Tag Archives: wine

Of Late

Posted on May 9, 2013 | 1 Comment

What a week! I can’t believe it’s already Thursday! It also happens to be plant-watering day around these parts.

I’ve still got at least another week of orientation, but I’m starting to learn my way around a little better. For the first time maybe ever, I’ve been going about organizing my desk—of all the jobs I’ve had (not counting freelance writing work), I’ve never had my own workspace, so it was really weird to be, like, “Wait, I can put my own stuff in the drawers?” So that happened…IMG_2310

I’m a little afraid to know what it says about me that the first thing I brought to put on my desk was a container of Clorox wipes. Oh well.

Another bright spot: I made it through my first wounds round without a supervisor/preceptor and didn’t pass out, so cheers to that.

Because my brain is a little too fried to make good segues, I’ve also been meaning to post about this wine for a while. I’m that person who will buy a bottle of wine and take a month to open it, and then a week to finish/get sick of it. This Tohu sauv blanc came recommended by the owner of a wine shop near me, and I love it. I will definitely be buying this again. IMG_2318

I’m presenting my capstone project at the beginning of next week and then I’m done with grad school forever! Unless I do something crazy like decide I want to go back to school one day. For now, I’m just gonna focus on the “OMG I see light at the end of the tunnel!” in that department.

What are you loving lately? 

 

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So I can play later…

Posted on April 21, 2013 | 1 Comment

Greetings from “Working now so I can play later” Land! This weekend, I’ve been kicking the ass of my to-do list. With the end of grad school looming, my work and social schedule for May are already filling up like crazy, so I’ve been taking advantage of some quieter days to get stuff squared away.

It hasn’t all been work, though. Case in point:

well, twist my rubber arm

well, twist my rubber arm

Saturday night, my friend Anna and I met for dinner and drinks at Ayza wine and chocolate bar in the West Village. I’d been joking earlier about the fact that when RDs get together, it’s, like, “Let’s each enjoy a glass or two of red wine and savor some organic dark chocolate.” When Anna suggested this place she’d found on an app called Savored, I laughed…Talk about culinary law of attraction—or maybe just a cliche in action. Either way, the food, drink, and company were all enjoyable.

I also met up with some friends on Thursday for dinner on the Upper West Side at Bettola. Do you ever walk by a place a million times, always saying you’ll make a mental note to check it out? Living in NYC, this happens to me a lot! Anyway, it was great to catch up and enjoy some good food.

IMG_2182Predictably, I ordered the roasted salmon, which came with veggies and potatoes—it was delicious. The chicken and ravioli dishes my friends ordered also looked—and smelled—fantastic. Their pizzas also sounded great. The prices were pretty good too. I think a return visit may be in order.

For now, though, back to the grind. Have an awesome day!

Enjoyed any good restaurant meals lately? Do you use apps to make reservations? 

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Osteria Cotta

Posted on April 15, 2013 | Leave a comment

Good morning and happy Monday. Hope you had a great weekend. Mine was really nice—I got a lot of work done but I also managed to enjoy some work-free time as well.  I’m in the home stretch with my class and can finally see the light at the end of the grad school tunnel. Four years goes fast.

Dark & candle-lit: totally my jam

Dark & candle-lit: totally my jam

Anyway, Sunday ended on a mellow note with a girls’ dinner at Osteria Cotta. My mom and sister had come in to eat some good food and catch up. My mom hadn’t been here since my 26th birthday, and it was my sister’s first visit, so it was fun to (re)introduce them to some of my favorite things on the menu. I love the ambiance at this place, and the food never disappoints. An added bonus is that the prices are super-reasonable.

Having had a green smoothie for lunch and not much else during the day, I was really hungry when we arrived, but I left very satisfied. We started by sharing an arugula salad and some delicious bruschette: truffled egg, eggplant caponata, burrata with roasted pepper, and marscapone and honey.  My mom and I each also had a glass of lambrusco. IMG_2156

Then we split a brussel sprout & pancetta pizza. So. Freaking. Good. IMG_2157

I had a few bites of dark chocolate cake for dessert, which was also great. It was the perfect way to end a nice meal.

If you find yourself on the Upper West Side and craving pizza or even just a drink and some antipasti, I highly recommend this place.

What’s your favorite kind of pizza? Best restaurant meal you’ve had lately? 

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Smonday

Posted on April 8, 2013 | 1 Comment

Happy Monday—how’s it going? Pardon yesterday’s radio silence. I spent a lot of time this weekend out enjoying the city: among other things, there was oyster happy hour, brunch, wandering around Chelsea Market, a wine-tasting class, dinner, and a movie.

