What is for lunch is the common question asked around my home. Lunch is the meal that is eaten in the middle of the day and is lighter.

It is always exciting to get your children involved in activities that you like. I always look forward to cooking lunch with my daughter, watching a movie with her, swimming before lunch, traveling, or just going for a walk. It is a time to bond, have fun but also to pass down some of the skills you have.

Food does not have to be expensive or fancy ingredients for it to be tasty. I like comfort food during lunch. It reminds me of love and spending time with my family.

I talk to Cindy about her love of food and how she is passing that down to her children. Cindy grew up in a small mining town in Northern Ontario, Canada, and now lives near Toronto, Ontario. She a single Mom of 2, and before the pandemic hit, was a high school cafeteria manager. This is where she got the inspiration for her blog. Being a “lunch lady”, she tries to create comforting wholesome foods. That has become her motto over the years- simple foods, that are good for you and delicious.

She is French-Canadian Metis, which means she grew up fishing, hunting, and enjoying several dishes from both her heritages.

Cindy, a pleasure to interview a food and recipe expert. I want to know something important about you?

Hi, my name is Cindy Lefebvre and I am the voice and creator behind Mom, the Lunch Lady. Mom, the Lunch Lady is a food blog centering around simple, wholesome recipes; ranging from healthy, to indulgent. In 2007, I started my first blog which became quite popular. Unfortunately, 11 years later, I found myself as a single working mom, so my first blog was put on hold. I missed blogging over the last 4 years, so when I was laid off during the pandemic, I took the opportunity to get back to it.

I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease when I was 15 and have been in remission for almost 11 yrs. Living with IBD has been a struggle and I am still learning what foods my body will tolerate. It sometimes makes eating healthy difficult, but I am learning that when I find something that works, to stick with it.

I like your IG handle. It is comfortable and rustic food. Talk to me about your love of food?

I have always loved food and being in the kitchen, thanks to my mom. She was your typical stay-at-home mom and some of my fondest childhood memories are of watching her create homemade bread, desserts, and meals in our kitchen. The love she would put in all her creations has been passed down to me and one of my favorite things to do is feed people. It is my way of showing others that I care about them.

What are some of your favorite ingredients and least favorite in the kitchen?

Having a huge sweet tooth, I’ve always loved baking. Some of my favorite ingredients to work with are flour, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. When I am feeling creative, that is when I turn to cooking and making dishes that make everyone moan in appreciation. When cooking, I use quite a bit of garlic, onion, and thyme. I also seem to gravitate to Asian ingredients such as soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, and sesame oil.

We get used to eating steak with potatoes and get very set in our thinking. Give me some out-of-the-box ideas and recipes we can try?

My dad is your typical meat and potatoes eater. He isn’t very adventurous when it comes to food; for him, simple is best. It wasn’t until I moved out on my own that I became more adventurous in my tastes and my cooking. I get my inspiration from everything around me. From TV shows, which is where I got the idea to create Sloppy Waffles, to my love of combining flavors and simplifying meals, like in this Chili Corn Dog Casserole. While I still enjoy classic meals such as Tuna Noodle Casserole, I always want to add my twist to everything I make.

Talk to me about the self-care goals for 2021?

The pandemic has been very difficult for me. Being out of work for so long has given me a lot of time on my hands. However, it has also opened my eyes to the fact that I care for everyone else, and neglect taking care of myself. 2021 has brought me on a path towards self-care, weight loss, and a fitness journey that I am sure never would have happened if the world hadn’t changed the way it did. I am now more mindful about how I fuel my body and have fallen in love with exercise. I also make certain to take the time to recharge, by addressing my mental health needs and practicing gratitude.

How has marriage and motherhood changed your life? Any surprises?

Becoming a single Mom 6 yrs. ago was one of the most difficult and lowest points in my life. I felt like I had failed in my 15 yr. marriage and my children. Thanks to them, I worked hard to become self-sufficient and take care of them, as both Mom and Dad. Being a mom is my greatest accomplishment and despite all my trials and tribulations, I am a better human being for them. I hope that I am teaching them how to be strong, independent, and hard-working. Both my children have become foodies and love being in the kitchen with me, learning to create delicious meals. I am glad to be teaching them a much-needed life skill.

Walk me through the city you live in?  What is the food scene? Why should we visit it?

As much as I love cooking, I also love eating out. After cooking for every one day after day, sometimes a meal out is a delicious way to get inspired to get back into the kitchen. Living in Barrie Ontario for the last 13 yrs., we’ve found a few favorite bakeries, and restaurants that are a total must, if visiting. Most of these businesses are centered around our downtown core, which is host to the beautiful waterfront of Lake Simcoe. A walk along the lake is a wonderful way to work up an appetite and downtown Barrie is not short on restaurants and eateries.

We have a host of restaurants to cater to every taste, from Korean BBQ, Italian, Indian, and traditional North American food. We also have several pizzerias, craft breweries, and possibly the best Pho in Simcoe County. With so many people wanting to eat more sustainably, we’ve also seen the addition of Vegan bakeries and restaurants over the last few years.

