They took aim at a childhood treasure.

Someone reeeeally put their foot in it with this one.

Eater: Are Rice Krispie Treats Overrated?

First of all? No!

 

Second of all? What manner of imbecile in food media management tells someone whose whole shtick is Jewish food to give their opinion on something that uses gelatin? You, know, that thing they usually make out of pig's feet?

Immediate facepalm.

Now, a casual reader wouldn't have twigged to that so it's potentially forgivable. And the article starts with A fairly robust bit of background to give a viable shape to the tale. The author is, like myself, a product of the 80s and 90s, when the Rice Krispie Treat was as omnipresent as the Jell-O Jiggler (A different fad which, mercifully, passed), and makes a distinct mention of 1995, when Kellogg's first released the individually packaged version I personally abhor- far too expensive for what you get, even there at the start.

Similarly, when the first recipe showed up on the box in 1941 it was both different and objectively better tasting. The author correctly surmises that the (regrettable and immature) shift in dietary concerns has led to a lower-fat incarnation becoming the standard, which in turn aggressively and adversely affects the quality of the dessert.

But... so? Who actually follows the recipe on today's box? They don't even scale to the measurements of the packaging any more! Marshmallows are now sold in smaller bags, cereal in smaller boxes, and neither of them ratio properly. The first version of that recipe I remember- one I cut off the cereal box and put in my grandma's box of recipe cards when she wasn't looking- called for one bag of marshmallows (at the time 12 oz, now they're 10), half a box of Rice Krispies (you measure one time and then you just know), a third of a cup of melted butter (round it up to 6 tablespoons), and a splash of vanilla. Grandma, in a prescient move, added a pinch of salt. Delicious!

The "recipe" now? Half the butter, no vanilla, more cereal. Of course it doesn't taste as good! They want you to buy the packaged ones!

"So perhaps there’s nothing inherently wrong with Rice Krispies Treats after all. Maybe our moral panic over weight gain and heart disease simply ruined a good thing." she says. Way to walk back the clickbait, lady. You earned your ad revenue, have a cookie.

The article finishes with additional deflection, this time to something valid that I've spoken about in the past- adjustments. The humble Rice Krispie Treat is one of the desserts that I sometimes call Baselines. Perfectly good on its own, but also neutral enough to be highly flexible in terms of flavor combinations. Mentioned are some pedestrian tweaks (Browning the butter? Adding salt? How remarkably innovative...) as well as a more interesting one (a dash of sesame oil and some toasted black sesame seeds) all of which serve to make clear that making impactful changes doesn't require making the recipe any more difficult. 

For a dessert where everything about making it is designed to be simple, what higher compliment could there be?

Personal Fitness: I'm Here To Help

My perspective on it is more balanced than most, I would wager. Being a chef with background in culinary nutrition helps. Spending most of my life as a high-performing athlete has given me a great deal of academic and practical insight into exercise science as well. My black belts, varsity letters, and world records didn't earn themselves, after all.

Having had to deal with several severe internal and external injuries just as the plague began left me in arguably the worst physical condition of my entire life, and that has the potential to be a Problem. People who look to me for answers trust me to know what I'm talking about, and it never hurts to look the part. I have clients who bank on my physical fitness knowledge and expertise, carefully working to mimic every stretch, swing, and smooth movement I show them. Not that anyone who knows me would doubt it of course- but given how many over-toned fitness fakers, mediocre nutritionists, or "wellness coaches" are out there, I need all the help I can get to not get lost in the noise.
(As with everything of value, the better you are, the less likely you are to try noisy, blatant, widespread advertising. The risk of overcommitting and credibility loss is simply too great.)

While far from lucrative, the work remains my duty and obligation as an educator. To make the world a better place- by making better people.

So I must return my fitness level to where it once was, and bring the willing along for the ride. But as always, it will be a rough ride. Fitness is an ephemeral thing, something everyone eventually learns. For many it's a lifelong struggle, one that so rarely results in, well, results. To be sturdy and strong, fast and agile? It's hard, grueling, time-consuming work, best started young and never stopped.

While the first steps toward fitness are always the hardest, and often the most painful, they are necessary nonetheless.

If you want help though, I'll be here.