proof that new years resolutions hold no water.

I made a resolution to write and post in here at least a few times a week. I amended that to a few times a day...andddd its now the middle of January. Blame it on the fact that I was in London for 3 weeks and was so enamored of the city that I was overwhelmed with creativity? Maybe not.

But it's back to reality.

In the wake of Obamania and the inauguration, I think us Americans have been pumped dry of political talk. So I'll leave the talk about change, our new President facing an uphill battle, and various bouts of economical pessimism to the experts. I will, however, shamelessly plug a piece about the inauguration from across the pond.

We all have new years resolutions...some have to do with losing weight, being healthier, or being more open to "new ideas" but the truth is at one point or another all the resolutions falter. Promises of daily 20 minute cardio regimes aren't kept and the ever-tempting devil's food cake starts to call your name too loud and before you know it you're planning resolutions for the next year.

So, instead of wasting all the time planning and fighting the inevitable, let's all just use the get out of jail free card, skip pass GO and collect $200.

Oh, and use that $200 for food.

Delicious, fattening, butter-laden food that would make Paula Deen proud.

This foodie talk is prompted by the new season of Anthony Bourdain's show on the Travel Channel "No Reservations." As my girl Emily already knows, the food channel is tops as far as food challenges, food reality shows, and DIY food shows. But TC wins because I'd MUCH rather watch and listen to good ole Tony traveling about the world in a Jack Kerouac meets Hunter S. Thompson style than Rachael Ray any day.

Bourdain's season of "No Reservations" opened with a taste of the Washington, D.C. area and the foods it has to offer. Some of the places Bourdain visits I have heard of, others I haven't. But Bourdain's tour of the Diamond District delves more into the politics of the political epicenter and asks more questions about the invisible race lines drawn across the small city than "what sauce is this?" All of that is well and good, but I want to see food.

In my short intercultural travels I encountered tantilizing eats, a lot of mash that needed seasoning desperately, and the widest variety of fish and chips. Some fish and chips were served in paper cones, some on plates, and some on wooden planks. Like Dr. Seuss's "One Fish, Two Fish" fish and chips came in lots of shapes and sizes...a few shaped in the phallic style. Truth be told, we should have known better, this fish came from a Holiday Inn (boo, who goes there while in London? mistake #1).

Hands down, the best eating I had while in England came from a small cafe near Canterbury Cathedral called Chambers. Chambers claims to be the origin of the Americano coffee, with tall tales of pilgrims on the quest to Canterbury. A woman owns the the restaurant, her apartment is upstairs. She makes various coffees and sweet concotions but the daily special on this fateful Tuesday was a belgian waffle.

A belgian waffle, topped with Nutella and a side of ice cream. This was unlike any belgian waffle I had tasted before; it was sugary and crunchy full of flavor. In one bite the cold ice cream, smooth Nutella, and crisp waffle made for the perfect amuse-buche of deliciousness. Easy to make at home, and well worth every single calorie, I highly recommend that everyone make this savory treat.