Frugal Friday: Seasonal Finds

First off: Happy Halloweekend all! I love all things Halloween: creative costumes, festive spirits, candy corn...

Since this is the only time of year that these pointed yellow-orange-and-white sugary treats are in stock, I definitely take the opportunity to indulge a bit. This leads us into today’s Frugal Friday topic: the financial benefits of buying seasonal foods.

Feeling a bit guilty over the latex Sarah Palin costume you just purchased (I hope not, Palin costumes are so last Halloween)? A good way to make nice with your wallet is to ease up on money spent in the grocery store by taking advantage of seasonal specials!

When foods, especially fresh fruits and veggies, are in greater supply, the costs tend to be lower. Seasonal food requires less effort to produce than out-of-season products because they don’t need as much labor and time.

In addition to lower costs, buying seasonal foods yields many benefits:

• Seasonal foods can imply locality. Since these foods do not need to be flown in from across the country/world, the unhealthy environmental impact of transportation is lessened.
• Seasonal foods often taste better since they were allowed to grow and ripen properly without being shipped over great distances.
• Seasonal foods can be healthier, since out-of-season food is often forced to grow in artificial environments with the aid of fertilizer.
• Experience new, interesting tastes and textures by trying what’s in season. Maybe you’ll realize an unknown love for roasted cauliflower!

Some autumn fruits/veggies include apples, beetroot, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, cranberries, grapes, lettuce, mushrooms, parsnips, pears, potatoes, pumpkin squash, tomatoes, and watercress.

Don’t feel like you have to suffer without your summer strawberries! Fall’s seasonal goodies yield so many delicious recipes. Doesn’t a hot loaf of pumpkin bread sound perfect? What about a fresh apple crisp? Sweet potato casserole? Roasted Squash?

One seasonal recipe I would love to try soon is Emily’s Roasted Squash and Black Bean Chili in Pumpkin Bowls dish. Until I find the time for that recipe, I’m pretty content snacking on these Fall finds:

What food are you happy to see in season right now?

Today’s Recommended Read: 5 Terrific Fall Foods (TLC Cooking)

Thirsty Thursday: It Just Keeps Going and Going...

It’s Thursday night. You have a big term paper due tomorrow. After catching a re-run of Jersey Shore and counting the number of cement blocks in your dorm room wall, you determine it’s probably time to buckle down. With a slumped posture and heavy eyelids, you decide there’s no way you can get through this homework without guzzling down one of these…

Today’s Thirsty Thursday post will examine that infamous beverage-of-choice for sleep-deprived college students and other exhausted adults: the energy drink. 

I have actually never downed a can of this beverage. One tiny sip of Red Bull was enough for me; Yuck! However, I often see my fellow students going through 2 or more of these cans of crazy every night. 

The common leading ingredient in most energy drinks is—you guessed it—caffeine. Different forms of caffeine are used, such as guarana, ginseng, ginko biloba, creatine, and other funky sounding words. One 8-ounce energy drink contains 80 milligrams of caffeine on average, although some types can contain the equivalent of 14 cans of Coca-Cola! Not to mention the blood-racing amount of sugar packed into these beverages.

These drinks do not provide a healthy dose of energy, but rather cause a “crash and burn” effect.  While a small amount of energy drink consumption is not very harmful, excessive amounts of the beverage can have these nasty results:

• Agitation, anxiety, and irritability
• Abnormal heart rhythms
• Dental decay
• Upset stomach
• Increased blood pressure
• Insomnia

The nutritional stats for some popular energy drinks are not exactly brag-worthy. The following numbers show the contents of one can (because let’s face it, students drink every drop and ignore the recommended serving size):

Red Bull

115 calories

26 grams of sugar

80 mg of caffeine

Monster

200 calories

54 grams of sugar

160 mg of caffeine

Rockstar

280 calories

62 grams of sugar

150 mg of caffeine

Full Throttle

220 calories

58 grams of sugar

200 mg of caffeine

I hope you’re starting to rethink that energy drink undoubtedly peering out of your bookbag. But don’t panic! There are other ways to energize yourself without the detrimental health effects of a Red Bull or Monster. Try these EYC-approved tricks:

• Eat a balanced amount of carbs. Overloading on white bread pizza can make you sluggish, but healthy carbs from veggies and fruits will stabilize your blood sugar level, making you feel awake. It’s simply a matter of figuring out what amount of carbs works best for you.

