Allura

Terry Prachett is a British author, and his Discworld novels are writen for adults - and full of bad puns. Frankly, I've never gotten into them, but several of my friends are big fans. But I don't think you'll be making kiddie cakes for THESE books anytime soon!

I'm watching part 2 right now. Err.....you know, I don't particularly like McDonald's myself, and only eat it maybe once a quarter, usually when driving and need a quick bite...and I eat their salads and a bottle of water. But, are we adults? Do we raise our own children? I can make plenty of healthy choices if I eat at McD's. When my husband orders a Big Mac, it's his choice...and he doesn't now that he's learned what the nutrition info is. Mr. Schlosser's biggest complaint seems to be the marketing to children. But while I agree with his visual marketing example (World Cup-related marketing via the french fries on an ad when you walk in), I disagree with his complaint that McD's sells food in schools. According to the exec, they do not. Apparently, what's really happening is that the SCHOOL in question has made a decision to bring McDs in for the kids once a week, not that the company has opened a franchise within the school. I'm not seeing how this is the fault of the corporation; it's the fault of the school that thinks this is a responsible choice for a meal program. McDonald's core products are probably not healthy on a regular basis, and they've frankly never claimed that. But nor would be a diet of hamburgers from any other source ranging from, say Jack in the Box, to Five Brothers (that's the one in the DC area, right?), to a burger at Peter Luger. A proper diet involves moderation, and, frankly, a consumer that thinks about what they're ingesting.

I wanted to share a new item I came across yesterday. I usually try to make sure I keep my chocolate in some form that is "self-contained". Usually I stash Droste Extra Dark Pastilles. However, I came home yesterday with a new one: Lindt truffles, with their 60% chocolate for the shell (the same filling as the other chocolate truffles). Wow. Very good. The filling is still a bit sweet for my tastes, but the dark shell makes up for it. I think I'm glad I only got the 20 piece bag....

This week I got a trial box of mixed fruit from an organic delivery place. One of the fruits in it is a mango. I asked hubby, "You said you've eaten mangoes, what do you do with them?" "I don't know; they've always been cut up." *rolls eyes* So since I've only had it one or two times before, I come here: How do I cut a mango? Is the skin edible (I'm thinking no, it looks tough?) It's soft, about the stage I'd eat a peach or plum at, so I'm guessing it's ripe. I think they said it's a "Tomy Atkins" Mango - it's fairly small, certainly smaller than the canteloupe they sent. Thanks for any advice! I figure if all else fails, I get out the chef's knife and see what's inside....

My mother has on occasion stopped to pick up their fruit sorbet in a fruit shell to bring to a bbq or such. It's a bit outside my stomping ground otherwise. However, the big question: do they make their own *hot fudge*? I will swear undying loyalty to the first ice cream place I find that does that! Holstein's in Bloomfield used to, but I haven't been there since I was a kid...

I tried, really....we took my Dad to Famous Dave's in Mountainside. It's where he wanted to go! It wasn't bad, but it could have been so much better. The ribs are decent, and so's the pulled pork. Otoh, we had excellent apple strudel & ice cream at the house after, from the bakery in Clifton that we went to when I was a kid. With Kona on the side.

Ironically, despite the fact that I'm a 20% tipper, I actually got into an argument with a friend who was overtipping. Six of us, I think, at a branch of the chain she used to work at (don't ask), and she starts lecturing us on leaving a *30* % tip. I eventually informed her that while I will reward good service (it was good), I am not responsible for the fact that they picked a shitty job. She was welcome to put in more, I was putting in 20%. Then again, while she's a great friend, there's a whole list of things she & I need to agree to disagree on.

Ooh, good idea. *duh* I'll go check out the iced coffee thread, too - I hadn't noticed that one before.

Actually, I think he means to grow it in a petri dish or commercial equivalent....

Last summer I drank a lot of bottled Starbuck's Frappucino instead of coffee. This summer, I'd like to stick to plain ol' coffee, without all the sugar. But, I like it cold, but not diluted. So, with that in mind, I ask: How long can brewed coffee, without milk, keep in the fridge? Thanks!

We usually stop in to eat when we're there. The meatballs aren't bad, and I really like the apple cake. I tend to spend way more time at the store than I plan to, so it's good to have something to eat.

Thanks for all the suggestions. We ended up backtracking a bit to Jackson and the Java Moon Cafe near Great Adventure. The stitching store owner suggested the one near them, but I'd actually been to the Jackson one once before, and I think that's the original. Anyway, while a bit pricier than I had expected we'd go out for the food was good and we had a great time.

Thanks for all the suggestions. We're not big drinkers, so BYO doesn't bother us. The stitching store is actually right by Five Points, and I know the two places (Bill's & New Restaurant) you mentioned, although I've never tried them. Aladdin's could be fun and different, and I haven't had Mexican in a while. Thanks!

