Jawbone UP3 Unboxing + First Impressions

I got a Jawbone! I've been thinking about getting a fitness tracker for a while, but I finally took the plunge and got the Jawbone UP3. Here's the unboxing, plus my initial thoughts, what the Jawbone UP3 offers, and some of my concerns with using a fitness band.

Get a Jawbone UP3

Sarah Moran is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Tea Organization and Favorites!

I love tea and I have quite the collection! The problem is, it can become a disorganized mess pretty easily. To solve this problem, I've found a great tool that keeps all of the tea tidy and easy to see when you're ready to brew a cup. I'm also sharing some of my favorite teas that I drink all the time.

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PRODUCTS MENTIONED Tea organizer Gunpowder Green (Numi) Rooibos Chai (Numi) Moroccan Mint (Numi) Basil Mint Pu-erh (Numi) Hibiscus (Traditional Medicinals) Chinese Breakfast (Numi) Chocolate Spice (Numi) Chocolate Mint (Numi)

Sarah Moran is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Why Cook with Cast Iron?

Cast iron pans are popular among chefs and home cooks, but if you've never used one before, you might be wondering what the big deal is. Here are the basics on cast iron cookware and what you should know if you decide to get a cast iron pan for your own home.

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Choosing a Dietetics Program + How JMU Ranks

Deciding which college to go to can be tough. I've had a couple requests from future dietitians to talk about my experience at James Madison University. I know not everyone needs info about JMU specifically, but would like some tips on picking a dietetics program. Here are some things you might want to consider, plus how JMU performs in each category.

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Dealing with Emotional Eating

Emotional eating is something a lot of us struggle with. It can happen for a variety of reasons, but the core issue is the same: eating for a reason other than hunger. Here are my tips to manage emotional eating when it strikes.

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VixyVi's channel

Asparagus Frittata | Mother's Day Recipe

Mother's Day is right around the corner and what better way to celebrate your mother than a delicious homemade meal! This frittata is simple and quick to make and uses one of my favorite spring foods: asparagus.

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Asparagus Frittata

Ingredients

2 spring onions, white and green parts thinly sliced

1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1.5 inch pieces

8 large eggs

1/2 teaspoon salt

pepper to taste

Butter or other fat for cooking vegetables and greasing cast iron skillet

Directions

1. Heat butter or fat of choice in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring frequently, until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove cooked onions from pan and set aside.
2. Add more butter to your skillet and cook asparagus until crisp tender and bright green, about 5 minutes. Remove cooked asparagus from pan and set aside.
3. Add eggs, salt, and pepper to a large bowl and whisk thoroughly.
4. Add cooked onions and asparagus to the beaten eggs and mix until everything is evenly distributed.
5. Grease a cast iron skillet with butter, lard, coconut oil or other fat and heat over medium high heat. Add egg and vegetable mixture to the hot skillet and turn heat down to medium low. Cook until the edges of the frittata are set and pull away from the skillet, about 10 minutes. The center of the frittata will still be liquid at this point.
6. Set your broiler to low and place the skillet directly under the broiler. Cook until the frittata is cooked through and the top is golden brown, about 3-5 minutes. Watch closely during this stage to make sure that the frittata doesn't accidentally burn.
7. Remove frittata from oven, allow to cool slightly, slice, and serve. I like to cut mine into 8 slices.

Homemade Tortillas the Easy Way

Making your own tortillas is great, but it can be tricky. The good news is, using a tortilla press makes the whole process a lot easier! Here's how I use my tortilla press to make fresh corn and whole wheat tortillas at home.

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Whole Wheat Tortilla recipe from 100 Days of Real Food

Soaked Whole Wheat Tortilla recipe from Weed Em and Reap

Why I'm Not Taking Showers Anymore

We all know how important healthy bacteria are for our gut, but what about all of the beneficial bacteria that live on our skin? When we shower, we are washing all of this bacteria right down the drain. I've recently started thinking about this issue and how it might negatively impact my health, so I have decided that I am going to stop taking showers. It might sound strange, but I have to make my health a priority and do what's best for me.

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How to Become a Dietitian

Becoming a dietitian is a process that has a lot of steps. Here it is all laid out with a few tips from me along the way. [x_video type="16:9, 5:3, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2" m4v="" ogv="" poster="" hide_controls="" autoplay="" embed='' no_container="true"]

Note: As I mentioned in the video, this process will be changing in the future. The details on the new process are still in the works.

You can get more information about becoming a dietitian on the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website.

