"TheWashingtonPost" news and stories

According to American Merchandiser, the latest list of the top ten snack food choices from vending machines is as follows:

1)Snickers
2) Doritos Big Grab
3) Peanut M&Ms
4)Cheetos
5) Cheez-It Original
6) Twix
7)Strawberry frosted Pop Tarts
8)Rice Krispies Treat
9)Lay's Chips
10)Mrs.Freshley's Jumbo Honey Bun

Now, dear readers, I know you are probably wondering what I was: Who the heck is Mrs.Freshley? And how did she manage to sneak in her honey bun among all these big-name competitors?

Well, I did a little research. Turns out, the honey bun has been awarded "Pastry Product of the Year" several times. And the damage? One honey bun contains 590 calories, 29 grams of fat, 37 grams of sugar, and - I'm sure - a whole lot of deliciousness (quickly followed by a whole lot of stomachache).

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If you opt for a meal out at a restaurant, chances are, you'll have to deal with noise. Whether it's whimpering babies, clattering dishes, or raucous bachelor parties, it's gonna be noisy, and it will probably increase as the evening continues.

Last week, Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema published an article on this very controversial topic (NPR then interviewed him about the article, which you can listen to here).

Sietsema claims the main reasons that restaurants seem to have gotten noisier in the past few years has to do with both new technology and building design. In addition to diners chatting and typing away on cell phones and Blackberries, restaurant design trends are leaning toward hardwood floors and tall ceilings, with wooden and glass accents.

To me, it is. But I also don't care one iota about sports (though I can make exceptions for women's rugby and any sort of obstacle course competition on Animal Planet).

On that note, The Washington Post is currently featuring a fun alternative (or addition) to March Madness. The lucky participants started taste-testing 32 beers and have so far gotten the contenders down to a precious 16. But three rounds remain - the quarterfinals, semis, and finals on April 6 - before a champion is named.

Tasters downed their fair share of beers, which ranged from Miller Chill to Wolaver's Oatmeal Stout, and represent the mainstream to the microbrew; the wheat-y to the hoppy; the ale to the stout, and back again.

A few of my personal favorites in the bunch include the Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA (deliciously full of hops) and the Sea Dog Blue Paw Wild Blueberry Wheat Ale for those summer nights down the shore, but the Post really did choose a fine array (including a few classics - or duds, depending on your taste in beer - Schlitz, Michelob Lager, and the aforementioned new Miller Chill).

Head over to the site now to track your favorite, er, player.

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