El Capitan at Roots

My lunch - El Capitan from Roots

I LOVE Roots, the all-vegan restaurant on Muir College and I have a new favorite menu item since my old favorite, the Grant Grove, was not popular among students last quarter and has been switched out for some new ones.  My new favorite, El Capitan, is a sun-dried tomato Italian Tofurky sausage with sauteed peppers and onions and vegan "mozzarella."  I love the flavor of the tofurky combined with the peppers and onions.

You definitely don't have to be vegan to enjoy the deliciousness that is Roots.  It's also a really nice, serene, and extremely close-by alternative to the nearly always busy Pines restaurant. Check it out and try a vegan meal. Here is Roots menu. 

Are you looking for some vegan/vegetarian info?
Then check out this cool Vegan MyPlate from the Vegetarian Resource Group, which is a vegetarian advocacy group that hails from one of the most awesome places ever: Baltimore. (GO RAVENS!)

New Vegan Items at Roots

The all-vegan Roots restaurant on Muir College has new menu items this quarter.  Come by to check out these new tasty delights:

• Hetch Hetchy - Potato gnocchi, fresh edamame and sauteed spinach with a drizzle of balsamic glaze
• Wawona - thinly sliced and rolled eggplant filled with soy ricotta, and housemade tomato sauce
• El Capitan - sun-dried tomato Italian tofurkey sausage with sauteed pepper and onions, vegan mozzarella (this dietitian's current favorite!)
• Half Dome - multigrain burger made of red quinoa, barley and cornmeal on a vegan roll
• 3 All New Smoothies

Or try one of your favorites from winter quarter like the Root (pictured below)

The Root, vegan "berger" and portobello mushrooms





Real Deal Today in Roots

Come by Roots restaurant on Muir College (lower level of Stewart Commons below Pines restaurant).  Roots is UC San Diego's first ever vegan restaurant and it's REALLY GOOD!  Come by to say hello to me, ask nutrition questions and have a tasty, vegan meal.  If you think you wouldn't like vegan food, come try it out - you'll be delighted. This food is good, people, whether you're an omnivore or strict vegan.

See you at Roots for lunch!

Roots Restaurant on Muir - Vegan Deliciousness

I had lunch at Roots Restaurant on Muir College - the picture above is my lunch, the Grant Grove, a mixed legume salad with artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, carrots, bermuda onions and tofu "feta" on a bed of organic spinach. D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!

Roots is an all-vegan restaurant that Dining opened this quarter - the vision is to provide tasty, healthy, vegan dishes to all who are interested.  You certainly don't have to be vegan to eat a vegan meal...and the Grant Grove satisfied my large appetite for lunch!

My colleague had the butternut squash soup - I tasted this soup as well. If you're a fan of butternut squash like I am, you'll love it.  I like having scallions added onto soups and chilis as well but those are optional if they're not your preference.

Check out Roots restaurant.  It's my new favorite spot to eat on campus. 

Pines - Direct Links to Useful Info

Pines restaurant on Muir College has digital boards near the entrance that can provide you with useful information.

For example, from your smartphone, you can use a QR scanner (free app if you don't have one already) to get directly to several different webpages regarding Housing and Dining.

The link in blue on the picture at right is to the Nutrition page. (Hey, that's my page!)

Other helpful links are to Current Events, Important Deadlines, Sustainability and all kinds of Housing info too. Check out the digital boards and definitely check the HDH website for all kinds of info: http://hdh.ucsd.edu/

John's Market - New to Muir College

Muir College has a new market where you can use your Dining Dollars, Triton Cash, credit or cash to purchase specialty coffee drinks, assorted beverages, milks, groceries, snacks and supplies. John's is located on Muir College just south of Pines restaurant. There is outdoor seating to use while you enjoy your latte and scone in between classes.

John's is open now!

Hours are Mon-Fri 7am-1am and Sat-Sun 9am-1am

Are You Checking the Nutrition Info at Pines?

Have you seen the nutrition information on the digital board in Pines restaurant just inside the entrance?

Pictured here: The Pines digital board with Sodium information. The recommendation for daily sodium intake has decreased to 1,500mg per day.


Check it out and let me know what kind of information you would like to see posted on this board.

Farm2U going on right now on the Muir Quad!

Check out Dining's Farmer's market, Farm2U. It's going on right now until 5:30pm. Stop by for some fresh, local, organic produce.
My favorite choice of the day is the organic strawberries from Fallbrook, CA. They're organic, delicious, and very good for you.

Beat the heat today with some cool produce and of course, you can use your Dining Dollars!

