By Kellyn Legath

When gas prices skyrocket drivers quickly cut back on unnecessary car trips to avoid filling up, but when food prices go up it isn’t as easy to adapt because we have to eat—at least three meals a day! Don’t let high prices at the grocery store influence your family to make poor food choices. With a little planning and some know-how you can stretch your household grocery budget easily and efficiently. Here are some helpful hints to get you started:

1. Buy in bulk
The things that we use daily and often tend to be the things that have us returning to the store mid-week to stock up on again and again. If you have the space, buying in bulk can save you time and money. Canned good and non-perishables, paper products and canned or bottled drinks are always good pantry staples.

I snagged this pic from Tulum's Facebook profile.

Just last Friday evening I discovered a delish new restaurant spot in South Side Bethlehem. Nearly a month has passed since I moved into my new apartment and it’s fair to say I’ve done my share of exploring. You can catch up on your reading here and here.

Transferring the tomato and French mustard pie onto a baking sheet requires skill!

Last week, I took my very first cooking lesson. Before I begin, let’s set one thing straight: I admit that I am impatient in the kitchen, but have always wanted to learn how to create healthy, beautiful meals.

As I was driving along Airport Road yesterday, I noticed a small sign stuck haphazardly in a patch of grass. The sign read something along the lines of “Sonic Coming Soon.”

Have you heard? There’s a new lounge in town and it’s absolutely worth checking out.

Dr. Dog at Americaplatz

Last night I made my annual journey to Musikfest. I’ve been making the trip since I was rolling around in a stroller. Only difference now is I can finally weave through the beer tent and fill up my mug.

There’s nothing I love more than a warm summer night. OK, that’s probably a lie, but it is definitely one of my most favorite things. Last night was no exception. Humidity and a quick bout of rain aside, it was a wonderfully relaxing evening.

I usually love going out to eat. Fortunately, the Valley offers a pretty decent selection of restaurants to satisfy even the pickiest of palates (I kind of fall into that category). So when a new restaurant comes to town or I choose a place I’ve never been, I’m usually excited to go. But lately, I haven’t had much luck.

For this blog purpose, I’ve decided not to disclose restaurant names, but–if you feel so inclined–shoot me an e-mail and I’d be happy to share.

It all started with a Friday afternoon when Mike (my boyfriend, in case you haven’t been introduced via old blogs yet) told me to pick a place for dinner. After much thought we decided on a recently opened place in Bethlehem. Bad choice.

We were greeted with friendly smiles and immediately seated at a nice window table. I didn’t have time to look at the drink menu so we placed a water order with our waitress and looked over the appetizer list to which we chose hummus with pita bread. Our waters came and so did the hummus. I was impressed.

Then it all just went downhill from there. I chose a tropical-sounding drink and made my order as she asked us what we wanted for dinner. Then we sat. And sat. And sat. For about 30 minutes, if not longer. And I still had not received my drink.

When our waitress finally came around–no food in hand–I asked for my drink and she exclaimed “Yes!” in a tone that made it sound like she was saying, “yes, of course you are allowed to have your drink right now.” Frankly, I should have received it 5 minutes after I placed my order.

Ten minutes later she returned with my drink–and still no food–which was a huge glass of rum and pineapple and coconut goodness that I would have much preferred to sip rather than chug because at that point we really just wanted to leave.

Our fair-at-best food arrived luke warm; Mike’s blackened tuna steak apparently tasted like canned tuna drained and formed into a rounded steak-like formation. The presentation was completely awful. We ate what we could, didn’t ask for boxes, signed the receipt, and left with unsatisfied stomachs.

Then, yet again we experienced another annoying dinner. This one didn’t last too long and spawned this blog because, even though I may not always look like a Style girl or a business professional when I eat dinner, I still am and can easily report the awfulness in a blog. So restaurants be wary of whom you are serving.

Last night, we opted for Italian, chose a place in Emmaus, and were seated right away. Tables around us were served, waitresses scurried about our area, but not one stopped at our table to introduce herself or take our drink order. Twenty minutes passed and still nothing, no one. It was 8 o’clock, the dinner rush had clearly calmed down. Even if it hadn’t, I’ve eaten at NYC restaurants packed with late Saturday night diners and Sunday afternoon brunch-goers with much better service. We walked out and ate at Pickles instead–another restaurant that I’ve been meaning to try. Much better service and much better food.

Edwin Padilla (center) with Bubba Smith (right) wearing the hot dog man t-shirt. Photo by Alison Leigh.

There is something rather interesting going on in Bethlehem right now. No, it’s not the casino. No, a new boutique has not opened. But, in fact, a hot dog cart has stirred up quite a controversy among South Side business owners thus creating local media frenzy and an outpour of community support.