Ha, look at me pretending to be an actual adult in the cover photos! 

Before you give me too much credit though, here’s what I’m currently wearing…

Actually, compared to the rest of my crazy tees, this one is tame.  Besides, RUN DMC are legends!

Anyway, welcome back to #DoubleFML FatDarrellPalooza! 

So, if you’re keeping track, both of my teams lost again over the weekend. ☹

Don’t worry non-football fans, I’m not turning this into a sports column, but I will say they both put up a good fight and kept things interesting so GO RU!  Go Niners!

At least I was smart enough not to bet on either game this time!  Once again though, hold off on giving me credit since my big mouth still got me in trouble!  Well, not yet I suppose, but trouble is on it’s way.

It all started innocently enough in our Facebook foodie group, Phenomnomnomenal (click here to join now!)

Sarah Broadhurst Farrell shared the Oreo candy canes I showed you in The Party Continues post. 

After I pointed out that I’d already tried them, Rafaela Castagna shared these Mac and Cheese candy canes! 

Everyone else in the group was grossed out, but I stated that I’d be willing to try them for this column since I enjoy sharing my thoughts on crazy food trends.

I also made a similar statement last November when Kimberly Hanneman posted pickle flavored candy canes.

Well, several days later, Kelia Brown shared these clam-flavored candy canes that sound absolutely disgusting!

I could at least make a case for the pickle or mac and cheese flavors but what monster thought of these?  Clams?  Gross.

It would be great if that’s where the story ended, but one of the group moderators, Catherine Duda asked if I’d also be willing to try the clam candy canes for my blog too.  I’d never heard of these before and figured they were hard to find so of course I pretended to be The Macho Man and said “Oooh yeah.” 

Well, she called my bluff because a minute later she was asking for my mailing address to have them shipped from New Jersey! 

Oh boy…what have I done? Waiting for these to arrive is like when Mom used to say “wait until your dad gets home.”

You know the punishment is going to be bad, you just don’t know HOW bad.

Anyway, I promised a video of me trying them once they arrive, so stay tuned for an upcoming post where you might witness the tragic end to my life!  Death by clammy candy canes.  RIP.  I had a good run…

Hmm, in the meantime, I’d better stock up on mouthwash and gum.  Ugh…who are these marketed toward anyway?  Seriously?  What’s the target audience? These must be a joke but now the jokes on me because I’ll have to eat one soon.  Poor Darrell. 

Hmm, I should give the rest out to trick-or-treaters!  Not the cute little kids but the older weirdos who show up without a costume?  Bon Appetit!   

Although candy canes are generally a Christmas item, so they’d probably think they were from 2017 and not try them.  Are pumpkin spice candy canes a thing yet?  They should be.

Speaking of Christmas, did I miss something?  Why are so many people putting up their decorations already?  I’m used to stores being early this but a few of my friends have already set up their tree! 

Even Mrs. Butterworth is in on the action! 

Why is this on shelves already?  Stop trying to skip Halloween people!  I personally think everyone should wait until Santa waves at the end of the Thanksgiving Day parade but if you can’t hold out that long, at least wait until November! 

Daylight Savings hasn’t even started yet and I’ve already had 2 different people ask what my plans are for New Years Eve!  Huh?

I don’t even know what I’m doing this week!  I spent 15 minutes angrily looking for the keys I was already holding in my hand this morning, you think I’m organized enough to know what I’m doing in December?  Slow down! 

I can barely get into the fall spirit, so I’m definitely not in the Christmas spirit yet! 

Although in a surprise twist, I’ve already purchased a few presents already!  I know, I’m proud of me too!

Perhaps I’m having a hard time adjusting since it’s still 80 degrees outside.  Temperatures are usually warmer here in “Hot-lanta”, but this is still odd for October.  If I were to place a pumpkin outside my door at this point it would probably end up baked by the sun!  I’m not complaining though.  We’ll miss these days in January.

Another reason I have no idea what I’m doing lately is because I overbooked myself last week! 

On top of my normal routine, I also crow-barred a music studio appointment, a music workshop and a paid research study into my schedule!

Wait, let me clear that up.  The research study wasn’t one of those weird medical ones where I might develop scurvy in 15 years.  This was actually pretty cool! 

It was a paid focus group for a current lawsuit, so our opinions weighed heavily on how the case would proceed. 

Both lawyers were there to try their case along with presenting evidence and witness statement videos.  I can’t share specifics since the case is pending but it felt like a live version of Law and Order!

I went into it thinking we’d just be giving opinions on zoning laws and social issues, but this ended up being pretty intense!

That was just an added bonus though because I honestly wouldn’t have cared if we sat to watch paint dry!  It paid $225 and included breakfast, lunch and snacks!  I also won $50 for arriving before the 8am start time! 

I was called for another panel on healthcare issues this week.  $50 plus dinner for 2 hours of my time but unfortunately, it’s on the same night as my first team training with The Hawks Flight Crew so I can’t go.  Hopefully they have another one soon.  This could be a nice little side hustle!  “Dolla Dolla Bills Y’all….”

Speaking of The Hawks, as soon as the focus group was over, I had to rush home to throw on that suit in the cover photos for a formal team celebration at the historic Georgia Freight building in the heart of Underground Atlanta.

They really went all out for this one!  There was plenty of food, an open bar and casino games including Russian Roulette and Blackjack!  They also had an incredible live band who I’ll have to get the name of since they did an amazing job! 

