The Secrets of In-N-Out

If you're like me you get cravings for fatty greasy junk food occasionally. Well in my case it's actually pretty often, but I do try and resist until I can't take it longer and then I get a cheeseburger. Since I've moved out to the West Coast one of my favorite places to go is In-N-Out for some double double action. The attraction to In-n-Out is all about it's fresh food with never frozen beef patties and hand cut fries. Most of all the allure of In-n-Out is in the secret menu. My own personal favorite order there off the secret menu is a double double meal protein style and animal style. Code for a double cheeseburger with no bun wrapped in lettuce with grilled onions and secret sauce. All served with fries and a drink. Amazingly delicious and a total indulgence for me.

Well the menu is actually not so secret anymore considering everyone orders off it and there have been numerous blog posts about it. In fact In-n-Out acknowledges the secret menu on their official website here. Still there's more to know apparently In-n-Out prints bible references on it's packaging as blogged about by Timbotron over at blogadilla.com. They write about the discreet bible references on the food packaging over at In-n-Out. Next time I go to I have to check out the packaging to see if it's really true.

Back to the regularly scheduled program let's talk about that Secret menu! The actual menu only has milkshakes, fries, cheeseburger, hamburger and a double double or double cheeseburger. The secret menu has burgers and fries prepared a variety of ways which are listed here at badmouth.net. The secret menu has sprouted ridiculous feats of gluttony such as the 100x100. That's right 100 patties between two buns. Urban legend? Apparently not says Will(apparently he lives in San Francisco) he blogged about the whole experience here.

Insane! Still I'm glad somebody proved this urban legend and that it wasn't me that had to eat all of that. I'll stick to my regular order thank you very much.

Hey Mama

I hope you had a wonderful weekend and called your mother to wish her Happy Mother's Day. I had the most fun relaxing weekend and I'm feeling particularly lucky at the moment. Are you wondering why I feel so lucky?

A few days ago I emailed my mother, then other day I was chatting on IM with my cousin in China and I spent the weekend with some amazing friends. What this all has me thinking about is the path that my life has taken me. After all I was born in Shanghai as a second child and a girl no less in a country where boys are seen as the bearer of hope for future generations. Yet my parents left and brought me to the States. I'm here and I'm blessed to have the opportunities that have come my way such as going to college, working in a career of my choice, being able to vote in what I believe in and to voice my opinion. These are privileges that I don't take lightly.

Yet this weekend what really struck me as I was emailing my mother was the sudden realization that I really liked my Mom. How remarkable is that? Yes I love my mother and always have after all this is the woman who bore me and raised me. However, lately our relationship has deepened. I find myself calling her to chat on the phone and see how her day has gone. I want to tell her about that article I read about composting and show her that picture of the hummingbird on my balcony. I find myself reaching out to her more on a daily basis and truly valuing her as a friend. Not just a mother, but as a friend who's opinion and views I respect. A friend who is unconditionally supportive and understanding. A friend who's known me all of my life and can share all of life's trumpihs and pitfalls. A friend who I find funny and charming. Who knew that this person would be my Mom?

Thanks Mom for being there for me. For being a mother and raising me, but now for being my friend as well.


All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That's his. ~Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest, 1895

Bags galore

I have a confession to make here. I'm a bag addict. Yeah, it's become a problem now. I have so many now that I can barely keep count, but it's not just any kind of bag oh no. I like shopping bags for my groceries, library books, etc. I love purses too, but shopping bags hold a special place in my heart.

It all started a while back when San Francisco banned plastic bags in our city. I ended up buying a set of Baggu bags like the ones pictures below, because I'm not a fan of paper bags especially when they get soggy in the rain. Well after that first set of bags I was sold. I never realized how convenient it was to have reusable bags. Here's why I love them aside from the fact that they're environmentally friendly:

• I don't have to throw out the extra plastic or paper bags from the store
• So sturdier than a flimsy plastic bag
• I have something to help me tote home my impulse purchase of cheese from the corner shop or haul home my library books.
• Some grocery stores give you a bag credit for bringing your own bag anywhere from $0.02 to $0.05 and over the lifetime of your bag that adds up
• Much prettier than a plastic or paper bag

What I look for in my reusable bags are a couple of qualities:

• The ability to be carried over the shoulder
• Fold able and the smaller the better
• Washable

Here's my favorites and where to get them:

Baggu Bags

Blue Avocado Gro multi-use bag

Feed 100 Bag