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I've eliminated vices - including cooking on the Egg

Tjcoley
Tjcoley Posts: 3,551
in EggHead Forum
Some may have noticed (or maybe not) I haven't posted anything in many months. I've spent the better part of 2015 recovering from a serious illness and 2 major surgeries.  This has allowed me to re-evaluate my life and life style and make a number of changes, mostly kicking several addictions.  First of all, since my liver was part of the issue, I've stopped drinking = not a drop of alcohol in over 7 months.  I've lost 75 pounds and started exercising.  The hardest vice to give up was the addiction to the Egg.

It started by finding alternatives.  Mrs. TJ wanted chicken, and I remembered an article I posted here a couple years ago about grilling chicken thighs:
http://deadspin.com/how-to-barbecue-chicken-thighs-a-guide-for-people-who-5939738
Best darn chicken I've had in a long time - give it a try.

While recovering, many neighbors brought over meals for the family, including Jerry's Famous Crock Pot Brisket.  Brisket marinated overnight in Italian Dressing, sprinkled with brown gravy mix powder, then cooked low and slow in a crock pot.  It was fall apart, melt in your mouth delicious.  Can't wait to try something similar with pulled pork.

Now that the low and slow was taken care of, the only big hurdle to giving up the Egg was pizza.  I love home made pizza.  I was about to give up until I found this:  http://uuni.net/products/uuni-2  
850 degrees in less than 10 minutes and ready for pizza or searing a steak.  My problem was solved.  I made a neighbor very happy with a LBGE, Nest, AR, Spider, PS and multiple other accessories for $350, and I am finally cleared of all my major vices.

The moral here is you don't need a fancy ceramic cooker to make excellent food. There are many other ways to do things with fantastic results.  And now I need some help.  I'm looking for a couple of good recipes - one for beef tongue, and one for pork cheeks.  Please let me know if you have any recipes I can adapt to cook without an Egg. 







__________________________________________
It's not a science, it's an art. And it's flawed.
- Camp Hill, PA
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Comments

  • DMW
    DMW Posts: 13,836
    TJ, I've noted your absence and wondered where you were. Glad to hear things are going well now and you have recovered. Sorry to hear that the egg was one of your vices and had to go.
    They/Them
    Morgantown, PA

    XL BGE - S BGE - KJ Jr - HB Legacy - BS Pizza Oven - 30" Firepit - King Kooker Fryer -  PR72T - WSJ - BS 17" Griddle - XXL BGE  - BS SS36" Griddle - 2 Burner Gasser - Pellet Smoker
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  • johnkitchens
    johnkitchens Posts: 5,234
    I am glad you are doing better, but man I hate to hear that you have parted with your egg. 

    Louisville, GA - 2 Large BGE's
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  • Grillmagic
    Grillmagic Posts: 1,600
    All the Best to you and your family, great job of putting your mind to something and getting it done. There are some Great Cooks/Chef's on this forum and I am willing to bet most could deliver a Awesome meal with a candle and a can  of sternal. As for cooking tounge my policy is to never taste anything that can taste you back. All the best.
    Charlotte, Michigan XL BGE
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  • NPHuskerFL
    NPHuskerFL Posts: 17,629
    edited September 2015
    TJ. First and foremost I'm happy your alive and kicking. Giving up vices is difficult especially long lived ones. Cancer survivor here. And by NO MEANS am I saying to change your current path. However, we began consuming healthier cuisine on the egg. It is possible. Are there other methods?  Absolutely. Mostly do what keeps you on track and healthy for you and your family. 
    LBGE 2013 & MM 2014
    Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FAN
    Flying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
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  • XC242
    XC242 Posts: 1,208
    Glad to hear you're doing okay. 
    LBGE (still waitin' for my free T-Shirt), DIgiQ DX2 (In Blue, cause it's the fastest), Heavy Duty Kick Ash Basket, Mc Farland, WI. :glasses:  B)
    If it wasn't for my BGE I'd have no use for my backyard...
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  • Ozzie_Isaac
    Ozzie_Isaac Posts: 21,717
    Glad you are getting things back together and if the egg is a trigger then you made the right choice!!

    Lots of ways to make great food.  I love filet in the oven and seared on a CI pan on the stove top.

    I would rather light a candle than curse your darkness.

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  • tarheelmatt
    tarheelmatt Posts: 9,867
    Glad to see you're well my friend.  The Egg can be your friend with cooking healthy though.  
    ------------------------------
    Thomasville, NC
    My YouTube Channel - The Hungry Hussey
    Instagram
    Facebook
    My Photography Site
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  • hapster
    hapster Posts: 7,503
    Glad to hear you are turning it around and headed down the path that works for you... Best wishes for continued success
    MSV Chill Spot
    Chester County, PA

    http://egginwithedward.blogspot.com/

    http://edwardhardingphotography.zenfolio.com/
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  • Botch
    Botch Posts: 17,397
    Glad you're recovering, TJ, but like others have said, its not the Egg that's unhealthy, its food soaked in italian dressing, brown gravy mix, pizza, pork cheeks, etc.  
    Even though you aren't egging now, please stay in touch, you're a pillar member here.  

