FINAL FOOD FRUSTRATIONS

As my days at school before summer break are dwindling down, so is my food supply. With nothing more than odds and ends, I’m struggling to pull anything together to make an edible, not to mention cohesive, meal. I REFUSE to go grocery shopping, so I’m working with what I got, and surprisingly, I’ve come up with a few combinations that aren’t too bad!

In need of a filling breakfast to power me through finals and faced with a packet of original bland oatmeal. It was my goal to not only make it edible, but enjoyable. So here’s my solution:

3 Minute Cinnamon Banana Oatmeal

Ingredients:

• 1 packet of original instant oatmeal
• Half a medium banana (sliced)
• Sprinkle of cinnamon
• A  few drops of agave nectar for taste
• A handful of raisins (optional)

Instructions:

1. Follow instructions on package of instant oats (concerning how much water to add, and time microwaving). After water and oats are combined, mix in cinnamon and agave.
2. Microwave the instructed time.
3. Remove from microwave. While still hot, add in raisins and banana slices.
4. Let cool and enjoy!

Spice Up Your Study Snack!

This week I was at the library longer hours than I found myself sleeping. So wrapped up in my countless final projects and paper, I forgot to eat, so when I’d return to my room at night, I was ravenous for food! Looking for something a little sweet and a little crunchy, I grabbed a bag of pop corn, popped it into the microwave and within minutes the greatest study snack of all time was created!

By drizzling a little bit of agave nectar onto my freshly popped popcorn followed by a heavy sprinkle of cinnamon, I created the study snack that dreams are made of!

Popcorn is a simple and healthy snack that can be easily kicked up knock by adding season or spice!

 

Would You Go Naked?

Naked Juice has become a pretty popular drink in our growing health conscious society. With its “100% Juice” labels and all fruit ingredient list, it seems like this juice is the perfect on-the-go alternative to a homemade smoothie. They sell Naked juices and smoothies all around campus, and I’ve had them less than a hand full of times. HOWEVER, it never fail to make me feel less healthy than I had before drinking.  Curious to what exactly Naked Juice’s deal was, I did some research. Here are my finding:

Stripping down Naked Juice:

• There are 60 grams of sugar in one bottle of Naked.
• Most of the boost and vitamins are added to the juices
• Naked juice are highly caloric, with their products ranging from 120-230 calories per serving (1 serving is 8oz, only half the bottle!) 
• In August 2013, Naked faced a class action lawsuit over their  health claims (This concerned some of their labeling including “Non-GMO”, “All Natural Fruit,” and “All Natural Fruit + Boosts”) More information about the lawsuit here!
• Naked Juice is owned by PepsiCo, if that puts the “naturalness” of these juices into perspective.

Next time, instead of reaching for a Naked Juice, try making your own smoothie or juice!

Here are a few of my  favorite smoothie combinations/recipes:

• The classic strawberry banana smoothie: A whole banana, a couple of strawberries (frozen or fresh), and some ice. Blend it all up and enjoy!
• If you looking for a boost of protein try this banana, spinach, and chia seed smoothie! Chia seeds are PACKED with protein.
• Or make your own healthy smoothie, using the chart below
  

  Photo Retrieved from Positivemed.com

  Personally, I think I am going to stick to my homemade smoothies and juices where I can monitor what and how much is put into it.

But, if you are still looking for that same accessible smoothie for all your on-the-go needs, try Florida-based organic Noble Citrus juices and smoothies. Sold all over the US, these drink are similar to naked, but made with all organic produce!

~Stay Sweet~

 

 

 

DID SOMEONE SAY CUPCAKE FESTIVAL?

Whats better than a street fair? A street fair DEDICATED to cupcakes, of course!!!! You can only imagine the excite that came over me when my roommate uttered the question,”Do you wanna go to a CUPCAKE FESTIVAL this weekend?” As  mentioned in my prior post, The Most Unlikely Place to Eat the Best Pizza, I attended the K 104 Cupcake Festival in Fishkill, NY, and it was a sweet adventure!

