aaaat's finally Spring! We'd begun to fret that it wouldn't arrive this year, groundhog predictions notwithstanding. But it has indeed come, spurring the annual Spring Cleaning tradition, where we dust off, shake out, open up, and air out everything from closets to trunks to bedrooms to rugs to kitchen cupboards. It's that last item that we're focusing on in this issue--or, more precisely, what's inside those cupboards. Yes, this issue is devoted entirely to FOOD.

aaaaWe start off the issue with the Claire Roberts' quintessential food essay, Confessions of a Food-a-holic. Follow that with another tasty morsel by new contributor Amanda Toronto: My Gouda, My Self discusses the trails and tribulations of the food-loving lactose-intolerant. Marni Myers tells us about a food fixation gone wrong in The Twinkie Incident, and Leilani Grossbauer's article entitled Confessions of a Sport Fanatic's Wife will make your mouth water for an overpriced stadium hot dog or pretzel. Vegetarians need not click on our final feature, Nothing Beats a Good Meatloaf, which comes with a recipe for the tasty dish. No issue of 31 would be complete--especially one about Food--without a recipe from Sassy Chef Holly Beal, whose Sweet Potato Fries are sure to be a hit in your home.

aaaaBe sure to check out our regular columns as well: Angie pays tribute to her quirky father; the Grammarian vents frustrations with the English language, and the Bod Squad's Melissa Busse reveals just how long you have to stay on the treadmill in order to work off that Pop Tart you had for breakfast this morning. (This one's not for the faint of heart!) Last but not least, you'll be chuckling all through dinner when you read this issue's Top 31 List.

aaaaSo pull up a chair, invite your friends, set out some snacks, and feast on this issue of 31. Bon Appetit!