It’s That Time of The Week (WIAW)

Hey ya’ll! Of course I am going to participate in my favorite day of the week. What I Ate Wednesday. Who cares if I’m a day late. It is always a party at my place. Sort of. Okay, not really because I’m just a typical nerd always doing my work and what not, BUT this weekend it actually is going to be a party. Today is my younger brothers birthday, so I’m going out and I’m going out on Saturday. Uh oh. Double trouble for this weekend. Anyways back to the subject at hand. FOOOOOOD. Thanks to Jenn for doing this every single week. I don’t know what I would do without having WIAW and getting to stalk a million blogs in one day. Cheers to that.

Lets see what I’ve been eating.

Classic Lindsay oats. Duh. Really though, I’m pretty predictable.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Oats
1/2 c. Oatmeal
1 1/2 c. water
1 banana
1/3 c. canned pumpkin
1/4 c. low fat cottage cheese (1%-2%)
1 packet of truvia
1 dash of vanilla extract
cinnamon
pumpkin pie spice
a sprinkle of chocolate chips

1. Prepare oatmeal in the normal fashion of microwaving water and oats in a container for about 2-3 minutes.
2. Chop up banana into small slices, then place in container and microwave for 1:30 more minutes.
3. Add in everything, but chocolate chips.
4. Sprinkle with a few chocolate chips.

Delicious. The pumpkin provides a contrast to the sweetness of all the add ins, and the cottage cheese gives the oatmeal a creamy flavor that resembles cheesecake. I’ve been on a cottage cheese and oatmeal kick, so don’t worry. I have more cheesecakey recipes coming up in the next few weeks. If you have leftover pumpkin from all the holidays or you want to eat this bowl of oatmeal, I recommend making it as soon as possible. Your stomach will be happy.

Hello newest obsession. Blood Orange Chobani Yogurt. Some people think that it is too tart, but I think it is perfect. When you combine the creamy flavor of greek yogurt with the oranges at the bottom it makes pure heaven in your mouth. It is tangy, so be warned, but those are the kind of flavors I like. Chobani has really outdone itself with its new line of flavors. The apples and cinnamon flavor is also really delicious. I have a passion fruit in my fridge, but have yet to try it. Once I do, I will let ya’ll know what I think. I had been cheating on Chobani with Oikos lately, but with the addition of these new flavors I’m baaaack.

Other new food obsession: Arctic Zero Cookies and Cream. When can you go wrong with cookies and cream? NEVER. I had to sample a couple of bad flavors in order to find this gem. For those of you that don’t know, Arctic Zero is a real low calorie ice-cream that is great when you want a sweet treat, but do not want to consume all the calories from milk fat and what not in normal ice-cream. Now don’t expect a super creamy texture from this ice-cream because obviously it is low calorie, but I like the semi-icy texture and the flavor of the cookies and cream is AMAZING. I topped it with a little whip cream and some mini chocolate chips. Hello delicious afternoon snack. Why thank you, I will gobble you up.

I’ve really been enjoying mangoes lately. While they are super tricky to cut, in the end they are worth it. I’m trying to consume a variety of fruits now instead of just eating apples and bananas because that is boring, plus each fruit provides a different type of health benefit, so why not knock out as many diseases as I can by consuming as many whole foods as possible. I’m smart. Like we didn’t know that. Random nutrition lesson: stay away from pre-cut fruits like mango because those type of foods are not required to have food labels, so you don’t know how these items are being prepared or where they come from. Food safety is so important. You don’t want a foodborne illness – could lead to your death over strawberries or something (that would be a great book title).

My future roomie would probably look down on this, but heck sandwiches are an easy thing to eat before class especially if I’m in a hurry. I’m actually going to attempt to switch to eating tofurkey and go totally pescatarian, but we shall see if I like those products or not. Anyways since I’ve been eating bread in small amounts, these sandwich thins are soo good. They are the perfect size and the bread is really soft. I also tend to always pair my lunch with carrots and dijon mustard to dip them in. Yes, I’m really weird, but I like the bitterness of the dijon.

