The Real Deal on Nutrition will return to regular posts on January 3rd. Happy New Year!

Enjoy Winter break!

Enjoy your Winter break. Dining Services looks forward to welcoming you back for the Winter Quarter on Sunday, January 2nd.

Check out the HDH website for hours: http://hdh.ucsd.edu/diningservices/hours.asp

Relax and have fun during your break from school. Eat well too!

Today At Pines

Today's Vegan Option at Pines is the LiveWell Yaki Soba Noodles.

It's only $5.95 with one side. Vegan, LiveWell, yummy!

LiveWell Through Finals Week

Don't forget to eat well through Finals Week by choosing the healthy, RD-approved, LIVEWELL menu items in all of the Dining restaurants.

LiveWell meals meet nutrition criteria for calories, fat, protein, sodium, fiber and other nutrients.

Look for the LiveWell logo (pictured at right) for your next healthy meal.

Good luck on your finals!

The Sun Sets on Fall Quarter!

Well, it's finals week!

Here are some exam time eating tips to help you get through the stress of finals:

• eat regularly (about every 4-5 hours) Don't skip meals even during marathon study sessions.
• take breaks for meals and snacks. Get up from your studies. Don't snack while studying - you'll be distracted and might just snack because you are stressed.
• Don't overload on caffeine to stay awake. Go to sleep! Well-rested students perform better on tests.

Good luck on your finals!

Don't forget the fruit!

Well, today is the last day of classes for Fall quarter. That means:
FINALS ARE HERE!

When studying, don't forget the fruit.

Fruits are healthy, quick, convenient snacks that you can eat anytime.

Stop by a Dining restaurant or Place & Market to pick up a piece or two of fruit today. The picture to the right is a banana that I got from Plaza Cafe and a tangerine from Roger's Place & Market.

Come Get the Real Deal Today at Cafe Ventanas

I will be at Cafe Ventanas on ERC today during lunchtime serving the LiveWell meal.

Come by to eat a healthy meal and to say hello. Bring your nutrition questions too!

To learn more about LiveWell, the campus-wide student wellness inititiave, of which LiveWell meals are an important part, click on:
http://wellness.ucsd.edu/index.shtml

Hydration Station

It's harder to remember to drink water when the temperatures have dipped in San Diego. For your optimal health and performance, it's important to stay hydrated.

UC San Diego's Dining Services have Hydration Stations in the restaurants to assist you in quickly and conveniently re-filling your reusable bottle without having to go into the serving area.

The water in the Hydration Station is filtered and chilled.

Drink up and stay well!

Dining Services is closed for Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your holiday break. While you are away, enjoy your favorite meals from home and check out these tips for staying healthy during Thanksgiving:

• Start Thanksgiving day with some exercise (A Turkey Trot 5K or a visit to your old gym in your hometown)
• Eat & enjoy your favorite foods. Indulge but be conscious of portions.
• Remember that leftovers are part of Thanksgiving's fun
• Eat slowly, enjoy your friends and family

Dining Services re-opens on Sunday, November 28th.

Check: http://hdh.ucsd.edu/diningservices/hours.asp for hours. See you then!

Farm2U will return NEXT Wednesday, December 1st

There is no Farm2U today, 11/24/10, due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

Make sure to come by next Wednesday's Farm2U Farmer's Market on Muir Quad (12/1/10) from 3:30-6:30pm. It's the last Farm2U of Fall Quarter.

Come get your fresh, local and organic produce. Sample some freebies and stock up on healthy snacks to snack on while you study for finals.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Keen on Quinoa?

Dining Services' Places & Markets have a variety of options and we try hard to carry what students want. I have received some student requests for quinoa (pronounced "keen-wah"). The tan package in the picture is the Bolivian pearl quinoa that you can purchase at Roger's Place & Market on Revelle College.

