Part 1 - January/February |
Part 2 - March/April |
Part 3 - May/June
Part 4 - July/August | Part 5 - September/October
- - NOVEMBER 2011 - -
2011 Recap, Part 6: November & December
- - NOVEMBER 2011 - -
Thursday, December 22, 2011
- - NOVEMBER 2011 - -
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
2011 Recap, Part 5: September & October
Part 1 - January/February | Part 2 - March/April | Part 3 - May/June | Part 4 - July/August
- - SEPTEMBER 2011 - -
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
2011 Recap, Part 4: July & August
Previous posts: Part 1 - January/February | Part 2 - March/April | Part 3 - May/June
- - JULY 2011 - -
Monday, December 19, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
2011 Recap, Part 1: January & February
Now that term papers and final exams have been handed in and your fall semester of classes has been completed, we are going to take the opportunity to remember the year that was and highlight our favorite events of 2011. Each day over the next week we will take a look back at two months and the events that made them special.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Northeastern's 11th Annual Gingerbread Construction Contest!
Sixty-five student teams used more than 700 pounds of gingerbread, 1,200 pounds of icing, and 2,000 lbs of candy in last Thursday's 11th Annual Northeastern Gingerbread House Construction Contest. Levine Marketplace was transformed into a winter wonderland and 130+ students took over the dining hall to create their gingerbread masterpieces.
With the houses already assembled at Dancing Deer Baking Company, the student teams concentrated solely on their decorating strategy - and many came with laptops and computer printouts of elaborate plans found online. The finished houses, which ranged from classic houses to Hogwarts Castle, were then put on display in the Gingerbread Village inside Stetson West's Xhibition Kitchen. Voting for first, second, and third place occurred in the XK and, for the first time, online. Every "like" a photo received in NU Dining's Facebook photo gallery counted as a vote and these votes definitely influenced the outcome.
Without further ado, the winners of Northeastern's 11th Annual Gingerbread Construction Contest are...
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Healthy Foods for Hectic Times
I know there is a lot of stress this time of year with final exams and assignments starting today (not to mention that we are already in the thick of the holiday season) so here are some foods you can find here on campus that can help you manage your stress during this hectic time.
Stress Relief During Finals Week
It’s that time of year! Final exams, research papers, and final projects gives you lots to do, but not a lot of time to get it all done. This can result in less sleep, less exercise, and poor nutrition choices. It is even more important during a stressful time to stay focused on making healthy choices - getting enough sleep, fitting in physical activity, and choosing good foods.
Some individuals eat more during a stressful period. This has been referred to as “stress eating.” In 2010, a study from the University of Michigan found that when levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) increased, even in healthy, non-stressed adults, they ate more snack foods.
A healthy lifestyle can improve your focus and concentration, which can help you to be more efficient and can actually result in you completing your work in less time. Here are some great tips to keep you healthy and focused during this stressful time.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Don't Miss the Gingerbread Construction Contest!
The 11th Annual Northeastern Gingerbread Construction Contest is only three days away! We have received an overwhelming response for entrants into Thursday's contest so TOMORROW is your last day to enter online at nudining.com for your chance to be a part of this Northeastern holiday tradition.
To see some of last year's magic, be sure to check out video of the event below.
To see some of last year's magic, be sure to check out video of the event below.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
'Tis the Season...for Gingerbread!
I love gingerbread and would eat it year round but it is especially great during the winter holidays. I recently became curious about its origins and found many interesting facts about this holiday treat after doing some quick research.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Healthy Holiday Recipe: Butternut Squash Risotto
The holiday eating season is a great time of year to harvest squash and pumpkins and much of it is grown locally and used in a variety of your favorite holiday recipes. Many of these orange flesh vegetables, such as pumpkins and butternut, acorn, and delicotta squash, are considered to be healthy super foods. Why use canned pumpkin or butternut squash when with very little extra effort you could be using a fresh and local product! Pumpkin pancakes, breads, soups and other treats are also incredibly easy to make. One of my favorite squash recipes - and one that you can do right in your dorm microwave - is a butternut squash risotto.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Strategies for Healthy Holiday Eating
The holiday season is here! It is a great time to celebrate and spend time with family and friends. However, if you are not careful this time of year can become a time of over-indulgence and unwanted weight gain. According to the National Institutes of Health, the weight gain seen among adults each year can be the result of weight gain over the holidays. It is important to go into the holiday season with some strategies to avoid gaining those extra pounds.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Exciting Events in the Xhibition Kitchen
Hi everyone! Have you been to any of the free events in our cool Xhibition Kitchen located inside Stetson West? Here are some of the recent highlights:
Northeastern's Food Truck is Here....TODAY!
You waited for it. Now your first taste is on us! Be one of the first 50 students in line at 11:30 today and you'll receive a coupon good for up to $10 towards your purchase.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Freshman 15: Fact or Fiction?
According to a recent study conducted at Ohio State University and the University of Michigan (to be published in December 2011 in Social Science Quarterly), the “Freshman 15” is in fact a myth! The origin of this concept goes back to an article published in Seventeen Magazine in 1989.
After reviewing the data on 7,400 college students it was determined that most freshman do not gain 15 pounds. On average, college freshman gain much less than 15 pounds - or even lose weight. However, it is still important to be a conscious eater for your overall health. All foods can fit into a healthy diet - you just need to practice moderation!
Thursday, November 10, 2011
The Food Truck IS HERE!
The food truck is on campus! The launch day is quickly approaching so be sure to follow NUDining on Facebook, Twitter, and Foursquare for clues about WHEN and WHERE you can get your first taste.
