Food Stories Nomination

Posted by Jennifer (the student)

We would love to thank Shelby at Everyday Vegan Girl for the Food Stories Award nomination. We are thrilled to be included with so many other wonderful bloggers.

Food Stories is pleased to present the Food Stories Award for Excellence in Storytelling, a fabulous nomination that anyone can bestow on their fellow bloggers.

Here’s how it works:

1. The nominee should visit the award site (http://foodstoriesblog.com/food-stories-award/) and leave a comment indicating that they have been nominated and by whom. (This step is so important because it’s the only way our judges will know who is being considered for the monthly award).
2. The Nominee should thank the person that nominated them by posting on their own blog & including a link to their blog.
3. The Nominee should include a courtesy link back to the official award site (http://foodstoriesblog.com/food-stories-award/) in their blog post.
4. Share one random thing about yourself in your blog post.
5. Select at least five other bloggers that you enjoy reading their stories and nominate them for the award. Include these nominees in your blog post.
6. Notify your  nominees by leaving a comment on their blog, including a link to the award site (http://foodstoriesblog.com/food-stories-award/).

 

The 5 bloggers that we are nominating are:

1. Shannon at Healthful Balance
2. Fran At Broken Cookies Don’t Count
3. Hannah at Mind Running Wild
4. Rebecca at Blueberry Smiles
5. Maria at Sinfully Nutritious

The award rules require us to share a random thing about ourselves.

Jennifer (the student): I am embarrassing in love with “Pretty Little Liars”.

Jennifer (the RD):I crave hummus so much sometimes that I eat nothing but different varieties and nothing else all day.

♥ ♥

 

Benefits of Pumpkin

Posted by Jennifer (The RD)

Last week, my dog Kasper, that I truly believe has an eating disorder ate almost an entire loaf of whole wheat bread.  He was so sick that he had  to get a pain injection,  x-rays twice, and was on Reglan and antibiotics.  He was in such pain that he could hardly move.  He is just shy of 16 lbs. so you can imagine what a whole loaf of bread felt like in his gut!  Luckily, he was able to pass most of the bread, but became extremely constipated.  Because my dog is a repeat offender, I knew the drill.  Give him lots of pumpkin since it is a natural laxative!  So, I was thinking that my blog entry would be about the benefits of pumpkin.  Here you go:

• Pumpkin is low in calories, but very nutrient dense
• It is full of antioxidants
• It is packed full of vitamin A
• And of course, we know that it is full of fiber!

Most people think of pumpkin being used in pumpkin pie, but it can also be used in soups, stews, pancakes, etc.  Pumpkin seeds are always yummy too!

 ♥ ♥

Eggplant and Mushroom Sauce

Posted by Jennifer (the student)

 

 

This dish is the result of wanting to make eggplant without breading or frying it. I usually serve it with pasta, quinoa or polenta and it is a dish we really enjoy.

Ingredients

• 2 large eggplants, sliced to ½” to ¼” thick
• 2 cups of mushrooms, sliced (any type you like)
• ¼ onion, finely chopped
• 3 Tbsp olive oil
• 3 Tbsp tomato paste
• 3 Tbsp sour cream (I use vegan sour cream or fat-free will work)
• fresh ground pepper (to taste)
• salt

Directions

1. Spread eggplant on cookie sheets and salt. Let stand for 10 to 15 minutes then wipe water and excess salt from eggplant.
2. In a large stockpot on medium heat, add 1 Tbsp of olive oil and onion. Sauté until onions are translucent.
3. Next add 1 Tbsp of olive oil and eggplant. Sauté for about 20 minutes until eggplant in almost cooked.
4. Then add the last Tbsp of olive oil and the mushrooms. Sauté for about 10 minutes until mushrooms are cooked.
5. Finally, add sour cream, tomato paste and pepper and combine.
6. Serve and enjoy.

*This dish actually tastes better the next day.

 ♥ ♥

 

 

My 7th WIAW & Our 100th Post!

Posted by Jennifer (the student)

Hello Everyone. Happy “What I Ate Wednesday”! This is an exciting post because it is my 7^th WIAW and it is also jenmijenmi’s 100^th post. Last fall, my friend Jennifer and I thought of starting a blog that would share our perspective on healthy food and lifestyle from a registered dietitian and a dietetic student. We are having fun so far and we are looking forward to seeing what the future holds for our next 100 posts. 🙂  Thank you to Jenn at Peas and Crayons for hosting.

This is what I ate:

Breakfast (6:30 am)

Coffee with hazelnut milk and stevia.

A blueberry and banana smoothie.

