McEggplant Parm

I've distracted myself with a project I've been working on and haven't really been focused on blogging.  I thought I would take a short break for a little blog about my day.

It was a school day today and I took my son out for a little Fathers day shopping.  He wasn't very happy.  He wanted to go home but I bribed him with McDonald's for lunch and that bought me a few more minutes in the store.  We really don't do so much fast food and thankfully one of our favorite stops when we're out is Subway.  It's a much healthier option for them but McDonald's does call to them once in a while.  They really have found a way to capture the interest of the kid market and, by association, the parents.  Before the kids came along I think I might have eaten at McDonald's maybe once a year, if that.  It was not the top of my list by far for fast, while your out, food.

The way they get them is through the entertainment!  They have the best play zones, the best toys, the best food, very convenient locations and an on line Happy Meal play zone similar to Webkins.  They seem to have all the prime real estate!  It's incredible to me that my 3 year old, who hardly ever has a happy meal, will see the golden arches and say, "Mommy, I want a hamburger."  They really better hold on tight to their marketing department!

Lately they seem to be trying to change their image a little more to the healthy side.  We just discovered that the Happy Meal now comes with a smaller order of fries (about half sized I believe) and a little yogurt cup.  The yogurt company that got this deal really scored, I can tell you that much!  While we were there the woman sweeping the floor asked how we liked the change to the yogurt.  I told her I'm not really sure my kids noticed with the frequency of our visits but it doesn't seem to make much difference to them. 

I still would rather go to other places to eat and I'm sure once the draw of the little toys wears off we will be able to convince them to head elsewhere to eat but for now I think we're a bit stuck with them.  It just makes them so excited.  It's also not like we go a lot.  I think it's mostly when we visit Grandma and Grandpa or are out on a longer trip.  It wouldn't be more than once a month.  They sure have seemed to corner the kid market though and have worked to make themselves the fast food leaders, even if they are still so unhealthy.  Possibly because they are.  If there is a demand for healthier food though they will provide it so maybe some day they will get a McHappy Salad but I doubt it. 

There is one thing I know.  The kids would be much happier about having McDonalds tonight than the eggplant parm I'm going to make!  Maybe I should put it in a Happy Meal box. 

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