Plane Peanuts

No, not plain peanuts. Plane. As in I’m flying through the air and the only thing I’ve had to eat in 4.5 hours is a small bag of Southwest peanuts. Just one bag. That’s all I was offered. Yesterday on my way out, I was offered two bags of pretzels. Is this peanut discrimination? Maybe I didn’t flash a big enough smile to my flight attendant. Dang….

Ah cripes. I just read the label and my plane peanuts are made with canola oil.

While at a conference in Los Angeles this week I met a woman who spoke to me about canola oil. Sounds like it’s the new gluten that could affect oodles of people. So the question arises, what is canola? Second question, I don’t believe there is a canola plant…is there? I’ve never visited a canola farm. I don’t think I can crush canola nuts into fresh “canola butter” at Whole Foods, like I can with peanuts, almonds and even cashews. So what is this oil? Is it saturated? Unsaturated? I know it’s not hydrogenated because you can purchase it in liquid form (hydrogenated oils are solid at room temperature). If anyone has an answer to this perplexing question, I’d love to hear from you. Is this another item I need to try and steer clear of like phthalates, high fructose corn syrup, trans fats, and red dye #40?

Well, I’ve lost my train of thought, so I guess today will be about peanuts and the canola oil they are sometimes roasted with. (Actually, here is another query. Why aren’t peanuts roasted with peanut oil? And, these must not be “roasted” because that’s an oven thing, not a tossing in oil thing, right? Do peanuts really need more oil?)

Strike a Stranger…Read on, this is not what you might expect

How did I miss this? International pillow fight day? Really? Who knew? Apparently April 3, 2010 was the day to play. Cities around the globe had meeting centers where people could, of all things, strike a pillow at a stranger. There are some rules.

1. Bring a soft pillow. (No impaling strangers with those brick-like pillows you find in some of the cheaper hotels.) Pillows with loose feathers are encouraged. (Who cleans up this mess, by the way?)
2. Be inconspicuous. That’s right. You’re supposed to somehow hit this old softy until the ringmaster blows a whistle to announce the pillow circus. Perhaps this is supposed to be the equivalent one of those new “flash mobs.” (I’m sure nobody noticed the pregnant-looking men and women meandering about.)
3. This next one is not a rule, but it’s encouraged. Somehow it conflicts with the “be inconspicuous” rule. Wear a costume. That’s right. If you feel so inclined, don a hokey costume. What does a “pillow-fighter” wear these days? Perhaps a goose costume to pay homage those who gave their plumes in the line of duty?

Well, whatever the case, I say Mark Your Calendar for the 2011 Pillow Fight! To find out if your city has a gathering location, visit…what else?...pillowfightday.com