BUCampusFood

Hinman Team Recognized

Recently, the staff at Hinman Dining Hall was recognized by Sodexo Regional Vice President, Deb McMahon, for exemplifying the characteristics of The Sodexo Experience.  In his nomination, Resident Dining Director Jim Meagher said,

“[the Hinman team] deserves special recognition for taking the Sodexo Experience to a new and most meaningful level.  Michael Forzano is a visually impaired student that visits Hinman several times a day with his seeing eye dog, Delta.  Depending upon the time you visit Hinman, the dining hall can be very busy and difficult to navigate.  When Pat Carlo, our Dining Room Attendant, sees Michael and Delta entering the dining hall, he puts aside what he is doing and walks to greet Michael.  Pat gently takes Michael’s arm and helps guide him through our servery.  When Michael reaches the Entrée Line, Pat recites the menu offerings and patiently describes the food.”

According to Jim, Michael is a big fan of our steaks.  Our cooks know this about Michael, and our cooks routinely go out of their way the cut of meat that can
 make Michael’s dining experience as easy as possible.  Pat will then guide Michael and Delta to a seat where Delta is able to lay without obstructing other students. 

Taking this one step further, Maryellen Blakeslee, our Salad Bar Attendant, met Michael’s mother.  Maryellen sensed her concern about Michael’s well-being, and  established an email connection to put her at ease.  Maryellen routinely lets his mother know what he is eating and that he is well cared for. Our Dining Hall Manager Vince Capozzi told Mrs. Forzano,  “Don’t’ worry, we have Michaels back”. His mother has been provided a level of comfort which makes this experience less stressful for her and the family. 

Jim continued with more about the special bond between Michael and the Hinman family:

When Michael is not able to get out for dog food, Maryellen, whose dog eats the same food, brings food in for Delta.  There are many team members that help Michael. They refer to him as their friend and they enjoy seeing him and Delta walk through the door.  This Sodexo Experience exemplifies a commitment to personal service that is grounded in a collaboration of human compassion.  Our Hinman Staff beamed like proud parents when they learned of Michael’s upcoming internship with Amazon.  In some small way, I would like to believe they each had a hand in Michael’s success, simply by caring and supporting a student in need. 

Every month, Team members are recognized by the management of Binghamton University for their contribution to the student experience.  On behalf of the management of Sodexo and Binghamton University, congratulations to team Hinman for exemplifying the values of the Sodexo Experience.

Sodexo Is Celebrating National Nutrition Month

On Friday, March 23, Sodexo Campus Services at Binghamton University will host it’s 6th Annual Health Fair from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the West Gym.   It’s free and, more than that, promises to be fun, exciting, and informative. 
 
Here is what we have going.  You have the opportunity to learn more about local resources along with access to important wellness information.  Sodexo has partnered with Binghamton University, Food Vendors, and Community Businesses and Organizations to provide students, faculty, staff, and community members with an opportunity to
 
Browse vendor products, sample healthy food and drink
Participate in exercise sessions

Enjoy performance groups
Have blood glucose and blood pressure readings
Participate in health screenings, enjoy a chair massage
Learn about campus & community services
And more
 
In short, our fair is designed to provide everyone in the Binghamton community with an interactive experience for seeing, on your own and through local resources, how you can address your health and wellness needs on an enjoyable day-to-day basis.
 
More Details…..

*Special Performance by Johnny Only before the Health Fair, 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Music for kids that rocks enough for the entire family to groove too.  Join us and learn the Vegetable Twist and a few other delicious songs!  This will be a half hour of dancing fun for everyone.  Performance geared towards children 1-5 and their families.

 * Free Exercise Sessions provided by the Health & Wellness Studies Department, Campus Recreation, and Local Fitness Centers.

*Lourdes Mission in Motion Mammography Van will be on campus next to the West Gym in parking lot G.  If you are 40+ looking for a convenient location to have a mammogram in 15 minutes, make sure to make your reservation today.  Lourdes will also provide free glucose testing and blood pressure screenings.  Cholesterol testing available for $12.   If you are interested in any of Lourde’s Services, make a reservation by calling 798-5723.

