Yesterday I cut myself some fresh pineapple, and then promptly proceeded to eat a lot of it, before remembering that every time I eat a copious amount of pineapple, the roof of my mouth becomes itchy and sore. So why is this condition a common complaint among fresh pineapple aficionados? Find out when you read more

So far, 2009 hasn't been any better for Starbucks than 2008, and the coffee giant continues to try and regain lost footing, hoping to make up for a 77 percent drop in profits last quarter. To promote value, Starbucks has announced plans to lower prices on basic drinks.

Beginning May 5, items such as the store's grande iced coffee will now retail for less than $2, giving some customers as much as 45 cents in savings. The catch? To make up for it, the coffee chain plans to increase prices on specialty drinks that are more complicated to make. Price adjustments are the latest development in a string of attempts to resuscitate sales this year. These offerings include promoting value pairings in store and tapping into the retail space with items such as instant coffee and premium ice cream. In recent weeks, Starbucks has also closed underperforming stores and announced plans to tap into the gluten-free market.

There's no question that many loyal Starbucks drinkers will be ecstatic about their morning drip getting cheaper — but I'm sure the opposite applies for steadfast specialty drinkers. What impact will this strategy have on your morning coffee break?

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When one hears the words, Cinco de Mayo, Mexican beer, and classic margaritas come to mind. However, why not shake things up and surprise guests with a different cocktail?

The agave negro combines tequila, lime juice, and blackberries to create a cocktail that is as refreshing as it is beautiful. A splash of Chambord provides the blush color and club soda adds a touch of fizz. To check out the recipe, read more

Model. Top Chef hostess. Cookbook author. Now Indian beauty and culinary world darling, Padma Lakshmi can add jewelry designer to her résumé. Her high-end (prices range from $300-6,000) namesake collection of gold jewels debuts tomorrow at Bergdorf Goodman in New York City and I've got a sneak preview! The line combines Padma's love for food and fashion.

She was inspired by cardamom, lentils, and cloves: "In hunting for the most precious spices, I found the shapes of seeds and pods exquisite, a purity of proportion and form that had an inherent sensuality to them." Entitled "Padma" the collection consists of 40 pieces including rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. I'm a fan of bohemian gold jewelry and if I could afford it, I might purchase of one Padma's pieces. What do you think of her designs?

I couldn't let National Grilled Cheese Month end without creating a wildly delicious grilled cheese sandwich. At first, I wanted to recreate Hog Island Oyster Company's famous three-cheese panini at home. However, I didn't have time to go to Cowgirl Creamery at the Ferry Building and pick up the exact cheeses the oyster place uses to make the 'wich. Thus, I decided to invent my own version using three types of cheese from my local supermarket. For authenticity, I selected Cowgirl Creamery's most famous cheese, the triple cream Mt. Tam. This acts as a binding cheese that's hold the sandwich together. Next, I wanted a cheese ideal for melting, so I opted for an Italian fontina. Finally, for a layer of extra flavor, I choose a cave-aged nutty gruyere. The resulting sandwich is to die for, a truly gourmet creation that is both comforting and elegant. To look at my recipe, read more