Beautiful/Sugar High

Did you know that March is National Nutrition Month®

The theme this year is Eat Right with Color.

Well in honor of Purim last week and the whole idea of things being turned upside down I decided to make a rainbow cake. Now I'm sure this isn't what adding color to your diet is supposed to look like but I couldn't resist.

I wish you better luck.

But if you're like me and can't resist,

Here is what I did.  

1.       Follow the instructions on a box of Pillsbury's White Cake to prepare the batter.

2.      Evenly separate the batter into 6 bowls. (I used a ladle to make this step easier).

3.     Add food coloring to each bowl to achieve the desired rainbow shade.

4.     Working with one color at a time, pour batter into a 9" baking dish lined with parchment paper. **Here is where the recipe can get time consuming. Unless you have more than one baking dish.

5.      Bake cake according to package directions. Be sure to reduce the amount of time in the oven. Mine took ~15 minutes per color. Use a toothpick to test.

6.     Remove from oven and invert onto a cooling rack.

7.      Repeat with remaining colors.

8.     Wrap each cake layer in saran wrap

9.     Freeze each cake layer. This will make it easier for you to frost. Use a flat surface so your cake doesn't take on any weird shape from your freezer

10.  Once you have finished making each layer and they are all firm, the cake is ready to be assembled. Place colors in rainbow order. Starting from the bottom (purple cake layer) and working your way up (red cake layer), place ~3 Tbsp of frosting in between each layer of cake. Finish off the top and side with remaining frosting and you are done.

Delicious!

Work in Progress

I've been wanting to make monkey bread for quite some time now.
Thanks to a similar recipe from Joy the Baker today is the day. Yay!

I'm anxiously waiting for the dough to rise.

Seriously...how delicious does this look.

I can not wait.


Joy the Baker

Micronutrient Mondays: Zinc (Super Bowl Style)

How did you choose which team to root for at last nights game?
If you're anything like me it was probably for all the wrong reasons...

1. a favorite color
2. sharing the same name as a player
3. they were playing against the team that beat my favorite team
4. because of a favorite tv show

In honor of the Green Bay Packers winning Super Bowl XLV
A little something green

Pea Dip A friend passed along this recipe a few years ago. I will admit that as a green colored dip, it isn't the most attractive looking dish I make...

but it does taste delicious.

And you really don't have to worry about using the exact same amount of ingredients. This was the first time I remember ever measuring them out.

I usually just wing it. Bonus!

     

(Makes 3/4 cup of Pea Dip)

1 cup frozen peas

1/2 cup cashews

1/8 cup craisins

pepper

olive oil

water

1. Place frozen peas in a bowl of water. Let sit for a few minutes, stirring occasionally until the peas defrost. Drain.
2. Using a food processor, chop cashews until they are coarsely ground.
3. Add peas & pepper and continue processing.
4. Add craisins and finish processing.
5. A few drops of oil and water can also be mixed in if desired.

The peas and cashews in this recipe make it a good source of the mineral zinc.

Chief Functions of Zinc

• works with protein in almost every cell
• stimulates the activity of ~100 enzymes, which promote biochemical reactions in the body
• assists in immune function
• is needed for wound healing
• helps maintain the sense of taste and smell
• makes part of the cells' genetic material
• supports normal growth and development during pregnancy, childhood and adolescents

Finding Zinc in your Food
Best Sources—oysters, meats, shellfish, poultry, milk, and milk products
Good Sources—legumes and whole grains (keep in mind that these are
                             not as well absorbed as is zinc from meat sources)

Frozen Image

Love these Dancers Among Us photos from Jordan Matter Photography



How?



I wish I could do that



You can view the full gallery here



Micronutrient Mondays* : Magnesium

* Micronutrient is a term used to describe vitamins and minerals. They are natural components of foods, usually present in minute amounts that are essential for normal physiological function.

Chief functions of Magnesium:

• Is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body
• Helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function
• Keeps heart rhythm steady
• Supports a healthy immune system
• Keeps bones strong
• Helps regulate blood sugar
• Promotes normal blood pressure
• Helps convert food into energy

Dietary sources:

Best - green vegetables, such as spinach

Good - legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole unrefined grains

  

Ellie Krieger’s

Nutty Granola

Yield: 4½ cups

serving size:  ½ cup

9 servings

Cooking spray

3 cups old-fashioned oats

½ cup chopped walnuts

½ cup chopped almonds

½ cup chopped pecans

½ cup pure maple syrup

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ cup raisins (optional)

Preheat the oven to 300⁰F. Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients, mixing well to coat everything with the maple syrup. Spread on the baking sheet and bake until golden brown, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes. Transfer the sheet to a wire rack and let cool completely.

Nutritional information (per serving) 280 Calories, 15g total fat, 3.7g MUFA, 4.7g PUFA, 1.5g SFA, 7g protein, 34 g carbohydrate, 4.5 g fiber, 0 mg cholesterol, 67 mg sodium

Store granola in an airtight container.

Keep refrigerated for about 2 weeks.

~enjoy~

Do You Remember...

That January 14, 2010 was a Thursday

1. I woke up nervous/excited (if I ever even fell asleep at all).
2. I attempted to surprise my family (but they already knew).
3. I actually left on time.
4. I ran a red light.
5. I got to my destination with time to spare.
6. I was given a tiny dry erase board with nothing to wipe it clean with, so I used the earplugs I was given.
7. I received really good news.
8. I treated myself to a Red Mango drink.
9. My name finally had some extra letters added onto it.
10. I became a Registered Dietitian.



         



Welcome to the World...

... ... of blogging!

After reading other people's blogs and wanting to start my own for way to long, I have finally taken the plunge. Since I'm on vacation for a little while longer, I figure now is my best chance. It may also have something to do with my checking the availability of a blog name and it accidentally being created. But that can be our little secret. Guess that's what happens when you work past midnight (story of my life!).

"Welcome to the world" is the title of a Sister Hazel song from the album Lift. You can listen to it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seCd4krjagQ

As a Dietitian, I'm into all things related to food.
Making, sharing, teaching about, photographing, and of course eating it. Some things I'm excited to start sharing through this blog are delicious recipes, nutritional information and photographs. 
So as the song says "enjoy the view."