*David Romanelli, speaker, author, yogi will share Beautiful, Funny, and Delicious Moments throughout the fair.  David will end his BU visit with a yoga and chocolate workshop to be held from 4:30 - 6:00pm. Workshop is free and open to the public.  Check out www.yeahdave.com for more info.  Book signing throughout the fair for his book “Livin’ the Moment.”

FREE Parking in Lot F (located between West Gym & Events Center)

Are you taking enough time for yourself? by Lisa Trejo

Do you find that you are giving yourself excuses when it comes time to doing things you enjoy? Such as:

“I’m too busy.”

“I just don’t have enough time.”

“There are not enough hours in the day!”

“I’m too tired, I would rather just sleep.”

Why do you think you feel that way? Is it because you are piling on too many things to accomplish per day? Or is it simply you are stressing out over the small things? It is a fact that college life is indeed a busy one. Between classes all day, preparing homework assignments, and studying for exams; it can be overwhelming. Not to mention all the clubs and activities that Binghamton students partake in due to our overachieving nature!

So where do we find that spare 15 minutes in our day to dedicate to ourselves when we have all these other responsibilities? The answer is simple: Time Management.

We have all heard of it, but have we really listened to its importance? Workshops get offered all the time around campus educating students about time management and the benefits of having a “balanced” schedule; but how do we actually achieve it? The biggest message that anyone can take away from those workshops is that there is not a “one answer for all” type of solution. Every student functions differently. It’s about finding what works best for you.

What does that mean?

For starters, before your week of classes begins, how do you spend your Sunday night? Finishing that paper due Monday morning that you procrastinated all weekend to do? Or having that paper mostly done and planning your week ahead to figure what assignments are due that week and when you can finish them in a timely manner? The second situation is obviously ideal, but how does one achieve it?

Everyone uses different techniques to achieve organization. It can be by the use of a planner, post-it notes, a To-Do List; or a combination of the three. The important thing is to recognize the tasks that need to be tackled promptly because they are due very soon. It is about distinguishing between what really needs to be done today and what can wait until tomorrow. Biting off more than you can chew is the common expression, but truly following it is key for daily living. Setting realistic goals for yourself that you know you can handle is the way to go. You know yourself better than anyone and you know what you can accomplish in a given time frame! Help yourself avoid the common pitfalls that the internet can bring and turn off your computer if you don’t really need it or just exit out of it all.

A lot of the time students tend to feel overwhelmed and stressed by situations where they have too much on their plate. It is important when that happens to take a step back and think about what is really stressing you out? Many times it could not even be related to your academics and could be about something going on in your own life and your saying schoolwork is to blame. Regardless if that is the case or not, assessing the situation on how to resolve it is the best thing you can do to calm your nerves and to not feel stressed.

The next biggest piece of advice is to TAKE ACTION! It is easy to complain and whine about all the things that need to be done, but does that solve the problem? No. It simply wastes time. So instead of talking about it: JUST. DO IT.

Doesn’t that sound familiar? Nike was on the right track. Life is all about making choices and how we choose to live it. We could live is pessimistically by continually ranting or we could live it positively by taking the matter into our own hands and making a change by truly living to our potential. Taking that first step is all it takes to kick start your motivation.

Now how does this relate back to health and wellness? Well, how many of us, when we find ourselves with free time, do we actually exercise? Some of you may respond with: “Of course!” While others would say: “I would just take a nap!” How do we find the happy medium between the two?

Of course the answer is again time management, but how do we fit exercise in our never-ending busy schedule? The answer is simply to keep a routine. Whatever form of physical fitness we choose to partake in, the biggest beneficial gain is to have fun. It is the only way we will be inclined to go back and do it again. If we do decide to take a nap with our free time, napping for more than 15 minutes has negative side effects because we are giving our body too much time to rest. We can feel even more tired when we wake up. So instead use that time doing something that will give you more energy than before and simply exercise! Physical activity doesn’t have to be something you dread, it should be something you enjoy doing because when you exercise you give your body that natural boost of energy to keep going all day long. Who wouldn’t want more energy to keep them awake and alive for more time during the day? You could become your own natural form of the energizer bunny and keep going and going and going! You will also boost your mood to become an all around happier person, who wouldn’t want a positive influence in their life on a daily basis?

