Livening Up Your Dishes with Pickling Spice

Out of the blue, a friend mentioned pickling spice to me. I didn't want to admit I never heard of it, but was amazed he used it in his dish. I just automatically assumed, due to its name, that this particular spice was for...well...pickling. What else would it be for I thought? I went along with the flow of the conversation and Googled it later. Sure enough...that's what pickling spice is for!

However, pickling spice can definitely be used for cooking just like my friend did for his recipe. It can include at least mustard seed, bay leaves,  black pepper, cinnamon, allspice, and other spices and seeds. Pickling spice conjures up a delightful flavor that does very well in casseroles, soups, and other dishes. One thing I would do, as suggested by my friend, should you choose to use pickling spice is to grind it up before putting a dash of it here and there in your culinary creations.

If you haven't tried pickling spice in your recipes at home, give it a try today!

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What has your pickling spice experience been like?

Our New Lunch Practice at Work

I am one of those who believes variety is the spice of life!  Of course, that would include food!  How boring would it be to eat the same rotation of food year after year?  How can our bodies truly benefit from the various nutrients offered in different food groups?

To make things interesting for us at work this year, two of my colleagues and a staff member decided to "potluck" our lunches once a week. We pick a theme and everyone brings a food item that has to do with the chosen cuisine. This gives us a chance to try new recipes and  to try food items that may be completely new to us.  So far, we have done Filipino, Swedish, Mexican, and Hawaiian!  It's been so fun and has been a great bonding experience for us!  Wish I thought about taking pictures earlier and reporting on each theme we have had so far.

Wish I plated this nicely, but we loved our Swedish meal with Swedish meatballs, braised kale, mashed potatoes & lingonberry jam!

My suggestion to you is try "potlucking" your lunches at work once a week.  If that is too often, try every other week or once a month. Picking a different theme each time and just doing it gives everyone something to look forward to. Part of the joy of life is eating well, so why not venture out in trying new foods with your buddies at work! 

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If you have already been having potlucks at work, what has your experience been?

A Good Nutritious Mistake

I decided that today was going to be a day in which I would have to buy lunch.  My plan was to get a chipotle veggie burger at the student pavillion and then take my lunch over to the tables in front of the Loma Linda market to join my student and colleague.  After waiting a good fifteen minutes in line for my veggie burger to be made, I was happy to be on my way to eat lunch with the gals.

Lo and behold, for some strange reason, I dropped my beautiful, amazing smelling veggie burger!  Ughh!  I had waited a while for the sandwich to be made only to lose it completely to the ground.  I continued to walk on over to the ladies.  I informed them of my veggie burger demise and said I would get something else at the Patio Pantry beside the market.

Avocados from my tree.

By this time, my blood sugars had plummeted some more and I was sad to "lose" my veggie burger.  As I ordered my sandwich, I was sure I asked for an "egg salad sandwich" on wheat bread.  The guy started making my sandwich with wheat bread and then continued to smother on a thick layer of avocado on both pieces of bread. Although I do like avocados, I'm not crazy about it.  At this point, I was too tired to say anything, but thought maybe they are now grotesquely adding avocado to the egg salad sandwich.  I then found out he was making an avocado sandwich instead of an egg salad sandwich.  Since I was too distraught now to say anything, I went along with the sandwich and paid for it.

I joined my friends at the table shaded nicely by a big tree.  Much to surprise, this sandwich turned out to be way, way better than what I had pictured for the day.  He also put red onions, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and a light layer of mayonnaise.  Of course, he placed a couple slices of cheese.  The mistaken sandwich turned out to be so delicious and wonderful!  The sandwich also came with carrot sticks and orange slices.  Wish I had gone there first.  Anyway, I never thought an avocado sandwich would be so delicious and delightful even though I already how nutritious it would be! The next time someone makes you a different sandwich than what you ordered, go along with the flow.  You might just be surprised.

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What great tasting sandwich have you had lately?

Nutrition Bit by Brittany Johnson, RD

In the fall, I teach a course called "Capstone Nutrition and Dietetics". It is a course in which the students gather all they have learned over the time they have been with us and produce four projects. One of those projects is to tape a brief nutrition infomercial called "Nutrition Bits".  The students write their own scripts, while I tweak and make any necessary adjustments.



Our students in the bachelor and master of science degree in nutrition and dietetics program have the option of taking their Registered Dietitian exam prior to their last year with us. One of those brave students was Brittany Johnson who took the plunge.  Towards the end of last summer, Brittany successfully became a registered dietitian. Brittany is one of our amazing students who shows great leadership and communication skills. Having zest for life herself  and helping others live healthy lives are two of Brittany's many passions. Take a look at her "Nutrition Bit" down below.