Things I love in life: Curry, tofu. Curry and tofu. I think I crave it pretty much every day, so instead of shelling out tons of money and buying it from a thai place I decided to make my own. Unfortunately, I’m lacking brain cells right now due to overload from school. Instead of following the recipe, I added a little too much curry. Oh how this was spicy. My mouth was on fire. I think I chugged about 40 oz of water in 10 minutes. While it was really spicy, it was still good. Lesson learned though. Always follow the recipe unless you know what you are actually doing.

Yes my fashion is back. I got so many compliments on this skirt today that I was like I MUST share this with the world. The skirt is asymmetrical and neon pink. I was wearing some black gladiator sandals, but my feet were tired from walking back from class, so I took them off. I promise to deliver more fashion on the blog again and maybe even have some posts only about fashion or maybe how fashion relates to nutrition. That would be weird. I’ll figure it out.

Hope everyone had a great WIAW and has a happy thirsty thursday!

Anyone have big plans for the weekend?
What is your favorite flavor of Cheesecake?

Life is so Craaazy

Seriously ya’ll, where have I been? I need to stop deserting you. I was sort of pouting in my little Lindsay cave because of something that happened. Remember when I said I was super excited because I was running for social chair for my organization? Well guess what? For the first time in my entire life, I didn’t win. I guess that should humble me, but in this case I feel like I actually deserved this. Unlike the two chairs that were elected, I actually came to events and know how to be a position on board. UGH. So angry, but what can I say since girls are cliquey. Oh how the world is so messed up. Anyways, I’m done with my funk. Lets see what I’ve been doing since I last posted.

Friday afternoon I had to go work at the HEB distribution center in San Marcos, Tx. I’m currently enrolled in a class called Food Systems and Management where we have to actually go work in food service locations for two hours at a time, WITHOUT pay, and then report on it. For my first lab experience, my partner and I went here to learn more about procurement and inventory. Unfortunately, I wasn’t allowed to take any pictures inside, but this was what the outside looked like. Super intense security because apparently everyone wants to steal groceries? It was actually pretty interesting though. We got to see how different grocery products are stored, where they are sent to, how they handle them when they arrive, and more business stuff. The class is important because for most of us nutrition students we want DIETETICS DIETETICS, but there are other options out there like food service, which is actually one of the most high paying jobs out there!

I FINALLY got to hang out with my friends from my Birthright trip. You don’t understand. We went from spending every freaking second of the day together then we go back to the real world where we rarely get to see each other and that is quite depressing. I miss these people like no other. I mean helloooo one of the girl’s has an epic fur coat. What is there not to love? Haha it is fake, so don’t worry. Apparently it was an 80′s theme party we were at, but none of us got the memo. Typical.

Yes, I have been nomming on some epic Lindsay oatmeal. Right here we have some blueberry cheesecake oats with a sprinkle of chocolate chips. Mmm. So freaking good. In Israel I wasn’t as happy in the mornings because I never got to eat oatmeal. I tried some “oatmeal” one morning at the breakfast, but it was so disgusting and was pretty much pure soup that I stayed away from it for the rest of the trip. My days are so much better when I have Lindsay oatmeal. Everyone should get on that train.

I recently checked out a lot of books from the Austin Public library. Mainly cookbooks and health related books. I copied down some recipes, so hopefully I will have some successful posts coming soon on recipes I used. Unfortunately, I did make a recipe from a hungry girl book involving tofu shirataki and let me tell you I HAVE NO IDEA HOW PEOPLE EAT THAT STUFF. It makes me want to vomit. Power to you people that have the skills to digest that gummy nasty stuff because you would have to pay me a lot to eat it and I mean A LOT.

Tomorrow is going to be a fun day. After my boring technical writing class, I get to go to a private sewing lesson. I’m going to be making an apron out of this super cute fabric. Hopefully it turns out like what I picture in my head, but I am just a beginning designer, so ya’ll shall see in my post tomorrow. Also after my lesson, I get to go work at a elderly home. Weeeee. Sort of, but not really. It is for that Food Systems class, and this time we are learning about meal planning and actually get to assist in meal planning there, which will be pretty fun because that is what I like most about nutrition. Fooooood and recipes. Eventually I have to study, but that is for nerds (hahah I know I am a nerd and we all know I’ll have my face buried in a book when I get home from that).

