinking of calling the Plantain Pancake the Yippee-Kay-ake, or the Plan-C-Tain. either way they were amazing and you should go out and make them as soon as possible. As always, feel free to message me for the exact recipe and method and until next time, remember.....

Be nice to the ugly cousin... cause when they get older they usually get sweeter and more sought after. and cheap..... like 'three for a dollar cheap'.

Good Deals and Good Deeds

2009-07-26T19:17:00.000-07:00

So the results are in and i am officially the worst posted in the Blogsphere. I like to think of myself, in regards to my blog, as that kid who gets all the sources for a research paper right away and then just procrastinated while looking at them sit next to the computer. Im still pounding out the p-cakes like a madman, and documenting like whoa but then i just look at the computer really hard hoping ill develop the ability to talk to machines, in which case i would change my name to rebel and start busting my friends out of jail so we could go fight crime and, DAMN! I need to start watching Heroes.

Anyway, onto the cakey wonder or what the title 'good deal' refers to. You see, being a new vegan has led me to spend a lot more time in the grocery store produce department and noticing whats on sale and whats in season. Today on my Publix excursion i found the lovely strawberry telling me that i should buy it. 2 baskets for 3 dollars! Am i retarted? dont answer that!

OR I WILL CUT YOU LIKE I DICED UP THE RECENTLY PURCHASED BERRY GOODNESS! That being said i now know why chefs are so amiable, they get to play with knives and cut things... and get paid for it! Definitely a reason to take the profession on. Anyhoo, since the berries were such i good deal i decided to make some strawberry p-cakes, with a special vegan component that will have the spotlight in the next entry (gotta leave them wanting more). So, i got the batter together - my pan hot - and the coffee brewed an away we went.

There is a small secret to this one... DO NOT mix the berried in the batter before you put these on the griddle. This will make the sugars hit the pan rather than the batter at some points and it WILL burn to the pan and make flippage difficult. In the words of Napoleon, you'll feel like a "Flippin Idiot" (<-- see what i did there?). Ergo, i employed what i have dubbed the 'boop droop', meaning you drop the batter, THEN drop the berry slices (or what have you) then you give the new addition a little push into its new bed. And i dont know why but every push makes you want to say 'boop' in a cute voice (go ahead and tell me im wrong). After that its smooth sailing, three minutes or so on one side and one-ish on the other. Then...

... we have the berry pancakes of vegan magic. These bad boys didn't even need syrup cause the berries are already juicy (but we added some anyway, of course). Oh, and remember the burned berries that we were trying to avoid earlier? Well it turns out that what you want to avoid on one side is the best part of the other. I swear it was like a combination of the crispy cheese on the panini and Jesus.

S, by now your probbaly asking A) why is e ranting about something simple and B) what 'good deed' means in the title. Well, during my grocery excursion and the finding of the berry deal and such, I noticed how nobody can buy a whole hand of bananas. I dont care if a family of nine is buying one, the mother will grab a hand of six and rip one off and leave it there. At first i thought it was funny, but then i thought of the hand as a family... i mean, they were born and raised together, traveled the globe, went through banana puberty and got into fights with the plantain gang from down the road who tried to get them hooked on that bad shiz. And this woman sees fit to destroy sich a beautiful family group, this can't keep happening! There-go, i found the biggest hand in the bunch (8 friggin naners!) and rounded it up to nine by taking home the orphan banana. OR, as i named her...

"Little Orphan Nanny"

All in all it was an extremely successful pancake morning. Once nourished it was time for some nice reading by the pool and an afternoon film of 'Hamlet 2'. Rock me sexy Jesus indeed. Later on, it appeared as though my good deeds brought the good Lord to tears cause the rain came out to play and i had to retreat into the house to peruse blog-land for a little while before i dove into another pancake adventure (but thats another story).

On a serious note, things at the radio station are going really good. Im learning a crapload about the radio industry and am loving the people i work around which is definitely a pleasant shift. Couple that with a recent reunion with some old friends and a tip down memory lane which led Pan-Clay-ke to Calvary Chapel for the saturday service and you have the makings of an amazing weekend. Speaking of church happenings and friends and such there is a much more serious post coming soon so be ready, i would venture to go the distance now but i feel i have rambled for long enough and The Next Food Network Star is about to start. Again... always leave them wanting more.

