TicketNetwork Blog

Rarely is there a day around the TN.com offices that chocolate chip cookies, brownies or various other sweet treats are not discussed (and on good days, eaten). Today we decided to have our two resident experts in the field of baking sciences, Liz and Allison, have a little debate on which dessert is best: brownies or chocolate chip cookies?

Brownies

Liz: Allison's going to try and convince you that chocolate chip cookies are better than brownies, but she's wrong, and I'll tell you why:

1. Brownies are made entirely of chocolate. And you can add more chocolate to them. Why would you want a dessert with so little chocolate? Way too much boring cookie in chocolate chip cookies if you ask me.

2. It's easy to eat as much as you want, and ONLY as much as you want, because brownies can be whatever size (and shape, for that matter) as you want them to be. What if you want to eat somewhere between one and two cookies? That's just awkward.

3. You can decorate brownies like you can cakes. And put candles in it. All the advantages of cake, except better.

4. You can add way more stuff to brownies than you can to cookies. Nuts, chocolate chips, chocolate chunks, fruit…the possibilities are endless! As soon as you add more than chocolate chips to chocolate chip cookies…they aren't just chocolate chip cookies anymore.

5. Brownies have something for everyone. If you like desserts a little gooey, take the middle. Like a lot of crunch? Take a corner piece. Easy to please a whole crowd all at the same time.

While some people probably don’t even know this holiday exists, many Americans wait for this day all year! International Fanny Pack Day began a few years ago when Nick Yates received his first fanny pack and an experience that will stick with him for a lifetime.

A few days before Christmas, Yates was en route to the bus station with a belt bag packed and strapped around his waist when he came across a homeless man. Yates, being the giving individual that he is, stopped in front of the man, only to hear him say “Nice fanny pack, chief.” He was unfazed by this rude comment and pulled out some food wrapped in tin foil, which he then handed to the man and continued walking. Yates was about a block away when he heard the man scream, “A freaking fruitcake?”

Although the homeless man’s attitude was rude and unthankful, it was because of this exchange that Yates put fanny packs and food charity in the same category. He began using his fanny pack for the purpose of bringing food to Portland, Oregon’s homeless and hungry, and later to Boise, Idaho’s homeless as well. Yates declared March 10, 2007, International Fanny Pack Day, and since then it has become an annual charity event for the Idaho Food Bank. Check it out, he even started a Facebook Page for it! We recommend that everyone donates to their local food bank to pay it forward! Find your nearest food bank HERE. You don’t have to wear a fanny pack while doing it, but we highly recommend that you do!

One of the highlights for baseball fans every year is Major League Baseball's annual All-Star Game, and this year's game will take place at Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ on Tuesday, July 12. For those fans living in the area or planning a trip to see the game, this season's All-Star Game and its host city have a lot to offer fans of all ages, both inside and around the ballpark.

Around Chase Field

According to Weather.com, the city of Phoenix averages 107° during the week in which the All-Star Game is scheduled. That means most fans, unless you like being slow-cooked, will be looking for a reprieve indoors with a cold drink and maybe something to eat. If you have never been to the capital city of Arizona, here are some places to check out during your trip:

Pizzeria Bianco

Address: 623 E. Adams St. (0.35 miles from Chase Field)

Web site: http://www.pizzeriabianco.com/

One of the most celebrated pizza restaurants in the country, Pizzeria Bianco has received national acclaim from multiple sources including GQ, Bon Appetit and, probably the most importantly, OPRAH! Located less than a mile from Chase Field, baseball fans will flock here, so make sure you get there first because this may be a rare chance to taste the best pizzas in the country. Oh yeah, and they have bar next door.

Going to a baseball game is not just about watching the game anymore; it's also about how much delicious ballpark food you can consume in a nine-inning game. Very few of us, though, consider the nutritional value of anything we eat, so we decided to try and give a nutritionist some nightmares by having her give her opinion on some of the craziest concession foods we could find across baseball.

Nutritionist and health coach Stephanie Perry helped us out by giving her thoughts on some food items that she described as "unfit for human consumption." Needless to say, I disagree (unless she meant in one sitting, then yes, I agree).

Pulled Pork and Pierogi Stacker

Introduced at PNC Park for the 2011 Pittsburgh Pirates season, this sandwich's life-span may be short. It is currently in a fan voting competition to decide whether it or a Stuffed Pepper Hoagie (*cough* lame *cough*) stay on the menu for the rest of 2011. The winner will be announced after the MLB All-Star break in July. One thing is for sure, the Pulled Pork and Pierogi Stacker at PNC Park in Pittsburgh will immediately go into the food alliteration Hall of Fame.

Ingredients

• Pretzel Roll
• Pulled Pork
• 2 Potato Pierogis
• Caramelized Onions

Nutritionist's Take - The sodium content of this meal is out of this world! A little basic math and you’ll be amazed. One serving (about 3 ounces) of pulled pork contains over 500mg of sodium. Now we all know this sandwich more than likely has at least 3 – 4 servings of pork. That’s almost an entire day's worth of sodium and we haven’t even included the pierogis or the bun (and the extra salt on top)!

My Not-So-Expert Response - The only math I have to do is Pulled Pork + Pretzel Bun + Pierogis = DELICIOUS! If I had to create the perfect sandwich, this one would be mine. Last time I checked, my blood pressure was perfect, so I think giving this sodium sandwich a try can't hurt me too much. Right?