    "Dumplings are just noodles that have already eaten"   - Jon Kung

    Ogden, UT, USA


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  • Eggcelsior
    Eggcelsior Posts: 14,414
    Tom,
    I'm so happy to hear your well and I'm glad to you've improved your health.

    let me know if you ever need some egged stuff. I'll be more than happy to head up to Harrisburg and drop it off.
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  • JohnInCarolina
    JohnInCarolina Posts: 34,826
    As others have suggested, I don't think the Egg was really the vice so much as a trigger for others.  I totally get that.
    "I've made a note never to piss you two off." - Stike

    "The truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand." - Deep Throat
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  • Jeremiah
    Jeremiah Posts: 6,412
    We're gonna miss you around here as I'm sure this is your last thread. No judgment here as if the egg related to drinking and it all had to go, I have nothing but respect for you in throwing it all down. Life is a very winding road and we never know which way it will turn. I really have nothing of value to add, but my best wishes, and as always; WE ARE! 
    Slumming it in Aiken, SC. 
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  • NPHuskerFL
    NPHuskerFL Posts: 17,629
    I turned in the Camel Wides and Non Filters for egging and the egg has actually become my saving grace in some ways. Home cooked and low fat and happy healthy cholesterol meals whether egged or elsewhere are gonna be better than eating out fast food etc. But, I get it. Kinda like tossing lighters, ashtrays, etc. Good for you for keeping strong because it ain't easy. 
    LBGE 2013 & MM 2014
    Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FAN
    Flying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
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  • DMW
    DMW Posts: 13,836
    Tjcoley said:
    Wow. I really thought this might go in another direction and have some fun with the alternatives to the Egg.  Confession time - the first half of the post is true - I'm now missing most of my large intestine and part of my bladder.  No more drinking - true - not a drop in 7 months (although Oxycodone is a good temp replacement for Tito's).  Weight loss - 75 pounds, but this is not a diet I can recommend.
    And now for the giving up of the Egg.  I thought the request for Tongue n Cheek would give it away, along with the chicken thigh recipe, which I posted as a joke a while back.  Thought it was funny.  Give up the Egg for Crock Pot Brisket? - Never.  The food off the Egg is healthier than anything I cooked pre Egg.  I'm back to Egging and hopefully back to posting.  I hope I didn't offend.
    I was going to let it run for a while, but the sentiments everyone has expressed got to me.  I really appreciate the kind words and thoughts.  It really showed my what a great BGE family there is here.  I'm proud to be part of it.
    Oh, I forgot the Uuni - this may be something I really want to try.  Need a bit more research and some reviews first, but it looks cool.
    Ok, glad to hear the egg isn't gone. :hang_loose: 
    They/Them
    Morgantown, PA

    XL BGE - S BGE - KJ Jr - HB Legacy - BS Pizza Oven - 30" Firepit - King Kooker Fryer -  PR72T - WSJ - BS 17" Griddle - XXL BGE  - BS SS36" Griddle - 2 Burner Gasser - Pellet Smoker
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  • JohnInCarolina
    JohnInCarolina Posts: 34,826
    Lol - yep, you had us for sure!
    "I've made a note never to piss you two off." - Stike

    "The truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand." - Deep Throat
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  • hapster
    hapster Posts: 7,503
    Good one... Will you resume drinking at some point?
    MSV Chill Spot
    Chester County, PA

    http://egginwithedward.blogspot.com/

    http://edwardhardingphotography.zenfolio.com/
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  • MJG
    MJG Posts: 616
    Oxys are a god send when taken as directed by a Dr.  Recreationally they are very dangerous. 
    Large Big Green Egg in a nest. North Shore of Boston.
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  • Eggcelsior
    Eggcelsior Posts: 14,414
    My man! You still got it!
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  • henapple
    henapple Posts: 16,025
    Damn.. Was hoping you were gone.  =)
    Green egg, dead animal and alcohol. The "Boro".. TN 
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  • Ozzie_Isaac
    Ozzie_Isaac Posts: 21,717
    Hook, line&sinker

    We are a rough crowd, but kicking a guy on his death bed.  I mean we are not that bad :giggle: 

    I would rather light a candle than curse your darkness.

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  • theyolksonyou
    theyolksonyou Posts: 18,459
    Should have waited 24 hr. It would have been interesting. 
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  • Terrebandit
    Terrebandit Posts: 1,750
    Glad you're back. 
    Dave - Austin, TX
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  • SmokeyPitt
    SmokeyPitt Posts: 10,490
    You totally had me going.  Glad to hear you are on the mend!  I think I believed it because I can somewhat relate.  I've been cutting back on the sauce lately, and I have noticed a trend that nights I am not drinking I don't egg (or cook for that matter). 

    Which came first the chicken or the egg?  I egged the chicken and then I ate his leg. 

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  • Jstroke
    Jstroke Posts: 2,605
    I have to admit I'm stunned. Glad to hear things are on the mend and the egg is getting warm again
    Columbus, Ohio--A Gasser filled with Matchlight and an Ugly Drum.
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  • Jeremiah
    Jeremiah Posts: 6,412
    That's just wrong. 
    Slumming it in Aiken, SC. 
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  • stemc33
    stemc33 Posts: 3,567
    Bittersweet...great thread you prankster. 

    Pig Cheeks marinated in Goya sauce is good. Not sure which sauce, I bought them from the butcher shop already marinated. 


    Steven
    Mini Max with Woo stone combo, LBGE, iGrill 2, Plate Setter, 
    two cotton pot holders to handle PS
    Banner, Wyoming
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  • GATraveller
    GATraveller Posts: 8,207
    edited September 2015
    Congrats on your sobriety I know it's tough but keep it up! It was the best decision I ever  made and have never heard someone who quit say they regretted it. 

    "Social media gives legions of idiots the right to speak when they once only spoke at a bar after a glass of wine, without harming the community [...] but now they have the same right to speak as a Nobel Prize winner. It's the invasion of the idiots."
                                                                                  -Umberto Eco

    2 Large
    Peachtree Corners, GA
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  • texaswig
    texaswig Posts: 2,682
    75 pounds good for you man. I've read that it takes a liver 3 years to regenerate. 

    2-XLs ,MM,blackstone,Ooni koda 16,R&V works 8.5 gallon fryer,express smoker and 40" smoking cajun 

    scott 
    Greenville Tx
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