Vittles and Vitals

This is the episode where Jay and Jacob don their cowboy hats, pull on their boots, and take the listeners to Tex…nope, not there - it's Nashville.  Home of hot chicken and hockey.  Country music and cutting edge comedy.  Parthenons and Moon Pies.  Jacob gets quizzed on his memories of a family spring break trip, and Jay reminisces about a childhood trip to the now-shuttered Opryland.  Then they get to the food.  It's another live tasting in the second half, with Nashville-born Goo Goo Clusters of all kinds, including three premium versions Jay picked up on his last visit to Music City.  You'll go goo-goo over this episode for sure!

This is the episode where Jay and Jacob eat more Kit Kats. But this time, they're Japanese!  Not only are the bars from Japan, and the flavors most definitely local to Japan, the wrappers are also mostly written in Japanese.  So despite all the help from Google Translate, they are only about 85% sure about what they are eating.  But that doesn't curb their enthusiasm in this in person recorded taste test, and the history of how Japanese Kit Kats became a juggernaut of candy bars.  Order a sample box for yourself and taste along!

Step right up for Jacob and Jerry's deep dive into the quirky world of state fairs! They kick things off with some carnival-sized history lessons (they did see the country's largest pumpkin), before diving mouth-first into a live review of iconic NC State Fair foods. Will cajun chicken tenders triumph over bologna fries? Tune in for laughs, history, and the ultimate fair food showdown!

This is the episode where Jacob and Jay smoke.  Wait, what?  Nope... Jay and Jacob just talk about smoke.  What is it, actually?  What are some of the good things it can do, and some of the bad things it's responsible for?  Then when it comes to the food segment, they talk about one of the best things smoke can do: make meat taste fantastic.  But how does it get into the meat?  What's all this about a smoke ring?  What are their favorites and which cuts are they afraid of?  Not only does smoke elevate the flavor of briskets and butts, it also plays a role in tricking those pesky bees into giving up some of their honey (which goes nicely in a barbecue sauce, by the way.)  So get the fire going in the smoker of your choice, light a cigar or pipe (if that's your thing), and listen to this episode via your favorite smoke signal app.

Due to technical difficulty, the Smoke Episode had to be delayed! So Jacob and Jay schemed to bring out an unreleased episode where they try some questionable jelly beans. Do they actually enjoy their experience? Will they recommend these beans? Why are they echoing? (It's due to recording on an iPhone) Find out in today's episode!

(Please Note: This is an older recording. Some references may be outdated) This is the episode where Jay and Jacob get hot and spicy.  No worries - there won't be an “Explicit” warning on this one - it's not that kind of heat and spice.  It's actual heat they're talking about: fire.  What is fire, actually?   A gas?  A liquid?  An illusion?  Jacob digs out his chemical engineer hard hat to talk details, as well as his experience torching a field.  Fire is definitely destructive, but is it all bad?  They talk about how fire has changed history (or at least the history of eating) and explain the fire triangle - or fire tetrahedron - depending on who you read.  Of course, that history of eating leads naturally to thinking of vittles, but today they're talking about the fire IN the food, not so much the fire UNDER the food.  Jay and Jacob come from two ends of the spicy food spectrum: a very tame tongue vs a collector of hot sauces.  They discuss why that burn feels like it does and how to work your way from bell pepper to Carolina Reaper.  Get out your Scoville scale and rate this episode 5 Habaneros!

This is the episode where Jay and Jacob stop their usual work so they can work on something else - just like Labor Day, the only holiday where you celebrate something by not doing it.  From humble, almost disastrous, beginnings to the first Monday off of fall, it has come a long way to be a holiday with minimal parades and no section of its own at Hallmark.  And what to eat on Labor Day?  Are there traditional foods?  Is it all just about grilling?  Is it really “the last cookout of the summer”?  J & J discuss the options, as well as a few tips on how to eat well with a minimum of … labor.  It's Labor Day. Take it easy.  Get takeout.  Take a nap.  Take in a podcast.