Sometimes I complain about working from home and “having” to set my own schedule, but I’m truly grateful for days I can say yes to things and enjoy a Sunday-like Monday. After enjoying a late breakfast outside in the sun (without a sweater or jacket!), I’d definitely say this one is off to a good start. It’s back to the grind tomorrow, so I’m thankful to be enjoying such a nice day.

What was the highlight of your weekend? What are you looking forward to this week? 

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Signs

Posted on March 16, 2013 | Leave a comment

My (undiagnosed) ADD cracks me up sometimes. The other night, while dealing with the second burnt-out light bulb in two days, I totally forgot I put the old one down “somewhere” while I went to grab a replacement from the closet. Well, I found it this morning when I wasn’t even looking for it. IMG_1896

For whatever reason, I’ve always looked at light bulb burn-outs as signs, especially when several happen within a few days of each other (and not because I’d last changed them all around the same time). I see it as a hint at a new phase, or at the very least, “in with the old, out with the new.” A friend said that, considering the iconography of the lightbulb, it means I need to smash some old ideas. Valid.

It’s similar to how I tend to take things like the sudden (and isolated) appearance of mice and cockroaches, as signs of movement, if kind of unpleasant. I’m weird, I know, but it’s never steered me wrong.

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yay, carbs!

After a busy workweek, I’m feeling kind of wiped. I dragged myself to Zumba last night with my friend Anna. I’m glad I didn’t bail, but damn, my whole body hurts today. It was super-fun, though. I’d never had a male instructor before, and he totally killed it! And by “it,” I mean me. Afterwards we refueled with carbs (aka, wine & beer) and dinner at a restaurant that had just opened the day before. Things were a little chaotic, but the food was really good. I’d post photos, but there’s no real way to make sausage & mash or a veggie burger with fries look pretty.

I stayed up writing a little later than I meant to, but it was totally worth it. Now if only it was so easy to get on a roll with “work-work” and school projects…

Do you believe in “signs?” What’s are some other foods it’s hard to make pretty? 

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Stay-cation

Posted on March 11, 2013 | 9 Comments

Good morning—happy Monday! How was your weekend? I enjoyed a little stay-cation. It was so nice to unplug and unwind. I’m really bad at relaxing, but after almost 4 years of grad school with a dietetic internship and some crazy studying thrown in there, logic told me that one should totally take a few days off after passing the RD exam.

So I made a deal with myself: every time I felt that I “should” be doing something productive (on a weekend, I know), I would write it down so I could get to it come Monday. I was mostly successful, save for a few work emails and stats homework. Other than that, I did only fun things.

Friday I got a reflexology massage and went to a really fun Zumba class—endorphin overload in the best way possible. My muscles were so sore by the time I went to bed.

Saturday I cleaned, took a few walks, and made use of some giftcards I’d gotten for my birthday. Then I organized my closet. I’m embarrassed to admit I had more than a few items that had been lurking in the mix since 2003. Somehow, “maybe I’ll wear it this summer” turned into ten years. Whoops.

I love that Ann Taylor LOFT actually has a decent petites selection. Tiny ladies are people too!

I love that Ann Taylor LOFT actually has a decent petites selection. Tiny ladies are people too!

I also went to a favorite cafe and sat with a glass of wine (first white of the year!) writing in my notebook. I don’t really care if the couple next to me knew that I was taking in every little word and analyzing their conversation. Um, people in their late twenties and early thirties: why do we pretend to own less Ikea furniture than we do? Whomever you’re trying to impress will find out eventually! Case in point: someone who came to my apartment for the first time once said, “Hey, I know this table!” It was actually a good ice-breaker.

No matter your profession, I think it’s really important to just free-write sometimes, whatever the hell pops into your head. It’s a form of meditation for me, but a meditation that is especially enjoyable with a cup of coffee or wine. I used to be afraid to go and have a drink by myself, but it’s really nice once in a while.

Sunday I did yoga and spent more time outside. I also managed to read a whole book. A friend had recently recommended a popular author whose work, for better or worse, bears that “airport best-seller” label, but I was glad I gave it a chance—there’s a reason some writers’ books can get you through a transatlantic flight, no problem. Good, engaging writing that lots of people like is not a crime! I need to remind myself of that every once in a while, lest I wander into lit-snob territory.

I didn’t take a whole lot of food pictures, but I do have to admit, it was so nice to enjoy a simple salad between excursions outside. IMG_1864

Are you good at relaxing? How do you like to unwind? Thoughts on Ikea? 

