Keep Calm and Carry On: The Diary of Foodie and Gourmet

Like many Americans, I was taught growing up to eat everything on my plate. Food left behind was treated almost like a crime, so from a young age, I learned to clear my plate of everything. Sometimes this meant eating, even if I was full, or not even considering the status of my stomach and just packing it in. Not necessarily a good thing… This has gotten me thinking recently: is the idea of clearing your plate really a good thing? It’s true that there are starving people in the world and needless waste is a terrible thing, but is stuffing yourself silly just to have a clean plate any better? Sure, it depends on portion sizes, of course. If you don’t have much food on your plate, then clearing it without feeling sick is easy, but what about those of us who tend to overeat and thus force ourselves to eat more than we need and/or want? In that scenario, surely we are doing more harm, than good? Now, I didn’t start thinking about this out of the blue, but rather,

A few months ago, I began to religiously watch a British show called "Supersize vs. Superskinny." I have known about this  show for some time and would watch it sporadically on YouTube, but for the first time, I watched the whole show (6 series) in sequence. Wow. As corny as this sounds, my life has been changed. I don't think I've ever been so enthralled and educated by a television programme! Now, you're probably rolling your eyes at the statement, "changed my life." I don't blame you. If I were you, I'd be thinking, "oh please! That's ridiculous." --- But it's true. I have begun to adopt a new attitude towards food and have done my best to begin to change my lifestyle based on the show, and you know what, it's working for me. This show has given me a new perspective on healthy living and has even helped me find a new passion --- nutrition. Before I continue, let me explain the premise of the show to you, i

Despite not having a lot of time to blog or cook super elaborate meals, this summer, I still managed to eat well and keep myself going! In fact, if it weren't for the delicious foods, I think this summer would have been completely miserable and I would have gone crazy! Here are some highlights of meals that I enjoyed this summer! (Recipes will likely come in the future for all of these, if I haven't written about them already.) The pictures are a mix between home cooked meals and restaurant meals.  Seared Scallops with a Greek Salad (feta, cucumber, olives, and olive oil)  with a glass of chilled Chardonnay  Moroccan Chicken on a bed of Quinoa Miso-Orange Juice Glazed Salmon with a Gratin of Roasted Vegetables Lobster!  (This was my parents doing.) Fried mackerel (aji) bones, ebi sushi, and ika uni (Just a small selection from the sushi feast I enjoyed with my parents at our favorite sushi restaurant near our home).  "Skinny" chicken

So, for those of you who may have been following my blog, you probably noticed that I was very silent this summer. I didn't forget about you all, I PROMISE! Rather, my summer was spent studying non-stop! The past 12 weeks have been a blur --- this has been the longest-fastest summer ever. As a premed student, I have spent the past year taking: pre-calculus, calculus, biology, and chemistry. This summer was dominated by organic chemistry. That's right, a whole year's worth of orgo in just 12 weeks. Perhaps one of the dumbest things I have ever done. It was really really really hard, I won't lie. With regards to the topic, I loved it, but it was just too much work! Lecture three times a week for two hours, lab twice a week for 4 hours, and recitation twice a week for 1.5 hours....that's a lot! Not to mention when I wasn't in class or lab, I was studying or meeting with my tutor! For lack of a better word, summer orgo was INTENSE ---- but I am now done and sur