As I sit here at my local McDonald’s I will be the first to admit that I love fast food just as much as the next person but sometimes feel a twinge of guilt indulging. Luckily, McD’s has heard my cries! Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying don’t cook a meal for your family I’m just merely saying that for myself I don’t find any issue with picking up a Happy Meal for Shaunsito and enjoying some family time over some french fries. Whatever gets a mami through the day, right?

Anyhow, I had the unique opportunity to spend some time in New York for the McDonald’s First Taste Event which was an introduction to their new menu items like the Asian Salad, Mango Pineapple Real Fruit Smoothie, and dipping sauces (in order with my favorite first!) - Creamy Ranch, Honey Mustard, Chipotle BBQ, Sweet and Sour, Tangy BBQ, Spicy Buffalo, Sweet Chili, and Hot Mustard. And let’s not forget about my infatuation with the Premium Grilled Chicken Sandwich. Yum, yum, gimme some!

I am so glad to see that McD’s is taking the initiative to provide more options and I even had the opportunity to speak with their Director of Culinary Innovation, Chef Daniel Coudreaut. However, as luck would have it being a mami of Shaunsito the Traviesito - little mischievous one (gracias Alicia for the new nickname! ) - I no longer have the video clips of said interview. Sorry!

Chef Dan - as his best buds, like me, like to call him - also gave a really great cooking demonstration and made me realize two things: things are okay in moderation AND when speaking of frying things it isn’t necessarily the “frying” part that we should be focusing on but rather what are we frying our food in? Excellent points, Chef Dan! And did I mention we are both from Westchester, NY? Totally cool! But aside from that little truth “nugget” talking to Chef Dan was such a pleasure. It was great to know that he was not afraid to experiment with various foods that different cultures exposed him to and the different styles of cooking and use of those ingredients. Who knows maybe they’ll incorporate a Peruvian style dish into their menu! A mami can dream.

Also on hand was McD’s Nutrition Manager, Julia Braun, MPH, RD and Sylvia Melendez-Klinger, registered dietitian, certified personal trainer, and founder of Hispanic Food Communications who provided wonderful insight into how we could still enjoy McD’s and have some healthier options at our fingertips. You can check out a video interview with Sylvia on Growing Up Blackxican here.

Having these options ready and on-hand can sometimes make life easier during our busy days. I don’t take my son’s health for granted and won’t deny him the simplest pleasures in life. Shoot I grew up eating McD’s and I grew up fine and dandy! I just fully believe in moderation folks, moderation. So with that said I do have a goody for you all to indulge in thanks to the folks at McDonald’s:

The goody bag consists of

• $25 Arch Card
• Tips and recipes from Chef Dan
• Lavender scented eye mask
• Pineapple scented candle
• Mango scented candle
• Notebook with pen
• Bamboo pen
• Balance bracelet

Just leave in the comment section below what item you cannot wait to try! Winner will be chosen randomly and the contest will end on June 8th, 2011 at 11pm EST. Good luck to all!

CONTEST CLOSED: Winner of the McDonald’s Goody bag is

LORI A.

CONGRATS! Please email me at [email protected]

Disclosure - I did not receive monetary compensation however was provided with the opportunity to attend the event with costs covered. This in no way affected my opinions.