So, until next time please remember to live well, laugh often and, for godness sake, dont split up the banana family!

No eggs, no milk, no problem!

2009-07-11T19:45:00.000-07:00

Happy Saturday pancake lovers! It is the weekend meaning this is the time when many families in America sit around the breakfast table and switch out their Frosted Cheerios and Toaster Pastry for the home-cookery of the pancake, and why wouldn’t they. Speaking from personal experience I can honestly say there is nothing more gratifying that a heartfelt ‘thank you’ when you place a warm plate of food in front of someone that was mere ingredients on the counter 20 minutes earlier. Making something out of nothing, a good philosophy for pancake making and life… but now were getting a little too “zen” about pancakes (although baking is very calming)
Speaking of calming, the atmosphere in South Florida is finally taking a turn for the better. The storm clouds appear to have taken a vacation for the weekend and the sun looks like it may come out to play for at least a bit. This means A LOT to yours truly because the pale-idity from the slavery of working in a hair salon has yet to leave these pasty legs of mine. Looks like its time for some much needed sun exposure, Vitamin D here I come!
Vitamin D? Well, fun fact, your body doesn’t need the D from dairy because you can actually get it from the sun. Yeah, I read that… in a BOOK! This brings me to my next point of explaining the use of the special ingredients this week. Avid readers may remember the mention of veganism in the past, basically the purging of animal products in ones life (diet and otherwise). This proves a challenge in traditional Pancake-cookery since eggs and milk have been staple ingredients in the batter recipe since its conception. Even the ‘just add water’ mixes are of limits since they contain milk solids acting as a binder (lots of reading this week). But, did that stop yours truly? Nawt Bloody likely (said in a Scottish accent).

Ladies and gentlemen…. The starting lineup for the Very Vanilla Vegan Pancakes! At center we have 100% stone ground wheat flour! A flour that, much like myself, tastes amazing and is completely unrefined. Yeah, I went there. At small forward we have the wonder of Vanilla Silk! Which, like Jennifer Love Hewitt, adds sweetness to anything its added too (just bought Can’t hardly Wait). At power forward we have baking powder and at shooting guard we have Pumpkin Pie Spice. Two staple incredients in my pancake making arsenal, I was going to add some pumpkin puree to compliment the spice but I didn’t want to run before I could crawl. Lastly, at point guard, we have some splenda I found in my man purse left over from when I pilfered a few packets from the local Starbucks. Don’t judge me, times are hard.

I’ll have to admit, I was a bit nervous about the lack of eggs until I saw the Pancake Pay dirt of the bubbles coming up to the top! It must be what pirates feel when someone yells ‘Land ho!’ All bets were then off and I had to make sure I didn’t just dump all the batter I had left in my skillet, but then my mind went back to that scene from Uncle Buck when he makes those tire sized pancakes that he has to flip with a snow shovel. Annnnnnnnnd, even though I would like to try that eventually ihad to focus on the task at hand. Then, wouldn’t you know it, as soon as they were all done and wonderful I started thinking “Man, I would like some banana pancakes at the moment”. Easy fix though, just paired these bad boys with a naner and made a little pancake face that was delectable, not to mention comforting to eat breakfast with someone else for a change.

Pancake Face, however, is not as happy about the situation as I was.

