Hang in there!

Happy Friday UC San Diego!

Now that we're a solid month into the New Year, I think it's prime time we get a little #inspiration back in our routines... right?! Today we're in luck for we have our 6th College wellness advocate, Michael, here to give us the 4-1-1 on sticking to our New Years Resolutions.

Do Not Give Up
By Michael Phan

Friends:

Every New Year, many people come up with resolutions and goals for the year. I have heard lots of common fitness and health resolutions from eating a “clean” diet, wanting to lose X pounds/body fat, going to the gym X times a week, and working out multiple times. For the first week, the passion, the desire, and the determination are glistening in people’s eyes. However, after the first few weeks, the enthusiasm diminishes, people quit, and they regress to their old state. It’s happened to a lot of my family and friends. And every time I see this, it saddens me because the feeling that one attains when completing a goal is euphoric. Your goal is achievable if you just do not give up.

When planning my goals, I imagine a goal as a one mile walk. One cannot get from the start to finish in an instant. I need to take steps to reaching the finish line. Goals are achieved in steps, so plan out the process to reaching the goal. For example, if your goal is to lose 10 pounds this quarter, break it down into smaller pieces. Change the 10 lbs per quarter to 1 lb a week, so that you can assess your progress and make weekly adjustments. Some adjustments you can make are very simple, like adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet and moving more!
 

Achieving the goal is simple, if one breaks down the steps to achieving the goal. Simple does not mean easy. There will be plenty difficult day, but if you stick to your goal, assess your progress, and make adjustments; you will achieve the goal.

Excuses are the biggest hindrances to achieving your goal. Time, difficulty, genetics, and money are common excuses that one makes. Excuses are justifications of why one does not want to complete the goal. It makes one feel good immediately, but that feeling is short lived. Do not make excuses. If you really want to achieve your goal, then shoot for it. If you fall short of your goal, but still manage to make progress, then you are better than you were a couple weeks/months ago. Once you achieve that goal, you will be happier and feel a sense of pride in yourself. If you have a goal, achieve your goal. There is no better time to start living a healthy lifestyle than today. So put your New Year’s resolutions and goals in action! Best wishes to you all.

 

WELL said Michael! I couldn't agree with you more!!!

 

If you have any comments, feedback or want to learn more, feel free to email me directly at tastebuds@ucsd.edu.

Did someone say cheese?!

Happy Thursday UC San Diego!

Today we have a special treat for you.... a guest post from a fellow UCSD student, Megan! Check out what she has to say about her latest experience at the 64 Degree Demonstration Station!!!

Hi I’m Megan. UCSD Student. Which often means busy, tired, and most of all, hungry.

For me, the live demonstration at 64 Degrees was perfect.  I attended The National Cheese Day Demo and felt like a VIP getting a personal show and insider cooking information! I loved learning cooking tips like different chopping techniques and flavor combinations from Executive Chef Vaughn Vargus. Meanwhile, Registered Dietician Elizabeth Shaw was constantly providing great nutrition facts and quick tips to make the dish healthier and more nutritious. I was extremely happy to hear from Elizabeth that softer cheeses are more nutritional. I will now eat only Brie for the rest of my days, BUT in moderation J (I learned that at the demo too!)

 

In addition to the valuable information I gained at the demo, Chef Vaughn and Elizabeth also ensured us that you can find all the ingredients for the healthy meal in our campus markets! This was exciting because as busy students, we often turn to quick yet unhealthy microwavable meals rather than cooking a nutritious meal. But knowing that we can access the ingredients for goat cheese and strawberry bruschetta, potato lasagna, and chopped salad with homemade dressing in our markets encourages me to easily walk to my neighborhood market and get all of these fresh ingredients to make a meal that I know is good for me.  

And last but not least, THE FOOD! The food was so delicious, and was a great treat to end the demo with. Not only did I feel full, I felt content knowing that I got in some healthy vegetables and proteins that kept me energized in my afternoon classes. This is definitely a meal I would make again, and a demo I would attend again. Thank you Tastebuds for an awesome time!

Ready, set, let’s cook!

Attention UC San Diego! The time has finally come for Dining Services to unveil the Demonstration Station at 64 Degrees! Yours truly (aka your Registered Dietitian) and HDH’s Executive Chef Vaughn Vargus will be breaking in the new demonstration kitchen this coming week with the first LIVE demo of 2015!

Are you interested in learning how to prepare healthy and delicious meals?! Do you want to learn how you can use those dining dollars here on campus? Or, do you simply just LOVE TO EAT?!  If you answered YES to any of these questions, then the Demonstration Station is the spot for you!

Seats are filling up quickly and I would love to see your smiling face in one of them! Be sure to check out the link (http://hdh.ucsd.edu/tastebuds/calendar.asp) where you can see some of the events lined up for the quarter.

Next week we’ll be cookin’ up some Italian Classics in honor of National Cheese Day! Don’t miss out, the cheesy potato lasagna and freshly chopped salad are to die for!  

Interested in hosting a presentation at the Demonstration Station with the Taste Bud duo? Email us at tastebuds@ucsd.edu and we would be happy to plan an event with you!

2015… The Start of a GREAT Year

Happy New Year UC San Diego! I hope you had a wonderful break and are back with a rejuvenated spirit to conquer all that 2015 has in store. I just love the beginning of a new year… it’s the perfect time to sit back and reflect on the year past and set goals for the year ahead.

I know, I know, 90% of goals set typically revolve around some sort of weight loss and lifestyle change, which is not necessarily a bad thing! But, let’s start out on a new foot this year and think of 3 goals you want to focus on this year: personal, educational, and ….?

Here, I’ll get things started!

1. Personally, I would LOVE to spend some quality time with my family. 2014 we were so wrapped up in being homeowners we let the little things go. I miss the little things!