Finding your motivation to go out there and exercise may be a challenge for some, but instead make it a journey. Try something new and join a club that does physical activity to get two benefits in one; meeting new people and getting that exercise. Physical activity is so important for our generation of people because starting age 25 we start to decrease in bone density which increases our risk of osteoporosis that we can develop in old age; so who wouldn’t want to try and stop that process from happening? Physically activity is your answer to help your body and your mind get the strength it is looking for to stay strong for long.

So what were your excuses for not doing something fun with your free time? Really think about this again and see where in your schedule on a daily basis for just 15 minutes you can squeeze in your own fun. If it is reading a leisure book, writing in a journal, painting a picture, watching a movie, exercising, or simply sitting and listening to music. Find your fun that works for you and commit to it. It may be hard at first, so recognize that you may falter and make a mistake those first few times around, but once you make it a routine it can grow into a healthy habit. So when you are questioning, JUST DO IT. You never know who you may be inspiring to lead a healthy lifestyle too. 

BEAUTIFUL, FUNNY, and DELICIOUS by Courtney Huff

How easy it is to get caught up in our daily routine. We go to school, work, the gym, and run our errands. We may even complain that our life is “boring” or that we need a change. We get stuck in a rut and may come to think our lives are no longer enjoyable. While visiting a new restaurant, taking a new path on a run, or going to a new comedy club can be a great way to spice up our lives temporarily, there must be another way to find long lasting solution.

Mr. David Romanelli, a well known yogi, has developed a mantra which may have just such a life changing impact for us all at no cost. David’s mantra is, simply put: Beautiful, Funny, Delicious. David believes, and promotes, his belief that if each day we all take time to note one Beautiful, one Funny, and one Delicious moment we will be better equipped to be present in our lives. By being present we may better appreciate the smaller, less obvious, people, events, and objects in our lives and find joy and richness in them. We may become happier in our lives, enjoy moments with friends, and choose to put down our cell phones and e-readers. In the words of David we will find the capacity to be “livin’ the moment” each and every day. How powerful an impact it would be to enjoy that specialty macaron without guilt and with a present mind to truly taste the complex flavors, to deeply enjoy a conversation with an old friend and laugh until your belly hurts without checking your phone every 3 minutes, or to take a moment during your rushed walk to class across campus to notice the beauty of a fawn walking in the woods. What David is suggesting we make time in our lives is not Earth shattering events, but rather everyday occurrences that we rush past.  David will be on campus Friday, March 23 to share Beautiful, Funny, and Delicious moments.  He will be the keynote speaker at Sodexo’s 6^th Annual Health Fair and end his visit with a yoga and chocolate workshop.

            In the fall of 2011 the Eating Awareness Committee (EAC) began a new program based directly off of David’s mantra. The program is a quilt project with the intention of encouraging students to reflect on their day, in the model of David’s mantra, and to share it with others. At various events and locations around campus the EAC has provided students, faculty, staff, and community members with colorful fabric squares and fabric markers and asked them to recreate a Beautiful, Funny, or Delicious moment they have experienced lately. These fabric squares were then sewn together to form a quilt. The EAC will continue with this program in hopes of growing the quilt and displaying it on campus as a constant reminder to the Binghamton University community to stay present in their lives and cherish moments, both small and large. Next time you are out and about on campus and see the EAC tabling, please stop by and share a Beautiful, Funny, Delicious moment you have experienced lately!

Bearcat Spiedie Debut

BEARCAT SPIEDIE TO DEBUT AT WINTER MADNESS

BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY – Sodexo, food service provider for Binghamton University, has developed a new and unique spiedie sandwich, exclusive for Bearcat Athletic events at the Binghamton University Events Center.  The new sandwich, developed in partnership with Lupo’s, will be introduced at the Winter Madness basketball games, this Saturday, February 4.

