What's for lunch?

I don't know about you, but whenever I see a cute lunchbox, I have to buy one. For me, handbags & clutch purses are an addiction like no other. Just like shoes, one needs to accessorize whenever and however possible so a lot of us ladies require purses of all different shapes, colors, sizes and even material. I think it's safe to say that for us, lunchboxes fall into this same category.

Metal, insulated or plastic; they come in designs and styles to suit even the fussiest of eaters!

Sugar Daddy Lunchbox ($13)
(OK, this one's really for me!)

Dump Truck Lunch Box ($15)


Star Wars: Clone Wars ($13)

Hannah Montana Lunchbox ($10)

Yo Gabba Gabba Lunchbox ($14)

Chinese Take-Out Lunchbox ($19)

This might just be my new addiction!

Food & Relationships

I was talking to some of my single mom friends the other day about relationships. This was during lunch, of course, and one of the women - who is a bit older and much wiser - started talking about how we tend to view relationships the same way in which we view food.

Now, I know this sounds crazy but bear with me. She had a good point, in that she tends to eat two big meals a day, starving herself in between and not snacking or thinking about food until her body's ready to have a meltdown. Interestingly enough, her boyfriend lives out of state so she sees him every other weekend, spending time with him 24/7 for those few days before returning to her "normal life" and focusing on what needs to be done here before she's able to see him again.

Others I know tend to eat only at fine restaurants and spend a lot of money on organic foods, not allowing themselves to step foot inside a fast food restaurant or eating diet soda, or anything else unnatural. They know what they want - the finer things in life - and damn it, the men in their lives know it too!

Another friend of mine eats small snacky foods all day, healthy or not. She also likes to date many men at one time, not really ready to commit just yet to a full meal, so to speak.

And then there's me. Now, I have interesting eating habits which change from time to time and that could be also true of the relationships I have. Sometimes, I'll be really healthy and eat foods that are good for me (dating men who bring out my strengths and can recognize who I am) while there have certainly been times in my life where my eating habits have been horrible. Times when I'd eat junk food and drink way too much, and guess what? The men in my life at those times were also not good for me and drank way too much as well.

Nothing's wrong with any of the above scenarios although you can certainly see how some situations are not as good for us as others. We're all different, thank goodness, and needing different things, and people, in our lives. The point here isn't to try to change how you eat or who you date, but to just be aware.

If you're in a healthy relationship and are putting healthy foods into your body, chances are you can see how this affects you. Take a look at your relationships and the way you eat to determine what changes you could make, in either department, to make sure you are treating yourself to the best that's available.

Happy eating!

Newly Published

The first weekly newsletter of 2009 has just been published. Here's what's included:'

• Top Ten Brain Foods for Children
• Parenting Resolutions
• Shopping Organic at Costco
• Free Online Courses
• Nutrition Data at Your Fingerprints
• Chasing Vermeer
• Space to Express Grief
• Get Connected

Please let me know what I can do to help support you in 2009!

Two Things

Two Names I Go By:

1. Sondra
2. Mom

Two Things I'm Wearing Right Now:

1. underwear
2. pink robe

Two Things I Want (or have) in a Relationship:

1. Honesty
2. Support

Two of My Favorite Things to do:

1. Spend time with my son
2. Shop

Two Things I Did Last Night:

1. Enjoyed wine tasting with other Moms
2. Played BUNCO for the first time and laughed my *** off

Two Things I Ate Last Night:

1. Chipotle sauce & cream cheese (YUM)
2. Chocolate

Two people I Last Talked To:

1. Natascha & Erika (during the car ride home last night)
2. My man (he called this morning but let me go to help set up for a birthday party for a one-year-old)

Two Things I'm Doing Tomorrow:

1. Celebrating Memorial Day with my son
2. NOT working!

Two Longest Car Rides I’ve taken:

1. Maple Grove, MN to Portland, OR (1,715 miles) - August 1997
2. Prescott, WI to San Diego, CA (2,017 miles) - June 1999

Two Favorite Holidays:

1. Christmas
2. My son’s birthday

Two Favorite Beverages:

1. Pinot Noir
2. Voss Bottled Water

Two Favorite Types of Food:

1. Sushi
2. Mexican

Two Favorite Places:

1. There’s no place like home.
2. Home is where your mom is.

Travel: San Jose

I'm in San Jose on business but I have been able to experience some great dining out at pleasant restaurants. What's great about working at the Convention Center is that there are numerous hotels either connected (ours is one of them) or very close. The restaurants that we've eaten at have been within walking distance which makes for an even better travel experience overall.

Yesterday, we headed out from our hotel and ended up at Bijan Bakery & Cafe - one of San Jose's most Premier European Bakeries known all over the Bay Area for the finest quality pastries, cookies, European style croissants, and hand made sandwiches. I enjoyed a great grilled vegetable panini which was absolutely delicious.

For dinner last night, we headed over to Paragon Restaurant & Bar - South Bay's destination for lively, casual dining. Located in downtown San Jose within the beautifully renovated Hotel Montgomery, the restaurant features American Brasserie cuisine by Executive Chef Philippe Breneman, a stylish dining room and live jazz, as well as an outdoor lounge and dining areas that invite guests to relax under the olive trees. I enjoyed the chef's special - whole wheat spaghetti with meatballs - along with a side of applewood smoked bacon brussels sprouts. The meal was amazing and I'd definitely go back again.

And finally, tonight we enjoyed Vietnamese cuisine at 19 Market. I was a bit disappointed with the mojito I ordered, but the asparagus soup was fantastic as was the eggplant and tofu curry.

Even though I am satisfied after this last meal, I can't help but think about tomorrow evening, when we will sit down at the Italian restaurant, Il Fornaio to enjoy yet another fabulous meal before we head back to San Diego Saturday afternoon.

Don't Mess with Texas

I will be spending the night in Dallas, Texas - the fastest turn-around trip I've ever experienced (thus far). I know I will have no time, nor the energy, to shop but I do know that I will be back (in April and again in November) so already I'm making a list - and checking it twice - of all the trendy boutiques, shops and restaurants I plan on visiting during my upcoming return to this city - or at least doing more research on.

Clothing & Shoes:

ELEMENTS
(on Lovers Lane)

PUMA MONGOLIAN SHOE BBQ



kick pleat








Restaurants:

BLT STEAK





TILLMAN'S
ROADHOUSE

scene

Feedback or other suggestions welcome!