PS - We recently had a tasting of the food being served on the truck. You will not be disappointed. All of the food is fantastic and there are some dishes that will definitely become instant classics on campus.
PS - We recently had a tasting of the food being served on the truck. You will not be disappointed. All of the food is fantastic and there are some dishes that will definitely become instant classics on campus.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Cranberries: Massachusetts' Fall Superfruit
There are so many wonderful uses for cranberries besides the sauce that sits atop our Thanksgiving table once a year. From appetizers and entrees to side dishes, salads, desserts and breads, cranberries are a classic Autumn treat and one that is harvested right in Northeastern's backyard. Middleborough, Massachusetts is the home of Ocean Spray and the state is the second largest producer of cranberries in the United States, behind only Wisconsin. The state's cranberry harvest this year is estimated at two million barrels, which is up by 11% from 2010 according the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture. If this forecast holds true that would tie the second largest crop on record. So how can you take advantage of this wonderfully tart local fruit?
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Four Classic Fall Superfoods
The fall is here! Not only does it mean leaves are changing, bulky sweaters are being pulled out of storage, and football games are being watched, it is also a great time to celebrate some of Autumn's classic fruits and vegetables!
Monday, October 31, 2011
Happy Halloween from Dining Services!
Happy Halloween! Dining Services kicked off the Halloween weekend last Thursday night with the 11th Annual Great Pumpkin Carving Contest. More than 50 students put their carving skills to the test as they sat side-by-side with their fellow competitors in the upper dining area of Levine Marketplace. There were many creative designs this year including a pumpkin hamburger, a map of Boston's MBTA system, and even an Apple logo in honor of Steve Jobs.
[Keep reading to watch a video of the event and to see the winning designs!]
Friday, October 28, 2011
White Chocolate Bark: A Halloween Dorm Room Treat
Here is a recipe for a quick and easy Halloween snack that can be made right in your dorm room!
Tricks to Enjoy Your Halloween Treats
Halloween is one day a year but the candy is around for many weeks before and after October 31st. You can choose not to eat the candy, which is fine - especially if you are someone who has worked really hard all year to lose weight and keep it off. However, if you do decided to indulge and have a few treats, your best bet is to read the food labels for ingredients, calories, and fat.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Supporting Local Farms at Northeastern
My name is Tom Barton and I am the Executive Chef for Northeastern Dining Services. I will be bringing you news and information from the campus kitchens and beyond every week in the "Behind the Menu" on the NU Dining blog. If there is a specific topic you would like to see discussed on here, please do not hesitate to leave a comment below.
Before we get into my first blog post, here's a little background information on my culinary career. Before coming to Northeastern, I worked with the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, D.C. where I helped cater many VIP events, including the inaugural ball for President George W. Bush as well as a dinner in honor of the 50th anniversary of NATO attended by President Bill Clinton. I also worked for several years at the Ritz Carlton and Four Seasons hotels here in Boston where I had the opportunity to cook for a number of celebrities including the royal family of Saudi Arabia, Sir Elton John, Prince Charles, and Diana Ross. I hope I can bring some of the experience I gained cooking for these high-profile events to cater to your culinary needs here at Northeastern. Now onto our first topic: eating local.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Meet the Nutritionist
My name is Christine M. Clark and I am the dietitian working with Northeastern Dining Services. I am also an instructor for nutrition at Northeastern University and will be a weekly contributor to the NU Dining blog. While my specialties are in food allergies and sports
nutrition, I am available to answer any general nutrition questions you may have.Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Fall Food Fest 2011
We kicked off the 2011 fall semester with our annual Fall Food Fest outside of Stetson East on Wednesday, September 21. We invited some of our food vendors to campus so that students were able to directly interact with the companies that provide us with the food we serve. Well known national brands and smaller regional brands come together at every meal to create a well-rounded dining experience on campus and the Fall Food Fest is a wonderful opportunity for the students and the companies to learn more about each other. The Stetson Courtyard was packed for three hours as free food samples ranging from teriyaki chicken wings to Pop Tarts were offered to students.
We also put our brand new food truck on display right in the middle of the action. We even offered students the chance to check out the inside of the truck that will soon be driving all around campus.
Overall, it was a great afternoon of food, music, and fun. We're already excited for everyone to come back in 2012!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Welcome from Northeastern Dining Services!
Welcome to Food for Thought, Dining Services' newest way to communicate with the Northeastern community. From behind-the-scenes stories of the residential dining halls to the latest updates about our retail dining outlets, the NU Dining blog will be the place for everything food on and off campus. Wondering what was in the recipe for that chicken dish you had at International Village? We'll give you all the details - down to the last 1/4 teaspoon of garlic salt. Had a great meal at a restaurant in Boston? Let us know and we'll find more info about it - and even other similar restaurants you might also like. And if you want to know the latest about upcoming food events on campus, such as Xhibition Kitchen chef demos, cookbook signings, or your favorite yearly events, we'll always let you know well in advance (and give you the full recap afterwards!).
If there's anything else you want to talk about, leave us a comment and we'll do our best to expand it out into a full post. We're planning the first round of posts now so be sure to come back often or just sign up for email updates or our RSS feed (both in the sidebar at right) to have them delivered right to you.
Thanks for stopping by and bon appétit!
If there's anything else you want to talk about, leave us a comment and we'll do our best to expand it out into a full post. We're planning the first round of posts now so be sure to come back often or just sign up for email updates or our RSS feed (both in the sidebar at right) to have them delivered right to you.
Thanks for stopping by and bon appétit!