Whatever Wednesday: Happy Chanukah!

Is it really December already? Where did November go? Where did this semester go?? Where did TIME go???

The only fact more surprising than the new month's arrival is that Chanukah started tonight. Last year, the first night occurred on December 11th. This year, the menorah and dreidels need to be brought out of hiding quite a bit earlier. Can you tell my mind was on Chanukah while I should've been taking notes for class today:

Therefore, today's Whatever Wednesday post serves to wish a happy holiday to those who also celebrate Chanukah! (Hanukkah? Hanuka? Meh...)

No first night of Chanukah is complete without some yummy latkes. I attended "Latkepalooza" tonight, an event hosted by my university that offered free latkes, gelt, donuts, veggies, cider, and other goodies to all attendees. I gobbled up four latkes (potato pancakes) with apple sauce, tried the sufganiyot (donuts...these ones were much too sweet for me though), and enjoyed a hot apple cider.

It's always a bummer to be away from family on holidays (who else thinks colleges should give students a break for Chanukah? ;-)), but at least I got some traditional cooked goodies without having to break out my own frying pan.

However, my mom did send me this super easy recipe for making latkes:

Rather than grate potatoes from scratch, this recipe just requires me to buy a ready-to-use package of hash browns. The short ingredient list and easy instructions just might have convinced me to try out this recipe later this week. After all, I have 8 crazy nights before Chanukah ends...

Sorry, I had to! :-)

To those celebrating, Happy 1st Night of Chanukah!


Anyone else feel like November flew by? Have you ever tried a latke? Any recipe suggestions?


Today's Recommended Read: 5 All-Natural Cold Cures (Woman's Day)

Whatever Wednesday: A Passion for Painting

Would you believe I'm writing this from my airport terminal? LOVE free Wi-Fi at the airport! I'm pretty early for my flight, but I'd rather wait comfortably at my gate than rush around at the last moment.

Speaking of loves, today's Whatever Wednesday post is about pursuing your passions. EYC is a "healthy living blog;" to me, healthy living does not just entail eating 5+ servings of veggies a day or hitting up the gym now and then. One of the keys to feeling your best is to do something every day that excites you. Whether enrolling in a college course you are passionate about or taking up a hobby that you constantly look forward to, pursuing your interests can cut down on stress and improve your attitude

One of my personal passions is art. I took my very first basic design class this semester, but otherwise I have never taken an art class. What I know I learned from museum visits, gallery viewings, art history studies, and just experimenting on my own. I'll sketch in school notebooks, create pastel still-lifes for my room, draw colorful birthday cards...only this week did I truly dabble in paint.

Recently, some friends of a friend asked me to create a painting for their apartment. They requested a flowery design in specific colors, large enough to cover some ugly mirrors stuck on their wall by a previous tenant. Since they were covering supply costs and I was basically finished with classes before Thanksgiving break, I spent the other night turning the corner of my apartment into a makeshift painter's studio.

Step 1: Sketching options for my commissioners (he he), who decided on this design:

Step 2: Creating a more polished draft with colored markers:

Step 3: Mixing colors and painting...

and painting...

and painting for 5 hours.

Step 4: Voila!

Although it took up a good chunk of my time, I thoroughly enjoyed painting this piece. Something about mixing acrylics and washing brushes is so relaxing.

What hobby helps you de-stress?

Today's Recommended Read: Popcorn's Dark Secret (NYTimes)

Whatever Wednesday: Dessert, Wine & Chocolate Tour

As a student tour guide at my university, I offer all of my prospective students dessert, wine & chocolate…

Just kidding J (Although I hope my university tours are entertaining despite the lack of edibles.)

What the title of today’s Whatever Wednesday post is ACTUALLY referring to is the tummy-pleasing adventure I went on last week. For my friend Chelsea’s 21st birthday (you may recognize her as the nutrition student I interviewed for a past WW post), I signed up for a Dessert, Wine & Chocolate Tour along with Chelsea and our friend Tina. 

The tour is offered by a company created in early 2009, called Boston Chocolate Tours. As the website states, the company offers “a wide array of sumptuous, expertly-guided chocolate experiences” for a reasonable fee.

Our tour began at a Godiva Chocolates shop, one of the most famous international chocolatiers, located right by Faneuil Hall in Downtown Boston. My friends and I crowded into the small store, awkwardly squeezed between the chocolate-covered strawberry display and the Turkey-shaped chocolate molds. Fortunately, an employee soon told us to report to the VIP room upstairs. Me? A VIP? Now I have the badge to prove it!

