Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!
I drove an excruciatingly long 30 minutes home, took a cold shower, put on my summeriest dress, and cracked open a Tusker that I’ve been saving for a month!!
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh 
Actually, I only had half of the beer because I (generously!) split it with Matt so he could try and review it for Brew + Bake. Find his comments here: Beer Review – Tusker. (Speaking of Tusker, check out Kelly’s latest post from our trip: Tea Time: Deforestation, Drought and Death.
Tusker the Kenyan beer opener elephant liked it too
Lunch @ EF
Biochem is D.O.N.E. Actually FOUR SEMESTERS IN A ROW OF CHEMISTRY ARE OVER!!!! I really am kinda in shock. Chemistry was the #1 reason why I did not want to do nutrition, and I can honestly say it went by so fast I don’t even remember it. I really (really) could have skipped the year of Gen Chem – what a waste of my life. I didn’t learn anything I didn’t remember from high school. But Orgo and Biochem were both challenging, but relevant. I am sure glad they’re over! Those of you who are contemplating going back for your R.D. – DO IT. The sciences are not as bad as they seem.
After my 2.5 hour draining exam (I wrote a whole blue book 🙂 ), I called my mom and chatted while I walked around campus and then headed to EarthFare to study for exam #2. I got a cappuccino as a snack! Lots of frothy milk.
Sooner or later, Kelsey and Lauri appeared after they took the Food Science exam and we all had lunch. I got a big ol’ salad.
I don’t really remember all the toppings, but the highlight was that green Indian paneer in the upper left. It was awesome! And the soy nugget on top – I love these for some reason! I don’t really like chicken nuggets at all (never have) but these have the best texture.
The salad had fruit, wheatberries, corn salad, pasta slaad, nugget, sprouts, pecans, salmon, peas, indian chicken, paneer, and a base of raw veggies + romaine.
For dessert I had a little soy pudding! It was awesome.
After lunch, Lauri and I went for an hour and a half walk!! We memorized so much stuff and got some good exercise in the process. I’m going to miss our study walks!
Exam #2 = guf, guf, guf! No further comments.
Snack
Right before I left I had a little of this delightful granola that Kelsey made at a summer starter! (She took some to her profs too 🙂 )
It was awesome! I ate those yummy yogurt pretzels and about 1/4 cup of the granola.
KERF Does Take-Out
So dinner tonight. We have been planning to get take-out tonight for about THREE WEEKS! Who plans to get take-out in advance!? Us. And you don’t even want to know how much I debated where to get it and what to get! I just don’t care for take-out. First of all, it’s SO expensive!!! I’d rather have a sandwich and save money to buy nut butters than have a $20 take-out meal. And it’s a hassle to go get it! We have cans of beans in our pantry that take less time to turn into a meal (i.e. last night). BUT, it was fun, and I really can’t complain about the clean-up. (Although I felt horribly wasteful with all the trash…)
We decided it was most practical to patronize the Chinese restaurant right near our house. According to CitySearch (yes, I looked it up), it’s one of the best Chinese restaurants in CLT.
I decided on the Bean Curd + Veggies in a Brown Sauce. I tried to get the sauce on the side, but the lady on the phone didn’t recommend it because they cook the dish in the sauce so I just said OK. I had about 1/4 of my portion and added on some duck sauce and spicy mustard (my favorite). The tofu was definitely fried, and it actually wasn’t that great. It wasn’t bad, but it was bland and salty, and there was too much gel sauce. I wish I had now gotten the sauce on the side! I would have enjoyed it more.
Matt got a spicy shrimp dish that was way better than mine. It had much more flavor! And I love broccoli in sautéed ethnic dishes.
I was thrilled to hear they had brown rice!! We also split a small spring roll.
I actually didn’t finish it all. I decided it wasn’t worth finishing and was getting full. Go me for stopping to listen and leaving something on my plate (something I have a hard time doing).
The best part!
Fortune cookies have changed. It was much more vanilla wafer than they used to be! Sweeter.
I hope tomorrow is fun!!! We’re headed to Charleston right after I come home from my Food Science presentation for a big wedding weekend of our friend from college!
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537537. Leah | May 1st, 2009 at 10:57 am
Thanks for such a fresh, positive, and uplifting blog! I love greek yogurt mixed with fresh berries and a sprinkling of granola.
Leah, send me an email to KathEats at Gmail with your name and address 🙂
I am off to RELAX!! Perhaps start a book. Every time I finish a semester all I want to do is read something with a great plot!!
And I’ve got soooooooooo much blog reading to do!! I haven’t caught up on blogs since my trip to Africa…. that’s on my summer to-do list!
But at 9:00 Matt (Larbs’ Matt) is arriving to spend the night with us!! I’ve got an 8am early presentation and then we’re off to Charleston. I’ll probably blog ‘round 9 when I get home from school.
Happy Friday!
