Refreshing Choices:

~A new and improved menu survey!~

Yesterday was the first day we kicked off our one week menu survey @ BMC cafe- refreshing choices! We are revising our current menu to come up with a new and improved one and hence, want the feedback from the staff/patient. The survey is designed to analyze their likes and dislikes with the menu items served in the cafeteria. Questions covered include food and service.

Their response were very helpful

and everyone loved the free food samples we had everyday!

Strawberry or blueberry whole wheat bran flax muffins

whole wheat banana cake with flax seed.
The food samples above were given in line with what the Registered Dietitians presented.
Mon 7/28 – Fiber 101

Tue 7/29 – Eating Well To Feel Well

Yogurt parfait topped with

Our home-made Granola Bake Crunch

Will be posting up wed/thu/fri 's food sample and nutrition topics! Blessings!

MageirocoPHOBIAS?

What am I afraid of? What are you afraid of? There was an in-service held for staff at LLUBMC that I briefly attended it. It's interesting to learn about common and obscure fears held by patients and ourselves, their etiology, and their treatment. A long list of different Phobos were listed...some interesting ones-

MAGEIROCOPHOBIA- fear of cooking?!?!?

Androphobia- fear of men

Anthrophobia- fear of flowers

Atychiphobia- fear of failure

Bibliophobia- fear of books

Cyberphobia- fear of computers

Dentophobia- fear of dentists

Gamophobia- Fear of marriage

Gynophobia- fear of women

Hydrophobia- fear of water

Obesophobia- fear of gaining weight

Pedophobia- fear of children

Venustraphobia- fear of beautiful women

Philophobia- fear of love

TREATMENT suggested:

