CFI: Campus Food Investigation

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead

The “CFI: Campus Food Investigation” was started by a small group of Bon’App Campus Ambassadors who wanted to document the good, the bad, and the ugly aspects of their college dining halls.

Their aim is to conduct extensive research into what food options are available to college students and to improve the variety, quality and access to healthy meals. Initially the group started off with three ambassadors, now there are over fifteen and the team continues to grow as more students find out about the opportunity to represent their University’s dining options. We have started to spread the word about our investigation by creating a Facebook page and Instagram account, as well as using the Bon’App Pinterest and Twitter pages.

The Investigation also involves a 2-minute survey that has been sent out to Universities across the US and the data collection to date has informed us of what college students like and dislike about their dining halls. This information was crucial in the brainstorming session of the “Dream Dining Hall” menu. This ideal dining hall has a flexible meal plan and no “dead hours” (times without service and unhealthy options only). It allows for variety, giving the students ingredients they can creatively combine in order to create meals that suit their taste and health preferences. As well as nutritious food choices, there would also be signage (with photos) all around the dining hall to offer guidance to students who need help crafting more individualized or healthy meals. This signage would also tell students transparently what is in their food (ingredients and main nutrients in simple Bon'App language - Sugar, Bad Fat, Salt) and how much of it, especially the sides of veggies, where it’s often hard to tell the ingredients.

Ideally, the presentation of the food would be nice, thoughtful, not just thrown into big bowls, making the veggie options more enticing. Accurate portion sizes would be served (meaning generally smaller or ad libitum). All of these aspects of the dream dining hall are aimed at creating a standard for all schools,  empowering college students to eat healthier and thus live healthier. It’s all too easy for college students to eat pizza at 3 AM every night and skip breakfast the following morning; instead, we want to encourage healthier eating decisions. A well-balanced diet is crucial for student’s every day performance, whether it’s in class, meetings or workouts. CFI wants to work with college dining halls to help students have nutritious and delicious food choices, which will result in much healthier lifestyles.

This menu was conceived with a cost-conscious approach that relies of 275 surveys filled out by students so far and three brainstormings by a group of 21 students from 16 schools. It will continue to be refined to improve food options on campuses. More details are below.
>>> Each week, the salad bar would display 3 salad guide menus to help students compose a variety of delicious salads with proper portion sizes and a step-by-step process on how to make the salad. (The Bon’App Chapter at U Penn is developing examples.) >>> The greens and toppings would change over time, with the cycle of the dining hall food (for example, two weeks), so that students do not get bored with the salad options. >>> On the Dessert Station, instead of a jug of hot fudge, display a tub of fresh fruits and nuts. 

Many of the above recommendations and Dream Dining Hall menu have been recently implemented by the new Bruin Plate dining hall at UCLA. This proves it can be done! Another great initiative is to reduce the usage of disposable to-go containers. U Penn Dining introduced this new program in its residential dining cafes.

 

We are looking forward to the day when ALL colleges nationwide will have a Dream Dining Hall menu, environmentally friendly, locally supplied when feasible, and with healthy options throughout campus!

Eat Green on St. Patrick’s Day!

Eat Green on St. Patrick’s Day!

By Melissa Rowe, Bon'App Ambassador at Simmons College

Coming around the corner is the infamous green holiday we all know as St. Patrick’s Day. Some may know what this day actually stands for while others display the color green in many ways, eating, drinking, and wearing. While this is not considered a legal holiday in the US, it is widely recognized and celebrated.

St. Patrick’s Day gives us another reason to overload on our green foods, such as kale, spinach, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, etc. Here are a few healthy snack/meal ideas for parties or just throughout your festive green day!

Green Smoothie

Starting off your day with this green smoothie will give you that extra boost to celebrate longer with this smoothie packed full of antioxidants and vitamins! Adding the banana and mango gives it a hint of sweetness and the ginger gives it that irresistible taste.  

Ingredients

1 - 1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk, depending on how thick you like your smoothie

1 cup kale leaves, center rib removed

1 cup baby spinach

1 frozen banana, cut into pieces

1 mango, peeled and cut into pieces

1 teaspoon fresh ginger

Instructions
1. Combine all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth.
2. Divide between glasses and serve immediately.

St. Patrick’s Hummus Dip

This green hummus is a great healthy protein packed dip that will be a loved item at your St. Patrick’s themed party! This dip can be served with celery sticks, carrots, pita chips, rice crackers, you name it! This is a vegan friendly dish also!

Ingredients:

1 can white cannellini beans (1 1/2 cups) - drain/rinse in hot water
1 cup kale (fresh or frozen works)
4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tsp lemon juice + generous pinch of lemon zest
1/2 tsp fine black pepper
3 dashes of cayenne
1/4 cup raw cashews (no need to soak if using a high speed blender or food processor)
1 1/2 Tbsp tahini, roasted
1/4+ cup warm water
1/4 cup chopped parsley, flat-leaf
optional: garlic powder, fresh, or roasted garlic

Directions: 

1. Add all ingredients to high speed blender. Blend from low to high until silky and smooth. Add a few extra splashes of water or drizzles of oil if needed to blend smooth. (It will firm up quite a bit in the fridge)
2. Pour in serving dish and chill in fridge for 1 hour or overnight. You could serve right away or warm if desired as well.
3. Serve with a drizzle of olive oil on top and fresh parsley to garnish.

Kale Chips

If you haven’t heard yet, these are a delicious rendition to your regular high fat potato chips! These chips are perfect for a party because it provides the crunch that people are looking for at a low cost with great health benefits. Nothing better than that!

