Zucchinis

This summer I have gone zucchini crazy;its hard not to--- they seem to just keep growing and growing in the garden! Whats so great about zucchinis? You can pretty much add them to anything and won't even know they are there.So why would you do this?To get Vitamins A & C, fiber & the antioxidant benefits of the zucchini.I've added zucchini to soups, breads, pastas, pizza, baked goods---you name it!Zucchini bread is one of my favorites. Here is one my grandma and I made last week that was delicious! The oatmeal adds a gooey yet nutritious addition to the bread!

Oatmeal Zucchini Bread
Makes 2 loaves

Ingredients

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 eggs
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup unbleached white flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup old-fashioned oats, uncooked
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
3 cups shredded zucchini (keep the skin on!)
1 cup chopped walnuts or semisweet chocolate chips (optional)

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two 8 X 4 inch loaf pans.
In a large bowl, beat together sugar, eggs, oil & vanilla.
Add white & wheat flours, oats, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, & nutmeg.Mix until just dry ingredients are moist.
Squeeze excess liquid from shredded zucchini.Stir in zucchini & nuts/chocolate chips, if using.
Spoon the batter into greased loaf pans. Bake for approximately 50 minutes.
Cool 10 minutes. Remove from pans and cool completely before slicing.

The Start of Something New

The Dietetic Internship. Those three words have made my heart pound tremendously these last couple of years. As a Nutrition & Dietetics undergraduate at Messiah College, I was warned of the competitive Dietetic Internship required of students in order to become a Registered Dietitian right from the beginning. My dream of becoming a Registered Dietitian began my sophmore year of college when I first learned about the profession.

According to the American Dietetic Association, "Registered dietitians are food and nutrition experts, translating the science of nutrition into practical solutions for healthy living. The expertise, training and credentials that back a registered dietitian are vital for promoting positive lifestyle choices."

I graduated from Messiah in May 2011. I have worked hard and I am proud to say that I am a 2012 dietetic intern with the Pennsylvania State University Dietetic Internship program. The program began last week with a day of team-building at Ski Roundtop in Lewisberry, PA. I couldn't believe how fast my summer went, and how I was about to embark on a whole new chapter of my life. A chapter that would involve immense opportunities and growth with 7 other interns.

As we worked through many challenges on the high ropes course at Ski Roundtop, I recognized a couple of team building factors I do not want to forget this upcoming year.
1) Remember the big picture. It is easy to get caught up in the task at hand, in the details. Remember those around you. Remember your ultimate goal.
2) Think before you act. Reason through what you are about to do. Make sure you understand the instructions and carefully execute. As a person who like to "just get things done" I need to remember to slow down.
3) Laugh often. Laugh at yourself. Enjoy the moments and those around you.

I am nervous but excited for the opportunities that lie before me this upcoming year!


 Matthew 6: 33-34 "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Instead, I will take each day a time. Trust in God and pray for strength and guidance.