America: Hot Dogs and Hamburger Buns

Hello from merry ol' London!

I have officially started my journey through Europe and I'm loving it.  I know I will have so many great food pictures to share with you all when I get back!!!!

For now I'll share what I ate leading up to the trip: anything convenient, nothing very creative.  I didn't want to go to the grocery store and stock up on food since I knew I would be leaving for almost a month.  I was fortunate enough to receive a box of hotdog and hamburger buns from Udi's, which basically helped to keep me alive for the week and a half leading up to my trip.

I bought a pack of Jennie-O turkey dogs, which I ate on the delicious hotdog buns.  I used the hamburger buns as a vehicle for laughing cow cheese or eggs for breakfast.  I loved how wonderfully crispy they got when I toasted them in the toaster oven.  The inside was fluffy while the outside was nice and toasted.  Just the way I like it!

The night before before leaving for Europe, I tried to eat the most American thing I could think of: a delicious peanut butter and jelly sandwich, which I enjoyed on an Udi's hamburger bun.  The sandwich was oozing with peanut butter and jelly, and this bun did an excellent job of holding everything together and complementing the texture of melty peanut butter and gooey jelly.  Mmm...

Even though I didn't use the hamburger buns in the most traditional way, I can't WAIT to use them this summer when I go visit my family.  We are constantly grilling hotdogs and hamburgers on the barbecue.  If you are gluten free and are curious about trying these buns, check out "BUN-GO", an Udi's game you can access on the Udi’s Gluten Free Foods Facebook Page.  Each participant will get a BUNGO board, similar to a BINGO board. Each square on the board has an associated task, such as answering a question about your favorite hot dog toppings. Once you complete a row, diagonal, or column of squares, you earn points toward Udi’s Gluten Free bun coupons and other barbecue essentials. If you complete your entire board, you’re entered to win a $500 gift card to one of the following retailers: Home Depot, Williams-Sonoma, or Whole Foods.

I definitely recommend giving it a try.  Who doesn't love free food?!

Cookies n' Cream Cheesecakes

On May 2nd, Barrett celebrated his 22nd birthday!  I wanted to bake something special for him, but he's quite picky when it comes to desserts.  He doesn't like cake.  He doesn't even really like chocolates.  When we order dessert after dinner, he eats one bite and I end up eating the whole thing.  No wonder I always leave with a stomachache...

I'm pretty proud of myself for coming up with something that even Barrett enjoyed.  I combined the 2 desserty things that he does like: oreos and cheesecake.

The issues:
1. I don't have a cake pan
2. I don't have a mixer

Without these vital cheesecake making tools, I decided to go with mini cheesecakes made in a cupcake pan and used a hand mixer in a large bowl.  It got the job done.  It also got bits of cheesecake batter on my clothing and counters.  It was worth it, though!  Just look at these babies.

The filling is just cream cheese, egg, and sugar.  I used an oreo on the bottom to act as the crust and covered the top with cool whip.

For myself, I made a gluten free version by omitting the oreo cookie on the bottom!

Honestly, I think these would taste better without the oreo on the bottom.  You get more cheesecake that way!

Makes 10-12 mini cheesecakes:
-2 rectangular packages of cream cheese, softened
-2 eggs
-1/2 cup sugar
-Oreos
-Cool whip (NOT ready whip!)

Beat cream cheese and sugar in mixer.  Add in eggs, one at a time.  Place an oreo on the bottom of each   muffin liner and pour in batter (omit oreo for GF version). Bake 20 mins or until a toothpick comes out clean. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours and then cover with cool whip.  Decorate with oreos and strawberries!

In my last post, I mentioned how I have recently learned about useful campus resources AFTER I graduated.  Go figure, right?

Well, I've just learned about another amazing resource, but luckily I can share it with all of you current college students!  CampusBookRentals is a company that loans out text books.  By renting textbooks from this company, you can save 40-90% off of bookstore prices.

But my FAVORITE part of this company is that they donate a portion of the proceeds from each textbook rental to Operation Smile, a charity organization for children with cleft palates, cleft lips, and other facial deformities.  In the past year, CampusBookRentals has been able to donate over 1,000 lifesaving cleft lip surgeries.  As a speech-language pathology student,  I have learned a lot about cleft palates and how this facial deformity can interfere with eating and speaking.  The Operation Smile website provides this description of their organization:

"We're a mobilized force of medical professionals and caring hearts who provide safe, effective reconstructive surgery for children born with facial deformities such as cleft lip and cleft palate. Every three minutes a child is born with a cleft — often unable to eat, speak, socialize or smile. In some places these children are shunned and rejected. And in too many cases, their parents can't afford to give them the surgeries they need to live a normal life. That's where we come in as an international charity providing much needed surgical services."

