Colleges Ditch Trays

Here's an interesting article from today's New York Times about how many colleges are beginning to get rid of trays in their dining halls. They're finding that it saves money and food waste, and it's caused students and other people who regularly take their meals in the cafeteria to eat less. I guess that's one way to control portion sizes. 

That just reminded me of when I was in college and ate in the dining hall. I always tried to avoid putting more than I could balance on my tray because I was afraid of dropping the damn thing. I wish I'd kept that same fear in mind when I was a waitress at a fancy country club and attempted to carry a tray piled high with half-full red wine and port glasses across the ballroom (with its brand-spanking new carpet). 

Fake Meat

Something you’ll probably see me post a lot about is vegetarianism.

I never intended to become a vegetarian—and technically, I’m still not one—but since meeting and living with C, I’ve come to appreciate meat-free foods. We don’t really keep meat in the house (except for the occasional carton of egg whites when we’re baking cookies or something, if that counts), and we often go to one of the many vegetarian or vegetarian-friendly restaurants in New York, since there are so many.

I do still eat meat on occasion, though over the past year-and-a-half, I’ve very gradually transitioned from eating it once a day to once a week. It hasn’t been a conscious effort, exactly. To be honest, it’s more that I’ve just gotten used to it and come to really enjoy some of the benefits of a vegetarian diet. I feel like I have more energy and get sick less frequently. I also sleep better—much better—than I used to.

Of course, there are plenty of other factors that contribute, but some of the other perks include that feeling that I am making a choice that benefits the planet and its creatures (hah, creatures)—we humans love feeling “green,” don’t we?—and the sweetness of saving a little money.

And did I mention how awesome and amusing fake meat is? It basically is what it sounds like: texturized soy or gluten protein flavored to taste like various meat products. For example, the other night, I made this masaman curry with vegetarian duck in it. We had just spent the day in Chinatown wandering around and stocking up on various canned fake meat products we’d never encountered before.

Last night, we made pad thai with fried gluten, which was oddly similar to scrambled egg. We also threw in some chopped peanuts. Since we were out, C went to the deli on the corner and came home with a pack of Uncle Jesse’s nuts. I about died laughing…

Welcome!

So it looks like this blog is a Taurus! I suppose it's fitting that a blog about food, nutrition, and general wellness should be an earth sign...

This blog was created to act as a space in which I can post thoughts, observations, along with articles and other media I encounter during my course of study for a Masters in Nutrition & Dietetics.

There's a lot of info out there about what to eat and why. It can be hard to tune out the noise, but it's not impossible to tune in to yourself and your body and learn what your personal needs are and how to meet them. I have a lot to learn myself, and much to ponder along the way. This should be interesting, if nothing else...