Kidding aside, why the switch to being a vegan? Did I grow up on a farm and started noticing empathy for animals? Did PETA finally reach me with the abundance of literature on the subject? Maybe it was the time I fell asleep in a whole foods? I’m afraid that it was due to a little book called “Skinny Bastard”. Having heard wonderful press about it I decided to flip through it one morning in a Barnes Noble and I must say… the writing style made me laugh a bit and I was already through the first couple chapters in about 20 minutes. Also, I know what your thinking and its not a ‘diet book’, its more of s punch in the face about what animal consumption does to not only the environment but also our health. I know, a book with the word Bastard in the title cant be the most scholarly source in the world, but they quoted numerous credible sources – The China Study in particular. Im telling you right now, anyone who on the fence about switiching to veganism needs to read the china study. I had already spent my book budget for the week so I was unable to purchase it but after flipping through a few selections about meat and dairy I definitely agreed that it will be on my bookshelf soon. Long story short, I made the leap to go hard core on the vegan diet for the month of July and have been finding it extremely nice so far. Im liking all the thinks you can do with tofu and I don’t think im ever going to get tired of burritos (KNOCK ON WOOD!!!). Also, I notice how simple things like fruit and veggies have a whole new taste that I just cant get enough of. Not to mention that the pancakes were a-ma-ZING! Honestly, I think tasty walked by and said: “Damn, those look tasty… and cruelty-free”. So, all in all, vegan-hood is working out well and ill be sure to keep you all updated on the stautus of everything.
On the final front, radio is………….. awesome! I am definitely happy about not dreading my wake up in the morning. Granted, anything done at 4am is a little taxing, but im finding it easier than when had to get up for work at 10! (ß six hours later!) I guess that’s what happens when your spend your work day laughing rather than dealing with people who were willing to pay $80 for a haircut but go ape-shit when it turns out to be $85. Not kidding, that actually happened. Also, we all got the week off for the 4th of July which is definitely code for greatness in my book. I still went in and hung around with OMG (one of the hosts who was making sure the ‘Best of Broadcasts’ were going off without a hitch). And we both got to have some guy time where he would show me the kind of work he does and I would pay him with Egg McMuffins (which are NOT vegan L). But ill tell you what is….. hash browns HOLLA!
Well, true believers, that is all we at Pan-Clay-ke have for you this week but the pancakes and musings will be back with a vengeance. Till then feel free to question away with anything about Veganism, Pancakes, also movies coming out as I feel Bruno and Public Enemies calling me out of the house as well as the sunshine this day. Till then this is Pan-Clay-Ke reminding you that frozen blueberries are just as good in a recipe as fresh.

Worst. Post. Ever.

2009-07-03T16:14:00.000-07:00

Welcome back pancake fans! Am planning to do a more proper post tomorrow due to lack of time/alertness today (will go into more later). Howev-sies I wanted to both post a quick update as well as keep myself "blog-countable".

Things are going well at the radio station, im getting along wonderfully with the people there and they seem to like the muffins i baked for them last week which is a good sign, nothing says 'hire me' like bananas and walnuts (note: perfect title for a B porno movie). Also, just started a new strength training program thanks to the wonderful Coleen back in Austin, she's an olympic weighlifter b-t-dubbs so just you wait until im Mr. Incredibling again! Super psyched? You bet I am!

Florida weather is officially sad, it seems rain wanted to bring its old friends thunder and lightning to the party for the fourth of July. Don't get me wrong, I am a big believer in the more the merrier but these guys so did not RSVP to my fourth of July bash.

Speaking of the day of independence, i will not be partaking in any BBQ's this year. Why, you ask? I have recently adopted the vegan lifestyle!!! Could it be? You bet and i am excited beyond all reason. As of now im stocked up of tofu and veggies, not to mention new discoveries like Almond butter and Ezekiel Bread. Will update about what brought on that change later as well.

Well, thats it for now. Mostly because Homeward Bound is about to come on TV and i am so ready for some incredible journey action. Oh, and a little surprise for tomorrow, can you say Vegan Pancakes? WHERE ARE THE EGGS AND MILK?!?!?! SURELY THIS WILL BE ANARCHY!

It just may be... and dont call me Shirley.

up UP and a-waffle!

2009-06-18T16:18:00.000-07:00

Last post we ventured into the wonder that was Kodiak Pancake Mix but did i mention that the word mixes box also mentioned the word..... waffle? NO!? Well it did, which gave me the gung ho attitude of "Have iron will waffle". I immediately dove into the boxes littering my living room from my recent move and pulled out the waffle iron that I had not used since the the 'marsh-madness', note to self: marshmallows melt away into nothing when you cook them and WILL stick to the waffle maker.

That being said I also found a nice can of pumpkin puree next to the iron and thought... 'why not turn my waffles up to eleven?' Eleven, thy name is pumpkin waffle. Prepare the mix, add the nutmeg, cloves, little cinnamon sugar and the pumpkin and you have a disc full or flavor and beta carotene. So not only are you doing something awesome for your pallete but also for our overall health, kicking cancer in the face once and for all!