Since I have a blog and I am lucky enough to have people check in every now and then, I feel like it is my duty to spread the word about these things when I can.  Although I have just recently learned about CampusBookRentals and have not used the company myself, I think they offer a great alternative to buying books at the bookstore.  I am always looking to save money, and since there are very few textbooks that I actually want to keep, renting is a great idea.

Here are some of the main benefits of using CampusBookRentals.

• save 40-90% off of bookstore prices
• free shipping both ways
• can highlight in the textbooks
• flexible renting periods (example can be found here)
• donate to Operation Smile with each textbook rented   

The things you learn...

Well, I have lived in the same apartment for two years now and attended my university for four years.  Yet, after completing my undergrad degree here, I learned that 

a) I can go the doctor ON CAMPUS

b) campus doctor visits are only five dollars!

c) there is a UPS within walking distance (1 min. away), but I have been battling traffic for the past 2 years to reach one that is a 15 minute drive away. 

Why must I learn these things now?!  So typical...but don't worry.  I've already gone to the campus doctor once and visited my resident UPS store twice.  Hopefully I've made up for lost times.

Aside from visiting doctors and returning Zappos boxes to the UPS, I've also been doing a lot of other things.  For example:  graduating, reuniting with high school friends, saying goodbye to college friends, and being obsessive about my upcoming trip to Europe.

When my family came to visit for graduation, we went out to eat almost every meal.  

Then when they left, I was so busy that I could only eat super quick meals.  I actually don't even know what I've been eating.  Cereal? Hot dogs? Pieces of fruit?  Maybe those things.  Hopefully other things.  I don't know.  


P.S. Did you notice the quality of the above pictures?  My amazing aunt gave me a Canon Rebel T3 for graduation! Can you believe that?! I can't!!!! Hopefully my blog will be a bit more visually appealing now.

Change

Written 4/4/2012


Today marks the last class day of my college career, and the feeling is bittersweet.  I look back on these past 4 years and cannot fathom how they flew by so quickly.  How did I go from that 18 year old teenager to the 21 year old adult that I am today?  On one level, freshman orientation seems like just yesterday, but on another level, I realize that I am a much different person than I was back then. Today I find myself reflecting on who I was four years ago, who I am now, and who I am about to become. Interestingly, the last lecture of my college career was about change. My professor discussed traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the ways in which a person can change after the brain is injured. Neuroplasticity allows our brains to recover and rewire, but nerves are not rewired in the exact same way, and people with TBI’s are not the same people they were before the accident.  They have different personalities, different interests, different memories.  Some have to get divorced because they are no longer compatible with their spouses.  It is mind boggling that, in an instant, our memories can be stripped from us.  Our personalities can be taken away and replaced with something entirely different. During this lecture, I could not stop thinking about change and how it applies to my present stage in life. Although change happens instantaneously for those who experience traumatic brain injuries, change happens gradually for the rest of us.  It is so gradual, in fact, that we may not even sense it. For some reason, I always have trouble believing that I am changing. My values and morals have been firm my entire life, and if morals and values define us, then I have not changed.  What has changed is the way I allow these values and morals to lead me.  I no longer feel the need to play by the book or blindly follow those with more authority and power.  I no longer fear going against the grain if it means standing up for my beliefs. I credit my college experience for this.
When I began college, I considered staying in my comfort zone and trying out for the dance team like I had in middle school and high school. I quickly decided against it, however; I wanted to forge a new path and try new things. I wanted to tap into different sides of myself. Instead of dedicating myself to dance, I became a research assistant, a leader of several organizations, a peer mentor, and a volunteer. Through these experiences, I gained independence, broadened my horizons, embraced my inner nerd, and accepted the fact that I can’t control everything but I can make the most of anything.
As I graduate from college, I look back and realize that I most certainly have changed and am about to change even more.  This summer I will travel to 10 different countries in Europe, cross countless items off of my bucket list, and expose myself to more culture than I could ever imagine.  This is a dream come true, and I’m ready to be open, to grow, and to change even more.

Eat and Repeat

In just a few short weeks, I will be walking across a stage in a cap and gown to receive my college diploma.  A week later, my adventurous, travel-filled summer begins!  Clearly, I have a lot to look forward to and I am extremely excited.  Senioritis has definitely kicked in, but I'm trying to stay present and live in the moment rather than think too much about the future.  So, I have been making lots of time for being with friends, enjoying life, and [of course] playing around in the kitchen.  

Here we have a yogurt-berry parfait, put in a plastic cup and later wrapped with saran wrap.  I made this the night before and then took it with me as I ran out the door to my 8 am class.  

I've even taken a bowl of cereal to go...I just put everything into a tupperware and brought the milk on the side.  

