"Posted by: Tolin (My Page) on Tue, Apr 2, 02 at 13:09 I'm from Michigan. There is no other ginger ale. But I can tell you one thing I do miss. Remember Sanders restaurants. And Saunders stores. They used to sell Vernors ice cream. The had a float known as the detroit cooler. I wish I could find some Sanders/Vernors ice cream." Well now you can get Sanders-Vernors Ice Cream again as they have reopened and have a new store. Sanders Candy & Dessert Shop 16837 Kercheval St. Grosse Pointe Park, MI 313-882-4966

I'm in the minority as well. I have been drinking soda (or "pop" as it's called in my neck of the woods) for over 60 years with no ill effects. I won't drink diet soda. I drank more when I was young but I still like it now with hamburgers, pizza, french fries, things like that. Or just because. Barqs used to have cream soda, root beer, grape, orange and a lime green flavor that were great. There aren't too many sodas I don't like but I usually get Coke or Pepsi. I know they taste different and that doesn't bother me. I try to remain open minded on that subject. :) I have gone several months without drinking pop but sooner or later something will call me back. It's one thing I like about flying is getting ginger ale. I just like it once in awhile and that is my treat when flying (which I don't care for). I try not to have it in the house and drink it only when out just to control how much I drink. But if I am having something salty, a Coke really hits the spot.

Such an interesting thread. Shee, that is alot of coke and it is kind of scary when you do actually look at what is IN a coke. Whoever mentioned diluting tea with water, I may get my hubby to try that. He drinks alot of water, but I sometimes think he might be drinking too much tea. Yes, artificial sweetners do have an awful after-taste and they are not good for you either. I've never been into the fizz, or bubbles (although I did used to like Fresca!). There are some flavored waters I like. I didn't acquire a taste for coffee either (we don't even make it in our home unless it's for guests!), but I can get into a good flavored iced coffee. I'm not one that needs a "kick" of caffeine, and it is hard on my stomach. This thread had me thinking, I don't even think we have any "coke" (soda, pop LOL) in the house, unless there is a sprite somewhere, I do like to have that on hand in case of tummy issues. I was looking at a magazine yesterday that had some fruit juice summer drinks that looked tasty. I do like the chick-fil-a frosted strawberry lemonade and would love to find a low cal, healthier version.

Plllog, I think your comment about grits being served at any meal in the South is absolutely accurate, at least in my experience. I commented that we served Gruyere Grits to our Chinese guests as a side dish for filet mignon. I also listed Shrimp and Grits as a dish that I would serve as representative of my region. Just this morning, I was thinking that I needed to make up a batch of Gruyere Grits to freeze in meal size portions. P, your comment about salad on a burger reminded me of our trip to Australia. On a couple of occasions DH or DD ordered a burger. It was listed as coming with salad. We expected a small side salad. We finally learned that “salad” meant lettuce on the burger. I regret that we never chose to have a slice of beet on our burger. When we returned, a woman who worked for me who was married to an Aussie told me that it was pretty classic. I also agree with Outside Playing, that grits are not served every day at breakfast in the South. My momma never served them, but my daddy would eat them every chance he got. Nevertheless, I would say that grits are often served at breakfast in the south, see pic below of instant grits in individual packets. Just for fun, I googled “Southern Living grits.” Boy, are there lots of ways to cook grits! I’m not sure, but I think grits became less regional when Jimmy Carter went into the White House. I have a vague recollection of people trying to figure out the singular of grits. Annie, my mom must have been kin to your grandpa. She thought the finest breakfast was a piece of chocolate pie! I just looked up “peameal bacon.” I found it is what the North American Meat Institute calls “Canadian bacon.” I’ve had plenty of Canadian bacon, except I’ve never seen Canadian bacon rolled in cornmeal. Interesting. Thanks for sending me on the quest to figure it out! Elmer, bless you little trollish heart, you’re just not happy until you’ve insulted someone, are you?