Blueberry and Banana Smoothie Recipe

 

Ingredients

1 frozen banana

½ cup fresh or frozen blueberries

1 cup unsweetened coconut milk (any milk)

1 heaping tablespoon almond butter (any nut butter)

1 generous sprinkle of cinnamon

Directions

1. In a blender, blend banana and milk until blended.
2. Add blueberries, almond butter and cinnamon and blend until smooth about 1 minute.

*Options: Add 1 heaping teaspoon of spirulina. And/or add ½ cup frozen peaches or mango.

AM Snack (10:00am)

Cubed Watermelon.

Lunch (1:00pm)

Garlic mushroom flatbread from Green Bliss in Fullerton again.

After Lunch Treat (2:00pm)

Half of a vegan cookie dough brownie from the Gypsy Den that I picked up a couple of days ago.

PM Snack (4:00pm)

Roasted carrots. On the weekends, I roast up a bunch of different vegetables so we can snack on them through out the week.

Dinner (6:00pm)

A large green salad from Kentro in Fullerton. This salad is called Three Chromo and I love it. It came with beautiful bread that I did not eat because once I start it is hard to stop.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope your day was full of healthy meals. 🙂

♥ ♥

What is Agar Agar?

Posted by Jennifer (The RD)

Agar agar is a non animal alternative to gelatin.  It is a combination of different sea vegetables and is used to stabilize/firm pies, puddings, jellies, etc.  Just like gelatin, it needs to be dissolved in hot liquid, but firms up and thickens at room temperature.  I bought a package at the Chinese supermarket and noticed that it was at least 50% cheaper than it was at Whole foods! 🙂

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May 27th – Exercise Log

 Posted by Jennifer (the student) 

Source: verblife.tumblr.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

 

5/27/12            Walk/Hike 6 miles √

5/28/12            Walk/Jog 2 miles, Weight Train Arms 15 min √

5/29/12            Piyo 1-hour class √

5/30/12            Walk/Jog 2 miles √ Weight Train Arms 15 min √
                            Yoga 1-hour class X
5/31/12            Yoga 1-hour class √

6/01/12            Walk/Jog 2 miles, Weight Train Arms 15 min √

6/02/12            Off √

 

Happy Memorial Weekend!

Posted by Jennifer (the student)

Source: thejoysofhomeeducating.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

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Book Review – Six Weeks to Sleeveless and Sexy

Posted by Jennifer (the student)

Six Weeks to Sleeveless and Sexy by J.J. Virgin is basically a diet book with an exercise program. I really do not like diet books because I do not believe they work long term. I believe you need to make lifestyle changes to keep weight off not temporary changes.  That being said, I did enjoy this book. I like the nutrition plan because it was basic common sense and easy to follow.

 

J.J.Virgin is a nutrition and fitness coach. This book has a strength training plan that that is straightforward and easy to follow. In addition, she stress aerobic exercise and good sleeping habits.  I think this book would be good for anyone who wanted a good levelheaded plan with lots encouragement.

♥ ♥

Weeknight Potato Tacos

This is something that I throw together when I am strapped for time…which seems to be all of the time lately.  It’s nothing fancy, but it is pretty tasty,  inexpensive, and easy to make.

Posted by Jennifer (The RD)

1 package of reynaldo’s brand soyrizo

4 ½ cups frozen potato shreds, thawed

Diced tomatoes

Shredded lettuce

Lite sour cream (can use full fat if you want to splurge or fat free if you want to save fat calories)

Soft taco size tortillas

 

In a large skillet, cook soyrizo on medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly.  Mix in potatoes and cook for an additional 10 minutes on low to medium heat.  Warm tortillas over an open flame and fill with potato mixture, lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream.

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My 6th WIAW

Posted by Jennifer (the student)

Hi everyone! Happy What I Ate Wednesday! Hope everyone is having a good week. I am certainly enjoying my summer break. Thank you to Jenn at Peas and Crayons for hosting the WIAW!

This is what I ate:

Breakfast (6:45 am)

My usual coffee with hazelnut milk and stevia.

A blueberry and banana smoothie, it has been so warm here that a smoothie tastes extra good.

AM Snack (9:30 am)

Roasted asparagus – I can’t seem to get enough of them.

Lunch (11:30 am)

Curried chickpea sandwich and an iced latte at a new restaurant in Fullerton called Green Bliss. The curried chickpea sandwich was so good I want to try to recreate the recipe at home.

 

PM Snack (2:30 pm)

Strawberries and kiwis – these strawberries were so sweet.

Dinner (5:30 pm)

A salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, purple onion, feta cheese and a simple vinaigrette.

Thank you for stopping by. I hope your day was full of healthy meals!

♥ ♥