Check out these Top 20 Quinoa Recipes from allrecipes.com http://allrecipes.com/Recipes/Healthy-Cooking/Super-Foods/Whole-Grains/Quinoa/Top.aspx

The purple package is another healthy grain, Thai purple jasmine rice.

Tasty and Fair Trade, too!

Thanksgiving Lunch TODAY in Dining restaurants

I LOVE THANKSGIVING! Please join Dining Services' restaurants today for a Thanksgiving feast, going on now! Here is a preview of what you'll get at Pines & Cafe Ventanas.

Farm2U TODAY on Muir Quad, 3:30-6:30p.

Come by Muir Quad today from 3:30p-6:30p to purchase your fresh, local and organic favorites at Farm2u. What could be better than a convenient Farmer's Market on campus that has healthy stuff AND accepts Dining Dollars!?

Come see me today at OVT for the Real Deal on Nutrition!

Come see me today at Ocean View Terrace (OVT) on Marshall College during lunch. I will be serving up the LiveWell meal and available to answer your nutrition questions.

Come by and get a yummy, healthy meal and say hello!

Veteran's Day Today 11/11/10

In honor of Veteran's Day, there are no classes today at UC San Diego.

Dining Services' restaurants will be open from 10am-8pm. Come by for a leisurely meal! Eating slowly is good for your health - it's best for digestion and weight control. Watch your pace; it's not a race!

So come relax with us today and let's share a yummy, healthy meal!

Farm2U RIGHT NOW! Wednesday 3:30-6:30 at Muir Quad

Come get fresh, local and organic produce at today's Farm2U. It's happening right now. You can even use your Dining Dollars!

Can't make it today? Hit up your Place & Market for the same great produce options every day.

Make Your Own Salad Anyday!

Each Dining Services restaurant has a salad bar available every day. The pictures here are the salad bars at Plaza Cafe (Revelle College) and Pines (Muir College.)

The following items on Dining salad bars are ORGANIC: carrots, black beans, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, broccoli, cucumbers, olives, romaine lettuce, spinach, spring mix and tomatoes.

There are many ways to make a healthy salad but here are a few tips:

1. Choose many different colors of vegetables

2. Choose oil-based dressings over cream-based dressings OR opt for oil & vinegar

3. Include beans, hard-boiled eggs or sunflower seeds to make your salad more hearty

4. Try salad bars all over campus to keep you from getting bored AND walking to a new location is good exercise!

Come see me dishing out the Real Deal on Nutrition at Plaza Cafe TODAY!

I will be serving the LiveWell meal TODAY at Plaza Cafe! Come by to pick up a healthy meal and be sure to say hi to me. I am happy to answer your nutrition questions as well.

Farm2U TODAY! Come get free samples cooked by Chef Vaughn!

Farm2U, Dining's Farmer's Market is happening again today from 3:30-6:30 on Muir Quad. Come purchase some fresh, local and organic produce items. Also try some free samples of the fresh goodies that Chef Vaughn will be cooking up for you! (That's Chef Vaughn in the first picture...the one in the white coat!)

Steamed Vegetables Every Location, Every Day!

Every Dining Services restaurant serves at least one steamed vegetable side (plain, no butter, no oil) at every lunch and dinner service. The picture above is a great steamed veggie mixture of broccoli, red bell peppers, zucchini, snow peas, carrots and yellow squash at Pines restaurant on Muir College.

Get Well Boxes now available at Places & Markets

Places & Markets have "Get Well Boxes" available for you or your roommates or friends who get sick during the quarter. The Get Well Box contains: a bottle of water, a Gatorade, Kleenex, Soup at Hand, crackers, applesauce, spoon and straw. These items are meant to be soothing and/or easy on the stomach.
Remember to wash your hands frequently to help prevent the spread of illness. But if you do get sick, take care of yourself, stay hydrated and take it easy!

Too sick to pick up your own Get Well Box? A Flu Buddy can help you! Just email FluBuddy@ucsd.edu to make arrangements.

