Highlights From OBX

by Emily

Hey there! Long time no see! It has been, and is going to be, a crazy summer.

Among other things, I went to the Outer Banks last week (whee!).

My in-laws took Adam and me for a couple of days and we had a glorious time. We beached,

climbed the sand dunes,

got a large chocolate-strawberry diet coke from Sonic that rocked my face off,

and met a Flutter Pony.

You don’t even want to know how excited I was about that damn horse statue.

We went to climb the sand dunes in between my spotting the pony and taking my picture with it and I muttered to Adam about The Smooze the whole time. <– if you got that reference I will kiss you on the mouth

I know I’m behind the times, but I want to post some of our trip eats highlights anyway, mostly so I have a record of them for the next time we visit OBX. This was a trip where sharing meant caring; the only meals Adam and I didn’t split were dessert!

Lunch at Mulligan’s.

Coastal Carolina She-Crab soup.

This was basically a giant bowl of crab meat; ah-maze-ing! We also swooned over the sherry floater.

California style fish tacos.

Soft tortillas with local fried fish, cilantro-lime slaw, pico de gallo, and Cajun tartar sauce. This was our first meal in NC and it set a great tone for the rest of the trip.

BBQ at Sooey’s.

Pulled chicken platter with cole slaw, hush puppies, and fried okra.

This stop was a repeat from my first OBX visit and I’m so glad we went back. Those were the best fried okra I’ve ever had, I was shoving them into my mouth by the handful!

Breakfast at The Dunes Restaurant.

We got the Greek omelet (spinach, tomato, and feta) with asparagus. It came with hash-browns and a side and since we were splitting they let us do one hotcake and one biscuit. Even with two of us eating we couldn’t finish that giant plate of food.

Froyo at The Surfin’ Spoon.

Such good topping options! I got a little bit of yogurt with marshmallow fluff, peanut butter topping, bananas, and reese’s peanut butter cups.

Like a fluffernutter in froyo form!

Also, froyo at Wild Berry.

The yogurt flavors weren’t anything new, but the toppings bar boasted sweetened condensed milk!!! I was definitely in heaven.

All in all, it was a tasty, terrific trip.

21May2013

Fun In Fruit

by Emily

The title says it pretty well, I just wanted to post about a few fun fruit-based things I’ve brought home lately. Half I’ve tasted and half I haven’t, but I’m excited about them all.

Unless otherwise noted*, products were purchased with my own money and I was not compensated for posting about them; I just wanted to share.

1. Outshine Coconut Waters with Banana popsicles. {tried – pretty good}

Allergies have been killing my throat for weeks and I bought these on a whim the other day. They were nowhere near as satisfying as the rainbow sherbet I ended up with later, but they are a good summer treat. They don’t have a ton of flavor, but each bar has only 60 calories and they are nice to cool down with.

2. Cherimoya fruit. {excited to try}

Adam and I love to try new produce when it pops up and I’ve heard cherimoyas described as “custard apples” so I knew we had to try this one, $7 price tag and all. Unfortunately I got a little too excited and stored it in the fridge before I read that they are supposed to stay at room-temperature until they are ripe. Whenever it is actually ready to eat I’ll be sure to let you guys know what we think!

3. Synergy Mystic Mango Kombucha. {tried – flipping amazing}

Oh my goodness, guys, this stuff is the official “sweet nectar of the gods.” The texture was so thick and perfect on my throat. Mystic mango is from GT’s “Enlightened Synergy” line, so maybe that’s the difference, but the flavor was much less vinegar-based than the Kombuchas I’ve had in the past. This was pure mango. A bottle has 100 calories total and is very satisfying.

4. Larabar’s new ALT line.* {excited to try}

NOTE: These bars were sent to me by Larabar free of charge so I could try their new line. I was not compensated for posting, but I do plan on sharing my thoughts as I taste through the line.

From the company: “ALT, the Alternative Protein Bar™, is the first-ever bar with added protein from LÄRABAR! Many bar brands use soy or whey protein, but ALT uses an alternative protein source: peas. Vegan, gluten free, dairy free, and non-GMO, ALT also uses a wrapper that is 31% renewable.”

