Swine.

Let's face it - the pig is getting a bad rap these days. After decades as a universal pejorative, the pigs already had it rough. Now, they've sickened humanity with a global pandemic.

I will say that the germaphobe in me appreciates the nationwide lesson in hand-washing and elbow-coughing; nothing makes my kids wash their hands like President Obama telling them that they must. I no longer feel like a freak for toting my 16 oz Purell hand pump to the grocery store and playground with me. My husband is *finally* removing his icky hospital gear on the back deck before hugging my children. So, in that respect, viva the swine flu.

But still... the poor pigs. All they did was get sick... and they have no elbows to cough into.

So, in the name of preserving the pig's good/bad name, I challenge you all to add to my list of favorite swine dishes. Pile on the pig-inspired food! Here's my starting point:

Favorite Swine Foods:

- Good old bacon and eggs on a Sunday morning.

- Hot dogs. Boiled in maple sap. Really.

- Brats and beer, ideally consumed in Germany

- As Peter Brady put it, "Pork chops and apple sauce." (Kudos if you watched enough Brady Bunch in your time to get this reference. Some of you forks might be too young...)

- Roast pork loin. Here's one that adds even more pig to the pile: Maple-wrapped pork loin

More, ladies?