Farm2U Today on Muir Quad 3:30-6:30p

Come by today's Farm2U Farmer's Market on Muir Quad from 3:30-6:30p. Use your Dining Dollars, cash, or Triton Cash to purchase fresh, local and organic produce.

Can't make it today? No worries! The same fresh, local and organic produce is available at Places & Markets all over campus.

It's cold and flu season - Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to stay healthy this quarter!

LiveWell Gnocchi at Pines restaurant today

Here is the LiveWell meal at Pines restaurant today. It's gnocchi or "potato pasta."

Nutrition Facts:

• 350 calories
• 4.5g fiber
• 10.5g protein
• vegetarian

Lactose Intolerant? Vegan? Got Milk?

All Dining Services restaurants and Places & Markets have lactose-free milk alternatives. If you are lactose-intolerant or vegan, soymilk is a good option for you.

The picture to the right is the soymilk available at Pines restaurant on Muir College.

Look for soymilk in the refrigerated cases of the restaurants and Places & Markets. Can't find it? Ask an employee who will be happy to assist you!

Today's Farm2U canceled due to weather

Today's Farm2U Farmer's Market is canceled due to the rainy weather, however you can purchase the fresh, local and organic produce that you would usually get at Farm2U from the Places & Markets:

Earl's (Warren College)

Sixth Market (Sixth College)

Roger's (Revelle College)

the Village (The Vilage Community/ERC)

Goody's (Thurgood Marshall College)

So don't let the clouds get you down! Pick up some good-for-you fresh produce at a Place & Market and have a great meal tonight.

Farm2U will return to the Muir Quad next Wednesday, Oct 27th, from 3:30-6:30pm.

UCSD is on to Round 2 in the Most Vegan-Friendly Colleges Competition! We Need YOUR Vote!

Good news: UC San Diego will be moving on to round two of Peta2's Most Vegan-Friendly Colleges competition!

At this stage, UCSD is going up against UCLA!

Please keep supporting UCSD by voting here:
http://features.peta2.com/VeganColleges2010/default.asp?c=p210vfc31

LiveWell Tuscan Chicken with White Beans & Tomatoes

Here is a healthy and delicious meal from the LiveWell menu line, the Tuscan Chicken with White Beans & Tomatoes.

Nutrition Facts:
313 calories
7g fat
3g fiber
50g protein

The side here is steamed fresh zucchini with carrots. LiveWell meals come with an entree and one side for $5.95.

Do you have a recipe for a healthy meal that you would like to see served in a Dining Services restaurant?
If so, email me at rmcdivitt@ucsd.edu or leave a comment here.

Be well!

What the Pho every Friday at Plaza Cafe!

Plaza Cafe on Revelle College features Pho every Friday at lunch. My favorite way to eat Pho is with the bean sprouts, basil, tofu and all kinds of sauce. The picture to the right is my Friday lunch. Yum!

You can also choose chicken or beef.

Soups, including pho, have a lot of volume, which can fill you up on fewer calories. Soup is also very soothing during the fall and winter months.

Come get the Real Deal on Nutrition TODAY at Cafe V!

I'll be at Cafe Ventanas today serving the LiveWell meal.

Come say hi, ask a nutrition question, or just get a tasty, healthy, LiveWell meal.

Hope to see you there!

Where? Cafe Ventanas on ERC
When? TODAY from 11:30a-12:30p

UCSD is Among the Nation's Most Vegan-Friendly Colleges!!

From Ryan Huling, Assistant Manager of College Campaigns for PETA:

"I'm happy to report that after several months of deliberation and analysis, we have chosen UC San Diego as one of the most vegan-friendly colleges in the U.S. This nomination was made based on both the quality and quantity of vegan options available to students on campus as well as feedback from students on the receptiveness and creativity of dining staff, and this is something that the university can be very proud of....