The line comes in Cinnamon Apple Crisp, Lemon Pound Cake, Peanut Butter Cookie, and Pumpkin Pie. The bars have 10 grams of protein each and each flavor has between 210 and 240 calories.

20May2013

Peanut Butter S’mores Layer Bars

by Emily

Exciting news – on Saturday I officially graduated from my final undergrad experience with a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics!!! I guess I shouldn’t say officially, since I skipped graduation to hang out with Adam and his brother, but I’ve got a diploma coming in the mail any day now. I didn’t need to walk again, I did that with my first undergrad degree. <– blush

Besides, we already had our ceremonial, holding back tears, class goodbye. On Friday, one of our teachers sweetly hosted a goodbye lunch for our whole 18-person Coordinated Program at her home. My friend and I brought jello shots! The afternoon gets a little hazy after that, but I do remember everyone raving over the other thing I brought: peanut butter s’mores layer bars.

I know, I know; I’m having a weird obsession with layer bars lately. These guys are worth the repeat though. The combo of peanut butter and s’more is to die for, and they come together in a snap. Modeled after 7-layer bars, they are chewy, gooey perfection.

Peanut Butter S’mores Layer Bars, makes 25 squares

11 graham cracker sheets, crushed
1/2 cup salted butter
1 cup salted cocktail peanuts
1 cup peanut butter chips
1 cup milk chocolate chips
3 cups mini marshmallows
14 oz can sweetened condensed milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Farenheit.
Place butter in a 9×9 inch baking dish in the pre-heating oven until melted.
Pour graham cracker crumbs into melted butter, mix together with a fork, and press into a thin, even layer in the bottom of the baking dish.
Sprinkle peanuts, peanut butter chips, and chocolate chips in an even layer over the crust, alternating ingredients so they are mixed together rather than in layers. Top with marshmallows. Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk on top.
Bake for 30 minutes, until the sweetened condensed milk no longer looks soupy.
Allow to cool before cutting into squares. You can serve these right away, but if there is a time gap I recommend storing them in the freezer so that they get nice and firm.

17May2013

Things I’m Loving From Trader Joe’s

by Emily

Buffalo doesn’t have a Trader Joe’s (yet!), but that doesn’t mean I can’t pine over the goods I plan on purchasing once we are back in the city this summer.

The following are some of the things I bought when I was in Ohio last month. They were all new to me and most of them I’ve now decided I can’t live without!

1. Roasted Coconut Chips.

Coconut chips are nothing super new – I’ve been picking them out of tropical trail mixes since I was a kid – but it was nice to see them get their own package. These guys are perfectly sweet and crunchy. Nutrition stats for 1 oz – 160 kcal, 1 g protein, 4 g fiber, 10 g saturated fat.

2. Zesty Nacho Kale Chips.

I love the idea of kale chips but the ones I try to make up at home end up being tiny, burnt, kale carcinogens. And the amazingly delicious ones sold at Wegman’s cost more than $7 a bag. This 2-serving bag was less than $6 and the chips were the best I’ve ever had. They seem to have roasted giant leaves without cutting them up first so the chips are big and chunky and delicious. Nutrition stats for 1 oz – 150 kcal, 6 g protein, 3 g fiber, and 1 g saturated fat. Plus 130% RDA for Vitamin A!

3. 10 Minute Bulgur.

This was our first time trying bulgur and we both loved it. The taste and texture were exactly what I’m always hoping for from rice. <– no, I can’t describe it any better than that; I love food and I love writing but there is a reason I’m not a food writer, people!

It really did cook in 10 minutes – it’s pre-cooked – making it a super easy grain for a quick dinner. We paired it with black beans, tomatillo, sautéed spinach, and avocado. A one 1/2 cup serving, which turns into a ton when cooked, has 280 kcal, 11 g protein, and 6 g fiber.