If in the mood for something simpler, or delicious additions to meals at home, we have wonderful bakeries to visit. Pre pandemic, city hall would host a fantastic Farmer’s Market every Saturday. Barrie is also home to many farms, perfect for those farm-fresh eggs, free-range meats, veggies, berries, and honey.

I come to your home with my wife and daughter. My wife loves seafood, my daughter loves steak and I am a vegan. What will you cook and why?

A few years ago, my daughter asked me if she could start eating vegan. When I asked her what that meant to her, she described a Pescatarian diet. She is not a big fan of meat but will eat chicken or turkey, and the occasional pork dish. This means dinner time at our house is sometimes tricky. My significant other is a HUGE meat eater and he, along with my son, loves steak. I on the other hand do not. This means some nights I am preparing 3 different options for dinner. This is why I love summer and grilling. Last weekend the boys wanted steak, so I decided on a surf and turf menu. Grilled steaks and grilled shrimp were paired with boy scout potatoes and asparagus. I also grilled some eggplant, which was topped with tomato sauce and vegan cheese, to create the most delicious eggplant parm sandwiches. This way everyone could eat to their preferred tastes and we could still enjoy a meal together. Food is so important in our lives, not only as fuel, but it brings people together and creates memories. That is why I try to please everyone when in the kitchen. 

I love desserts…I want to know about your favorite recipe?

Growing up, my mom was always baking. My dad has a big sweet tooth, which he passed on to me. Even now, Dad is always asking my mom to bake something every week. While I love any kind of dessert imaginable, my favorite still remains a popular French-Canadian dessert- Pouding Chomeur. It translates to Poor Man’s Pudding and is made with minimal ingredients found in any household. It basically is a cake, baked in the most amazing brown sugar syrup. It reminds me of my grandparents, and of my childhood. I think it will always be the one recipe from my heritage that I will continue making for years to come.

Being a foodie has become such an important part of my life. It has formed who I am today, by guiding me in my professional career. It is my escape, my way of decompressing and relaxing. After a long day, you can find me in the kitchen baking something delicious for my family. Food will always be a pivotal force in everyday life and my hope is that thanks to Mom, the Lunch Lady, I can help people fall in love with cooking, give them the confidence to become more creative in the kitchen and help them think outside of the box. Food should not only be nutritious; it should be fun and enjoyable.

The post Healthy Lunch Ideas appeared first on Four Columns of a Balanced Life.

Introduction

After the COVID restrictions are lifted, we will all be dining out more often. I have outlined a few rules that will help you have an amazing restaurant experience.

Customer service is the main ingredient of an amazing restaurant experience. As customers, we expect the service to be friendly, personalized, be given suggestions based on our preferences, amazing food, out of this world presentation, dynamic ambiance, and great decor. However, as a customer, if you follow these strategies you will have a killer restaurant experience no matter what happens.

Make a reservation

A restaurant plans staffing, food preparation and everything else based on reservations. If you show up on a busy night without a reservation, chances are you will not get a seat. If you make a reservation and do not want to go, please cancel the reservation. Through reservations, the workflow is managed more efficiently and you get better service.

Check the menu online before visiting

It is important to check the menu online. In other words, you know if it has gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian or other options. As a result, you do not spend a whole bunch of time looking at the menu and are not sure what you want.

Be on time

Arrive on time. The manager has scheduled the reservations so that the service and kitchen have enough time to give you the best service.

The waiter is not your servant

It is important to know that the waiter is not there to meet your every whim and fancy. The waiter is there to make sure you have a great dining experience. Treat them with respect and you will get great service.

Go with a positive attitude

This is the most important aspect of going to a restaurant. Be positive. Go out there to have fun. Therefore, if you are looking to fill your Yelp or Trip Advisor review, you will not have a great experience. Do not go to the restaurant to take out your frustration on the waiter.

Do not ask to change the food

The menu is designed by the chef for maximum flavor. Do not ask to change the dish completely. Some modifications might be possible.

Spend money

Never go to a restaurant and be a scrooge. You see if a waiter is working from 5 to 9 pm, he is depending on having a guest from 5 to 7 and another from 7 to 9. Waiters work for tips. Waiters make below minimum wages. As a result, if you are just having a drink or a slight snack go to the bar instead.

If there is an issue let the server know

It is possible that many things can go wrong. If the food was not good or something is wrong, let the server know right away. The issue can be resolved. You will probably not be charged for the food, get a discount, get a free dessert or get a gift certificate for your next visit. But please do communicate.

The server and chef are human

The chef and waiter are human. Most chefs work sixty to eighty-hour weeks. The waiter is on his feet for eight hours and has probably not had a meal. Be patient, kind, gentle and considerate.

Tip well

I recommend fifteen percent to start with. The waiter has to give anywhere from five to seven percent of the total bill to the back house to be shared. Remember, waiters have good memories. Tip them well and they will go a mile to make your restaurant experience amazing.

Enjoy your visit to the restaurant, follow these strategies and you will have an amazing restaurant experience.

Photo Credits: Mojo Jojo  Louis Hansel  Persnickety Prints  Brooke Cagle Sasha • Stories Pablo Merchán Montes Adam Jaime Clay Banks Priscilla Du Preez Jonathan Borba Crew

The post 10 Strategies to a Killer Restaurant Experience appeared first on Four Columns of a Balanced Life.