This is the episode where Jay and Jacob come back … again.  They're not sure if it's Season 4 (or Part 2 of Season 3 that left you wondering if it would ever happen #Yellowstone).  But either way, they're back and it's time to catch up.  It's been 2 years and a lot has happened in the lives of these Reed men, including a lots of read-ing.  In the first half, they'll catch up on all the happenings, then it's time for a deep dive into a vat of ketchup.  Or catsup.  However, you spell it, ketchup is an iconic condiment with a surprisingly tomato-free history.  And it's thixotropic to boot.  Now it's time for every home with ketchup in the refrigerator to put in the proverbial earbuds and catch up with this long-awaited, anxiously anticipated, Heinz-esque episode.  57 star reviews!

This is the episode where Jay and Jacob get bored. No - not that spelling. They get board! Anyone who knows Jacob well, knows that he is a board game nerd. In fact, it may or may not be true that his lovely wife had to put him on a board game budget. As it turns out, board games have been around a long time - we're talking painted on cave walls kind of old - and people (not just Jacob) still love ‘em, as evidenced by the board game aisle in your favorite toy shop, book store, or ginormous discount mart. And what better snacks on game night could one have than a charcuterie board? There are some “rules” to good charcuterie boards: how to arrange, how to pair, how to prep. But the most important rule is that there are no rules. And charcuterie programs are definitely “in” at some of the best restaurants around, so they're not hard to find. Take a break from the Game of Life, put some fancy cheese and sausage on the best cracker you can find, and have a listen.

This is the episode where Jay and Jacob return to the airwaves after a hiatus of sorts, for Season Three (or something like that)! You could say that they've been on a super long lunch break, but the truth is, not many Americans take long lunch breaks anymore. It seems like the days of the three martini lunch (or the three iced tea meat and three) are gone. It's not universal, however, and Jay (the pharmacist who can't leave the building) and Jacob (the minister/student with flexible hours) are the perfect pair to illustrate the difference. And it wouldn't be an episode about lunch without talking about their favorite lunch foods and places to get them. Even if Jay has to eat it standing up. This episode is best heard at lunch.

This is the episode where Jay and Jacob have a choice. Actually, they have lots of choices and that's part of the problem. Or is it? In today's world we have seemingly endless choices - an aisle full of cereal options at the grocery store, ever growing numbers of streaming services to show an ever growing amount of video content, and in some areas of the country, literally a church on every corner. One study says multiple options are good for us. Another says maybe not. (There are also lots of studies.) And perhaps you've heard of FOMO? How about FOBO? It's a thing. On the Vittles side, it's their first ever on-air taste-testing of yet another area exploding with options: candy bar flavors. Reese's and Nestle get a mention, but the main event features the most prolific flavor expansion worldwide (or at least Japan): the Kit Kat bar. Grab all the flavors you can find and join the tasting as you listen.

This is the episode where Jay and Jacob go back home - and eat. It's Part Two of the episode on Yemen, when they get down to the nitty-gritty (or the Vitty-Gritty?) of the country they called home for almost a decade. Though Jacob was just a wee lad at the time, he has stories about a dish or two that he has not forgotten. Jay forgot some of the names of things, and regrets not trying even more things than he did, but there are still many taste memories his palate easily recalls. They cover salta, the national dish, the half dozen kinds of fresh-baked bread available, and the phenomenon of eating beans for breakfast. Hot tea, hot bowls, and hot sauce get their mentions, along with stories of the fish market and a favorite sweet. If you thought shopping hungry was risky, listening to this episode hungry could be downright dangerous. So grab an egg and feta sandwich and take a listen.

This is the episode where Jay and Jacob go back home. And it may not be where you think. Jay spent ten of his formative young adult years in the country of Yemen, and since Jacob was only one-and-a-half years old at the time, he had to go along. It’s an important place for the Reed family, and it’s going through a rough time at the moment. They talk a little about the rich history of the country, how it has changed, and what’s going on now. They might even share a few favorite and/or odd memories from that decade of life in a kingdom (a sort of democratic one) far, far away. And the Vittles? Well, there was so much to say about the Vitals, that they didn’t get to the food this time, but never fear: they will have just as much to say about that in Part Two. Stay tuned!

