It's Crunch Time UC San Diego

It's inevitable; you work your butt off 9 weeks every quarter only to cram as much as you can in your beautiful brains right before finals, right?

Don't worry, I remember what that was like too. I think I dreaded the weekend prior to finals more than any other weekend throughout the year! But, the plus side was the blissful feeling of relief when the last test was taken and the path to Blacks Beach was in sight! WOW, if only today was next Friday and we could all indulge in some much needed R&R :).

Well, before we daydream to much, it's best we face the facts! This weekend we need to feel our best to make sure we soak up all those last equations, formulas, stats and whatever else you have on your plate next week. To do so, the most important step is to nourish your body right. Focusing on supply your body with immunity boosting foods (like oranges, spinach, mangoes and grapefruit) and a nice blend of protein and carbohydrates will keep your focus strong.

Come on, as great as it tastes going down, we all know that after finishing our second candy bar followed by the last two chips from the family size bag the only thing we want is our bed, right?!

To keep your hunger at bay and your brain power mighty, check out some of the Dietitian Approved snacks available at your HHD Markets across campus to fuel your body right!

Don't forget the Destress Brunch this Sunday too at your local Dining Unit... it's the perfect time to relax and soak up some much needed break time!

Good luck on finals UC San Diego and we will see you in the Fall! 

Ice Cream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream!

Hi there UC San Diego! As we gear up for the end of Spring Quarter, check out what the HDH Marketing Senior Intern, Megan, has to say about her experience with the 64 Degree Demonstration Station these past few months!

#TrueLife, I love the food!
By: Megan Ewbank

I’ve had an unbelievable time attending all of the UCSD HDH Tastebud’s demos. Yes, just like I said, I’ve attended ALL of them… Wouldn’t miss it for anything! (And neither should you!) Our Registered Dietitian Elizabeth Shaw makes nutrition seem A LOT less daunting. First, you don’t have to give up the food you love (French fries); second, that you don’t have to go to Whole Foods and but specialty health products; and third, that you don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen making healthy meals.

 

 

Elizabeth knows her audience: hungry, busy, cheap, and tired college students. We need inexpensive meals, fast. This may be why we often turn to Kraft Mac n Cheese, Vallarta’s burritos from the drive-thru, and of course, pizza. However, the Demos at 64 Degrees have shown me that you can buy all the necessary nutritional ingredients easily from our neighborhood HDH Markets using your Dining Dollars, and that you can make deliciously healthy meals in less than the time it takes you to drive to McDonald’s.

 

The demos have been an amazing and DELICIOUS learning experience. It’s easy to eat healthy, and you don’t have to give up all your guilty pleasures: eat them in moderation, or put a healthy twist on them! During one of the demos we made chicken fingers, fries, and chocolate shakes—with a healthy twist. The whole meal was healthy and delicious, and completely satisfied the craving!

 

It’s been a pleasure attending the demos at the 64 Degrees Demo Kitchen.  I’ve learned so many cooking skills, delicious recipes, and nutrition facts that I will take with me as I graduate. I encourage you all to take advantage of these well-thought-out demos. You and your stomach won’t regret it.

 

And as proof that you don’t have to give up delicious things, join us for our last Super Foods v. Super Fads demo which Elizabeth will debunk the myth “Dairy is Dreadful” and hand out FREE ICE CREAM!

Sixth College’s Annual Chocolate Festival

Guest post by Megan Ewbank, Marketing Intern

Chocolate. Festival? I was SO in. And it was everything I could have hoped for and MORE. There was chocolate, games, and fun everywhere. The chocolate fountains were flowing in all of their glory, but what I didn’t expect was to try so many different chocolate flavors.

Many chocolate vendors were present at the festival, promoting chocolate products that were fair trade, high percentages of cacao, and pure dark chocolate. These are chocolate traits that I had never considered before! And of course, they had samples. And of course, they were delicious.  Not only was the festival delicious, it was educational!? Yes. Such yes.

I think about chocolate differently now because of this epic festival. Also, our Registered Dietitian, Elizabeth Shaw, opened my eyes to dark chocolate at her recent Superfoods and Superfads demo in the 64 Degrees Demo kitchen. Chocolate doesn’t have to be strictly indulgent. If you opt for a pure dark chocolate and pair it with some nuts, it can be a sweet and protein-filled snack! Liz showed us how to make a dark chocolate nut bark, and it was delicious!

 

 

It could satisfy your late night sweet tooth without feeling guilty (just refrain from eating the whole tray).  I have had some amazing chocolate-filled weeks recently, and I’m now a self-proclaimed chocolate connoisseur.  So instead of opting for a traditional milk chocolate, why not search for different and purer forms of chocolate! Why not experiment a little?! Chances are the results will always be delicious!

 

Be sure to check out the Demonstration Station tomorrow at 64 Degrees at 12 noon! Elizabeth will be there ready to go and debunk those myths surrounding sugar!!

 

 

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!!