The Food That Tames My Dark Side

Believe it or not, I have a little bit of a dark side. Yes, I do my best to stay positive at every turn but when the cold weather and the frenzy of the holidays comes around, I have to admit, even I can get a little cranky.

That said, there are definitely some things that get me excited for the holiday season. I don't know about you, but many of the things that get me in the wintertime mood are food-based (of course!). As my boots and sweaters get folded back into my regular wardrobe, I start fantasizing about fireplaces (a rare treat), red wine and traditionally cold-weather produce like sweet potatoes & brussels sprouts. I know, I know, it's not cookies or cakes or giant birds, but I really do just melt at the thought of a bowl of mashed sweet potatoes - - nature's candy! 

Believe it or not, I have a little bit of a dark side. Yes, I do my best to stay positive at every turn but when the cold weather and the frenzy of the holidays comes around, I have to admit, even I can get a little cranky.

That said, there are definitely some things that get me excited for the holiday season. I don't know about you, but many of the things that get me in the wintertime mood are food-based (of course!). As my boots and sweaters get folded back into my regular wardrobe, I start fantasizing about fireplaces (a rare treat), red wine and traditionally cold-weather produce like sweet potatoes & brussels sprouts. I know, I know, it's not cookies or cakes or giant birds, but I really do just melt at the thought of a bowl of mashed sweet potatoes - - nature's candy! 

Piece o' Cake Has An Official Look!

This week I traveled to North Carolina to meet the students of Guilford Technical Community College who, for the past month, have been working hard on designing potential logos and branding packages for the Piece o' Cake brand. To your right, and above, is the winning logo, designed by Nathan Smith. Nathan's work can also be found at the Piece o' Cake Facebook page and will be featured on future business cards and other promotional items. As a whole the students impressed me with their professionalism, creativity and talent and I was blown away by all their hard work. 

This week I traveled to North Carolina to meet the students of Guilford Technical Community College who, for the past month, have been working hard on designing potential logos and branding packages for the Piece o' Cake brand. To your right, and above, is the winning logo, designed by Nathan Smith. Nathan's work can also be found at the Piece o' Cake Facebook page and will be featured on future business cards and other promotional items. As a whole the students impressed me with their professionalism, creativity and talent and I was blown away by all their hard work. 

What's With This Juicing Trend?

If you've been asking yourself that question lately, here are a couple of good reads for you:

Food & Nutrition Magazine - Juice: From Weight Loss to Detox, this Trend Is Taking Off by Jessica Cording. May 5, 2012

Redbook Magazine - The Skinny on Juicing by Betsy Stephens


Here are the bullet points:

If you've been asking yourself that question lately, here are a couple of good reads for you:

Food & Nutrition Magazine - Juice: From Weight Loss to Detox, this Trend Is Taking Off by Jessica Cording. May 5, 2012

Redbook Magazine - The Skinny on Juicing by Betsy Stephens


Here are the bullet points:

Do One Thing: Revolutionize Your Workday Lunch

So you want to be healthier. You want to eat more healthfully, exercise more and schedule that long-neglected physical exam with your doctor. But getting healthy seems like such a huge undertaking and you just don't know where to begin.

We spend so much time working. The traditional work week is 40 hours long and most of us spend 5 out of every 7 days at work. Why not start there? Workday lunches are often squeezed into whatever bit of free time we find in our day and may be made up of scavenged leftovers from catered meetings. Or maybe your weakness is large portions of fatty take-out meals? Perhaps it is that mid-afternoon slump that results in a run for that 20 ounce coffee drink that is more of a dessert with all its flavorings and whipped cream topping.

Choosing smarter meals and snacks at work may be the one small easy change you can make toward becoming a healthier you. You can do this a few different ways:

So you want to be healthier. You want to eat more healthfully, exercise more and schedule that long-neglected physical exam with your doctor. But getting healthy seems like such a huge undertaking and you just don't know where to begin.

We spend so much time working. The traditional work week is 40 hours long and most of us spend 5 out of every 7 days at work. Why not start there? Workday lunches are often squeezed into whatever bit of free time we find in our day and may be made up of scavenged leftovers from catered meetings. Or maybe your weakness is large portions of fatty take-out meals? Perhaps it is that mid-afternoon slump that results in a run for that 20 ounce coffee drink that is more of a dessert with all its flavorings and whipped cream topping.