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Weekend Things

Posted on February 24, 2013 | 7 Comments

Happy Sunday, guys. Hope you’re enjoying a lovely weekend. I was feeling a little under the weather on Saturday, but I’m convinced there are few things 10 hours of sleep can’t fix. The fog and low-grade fever are gone and the sun even came out a little Sunday morning.

veggie burger on a brioche roll with a side of vinegar slaw

veggie burger on a brioche roll with a side of vinegar slaw

Friday I went to hear some live music in Astoria and had dinner at 5 Napkin Burger beforehand. I think my body might be trying to readjust after pulling one of those “I’m just gonna lose a few pounds because I can” the way it does whenever I go through a major life change—it would be silly for me to discount the end of the internship as a big deal. I ate every bit of my meal (which would normally fill me up) and then was hungry again an hour later.

Saturday I was feeling crappy so I laid low. Basically the only reason I left the apartment was to go check out a reflexology place near me. Holy s*** it was amazing. It hurt so good it kind of tickled. I was in bed by 10 pm after giving the first couple episodes of Downton Abbey a try on Amazon Prime free streaming. I think I get what all the fuss is about, but not sure I’ll stick with it.

This morning I woke up feeling a lot better, though I’m kind of impressed by my own under-eye circles. I also spilled boiling water on my hand making tea but was fine. Hey, whatever works. I did some good stretching and then when to pick up a baguette, brie, and Bordeaux for an Oscars party tonight. I’ve never been to one, since I’ve always had to get up at the ass-crack of dawn on Monday, so I’m looking forward to having a good time.

What have you been up to this weekend? Have you ever been to an Oscars party? 

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How I Spent My Snow-Weekend

Posted on February 11, 2013 | 2 Comments

Whenever it snows, I want to call all those people who ever rolled their eyes about the way I dig my heels into Manhattan (“Your rent is soooo high! Don’t you want more space? Wouldn’t you love to have a car/a dog/children one day?”) and say, “Have fun shoveling your car out, b****.”

To those of you with cars and driveways and babies and furry critters who have never tut-tutted to me about my city life, I hope the stormy weather was kind to you and that if you did have to shovel snow, you enjoyed a good workout, followed by some well-deserved comfort food this weekend :)

I took advantage of the excuse to stay put and channeled any and all cabin fever into kicking the ass of my to-do list. For example, I did an RD exam practice test…IMG_1614

And wrote a research proposal.

I also cooked and ate some nice things…

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soup & toast with hummus & roasted eggplant

quinoa (soaked before cooking) with chickpeas, roasted veggies, hummus, and goat cheese

quinoa (soaked before cooking) with chickpeas, roasted veggies, hummus, and goat cheese

…and drank something good once it was “safe” to venture outside. All snark/snarky-ness (?) aside, when it does snow in NYC, I truly appreciate the folks busting their asses to clear the sidewalks and streets. Without you, I would be that tiny girl with the big shovel polluting the virgin ears of children making snowmen nearby. Their mothers would thank you too if they knew what they were being saved from.

Lambrusco—one of my favorites

Lambrusco—one of my favorites

For those of you who got some snow this weekend, how did you spend your time? What are your favorite things to eat after shoveling snow? 

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Rouge Tomate

Posted on February 10, 2013 | 10 Comments
Me & my sister. I didn't want to post my class' picture without permission

Me & my sister at the reception. I didn’t want to post my class’ picture without permission, but I have a whole slew of photos

After the graduation ceremony the other night, all the interns—I mean, grads—mingled for a while at the reception before slowly breaking off to have dinner with our families. With a group of folks who focus on food every day, of course there was a lot of discussion about where everyone was going.

When my parents first asked me if there was somewhere in particular I wanted to go (I’m having a hard time remembering the last time I went out for a “fancy” dinner), I drew a total blank. Then I remembered a conversation I’d had with a classmate about Rouge Tomate, which actually works with an RD in their menu development, using an approach they call “SPE,” which stands for Sanitas Per Escam (Health Through Food) and revolves around three elements: sourcing, preparation, and enhancement.

In short, they feature beautiful food prepared with an eye toward healthy living—the kind of thing I was not really sure my dad would like. Luckily, he was game to give it a try.  Continue reading →

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A relaxing start

Posted on January 12, 2013 | Leave a comment

Happy Saturday! Hope your weekend is off to a great start. I just got back from yoga class and am getting some stuff done before a lunch outing. Last night I enjoyed a lovely home-cooked meal with a few of my fellow interns.

I brought wine and salad, and there was also delicious whole-wheat pasta with a tomato sauce that had a nice savory, smoky flavor thanks to the addition of a little bacon. IMG_1385

There was also a lovely apple crisp baked in the cutest little ramekins!  IMG_1387One great thing about my field is being friends with people who love to cook and enjoy food. The girl-talk was also much-needed. It was a relaxing way to start the weekend.

Do you and your friends ever get together for a home-cooked dinner? Who usually brings what? 

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