My name is Jessica and I have a problem...

My name is Jessica and I have a problem..... I'm addicted to otter pops. The popsicle not the alcoholic beverage (I only recently found out about this other version). I haven't had one since I moved to Baltimore approximately eight months ago and I have been going through withdrawals ever since I left Idaho. I think that qualifies as a major addiction (it wouldn't surprise me if there was crack laced into each tube of heavenly goodness).

If you've been my friend for a while, I have probably introduced you to this addiction of mine. I'm single handedly responsible for almost a dozen new otter pop addicts during my last two years of undergrad alone. Otter pops are tubes of frozen, sugary deliciousness!

There are many who will argue with me about the hierarchy of flavors (*cough cough* Ryan Marcum) but the following is my list from most to least favorite (it's my blog and I can post what I want to):

Orange > Fruit Punch > Lime > Strawberry > Grape > Blue Raspberry

And yes, I can tell you the names and personality of each otter that represents each flavor. Don't judge me.

Besides my apparent addiction, you maybe wondering why do otter pops deserve a whole blog post to themselves. The main reason is to celebrate the fact that I finally found a place (After 8 months of searching! And no, I'm not joking.) that sells them in Baltimore! 

How did I discover the magical place that sells these positively sinful popsicles? Yesterday, I was on my way out of my apartment building when I passed my friend Ryan (who is not the same Ryan as mentioned above) carrying a box of otter pops. I'm ashamed to say that I literally accosted him for the location where he bought them.

He told me about a magical Rite Aid on Falls Rd where I'd find the object of my desire. So today I conducted Operation Obtain Otter Pops which was a success (as can be seen by above photos) and I have shoved as many as possible into my already overcrowded freezer.

Now all I have to do is wait as patiently as possible for them to freeze so I can eat them. Maybe it is time to start OPA (Otter Pops Anonymous)...

I think I'm a Foodie...

A few weeks ago I watched a movie called Julie and Julia. It's based on a book about this girl named Julie and her quest to cook all 524 recipes in Julia Child's French cookbook in a year while blogging about it. So to say the least, I've recently been obsessed with recipes, food blogs, and anything to do with food. To be honest, I've been obsessed with recipes since I was a freshman back at ISU. That's about the time I realized Mom wasn't there to cook anymore and that I had indeed inherited my family's need to feed people.
My first year of college was quite an adventure in cooking. I have a tendency to become obsessed with certain foods and I have to perfect cooking them at home (this next week's project: disco fries). Once perfected, they are added to my recipe book on my laptop (I do intend to print it off one day). So I borrowed cook books from family and friends. I convinced some of my roommates to teach me how to cook the dishes they made that I liked. I even started asking for recipes at my favorite restaurants; some of which did give them to me! Then one day I discovered allrecipes.com. I soon had a profile and my recipe box quickly filled with stuff I wanted to try; budget permitting of course.
My cooking passion has gotten worse since I moved to Baltimore. I think it has something to do with having a stipend and having more extra money after bills have been paid than I've ever had. Not to mention the variety of foods you can get at the grocery store are amazing! Awesome international food sections!
Don't worry, my blog is not going to become a food blog. That would add stress to one of my favorite stress-free hobbies. The only stress I want with my cooking is my current lack of taste testers and where I'll be able to buy good cooking gear. I miss my guinea pigs at ISU. Some of my best recipes were perfected through the insatiable appetites of the boys of apartment 15.
So if you're in the Baltimore area and want to become a guinea pig, just let me know!