Can You Find Fresh Food In A Jar?

The Grape Escape Salad

Chances are you're on the go a lot if you live in a metro like Chicago. Lunch is where ever, sometimes whenever, you can grab it.

What's available may not be the best thing for you. So a healthy lunch is a luxury some days. That is unless you have the time or discipline to pack a lunch, which brings up a host of other issues.

It shouldn't be so difficult or such a hassle.

That's the thinking that prompted Luke Saunders to create Farmer's Fridge, an organic and vegetarian company offering healthy meals in a jar. Yes, a jar.

The Cheater (opened)

Hold on. It's sold via kiosk-vending machines. Unless it's catered.

And the food is simply delicious.

The start-up opened November 2013 with a vending machine in the food court at 201 N. Clark, Chicago. I came across this salad in a jar while attending a Wix workshop on website design trends.

I've had The Cheater and The Grape Escape salads. My favorite so far is The Cheater, simply yummy. I couldn't wait to eat more of this salad. The Grape Escape can use more grapes and a less bitter dressing, but it still is a good selection.

You'll be pleased about supporting a company conscious about the quality of food it serves and the packaging that contains it. The food is organic and made fresh daily. The containers -- plastic jars -- are recyclable and reusable. I love it!

Besides the good food, this is a great concept. Luke identified a problem then found a solution. Great ideas often are simple ones.

Aaah, Summertime In The City!

Pritzker Pavilion

Chicago is a great city for singles as well as the coupled ones. There's always something to do, especially in the summer.

Though summer officially is 7 days away, you couldn't tell in Chicago. That's because festivals kick into high gear, marking the arrival of summer in the city.

Twelve (yes, at least that many) festivals and fairs started Friday throughout the city, and just about all of them are free. The weather is beautiful -- sunny and warm -- and the people are pleasant. Food at these gatherings? Authentically Chi-Town.

Big Jack Johnson, '09 Chicago Blues Festival

The festivals are a celebration of this city, warts and all. They are a reflection of the values, cultures and similarities. One of the best ways to get to know Chicago is through its celebrations.

Summer in Chicago is simply splendid! You've got to give it a try. Here are a few recommendations:

Taste of Randolph (West Town)
Chicago Blues Festival (The Loop) Aaron Neville hits the stage Sunday night
Puerto Rican People's Day Festival ( Humboldt Park)
Thai Festival 

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches Bring Grins and Great Memories

It's Chicago weather like we've had of late -- cloudy, gray skies and intermittent rain -- that makes me yearn for simple comfort food. On that list is probably one of the first items I learned to cook successfully as a youngster: Grilled Cheese sandwiches.

Just saying, "Grilled Cheese sandwich" makes me smile and recall fond childhood memories. There is nothing complex or over complicated about this sandwich, probably explaining why it always feels like the right meal at the right moment.

Oh, but don't be fooled by its simplicity. Your imagination can run wild (as mine is now) with the various ingredients you can use to make a sandwich. Kraft Foods offers several variations worth trying.

I think I'll first try Kraft's Grilled Cheese Margherita, a delicious spin using basil --one of my favorite herbs-- as an ingredient.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo With Cupcakes

Americans will celebrate Mexican heritage and pride primarily by drinking and eating on Cinco de Mayo. Though alcohol will flow freely and tacos, enchiladas, nachos, etc. will be plentiful here, Mexico designates Cinco de Mayo (Fifth of May) a minor holiday.

Because Cinco de Mayo falls on a Monday this year, some will mark the occasion on Saturday, May 3. Chicago, home of one of the largest Mexican populations in the country, will celebrate with a weekend of activities in the Little Village neighborhood.

Regardless of when you celebrate it, I encourage you to try this Cinco de Mayo-inspired treat: Strawberry Margarita Cupcakes. Yum!