-Can I get that on the side?

Apparently there is a nation wide epidemic of picky eaters; no one orders their food straight off a menu, they all have to tweak it a little. They want the country salad; but without eggs, bacon, or cheese. Plus they want to sub the ranch dressing for the blue cheese dressing, and they are going to need extra. They need their chicken to be grilled, but not blackened, just lightly singed. And if the lettuce is not fresh then they do not want it at all. Picky eating habits aside, what would happen if this freedom of choice trickled into other parts of life?

When looking for a mate, you can not just order one up; you have to compromise and find something both tasty and healthy. Sure there are always going to be things that you wish you could substitute; more crunchies instead of twinkies, better listening skills with a side of wisdom, extra jokes. It seems we as a society are losing the ability to compromise. Not everything can be prepared just the way you like it, sometimes taking something “as is” is the only option. But there is much to be said for having something right of the menu, sticking with the original recipe. Complications are never something that needs to be encouraged, but messing with the original recipe is unnecessary complications. Things get risky and tricky when you try to make the buffalo burger into the American burger; the meat could be under cooked, the sauce might not blend with the cheese and the toppings could roll off, leaving you with a dilapidated burger that no one wants.

And no more of the on the side business either; what is that about? You think just because it’s not on the plate that it is not going to affect your waistline? Own up and put it right on top of your main course. If you order the healthy chicken sandwich with two sides of mayonnaise, you are not doing anyone any favors. Just because you put a problem to the side of everything you think it goes away, hell to the no. It is still there affecting your mental waistline, adding more weight onto your already busting beltline. Take it all at once so you can digest in one fell swoop. One side is another way we lie to ourselves.

So let’s try to embrace the beauty that is the original menu item, lets have a new appreciation for leaving something the way it was designed, and for the love of everything quit putting things on the side. It is a lot faster to order something as is, leaving you with more time to enjoy your meal; perhaps even giving you enough time to have something from the dessert menu. And we all love dessert.