Once upstairs, we met our tour guide Victoria, along with the 8 or so other participants. The VIP room was stocked with boxes of chocolates and pictures of assorted truffles, from tiramisu to red velvet flavors. After introductions, Victoria jumped right into talking about the history of chocolate. She explained that chocolate and wine actually make an excellent combination, enhancing each other’s strong flavors. In all honesty, I was a little too focused on this spread in front of me to remember everything our guide said:

To my tummy’s delight, we were soon encouraged to sample these sips and sweets: Prosecco champagne (the only non-wine) paired with white chocolate beads, Pinot Noir light red wine paired with milk chocolate squares, and Cabernet dark red wine paired with raspberry-filled dark chocolate squares. Victoria explained that each beverage enhanced the flavor of the specific type of chocolate with which it was paired. My favorite was the Pinot Noir/milk chocolate. Godiva also supplied us with samples of truffles, chocolate disks, a gingerbread chocolate bar, and a free Chocolate Rewards Club card to their store (hello one free truffle per month!).

Next we were headed to Cheers Cafe, where—you guessed it—everybody knows your name! Well, not exactly, especially since our particular restaurant was not the original Cheers bar featured on the classic TV show. We walked past the after-work regulars and were seated at a long booth. 


While waiting for our next treat, our guide talked to us about the origins of the chocolate chip cookie. Massachusetts is actually credited with originating this beloved dessert. Ruth Wakefield, an owner of the Toll House Inn, constantly baked for her guests. She decided to put pieces of Nestle Semi-Sweet Chocolate in her dough, thinking the chocolate would melt. She was disappointed when the chocolate held its shape, but her guests were delighted! They loved the cookies, and soon Mrs. Wakefield's treats gained widespread attention. Eventually, the Toll House Cookie recipe was printed on the wrapper of the Nestle Chocolate Bars. (Anyone seen the "Friends" episode where Phoebe thinks her grandma created the original recipe??)

Alas, we were not given cookies at Cheers. Instead, we consumed another classic, Beantown-originated treat: Boston Cream Pie! We each got a slice of the round, two-layer cake filled with custard, frosted with chocolate, and decadently topped with whipped cream, chocolate syrup, rainbow sprinkles, and a cherry. Needless to say, I loved this dessert. The richness of the creamy custard was balanced by the moist fluffiness of the cake. However, I think I might prefer a good ol’ Boston Cream Donut from Dunkin Donuts to this pie.

We then walked a very short distance to a surprising location: Wagamama. An Asian restaurant on a Dessert, Wine, and Chocolate Tour? At this location, Victoria talked about chocolate in its purest form. She passed around cocoa nibs and cacao beans for us to smell and feel. 

Turns out we were served tiny bites (and I mean TINY, as in a square inch) of chocolate layer cake. It was yummy, but nothing too impressive. Maybe if I had been giving a bigger piece… ;-) I might have been underwhelmed by our dessert sample, but I will be back to try the restaurant’s cuisine; the spicy smell of pad Thai noodles was so enticing.

We waved goodbye to Wagamama and marched our sugar-high selves over to Ned Devine’s Irish Pub. The bartender whipped up Milky Way Martinis for the whole group, accidentally creating an extra one that went to the tour guide (well, perhaps that was no accident, haha). The beverage contained milk, vanilla vodka, and chocolate and caramel syrups. I definitely signed up for this tour more for the chocolate than the alcohol, so I wasn’t a big fan of this drink; the amount of vodka was pretty strong. I took a few sips and handed the rest over to Tina, who gladly took care of it for me. What a good friend ;-)

During this stop, Victoria also handed out samples of Taza’s Spicy Chili Chocolate. Tazo is known for using organic ingredients to create its high-quality goods. This particular chocolate had a unique kick, but I realized I prefer smoother flavors to this spicy variation.

The next and last stop was a little more up my alley: Emack & Bolio’s Ice Cream Shop! (I may have just turned 21, but I’m still a little kid at heart!) I had never been to this chain before, but since it’s my mom’s favorite ice cream place in Boston, I was excited to see it was on the tour. We were all given generous scoops of Chocolate Ice Cream. By this point, I was a little chocolated-out (blasphemy, I know), so I opted out of the hot fudge topping. Even without that final touch, I devoured every drop of my chilly treat. It was a great way to end the night!

