Say Cheese!

Everybody’s Favorite…Grilled Cheese

Happy National Grilled Cheese month! This timeless classic is an easy go-to for adults, teenagers, and children alike AND it’s conveniently found in all of our Dining Units at the Value4U price of $1.95.

Malik, Revelle College Resident Dean, happens to be a master Grilled Cheese creator.

Malik @ Work!

He recently placed third in the Grilled Cheese Invitational in Los Angeles, debuting the Godfather. It’s a blend of 10 Italian cheeses grilled to perfection with a garlic infused olive oil to crisp up the outer layers, with a hint of oregano and basil. His unique spin on the classic gives you 2 different flavors depending on which side of the sandwich is up…Garlic-ness or Cheesey-ness… you decide!

The Masterpiece is Complete!

I’m promoting grilled cheese because:

·         Cheese is a great source of protein, dietary fat, and calcium which are essential nutrients for every age group.

·         If made on whole wheat bread, it’s an easy way to increase your grain intake while also adding more fiber into your daily diet.

·         It’s versatile! Throw on some sliced tomatoes, apples, avocado, or even grilled kale and increase your vegetable intake while providing a slightly different flavor profile!

All of our Markets throughout campus offer a variety of fresh produce, whole grain breads, and spreads to get you in the spirit to create a Grilled Cheese that speaks to you. I want to hear from you on what your favorite combination is. Feel free to comment here, send an email to tastebuds@ucsd.edu or post on our Facebook page.

Interested in learning more about a particular topic? Feel free to email me at tastebuds@ucsd.edu or follow HDH on twitter & check Facebook for upcoming events featuring the Taste Buds!

T-Minus 3 Days = SPRING BREAK

Hey there UC San Diego! I know finals can wear you out but hang in there, you are less than 3 days away from SPRING BREAK!

Have any plans? For those of you venturing out of San Diego, travel safe and have a wonderful vacation. If you plan on sticking around sunny SD, then boy do you have an array of options to check-out! After you head over to Club Med for breakfast or lunch (they’re open from 7:30AM to 2PM Monday-Friday next week), be sure to head on down to the beach and soak up some vitamin D.

Did you know the sun provides one of the best sources of vitamin D? The ultraviolet B rays from the sun deliver vitamin D directly to our bodies, helping with many important functions, like those involving our muscles, brain, immunity and cardiovascular health, The amount of vitamin D available to our body does differ though depending on the region you are in, the time of day, and skin pigment color. Lucky for those here in San Diego you are almost guaranteed a decent amount based on the AMAZING weather we’ve been getting!

Need a little boost after the beach? I suggest grabbing a bite to eat at one of the local spots here in San Diego. These restaurants have received much attention on Food Network shows over the past few years due to their interesting and unique flavor combinations.  A few of my favorites are:

·         Lucha Libre: http://tacosmackdown.com/

·         Blue Water Seafood Grill: http://bluewaterseafoodsandiego.com/

·         Ranchos Cocina: http://ranchoscocina.com/

·         The Broken Yolk Café: http://thebrokenyolkcafe.com/

·         Extraordinary Desserts: http://www.extraordinarydesserts.com/

You can also download the “On the Road” app on your smart phone to view more places locally as well as places to stop at on the road for those traveling afar.

Have a wonderful spring break and we look forward to seeing you in Spring Quarter. Here’s a reminder of our hours for Spring: http://hdh.ucsd.edu/DiningHours/.

Interested in learning more about a particular topic? Feel free to email me at tastebuds@ucsd.edu or follow HDH on twitter & check Facebook for upcoming events featuring the Taste Buds!

Surviving Finals: 101- Guest Post!

Check out the latest advice from our guest contributor, Ms. Evelyn Nash over at Warren.

 With finals week approaching quickly, I am definitely spending more time studying and less time cooking.   Surviving on less sleep and more caffeine than usual, the pastries, energy bars, and other convenient items start to look more appealing.  BUT…in order to properly fuel my body and my brain I have found that substituting meals with snacks is not sufficient. Food is fuel and I need to nourish my body with the proper carbs, fats, and proteins.

To help make some changes I found this amazing website called MyPlate.gov (http://hdh.ucsd.edu/TasteBuds/healthyhabits.asp) with tons of tips and tricks to eat well.  Searching the site the other day I found that the more "convenient" items we tend to go for do not satisfy my hunger.  While these items might taste good, they don’t replace the value of a “real meal.”  So, here are some tricks I have found helpful and thought I would share with you so you too can be in tip top performance for your exams!

Breakfast:  As easy as it might be to just grab a donut from Earl's in the morning, I find that I am usually hungry within an hour after doing so.  MyPlate.gov recommends that women between the ages of 19-30 consume 6 ounces of grains a day and men at these ages consume at least 8 ounces! I have been loving the little individual to-go oatmeal cups! They are just as easy as grabbing a muffin but actually give me more fiber to help fuel my body all morning.

Lunch: When lunch rolls around grabbing a bag of chips or a power bar may seem like the best possible time-crunch choice, but the Market-To-Go sandwiches or a quick salad made from one of the Dining Services Restaurants is much better at keeping my brain clear and alert.  Having a more substantial meal with proteins and good-for-you carbohydrates as opposed to a salty snack will help you maintain your focus for your long afternoon.

Dinner: I don't know about you but when the clock hits 6pm my stomach starts grumbling.  Entering the Dining Services Restaurants I am overwhelmed by the smell of the grill items like the fries, burgers, and pizza. Though all are delicious and can fit in a balanced meal plan, I have found choosing the Taste Bud-approved meals instead to be a no-brainer! I love not having to rack my brain about what’s the healthiest choice for me and know it will taste good, too.

My biggest tip to survive finals week would be that when it comes to meals, don't take the easy way out with quick packaged convenience foods. There are just as many, if not more, balanced meal options on campus that will actually sustain you through those 1am cram sessions.

Best of luck with Finals!

-Evelyn