Mia says
Hey Kath, have a great time here in Charleston at your wedding event. We are strawberry picking in the morning before we get our chance of rain in the afternoon. Hopefully it will just blow over, although I heard it is good luck to rain on the wedding day. Let me know if you need directions to the nearest Earth Fare! 🙂
Emily W. says
You go girl! I can’t wait to finish my Chem Final (and last final this year) on Tuesday! I don’t do take out much either when I am at home.
Veronica says
I’m a long time lurker and just had to post for the first time today to Congratulate you on finishing Chemistry!! I’m also a Nutrition Major and contemplated so many times changing it because I’m a chicken with the sciences. I just finished my second half of Gen Chem and getting ready to start Organic next. Thanks for inspiring me to keep on going. LOVE your blog by the way!!
Courtney (The Hungry Yogini) says
YAY!! Glad your two exams are done today.
That lunch salad looks yums. So bright and cheery. And the coffee looks like a great pick-me-up.
I hear you on take-out. I was just telling my friend this evening that I don’t really enjoy it. Home cooked food is just so yummy!
Enjoy your night!
Heather says
Congrats on making it through the Chem! Those sciences aren’t too fun, but it sounds like you didn’t have a problem handling them 🙂 !
Gotta love a celebration at Earthfare!
It’s definitely fun to have take-out every once in a while. It’s nice to give yourself a break and order something you normally wouldn’t make yourself! I love the Chinese take-out container… too cute!
Three questions 🙂 :
1) Do you know what you’re going to do with your major after you finish school?
2) If I want to do more writing about health and nutrition (like work at SELF magazine for example), would you suggest getting a degree in nutrition? or would a degree in communications be better? any other suggestions?
3) How long do organic nut butters stay good if you refridgerate them? I always wonder how long I should be keeping mine.
Ali says
Oh, the joy of blue books! When I think of them, I think of hand cramps and headaches. That salad looks awesome!
Lauren says
I agree with your take-out opinion. I really think the only thing worth spending money on take-out is sushi or thai. (Two things that just can not be fully recreated to their prime when attempted at home)
And I know what you mean about the fried tofu. Last time I got Thai, I asked for the tofu steamed (as always) but they forgot and fried it. Yuck! The tofu was chewy and had such a gross texture. I don’t know what they do to it but they should really check out your tofu tutorial. 🙂
Congrats on finishing your finals! YAY! Summer can offically begin.
Take care!
Marlene says
Congrats Kath. Can I just say, your poor little chewed up thumb! As a reformed nail-biter, I can totally relate with that picture!! Hopefully you’ll have less cause to chew in the weeks to come!
Happy summer
Nate says
Planning to get take out for weeks? With online research? What happened to spontaneous KERF? And y’all better not stay in Charleston for too long, okay?
Run Sarah says
Congrats on finishing your exams! 🙂 Love the adorable summer dress!
MaryBe says
My daughter took bio-chem and hated it! (I didn’t want to tell you that before!)
Love your fortune!
Liz says
Random comments 🙂 (1) Hurrah for being done with Chemistry!; (2) that bottle opener is darling; (3) our Whole Foods makes yummy soy nuggets, too—I love them!
Kristin @ Iowa Girl Eats says
Oh, I literally almost shed a tear when I saw the picture of you in your summer dress, downing a beer!! I NEED SUMMER ASAP!!!! Have a great weekend Kath!
Adi (oatonomy.com - repaired!) says
You definitely deserve a great weekend! How does your brain not explode from all the studying?! Glad you’re done chem – congrats!
LK- Healthy Delcious says
congrats on finishing!
I love spicy mustard too… and I also agree that takeout is generally a waste of time and money (but oh so yummy!)
Amelia says
Congrats on finishing all that Chem! That is WAY impressive.
Jean Mitchell says
Hi!
I just saw a video featuring your website today on Current TV. I believe it was a sign as I have never even stopped the Channel on Current TV, but today I did, and there you were!
Just last night I bought the book Skinny Bitch which is about eating organically and vegan to acheive optimum health.
I have a lot of weight to lose, and I feel like a force greater than myself is pushing me towards this healthy veggie based lifestyle.
I look forward to following your blog and am hoping that you can help me and inspire me to get healthy!
Have a really great weekend,
Jean
Help Meghan Run says
Congrats!! And that is awesome to hear the science is not too scary…that is the number one thing frightening me about getting an R.D. 😉 Enjoy the feeling of being almost done.
Check out my blog!
www. HelpMeghanRun .com
Oh She Glows says
I feel the same about you regarding take out..I’d rather eat a sandwich and then go buy some cute plates 🙂
Congrats on making it thru all the chem!!!!!!! You rock!