Perhaps it was the company (happy birthday again Chelsea!) or the chance to walk around historical Boston areas or the refreshing break from schoolwork...or…what am I forgetting…oh right, the CHOCOLATE, but whatever the reason, I really enjoyed the Dessert, Wine & Chocolate tour. If you’re a Bostonian or visiting the area, I would recommend checking out this fun attraction. There are kid-friendly tours that just include chocolate samplings offered as well.

Have you ever been on a food or drink tour like this one? What’s your favorite type of chocolate?


Today's Recommended Read: Free Things to Do Around Boston (Boston.com)

Whatever Wednesday: Meeting Buddy from Cake Boss

I wish I could change the theme title of today’s post from Whatever Wednesday to WONDERFUL Wednesday! I wouldn’t call meeting one of your favorite TV personalities a “whatever” experience.

Last week, I had the great fortune to attend a book signing for that lovable star of TLC’s baking show, Cake Boss. Buddy Valastro’s food is not exactly nutritional, but balancing healthy foods with indulgences and admiring those who pursue careers in what they love to do are certainly EYC-approved concepts!

The book itself, called Cake Boss: Stories and Recipes from Miz Famiglia, details the only-in-America story of how Buddy’s Italian family created Carlo’s Bake Shop in Hoboken, supplemented by vibrant photographs of tiramisus, cannoli, cakes, and more, along with detailed recipes.

What I love most about Cake Boss is not the culinary creations themselves, but rather the familial aspect of the series. From mischievous cousins to loud-mouthed sisters, members of Buddy’s family are constantly working in or wandering through the bakery. Pranks are pulled, friendly tiffs are frequent, and laughs are always shared.

My favorite feature on Cake Boss is the creation of the lobster tail. No, this is not some sort of seafood dish. A lobster tail is a flaky, crispy pastry shell (made from sfogliatelle dough) shaped like its namesake and filled with a custard cream. 

Sadly, the book warns the reader, “Unless you are a professional baker, and an accomplished one at that, you probably shouldn’t try to make these. I’ve seen grown men brought to the brink of tears trying to make sfogliatelle.” I may not be able to make this pastry, but it did spark a conversation between Buddy and me!

As I approached Buddy at the book signing table, I knew I only had a few seconds before the Barnes and Noble staff ushered me to keep moving. After shaking his hand and placing my open book on the table, I decided to say what was on my mind: “I love the episode where you made the lobster tails, and I’m so happy you decided to include the recipe in the book!”  Not exactly the deepest thoughts to share with this master baker, but Buddy gave a round-cheeked smile and laughed. “That’s definitely not a beginner’s recipe, but it’s definitely a worthwhile thing to learn.” He personalized a signing of my book, and then Jenny's day=made!

I actually have yet to try the lobster tail pastry! Next time I visit Mike’s Pastries in the North End of Boston, I must resist my typical chocolate chip cannoli and give the tail a try. Curious about this treat? The following clip shows Buddy’s explanation of the pastry:

Are you a Cake Boss fan? Have you ever been to a celebrity book signing? 

And most importantly, have YOU ever tried a Lobster Tail before?

Today’s Recommended Read: Fast-Food Industry Offers Canned Defense Against Yale Study (AdAge) 

Whatever Wednesday: Nutrition Student Interview

If you've checked out my About Me section, you know that I am not a nutrition sciences major but rather an individual with an interest in the food industry and healthy living. However, fortunately for you, I am friends with someone who is majoring in nutrition! 


My friend Chelsea is is currently pursuing a major in nutrition sciences. In order to gain more insight into this major and the world of nutrition, she kindly agreed to participate in an EYC interview for today's Whatever Wednesday post.


For your convenience, I have broken up the interview into separate, shorter segments.


Part One: What sparked your interest in the nutrition sciences major? Which health class has been your favorite? Did the major match your expectations?

Part Two: How can students eat nutritiously in dining halls? What are good grocery store staples? Personal healthy living mantras?


Part Three: Do you read current nutrition books? Where can students go for nutrition advice? What do you make of "breaking nutrition news"? What is your favorite food?


Interesting stuff eh? Did you learn anything new? I especially liked Chelsea's point that people should rely less on supplements and instead focus more on eating a balanced diet. Maybe I should've been a nutrition sciences major after all... ;-)


What are you currently majoring in? If you've already graduated, what did you major in?


Today's Recommended Read: White House Gives Out $60,000 for Healthy Apps (Boston Herald)

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)

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"