Yeah, yeah, I know.  That’s a tiger mask on my head in the cover photo, not a lion but whatever, #yolo.

But speaking of tigers, this one from LSU may want to ask for a refund…

Stay in school kids…

Anyway, welcome back to #DoubleFML FatDarrellPalooza!

As you may have guessed, the lion theme is a tribute to the live action Lion King movie that’s currently in theaters!

Don’t worry, I didn’t actually wear that outfit to see the movie, although I might have had I been alone! 

Instead, I had the pleasure of watching the remake with the very same date I had for the original back during grade school!

Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any pics of us together back then, but here are a few recent photos…

Yes, my friend Ameera made the 5-hour drive all the way from North Carolina to Atlanta so we could catch the movie together opening weekend! 

I honestly think we were more excited than most of the kids in the theater. 

As for the movie itself, I loved it! 

It can never replace the original of course, so anyone expecting it to is bound to be upset. 

I know some people were mad because they didn’t recreate the animated version line for line, but I think it was wise for them not to do so.  In music terms, this is more of an interpretive cover than a paint-by-numbers karaoke version.

Timon and Pumbaa’s expanded roles were welcomed changes for example. 

However, I agree with critics that a few of the voices were miscast but baby Simba was spot on and it was great to hear James Earl Jones back as Mufasa!  …even if I had to live through that traumatic scene all over again (no spoilers, but if you’ve seen the original you know what I’m talking about!). 😢

As for the look and feel of the characters, it was amazing to see them come to life! 

Ameera and I both really enjoyed it and I think you will to so long as you go in knowing that it’s more of a tribute to the original than an actual replacement.

The Lion King, it’s grrrrrrrrreat!  Oh wait, that’s a tiger again.  My bad.

You know what’s also “my bad”?  Forgetting to take pictures of the dinner we had later that evening.

Ameera is a vegan now, so we decided to try this Asian inspired vegetarian fusion restaurant, VeGreen, and to my surprise, it was actually delicious!

We started with some jasmine tea and a mushroom tofu soup.  For the entrees, I had an assortment of sushi and she had a faux shrimp stir fry. 

Of course, it would have been great to actually show you these items instead of just talking about them, but everything looked so delicious that we dug in before I remembered to take out my phone.  By the time I remembered, there wasn’t much left on our plates!  Whoops.  Next time…

Since I failed with the food photos, instead, here’s a picture of these cool socks my brother and older nephew DJ sent me.  Check it out!

These will pair nicely with my French fry socks so yeah, thanks Dwaynes (<- yes, I meant for that to be plural since they both have the same name!).

Update:  Perhaps I imagined owning french fry socks because I couldn’t find them.  But here’s the other pair of burger socks I own…

While we’re on the subject of burgers, now would be the perfect time to finally try these Burger King tacos I keep hearing about.

I actually took some heat for posting the following meme on the Fat Darrell Facebook page from several passionate fans of this menu item so it’s about time I see for myself.

When I arrived at my local Burger King, I almost got distracted by their new BBQ pulled pork burger which sounds delicious, but I’ll have to save that taste test for another day.

I also have to finally try iHop’s burgers since they’re also experimenting with non-traditional menu items over there too. 

This taste-test was almost derailed again when the scary looking woman running the drive-through window started twerking while singing “Old Town Road” which caused me to almost lose my appetite for a moment! 

Anyway, I finally have these tacos in my possession now and I even broke out my Triceritaco holder since this is a special occasion so let’s do this!

The Verdict: Okay, they taste exactly how I expected them to.  I’m not sure if Jack in the box still serves tacos but if you’re on the west coast and ever had them, these are an exact match.

For those who have no idea what I’m talking about however, allow me to elaborate.

The shell is soft around the ground beef like an empanada or a meat pie but the rest is crunchy. 

There’s a mild and tangy taco sauce along with lettuce and cheese sloppily thrown inside too.

They’re actually not bad but for a dollar each, they don’t seem like the best value on the menu since it would probably take at least 12 of these to actually fill me up.  I just scarfed down 2 and I’m actually twice as hungry now!

So yeah, I’d suggest they make these 2 for a dollar or something but based strictly on taste, they’re pretty good!

My local Burger King has a Taco Bell and an authentic Mexican restaurant literally next door though so neither has anything to worry about.  But if you happen to be at The Home of the Whopper and don’t feel like going anywhere else to get your taco fix, these will definitely work as an ad-on to your order.

If you decide to give them a try too, let me know what you think in the comments below!

Do you have another food item, restaurant or recipe we should all try?  Tell us in the comments below!  Also make sure to join our Facebook foodie group, Phenomnomnomenal, by clicking here!

My parents were also in town recently, so we decided to check out the National Center for Civil and Human Rights Center including an amazing tribute to another great King, as in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The museum includes many of his original works, interactive exhibits and multimedia presentations. 

Here are a few photos…yes, I actually remembered this time!

I know what you’re thinking, “where are your parents in these photos”?

Well, they’re fairly private so they don’t really like being posted on the internet.  So instead, here’s me posing like an idiot in front of the rings at Olympic Centennial Park.  Enjoy…

That goofy flex pic is a perfect segue into today’s fitness tip.  I actually thought I was much lower to the ground in that photo but apparently, I need to start stretching more! 

As you’ll see in a few other photos, my past form was much better. 

It’s no coincidence that I made stretching more of a priority back then but lately, I’ve admittedly slacked off a bit and it shows!  Flexibility is just as important as cardiovascular conditioning and strength training since tight muscles are more susceptible to injury. 

So this tip is also for me this week, prioritize stretching after each workout and consider adding yoga and Pilates to your fitness routine. 

Next time you see me hit that pose, it’ll be much better! That’s my new goal, what’s yours?

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

Today’s Soundtrack

SPIRIT – Beyonce (from the Lion King soundtrack)

Down with the King – Run DMC

King’s Dead – Kendrick Lamar ft. Jay Rock, Future and James Blake

Can You Feel the Love Tonight – Elton John

Welcome to the Jungle – Guns N’ Roses

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!

Oh yeah and before we go, shoutout to my BFF Priscilla who celebrated on July 30^th and to my little nephew Domonick who turned 8 over the weekend!

He seems pretty happy with the Lego sets that I got him, but I’m glad to hear he also spent much of his birthday playing Fortnite with friends!

Why am I so happy about that?  See for yourself…

That’s right kid, keep practicing.  Uncle Darrell could use a new Mercedes…

Anyway, let’s check out the “foodie holidays” that land between this and next post, shall we?!

Ice Cream Sandwich Day?!  Oh wow, I haven’t had one of those in years.  I’m definitely going to celebrate this one!

Which day is your fave?

Since our post schedule has been sporadic (I know, good word eh?  Thanks…) lately, we’ll also be posting foodie holidays on our social media pages each week so make sure to follow me by clicking the icons on the main menu.

We’re also planning to start posting a soundtrack for each day as well so look out for that too!

As for plans this week, I’m hoping to final catch the new Spiderman movie and Hobbs and Shaw, the latest chapter in the Fast and the Furious franchise featuring The Rock and Jason Statham!

What do you have planned?  Besides leaving a comment before you go of course!  (No, seriously, DO IT!) 

Anyway, thanks again for dropping by folks.  I hope your week is filled with love, peace and tacos. 

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

-Darrell

“Never be ashamed to birth things in a manger when there’s no room for you in the inn.” – Joe Chadburn