Finding An Organic BalanceThe very day after I got my driver's license, my mother handed me the keys to her forest-green minivan and gave me a grocery list. I thought getting my license would allow me to visit the local coffee shop whenever …
[Lunch Lady] Self-Proclaimed GoodnessIn her many years of life, Lunch Lady has learned to be wary of some things—such as entities that proclaim themselves to be something that only time and audiences should be able to decide. For example, Ringling Brothers and Barnum …
Light BitesMaybe you're feeling like I do—if you never see a plate of cookies, box of candy or line-up of pastries again, it'll be too soon. The holidays are about giving, and that often means edible goodies. Even beverages were on …
[Lunch Lady] Sandwiches Gone GlobalThere is an episode of "Friends" in which Ross wants Ugly Naked Guy's apartment, but doesn't know how to go about getting it. Rachel suggests he get to know him a little better, find out about his interests and use …
Virgin AdventuresI am sunburned, exhausted and very full because I just got back from the U.S. Virgin Islands. I think the number of meals I ate was greater than the hours of sleep I got, but it's all good. That's what …
[Fly] Hail To The PumpkinDuring the holidays, treat your sweet tooth with pumpkin. Pumpkin is low in calories, and high in potassium, beta carotene, iron, fiber, and vitamins C and E. If you're feeling ambitious, ditch the canned pumpkin and cook up a fresh …
[Fly] The Bird and Its SidekickRoasted turkey and corn bread dressing are to Mississippi holidays what Brett Favre is to the Green Bay Packers.
[Fly] Setting The TableLast year, you watched in horror as Great Aunt Petunia criticized everything about your cousin's table, from the linen to the placement of the dessert fork. Well, Petunia's on the way to your house this year, so it's time for …
[Fly] Beginner's Guide To WineWhen it comes to wine, a little knowledge goes a long way. You can get a nice white for under $10, but stick to $15 an up for reds. Here are some other wine basics to get you started:
[Fly] It's The FoodChristmas dinner was the holiday event to be forgotten. Not that my mother wasn't a fabulous cook or that she didn't put out a fine spread. No, it was the event to be forgotten because of everything else that was …
Breaking The FastAs luck would have it, Lunch Lady's favorite meal is, in fact, breakfast. This cruel twist of fate has unfortunately led to some problems in Jackson, where she has not been able to find the wealth of omelets, pancakes and …
Have Crustaceans, Will DrinkFor years, I found myself scoffing at California Chardonnay: too oaky, too buttery, too over the top. Even as I became interested in whites, the Rieslings and Sauvignon Blancs drew me in, but I always passed on the most popular …
[Fly] How to Stock a BarIf you have a couple of grand in disposable income, stocking a full bar can suck up all of that in a heartbeat. For most of us though, that's pretty unrealistic, and unless you're into the whole dinner-party, entertaining-the-boss scene, …
[Fly] The House That Maggie BuiltAlmost anyone can construct a graham cracker holiday home and load it with sugary frosting and candies. But if you're feeling a bit more adventurous this year, try making a gingerbread house from (almost) scratch. The preparation and construction takes …
[Fly] Make Your Own Gournet Dog TreatsMost of us love our dogs enough to consider them a member of the family, so why not bake for them as if they were?