BTW has anyone ever listened to White Panda? They do really cool mash-ups, that I’m sort of addicted to right now. They are great to have on your workout playlist to get you pumped up! Have a fab Monday!

Have you ever had to work, for free, somewhere?
What is your favorite cookbook?

Nutrition Fact Friday

Hey ya’ll! I’ve been so lazy about blogging. Bad me. I should set an alarm for myself during the day to remind me that I need to take a break from my crazy life and relax for an hour to write a blog post. After all, I really do love blogging about food. I’ve been in school for two weeks now and it has completely taken over my life. I’m currently in Biochemistry, Food Systems and Management, Nutritional Assessment, and Technical Writing. It is a handful, but I’m surviving so far. Anyways, it is Friday and you know what that means. Nutrition Fact Friday. Today’s subject is pretty special to my heart. I wonder if ya’ll can guess? Probably because I’m pretty predictable, but it is….

OATMEAL.

All you talk about is oatmeal? Well yes when I’m sober I can be pretty boring. Oatmeal is a great food because not only is it a source of whole grains, but it has many functional benefits too. I know this because I had to sit through this girl’s boring presentation on oatmeal for my functional foods class last semester. YOU HAD OATMEAL. Come on. Snazz it up. Bust out some jazz hands or at least some sprinkles for godsake. However, I did end up learning a lot about oatmeal, mainly because I was going to be tested on it for my final, but oh well.

Blueberry Cheesecake Oatmeal

 One of the first things you learn as a nutrition major OVER and OVER again (yeah, they like to teach you the same thing a lot, so it sticks in your mind for the RD exam) is that fiber is important. Insoluble and soluble fiber are both needed in a healthy diet. Well, that is why oatmeal is such a great tool to have in your kitchen cupboard. Not only does it taste good, but it also contains both kinds of fiber. Why is fiber important you say? Insoluble fiber aids in bowel function, and more specifically helps speed up your stools. While the soluble fiber ends up forming a viscous gel within your stomach that allows a feeling of fullness to last for a long time, which can eventually aid in weight loss.

Most people do not know that soluble fiber contains a special bioactive compound that has a variety of positive affects on the body when consumed. The compound is called beta-glucans. In general, the beta-glucans of soluble fiber helps lower cholesterol, which is such an important thing for most people. When you go in deeper, you see that it traps the bad cholesterol, LDL, but there has been no connection to raising HDL levels, which is the good cholesterol. Instead, it just does not affect it, so that it can provide its benefits. Another positive affect of a beta-glucan is in regards to diabetes. Its beneficial effect is shown by slowing down the absorption of glucose following consumption of food.

Oats are seriously going to takeover the world. I know a lot of people that probably are like how are these healthy bloggers obsessed with oats, but really they are good for you and if you spruce them up enough then they are pretty mind-blowing. Wow, I get off track a lot. The ADD that I pretend to have, but really I just like to joke about it. So, where was I? Umm OATS. Yes, one last highlight of oats is that they contain a large amount of phytochemicals. If there is one thing that I took out of functional foods it is that phytochemicals are a killer thing to include in your diet. Why? Well, for the instance of oatmeal, the phytochemicals have an anti-cancer effect on the body. Heck, I’ll eat any food item that has yielded large positive results in research on cancer.

In general, oats are good for your overall health and longevity of life. So go out and buy the largest tub of oats you can find. Well don’t really do that unless you actually like the taste. I have a huge tub of oats in my pantry though. Oats can be confusing with the variety of types, but I tend to stick with the old fashioned rolled oats, but if you are in a hurry buy some quick oats OR if you want to be a super health nut get some steel cut oats, but they contain a larger amount of calories than the other two options.