This is the episode where Jay and Jacob go green. No, not that kind of green - that is, they love the environment and all that, but this discussion is all about St Patrick’s Day. Where did it come from, why is it celebrated, and hey, why is the Chicago River green? Who is this dude, what’s his real name, and is he even Irish? And most importantly, what should one eat if one really wants to eat like the Irish? If my grocery store runs out of corned beef and cabbage, is that a big deal? If I wear my “Kiss me, I’m Irish” t-shirt, will it work? Should it work? Is a 4-leaf clover the mistletoe of St Patty’s Day? Lots of questions, and lots of answers. Put on your best green pajamas (it’s a podcast, not a Zoom call), say hello to the leprechauns, and have a piece of rhubarb pie. You are now entering a pinch-free zone.

This is the episode where Jay and Jacob explore their inner hipster. That’s right, it’s all beards, beanies and skinny jeans from here on out. Uh, not. But they do give plenty of signs so all listeners can spot a hipster in the wild - or in the mirror. Is hipster culture truly vital? Well, that might be considered mainstream, and would therefore go against the hipster manifesto of being individual and authentic, until it’s not. It’s all very confusing. But we love them, because without them, one must ask - would there even be third wave coffee? Would we all be drinking commodity coffee from a pot or a pod? Would we have experienced free range, fair trade, future-environment-focused coffee in a funky coffee shop with award-winning barista artists? It’s a legitimate question, and Jacob and Jay can’t imagine life without an Aeropress. So grind your beans, set up your pour-over, and have a listen.

This is the episode where Jay and Jacob go full-on geek. Or is it full-on nerd? Well, they do explain the difference, so be sure to listen and choose for yourself. Either way, this revelation probably comes as a surprise to no-one, but it’s more than admission: it’s a celebration. The last few years have been great for geeks, whether it’s the prolific development of all things Star Wars, the awesomeness that is the Marvel Cinematic Universe, or the fact that Jacob convinced his brand-new wife that she should start playing Dungeons and Dragons. And the Vittles segment may surprise you with all the iterations of geek food available to the culinarily brave. From blue milk to second breakfast, there’s something yummy for all of geekdom. So gather round the table, put your lightsaber in a safe place, and get your geek on.

This is the episode where Jay and Jacob get married. Not to each other. That would be weird. But spoiler alert: Jacob’s new wife Lindsay joins them on the podcast to talk about ... weddings. Weddings of a sort have been around since the beginning, and will be till the end. They’re kind of a big deal, aka “vital.” And of course, good weddings have good vittles, and in the case of both weddings (father and son) there are stories. From a coffee toast to shipped-in barbecue, these gentlemen made their rehearsal dinners and receptions memorable, and not just from their dance moves and garter-tossing. Listen till the end: the new Mrs. Reed gets in on the Flavorites segment with an impromptu pilgrimage to a roadside place of legend.

This is the episode where Jay and Jacob go on a diet. Wait, isn’t it the holidays? Isn’t this a terrible time to talk about diets? What is a diet anyway? Is it a good word, a bad word, or does it even mean what we think it means? They talk about what it took to get rid of the Freshman Fifteen (or Forty, as the case may be). They look back at crazy fad diets of days gone by (prepare to be shocked and amazed.) They count how many dollars Americans spend on diet products (not really; it would take too long and you don’t have that kind of time.) They chat about what “eating plans” have been successful for them, and which have not. (The second list is longer.) Listen till the end: there’s ice cream and hot sauce for everyone!

This is the episode where Jay and Jacob help get you ready for the holidays, with a full fountain of Flavorites. That’s right, we skip directly to the drumbeats and share all kinds of recommendations to keep you occupied while you’re in the car on the way to Grandma’s, when you should be studying for finals, when you’re under quarantine or isolated for the thirteenth time this year, or when you need to escape from family for a minute or three. They share their favorite shows to binge-watch, books to read, music to listen to - even podcasts to try once you’ve listened to all the V&V episodes. And they don’t forget the food - you’re gonna’ need snacks, and the holidays are the perfect excuse for keeping a ginormous bowl of Gran’s Chex Mix nearby. A legion of suggestions are provided, and not all involve candy canes.