Katie says
So I was reading your blog and then took a break, but am back. Although I do not know you personally, it is nice to have a connection of hearing there are others out there who appreciate healthy eating and wanting to live healthfully. I just recently read Superfoods Rx, actually in one day skimmed through the parts pertinent to me, and was rejuvenated. Since I got married in October I have been trying to eat healthfully, but have also been trying to juggle being married to someone who is not quite there:) But recently I decided this is something I really want to do for myself and incoporate those whole superfoods into my diet and my husbands as much as possible, rather than eating the chicken wings because everyone else is haha. Today I had a great time at the store finding many of those new items I have never tried, but you have mentioned quite often and buying them. I might have spent a bit much, but I want to thank you for giving me the boost to start taking responsibility for what I eat and when I can making the best choice possible. I know now that I can!! Thanks again!
Kerry says
Congrats on finishing all the chemistry! I am taking Biochem this summer, and then I will be done with that part as well.
My very favorite study treat is a nonfat latte…it’s my extravagant source of calcium.
Christina says
I always wondered why I never noticed tofu when ordering Chinese food. It’s called bean curd!
Your salad looks amazing, so many diverse toppings – yum!
Sarah (lovINmytummy) says
Chug! Chug! Chug!
That granola Kelsey is such a suck up, geesh! 😉
Clearly the fortune cookie is not referring to the fried tofu as a “shooting star.” What it will bring you tomorrow is NOT luck.
Enjoy your night!
Mara @ What's For Dinner? says
HAPPY SUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Melissa @ For the Love of Health says
Congratulations!!
All of your meals look so amazing! I would love a bite of it all. haha
Sharon says
Awesome awesome!! And mmm, everything looks tasty!
Erin says
Have a fabulous weekend.
Love the Tusker beer opener. Tusker is such a great name for a beer.
Lunch at EF makes me so jelly.
Lauren says
Congrats, congrats!!
Hope you have a fab time in Charleston!! I used to live there and miss it terribly! Looking forward to seeing what you post from my old stomping grounds 🙂
John says
Wow, that is some of the most colorful food I’ve seen…absolutely beautiful.
Lara (Thinspired) says
I could learn a thing or two about your restraint with the Chinese food. I would have had it all cleaned out! It’s definitely a weakness for me, but I’ll think about this post the next time I eat it!
Hope you have a great weekend ahead, Kath!
Shannon (The Daily Balance) says
congrats!!!!!!!! so happy for you! 😉
RK says
congratulations on finishing up your exams! You worked so incredibly hard this semester. I hope you have a great weekend at the wedding.
I had to laugh at your takeout story… I am the same way. I plan it out for weeks, do research, and generally prefer to have a home-cooked meal. But it IS a good treat every once in awhile 🙂
Kath says
Veronica ,
Thanks! Good luck with Orgo – it will fly by!
Heather ,
1) Not sure yet – but I hope to open my own private practice. Possibly with an online component!
2) If you want to write on nutrition specifically, you might consider an R.D., but I think an education would be better spend in English, writing, communications, MFA since most of the RD curriculum has nothing to do with writing and a lot to do with clinical and foodservice (hospitals + school cafeterias).
3) Months!
Marlene ,
Oh gosh, how embarrassing! I do big my fingers….bad habit!!
Jean Mitchell,
Welcome and thanks for your comment!! Best of luck getting healthier!
Katie ,
Thanks! Welcome back!
Kath
sonia says
That dress looks so good on you. I got the same one in red.
Kristin says
Hi Kath! I have been reading your blog for a few months now. I have really enjoyed starting my day with it. Since I live in Arizona, you have already started your day and posted your yummy breakfast as I am sitting down for mine.
I have made a major life decision in the past week. I have decided to go back to school to become an RD. I already have earned a bachelors degree in an unrelated field. So, this will be a whole new, scary world for me.
Your comment about chemistry helped put me at ease at bit. That is the one subject that has me panicked! I’ve never taken a chemistry class and there is quite a bit of it. I’ll be taking Chemistry 113 as a summer class. If I can get through that, then I’ll go for it!
Until then, I’ll keep on enjoying your blog and hope I win a giveaway! : )
Kath says
Kristin ,
Congrats!!!!!!! Good luck with Gen Chem – it’s the worst part of the whole program.
K
Jo says
I always find that the thought of a take-out is better than the taste. But I love the takeout boxes you guys get in America – in England we usually get foil trays. My fiancees ambition is to order a chinese in America just to get one! Sooo cute xx
Ann says
It’s so nice to hear you say that about the RD program. I’m doing it in Canada so it’s probably a little different in some ways, but chemistry is also not my favourite thing ever and I just finished the first year with the General Chemistry’s. I’ve heard the BioChem & Organic are better, but I’m still nervous!
Michelle Hisae says
It’s hard to find healthy-ish chinese takeout, so it’s great you found your place!
Claire Masters says
I didn’t realize how popular Tusker beers are that you would really save it for special occasions. It would be nice to have an ice-cold bottle, especially since summer is approaching. High-quality malt beers are always worth it.