Lauren’s Foodie Gift Guide Part 1

by Lauren Townsend for The Aha! Connection

Do you have a foodie friend? I’ve found that just because someone likes to eat, doesn’t mean that they like to cook. Technically the term foodie doesn’t refer to someone who likes to cook, only eat, which I enjoy doing both. I’ve put together some gift suggestions for your friends and family that like to eat OR cook.… Read More »

Girlfriend Gift Guide by Lauren Townsend

by Lauren Townsend for The Aha! Connection

When it comes to friends, gift-giving can be tricky and stressful, which is exactly what your friends wouldn’t want. I’m willing to guess that I’m the worst person to shop for and I’m the worst at just buying a gift. My first priority would be to make someone something personal, but that is simply not feasible during the holidays.… Read More »

Lunch with Lauren: Let’s Talk About Thanksgiving! (Part 2)

by Lauren Townsend for The Aha! ConnectionIt should come as no surprise that I have very strong feelings about cranberry sauce. I have to make cranberry sauce and it is not like the stuff that comes in a can. It comes in a can, right? The good things about making your own cranberry sauce is that you don’t have to make too much and you can make it way ahead of time.… Read More »

Lunch with Lauren: Coconut Soup + Beef and Broccoli

Coconut Soup:  When I meal plan for the week, I like to make sure that ingredients overlap, so I’m not being wasteful. We love coconut soup. I usually use crab or shrimp, but since Lynn is actually home for dinner these days and doesn’t eat seafood, I used chicken and mushrooms. I chopped garlic and ginger and sauteed in fat from cooking the chicken.… Read More »

Lunch with Lauren: Let’s Talk About Thanksgiving! (Part 1)

by Lauren Townsend for The Aha! Connection

Thanksgiving is my husband’s FAVORITE holiday; Comfort food and football. It is a common misconception that we must have some kind of fancy Thanksgiving because we were both chefs, but we like everything traditional. Years ago, when we were just getting to know our, now best friends, the Burdas, they asked if we’d like to come over for Thanksgiving since we didn’t have family here.… Read More »

Contact:

lauren@theahaconnection.com

How to win a Lunch with Lauren + Grilled Cheese • Pasta • Pad Thai

By Lauren Townsend for The Aha! Connection

YAY! 400 group members! Let’s celebrate! 🎉🎉🎉🎉 Win either lunch with me somewhere on Buford Highway, my treat or, since I’m kind of a weirdo, you can choose a $25 Trader Joe’s gift card with some suggestions.

You must be a member of this group.

You must be an Aha subscriber (http://bit.ly/ahasubscribersRead More »

Lunch with Lauren: Lauren’s thoughts on her recent 3 day juice cleanse

by Lauren Townsend for The Aha! Connection

I imagine that few people spend as much time thinking about food and wine as I do. When I ran into Matt Scott, owner of Press Blend Squeeze, at the Dunwoody Community Tailgate, we had a chat about the 3 day juice cleanse. I have friends who have done it and I see the Instagram posts but both the idea of not eating and the price, have kept me at bay for a year or so.… Read More »

Recent highlights from Lunch with Lauren: Rustic Apple Tart • Wedge Salad

By Lauren Townsend for The Aha! ConnectionHead over to our Lunch with Lauren Facebook Group and join in on the fun! Meanwhile, a few of Lauren’s top recent posts can be found below!

Have we talked about this Trader Joe’s—Atlanta,GA Rustic Apple Tart?! It’s Cricket’s favorite and approved by the world’s best pie baker, Lynn Townsend 🥧 It’s not very big, but really delicious.… Read More »

Recent Highlights from Lunch with Lauren: Floats, Lettuce Wraps, Pasta, Trader Joe, Peachtree Corners and more!

By Lauren Townsend for The Aha! ConnectionHead over to our Lunch with Lauren Facebook Group and join in on the fun! Meanwhile, a few of Lauren’s top posts from last week can be found below!

Bacon Asparagus Pasta

Super simple. Cook bacon and remove. Cook asparagus in rendered bacon fat. Pour off extra fat and toss bacon and asparagus with pasta.… Read More »

Recent Highlights from Lunch with Lauren: Hattie B’s • Velvet Taco • Singha 99

Head over to our Lunch with Lauren Facebook Group and join in on the fun!  Meanwhile, three of Lauren’s top posts from last week can be found below!

Hattie B’s Hot Chicken

Have y’all been to Hattie B’s Hot Chicken- Atlanta, GA? It’s in little 5, off of Moreland. I went this week to meet a new friend and was so happy with this meal.… Read More »

Former AJC Food Critic Meridith Ford Opening Cremalosa In Decatur Instead of Old Fourth Ward

Note from Audra:  Meredith developed Novo Cucina’s gelato program and studied with Italian masters who taught her Italian techniques. 

Meridith Ford is moving forward with plans to open , but not in Old Fourth Ward. The former Atlanta-Journal Constitution (AJC) food critic and chef is bringing the shop to Plaza at Cortland Decatur East, at 2657 E.… Read More »