Nemo Found Us

As you now know, we moved back to Boston .  Our first winter of 2011 - 2012 was a breeze... very little snow and mild tempatures, we made it through unscathed.  As 2012-2013 winter started, everything seemed to be the same as last year... until February!!! 

The news said we were getting a superstorm named Nemo.  What a storm it was!!  I think we got 2 feet of snow in less than 24 hours.

The snow started to fall Friday morning...

...and continued to fall.  Here's a picture of the same street the next morning. 

For many lucky Bostonians, Nemo brough a slew of snow days.  I remember having 1 snow day from BU back in the winter of 2005 and am a believer that snow days are the best gift ever! 

Lucky (not so much) for me, hospitals don't get snow days.  We had 400 patients to feed in addition to all of the staff.  We had a lot of work to do! 
There was a city wide ban on driving due to the road conditions and fast accumulation of snow.  Public transportation was also stopped.  Being an essential employee, I was exempt form the driving ban and figured I would just hop in my car (in the covered garage) to drive myself to work.  This was the view from inside my garage.. I wasn't driving anywhere!

I needed to find an alternate way to get to work.  I slapped on my 'snow trax' that my mother had sent as a gag gift and started my journey by foot in to work.

The city streets were so peaceful and beautiful in the blanket of white, fluffy snow.  There were some people out and about enjoying the snow on sled, cross country skiis, and snow shoes.  It was as if Harvard Avenue was turned into a beautiful skii resort. 

There was no place open to buy food or coffee. 


Or to get gas.

It took me about an hour (usually a 30 minute walk), but I made it to work.   Our team successfully fed all of the patients and staff in the hospital.  Not a relaxing weekend to enjoy the snow for this girl.  Ahhh the joys of living on the east coast! 

Picture of the streets outside of the medical center

As I post this, we are in the midst of another snow storm.  Yes, it IS March 8th... I thought Punxsutawney Phil said we would be having an early spring this year.  Boy, was he wrong!  We've gotten over a foot of snow in the past 24 hours.  

I'm heading out to do some sledding and play in the snow... such a big kid at heart.  I think I'm just making up for not having snow days as a child; they really are the best!  I'm hoping spring really is right around the corner, but until then I'll continue to throw my snow boots on and enjoy the winter wonderland that surrounds me.  

Ayurvedic Spices & Super Grains

I made these handouts for a project at work and thought I would share.  Our chefs were in a cooking competition and wanted to exhibit the health benefits of the ingredients used.  I was amazed at the medical healing properties of the spices - it's no wonder the are incorporated into so many cultural foods.  

Fun at the Farmer's Market

I recently watched the documentary Food, Inc. and just as the website claims, I will probably never look at food the same way. Although I found the movie very informative, I am still at a loss about where to find grass fed chicken and beef- If anyone knows of a good, reasonable place, PLEASE let me know! Immediately following the movie I decided that I was going to be a vegetarian. Watching chicken and cows be slaughtered will do that to you... Of course the next day I went out for sushi and I couldn't resist the fish, so I decided to become a pescatarian. And after about 4 days of eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fish, I began to crave meat again. So here I am back at square 1. I did however, vow that from now on I will buy local and organic whenever possible.

Every Sunday there's a fabulous farmer's market at the Mountain View train station. As we approach spring, I find it irresistible to be outside enjoying the sunny weather. Last weekend I bought some beets, broccolini, and bok choy - some of my faves.

I absolutely LOVE beets. They are super easy to make too! I must enter the disclaimer here: be forewarned that #1 and #2 will be a little pink... no you do not have bloody stools. But I always wonder how many people show up in the ER complaining of bloody stools a day or two after enjoying this wonderful vegetable. Please do share your stories!
RD tip: Beets are super healthy! They contain powerful nutrients that help protect against heart disease, birth defects, and cancers - especially colon cancer. Beets are high in folate, manganese, potassium, and fiber. For more nutrition info about beets check out this site.
My Asian friends at work: Em, N, L, and C always have the coolest vegetables. The biggest problem is my friends only usually know the Chinese or Japanese names of the vegetables and a lot of them are not even found in regular grocery stores. While at the farmer's market I spotted one of the vegetables my Chinese friends usually have. Broccolini is super easy to make by sauteing it with some EVOO, garlic, and soy sauce.
Bok choy is another one of my favorite Asian vegetables. I haven't make this quite yet, but I will most likely saute it the same way as the broccolini.

For dinner I had the beets, broccolini and quinoa. DELICIOUS!
I cannot wait to see what I will find at the farmer's market this week. Happy Sunday!

Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner

I was pressed for time this week in between my travels and needed to think of a quick meal as I was STARVING after work. I stopped at Trader Joe's on my way home for some ready made balsamic rosemary chicken, veggies (yellow zucchini, broccoli, snap peas, mushrooms, and some cherry tomato - sized heirloom tomatoes), and bottled spaghetti sauce (only 40kcals per serving!).

When I got home I boiled some water for rigatoni. I sauteed the veggies with some EVOO and garlic, set them aside, and cut the chicken up into cubes. I left the tomatoes out of the saute so they didn't get mushy.

When the pasta was done I mixed in the vegetables, chicken, tomatoes, and some marinara sauce. I of course sprinkled some Parmesan cheese on top and enjoyed!

The BEST part of this meal is that it only cost me $15.00 and took about 20 minutes to make. I had enough food to feed me and my friend dinner, take some for lunch the next day, and still had enough left over for both of my parents to enjoy when they returned from vacation.

Who said eating healthfully was expensive?! The pasta was packed with colorful veggies and lean protein from the chicken - what else could a dietitian ask for?

Happy New Year. I wish everyone happy and healthy eating in 2010!

Happy HEALTHY Holidays

Still in RD mode, I made some handouts for my weight management class and decided to share the info with all of you also!

Did you know?
--Americans gain about 5lbs from constant celebrating this time of year.
*Considering 1 lb = 3500kcals, those kcal dense holiday meals add up quickly!
--A study from the New England Journal of Medicine found that most people gain about 1 lb. between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day.

Tips to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain:
Eating regular meals and snacks every day makes it easier to resist over - eating at festive events. When you are busy preparing holiday gifts and meals and you skimp on meals, nosh on protein packed snacks, like low fat cheese or yogurt, to blunt your hunger before gathering with friends and family. Make it a new family tradition to go for a walk after the meal. A 1 hour walk can burn up to 250kcals... that's a large chunk of that delicious meal!
At parties, pile your plate with lower-fat foods to limit high-calorie splurges. The following foods have fewer calories, fat, and sodium and more fiber that other holiday items:

• Whole Grains: Whole wheat rolls, wild/ brown rice, and quinoa
• Shrimp, lobster, fish, and other steamed seafood
• Plain, or lightly dressed vegetables and salad greens
• Meat and poultry WITHOUT gravy
• Fresh fruit

Depriving yourself of holiday treats can backfire and make you crave that food even more, leading to over eating. Curb calories from "naughty" foods by taking small portions. The first few bites of food provide the most pleasure anyway. Pick which foods you want to splurge on before the meal rather than mindlessly nibbling on anything that comes your way. Once you have finished your "sweetie treaties", fight the urge for more by:

• Sitting far away from buffet tables, candy dishes, and cookie filled plates
• Excuse yourself from the table when you are finished eating
• Keep your mouth busy talking to friends and family
• Chew gum or suck on a breath mint to prevent picking at food and grazing
• If you can, brush your teeth - the taste of toothpaste dulls taste buds

Source: http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asparticlekey=77296

Fighting the Flu with Food

Seems like everyone these days is talking about the swine flu. O, sorry... H1N1. I was lucky enough to get the vaccine through work, but I know it is hard to come by, so I decided to utilize my RD skills to provide some flu-fighting foods to get you through the winter.

New scientific studies are coming out that prove that a diet rich in nutrients like vitamin A and zinc can provide the critical fuel your body needs to fight off diseases like the flu. Try incorporating one of these foods into your cooking or baking for an added boost.

Vitamin A:Promotes good vision and helps to form and maintain healthy teeth, skeletal and soft tissue, mucous membranes, and skin.

Found in: liver, spinach, carrots, pumpkin yellow fruits & vegetables.

Vitamin D: Maintains proper levels of calcium and phosphorus, therefore helping to build and maintain healthy bones

Found in: fortified milk and orange juice, salmon, and tuna

Vitamin C: Necessary to form collagen in bones, cartilage, muscle, and blood vessels, and aids in the absorption of iron

Found in: red peppers, broccoli, oranges, citrus, orange colored fruits and vegetables

Vitamin B12: Helps maintain healthy nerve cells and red blood cells, and is also needed to make DNA

Found in: potatoes, bananas, garbanzo beans, dairy products

Selenium: Protects cells from oxidation and is important for a healthy immune system

Found in: Brazil nuts, turkey, canned tuna in oil

Zinc: Enhances your immune system and aids in wound healing. Involved in sensory perception (taste, smell, and vision) and controls the release of vitamin A from the liver

Found in: oysters, crab, pork shoulder, nuts, whole grains, seafood

Many of the flu-fighting foods can be incorporated into your Thanksgiving dinner: turkey, milk, spinach, pumpkin, potatoes, and broccoli... So load up on yummy nutrient dense foods for a happy, healthy holiday.

Happy Thanksgiving!