• Regular exercise can keep you energized throughout the day, so skip the 10-minute walk to the convenience store and put in a good 30-minute sweat sesh at the gym at least 5 days a week.

• Don’t skimp on healthy proteins. Whether cooking up a salmon patty for dinner or slathering some peanut butter on a banana, a balanced amount of protein will keep your energy levels up.

• Get an adequate amount of sleep. I’m sure many students will roll their eyes at this obvious yet seemingly impossible-to-achieve notion, but it truly is important to get in some shut eye. Smart scheduling and a productive attitude should afford you at least a good seven hours of snooze time. 

I think we need to leave the energy drinks to someone who can really handle it. Anyone have the Energizer Bunny’s number?

Are you a fan of energy drinks? What are your tricks for staying energized on your busy days?

Today's Recommended Read: Seven Ways to Keep Your Mind Sharp (Self)

Whatever Wednesday: A Delicious Lecture

I'm sure you're sitting at your computer thinking, "It's Whatever Wednesday! Jenny could post absolutely anything! It's like getting a birthday surprise once a week. What is it this week...what is it this week...oooh! A post about...a professor's lecture?? BORING."

FALSE! (Black bear! Anyone watch The Office out there?) I would never post about some boring academic lecture on Enjoy Your Cheerios. This lecture I attended was not required, and it was not some stuffy, sleep-inducing talk.

On our school activities website, I noticed a guest lecture listing that piqued my interest: "The Ideal Way to Eat: How Utopian Foodways, Democratic Diners, and Competing Perfections Came to the Party and Ruined My Appetite, a guest lecture by Gastronomy Professor Netta Davis."

Having just finished reading In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan (read my book review here), the opportunity to learn more about my nation's diet and the culture of eating was appealing. I called to reserve my place at the event, which was free and open to the public.

The lecture itself took place in a culinary arts classroom (I didn't even realize my college has a masters program for the culinary arts!). Upon entering the room, I felt like I had stepped into a studio for the Food Network channel. Refreshments were supplied, to my delighted surprise. There were homemade crackers, cheeses, fruits, and cookies. Glasses filled with wine, beer, and some really delicious apple juice (can you tell which beverage I chose?) were offered as well.

Glancing at the attendees, I quickly realized I was probably the youngest person in attendance. Perhaps next time they should advertise the free beer ;-) I took a seat in the middle of the room, and soon Netta Davis began speaking.

She spoke a lot about the expansion of food-related literature, referring to authors like Barry Glasner, Michael Pollan, and Marion Nestle (who writes a fantastic blog), spoke about the elements of a "utopian foodway" (centers around the idea of one superfood, assesses food prep practices, and makes food accessible and equitably distributed), and then delved deeper into the American diet.

Davis pointed out that America is the "land of plenty," yet we are chided for eating copious amounts of food. She spoke about the trend to create "predictable" food since sameness does not threaten eaters and facilitates processing. That concept of ideal sameness raises the question, "How do we make natural foods (ie: every tomato) the same/processable? And should we even want to?"

The talk was different than I expected, but enjoyable nonetheless. The most important thing I took away from the talk was that there is hardly an "ideal" way for an entire culture to eat since environmental, ethical, and other factors come into play. Although I personally found bits of her talk lacking in compelling evidence, I will certainly keep an eye out for future lectures hosted by my school's culinary arts program.

What is your idea of a "Utopian Foodway"? Mine would involve lots of peanut butter ;-)

Today's Recommended Read: "New Study: HFCS-Sweetened Drinks Higher in Fructose Than Expected" (Food Politics)

Tune-In Tuesday: Pollan's "In Defense of Food"

What did you eat for lunch today? Was it food? Or was it an edible food-like substance?

If you’re confused by the above questions, don’t panic. The term “edible food-like substances” is a term seen frequently in Michael Pollan’s book, In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto. Today’s Tune-In Tuesday post reviews one of the best books I’ve read regarding the American diet by one of my favorite authors. Not ready to take my word for it? Well, keep reading!

