Final Exam #1, done in a diner among 40 Gastronomes

Yes I took a picture of the bathroom- how cool is it though !?

My final exam for my fall Gastronomy course was at "Poole's Diner". Students actual €asked her for a regular exam instead of having our "culminating event" as dinner at a local, organic, fresh diner! After all, dance majors have their final exam as a dance performance, Gastronomes should have their final performance- eating a locally sustainable, fresh, organic dinner among 39 other gastronomes. This is how we got away with having "final" as a "culminating event" deemed necessary by the college.

Here we go, No writing involved, wine is welcome, and there are no right or wrong answers

Question One: Would you ever try chicken liver patte? How about local pimento cheese?

My answer: "ew to liver, but sure for the sake of trying it! "

( It was different. I really don't know how to describe it other than meat-flavored cream cheese. Not something I would choose to eat.)

Question Two: Should I have wine?

My answer: Yes, of course! A lovely "Chont De Rute" It tasted like a combination of a merlot, cab and syrah. Intense like a cabernet, sweeter like a merlot, but very very easy to drink like a syrah...Yummy

Question Three: Do you enjoy roasted beets?

My answer: Nope, but I loved the goat cheese and peppery organic arugula

Question Four: Care for organic white beans, roasted local organic tomatoes, and local fresh free range rotissere chicken ?

My answer: Yes please! I love protein!

Question Five: Do you enjoy panna cotta?

My answer: Not really but I was pleasantly surprised at the delicious shortbread cookie underneath made from FRESHLY GROUND PEANUTS! and "dulce de leche" sauce on top!

Final Exam #1 Done! I will take another exam like that ANYTIME! It was also a great night of conversation with classmates/friends Melanie, April, Jenny, Louisa! I cant believe I was the only one taking pictures!

How amazing is that? fyi: We weren't formally asked those questions, we actually weren't asked any at all. We had to write about our childhood experiences early on in this course ( I posted my response on the blog about mustard in septembe r). Well, our teacher took our responses and made them into ...
A FOODIE CALENDAR!!!

How awesome is that!? It was such a great surprise and each month has all the "foodie days"... My birthday is "white chocolate day".. "chocolate cake day" is in january... etc.! This was the start of a new tradition, as these calendars will be produced every fall and given to all current students AND all alumni!



I am updating my earlier Body Mind Soul post from today, and so excited the people at Foodbuzz ARE AWESOME! Thank you so much for being so attentive and helpful and wonderful! Thanks Shannon and Dorian!
then its relaxation time with Jeff!

Thanksgiving Eve Photos!

  

Breakfast:

Smoothie and Banana Bread with Flaxseed

Lunch 1: unpictured Zone Chocolate Almond Raisin Bar

Lunch 2: Tropical Oats

Oatmeal with Pineapples, Banana, Coconut and Peanut Butter

and then there was ... Dinner

To start (photo courtesy of my amazingly talented oldest brother):

Pomegranate and Arugula Salad: with toasted pecans and goat cheese ( and a decent honey balsamic vinegarette though I'm not a fan)

Big slice of yummy bread with rosemary and salt

Glass of Chianti

Entree: Mediterranean Primavera:
 

Angel Hair Pasta, ( I added grilled chicken), garlic, olive oil, oven roasted tomatoes, spinach, feta, PINE NUTS!, and caramelized onions ( I totally did not taste or see them). I barely ate a 1/4 of this. I tried so hard, I was all about carbo-loading and I ate almost all the spinach and got the pasta and was stuffed!

Here is Jeff's dish, which was a grilled pork chop with sweet potato lasagna?... it was layers of sweet potato with creamy cheese layers in between- it was delicious and gone in two seconds

Desserrrrrttttt...Cmon extra carbs when I know I will use them up tomorrow- Count this lady in yall! (my mom also got one to split with my dad but this baby was all mine... )

So yes, I was full but had a delicious bite and packed it up for home along with my leftover entree.
My Tiramisu

My brother's girlfriend Rachel got this brownie- It looks amazing!
 

Ladies and Gentlemen, presenting The Absolute Star of The Desserts:
Banana Brioche Pudding ( which Jeff picked and I immediately wanted!)
 

Body:
Rested up for my big 8k Turkey Trot to benefit The National MS Society tomorrow morning!!! Race starts at 8:30 am, 5.11 miles.
K C Mo is no longer able to run with me, she had some asthma-like problems on a run early in the week ( as I have had too all week!)
So I will be running solo with my newly uploaded ipod with Britney Womanizer, Jason Mraz I'm Yours, Pink So What and Kate Perry's Hot n Cold

However, I mentioned a guest post by K C Mo and she seemed to like the idea- so any time K C Mo I love you! That goes for you too Missy Mo!

WOOOHOO!! I am really nervous and scared and worried and excited and pumped all at the same time!

Mind:
Metabolism PAPER IS DONE! ( okay well not completely b/c of library closing, however, I just have to write a conclusion- sum up the ideas I already wrote- so no worries there). I can post it on here? any naysayers?

Soul:
Yah my parents! AND My brother and his girlfriend are coming to watch my race too. I feel so lucky to have family here with me these few days, that are baring the cold just to come out and support me... I hope my adrenaline gets pumpin for tomorrow because I want to run well for myself AND for them too! I want them to be proud, and I know they are, but still...

I am so excited to get a good workout in before Thanksgiving too! I bought a new dry-fit Nike long sleeve mock turtleneck to wear tomorrow to keep me warm and a dry-fit vest ... I bought a hat but I don't think I will wear it because I found the one I had that was similar ... now I have to find gloves before I go to sleep!

I hope you all have had safe travels or easy prep for visitors this week and have a wonderful thanksgiving!
GOBBLE GOBBLE GOBBLE!