All posts by Emma Keene

My Favorites Around T-Town

Dining Out, ,

Favorites Around Tuscaloosa

One of the main things that attracted me to college in the South was the food—in particular Bar-B-Que and comfort food. I wanted to try (and still do try) anything and everything that is not found anywhere but here in the South. For example, an authentic, slow cooked, juicy, tangy Bar-B-Que meal or hearty plate of gooey mac n cheese. I am from Pittsburgh, so our idea of a bar-b-que is grilling hamburgers and hot-dogs on our back porch with all of the neighborhood kids and sadly most of the time mac and cheese is from the box. I was really excited to spend some of my hard-earned money from the community pool on the various joints Tuscaloosa has to offer.

Southern Cooking

The first place I tried was Blue Plate Diner during my initial campus visit. After a long day of walking around campus for the first time, my dad and I decided we needed to have some “southern cooking.” We asked our tour guide, Tucker, where the best place around was to get a feel of the south. He recommended Blue Plate, where the food is “authentic, fast, and friendly to a college students budget.” His recommendation was on point because it has become one of my go-to restaurants. It is located on McFarland Blvd in Northport so if you are willing to make the ten-minute drive away from campus it will not disappoint. I recommend the chicken and dumplings, they have yet to let me down and are on special most days.

Bar-B-Que

Another one of my favorites is Jim ‘N Nicks. I found this gem when I was cramming everything I needed to know about microeconomics into my brain. Deciding to take a study break, I ordered take out from the well know BBQ joint and I was pleasantly surprised with their wide variety of selections. I opted for the Carolina style pulled pork with extra BBQ sauce– traditional style, adding on sides of mac n cheese and corn bread. The BBQ I consumed from this restaurant was my first time I was properly introduced to BBQ (I think) and I cannot wait to make my way around to all of the other places Tuscaloosa has to offer over my four years here.

Wild Card

The surprise for me in the area was the great Italian restaurant, DePalma’s, located in Downtown Tuscaloosa. When I think of the South, Italian doesn’t come to mind very often. The dishes they serve are traditional with a spin, and I when I go there to eat I feel like I am back up North. You really can’t go wrong with any of the dishes they have to offer and the environment is very welcoming inside. They don’t take reservations so if you are looking to go there on a Friday or Saturday (or really any day of the week), you may be waiting for a little while.

There are hundreds of amazing restaurants in our quaint college town, so if you have one that you feel should be recognized please leave your suggestion below!

 

 

The Dreaded “Freshmen Fifteen”

Dorm-Friendly Cooking, Staying Healthy, , ,

Renowned Chef Julia Child once said, “If you are afraid of butter, use cream.” As college students, we could all probably do with a little less of both butter and cream. We often eat too much of what we shouldn’t, like greasy chips and dip, and not enough of what we should, like fresh fruits and vegetables. Treating yourself to Chick-fil-A after a particularly difficult day isn’t horrible, but not a great idea to indulge in all the time. Planning out a well-balanced, healthy meal is not always a feasible option for the average student due to time and money constraints. With these insider tips, we can keep the freshmen fifteen away and eat healthier in general.

 

  1. Compile a list of healthy snacks

Around halfway through last semester I was growing tired of the bland dining hall food: subpar pizza, frozen hamburger patties, burnt French fries. This is when I started looking for some cost-effective ways to add flavor during my meal time. Pinterest is always a great place to start gathering ideas, and that led me to the website The Daily Meal. From there I compiled my list of healthy snacking essentials that do not break the bank: blue corn chips, granola, Greek yogurt, almond butter, and a variety of fruits and vegetables. I am not saying to never indulge in your favorite candy, but if you can’t tell the difference between hunger and boredom, go for the granola instead.

 

  1. Adapt your favorite snacks into healthier versions

My favorite pro tip for eating healthy is the adaption of classical snacks you love into a healthier version. Inspiration Kitchen is a great website for recipes on your favorite foods with a slightly more nutritious twist. I found one for homemade potato chips that can be made in the microwave and only require potatoes, olive oil, and salt. This recipe is a much better idea for a late-night snack than the highly-processed chips out of a bag. If you are on the hungrier side and want a quick, easy mini-meal go grab some whole wheat pita bread, pre-grilled chicken, lettuce, and make your own chicken wrap.

 

  1. Watch serving size and daily value percentage

If you are looking to be more conscientious with what is already in your cabinets, there are a couple things to keep in mind. Watch what is considered a serving size for each particular food item you are eating because ignoring that information is an easy way to ingest a lot of calories. Also, watch if the foods you are eating fulfill your Daily Value requirements set by the FDA.

 

  1. Drink enough water, get enough sleep, cut out unnecessary sugar

A final tip to keep away unwanted weight, make sure you are drinking enough water and getting enough sleep. Water reduces bloating, increases energy levels, and makes your body feel full. Swapping water for soda also helps keep off weight because you aren’t consuming sugar. This is personally difficult for me because I love the carbonation of soda, but not the dehydrated feeling I get after drinking it. I have used seltzer water as a substitute because it has the carbonation without the extra sugar. Getting seven to nine hours of sleep a night puts you in the habit of not needing a mid-afternoon nap, which inevitably leaves you grabbing a soda or coffee to wake back up. Then the whole cycle of sleep is broken where you are staying up later but getting up at the same time, needing more caffeine and eventually crashing.

 

 

Now that you have more information on how to eat healthier, you can create an environment for a healthier lifestyle. If you have more suggestions or snack ideas, please comment below!

 

Easy Microwave Potato Chips

1 bag fingerling potatoes

Olive oil

Sea salt

Instructions

  1. Wash and thinly slice fingerling potatoes
  2. Cover a microwave-safe plate with parchment paper. Brush olive oil on parchment paper (do NOT toss potato chips with olive oil!). Place potatoes in a single layer on the plate, being sure their edges do not touch (otherwise, they will stick together!). Sprinkle with sea salt.
  3. Place in microwave and heat on high for 2 and ½ to 3 minutes. Watch them closely to be sure they do not get to brown.
  4. Remove from microwave and serve! Repeat process until all potatoes are crispy and crunchy!