Simple but delicious

I was really excited to make these chili lime chicken burgers and they did not disappoint!  Moist and delicious.

The lime and cilantro in the chicken patties inspired me to make a big batch of Spanish rice.  I found a bunch of recipes online and came up with the following recipe.  It really couldn't be any easier.

Easy and delicious Spanish rice:

• Heat olive oil in a pot and add 1.5 cups of rice.  Stir for a few minutes until it becomes translucent.  
• Add 2 cups of chicken broth and 1 cup of chunky salsa. Stir to mix.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 15-20 minutes with the pot covered.
• Add generous amount of cumin, garlic powder, garlic salt, and red pepper flakes.
• Optional: Add some chopped up jalepeños. 

Udi's Product Reviews: Should you buy?

One enormous perk of being a blogger is that I occasionally receive products from food companies.  It is no surprise that receiving these packages sends me into hysterical happiness...but let's get real.  I should do something positive and productive with this opportunity (besides skipping, singing out in joy, and stuffing my face).  So, today I am presenting you all with a product review of the food I received from Udi's Gluten Free.

Gluten-free replacement foods are typically much more expensive than their regular counterparts.  I've passed Udi's gluten free muffins and cookies in the freezer section countless times, but I couldn't bring myself to purchase them.  Granted, it would probably be cheaper to buy an entire box of Udi's GF muffins than a single [normal] muffin from a bakery or coffee shop, but I'm still hesitant to throw down money on something that might not taste good.

Friends, let me tell you that these taste GOOD.  To help out anyone who has debated purchasing these products, I'm giving you all the details in this post and letting you know whether I would use my own money towards these products.

1. Udi's pizza crust.
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Thoughts: This is a nice crust.  It is easy because all you do is top with sauce, cheese, and toppings of your choice, then pop it in the oven.  It gets nice and crispy if you leave it in long enough, which is nice for those of us who like a thin-crust, charred Italian-style pizza.  It is not thick and fluffy like a Papa John's pizza, but then again...when was the last time you had a GF pizza that was?
Purchase? It is on the only pizza crust I have tried, so I would purchase this one if I ever wanted to make my own pizza.

2. Udi's Snickerdoodle cookies.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.
Thoughts: OH.MY.GOODNESS.  These are probably the best cookies I've ever had-even better than "regular" ones.  No, I'm not lying or exaggerating.  I really can't express how heavenly these taste or how soft and chewy the texture is.
Purchase?  I am definitely buying these next time I need to treat myself.

3. Udi's millet-chia bread.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Thoughts: This is one of the best GF breads I have tried.  Most GF breads must be toasted in order to be even slightly enjoyable and edible.  I think this bread would be just fine without being toasted, but I still prefer it after some time in the toaster oven.  The texture is perfect and I love the little seeds!  It's the closest to wheat bread I'll ever get.
Purchase? Love it and would purchase on my own!

makes the perfect sandwich to take on the go!

4. Udi's whole grain bagels.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
Thoughts: They are a bit hard to slice/break apart after taken out of the freezer, but they are awesome after being toasted.  I enjoy the texture a lot, although it is not exactly like a "regular" bagel.
Purchase? Yes, I would purchase these if I had a craving for bagels.  They are pretty versatile and can be topped with an egg and cheese, peanut butter and banana, or cream cheese/jelly.  They are very thick bagels, so I usually eat only one half at a time.  This allows me to get 8 servings out of the pack and makes them last longer!

5. Udi's blueberry oatmuffin tops.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Thoughts: These surprised me--probably because I had no idea how a muffin top would taste.  I was given the blueberry variety and it was extremely flavorful and full of cinnamon-y spice.  I was expecting something more mild and bland, so I was pleasantly surprised.  It's great as a quick breakfast or a late-night snack with a cold glass of milk.  They are also individually wrapped, which is a nice touch and will help to avoid freezer burn.
Purchase? I have not seen these in my own grocery store, so I'm not sure how much they cost.  I'm also not a much of a muffin person, so I would be less likely to purchase these on my own.  If you're a muffin person, I would go for it!

I hope you enjoyed the review.  Let me know if you've tried any of these products!

What I Ate...

I have an unnatural love for food and an obsession with taking pictures of my lovely meals.  Let me tell you, I am so glad to have this blog because it provides the perfect excuse for sharing all of the food photos that have been taking up space on my phone and computer.  It is time to purge these food photos  and free up a little space.  What better day to do this than on "What I Ate Wednesday"?!

Here's a peak into my delicious life and restaurant adventures...

