Lunch Box Lovin’
Lunch Box Lovin’
Growing up, I didn't have a cool lunch pail like the other kids; no Muppets or Strawberry Shortcake tin box with the matching thermos for me. Mom said that they rusted too easily and weren't worth the money, so I had to carry a Tupperware lunch box or an insulated cooler bag instead. Although those Tupperware lunchboxes are becoming hot collectibles now, at the time they were the epitome of uncool. Not only did Mom make me carry an embarrassing lunchbox, she always filled it with good, healthy food; no Doritos snack packs, Capri-Sun pouches or Lunchables would ever be found in my lunchbox. Instead, I got egg salad or tuna sandwiches 
with little cups of homemade Tapioca pudding and other home-cooked wonders. Although it was difficult to appreciate at the time, looking back I see an endless parade of love-filled lunches, including the occasional sappy, hand-written note or surprise message from Mom. In the fourth and fifth grades, Mom even packed me double lunches (especially on egg salad days) because the very tall and intimidating class bully, Verna, thought my Mom's lunches were the tastiest. Years later, when I was home on a break from college, Verna and I crossed paths again in a shopping mall. She sought me out, gave me a big hug, and told me that she still has fond memories of those egg salad sandwiches. I'm proud that my Mom's lunches made an impact not just on her own kids, but on others too.
It seems that showing love to your kids via their lunches is a worldwide tradition that's still going strong. Check out this super-sweet Dad who spends his own lunch hour drawing lunch bags for his two kids (Dana and Dylan) each day. And get a load of this Japanese Mom, who makes the most amazing Bento Boxes for her kids. In Japan, many moms make fanciful Bento Box lunch boxes (like the one shown here) where the meal is dressed up with edible whimsical imagery so kids will be more inclined to eat their food.
As Pascal and I approach our busy season, we have to plan ahead for our own meals, so we headed over to the adult version of lunches and dinners prepared with love, Dinner-a-Go-Go. Each month, owner Mandy Caulder and her team offer 14 entrees that are freshly prepared, using high quality meats, vegetables, herbs and spices. They're packaged to take home and cook immediately (or freeze for later). Winter White Chicken Chili, Smothered Burritos, and Coconut Beef Curry were just a few of the meals we chose to stock in our freezer for those crazy too-hectic-to-cook days. When foodies like me and Pascal endorse a service like Dinner-a-Go-Go, you know it's gotta be good! As Mandy says, it's "real dinner, real easy, real fast". We've yet to eat a Dinner-a-Go-Go meal that we didn't enjoy and Mandy offers a full meal replacement guarantee just in case we ever eat one that doesn't meet our high standards.
If you're looking for a great way to save your time and your sanity this holiday season, then Mandy's your Go-Go-To Girl... (Dinner A Go-Go!, 5424 Oleander Dr, 910-452-2670, Mon-Fri 11am to 7pm).
most. As the city spruces up for the holidays the hustle and bustle on the streets increases, and the air is filled with a happy electricity, a sort of infectious spirit-infused energy that I just cannot describe. I loved spending my weekends roaming the streets of Manhattan at this time of the year, discovering its many charms. For example, one cool fall day, I put on my favorite hat and scarf and traveled down to the Village with my friend Vanessa. First, we enjoyed an English tea at the very famous 
After our warm pots of tea, our finger sandwiches, and our scones with clotted cream, we wandered through the neighborhood's tree-lined streets, exploring the fabulous independent boutiques that sell everything from children's clothes to jewelry to luggage and gifts. Eventually, we stumbled upon 
Meet Star Sosa, jewelry designer, business woman and now... publisher! Star (who is just as brilliant as her name suggests) is the owner of 
For more of my tips on entertaining and to get a great appetizer recipe (Bacon-Wrapped Pecan-Stuffed Dates) visit the electronic version of the 
So, it's happened again! Another foodie-focused company, 
Speaking of food recognition, while browsing the GourmetByMail site, I found 
From time to time, I like to share some of the trends that I'm hearing about in the chocolate world. Here's a crazy one! We all know that there are many things that taste even better when dipped in chocolate: cherries, strawberries, pretzels, and bon bons to name a few. But what about tequila, cheese, and cauliflower? If that doesn't whet your palate, how about chocolate biscuits encrusted with chicken skin? 
Mount Olive Pickles: Mt. Olive Pickle Company, Inc., located at the Corner of Cucumber & Vine in Mount Olive, North Carolina, got its start in 1926, with only a 3,600 square foot building and $19,500 in capital, Mt. Olive has grown to be the best selling brand of pickles in the Southeast, and the second best-selling brand of pickles in the country.
Texas Pete Hot Sauce: They fooled you with the name, didn't they? That pistol-packin' hot sauce isn't from Texas; it's from Winston-Salem, NC. Inventor Thad Garner acquired a hand-written barbeque recipe, added hot peppers, vinegar and salt and created Texas Pete. The story goes that Garner originally wante
d to call the sauce "Mexican Joe", but Garner's father insisted on all-American name.
Hardee's Hamburgers: Wilber Hardee opened his first namesake restaurant in Greenville, North Carolina in 1960. Five months later he had his first franchisee. Now, his burger chain has spread to become a favorite throughout the Midwestern and Southeastern United States.