Choosing smarter meals and snacks at work may be the one small easy change you can make toward becoming a healthier you. You can do this a few different ways:

Do One Thing: Order Wisely

Following just one or two of these tips for restaurant dining can help you save major calories when eating out:

- Sip on water, milk, or unsweetened (iced) tea or coffee
- Pick just one: bread, alcohol, appetizer OR dessert
- Order a half portion or appetizer as your meal
- Share an entree with a friend
- Choose steamed, grilled or broiled over fried or sauteed
- Go veggie: choose a vegetable or fish based entree
- Order salad dressing on the side 
- Avoid cream sauces and heavy gravies
- As soon as your food is delivered pack up half of it to-go

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net / nuchylee

Following just one or two of these tips for restaurant dining can help you save major calories when eating out:

- Sip on water, milk, or unsweetened (iced) tea or coffee
- Pick just one: bread, alcohol, appetizer OR dessert
- Order a half portion or appetizer as your meal
- Share an entree with a friend
- Choose steamed, grilled or broiled over fried or sauteed
- Go veggie: choose a vegetable or fish based entree
- Order salad dressing on the side 
- Avoid cream sauces and heavy gravies
- As soon as your food is delivered pack up half of it to-go

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net / nuchylee

Good Food on a Tight Budget: The Ultimate Healthy Food & Grocery Shopping Resource

I am so excited about this and can't wait to share it with you. Just a couple weeks ago, The Environmental Working Group (EWG) released what is one of the most comprehensive, user friendly and inclusive grocery shopping resources I've seen.

The Good Food on a Tight Budget guide "lists the most nutritious, most economical and least polluted fruits, vegetables, proteins, grains and dairy items." The list also includes cooking fats & oils, as well as staples & spices, and is narrowed down to the top 100 foods, from nearly 1,200, after looking at "food prices, nutrients, pesticides, environmental pollutants and artificial ingredients." 

I am so excited about this and can't wait to share it with you. Just a couple weeks ago, The Environmental Working Group (EWG) released what is one of the most comprehensive, user friendly and inclusive grocery shopping resources I've seen.

The Good Food on a Tight Budget guide "lists the most nutritious, most economical and least polluted fruits, vegetables, proteins, grains and dairy items." The list also includes cooking fats & oils, as well as staples & spices, and is narrowed down to the top 100 foods, from nearly 1,200, after looking at "food prices, nutrients, pesticides, environmental pollutants and artificial ingredients." 

So Long Summer...

The long Labor Day weekend means that many of you are away on vacation or closer to home, enjoying barbecues and dinners with friends. But if you're checking in with the POC blog, then you are probably looking to maintain your healthy habits while enjoying yourself over this end-of-summer holiday. Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, I've accumulated some great tips for incorporating healthy eating and physical activity into your vacation and holiday time. Take your pick of tips and have a Happy Labor Day weekend! 

And remember:

Fill up half your plate with fruits and vegetables
Stay hydrated
1 drink for women and 2 for men is the recommended daily limit for alcoholic beverages
Enjoy these last days and weeks of warm weather by getting out and playing outdoors

Guacamole recipe
I Dare You: Healthy Holiday Fun
Healthy Vacations: In Flight & Around Town
Hit the Road... & Have Your Cake Too!

The long Labor Day weekend means that many of you are away on vacation or closer to home, enjoying barbecues and dinners with friends. But if you're checking in with the POC blog, then you are probably looking to maintain your healthy habits while enjoying yourself over this end-of-summer holiday. Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, I've accumulated some great tips for incorporating healthy eating and physical activity into your vacation and holiday time. Take your pick of tips and have a Happy Labor Day weekend! 

And remember:

Fill up half your plate with fruits and vegetables
Stay hydrated
1 drink for women and 2 for men is the recommended daily limit for alcoholic beverages
Enjoy these last days and weeks of warm weather by getting out and playing outdoors

Guacamole recipe
I Dare You: Healthy Holiday Fun
Healthy Vacations: In Flight & Around Town
Hit the Road... & Have Your Cake Too!