The taste, while awesome, was almost overlooked by the texture. When I crave waffles one of the first things i think of is a crunchy exterior which was lacking in todays concoction. I could not tell if it was due to the surprise ingredient or the fact that the mix was previously prepared, but much like a eunich watching hostel... there was a lack of firmness (yeah, i went there). The flavor, texture and overall joy of having some waffles ended up being triumphant, however, and a happy ending ensued. Next waffle will contain the addition of a little melted butter in hopes to crisp it up so definitely look forward to that one.

Speaking of happy endings (get your mind out of the gutter) it is time to unveil the second aspect of the 'PanClayke' blog, the passion of movie watching. This week out move excursion brought us to the latest brain-child of disney and pixar, Up! Not since Walter Matthau has an elderly man brought so much joy, and brought out an unlikely hero. The story is about a man who nurtures a childhood dream of being an explorer and shared said dream with his wife, Ellie. These two definitely win the award of cutest elderly movie couple since 'The Notebook', and also the most endearing. I am so elated that pixar is keeping the animated movie a staple in the cinematic world by not just regergetating the same 'fluff' over and over again, like a fat kid who found the hidden stash of Marshmallow Peeps. In this bloggers opinion Pixar has yet do make a mistake when it comes to movies (knock on wood) and has me looking forward to what theyre going to come up with in the future. This hopeful looking ahead was amped up even more when i remembered the sequel to 'The Incredibles' is still out there to look forward to. Until then though, Up will raise your mood much like it raises the home of the main character. There were definiely baloons tied to my ankles when i walked out of the theater (metaphorically), which floated me home to my computer which brings us to the present. In other words, whether it be by car or a boat or flying house... go and see this movie! Maybe even make it better and sneak in a few eggos for snacking (FULL CIRCLE!).

Until next time, this is PanClayke reminding you the regulat butter is both better tasting and better for you.

Manly Mix... and only mix.

2009-06-09T21:06:00.000-07:00

Todays adventure is brought to you by Kodiak Cake Mix, a quick look at the website will give some explanation to the todays title. When it comes to buying complete pancake mixes one is normally swamped by women (Jemima, Ms. Butterworth, etc), so imagine the 'joygasm' that ensues when a pancake mix featuring a snarling kodiak bear on the box showed up on the shelf. I didnt stand a chance, This mix was in my cart before you could say Dutch Baby.

Note: The mix is a bit hard to find, being that it is a bit out of the box (see what i did there) and not viewed as a 'staple' like the more attractive cousin Bisquick. I found mine at Central Market, but im sire you could get it at Whole Foods not to mention ordering online.

So, first things first, whats different with this guy other than the super manly box bear? Well, the first thing is that all the ingredients are natural. Wheat and oat flour, milk solids, its the closest thing to scratch pancake making I have found in the store (That is until I pick up a new box of Sodium Bicarbonate). Then, there is the ease of cooking. Since its a complete mix all it needs is a little moisture. equal parts dry mix and cold water and you have a breakfast fit for a king sans the king size effort.

Now, to the nitty gritty. Tasting these bad boys was truly a treat. Light and fluffy as buttermilk pancakes, with the earthy texture that sticks to your ribs in a subtle way that makes you feel like your not just eating a plate full of sweetened air. I am a huge fan of air, but not as a main course. Now, there is a bit of the Whole Wheat 'tang' which anyone who has ever had to use one slice of white and wheat bread on the same sandwich can explain if your not sure what I mean (note: when making a fried bologna sandwich... make sure you have adequate bread before you fry the meat). However, despite the taste reminding you that we are eating moderately healthy, the smooth and light texture keep thoughts of 'health food' as the last thing on your mind (expecially once the syrup comes into play). There is also a lot left in the box so you get the bang for your buck at about six 4'' pancakes for every cup of mix, which is definitely important nowadays. The mix is also pretty versitile. As a matter of fact im looking forward to incorporating some fun spices, fresh fruit, maybe even some bacon and just make an all in one breakfast... but lets cross that bridge when we get there.

In the end the Kodiak Cake Mix yeild a good tasting Pancake with ease, and leaves you feeling full and a little more like a mountain man. In fact, this was the manliest i felt all day in spite of watching 'P.S. I Love You' as i was eating said pancakes. Lets just say the pancakes were the highlight of the film for me. Therefore, the mix is highly recommended in terms of taste and movie saing and while it may be a bit pricey and hard to find, it is definitely a nice treat for the pancake enthusiast.