They even brought break dancers!  I may need to ask them for a few lessons!  I’m still working on that “flossing” move…

Anyway, here are a few photos and a video clip from the event!

 

Crazy right?  That was one of my “work” functions!  Hey, it’s a tough life but someone’s got to live it, ya know?

Funny story about this picture though:

I had to do some creative editing for it to be presentable!

As mentioned, I had a crazy busy week so by the time Friday rolled around, I was exhausted. 

I had to wake up at 5:30 for that focus group and then I had to focus on making a great first impression with my coworkers at the party after sitting in an hour of Atlanta traffic!

I knew I had to keep my energy up so before I left, I took a scoop of my pre-workout mix and drank it down.

Now, for those of you who are unfamiliar with pre-workout mixes, they’re a blend of caffeine, B vitamins and other energy producing ingredients. 

With past formulas, this wouldn’t have been a problem, but I forgot that I’d switched to a new blend several weeks ago. 

My current pre-workout makes you work up a sweat after physical activity!  You know, like driving in intense traffic, fighting people for a spot in the parking deck and walking around in 80-degree weather wearing a full suit?  Stuff like that.

So um yeah, by the time I reached the photo wall, my sweat gland flood gates opened and it looked like someone had thrown a cup of water on my head! 

It was like Flashdance in there for a while.  I’m surprised the band didn’t start playing “Maniac.”

Since I have no shame, here’s the unedited picture!

Oh my…good thing they didn’t rent a disco ball, I had that covered with my shiny dome!

After seeing how the picture came out, I grabbed a handful of napkins to help close the dam!  Thankfully I cooled off a bit as the mix wore off but geez, I’ll have to keep that in mind next time!

Anyway, it was a great party so I can only imagine what they have in store for the actual season!

While we’re on the subject of pre-workouts, let’s talk about that for a minute as today’s fitness tip!

A common question I’m asked is whether someone should purchase a pre-workout mix.  Honestly, if you still feel naturally energetic without it, I would say no.  Not yet.  Once you get used to that extra boost of energy, it often becomes hard to workout without it.  I’d wait until you hit a plateau or stick to natural energy sources like green tea, coffee or amino acids for now.

If you’d like to try pre-workout though, know they’re not all designed the same.  It might take a little trial and error to find one that doesn’t make you feel shaky or nauseous so read your labels carefully.  Learn how they’ll affect your body so you don’t end up sweating profusely at your office party for example!

The most common ingredient is caffeine so if you’re sensitive to that or have heart issues, read how many milligrams it contains. 

Niacin is also in many of them which makes people feel flushed.  There’s also an ingredient called Beta Alanine which helps with endurance but might make you feel tingly for a while.  It’s hard to explain but it’s a cross between itchiness and feeling like ants are crawling underneath your skin so if you feel that, you’re not dying!  That’s common but if you don’t like that sensation, look for a mix that only has trace amounts or avoid it completely.

So why do people take these?  The energy and endurance boost feels like rocket fuel at times.  It’s like when Super Mario hits the gold star and can run through walls! 

Many of the ingredients also assist with recovery, focus and strength. 

The negatives are that some contain harmful fillers and dyes so again, read your labels!

Do you have a fitness question, goal or accomplishment you’d like to share?  Tell us in the comments below!

Before we roll into today’s soundtrack, here’s a random video clip of the giant chicken outside of the KFC in Marietta, GA! 

I’ve never seen this at any other KFC locations but apparently, they take their chicken VERY seriously down here in The South! 

Oh yeah, speaking of The South, did you know that Atlanta is home of the world headquarters for Coca Cola? 

I live about 45 minutes north of their corporate building which makes it twice as hilarious that my friend Jessica in Oregon was the one who told me about their new Georgia Peach flavor! 

Actually, several other members of Phenomnomnomenal have also tried it already! 

How I’m last to taste a flavor inspired by the state I live in is still a mystery but hey, better late than never right?

With that said, let’s try this! 

Drum roll please…

The Verdict: Hey that’s really good!  It gets no more “Georgian” than Coca Cola and peaches so this is a match made in heaven.  I like it!

Do you have another food item, restaurant or recipe we should all try?  Tell us in the comments below! 

….unless it’s clam flavored candy canes.  What have I done? 

Anyway, with that said, cue the music!

Today’s Soundtrack

Don’t Stop the Party – Black Eyed Peas

Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen

C.R.E.A.M. – Wu-Tang Clan

Suit & Tie – Justin Timberlake ft. Jay-Z

Gonna Make You Sweat – C+C Music Factory

She’s a Maniac – Michael Sembello

Shiny Disco Balls – Who Da Funk ft. Jessica Eve

Do you have another song that fits today’s themes or that’s just so great we should check it out anyway?  Tell us in the comments below!

So, it’s finally October and with that, comes a fresh new batch of foodie holidays! 

Here’s the calendar for the next several days…

National Soft Taco Day immediately followed by National Taco Day?  What?!  I might just eat myself into a coma this week folks!  Hmm, I wonder if that would be enough to get me out of eating those clam candy canes?  

Aside from my Hawks orientation, that’s about all I have going on this week.  What about you?  Comment below!  Give me some ideas!

After you comment, make sure to click those “like” and “share” buttons down there too! 

You can also follow me on social media by clicking the logos on the side panel.  As you can see, we have some crazy discussions there too so join the fun!

Anyway, that about does it for today but I hope your week is filled with love, peace and tacos!  Mmm….tacos.

Until next time my friends, May the Fork be With You…

-Darrell

“Trust me, you can dance!” – Vodka