This is the episode where Jay and Jacob talk about the election. No, it’s not just a petal on Calvin’s tulip. It’s a vital part of life as an American and we are right in the thick of it as this episode drops. Not to worry, they aren’t going to tell you who to vote for; this is not a political podcast. They don’t even predict a winner - that job is left to a particular bakery. But if you’re interested in voting with marbles and hearing about winners (and losers) among candidates not afraid to eat in public (though perhaps some should be), this is the place. Vote for Vittles and Vitals early and often!

This is the episode where Jay and Jacob take a road trip. Or is it a vacation? Is there a difference? Well, yes, there is. At least they think so. They recount some of their favorites, and give tips on how to plan: the Vittles and Vitals Road Recs, one might call them. Mostly, though - as expected - they discuss planning trips around restaurants (and pennies), the ideal snacks for the road, and how to keep Mom happy (it’s mostly about coffee.) Of course, the best Road Rec is to find a podcast and binge listen along the way. Why not this one?!

This is the episode where Jay and Jacob talk summer camp. After a hiatus brought to you by a severe lack of available cellular signal in rural Texas, Jay and Jacob are back in the studio for Season Three. Summer camp memories are strong, and it's not all holding hands, crying, and singing Kumbaya baya the faya. (Just say it out loud. You'll get it.) Jay talks "circle of life", summer camp style, and the untimely demise of the site where he met the 7th grade version of a now-famous person. Jacob's fave camp promoted him from counselor to chief bottle washer, which gave him an inside look at how a camp kitchen works -but you won't believe the food they served. Listen and remember your favorite camp stories. Then listen s'more.

This is the episode where Jay and Jacob converse about their addiction. To books, that is. They throw thankful shade on those who got them into reading, those who currently feed the addiction, and the books that sustain them. No genre is left behind. (Actually, that’s not true - they have standards. But they do read widely.) They talk numbers of books printed, numbers of books read, and numbers of books in the house that are yet unread - they are legion. And food isn’t left out. If anyone thought the only books about food were cookbooks, anyone would be wrong. Novels, scientific treatises, chef quote collections, and books about restaurant history - all are there, and all are delicious. Reading is encouraged…but listen first!

This is the episode where Jay and Jacob sit back, put on some tunes, and chillax while talking about said tunes. Music is kind of a big deal. It goes back (we think) to days long before recorded history, and based on the enormous industry it is today, it's not going anywhere. And no wonder, given that it can transport you to another culture, evoke a memory, or just make you want to dance, dance, dance. On the edible side, some very famous musicians have sung some ... less famous songs...about all kinds of food. You can even make musical instruments from food! And apparently people pay money to figure out the best music to play while eating. We love to listen to music, and we love to eat, and we really love to do both at the same time.

This is the episode where Jay and Jacob reminisce about college. Well, Jay reminisces, and Jacob projects two weeks forward when he can reminisce, too - at least for undergrad. Things have changed a bit since Jay’s days of standing in line in the coliseum to register for classes, writing Fortran code in the computer lab, and actually typing papers on a typewriter - not a laptop. Apparently the current situation for chemical engineering students requires a potent laptop. Who’d a thunk? As for college food, the variety available for on-campus dining may have improved, but it’s still hit or miss. At home, though, the creativity soars. Tresadillas? Orange chicken ramen burritos? Plastic wrap-enhanced baked beans and party tricks with raw eggs? Some things are only attempted during the college years, and maybe that’s a good idea.

