A Swanson Dinner (and Dessert)

Over at our sister site, Get The State Off My Plate, the most-read post of the year was "Swanson Meals," regarding the dietary choices of the man's-man character Ron Swanson from the sitcom Parks and Recreation. As you can see below, a graphic artist named Jon Defreest has had a lot of fun with the Ron-Swanson-meets-Swanson-Meals concept ...

... And don't forget the dessert!


Click here for the rest of Uproxx's top Ron Swanson tributes of 2011. (And note to self: Catch up on your Parks episodes.)

Bad Title: 'Hairy Bikers'

Why is this a bad title? Because it's a cooking/food show. "Hairy" is one of the last words I want to associate with food, and I doubt I'm alone in that. "There's a hair in my food" is probably the #1 reason diners send their food back to the kitchen.

Is Dr. Pepper Ten A '10'?

My prayers have been answered. The soda fairies have brought the newest version of Dr. Pepper to my realm and I have tasted of it. I have manned up from zero calories to 10.

Now, let me first say that I really, really like Diet Dr. Pepper. The TV spots were pretty close to 'truth in advertising': it's the best-tasting diet soda out there.

The idea for DP10 is for it to be taste more like the original than the diet formula. It mostly succeeds, in that it's closer to original Dr. Pepper than Coke Zero is to classic Coke. It has a heavier consistency and is sweeter; almost overly sweet for me. Where I think DP10 falls short is that it is a little flat (like Coke Zero) and that the complexity of the fabled 23 flavors doesn't come through as well as they do in the original or even the diet DP.

So, based on about a half-dozen cans' worth, I give DP10 an 8. I'll alternate between this and Diet Dr. Pepper. It's cool to have another option.


And, by the way, Makers of Dr. Pepper, please bring back the special Chocolate Cherry flavor. It really was as sweet as candy.

Please Tell Me This Is Coming to A Store Near Me

I already really like Diet Dr. Pepper. It's the best diet soda out there, but maybe this one is even better. I hope I'll get to try it; I think it's only been selling in targeted areas so far.

Okay, the slogan is over the top, but it is true that a lot of guys think diet sodas are for chicks. You might say this is payback for years of very woman-oriented Crystal Light advertising, which makes me feel emasculated for liking it.