Additionally, please feel free to alert students on campus that their university has received this honor—and that it was their feedback that made it all possible. Students can show their support for UCSD and encourage us to choose their school for this year's top spot by clicking on the link below:
http://features.peta2.com/VeganColleges2010/default.asp?c=p210vfc31

We will be alerting local media outlets of this honor, and the first round of voting ends on October 18. Let me know if you have any questions in the meantime.
Thanks, and congratulations!"

Sincerely,
Ryan Huling
Assistant Manager of College Campaigns
peta2.com

Meatless Monday!

Every Monday is Meatless Monday at all Dining Services' grill stations. If you are a meat-eater, don't freak out! Reducing your animal fat intake could improve your health (lowering cancer and heart disease risk). Veggie meals also take less energy to produce so, in essence, those greens are green!

Here are some Meatless Monday options for today:

Plaza Cafe: Soy Sloppy Joe's, Philly Soysteaks, Veggies w/Swiss on Flatbread

OVT: Cheese Ravioli with veggies and garlic bread

Cafe V: Vyro sandwich, Black Bean burger, Boca burgers, Grilled Veggie Quesadilla, 3-Cheese Grilled Sandwich

Pines: Eggplant & Hummus Grilled Sandwich, Veggie Loaf

Have a great Meatless Monday!

Mmmm, good at Goody's

Goody's burritos are AWESOME but there are other choices from this restaurant, including the Grilled Veggies sandwich pictured at right.

This sandwich is vegetarian if you choose the one with cheese. If you are vegan, feel free to order this sandwich "without cheese." Also feel free to request a different bread.

There are many ways to get your daily vegetables and having a sandwich piled high with veggies is a good one! ...or should I say a "Goody's one!?"

Farm2U at Muir Quad TODAY 3:30-6:30p!

Come get your local, fresh produce at Dining's Farmers Market Farm2U today from 3:30-6:30p.

Come get free samples of produce cooked by Dining's very own Certified Executive Chef, Vaughn Vargus.

The produce available from Farm2U is from local farms. Come get some healthy, fresh, and local fuel for your studies... and use your Dining Dollars!

See you there!

Apple Week in Dining Services THIS week

Autumn is a great time of year and one of the reasons is all the apples. There are fresh apples, apple cider, applesauce, baked apples, apple juice, warm apple pie...mmmm.

Dining Services is featuring apples all this week during APPLE WEEK.

Apples are great for you because they are a great source of fiber and contain disease-fighting antioxidants. There are many types of apples and all of them are good for you.

Be well and enjoy the special apple features in Dining Services this week.

Colleges Rock Hunger!

From October 6-22, 2010, UC San Diego is participating in the Colleges Rock Hunger food donation competition against SDSU, CSUSM and USD. Colleges Rock Hunger is the kick-off food drive for the holiday season, providing nourishment for San Diego families in need. The college donating the most pounds of food will win.

You can donate at the virtual food drive at http://blink.ucsd.edu/go/rockhunger

or drop off non-perishables at these location (among others!):

• Revelle Res Life offices



• the Village Place & Market or Offices



• Earl's Place & Market



• Goody's Place & Market



• Roger's Place & Market

Any questions? Contact Krista Mays at kmays@ucsd.edu

Helping the less fortunate contributes to your own wellness in immeasurable ways. Give the gift of food!

Fresh Fruit & Vegetables!

College students often admit to me that they do not eat enough fruit or vegetable. To help get your daily dose of fruits and veggies, try to have at least one fruit or vegetable at each meal and snack. Also visit the salad bar where you can eat many different varieties of vegetables with your meals.

Make sure to take advantage of the salad bars' many organic options, including spring mix, romaine lettuce, broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, garbanzo beans, kidney beans, black beans, olives, spinach and tomatoes.

Apartment residents may also want to pick up some vegetables from the Places & Markets to chop and prepare in your own kitchen.

Come get the Real Deal on Nutrition today at Plaza Cafe!

When?

TODAY from 11:30-12:30

What?
I'll be serving up the LiveWell meal and talking good nutrition!