How fresh is fresh?

Over the course of several weeks, I've come to the familiarity of the different and diverse meals provided to the students at Eastern University: Italian meals, southern meals, etc. It wasn't until recently that i've found out that that Sodexo offers a range of vegetarian food and vegean delights.

I've come to the conclusion that vegean and vegetarian foods are offered in Walton dining commons due to obvious reasons; some people protest meat because of the industrial meat companies that injustly treat animals inhumanly in the process of breeding, raising, and slaughtering, others for how the big industrail companies exploitat local farmers and their work for their own capitalist profits, others for are health conscience about what they put into their bodies, and others becasue they down right don't like the taste.

Many different reasons could of introduced the idea of vegean and vegetarian themed foods; however, no other reason that i've found is as influencing as the reason of the chemicals and unatural perservatives today's big industrial meat companies put in marketable meats. Watch this CNN news report and you'll know what I'm talking about, click the link, watch the video, and comment on what you think!!!

Think with Your Head not with Your Stomach

In consideration to HA-HA (Homelessness and Hunger awareness)week coming up in the near future, this week i would like to emphasize the conservation of food and regulated portions to in reflection to the hungry in needy. In detail, students in the dining hall of Walton will keep in mind to eat food portions that are enough so that they do not throw away excess food.

As a participant of HA-HA representing the Yacht club(Youth against Complacency and Homelessness Today)I will be speaking with Sodexo in the hope that I will be able to convince them to raise awareness to this issue of wasting food.

A couple tips for you to get a head start on this project:

-Eat small enough portions that you know you' finish, if your still hungry go up for seconds, but remember THINK WITH YOUR HEAD NOT WITH YOUR STOMACH.

-Don't get anything that you speculate might taste good; however, if you do choose to eat the 'mystery meat' or 'casserole surprise', again choose a small portion that if in the instance of your distaste for the dish you may waste it.

Grab-n-Bag

For the hectic life of a college student, feeding time may come at a costly inconvenient area of your day. So in that case, Sodexo has whipped up the convenient To-Go lunches located at the entrance of the Walton dining commons at Eastern University.

The untroublesome in and out service allows quick convenient purchasing of your snacks, sandwiches, salads, and beverages.

The positives that surround the To-Go meals are of course the efficient manner of acquiring your meal, and the variety of food offered.

To-Go offers:
-sandwiches(turkey and cheese , ham and cheese, tuna salad, peanut butter and jelly,veggie wraps)some of which are are catered on wheat bread, wraps, or a pretzel roll.
-Salads
-Drinks(juices, sodas, ice teas, good-ol-H2O)
-Fresh fruit(apples, oranges)
-snacks(chips, pretzels, Pop tarts, granola bars, and so much more)

On the downside, To-Go lunches do not offer hot meals. This could be due to the difficulty of keeping hot foods hot, or the inconvenience of finding cheap easy transportation for the hot meals so that students can carry them; however, this presents a negative outcome especially with colder weather approaching. Also, student complaints about quality and quantity of To-Go meals adds a factor to the negativity. I've personally heard students wishing that they could have more variety when it boiled down to the choice of their "entree" being just a sandwich.

Overall, i personally wish that hot meals could be provided so that the monotony of sandwiches can be broken up every so often. I would offer the possibility of foods such as soup, and beverages such as hot tea and coffee.

When considering some of the problems of Eastern's cafeteria this is a small blip on the screen, check out what this blogger had to say about other schools in their dining experience.

Breakfast for a change

So far in my previous posts, I've discussed the diverse flavors, nutrition, and dishes of the college dining experience. It isn't until now that i delve into the madness of and insanity that is breakfast.

Overlooking the cornucopia of food that is displayed in the Walton dining Hall located at Eastern University,there are many choices in the decission making of choosing the right foods to eat in order to have a whole complete balanced breakfast.

One might consider the nutritional value of a morning meal and therefore goo with foods that are low in fat and sugar. The Sodexo food service company provides a multitude of option that is just right for the healthy eater.

-breads(bagels,english muffins, sliced wheat/white/rye bread)

-fruits(bananas,apples,oranges)

- cereals(Cheerios, Rice Krispies, Bran Flakes, oatmeal, Cream of Wheat)

For others who would prefer a more hearty meal with the full effects of a full stomach, Sodexo offers:

-eggs -pancakes(blueberry,chocolate chip)

-sausage -hash browns

-waffles-sausage gravy

-bacon,and so much more...

Whatever you're preference maybe, there is always room for one more at the breakfast table.