Kumquats

Tonight in my epi class, a friend brought in some kumquats. I forgot how much fun they are to eat! You just pop the whole thing in your mouth, and it's like a little party of tart and sweet flavors dancing around on your tongue! Fantastic!


Kumquats Tips:

- Choose firm kumquats that are bright orange in color, not those with a greenish tint.
- Keep at room temperature for up to three days, or up to two weeks in the fridge.
- Peak growing season is November to March- so go ahead and enjoy!
- They provide potassium, vitamin C, vitamin A, and are a source of fiber.
- 10 kumquats = 130 calories, and 10 grams of fiber(one gram per kumquat).

Luna

Kara, a professional photographer, that we met at the dog park, asked if she could take some photos of Luna for her portfolio and a class. How could we say no? So, last night she came over, because of the rain, and shot some pictures. Luna sat there regally for about 45 minutes. Perhaps she should be the new llbean OR black lab mascot?



One of the pictures...

NEW GF Oat Flour

Last Friday, at the MDA Conference, I started talking to the rep from Bob's Red Mills, and he gave their NEW product to try, GF oat flour. It's not even on the shelves yet!

Today, I decided to try it by making an oat crust for a quiche(oats, oat flour, tiny amount of butter, and milk)

***New Product Alert***


Spinach,lowfat cheddar, parsley, and red pepper quiche







I took a picture of my afternoon snack: carrots, creamy peanut butter and raisins







Luna had a photo shoot tonight. A friend from the park is a professional photographer and wanted to use her for a project! I can't wait to see the pictures!!

Garden at the Cellar...Gathering

Our last meal together- Mom, Sarah, Justin(Sarah's boyfriend), Dave and I and BOY did we picked a WINNER! Garden at the Cellar has an wonderful atmosphere and the best menu and meals we've all had in awhile.

The menu


Our appetizers- hummus and pita


rosemary/truffle fries & tater tots(I know not very healthy...)


Mum's Short rib, quinoa and roasted brussel sprouts...


Sarah's duck and fig flatbread


Justin's tomato soup and grilled cheese


Dave's marg pizza


My 'skillet' salad(pear, bleu cheese, walnuts, and greens with a cup of poached chicken) *** Gluten Free ***


Great meal, amazing family, fantastic laughs and smiles...

Garden at the Cellar
991 Mass Ave
Cambridge, MA 02138

Brunch

Big happenings this morning... my mum met Dave's parents for the first time! After meeting two clients at Harvard stadium this morning, I rushed home to start cooking.

We had:
Blackberries/Strawberries
Baby spinach and cheddar quiche(whole wheat crust)
Bacon(Dave did the shopping:)
Homemade biscuits
Spinach and red pepper salad
Mini brownie bites(leftover gluten free brownies)
Coffee
OJ

My quiche


The buffet table(minus the quiche)

Mum's in Town...

Yesterday was wonderful. I taught a 10:30 spin class to a great group, and then walked home after a quick stop to grab some treats for Dave, and the 'teething' Luna at Savenor's Market.

I got Dave a Aj Stephan's root beer.


Someone at the dog park taught us about giving puppies, especially teething puppies, good quality 'raw' bones with marrow to gnaw on. They work wonders! We try to keep a couple in the freezer, since she is losing lots of teeth right now.


After spin, mum and Sarah picked me up to head back to her apartment downtown.

The view down Beacon St. from the her window. Note: her other windows have a beautigful view of the Charles.


We then took a nice walk down Newbury St, and to the 'Pru'(as Sarah calls it) to shop.
Our first stop though, was to Meredith at Sarah's brown and pedicure place, MiniLuxe. It's super cute, and Meredith did wonders on my brows.


After shopping, we headed back to Sarah's apartment, and then mum and I took a walk along the Charles. It was cold, but gorgeous out!


For dinner, we went to Vox on Boylston St, downtown. I had the Statler chicken which came with spinach and risotto(gluten free), Sarah has the phyllo vegetable tart, and mum had a delicious burger.

Chicken with spinach and risotto. My meal was warm, creamy and inviting...


Sarah's tart was a piece of art.


Vox Populi
755 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116-266
(617) 424-8300

MDA Conference +/ Jamie Oliver Show -

My friend Elise and I in Norwood at 6:30am this morning setting up for the MDA Conference. Crazy, right? I had a great time meeting other students from surrounding schools in Boston, RD's all across the state, and listening to amazingly brilliant speakers, and am SO glad I went!

Some of the vendors today included:
ChobaniCabot cheese
Bob's Red Mills who brought ONLY gluten free products :)

My trial Chobani yogurt



You know you're at a nutrition conference when you can get a gluten free meal(grilled chicken, mashers and veggies).


The ladies at my table got the fish. They were all bummed that is was breaded :(



So, after this amazing day hearing what all the newest research is on the obesity epidemic, pregnancy, allergies, detox diet I felt pumped to spread the world, and felt like I can't wait to become an RD.

Then, I decided to sit down and watch tv for the first time really ALL week. SADLY, Jamie Oliver's new show on Hunington, West Virgina was on. It is a REAL reality check so PLEASE check our the first episode. I want to know what you all think...we NEED to do SOMETHING about this!!! Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution

Dave and Dinner

Woo hoo- I got my MNT exam back today and ROCKED IT!! I was so excited, until I came home and found out Ms. Luna has a cold :( She should be fine, but will have a runny nose, goopy eyes, and a slight cough for a couple more days.

Luna was very sleepy tonight...



Dave was very excited about making it onto the blog tonight with dinner(chicken sausage and roasted vegetable sauce over kamut pasta with broccili and peas).