First a word about the author. Michael Pollan is a frequent inhabitant of bestsellers lists, known for his writings on the food industry, healthy living, and the environment. He was named to the TIME’s 2010 list of the world’s 100 most influential people. Newsweek named him one of the top 10 “New Thought Leaders,” and he has received many awards as a contributing writer to The New York Times.

In Defense of Food examines the relationship between “nutritionism” and the Western diet. Pollan believes our national dietary problem is that we are merely eating food-like substances touted as healthy. Ironically, America seems to become less healthy as it worries about how to become more healthy. Rather than confusing the reader with mumbo jumbo and scientific talk, Pollan simplifies his message into seven words:

Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.

Catchy, eh? Here are some random key points presented:

Eat Food:

-America is currently eating a lot of highly processed foods. For example, the food industry has taken cereal, turned it into oatmeal, turned it into cereal bars with a layer of fake milk inside, etc.

-Don’t eat anything your great-great-grandma wouldn’t recognize. Would she know what a Go-Gurt was if she picked it up in the store?

Not too much:

-America should take a hint from other cultures and reduce portion sizes. The French use smaller plates while the Japanese practice “Hara hachi bu” (eating until you’re 80% full). Spend more money on better food, just buy less of it.

Mostly plants:

-The periphery of the grocery store contains the less processed foods like fresh produce.

-Embrace the plethora of health benefits that come with vegetable and fruit consumption, such as cancer and diabetes prevention.

-Vegetables and fruits should be redefined as the center of things with meat as a side dish.

Overall, Pollan answers the question “what should I eat” from an ecological, tradition-based standpoint rather than from a scientific, nutrient-specific view. In my personal opinion…

What I liked: Pollan uses a straightforward tone without preaching his content. His casual voice makes you feel like you’re receiving advice from a knowledgeable friend rather than from a stuffy academic. Forget the boring, unoriginal nutritional guidelines; In Defense of Food provides fresh, unique ideas about the food industry (I had all but forgotten about Go-Gurts!).

What I didn’t like: The book presents potential solutions to the nation’s food problems, but I didn’t feel like I was given too many details about the problems themselves. Luckily, this dislike will easily be resolved once I finish reading the book’s predecessor, The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals. Yes, I am reading them out of order, but have no fear…more Pollan reviews are to come in future Tune-In Tuesday posts!

I would certainly recommend reading this book. In the meantime, check out this awesome NPR interview with Pollan about his food philosophies.

If you’ve read In Defense of Food, what did you think? Can you think of any overly processed goods that would fit Pollan’s idea of “edible food-like substances”?

Today’s Recommended Read: “Walmart to Buy More Local Produce” (The NYTimes)

Munchies Monday: Pumpkin Pie Bites

Mini pumpkin pies? On a healthy living blog? Why not! I believe an important part of living a balanced, healthy life is embracing life's sweet eats along with the more nutritious goodies out there. EYC's first Munchies Monday post will highlight a fun treat to create just in time for Halloween or Thanksgiving.

One of my favorite blogs to read is Bakerella's baking blog. Not only does she concoct tasty original recipes and write humorous posts, but she has such a healthy attitude towards life. She executes all of her treats with the creative patience and talent of a true artist. Who could possibly argue that these adorable Toy Story 3-themed cake pops don't require a healthy amount of life loving?

As a college student, kitchen resources are often limited. I will often see a recipe and pass up on the opportunity to try it up because I think it goes beyond the capabilities of my little kitchen space or my small supply of cooking equipment. However, this recipe only requires few ingredients, an oven, a mini muffin tin, and good friends to help with the consumption!

I don't quite think I'm ready to create one of Bakerella's Mr. Potato Head cake pops, but I'm very glad I decided to give her recipe for Pumpkin Pie Bites a try last Thanksgiving. They were a hit with both my friends and family. Drawing the faces with melted chocolate was a bit tricky and shaping the pie crusts correctly took a few tries, but there was nothing difficult about sending one of these delicious jack-o-lanterns right to my tummy.

Proud of my success, I decided to email the picture to Bakerella herself. A week later, I was giddy when I received a response! I felt like I was hearing back from a celebrity:

Love your faces. They are so happy looking.
Great job.
Bakerella

Check out the recipe on her website and get baking!

What's your favorite pumpkin recipe?