3 Tips For Choosing a Dietitian

When you're looking for someone to help you with your diet, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist is the way to go. But every dietitian isn't created equal, so how do you find one that works for you? Here are my three tips for choosing a dietitian.

1. Know what you need. Are you looking for just one session to clear up some questions or a program where you meet with the dietitian for several sessions to do some in-depth work? Is it a must for your to meet with your dietitian in person or do you like the flexibility of someone who, like myself, offers virtual services?
2. Consider their specialty. Just like doctors, dietitians have different specialties. Some are generalists while others are experts in a specific area, like allergies or eating disorders. I, for example, specialize in whole foods nutrition and wellness. I work with clients looking to get off the diet cycle and build a healthy lifestyle focused on real food. I wouldn't be a good fit for someone who refuses to cook or who needs help with their diet due to kidney failure. You've got to find someone who can help with your specific situation.
3. Remember they're a person. Your dietitian isn't (or at least shouldn't) just be an information resource like a text book or encyclopedia. So much of what a dietitian does is focused on supporting a client in the changes they're making. Dietitians each have their own individual experiences and personalities which are going to influence your relationship with them. You need to find someone you can trust and who's personality jives with yours. That way, you'll get the best experience possible and be more likely to accomplish your goals.

Why I Don't Care How Much You Weigh

We are constantly bombarded by messages about how important weight is when it comes to our health. It's simple: being overweight is unhealthy and thinness equals health. But does weight really matter? In this video, I explain why we should stop worrying so much about weight and what we should be focusing on instead. [x_video type="16:9, 5:3, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2" m4v="" ogv="" poster="" hide_controls="" autoplay="" embed='' no_container="true"]

Have you ever found yourself measuring your health based solely on your weight? What do you think about this approach? Share in the comments below!

Should You Track Your Food?

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I Want To Hear From You!

Hi guys! With a new year quickly approaching, I wanted to get some feedback from y'all as far as what you like to see on my blog.  You can pick up to three choices on the poll below. Also, feel free to leave comments if there is something you love/would like to see that isn't in the poll or if you have a specific request for a future post! Thanks! [polldaddy poll=7624171]

I'm a Busy Bee!

No new post today guys. Sorry :( Something came up! But I'll leave you with a link to a cute kitty video to make up for it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiHXASgRTcA

New Cookbooks!

I love a good cookbook. Besides being full of delicious recipes, they can also provide inspiration and promote the addition of new techniques and skills to one's repertoire. With that said, I received some wonderful cookbooks (along with lots of other foodie gifts) as Christmas and birthday presents. Below I've listed three that I think would be good additions to anyone's shelf, but also fill niches that can be difficult to address. I'm going to post a review of each after I get a chance to cook through them a bit. I'll try to work though one at a time, but they all look so amazing I might have to skip around just a little bit.

1. Moosewood Restaurant New Classics

This is one of twelve cookbooks from the Moosewood restaurant, located in Ithaca, New York.  Established in 1973, they have been leaders in vegetarian cuisine, taking inspiration from familiar favorites as well as international dishes. With a menu that is always changing, they have an extensive collection of recipes at their finger tips. The recipes in each book are tested not only in their kitchens, but in the restaurant itself, ensuring only the best make the cut. Whether you are a strict vegetarian or just looking for new nutritious and delicious recipes, this book is for you.

2. Super Natural Every Day by Heidi Swanson

Heidi Swanson is the author of one of the most popular food blogs, 101 Cookbooks  (a great recipe resource). In this, her second cookbook, she presents some of her favorite recipes that she uses again and again in her everyday life. Besides being vegetarian, her recipes emphasize a natural, whole-foods approach with delectable results. If you want a little taste, the book's website includes a sample of 6 recipes from the book that you can download for free (just click the picture above).

3. The Soul of a New Cuisine: A Discovery of the Foods and Flavors of Africa by Marcus Samuelsson

Ever since going to a local Ethiopian restaurant I've been on the hunt for a good Ethiopian/African cookbook. I'm hoping this will be the one. Written by Marcus Samuelsson, a revered chef of Ethiopian descent, this cookbook not only features authentic and African-inspired recipes, but also includes beautiful photos of food and people. It could seriously sit on your coffee table with no questions asked.

Do any of these sound like the cookbook you've been looking for? Is there a favorite cookbook you turn to again and again? Let me know in the comments below!

Anything You Want to Know More About? Let Me Know!

What food, nutrition, or lifestyle questions do you have? If there is a topic you want to learn more about, a cooking technique or type of cuisine you'd like to see, a question you need answered, or anything you're struggling with let me know! Just leave your requests in the comments below and I'll be sure to help you out.