This is the episode where Jay and Jacob talk eggs, bunnies, and exploding carts. That’s right, it’s the Easter episode. Of course, they definitely know the heart of Easter: that would be Jesus. But the random facts out there about how the holiday began, why we hide eggs, and the history of the Reese’s holiday shapes are mind-boggling. You’ll be amazed at the number of Cadbury Eggs created daily. You’ll be astounded at the lesser-known traditions of Florence (Italy, not Alabama). You’ll discover the reason for the ham versus lamb debate. Jay makes a case for the Brach’s Marshmallow Eggs to be the best Easter candy ever and recalls the Easter morning long ago when his cat almost ended the holiday for everyone. Grab a pack o’Peeps and listen.

This is the episode where Jay and Jacob hunker down in the V&V studio to talk about…hunkering down. Anyone else feel like they are living in a movie right now? Quarantining? Social distancing? We’re all going to have a new vocabulary when this crisis passes. In the meantime, what are some fun ways to pass the time? What does one eat in quarantine? Though this is a unique time, Jay has hunkered down before. (Jacob, too - he just doesn’t remember them as well.) Stories include: snow days (including the Blizzard of ’93) and what to do with all that bread and milk. How we rolled when living in the Middle East during the Iraq War. Fun uses for a bidet, which we all may need when the toilet paper truly runs out. Listen for our favorite speck recipe - in fact, listen to all the episodes! You’ve got time.

This is the episode where Jay and Jacob take on one of the lesser-known holidays. Well, lesser-known if you don’t come from a math family like they do. March 14 (or to put it another way, 3.14) is Pi Day, when mathematicians celebrate the mysterious, transcendental, and often (or always) irrational ratio known as Pi. They talk about where and when Pi Day started, how it’s celebrated, and share a little about why Pi is vital to everyday life. And of course, it would be silly to celebrate Pi Day with cake, even if it is Albert Einstein’s birthday. So there is much ado about pie (the food), including some history, a few fun facts, and lots of memories - because pie is comfort food, and that’s where memories are born. Pull up a piece of pie and a calculator and listen to this one 3.14 times.

This is the episode where Jay and Jacob get trendy. That’s a stretch for Jay - he’s not usually up on trends. Fashion? Optional. Hairdo? No hair, don’t care. Food trends, however, make life interesting, and health trends…well, he’s in the biz, after all. Jacob on the other hand, knows all the things. With hipster tendencies and all the coffee gadgets, he’s a virtual expert. Listen as they discuss everything from Pelotons to Nap Bars, star fruit to cold brew. La Croix is one of the most well known seltzer waters, but is it the best? You, too, can be in the know before 2020’s health and food trends are so last year.

This is the episode where Jay and Jacob talk all things pink and chocolate. Not necessarily the same things, but on Valentine’s Day, the odds are good. The history of this day of love may not be what you think. Yeah, you’ve heard of St. Valentine, but how did things go for him in the end? Not too good. Yet somehow, it’s a happy holiday for most, unless you’re an ethically frozen cockroach in a meerkat exhibit. Lots of couples are hand-in-hand on this day, and few holidays are as connected to vittles - either chalky or chocolatey - as this one. Valentine’s Day may have begun in persecution and martyrdom, but it ends with Reese’s hearts and steak dinners, and that’s the way we like it.

This is the episode where things get wheel-y deep. Deep in the fryer, that is. And it’s also the first listener-suggested topic Jay and Jacob have discussed. Listener/Cousin Mike is a big fan of donuts, as are our hosts, but what vital cultural topic do they relate to? Well, they look like wheels, right? And wheels are important, right? Of course they are. But are they as important as donuts? Hmmm. We depend on wheels, but we love deep-fried sweetened dough, whether you call them doughnuts, donuts, beignets, or oliekoecken. Listen for bits of history and trivia about wheels - the kinds that make life easier for us in work and travel, and the edible kinds that make life worth living, with holes and without.

This is the episode where Jay and Jacob get artsy-fartsy. We ask the vital questions: What is art, actually? What is good art and what is bad art? What should art cost and who should pay for it? And they answer none of them. But they do have things to say about them all. Then they talk about food as art: cooking techniques, plating, cake decorating, actual paintings of food, and actual paintings made with food. And most importantly, they discuss the state of nachos. Pretty nachos do not always equal crispy nachos. But there are ways to solve this quandary, and somehow they work them into a discussion of art.

