I can't be seen in a McDonald's. It would not only ruin my reputation as a foodie, but I'd have to resign from my local Slow Food convivium in shame. Not that I get a craving for that stuff. At home I am terribly spoiled, and when we go out we have a choice of so many fine restaurants that McDonald's isn't on the radar screen (unless one needs an urgent trip to the loo...).

I know fast food is really bad, but I just discovered something really, really bad. Twinkies recipies are apparently a bit of a fad on the Mainland.

Think of it--something more deadly than fast food and even more convenient. The ingredients are a chemical mix of stuff I'm sure even McDonalds wouldn't dare to use. Twinkies are reported to keep forever, past the expiration date, in the refrigerator or in the glove compartment. Now, with the publication of their own cookbook, Twinkies have their place (?) on the dining table.

Things like Pigs in a Twinkie are said to be all the rage in some sets. Or Twinkie Burritos.

There's even fusion cuisine such as Twinkie Sushi.

With the 4th of July coming up, you won't want to miss the Patriotic Twinkie Pie. For conscientious objectors and others who have to make do with what ingredients they have on hand, there's a Peace Corps recipe for Chicken-Raspberry Twinkie Salad.

You can google for Twinkie recipies also. What brought all this to my attention was an google search that accidentally came up with this great article.

So skip the fast food joints. If you're that anxious to do yourself in, it would probably be faster and lots more fun to go on a Twinkie diet with recipes from The Twinkies Cookbook.