1. Flooding- create extended exposure to the fear

2. Systematic Desensitization (progressive exposure)

3. Virtual reality

4. Behavioral Therapies

5. Cognitive Therapies

~~~::~~~

Do I have to stay in the feared situation for a long time until I recognize that none of the consequences that were feared actually occurred. Or use the progressive approach by starting with coping skills like realization, breathing, meditation and slowly expose myself to it or the situation?

No wonder many people instantly recognize Nike's motto- NO FEAR. People are fearful and the NO FEAR philosophy helps them believe that there is nothing to be fearful of.

I have to admit that although I appear to be strong and unfearful, I do have my fears. I just have to pray and ask God to give me the strength and courage to press on! :)

"Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

Cherry Pie, Carrot Cake, Strawberry Napoleon, Banana Cake...

Yes, I can go on and on.... Food is integral in my life and I deal with it day and night...almost 24/7! It's interesting how my parents "decided" my future when they named me Cherry. Although I never wanted to be in the food industry until I came to the USA.

Cherry Picking! @ Cherry Valley, CA.
I made cherry pies with the cherries picked. H. said, "Cherry went cherry picking at Cherry Valley and she was picky about the cherries she picked..."
Recipe for a basic cherry pie filling...
Ingredients:
2 pounds sour cherries, pitted
1 cup sugar
3 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
Directions
In a saucepan, combine cherries, sugar and cornstarch. Let sit for about 10 minutes. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes or until the juices thicken and become translucent. Remove from heat and stir in the butter and almond extract. Mix thoroughly.

:::Nutrition Tibit::: Cherries are a treasure trove of benefits!
These summer jewels can help quell pain and inflammation. Recent research indicates that including them regularly in your diet can help you as it contains lots of antioxidants. Counteracting free radical damage from inflammation translates into more energy and less of the oxidative stress that may contribute to aging and disease. These ruby-red orbs help relieve the pain of arthritis, gout, and post exercise muscle soreness, but the benefits don't stop. Recent animal studies have shown that tart cherries also offer the beneficial effect of lowering insulin and fasting glucose levels, key precursors in the development of type 2 diabetes.

Today Chef K made Strawberry Napoleon..looks yummy right! :D
Layers of phyllo sheets between custard, fresh cream and strawberries...

We tried something new and fun at BMC today- selling freshly baked breads!
Homemade banana bread, apple bread and cranberry oat bar!!!

They were all sold out during lunch and we had to disappoint some customers.

Next time we'll have cobblers, as requested by doctors.
Special Congratulatory cake order for the Medical Records department at LLUMC...

Freshly baked carrot cake covered with whipped cream cheese. Edible flowers and leaves are made with cream cheese too.

I am so thankful to God for so many things- including Chef K! She has made a difference in the Nutritional Services department at LLUBMC with her innovative spirit and cooperative teamwork. May God continue to bless each of us in a special way everyday! :)

ALL made with real FOOD

Pretty amazing! These pictures are entirely made of food! So many things to do with food, other than eat it! Click on the picture to get a closer look...

2- tier Heart-shaped Anniversary cake

for Pastor Randy Roberts~ Senior Pastor of Loma Linda University Church

I received a call requesting LLUBMC Nutritional Services to cater the cake for them the next day. It was last minute but we readily accepted their order.

Flavor: Fresh Strawberry Cake with Freshly whipped vanilla-infused cream

Fresh flowers were rinsed in water before use.

Did you know that Pam is sprayed onto the flowers to give it a shiny look?

after smoothing it with cream, and decorating with flowers, the words "Happy Anniversary Pastor Randy and Anita!" comes next.

Transporting them in huge containers before the final 2-tier assemble.

K doing the finishing touches...

Final product~ lovely :)
*edit: What was made with the extra whipped cream...cupcakes!

Italian Bistro event

We did an "Italian Bistro" theme catering event for the Doctor's Appreciation Day on March 31st.

Menu:
Pasta bar -
*Tiger-stripped butternut squash Ravioli with Applejack Sauce
*Spaghetti - regular
*Fettucini - whole wheat

Sauces -
*alfredo sauce
*marinara with meatballs

Vegetable -
*garlic asparagus with lemon zest

Gourmet Salad - Olive Garden style
*Italian dressing on the side (oil & vinegar)
*Caesar dressing on the side (creamy)

*Garlic herb breadsticks
*small bottles of sparkling Martinelli's
*water in carafes with ice and slices of lemon
*parmesan cheese & red peppers packets/bowls
*salt & pepper shakers - on each of the 8 tables

*Cheesecake bars - assortment

raspberry swirl

vanilla

pecan

Prepared To-go boxes for busy doctors

I'm glad the event went well and smooth. It is a real compliment to know that the doctors were raving about the food- even a few days after the event! :D

We gave platters of strawberries and brownies for one of the parties this week...

There is a private daffodil garden located at Running Springs (near Big Bear) that is only open for 3 weeks a year during spring. Check out this site if you'd like to go: http://www.geocities.com/thedaffodilgarden/info.htm

Favorite pictures of the week~ with little Zoei and Jayce!
Happy Birthday, Jayce! :)

God bless and have a beautiful week!

Updates: Easter, RD day, Tropical event

Happy Easter!

Pictures of "Easter cookies"- something that we gave to patients at LLUBMC: Sugar cookies, layered with rainbow icing, topped with coconut shavings and jelly beans.

Easter egg- cake with raspberry puree in the middle, covered with white or dark chocolate...

Something special for the Friday night party since it was Good Friday..

Semi-homemade: Store-bought strawberry Angel food cake, topped with strawberry preserves, followed by coconut shavings and strawberries

Cakes waiting to be delivered...

Something that LLUMC put on the patient trays for Easter...


International R.D day fell on March 10, 2008
One of the activities we did--constructing a gingerbread house to demonstrate team work! Presenting...the administrative dietitian's"Pink bunny chalet"

Communication is vital- see the white man talking to the other person looking out of the window?

On St Patrick day, we had (green) cookies; green tinted chocolate and green sprinkles on the cookies...

TROPICAL -THEME CATERING EVENT AT LLUBMC-

Amrita and I had been planning for this Social work luncheon event for several weeks and I am glad that everything went well and smooth. Most importantly, everyone loved the food! Of course, I couldn't have done it without my faithful helpers. :)

Table setting-

Wantons and spring rolls with sweet chili sauce

Center piece on the table:

What these items were turned into-

Vegetable kabobs infused with teriyaki sauce!

Orange sesame gourmet salad topped with crispy noodles and oriental dressing:

Chicken and beef skewers: chicken satay and BBQ beef flavored, with peanut satay sauce-

Sticky rice mixed with cilantro and peas, lighten with lemon juice and zest.

Double-dipper tofu sticks:

Directions on how to make it: Add 1 cup of buttermilk and 3 eggs into a bowl. Beat the mixture well. Slice 1 box of tofu into rectangular cubes. Dip the firm tofu into corn starch before dipping into the buttermilk-egg mixture. Once that is done, repeat what was just done ( that's why it is called "double-dipper!). Finally, coat the outer layer with bread crumbs. ( Use the Asian tempura bread crumbs, and spice it up by adding 1 tsp garlic and onion powder). Pierce a bamboo skewer into the tofu before deep frying it.

The dessert table

Luscious molten lava chocolate cake:

Tropical fruit trifle: layers of sponge cake, mangoes, strawberries, whipped cream and tapioca pudding...

Drinks: Pina colada with pina colada rimmer:

~~::~~::~~

On a personal note... The"Glory of Easter" play at Crystal Cathedral was phenomenal. Although pictures undeniably speak a thousand words, this play cannot be captured on photos or video. It is something you have to personally experience to really comprehend the real meaning of Easter and enjoy the play...

@Camp cedar Falls: Beautiful snow and company :)