And while most of her communication needs can be met with any of the sleek and cooler-by-the-second devices that are available, that's not the only issue that people on the go face. One of the biggest challenges people who want to adopt a healthy lifestyle is finding meals that are good for them when they're away from home. In last year's Electrolux Design Lab Competition, young designers were put to the test and charged with coming up with new inventions to aid in a healthy meal on the go.

The winner, Turkish student Metin Kaplan, thought people would take their own prepared healthy meals with them on the road if there was a simple way to keep hot food hot, and cold food cold. His solution: a mobile food container that keeps food at the desired temperature – whether it's hot or cold – until it's time to be eaten.

His award winning invention, named Nevale, is a modern design based on a traditional Middle Eastern layered food container called “sefertasi.” The top has a digital display to keep an eye on the condition of the food. It can be programmed to reheat lunch right before the appointed hour, while at the same time making sure salad and fruit stays chilled – all in the same container. Amazingly, it can keep up to four different meals in the container either hot or cold at the same time!

Now, Girlawhirl wishes that it would be put into production so she could get her hands on one. But she's looking forward to the 2007 competition in which competitors are being asked to design eco-friendly and sustainable home appliances.

Girlawhirl read about all of the 2006 Electrolux Design Lab Competition winners online at the Electrolux Design Lab.