4. Organic Sweetened Condensed Milk.

SCM, aka nectar of the gods, is nothing new, but the squeeze bottle system sure is nifty. I love putting SCM in coffee (like a lazy Vietnamese coffee) and this way I can use 1-2 Tbsp in my cup occasionally without having to worry about storing the rest. This was a nice blurb to see on the back of the bottle – “Trader Joe’s Organic Sweetened Condensed Milk is made from organic milk from cows not treated with hormones or antibiotics, and sweet organic cane sugar.”

Are you lucky enough to have a Trader Joe’s in your town? What are your favorite TJ’s goods?

14May2013

Seven Layers In Heaven Bars

by Emily

It is Finals Week at Buffalo State. Instead of final exams, my program is spending Monday – Thursday, 8 am – 4 pm, sitting in a small room and filling out various forms, handing in portfolios, and doing presentations. Fun, right?

Yesterday, my group gave an hour(+) presentation on food service and food safety, complete with pre- and post-tests. We did a quiz bowl style post-test and I was responsible for bringing in a prize for the winners. Dietitian that I am, my mind went to cookies first.

I wanted to do something in bar form and I wanted to come up with a new recipe that I had never made before. I thought of doing a twist on 7-Layer (Hello Dolly/Magic) Bars but I knew that I had to get rid of the coconut because some ~~crazy~~ people don’t like it.

Enter Seven Layers in Heaven Bars. Aka Sweet and Salty 7-Layer Bars. Aka Peanut Butter Chocolate Pretzel {Toffee Graham Cracker} Bars.

I made enough for everyone – we’re all winners – and all were gone by the end of the day. When you get a group of Dietitians to go back for seconds on dessert, you know you’ve done a good job!

Seven Layers in Heaven Bars, makes 20 squares

adapted from the recipe for 7-layer bars

7 graham cracker sheets, crushed
6 Tbsp salted butter
3/4 cup Heath Toffee Bits
3/4 cup milk chocolate chips
3/4 cup peanut butter chips
1 and 1/4 cup crunched salted, thins-style pretzels
15 Tbsp sweetened condensed milk (just measure a scant cup)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Farenheit.
Place butter in a 9×9 inch baking dish in the pre-heating oven until melted.
Pour graham cracker crumbs into melted butter, mix together with a fork, and press into a thin, even layer in the bottom of the baking dish.
Sprinkle the toffee bits, milk chocolate chips, and peanut butter chips over the crust. Top with crushed pretzels. Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk on top.
Bake for 30 minutes, until the sweetened condensed milk no longer looks soupy.
Allow to cool before cutting into squares. You can serve these right away, but if there is a time gap I recommend storing them in the freezer so that they get nice and firm.

13May2013

What Month Is It?

by Emily

Doesn’t this outfit look a little warm for May?

Nope! We had a high of 48 degrees here in Buffalo today and I was flipping freezing. I went out for a short run this morning in 38* and came back with a hacking cough that has stuck with me through the afternoon. The other people in my program were thrilled to spend the day in a tiny room with me.

In better news, I earned a 4.0 GPA for my final semester! All of my Dietetics courses were Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory, but I aced the crap out of my Western History final. It’s nice to end school on a high note (minus this upcoming crazy-busy week).

Is your area experiencing any weird weather this week? Tell me other parts of the country have made it to Spring?!

9May2013

Complaints

by Emily

1. Buffalo has been ranked one of the worst US cities for allergies this year and I feel flipping terrible. I have sore eyes, a runny nose, and a cough that won’t quit. I’ve always had bad pollen and dust allergies but this is the first year ever I’ve actually taken medication for them. The pollen kicked up two weeks ago and I have been miserable ever since.

2. School ends next week which means that all 4 (giant, gigantic, ridiculous) of my final projects are due on Monday. I have a group presentation, a professional portfolio, a full business plan, and a community education plan. Even if I wasn’t feeling sick, my head would be spinning.

3. I’m freaking out about getting a job once we move. I really like my new profession and I am crossing my fingers that a hospital job will open up in time for me to snag it. The last time I was in school I had a job lined up before I graduated so the current situation is really stressing me out.