Ingredients:

1 large bunch kale, tough stems removed, leaves torn into pieces (about 16 cups; see Note)

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

• Position racks in upper third and center of oven; preheat to 400°F.
• If kale is wet, very thoroughly pat dry with a clean kitchen towel; transfer to a large bowl. Drizzle the kale with oil and sprinkle with salt. Using your hands, massage the oil and salt onto the kale leaves to evenly coat. Fill 2 large rimmed baking sheets with a layer of kale, making sure the leaves don’t overlap. (If the kale won’t all fit, make the chips in batches.)
• Bake until most leaves are crisp, switching the pans back to front and top to bottom halfway through, 8 to 12 minutes total. (If baking a batch on just one sheet, start checking after 8 minutes to prevent burning.)

Cucumber Roll Ups

These cucumber rolls are a great finger food, in exchange for pigs in a blanket. They are an easy and quick make for all you busy on the go people! You don’t need to slave in the kitchen for hours for these decadent snacks.

Ingredients:

2 cucumbers
6 ounces crumbled feta
3 tablespoons Greek yogurt
2 1/2 - 3 1/2 tablespoons finely diced sundried tomatoes or red bell pepper
8 - 12 pitted kalamata olives, roughly chopped
1 tablespoon roughly chopped dill or oregano
2 teaspoons lemon juice
pinch of pepper, or to taste

Directions:

1. Thinly slice the cucumbers long ways on a mandoline at a 2mm thick setting. Alternatively, you can use a vegetable peeler if you do not have a mandoline. Lay the cucumbers on top of a paper towel lined cutting board while you prepare the filling.

2. Add the feta and yogurt to a medium bowl. Mash to combine using a fork. Add the bell pepper or sun dried tomatoes, olives, dill, lemon, and pepper to the bowl. Stir well to combine. In a bowl, mash the feta using a fork.

3. Place 1 - 2 teaspoons of mixture at one end of a cucumber strip and roll up. Secure with a toothpick. Repeat with remaining strips. If not serving immediately, chill until ready to serve.

Avocado Ice Cream

You can’t have a party without some sweets! This is a rich and oh so creamy healthy ice cream. Now who would ever think healthy and ice cream would be in the same sentence but this recipe proves it!

Ingredients:

3 regular-sized, ripe Hass avocados

3/4 cup sugar

1 cup plain whole milk Greek yogurt

1/2 cup heavy cream

Juice of 1 lime

Big pinch of sea salt

Directions:

1. Scoop out avocados and roughly chop

2. Transfer all ingredients to a blender and puree until smooth

3. Freeze immediately in ice cream maker according to your machine's directions or place into freezer container/bag for those who don’t have an ice cream maker

Cucumber cooler

Last but not least we have a great green idea that can be done either as a cocktail or mocktail for all ages! This is a great green inspired beverage that doesn’t include adding food coloring (YUCK!) This beverage can be enjoyed plain by all ages or can be made with your preference of vodka or gin.

Ingredients:

3 cucumbers (peeled seeded and coarsely chopped 6 cups)
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup fresh mint (leaves)
1 lime (thinly sliced)
24 ozs club soda
2 tbsps agave nectar (honey)

Directions:

1. In a blender, puree cucumbers and water.

2. Pour through a fine-mesh sieve set over a large bowl, pressing on solids (you should have about 2 cups juice; refrigerate overnight, if desired).

3. In a pitcher, mash fresh mint leaves with back of a wooden spoon until bruised.

4. Add cucumber juice, lime, club soda, and agave nectar or honey; stir to combine (add gin or vodka if wanted).

5. Fill four glasses with ice, top with drink, and serve with thinly sliced cucumber.

We hope you enjoy your St. Patrick’s Day this year with some of our healthy GREEN snacks and don’t forget to wear green!!

Recipe references:

http://thecornerkitchenblog.com/green-smoothies/

http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/2013/03/lucky-leprechaun-dip-creamy-green.html

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/kale_chips.html

http://www.goodlifeeats.com/2011/12/cucumber-feta-rolls-holiday-recipe-exchange.html 

http://www.yummly.com/recipe/external/Cucumber-Cooler-Martha-Stewart-197331

Romantic, Delicious, and Nutritious

By Gracie Peck, Bon'App Ambassador at Tufts University

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! But fancy meals and chocolate-filled desserts can make it hard to find something romantic, delicious, and nutritious, all at the same time.

If you plan to eat out on Valentine’s Day, we recommend looking at the menu beforehand. This way you will arrive prepared to order, not letting the stresses of on the spot decisions prevent you from making the best choice. Nutrition facts might not be available for all dishes at every restaurant, but making informed choices with the help of Bon'App, you will enjoy a healthier meal. Choose appetizers with lots of vegetables and try to order grilled or broiled entrees rather than those that are fried or sautéed. Finally, a great way to practice portion control is to share! Romantic and healthy!

Another great way to ensure a healthy meal is to personally cook for your special someone! A lavish home cooked meal is sure to impress! For a little extra help, browse the Bon’App approved recipes on our blog or Pinterest boards.

Here is a sample menu taken from the Bon’App recipe page:

Appetizer: Pan Con Tomate

Main Course:  Rotisserie Chicken with a side of Roasted Squash and Red Peppers

Any winter squash, except spaghetti squash, can be substituted in this squash and pepper dish that gives a great splash of Valentine’s Day color.

Dessert: Garbanzo Bean Chocolate Cake

Your culinary efforts are sure to be appreciated, and for an even greater effect you can decorate your dining table with a Valentine’s Day themed centerpiece. Candles, candy hearts, or roses can create cute, fun pieces that can help make your Valentine’s meal extra special.

Get cooking and bon appétit!