Special Farm2U Friday today at MuirStock

Special Farm2U Friday today at MuirStock on Muir Quad. Come celebrate Earth Day with Dining Services' farmer's market - there will be lots of fresh, local and organic produce. You can use your Dining Dollars! Happy Earth Day!

Come get the Real Deal on Nutrition today at Pines

Come by Pines restaurant on Muir College today during lunch time to get the Real Deal on Nutrition. I'll be at Pines serving the LiveWell meal and answering your questions about nutrition. Pines LiveWell meal today: Curry Chicken with Spicy Indian Dahl, which has 444 calories, 11g fat, 11g fiber, and 49g protein. The fiber comes from the dahl and the protein is from both the chicken and the dahl.

Like soy milk?

Pines restaurant on Muir College has soy milk in the "moo cow" dispensers. The soy milk cost $1.59 for a 16-ounce glass (the regular reusable glasses in Dining Services.) Why do people choose soy milk?

• it's lactose free


• it's vegan


• some people prefer the taste

Let me know what you think - do you want Dining Services to carry soy milk from the moo cow dispensers? Let me know by posting a comment to this blog post or email me at rmcdivitt@ucsd.edu You can also text Pines restaurant using the the Text N Tell program (info posted on the tables in Dining restaurants.)

Farm2U Today on Muir Quad

Come get local, organic and fresh fruits and vegetables today on Muir Quad from 2:30-5:30pm. You can even use your Dining Dollars!

Love Steamed Rice? Go to Pines!

Pines restaurant on Muir College now offers plain, steamed rice for $0.25 per ounce. You can fill up a big or small bowl (see photo to the right) for whatever portion you would like.

The steamed rice is vegan and a nice side for any meal.

Did you know that rice is the primary food for about 3 billion people worldwide? That's incredible!

Farm2U at Muir Today CANCELED

Due to inclement weather, today's Farm2U event on Muir College is canceled. We'll see you next Wednesday from 2:30-5:30 for Farm2U on Muir Quad.

And remember, you can find the fresh, local and organic produce that you could purchase at Farm2U at the Places & Markets EVERYDAY!

• Roger's (Revelle)
• Earl's (Warren)
• Goody's (Marshall)
• the Village (ERC/Village Community)
• 6th Market (Sixth College)

Come get the REAL DEAL on Nutrition today at Pines

Come by Pines restaurant today during lunch to get the Real Deal on Nutrition, say hello to your dietitian and grab a healthy meal.

I will be at Pines during lunch serving the LiveWell meal.

Today's LiveWell meal at Pines is the Baked Salmon with Indian Spice Rub: 230 calories, 17g fat, 5g fiber, 14g protein.

LiveWell today in Dining Services

LiveWell meals are healthy, RD-approved meals.

Check out the choices that you have for LiveWell meals TODAY, Feb 7th, 2011:

Tuscan Chicken at Plaza Cafe (Revelle) & Canyon Vista (Warren)

Potato Gnocchi at Pines (Muir)

Salmon w/Indian rub at OVT (Marshall)

Chicken Bruschetta at Cafe V (ERC)

Mmmmm, hummus

Check out today's vegetarian special at Pines restaurant: the hummus plate with pita, cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuce. Ah, the humble chickpea - it's a vegetarian source of protein, fiber and deliciousness.

Farm2U Today on Muir Quad - free samples and nutrition discussion!

Farm2U is today on Muir Quad from 2:30-5:30p. I will be there discussing healthy nutrition, focusing on antioxidants and omega-3 rich foods, as part of Muir HA programming at 4:30pm.

Come say hi, maybe learn something, and get some free samples courtesy of Muir ResLife and Housing*Dining*Hospitality.

Farm2U Today at Muir Quad

Come by Muir Quad today from 2:30-5:30pm for Farm2U, Dining's Farmer's Market. You can use your Dining Dollars or cash to purchase fresh, local and organic produce and goodies.

Stay healthy this winter - one way to help your immune system is to provide it with plenty of healthy foods like fresh fruits and veggies.

Other tips for staying well during the winter quarter:

1. Get plenty of rest

2. Stay hydrated

3. Exercise regularly

4. Wash your hands frequently

5. Cover your cough/Stay home if you are sick

6. Manage your stress level

7. Eat a healthy diet!!

Come see me today at Pines restaurant!

Come see me at Pines restaurant today during lunch on Muir College.

I will be talking about the REAL DEAL on Nutrition by serving the LiveWell meal.

Come by to say hi, have a healthy meal and relax!

Today's LiveWell meal at Pines is the Chicken Curry with Indian Dahl.

Nutrition Facts:

440 calories

11g fat (0g trans fat)

11g fiber

49g protein