Why Should We Even Care About Vitamin A?

Does the thought of having night blindness, called nyctalopia, scare you? Basically night blindness is having difficulty seeing when lights are low. I wouldn't want that and I'm sure you wouldn't either. We want to see! You also would not want this, having foamy patches on the conjunctiva of your eye. There is a fancy name for this condition called Bitot's Spots. In addition, there is another situation of the eye that would be uncomfortable to have, that would be having dry eyes. Can you prevent all this from happening? There is a good possibility you can.

Vitamin A deficiency can place you in any of the above conditions. In order to prevent yourself from being deficient in vitamin A, indulge in pre-formed vitamin A called beta carotene. Beta carotene is the precursor to vitamin A. Your eye health will be in tip top shape when you have an adequate daily intake of beta-carotene rich foods such as pumpkin (tis the season!), carrots, dark leafy greens, spinach, orange juice, sweet potatoes, and cantaloupe. The beta carotene will be better absorbed well in your body when you don't dip down too low in your fat intake. Without adequate fat, you won't be able to absorb vitamin A as well as the other fat soluble vitamins that our bodies need.

So as you are enjoying your pumpkin soup this season, just know that your eyes are thanking you, so that you can see the world clearly!

References:
Mahan, L. K., Escott-Stump, S, & Raymond, J. L. (2012). Krause's Food and the Nutrition Care Process, 13th Edition. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier

Wedner, S. H., & D. A. Ross (2008). Vitamin D and Its Prevention. International Encyclopedia of Public Health. P. 526-632.

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What is your favorite pumpkin dessert or entree? 

Not a Fan of the Word "Superfood"

Image courtesy of worradmu @ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

There are so many articles calling certain food items "superfoods". If any of those foods were truly "super", then really...that particular food item should completely prevent...heal...or even cure...medical conditions.The reality is that when any one food item is featured in the "super" light, it is because it is rich in two or three nutrients..not all vitamins, minerals, macronutrients, and phytonutrients known to man all in one package.


When articles call certain items "superfood", this can lead some individuals to think that he or she should eat that particular food item every day or at least in most of their meals to reap the benefits of that particular food item. This can drive someone to limit their intake of eating a variety of vegetables, fruits, grains, and beans. Limiting food intake to the same food choices day in and day out will keep many from gaining the benefits other food items have to offer.

The key is to venture out on a daily basis when it comes to choosing food for your meals. Eating different food items from day to day...or at least from week to week...can certainly add "spice" to your life and keep your health in check.

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For the fun of it, what has been your favorite "superfood"?

Backpacking Trip

Without a doubt, I love the great outdoors! Needless to say, camping is definitely fun and enjoyable, but what's even better than camping is backpacking!!  Backpacking takes you to places where the scenery is just absolutely gorgeous and the lakes are pristine and clean.

Our awesome group!

Early this month, we hiked up in Kings Canyon National Park. Our trip consisted of a 3 night stay up in the beautiful mountains. We started from Onion Valley in which the elevation was already about 9,200 feet. Then we hiked up, with some switchbacks, to Kearsarge Pass in which we immediately gained 2,560 feet of elevation and ended up at 11,760 feet. Yep, this was a difficult hike needless to say! From Kearsarge Pass, we proceeded to hike a few more miles to beautiful Charlotte Lake where we stayed a couple nights. The lake itself was peaceful with majestic mountains all around. The awesomeness of God was everywhere!

Bullfrog Lake

We then made our way to Bullfrog Lake where the guys continued to fish.  Several different types of trout were caught. Then we decided to spend our last night at Kearsarge Lake where the scenery there was different, but gorgeous and amazing in its own way.

Kearsarge Lake

Since we had to bring enough food for our 3 1/2 day trip, I am absolutely thankful for the different companies that make freeze-dried food! Freeze-dried food makes any backpacking trip delightful! I enjoyed the lasagna with meat sauce, fettucini with alfredo sauce, teriyaki chicken with rice, mashed potatoes, corn, and huevos rancheros. They were also delicious and repleted us well from all of our hikes. Thank you freeze-dried food companies!!

Just like any endurance sport, hiking up switchbacks is one major endurance activity. Hikes of this caliber also require the right nutrition and hydration plan in order to feel good, have energy, and have good blood sugar levels to keep everyone in good spirits!

Our backpacking trip was a great way to end the summer by being in the midst of God's beautiful creations!

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What is your favorite freeze-dried food?