Since this post was about oatmeal, I obviously wouldn’t leave ya’ll without a great recipe for oats.
Gingerbread Oatmeal

1/2 c. of oats (I used Quaker Old Fashioned)
1 1/3 c. of water
1 banana
1 tbsp molasses
cinnamon
a dash of nutmeg
1 packet of truvia
1 tsp of vanilla extract
a pinch of chocolate chips
1 gingerbread man
2 tbsp chocolate PB2

1. Place oats and water in a microwavable safe container, and heat for about 2:55. Let sit in microwave for about 2 minutes
2. Slice up banana, place on top of oatmeal, and microwave for about 2 minutes or until banana is mushy.
3. Stir up so that banana “melts” into the oatmeal.
4. Add all other ingredients except PB2, chocolate chips, and gingerbread man.
5. Stir all added ingredients until mixed thoroughly.
6. Top with chocolate chips, then PB2, and put your little gingerbread man in for a nice swim or crumble him up. Either way it will be delicious.

I hope you enjoyed a little health lesson about oatmeal. My blog may be going in a more serious place. BUM BUM BUM. Yeah right. I won’t be getting serious because lets be honest I’m a total goof, but I want to focus on more health related stuff like the food service industry, government regulations, nutrition in the news, and life as a nutrition student. OBVIOUSLY there will still be tons of food because I’m a pig. Really though. I wish I had one of those cute little tails, but I like to eat HEALTHY nutritious foods unlike the majority of the US population. Sad, but true.

I’m out for the night. It is Friday afterall. You know what that means. SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS….of biochemistry homework because I’m going out raging tomorrow night. I’m going to leave you with some of my favorite oatmeal recipes that I have seen out in the blog world.

Ya’ll should really check out Angela’s post about this delicious oatmeal recipe called Cherry Chocolate Bomb Vegan Overnight Oats. Drool worthy. Oh how I wish I had a nice camera to turn out such delicious photos like this one. She had me at chocolate and cherries. I’m obsessed with cherries, so throwing this classic combo in an oatmeal form. Oh god. Yes please.

One of my favorite blogs to check out for oatmeal recipes is Heather’s amazing blog, Kiss My Broccoli. She has crazy, creative recipes that include favorites such as Sante Fe Oats that have an egg, salsa, and avocado topping them. Ummm delicious. Can I hire you to make this for me please? Fine I’ll stop being lazy and do it myself, but if you want some delicious ideas check out this blog because the girl sure knows her stuff about cooking!

Do you get enough fiber in your diet?
How much do you know about phytochemicals, beta-glucans, and fiber?

Eat Your Eggs

Hey ya’ll! Hope everyone had a good Friday night. I tried to go to bed early, but no someone wanted to ruin my good night of sleep by throwing a loud party next door, screaming bloody murder about things I could not even understand, and talking loud on the phone or computer (not really sure which one). Enough with complaining because that won’t do anything for the situation. It has been a productive morning though. I have gotten through most of my ten page anatomy and physiology review, so I’m in a good mood again. Plus UT women’s volleyball won last night in an extremely close match against Kentucky in their home stadium. Oh yeaaah. Tonight we play UCLA and I’m super nervous already because they sweeped Penn State (an enemy of UT).

Today I’m bring something new to my blog. I’m going to start focusing on more food, health, and nutrition related stuff because when I started this blog that was pretty much the purpose, but my funniness and goofiness sort of took over. Each week, usually on Fridays, but because I got that award I’m doing it on Saturday this week, I will do a post totally focused on some important nutrition fact. Today I’m focusing on breakfast. My favorite time of the day. Ya’ll know why. OATMEAL, but there is more to breakfast than just oats.

In my mind, breakfast is probably the most important meal of the day. Due to the gap between our last meal from the night before and the next morning, our brain and muscles need a source of energy to function. Without a real meal, you will still be able to get through the day, but having a hearty meal allows you to concentrate better, be more productive, and feel less lethargic. Besides providing general body function, eating breakfast has shown to actually help you lose weight instead of gain. Most people assume the opposite, but by not eating breakfast people tend to eat more later on in the day not realizing that calories add up quickly. Metabolism is key in this because by eating breakfast it allows your body to keep your metabolism running instead of slowing it down, which is key in weight loss.

