The Dollar Menu Made Me Do It

So, I'm walking by a Wendy's this afternoon, and a huge banner outside features this new product they have. A bacon stacker. And it's ONLY 99 cents!!! I'm like, Oh My God...there just went somebody's diet! Whose, I don't know, but for sure, somebody's!

Dollar menus in fast food joints are all the rage. Almost every major fast food retailer has one. I know them well. I was deliriously happy when they were first invented about 8(?) years ago. A dollar menu meant that you could go into Wendy's or Mickey D's with 6 or 7 dollars and go buck wild. Burger King has its own, too.

The McDonalds across the street from where I used to live sold double cheeseburgers on their dollar menu. Talk about a pig in heaven. I ate so many of them over about a year, that I finally just got completely sick of them. I won't ever eat another. I exceeded my limit. I remember being on the line one day, when a guy came in and ordered 6. SIX! And a super size coke. He then sat and proceeded to polish off every last one. I was just like, WOW. Amazing! No wonder as a nation we're so fat.

Yes, I blame the dollar menu for part of the obesity epidemic in America. Nowadays, you don't have to have a ton of cash to stock up on these calorie heavy, fried, greasy goodies. They made sure that they're accessible to everyone! Only have a dollar? No problem! Come on in and get your dose of cholesterol too. Don't get left behind! We'll make sure that you, too, are included in the race to become as unhealthy as you can be! ;)

Now, it's around 3pm as I pass by this Wendy's on our main avenue, and as I pass by, I see that there's a packed line inside, snaking around about 4 times. Guess who it's comprised of? Kids coming home after school. A boat load of 'em.
Yep. The dollar menu works just great for them and their little allowances. They can come in and stuff their faces with fries, burgers and softies with the best of them. Only takes a couple bucks, and you're in! Pass me the ketchup!

Now, I know I can't blame the fast food industry for everything. Self policing is something we all need to learn how to do. Also, making sure that our children develop healthier eating habits and don't cave in to the call of the fast food chains when they're hungry is key, and is definitely the responsibility of parents. Yes, we are responsible for ourselves and our own actions. No one puts a gun to your head and makes you go inside Wendy's. Or McDonald's. Or any of them.

But these dollar menu places sure don't make it easy, do they? I'm just sayin'... ;)

by the Fitness Diva

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The Big Mac Just Turned 40!!

I don't know how I missed this, but I do need to give a big thanks to Sheila from Black Tennis Pros for posting about the Big Mac 40th anniversary party on her blog. 'Else, this might have escaped me completely! Thanks again, Sheila!

The Big Mac (two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun!) turned the big 4-0 on July 24th, mere days ago. In all that time, you can only imagine how many billions of the fat and calorie laden masterpieces have been shoved down throats of folks near and wide. As I commented on Sheila's blog:

"The Big Mac is 40, huh? Damn. When you think of it, how can one sandwich have caused so much destruction and chaos on the US health care system!

The Big Mac and Whopper should both take their respective places in the Obesity Epidemic Hall of Fame one of these days. lol"

Indeed.


As quoted by ASHLEY M. HEHER, AP business writer:

"McDonald's estimates 550 million Big Macs are sold each year in the U.S. alone. Do the math and that's about 17 per second. Weighing in at nearly a half-pound, with 540 calories and 29 grams of fat each, that's enough to make nutritionists cringe."


Dudes, that's the US ALONE. They're not even counting all the other countries that Ronald McDonald resides in. They have Mickey D's in China too, right? My mind just went numb trying to even come up with a ball park figure of how many Macs have been sold worldwide.....


Well, I'd just like to say Happy Birthday, Big Mac! You are one of the reasons that I have such good job security. You, and your brother Double Cheeseburger, your cousin, Crispy Chicken Sandwich, and sis, Super Size Fries (who's gotten quite large over the years), and your other sibling, Fried Apple Pie, keep me busy all year long! I sincerely thank each of you. Please keep sending me clients and people that need to take my classes at least 3 times a week to shed the fat you pile on their bellies and behinds! LOVE you for that! Your birthday gift is in the mail! lol

Okay, you all know I'm just being silly, right? Actually, I think that our fast food culture is an epidemic of grave proportions, and seeing us become a nation of morbidly obese overweights is really no laughing matter. But hey, the Big Mac IS an American institution, like it or not! The problem is, they weren't meant to be eaten nearly every day, and some people do eat them (and their counterparts) almost daily now. Can you really blame McDonald's for that? I don't know. All I do know is, I personally stay the hell out of there. Can't even remember the last time I was at a McDonald's. Now Wendy's....well.... That's a different story! LOL

So when you're passing by a McDonald's this week, be sure to tip your hat and give a birthday salute. I'm thinking the Mac might make it all the way to 80+. Us, on the other hand? Not so much if we keep eating them! ;)

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