Today's Recommended Read: "Kids Get the Chance to Grade School Lunch" (The Boston Globe)

Frugal Friday: Trader Joe's Treasures

When I did my weekly grocery run this week, I realized the first Frugal Friday post needed to highlight the awesome prices at my favorite grocery store:

Trader Joe's always gives me such a warm and fuzzy feeling inside. Perhaps it's the delicious free samples, the cozy decor, the extensive organic selections...or the AMAZING PRICES. If you're a college student looking to make nice with your wallet, I recommend checking out TJ's for finance-friendly supplies. Their website explains it best, listing these reasons for their low prices:

• We buy direct from suppliers whenever possible, we bargain hard to get the best price, and then pass the savings on to you.
• If an item doesn't pull its weight in our stores, it goes away to gangway for something else.
• We buy in volume and contract early to get the best prices.
• Most grocers charge their suppliers fees for putting an item on the shelf. This results in higher prices...so we don't do it.
• We keep our costs low--because every penny we save is a penny you save.

So what exactly do these savings look like? Well, for one thing, they are very colorful. TJ's artistic displays only add to the deliciousness of their deals. Photos often speak louder than words, so I'll let my snapshots from this week's shopping trip do the talking:

As a banana addict, my favorite deal is the 19 cent bananas. Just look at that beautiful banana bonanza...

Trader Joe's has locations nationwide. If you happen to live near downtown Boston, a few locations include Back Bay (899 Boylston Street), Brookline (1317 Beacon Street), and Cambridge (748 Memorial Drive).

Have you ever been to Trader Joe's? Any other banana addicts out there? :-)

Today's Recommended Read: Told to Eat its Vegetables, America Orders Fries (NY Times)

Thirsty Thursday: It's Not Easy Being Green

A wise frog once said, “It’s not easy being green.” However, I would argue that some of the best things in life are some shade of green: a lush forest, hard-earned cash, a satisfying Green Monster smoothie…

No no you Red Sox fans, not that Green Monster! Let’s backtrack a bit. As a college student on the go, it’s not always easy finding time to eat a whole meal.  Ever try maneuvering a fork to eat a fruit cup while taking the bumpy, crowded shuttle bus between classes? Not so simple. So what’s the solution? Have a filling, easy, nutritious smoothie!

Today’s Thirsty Thursday post investigates smoothies sold commercially, spotlighting a couple nutritious options and ending with my own favorite homemade recipe. Let’s start with Jamba Juice. 

This smoothie chain offers a variety of options categorized into the following: Classic, All Fruit, Pre-Boosted, Jamba Light, and Creamy Treats. You know your health is in good hands when the company follows these mantras:

One of the many tasty choices from Jamba Juice is the Protein Berry Smoothie. It contains soy milk, frozen strawberries, frozen bananas, and whey protein boost. The "original" size provides you with a filling 370 calories, 4 grams of fiber, 20 grams of protein, 80% of your daily recommended vitamin C needs, and 20% of your daily recommended iron needs.

Next up: Starbucks. 

This popular coffee chain now includes Vivanno Smoothies on its menu. Available flavors include Orange Mango, Strawberry, and Chocolate. Let’s take a closer look at the Orange Mango Banana Vivanno Smoothie. It has no artificial sweetners and contains whey protein for an extra energy boost.  To make the smoothie, Starbucks blends one whole banana with natural orange mango juice, adds a generous serving of milk, whey protein and fiber powder, then finishes it off with ice.

Third up are the fruity concoctions of Boloco.

Although known for it's tasty burritos, Boloco also offers a variety of healthy smoothies. Check out the natural ingredients on this menu:

While Jamba Juice, Starbucks, and Boloco all offer delicious smoothies, another option is to make one at home! By creating the drink on your own, you have complete control over the ingredients. My favorite at-home smoothie was created by Angie. For those adventurous foodies out there, let me introduce you to a lean, green, smoothie machine...

THE GREEN MONSTER!

This bright baby packs a nutritional punch. There are lots variations to the recipe, but my personal favorite involves blending together the following ingredients:

2 Huge Handfuls of Fresh Spinach

1 Frozen Banana

3/4 Cup of Almond Milk (or your milk of preference)

Handful of Ice

(Optional Add-Ins: Frozen Mango Chunks, Frozen Blueberries, Frozen Strawberries, Peanut Butter)

(Also, you can add a tablespoon of ground flax seeds for omega-3 fatty acids)

Depending on your ingredients, your smoothie might be lime green or forest green or minty green.