“I don’t like breakfast foods”, “I don’t have time to eat breakfast”, or “I don’t get full from breakfast” are some of the common things we hear when it comes to morning meal discussion, but don’t worry I have some healthy choices for you to eat.

Blackberry Cheesecake Oats (Gluten Free)
1/3 c. Gluten Free Oats
1 1/3 c. water
1/2 c. low fat cottage cheese
3/4 c. blackberries
1 packet of truvia
1 tsp of vanilla extract
2 tbsp of PB2

1. Make the oats either the day of or the night before by microwaving oats and water for 2:55, letting sit in microwave for 5 minutes, then placing in the fridge.
2. Place cottage cheese, truvia, and vanilla extract in oats and mix well.
3. Microwave half of the blackberries for about one minute or until warm and there is blackberry juice present.
4. Pour microwaved blackberries in oatmeal and mix well.
5. Top with remaining blackberries and 2 tbsp of PB2

Of course I’m going to say oatmeal is a good option for breakfast, but it is not just because I love it. Oatmeal is a good source of fiber, protein, and it is low fat. Due to its fiber and protein content, it allows you to stay full longer than a sugary cereal or granola bar would. Besides having just a good nutrient composition, oatmeal can also be considered a functional food because oats have shown to lower cholesterol, blood pressure, blood triglycerides, increases insulin sensitivity, and lowers the risk of coronary heart disease. Sign me up please. Besides the oats, adding fruit increases the fiber content even more and blackberries are also a functional food. The cottage cheese is a source of dairy, and the peanut butter is a healthy fat. Now that is a meal that packs a healthy punch, will keep you full for hours, is easy to make if you are in a hurry, and you can create a bowl of oatmeal to your liking.

Finally I make a perfect omelet and the picture comes out blurry. Just my luck. Anyways, eggs are always a good option for breakfast. Personally I use egg whites instead of whole eggs because the yolk in eggs contains high cholesterol and fat, and when you switch to egg whites you are still getting a ton of nutritional benefits. Most of an egg’s protein is actually from the egg white or albumin, so by consuming egg whites only you are not missing out on benefits. The protein will help keep you full until your mid day snack or next meal. Egg whites are low in calories, so you can increase your nutrient intake and add more food items to bulk it up with flavor and calories. I usually fill my omelet with a minimum of two vegetables (but usually more) and another source of protein. In this omelet, I have mushrooms, onions, green peppers, slices of ham, and low fat shredded cheese. The vegetables provide fiber, the ham increases the protein amount, and the cheese is a good source of healthy dairy. This is pretty easy to cook, the eggs coagulate pretty quickly, and yet again you can customize an omelet to your liking. I choose to make this breakfast before I go to the gym and head to class after I work out, and it tends to keep me full until after my class. Pretty successful, don’t you think?

While I’m not an advocate of quick breakfasts, sometimes you are in a real rush and you don’t have time to whip up an omelet or a bowl of oats, so frozen products can be a healthy alternative depending on what you are choosing. Obviously you shouldn’t be eating toaster pastries, but by choosing products that have flaxseed and more nutritional ingredients you are saving yourself from the harms of high fat foods. These are Vans Gluten Free Blueberry Waffles with sliced strawberries and sugar free syrup on top of them. In order to make a quick product more filling, add things such as fruit to increase the amount of filling fiber in a meal. Another alternative you can do with waffles is make a sandwich with an egg, a couple slices of meat, veggies, and cheese. This way you are eating a more filling meal that will help you get through the long hours in a day.

Some of my random breakfast advice:
1. Drink a glass of water while preparing your breakfast, and then another while you eat. This will help you make sure you get all of your daily water intake.
2. Do not eat bars for a meal. They will not fill you up, they do not provide an adequate amount of nutrients, and you will end up consuming more. If you do this at least make sure you pair it with some fruit and other small items like a greek yogurt.
3. Just don’t skip breakfast!

Hope everyone has a lovely Saturday! I will hopefully be attending the UT mens basketball game, but if not I’m going home to my mom’s for a couple of days to do some last minute things before Israel and to get some peaceful sleep before my two biggest finals.

What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?
What is your best advice to others in regards to breakfast?