Lunchtime... again

Last week, I blogged about lunchtime. Over the last few school days, I've packed up my daughter's lunch (my other two children enjoy the hot lunch served at school) and sent my three kids onto those big yellow buses.

This is where MY lunchtime began. Not at 7:30 am, but last week.

We ate breakfast at the Hub in Rocky Mount the first day of school. Grits, eggs and sausage never tasted so good. They tasted like ... freedom. And there wasn't a single drop of whine.

Then, we began going to lunch. After reading Lindsey Nair's Fridge Magnet blog, I felt like trying something different. Something my kids weren't big fans of. I'm talking about a chinese buffet.

White rice, spring rolls, lo mein noodles and General Tsao's Chicken filled our plates and our stomachs. Still, no whine.

Only two days later, my husband and I tried the buffet at Chopsticks. We had always heard good things about it. Coconut fried shrimp, dumplings, and some of the best coconut macaroons around filled the very large buffet. At only $7.00 a person, it was a great deal ... and a great meal. Chopsticks also offers a Hibachi grill and sushi bar.

Yesterday, I went out to eat without my husband. Joining a few friends in Roanoke at Wasabi's, I began to wonder if I would ever enjoy an American-themed meal again. After all, who needs a cheeseburger, when you can enjoy a warm and filling, sweet potato tempura roll?

Trading off each other's plates I was glad to get away from my house, my town and even my husband for the afternoon. I especially enjoyed introducing different types of sushi to my friend Heather. Heather showed great bravery and sense of adventure and can no longer be called a sushi virgin. I'm so proud.

After our leisurely lunch, we wandered toward the newest addition to Roanoke's downtown Market street, Chocolate Paper. When I lived in Florida, we enjoyed a local chocolate shop, owned by Norman Love. Love makes some of the best chocolates in the nation.

Here's a picture my parents took of a box of Love's chocolates. As I found a glass case filled with exotic and beautiful chocolates, I almost jumped for joy in the middle of this shop.

A box of Norman Love Chocolates

After returning home, I tried a confection with a Chai Latte flavor. My knees buckled and I fell in love.

Lunchtime

Today, all three of my kids happily hopped (well, one drug his heels) onto the bus and went to that magical place called "school."

My oldest began middle school today and will pack her lunch, while my younger two love the hot lunch.

Last week, Lindsey Nair posted on her Fridge Magnet blog about packed lunches and a few moms threw their two-cents in.

I've decided we all need a little help or guidance, so I found this website with nutritious tips and safe food handling procedures. I may print this for my sixth-grader to read as she insists on packing her own lunch.

I've also found the Amazing Mom's website to be... well, amazing. Here is the page you want to check out. There are a few creative ideas to keep your kids healthy. My favorite has to be the Cookie Dipper.

Finally, I've stumbled upon something for those really, really adventurous kids and parents. They're called Bento Boxes and they make me wish I were back in school. Check these out here.