Until our next adventure this is PanClayke reminding you to nuke your syrup for 30 seconds.

A Thousand Miles...

2009-06-08T21:28:00.000-07:00

... starts with a single step.
I have been telling people about this blog for some time now, it seems not a day goes by where the phrase "Have I told you about my blog" came out of my mouth. After a while people started getting annoyed, they didnt say anything but i can tell. That just made me want to buckle down more since i obviously have some awesome people supporting me to the point of putting up with my constant reiteration. But, onto more important matters... The Pancake!

So, its obvious these are for breakfast, but i think we should think out of the box. Look at the omelette, having recently lived on a weekly food budget of like $20 i can tell you how great a dinner an omelette can be, not to mention its cousin the fritatta (ole!). There were even some times where pancakes for dinner came into play and people would look at me like i was a sicko for a bit then in awe that i wasnt in a sugar coma from the night before. It was either that or some comments about my Peter Pan syndrome (which does exist but is beside the point). So i figured why not BE the change, go from pancakes to MAN-cakes, share stories with the world about inspirations for certain recipes and show the other aspiring cooks out there what certain ingredients can do rahter than be at the mercy of the ever-imposing spice isle. Maybe even take a shot at the thin line between sweet and savory. Crazy? Crazy like a fox!

Thats only part of what begins out tale together, the second half comes from the panic that ensued after graduating with a degree in theater arts and living in the real world with no set path to follow anymore. With this panic came the question "What do i want to do now?" The answer came over a pancake dinner where one of the most amazing phrases i have in my arsenal came about. "I dont know what I want to do, but I want to express myself." Well, I dont know exactly what I want to do either, but I know I want to: Sing, make people laugh, be superman and make pancakes. Vague? Vague like a fox!

So where does that leave us? In Miami, living out of boxes and being the newest member of LA Fitness. My apologies for the lack of pancake+photo, but stay tuned. Pancakes are sexy and were bringing sexyback.

Pan-Clay-ke

Working Actor... Coming Through.

Hits and Misses

Out of the ashes.......

Oscar nominations 2010!

Sugar Highs and Long Goodbyes

A Birthday fit for a King

The Birth of 'Clay-pe?'

ASK ME ABOUT MY WEINER!!!

Behold... the Flagship!

Pizza... The Final Frontier

Austin: Day 6, Part 1

A Great Big Part of what we Love about Austin...

The Birth of a Legend

Hey, remember when I was Vegan

Austin Trip - Day 2

Austin Trip - Day 1

Poor Ol' Grandad...

The once and Future King...

'Sonny'... with a chance of Hoagie.

*Here Boy!*

MAZEL TOV

Everybody's brother is up in the armored air.

Snack be Nimble, Snack be Quick

Review - Original Pancake House

Post from the berry

No Turkey for Panclayke!

Jonesing for a Cookie

Party, Pauly, Pancakes!

Your Terminated F#@*ER!

I want a Mexican.... 'Rideo"! (FAIL!)

Pair-of-waffles Activity

Consumption Junction..... what-your-function?

I better have a seat saved..

Because it made me smile.

Labels

TFMA!

Insert pancake name here

What you YOU like for breakfast Johhny?

Good, Better, Best!

Honesty Party!

Zen, and the Art of Pancake

Short, sweet... enough to eat.

Terminator.... I hardly know her.

Vegan MOP!

Shot through the Heart.....

Winner Winner, Pancakes for Dinner!

Cloudy... with a chance of Pancake!

Pie, or cake?

Pei-Wei's Playhouse!!!

SWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGG

Boo-Cakes!

500 days of GIVEAWAY!!!

Why Pancakes??? (part deux)

When you wish upon a Pancake...

Destination: Mexico!

Fresh-Pan Cake-teen

A Revelation of Experimentation

Why Pancakes?

The Rabbit, the Pear and the SCARE!

Blog Fail (not to be confused with Fail Blog)

2 dogs, 1 blogs

Housewives.... thank me later.

A Gain, A Loss, and a Wicked Cross

Short, Sweet and........ Stewie?

Couldn't refrain from McClain and Plantains in the Rain.

Good Deals and Good Deeds

No eggs, no milk, no problem!

Worst. Post. Ever.

up UP and a-waffle!

Manly Mix... and only mix.

A Thousand Miles...

Here Boy!