So I just got tasked with "Go check egullet for a place..." We're meeting up with friends at a cross stitch shop in Mercerville (Cross Stitch & Frames Unlimited) on Saturday, and we're kicking around what to do. I don't know the area well at all. I know of a decent Chinese place in the shopping center that Gamer's Realm is in, down the road in West Windsor (?). Other friends introduced us to Mastori's the last time we were there (good bakery, huge plates, not bad food). But, my friend says "there's got to be something besides diner food & standard chinese/pizza/fast food." Knowing them, cost is a major issue, so the cheaper the better. We can always head back closer to their house (Howell), but if there's something out Mercerville way, I'd hugely appreciate a tip off.

Wow; your website is making me hungry. The one thing I notice you saying the most is that you don't have SPACE for the extra orders. Do you have time for them? And then time again for the retail ideas? If it's really just space that's slowing you down, then yes, I'd definitely go ahead and investigate a larger spot. Not that I have any experience to base this on.

Anything new this year on the Mother's Day brunch front? I'm hoping to coax my folks up to my neck of the woods (western Union county), but I may end up back in Monmouth/Ocean. Hoping to stay under $40p, but for a good brunch, I'll go up. Of the (minimal) research I've done so far: Grenville hotel is doing a sit down dinner. Stage House is having a (wonderful sounding) fixed price dinner at $58pp. Frog & the Peach has a similiarly priced pre fixe. There's always Snuffy's at $30pp (yes, I know, but I suspect my folks will like it, and it's hard to screw up eggs). Our House Restaurant in Farmingdale is having a dinner buffet, not a brunch one (got a soft spot for them, as it's where I had my wedding). I need to call a few places in my area that may have something: Isabella's (Westfield), Robert's Steakhouse (Garwood), Molly McGuire's (Clark, I think), and BG Fields (Westfield?). They all have a Sunday brunch of some type normally, so they might have something else. I debated taking the family out to someplace extra nice (which is why Stagehouse & Frog and the Peach are on the list), but I think I'll wait for their anniversary in August instead.

I suspect it's a case of "the more I eat it, the more I'll like it," just like what happened when I got rid of sugar in my coffee. Doc keeps telling me to cut the sugar out of the diet, and I don't trust artificial sweeteners, so fruit it is. I'll give the TJ's plain a try. I think the last time I got Stonyfield Farms plain and that was a bit too much for me. Thanks for the advice; it sounds like the greek ones might be a bit too thick for my tastes right now. I just wish more companies sold plain in smaller containers so I could try them!

I'm sitting here eating a bowl of TJ's organic vanilla yogurt (low fat) with blueberries & grape nuts and realizing it's too sweet for me. That's been happening to me a lot lately; as I cut down on sugar, I prefer less and less sweet foods. The problem is, the last time I picked up some plain yogurt, it was TOO sour. So I was wondering... Are there particular brands that are less sour/more mellow? What exactly is Greek yogurt anyway? Where does it fall in texture & sourness? Are there other types of yogurt that I don't know about? Thanks!

I'm actually in the process of baking my one contribution to Passover, these almond thumbprint cookies from Gourmet. Yes, I know, Passover started Wed night. But my father's the only Jew in a family of Catholics, and we haven't had a sedar since I was a kid (which I miss). Anyway, come Easter on Sunday, it'll still be Passover, so I've taken on the job of baking something appropriate for dessert each year (it's a mixed dessert table - there'll be a birthday cake for my cousin, too). Dad likes cookies a lot, so this was a good choice. From the "broken" one, they taste pretty good. Tomorrow's project is mac & cheese, also for Easter dinner, but Dad doesn't like it anyway , so I don't feel too guilty about making pasta.

I'm debating whether I'm going to use the new ban to go back to Sun Tavern, a bar near us that's not bad & one of the few things open late. The problem is, they didn't really want to have the dining room open late. They kept bitching whenever we wanted "non-smoking" and wanting us to sit in the bar. Finally just stopped going there. But there's not a lot of late night non-diner options, so I might be going back now. In general, a lot of places we won't have to be grumpy about sitting too close to the bar now. I have some doubts about how "fair" a law it is, but I do like the benefit on a personal level. My sister must be furious, though (a heavy smoker).

Bit of a thread resurrection here, but is this place really that bad? They just put up an ad on the local mailing list I'm on, and it has me curious.

I FINALLY got the Le Crueset 6.75 qt french oven that I've been lusting after, in blue. What should I make first? Got a hickory farms gift box from one set of in-laws and a Harry & David one form the other. And DH got a toblerone in his stocking that I'll probably eat a single chunk of at some point. Does that count?

Pretty darn white, and yes, we always have this. The only difference is at some point we started making it with fresh green beans. MUCH better.

I actually tried the mock apple pie once, although someone else made it (don't remember who now; this was back in Jr High). It tasted vaguely apple pie-like, if what you think of is mushy apple-flavored pie crust....

Guess I should have made that bet with my sister afterall. Thanks! Obviously, my baking skills don't include layer cakes, just single layers and cookie and such. No assembly required!