This is the episode where Jay and Jacob get accountable. Sort of. It’s almost time for 2019 to end, and that brings forth hope for new things in 2020, or at least an improvement on their resolutions from the previous year. And bread. There will be more bread. Jay’s done some digging and learned about new year’s celebrations in cultures aside from the West, while Jacob gives fun facts and tips on how to increase chances for resolutionary success. Yes, resolutionary - it’s going to be a word some day. And why do we eat what we eat on New Year’s Day? It’s history, it’s superstition, and it’s just really good food.

The tales told in this episode will make you want to slap your mama. But unless you are a certified saint and your mama is a heretic, the Vittles and Vitals legal experts don't recommend it. Jay explores the origin stories of the three wise guys, and discovers the truth behind figgy pudding. (Spoiler: no figs were harmed in the making of this pudding.) Jacob polls his vast Instagram following and makes a surprising discovery about traditional Christmas meals among fellow Mississippians. Sit and listen with your little elves and a glass of your favorite egg nog. If you listen closely, you may hear Jacob accidentally reveal our favorite brand.

This is the episode where Jay and Jacob talk about collections. We begin with a virtual tour of the Vittles and Vitals Studio, which doubles as a museum housing many of Jay’s collections. And they are legion. (But he is not a hoarder.) Jacob is trying to catch up, but he has limits. (Definitely not a hoarder.) Their collecting tendencies do come naturally, though - it’s a family thing. (There may be some hoarding here…) And why do we collect anyway? Stamps, butterflies, antique cars, ceramic frogs? Is it just nostalgia or is something else going on? And what’s with the collections in the pantries and refrigerators of the world? Come on now - you know you’ve got a collection of spices and condiments unrivaled by all your neighbors. Or at least we do.

This is the episode where Jay and Jacob get thankful. Mostly we’re just thankful that Thanksgiving is still recognized as a holiday, despite the attempts by Halloween and Christmas to squeeze it out. We have a theory about that, and it involves candy. We’ll touch a little on history, how the “first” (but was it?) Thanksgiving connects to today’s Friendsgiving celebrations, what a good parade costs these days, and how gratitude can upgrade your attitude. It was a challenge to link Thanksgiving to vittles, but…no it wasn’t. Jacob reveals his favorite side (Jay didn’t even know), and Jay creates the perfect Thanksgiving bite. Listen now, because you’ll probably be napping later!

This is the episode where Jay and Jacob talk about Harry Potter. And it’s not just because our family is a collection of Potter-centric Muggles, it’s also because November 4th is the 18th anniversary of the London premiere of the first movie: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. So to celebrate this annivers-Harry, we talk about our evolving family history, the influence of J.K. Rowling, the books, the movies, and the International Quidditch Association. It’s a thing. Snitch and all. In the vittles segment, we test some butterbeer recipes, determine the origins of Hogwarts cuisine, and ponder the Harry Potter Diet Plan. (It’s not a thing.)

This is the episode where Jay and Jacob talk about college football. You’ll hear about how to squeeze a city(and more) into a stadium, how much money is spent by your favorite teams, and then we get to the good stuff. Stadium food. Depending on where you spend your Saturday, you might get barbecue nachos, or you might get sushi. Take a guess at what our choice would be. And we’d really like to understand why some fans are eating their mascot.

This is the episode where Jay and Jacob explain why Halloween is a big deal. You may just be surprised at some of the reasons – there are billions of them. Mickey Mouse, Leonardo the Ninja Turtle, and the 6 Million Dollar Man all make an appearance. They give an answer to the question of which Halloween candy is king, and how is that determined? Taste or pounds? And does good taste lead to more pounds? They recommend listening with a bag of Reese’s pumpkins at hand.

This is the episode where Jay and Jacob introduce themselves and the big idea behind this father-son podcast. They’ll be swapping stories about important issues in culture (the vitals) and find the food connections to those issues (the vittles).