6 Weeks and Counting!

TIME IS FLYING BYE! I am sure that's no surprise to you, but hang in there, you're almost in the final stretch.

I know how time consuming and stressful studying for midterms and finals can be, so let me let you in on a little secret... it's A-OKAY to take a break! Actually, studies show it improves your brain power and retention of the material to take some stress relief moments and unwind.

I can't think of a better way to unwind than enjoying great company with your friends, a fun cooking demo and free food! Sit back and relax while the Taste Buds show you a thing or two about healthy cooking and fun, unique skills in the kitchen.

Every Tuesday at 12PM your Registered Dietitian (aka me!!) is at the 64 Degree Demo Station ready to educate and empower you to make healthy food choices to fuel your brain for success! Megan, a regular at the Demo Station, says, "It's so much fun! Not only do I get to learn something FUN outside of the classrom, I get a bite to eat too!"

 

If you missed out on the Superfood series this past month, don't fret. The entire month of May is devoted to debunking those Superfads... like eggs are evil, or dairy is dreadful! Don't miss out on the fun and free food! Be sure to stop by and say hello, I'd love to see you.

In case you missed today, here's a few photos from the Berry Busting Antioxidant Demo! More fun to come!!!

 

Wanna party Saturday? Sign up for the Walk the Block Party!

Interested in helping out while having a blast?! Well, be sure to read on to find out Megan's 4-1-1 on this Saturday's Walk the Block Party!!

Prior to signing up for the Walk the Block Party, I didn’t know we had a Triton Food Pantry. Did you?  It opened on January 5, 2015 and is a resource to any student struggling with food insecurity. According to UC San Diego Undergraduate Community Survey, 20% of students said that they would skip meals to save money. With mandatory fees like housing, tuitions, and transportation, buying food may be placed on the back burner. But with the Triton Food Pantry, any UCSD student is able to pick up food items with their ID.  This ensures that no Tritons are going hungry.  

Like The Triton Food Pantry on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tritonfoodpantry?fref=ts

Doesn’t The Triton Food Pantry awesome? Now here’s where you come in. Do you like dancing, walking, and getting free stuff?! (who doesn’t, really?) Well make sure to come out to UCSD HDH’s first annual Walk the Block Party this Saturday at 9am. Registration is FREE and you will receive free Walk the Block Party swag, get to dance and walk to live DJ’s, and continue the party after with vendors, free food, and games. AND it all benefits the Triton Food Pantry. On the registration, you can choose to donate dining dollars or cash. Why not have an awesome Saturday morning while helping out your fellow Tritons?! See you there!!  

 

Link for Registration: http://hdh.ucsd.edu/walktheblock/

Like Walk the Block on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/walktheblockucsd?fref=ts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cinnamon AKA Super-Spice :)

Don't fret if you missed the kick off event at the 64 Degrees Demonstration Station! I will be back and at it again next Tuesday at 12 noon to show you just how stellar NUTS truly are.

But, for those of you who are interested in why CINNAMON is such a superfood, here's the quick 4-1-1. Plus, I've even thrown in a few ideas to tantillize your taste buds and get you ready to experiment with the superspice this weekend!

The Benefits of Cinnamon

Facts:

·         1 tsp = 6 calories

·         Source of calcium, fiber, and magnesium

·         Contains antioxidant flavonoids & essential oils with antibacterial & anti-inflammatory properties

·         May stabilize blood sugar after consuming carbohydrates

Quick & Simple Taste Bud Approved Recipe Ideas

Breakfast:

·         Sprinkle on oatmeal and top with fresh sliced banana

·         Make your own cinnamon granola or muffins (recipe provided today)

·         Top cottage cheese with cinnamon & sprinkle with chopped walnuts

Lunch & Dinner:

·         Roasted squash with cinnamon-butter

·         Try spicing up Short Ribs, Chicken Biryani or Lamb Tagine

·         Add a little kick to your Bolognese meat sauce!

Snacks:

·         Cinnamon Roasted Almonds (or nut of choice!)

·         0% Fat Greek Yogurt mixed with PB2 & a sprinkle of cinnamon, paired with apples

·         Graham Crackers (or crackers, toast or rice cakes) topped with PB2 or cottage cheese, sliced bananas and a sprinkle of cinnamon!

Have another suggestion on how to use the superspice? There's still time to submit recipes for the Foodie Contest from National Nutrition Month!

Feel free to comment here, post to Facebook or share on Instagram... we'd love to hear from you!

Welcome Back! Hello Spring!

Spring’s here at the Taste Buds are ready to ROCK YOUR WORLD! Are you ready to experience a hands on weekly cooking demo at the 64 Degrees Demo Station featuring SUPERFOODS vs SUPERFADS?

Well, be sure to grab your friends and come join your HDH Registered Dietitian, Elizabeth Shaw, MS, RD, as she debunks some of the most popular myths out there to give you the 411 on the food trends today!

 

Not sure if this is up your ally? Well, take a look at the experience your fellow peer Megan had at last month’s College Classic Demo… maybe you’ll change your mind!

 March Demo: The College Classics 

BY: Megan Ewbank

Hey guys! It’s Megan again here to update you on the Tastebud’s last demo. Still haven’t been?? Well, you NEED to go! They are always delicious, informative, and FUN!

March’s Demo was themed as a healthy twist on College Classics. This included a chocolate shake, fries, and chicken tenders! Yes… These are staples in college. BUT, the Tastebuds put a healthy twist on it showing us that we can enjoy the classics… without guilt! Don’t get me wrong, having some Clucks and Fries at Red Robin isn’t a crime… (it’s actually quite  delicious) BUT the Tastebuds showed us that our once indulgent meal can become a nutritious weeknight meal that you don’t have to feel bad about! (this is really great news).

 

 
First item on the menu was this AMAZING chocolate PB2 smoothie as substitute for a chocolate shake (usually about 600 calories, yikes!) But with this smoothie, you won’t miss those shakes from the drive thru! There are a few things that make this smoothie healthy and delicious. Instead of ice cream, we used frozen bananas! Instead of milk, vanilla almond milk makes this a drink that your lactose intolerant friends can enjoy, and chocolate PB2 gives the smoothie a delicious nutty and chocolaty flavor. AND this is good for you?! OH YEAH! 

 

Next were the baked chicken fingers and fries. We used brown rice flour to coat the chicken so the tenders are completely gluten-free! And both the chicken and fries were seasoned to perfection with spices like garlic powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, and pepper. They were flavorful and light because they were baked! AND we even got a healthy twist on condiments, because who can have fries without ranch?! The Tastebuds showed us an easy trick for ranch by mixing a ranch seasoning packet with Greek yogurt, Sooo easy and you definitely won’t miss your Hidden Valley!

 

In addition to all the great food we were able to have for lunch, the Tastebuds taught us all about nutrition and cooking skills! We learned some knife skills from Chef Josie that will definitely help me not slice my fingers off in the kitchen. And Dietician Elizabeth Shaw let us know all about what sugar and fats are okay and what you can do without. Also, she mentioned that coconut oil is actually high in fat and not the best oil to use for cooking. That was MIND BLOWING due to all the hype around it! And this was just one of the tips we learned at the demo!

 

Have you missed out on the demos in winter?! Don’t even worry, because the Tastebuds are BACK Spring Quarter every Tuesday from 12-1 pm at the 64 Degrees Demo Kitchen bringing YOU healthy demos with specific ingredients and themes! Don’t miss out!!