http://www.lalunchbox.com http://www.lalunchbox.com/content.php?cid=1 Ann Le and Courtney Smith met in the violin section of their 7th grade orchestra. They become fast friends and their moms sewed them matching culottes to wear. Years later, they share a passion for food - from the vast array of incredible LA restaurants to farmer's market finds and home-cooked meals with friends. Ann wrote a Vietnamese cookbook and makes mean spring rolls. Courtney believes that a life full of fine wine and unpasteurized cheese is a life worth living. They live two miles apart from each other in Los Angeles. http://www.lalunchbox.com/content.php?cid=2 They say that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach – and, believe me, it’s true. My man fell hard on date number two – thanks to a carefully contrived meal. Sure - candlelight, a great play list on the iPod and a little witty banter helped to move things along. But I know it was the food that did him in. And if you think I stumbled into this good fortune, you are sorely mistaken. http://www.lalunchbox.com/content.php?cid=3 Having lived in Vietnam for four years, there are times when I am homesick for it in a way that nearly breaks my heart. I miss the communion of the people, the intimacy of the neighborhoods, the flavors of mint and chili in a bowl of steaming noodle soup shared with a friend. It is a country where neighbors look out for one another, shopkeepers know your stories, and restaurants serve as public living rooms. http://www.lalunchbox.com/content.php?cid=4 Once upon a time I (miserably) worked for a big corporation where I spent my day furiously typing emails to create the illusion that I was very, very busy. I sought out every opportunity to complain about how busy I was to avoid any additional assignments. As a slacker subordinate looking for understanding and enlightenment, I found that the only thing I had to look forward to in my day was lunchtime.