Distance Learning

I am spending a couple of weeks in southern Mexico right now. My husband studies monkeys, and since there are no monkeys roaming free in central Illinois, we make regular trips to the tropics. (Once upon a time, I was going to be a tropical botanist, but now I have moved on to the world of food and nutrition.) This summer we are in Mexico to discuss plans for some future research projects with a friend who currently manages several long-term research projects throughout southern Mexico, many of them at archaeological sites. The archaeological sites are often surrounded by large areas of forest populated with all kinds of wildlife, including monkeys. Because these sites are an important reminder of the rich cultural heritage of Mexico, they are very well cared for and protected. This means that the forests and their inhabitants are protected, as well.

We were taking a lunch break on top of one of the tallest pyramids at the ancient Mayan city of Calakmul these two spider monkeys came up to check us out. What does this have to do with Parkland? Nothing, except that if I weren´t taking an online class this summer, I couldn´t be here in Mexico right now. Technically, I am still in school, but because I can turn in my work online, I am able to be almost anywhere, even an ancient Mayan temple. (Although, I did have to go into town to find an internet café.)





This is a long-distance view of the temple where we ate lunch in the treetops.

But They Make It Look So Easy...

All last week we were filming a series of cooking shows for PCTV. I wanted to write about it as it was happening, but I was just too exhausted. Making a TV show is hard work, especially when the entire crew is made up of only three people. I was doing the cooking and talking, Mike Coulter (from PCTV) was the entire film crew, and Jane Valentine (the Dietetic Technician program director) was providing nutritional information and some much needed advice about plate presentation (as well as helping with prep work and dishwashing).

We are calling the show What’s in Your Pantry, because each episode of the show highlights a common pantry ingredient, like pasta or canned beans. The idea is to present a few recipes that combine the main ingredient with other pantry staples to create an inexpensive, simple, healthy, and tasty meal. We are also trying to sneak in some nutrition education along the way.

We have filmed six episodes so far, with plans for filming more later this summer. They will appear on PCTV and online in the fall. I will post links as soon as they are available. Here is a photo of a slice of tasty chocolate cake from the first episode on beans. That’s right, beans. One can of garbanzo beans (drained and rinsed) + 3eggs + ¾ cup of sugar + ½ teaspoon baking powder + 1 teaspoon of vanilla + 1 ½ cups of melted chocolate chips, whirled together in a blender and baked for 45 minutes at 350° F = surprisingly dense, chocolate-y goodness.

Mindless Eating

This week's edition of the Prospectus is now available online. Please check out my column on "Mindless Eating", where I write about some of the surprising reasons why we overeat, as well as some simple ways to trick ourselves into eating less.