You can even invest in a reusable plastic smoothie cup, complete with a straw-using lid, to take your Green Monster on the go. I purchased mine from Urban Outfitters for $8.

I know what you're thinking: "Spinach? In a smoothie?? Gross!" Trust me on this one; you won't even notice the spinach taste once you've added in the banana.  Such an easy way to get in your greens for the day! It is an incredibly delicious drink that deserves a chance. You might get a few funny looks at first, but as Kermit the Frog asserts...

Where do you go for your smoothie fix? Do you have a favorite homemade recipe?

Today's Recommended Read: Lunch Line Redesign (an interactive op-ed from The New York Times)

Whatever Wednesday: Running a 5K

Most college students are familiar with the old adage, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands, they just don’t.”

Maybe that’s not exactly an old adage...but Elle Woods makes a valid point. When the stress of schoolwork, relationships, and life in general piles on, sometimes a good sweat sesh is just what the doctor ordered. Exercise is not only an excellent way to boost one’s mood, but it can also lead to weight loss, improved cardiovascular health, enhanced bone health, and better coordination (and apparently less of a desire to shoot one's husband). My new favorite way to exercise is pretty old school: running.  Today's Whatever Wednesday post highlights my recent experience running a 5K and why you should consider running one as well.

I understand the idea of running might be traumatic to some. Perhaps you are even having a flashback to that crazy gym teacher yelling at you to run faster around that miserable track Sue-Sylvester-style:

While the elliptical and rowing machines are fine exercise vehicles, I have found that few workouts have been more satisfying to me than a good jog, preferably outdoors. Living in Boston provides a variety of beautiful locations for runners: trails through the Boston Commons, a sprawling esplanade, college campus tracks, and more.


Once I got comfortable running for fun, I decided to take a risk and train for an actual race.  Signing up for a race can give you the extra motivation to train to reach your goal, as well as a specific event to anticipate. A little over three miles is an attainable number.

The first step is finding an organized race. The website www.runningintheusa.com--the largest online directory of races, results and clubs--led me to The Somerville 5K Road Race. Hosted by the Somerville Homeless Coalition, this fundraising event attracts almost 1,000 participants every year.

I followed a training plan I found at www.runnersworld.com. Taking 1 or 2 rest days a week and 1 or 2 days to do strength training, my run schedule looked like this:

Finally the big day came. I took the T to Davis Square, pinned on my number, and joined the crowd waiting at the starting line. My goal was to finish in under 30 minutes. With adrenaline rushing through my body, I completed the first mile faster than usual (in 7:45), eventually finding my comfortable pace for the last 2.1 miles. Before I knew it, I was crossing the finish line, surpassing my goal by finishing in 27:03.  My lungs were burning from the brisk air, my legs were sore, and my breathing was still rapid, but I was still all smiles after completing my very first 5K race. The sense of accomplishment and the knowledge that my efforts supported a good cause were extremely gratifying. (The free cornbread given to the runners afterwards was pretty awesome too...)

If you're in the Boston area and looking for another fun 5K option, the Freedom Trail 5K is a low-key, all-ages-welcomed run that stops at interesting locations along Boston's historical Freedom Trail. 

For a $30 fee, my friend and I participated over the summer and had a blast meeting new people and seeing Beantown treasures.  The run ends with a relaxing ferry ride in Boston Harbor (and a group photo!).

Whether you sign up for a timed race, take part in a sight-seeing run, or just feel like grabbing your iPod and taking a jog, running is a great way to embrace a healthy living attitude. Before you know it, you'll be ready to tackle the Boston Marathon ;-)

These articles are helpful resources for those interested in 5K events:

The Couch to 5K Running Plan

6 Reasons to Run a 5K

A Walk to Run Plan

8 Weeks to Your First 5K

And these posts from my favorite bloggers describe some of their 5K experiences:

Carrots n Cake: BeaverDash 5K

Peanut Butter Fingers: Sunrise 5K

Running Around Normal: Nice Relaxing 5K

Have you ever run a 5K before? Do you prefer organized races or just running for fun?

*Today's Recommended Read: "Bill Clinton Following a Mostly Vegan/Vegetarian Diet"