                Goal: Relish in the moment… CARPE DIEM with the hubby!

2. Educationally, I would love to learn how to take some awesome photos! I recently bought a camera and am excited to learn what lighting works best for food photos!

                Goal: Learn to take a fantastic photo!

3. Healthy-fully!, I would like to take up yoga. I have always had this on my New Year’s List, and darn it it’s about time I get to it!

                Goal: Learn what child’s pose really is!

Phew, now I’ve put it out there, I better get to it! I’d love to hear yours too! What’s on your agenda.. 2015?

Feel free to comment here or post to Facebook! I may just have a sample or two to get you started! J

Buh Bye 2014- Get at me 2015!

I'm sure you're probably just about as done with 2014 as I am, I mean come on, this has to be the LONGEST QUARTERS EVER, right?! Well don't fret, you're soon to be on your merry way to enjoying the holiday season and relishing in all the festivities that await you over these next two weeks.

To entice you though to WANT to come back to campus in 2015, HDH has a few tricks up our sleeves that may just leave you saying, "Get at me 2015... now!"

What am I talking about? Well, for starters, HDH's Dining Services has done it again and bought ANOTHER FOOD TRUCK! This winter, the brand new Flavors of the World Truck will be making its debut on campus. Be sure to check out the Dining Locations page or the HDH Facebook Page  for the latest updates on when this little piece of heaven on wheels will be rolling around your neck of the woods come January. 

If that wasn't enough, HDH also is debuting the first round of LIVE cooking segments in the 64 Degrees Demonstration Kitchen. Be sure to check the Dining Home Page for an easy link to sign up and get your seat! The Taste Bud Duo will dazzle your taste buds with delicious and nutritious meals for you to make using only the latest and greatest items from your neighborhood HDH Market.

I wish you and your families a wonderful holiday season and look forward to a fantastic 2015 with you all! Stay safe...happy healthy holidays!

Chocolate Fountains...Bagel Bars...Eggs Benedict...DeStress with Dining!

    Need a pick me up? Don't worry, HDH knows how stressful finals can be and wants to make sure you're balancing your mind, body and NUTRITION! 

   One of the most important things to remember right now is to nourish your body. Think of that car analogy; you're body is an engine that needs the right kind of maintenance. You need the gas to get to your next location and the oil changes to keep your car running.

    So, as you enter next week, remember to fuel up on complete meals (think 3 food groups per meal) and get at least a few hours of sleep (8 if you can swing it!). Your car wouldn't go far out of gas, and neither will your body...

     To keep you fueled and focused Dining Services is offering a special brunch this Sunday. Be sure to check out your neighborhood Dining Unit and dive in to some delicious eats... and treats!

 

How do you final?

It's crunch time UC San Diego... and Brittany Meyer, one of the campus MyPlate Ambassadors,  has some excellent advice on how to prepare yourself nutritionally to succeed during fiuals. Be sure to check out all of the great suggestions at your neighborhood Market and Dining Restaurant!

How do you final?
By: Brittany Meyer

The days leading up to finals week is filled with stress, anxiety, and more stress. We are cramming as much information as possible into our incredible brains--infact, we may be  on the verge of overflow! At times like these we tend to neglect the healthy habits we have developed all quarter and fall back to quick, easy and accessible (but not always nutritious) food.  

It is during these long study hours that our habits are tested, and we find that making healthy decisions will have the greatest pay off.

Healthy snacks are a quick and easy way to ward off fatigue and allow your body to perform at its best. Not only does nutritious food provide your body with essential vitamins and nutrients, but feeling so good will help you bounce back quick from finals!

Maintaining a habit is always easier than starting one.

To aid you in your finals week healthy habits here are a few suggestions for Study Time Snacks:

1.      Pre- cut fresh fruits and veggies

At the beginning of your week pre- cut or buy pre- cut vegetables and fruit as a go to during the week. You can event load up a bowl at your local dining hall salad bar to keep for snacks later.  

The Markets have a wide variety of pre cut fruits available for you to pick up in the refrigerated section! Here's a sample of the Market to Go precut fruit that's easy and convenient to pick up on your way to class.

 

 

 

2.      Nuts or seeds

Nuts and seeds are a great source of healthy fats and protein that will be sure to keep you energy levels up all night long. Stock up on bags to keep for the week.

Walnuts are a great choice they a filled with heart healthy omega- 3 fatty acids and doesn’t hurt that they even look like a brain! All of the Markets stock this delicious Njoy Oatmeal or Emerald Trail Mix that are packed with walnuts to add a nice texture to your breakfast on the run!

3.      Easy protein sources

Greek Yogurt, hard boiled eggs, mini turkey meatloaf muffins, protein pancakes or muffins

Plain Greek Yogurt is sold at college markets along with hard boiled eggs.

Or you can make your own at the beginning of the week.

Meal prep a large batch of hard boiled eggs, or mini meat loafs (made in a muffin tin) to have easy, accessible and travel friendly snacks for the week.

All Markets carry this convenient Grab & Go Protein Pack that's loaded with quick protein sources.

  

4.      Pre- make smoothies

Smoothies are a great way to get fruits and veggies into your daily diet.

Take freezer bags and fill them with your favorite fruits and add some leafy greens in there such as spinach (you won’t even notice it is there). Keep it in the freezer till you are ready, dump in the blender with a liquid of choice and blend away for a quick and easy snack or breakfast.

Roots always has fresh fruit and veggie smoothies to grab between classes to fuel your mind (and your body)!

 

Preparation is key for making healthy choices through the year and especially during finals time. Take advantage of food prepared in your local dining halls and markets to prepare you for finals week.

Keep these tips in mind and study away for the big day!