Vanilla Salted Caramel Cup Cake from Flour and Sun Bakery

Background on the festival:

• This year, 2014, was the 3rd annual K104 Cupcake Festival.
• May 4th, from 1-5pm on Main St. in the Village of Fishkill
• Free Admission!! (But you have to pay each vendor for cupcakes and other baked goods)
• 17 cup cake vendors, 5 food&beverage, 26 goods&services, 5 fun for kid stands/vendors
• Cupcake Wars competition: 12 competitors compete for the award of Best Cupcake with an $1000 prize!

ShopRite’s beautifully decorated cupcakes

Spotlight on the Cupcakes:

• Vegan and Gluten-Free- Eat This Bakery– This cupcake bakery had some of the most exciting flavors, including a cinnamon toast crunch
  

  Forget Me Not’s Cupcake Bus

  and strawberry lemonade cupcake! With traditional, gluten-free, and vegan options!

• Amazing Decorations– ShopRite of Wappingers Fall: This may be a shock that among the many cupcake venders I saw at the festival, ShopRite had the MOST BEAUTIFULLY decorated cupcakes.
• Cupcake Bus- Forget Me Not Cupcakes: Not only did Forget Me Not Cupcakes win last year’s Cupcake Wars, but they are serving their award winning cupcakes out of a custom cupcake bus!!
• Most Festive- La Sweet Cakes: Being the fourth of May, with Cinco de Mayo just a day away, their Cinco de Mayo cupcake with tequila-lime cupcake stuffed with fresh raspberry jam was decorated as a festive drink, with a straw and all!

 

 

La Sweet Cakes tasty treats! Top: Cinco De Mayo Bottom: Lemon and Raspberry

Not only did they have cupcake venders, but jewelry stores selling cupcake merchandise and a coffee brewer selling CUPCAKE FLAVORED COFFEE!

For more information on the festival, vendors, and competition visit K 104’s website!

If you are like me and can’t get enough of these food themed festivals, check out this website to find a festival in near you!

 

The Most Unlikely Place to Eat the Best Pizza

Although, I try to eat as healthy as possible, PIZZA is my biggest weakness. Being from New Jersey, within good proximity to NYC, I’d say I’ve had my fair share of excellent pies; however, yesterday I had a slice of pizza that could only be described as legendary.

THE PIZZA: Yesterday I attended  the Cupcake Festival in Fishkill NY, and in a sea of sweet sugary goodness, I found what may have been the best pizza I’ve eaten in my life thus far. Well to start off, I was beyond hungry when I came across this pizza stand, so much so that my body actually just seem to gravitate towards it.  Not only was it radiating the most delicious perfume of basil, olive oil, and fresh bread, BUT the slice was actually bigger than my head.

I ate it bite by bite, true street festival style, as we walked along looking at all the different cupcake
and bakery vendors. When I was done with my slice I was over come by two emotions: satisfaction because it was so delicious and satisfied my every pizza want, BUT also disappointment because it was gone.  Throughout the rest of the day I RAVED about this pizza. I posted about it on Twitter and Instagram (that’s when you know I mean business).  I could have easily eaten that pizza twelve times over.

The take away: Not in a million years did I think that I’d find the best pizza at a cupcake festival! Just goes to show you may find the greatest treasures in the places you’d least expect it!

THE SLICE WAS BIGGER THAN MY FACE!

~Stay Cheesy~

PUT IT IN THE PIZZA

It’s almost finals week and I’ve come to the point in my night, or even in my semester where I’ve hit the wall. Almost delirious and running on nearly zero point zero hours of sleep, I’m in need of a study break and a little bit of humor right about now.

SO, I decided to bring back this oldie but a goodie to bring me a few laughs while I’m going on my seventh hour at the library.

 

Any lover of pizza or classic 90s Mary Kate & Ashley will find this enjoyable. Actually anyone should find this enjoyable! FOOD HUMOR LOL