Carnitas tacos in homemade corn tortillas, jicama and orange salad at Zocalo:

Sushi at Uchi:

Chocolate-dipped coconut macaroon and iced coffee at Mozart's:

Caprese salad at an Italian restaurant near my parents' house:

Gluten free chocolate torte with strawberry filling and a bourbon cream icing, loaded cheese fries, and hot dog in GF bun at "Frank" hot dog restaurant (!!!!!):

Salad from Cafe Express:

Pork belly at a trailer owned by the newest Top Chef!

One of my favorite breakfasts.  Keeping it simple with peanut butter and banana toast.

Brunch with Barrett: strawberries, bacon, hashbrowns, chex cereal, and my very first homemade poached egg!  Eaten with a side of the Godfather Part 2. :)

Side note: Why do I take pictures of food?  Umm...because it is BEAUTIFUL!

Well that, and I also love going back and looking through the photos.  Not only does it remind me of the delicious food I've eaten or created, but also the fun memories that I've had.  For example, the brunch picture was taken the day I left for Spring Break.  Barrett and I had so much fun whipping everything up and laughed as I tried my hand at poaching an egg.  The coconut macaroon picture reminds me of the sunny day I spent with my family, walking around the lake and enjoying iced coffees.  

I guess the way to my heart really is through food....

Grown Up "Macaroni and Cheese" (and Grown Up Decisions)

Lately I feel overwhelmed by all the "grown up" decisions I have to make.  What graduate program should I attend?  In which neighborhood should I live?  Should I choose the cheaper apartment with bad reviews or the closer, nicer apartment that lacks certain amenities?  I wish my parents still lived in the same state so that they could help me choose the best option.  I'm the most indecisive person ever, especially when it comes to really big decisions.

I was extremely excited on Friday when, after WEEKS of apartment hunting, I finally found a place I could call home.  The rent is cheaper than my current rent and the complex is only half a mile from campus.  The apartment complex has a lush, green park and even a nice pool.  A lot of grad students live there, so I won't have to worry about noise.  It seemed perfect, but as I was filling out my application, I realized that there is NO DISHWASHER! (...and the rent is high enough where there should be one.)

I abhor washing dishes.  I'm always searching for one-pot meals so that there is minimal clean up.  There are plenty of apartments I could live in that have their own dishwasher and nice laundry rooms on site, but something about this complex was calling me.

I asked for some advice on Twitter and got a few replies that made me hopeful.  Perhaps the lack of a dishwasher wouldn't be too annoying.  As fellow foodies, I'd love to hear your insight on the matter in a comment or email.   I need to make my decision on this apartment ASAP.  Housing is competitive around here!

(At the end of the day, I know that wherever I live will be just fine.  I am lucky to even have a roof over my head and to live in a safe area.  I'm just looking for some advice so that I can choose between the options that I do have, which all have their pros and cons.)

* * * * 

Since I've been making so many "grown up" decisions lately, it seems fitting that I post my recipe for a grown up "mac and cheese".   This meal was born out of a lack of ingredients, actually.  I didn't have much food in the fridge before leaving for Spring Break, so I was forced to use up what was left: a carton of half and half, goat cheese, broccoli, zucchini, and a couple of eggs.  Challenge: Accepted.

Grown Up "Mac and Cheese", roasted veggies, and two hard boiled eggs.

Product Review: Nimble bars

As you may (or may not) know, I am a member of the Around the Plate community.  I joined ATP as a recipe guru this past summer, and have enjoyed being a part of their online community ever since.  I highly recommend that everyone sign up for their e-newsletter, as it always contains awesome info on health/nutrition, links to interesting blog posts/recipes, and motivational words of inspiration.

I was recently sent a goodie box from the kind people over at ATP, who had partnered with several different companies.  The goodie box arrived on a particular day when things were not going my way.  After a knock on the door and a box placed into my arms, my day was suddenly much better.

My favorite product (and the one that I think would interest you all most), was a new energy bar by Balance: nimble.  It was designed with women in mind and even boasts a "beauty bonus".

One bar contains:

• 120 calories
• 10 g protein
• 5g fiber
• calcium
• iron
• folate
• vitamins D and B6

It contains a 40-30-30 ratio of carbs, protein, and fat, which is meant to stabilize blood sugar and improve energy/mood.  Additionally, the vitamins are said to play a role in maintaining healthy, beautiful skin.  One of the best aspects of this bar is the presence of Truvia, a natural sweetener.

Upon receiving the box, I immediately ate the Peanut Butter bar.  My favorite thing about the bar was the texture.  It has the soft, moist texture characteristic of other Balance bars (which I love).  I also appreciate that it was NOT coated in chocolate like many "energy" bars.  The peanut butter flavor was subtle, and being the peanut butter fanatic that I am, I could have used a bit more of the nuttiness.  Nevertheless, the Peanut Butter nimble bar was a nice mid-day snack when you don't want something too cloyingly sweet.