Tomorrow, I'm volunteering at the Mass Dietetic Association Conference. My friend Elise and I are meeting at 5:45AM to make it down to Norwood by 6:30. I'll take pictures, promise!

Wednesday Wednesday

What a day, what a day! I've been cooking, cleaning, taught a spin class, and took care of a little fur ball, who probably has a puppy cold all afternoon.

The sick beast



Back to basics today for breakfast.I had homemade granola with blackberries and a banana after teaching spin.



Then, I locked myself out of the house again after going to Market Basket, and Dave had to come home- oops! I made a nice salad for lunch with a leftover turkey burger, a couple of roasted sweet potatoes slices(around four), half a red pepper, a carrot, and romaine lettuce.


I spent the afternoon doing homework, and taking case of the little one. My friend Ali then came over for dinner. I made salmon, roasted asparagus, roasted tofu, a salad, and polenta.


For dessert we had a mixture of my homemade raspberry and light coconut milk sorbet, and Wine Cellar Champagne sorbet.

Wine Cellar Sorbet


This is our tiny bowl of sorbet that Ali and I came up with. My sorbet only is a bag of frozen raspberries and 3/4 can of light coconut milk put into a food processor, blended,and then put back into a container to freeze. So, it is not very sweet, while the champagne sorbet was-so the mixture was perfect!

Rainy Tuesday

Another day another rain storm- filled with class, a fantastic puppy, and some great homemade meals.

My food for the day:
Breakfast:
two pieces of toast with one egg and two egg whites with parsley
Lunch:
Tuna with diced tomatoes, white beans, carrots, parsley, and cukes
Mary's Gone Crackers
apple
Snack:
Pea and Mint Soup(from yesterday)
Dinner:
Tofu Stirfry(tofu, sweet potato, zucchini, onions, peas, carrots, and brown rice)
3x dark chocolate Hershey kisses


Tofu stirfry



Tonight for my nutrition epi class we to the The Nurses' Health Study facility.

Their website explains:
[The Nurses Health Study] Started in 1976 and expanded in 1989, the information provided by the 238,000 dedicated nurse-participants[in Nurses I and Nurses II studies] has led to many new insights on health and disease. While the prevention of cancer is still a primary focus, the study has also produced landmark data on cardiovascular disease, diabetes and many other conditions. Most importantly, these studies have shown that diet, physical activity and other lifestyle factors can powerfully promote better health.

Pretty amazing...

Monday Monday

What a wonderful exercise filled day! I walked to work this morning with Dave and Luna, which I hadn't done in awhile. Then, taught a spinning class at school for National Nutrition Month, and walked the dog a couple times around the neighborhood. Nice and active- I must say! :)

My wonderful spin class


I went grocery shopping and was so hungry, even after having a thinkThin bite I couldn't make it home! So I got a salad at Whole Foods.

My salad



Later in the afternoon, I made Pea & Mint soup. It is delicious, and made me feel like spring is coming, even though it is raining and cold outside. ;)

Ingredients:
2 10oz. bags of frozen peas
1 medium onion(diced)
2 scallions(white bottoms diced)
1 organic/low sodium chicken stock
6 mint leaves(chopped roughly)
1 tsp of extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup of parsley
salt and pepper(to taste)

First, saute the onions and scallions in a medium soup pot on medium heat for 5 minutes.


Add the chicken stock and bring to medium high heat until the broth/onions reaches a simmer. Add the frozen peas, mint and parsley. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the peas are cooked. It is important that they retain their 'fresh' green color, so do NOT overcook. Next, blend the soup with a immersion blender. I then, put the soup into a colander so that half the blended peas were sifted out, creating a less chunky soup. But, 'do not waste' I ate the excess pea carcasses!! :)

Mint/Parsley


Non-blended Soup



Blended Soup



Our dinner tonight:
Turkey burger/chili sweet potato fries(roasted at 450 for 20 minutes)/corn tortilla/pea soup

Saturday in Stonington CT

We are just getting home from a wonderful night away in Stonington, CT.








Our abode for the weekend



We got there around 12:30 dropped our stuff off at the house, took Luna for a quick walk, and then headed to Skipper's Dock.


I got a burger without the bun and a side salad. They had a decent menu, but not many gluten free items. This was the best bet, and I only had one piece of bacon! :)



Ali & Jay walking back from the restaurant. Aren't they cute ;)



We took another walk with Luna, sat in the sun in the backyard and headed then to
Saltwater Farm Winery. Nyssa and Ben got married there last year, and they were having a wine tasting that afternoon with their first batch of wines. The merlot was my favorite.



Ali & Jay, Nyssa & Ben, and Dave ;)


Another couple picture...sorry...


Late that night, we headed to the small mexican place in Stonington, Milagro. This place is amazing- super fresh and authentic. They don't have website, but if you are ever in Stonington or Mystic it's worth checking out Milagro! They are also great about gluten free options!



This morning, Luna woke up a little early this morning(6:45), so I took her to the backyard, and then for a walk to let the rest of the house sleep.

The sunrise this morning...



The ladies and I then headed to
Mystic Yoga Shala for Power Vinyasa. It was hot, hard, and a great workout all at the same time.




Then, to finish off the weekend, we went Ali's house in RI for some home cooked Italian food. Her mother is an amazing cook, and even went the extra mile and made eggplant parm and chicken gluten free just for me! She also gave Dave and I the sweetest mugs ever for an engagement gift! Thank you Aunt J.Lo and Uncle Bobby, Nyssa and Ben for a wonderful weekend.