How much weight have you put on since moving to America?

[Alex & Rachel 78]

I can't find good quality lamb here! But I was spoiled by the best organic lamb in England...

I had to google those desserts, never heard of them before. I might try to make a few of them if I have guests over

Do! And if you need certain recipes you need only ask. If you do like bananas, banoffee pie (actually, chocolate banoffee pie) is my favourite, but they're all tasty.

I made this the other day - only with double the quantity of chocolate - and it was a huge success at work! (I had to bring it in as it was so rich I couldn't eat more than a slice or two by myself).

[Yagisama 93]

I guess I'm just used to it, but I never had any issue with the quality of meat here in the US.

Sure, the really cheap stuff in the supermarket (Ralphs, Vons, etc) isn't going to be winning any awards, but it's not hard to find quality meat from specialty shops (butchers).

Of course the quality of meat in Japan is excellent and the steak I had at my in-laws was amazing but the price is comparable with the quality meat mentioned above.

However, nothing compares to the steak we had in Kobe Japan. Of course that was a once in a life dinner for an anniversary. We even had a chef grill the steak bit by bit for us in the restaurant. Of course at 600 bucks for two small steaks, it's not like we're going to be back anytime soon (if ever).

[Susita 175]

Sure, the really cheap stuff in the supermarket (Ralphs, Vons, etc) isn't going to be winning any awards, but it's not hard to find quality meat from specialty shops (butchers).

We get our meat from a local butcher. To be honest, its fresher and winds up being cheaper for us, because we always buy "package deals." (bulk) The hubs has always been happy with it.

[fragola86 1]

I can't find good quality lamb here! But I was spoiled by the best organic lamb in England...

Do! And if you need certain recipes you need only ask. If you do like bananas, banoffee pie (actually, chocolate banoffee pie) is my favourite, but they're all tasty.

I made this the other day - only with double the quantity of chocolate - and it was a huge success at work! (I had to bring it in as it was so rich I couldn't eat more than a slice or two by myself).

I definitely want to try that banoffee pie, but it will have to be for a special occasion when many people are around because I dare not eat that all by myself

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

I have never had a hard time finding quality meat or vegetables. I also don't find it harder to eat healthier in the US than the UK.

[scotinmass 588]

Understandable. I take offense to any one that tries to pass off half dead European cow meat as better quality meat than US beef.

If you get time, google "King Ranch Texas", or "Stuart Andersens Ranch". Both are about the size of Cork County, Ireland.

American Angus beef that you rave about comes originally from Aberdeen Angus bulls that were imported from Scotland in the 1800s. So called because they are from Aberdeenshire and Angus regions of Scotland. Scotch beef is renowned for it's quality the world over. It's so good that Americans try to claim it as their own.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angus_cattle

[Yagisama 93]

"Angus beef" is just a marketing term. The Kobe restaurant had a long description of their cattle lineage proving the authenticity of their Kobe beef.

But at the end, the steak tasted great because of the (marbled) fat.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Black Angus crossed with Hereferds is about as good as I have had. It's lean yet not too lean. They took the best of both and combined them.

[N M 96]

I can't find good quality lamb here! But I was spoiled by the best organic lamb in England...

Ditto. Despite living in the largest lamb producing region in the U.S. (Colorado-Wyoming), I'm yet to find anything here that comes close to the quality you'd find in the UK. Especially the quality you find around Sheffield and the Peak District.

And the price of lamb here is outragous!

BTW - Alex/ Rachel. Owl or Blade?

[G0ds1ay3r 30]

I went to USA when I was 21 and left when I was 24; I had gained around 30lb in those 3 years.

I am not entirely sure it was because of all the 'fatty' foods in America but more to do with my metabolism slowing down.

When I got back to New Zealand I put on another 10lbs due to I am sure comfort eating to deal with homesickness from America.

The foods in America are on average a lot fattier than in New Zealand and the portions bigger BUT when you are busy in America you have the option of getting healthy takeout food (yes there is such a thing) here in New Zealand (at least in Dunedin) there is no healthy takeout food but an overwelming supply of fish and chip shops, pizza joints, maccas ect.

[nutsmunkey2000 3]

What is in an Irish breakfast? I know some pubs in Boston say they have it but the idea of breakfast in a bar seems well, wierd.lol

An Irish breakfast is a poor imitation of an English breakfast with white pudding instead of black pudding....its usually served up cold to tourists in places like O'neills under the guise of traditional 'Irish' fare

[K&E2009 71]

An Irish breakfast is a poor imitation of an English breakfast with white pudding instead of black pudding....its usually served up cold to tourists in places like O'neills under the guise of traditional 'Irish' fare

Shut up.

[William33 110]

How many contributors to this thread actually shop for their food and cook it themselves?

Most that claim weight gain while in the US, are apparently eating out most of the time. US restaurants are here to serve you abundant portions of cheap food, to make sure you got a great deal for your money. They really don't give a darn about your health.

If you shop in a quality supermarket, where they butcher the meats in house; then you will get quality. You can also visit places like Whole Foods market for premium vegetables, fruits and so forth. Too expensive? How about a good quality local supermarket?

Conversely, If you shop at Walmart, you will get "trough" level meat, that is already saturated with salt and other chemical preservatives. The vegetables are on the lower end of the scale.

Make careful choices and you will find the quality that you seek.

At the end of the day, you can eat high quality food in the US.

[NotworkSte 19]

An Irish breakfast is a poor imitation of an English breakfast with white pudding instead of black pudding....its usually served up cold to tourists in places like O'neills under the guise of traditional 'Irish' fare

Poor imitation, aye right.

With a deferential nod to the Irish poster above, we shall equate the Ulster fry and the Irish breakfast to be very similar. And both have fadge and wheaten or soda. Can't beat that with a big stick.

And to the poster who wonders if we buy/cook our own food. Indeed I do, in fact, I am making a Shepherds pie tonight. Bought the spuds today at lunchtime.

[K&E2009 71]

Poor imitation, aye right.

With a deferential nod to the Irish poster above, we shall equate the Ulster fry and the Irish breakfast to be very similar. And both have fadge and wheaten or soda. Can't beat that with a big stick.

And to the poster who wonders if we buy/cook our own food. Indeed I do, in fact, I am making a Shepherds pie tonight. Bought the spuds today at lunchtime.