“Sodexo has long considered a signature item for athletic venues on campus,” commented Bob Griffin, District Marketing Manager for Sodexo.  “It helps create a more interesting and fun environment.  It may be a sandwich to those on the outside, but in our view, this helps enhance the experience of going to a game.”

The new sandwich was developed in partnership with Lupo’s.  Sodexo Executive Chef John Enright worked closely with Sam Lupo on developing a sound product, that both maintained the integrity of the original spiedie, while bringing a distinctive flavor to the Bearcat Spiedie.

“We knew the chicken, with Lupo’s classic marinade and our own balsamic was going to be a great foundation.  We then looked to our own campus bakery to create a unique Tuscan torpedo roll,” Chef Enright said.  “The finishing touch was our special Bearcat Sauce.  A creamy blend of herbs and spices really brings the flavor together.  You won’t find anything else like it anywhere.”

More information on the Bearcat Spiedie is available on the Sodexo website, www.BUdining.com.

How to Stay Healthy this Holiday Season

By: Francesca Hraska

            For many, the holiday season brings to mind family memories, good times and of course even better food. Typical holiday meals usually include a wide variety of food, which may make it difficult to decide on how much to eat without feeling too stuffed. During these celebrations it’s important to keep in mind that any food can be consumed as long as it is done so in moderation. Moderation is an essential component to a healthy diet and can help prevent the so-called “holiday weight gain” associated with this season. By practicing moderation and portion control you can easily enjoy all the delicious foods there are to offer.
            A common notion that I have realized during the holiday season is that many people believe that the specific holiday is an excuse to indulge. Essentially this mind set can easily lead to an over indulgence once portion control is neglected. If done numerous times, here’s where the possibility for weight gain may arise.
            To put this idea in perspective, think about the amount of food you consume at a normal meal. Now compare that to the amount of food you eat at a holiday dinner, big difference right? I would be surprised to hear any college student tell me that they eat a three-course dinner followed by a plateful of 5 every type of dessert on an everyday basis.  This perspective is just a thought to keep in mind when sitting down for your holiday meal.
            Along with portion control, here are a few extra tips on how to avoid over eating during the holidays:

1.      Don’t deprive! Eat a nutritious balanced breakfast and lunch before dinner is served. By eating throughout the day you can keep your metabolism fueled and will feel less famished once dinner is served. It’s important to avoid “saving” your appetite for dinner because going into dinner with an empty stomach can lead to overindulgence.

2.      Savor the flavor: Take your time to enjoy each bite rather than rushing through your meal. If you quickly rush through a meal, your body does not have an adequate amount of time to register that you are full. If you continue to mindlessly eat without giving you body a chance to digest you may jump from hungry to stuffed, skipping right over feeling satisfied.

3.      Embrace seasonal vegetables at dinnertime: The months of fall and winter bring along delicious and vitamin packed foods that are often staple ingredients in holiday meals. Foods to reach for: Pumpkin, Cranberries, Turkey, sweet potatoes and mixed nuts!

4.      Offer to bring a healthy dinner option! Here is a foolproof way to eat healthy at family gathering. Bring a healthy option that you enjoy to share with your family and friends this way you know exactly how nutritious your meal is. Who knows maybe your healthy recipe will inspire more to come at the next family gathering!

Misreading Misreading Labels

By Francesca Hraska

Packaging on food products can provide an abundance of information for the consumer. Although the nutrition label alone provides plenty of information, most packages also contain messages splashed across the outsides of their product.

What do you think when you see these common phrases on the packaging of some of your favorite foods?

“All Natural” or “100% Natural”

Do these phrases automatically make you think you are making a healthy choice? If so you mayneed to take a step back and think again. Let’s start with the two phrases “All Natural” and “Made with Whole Grains”. Neither of these phrases is under regulation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) therefore there is no criteria that a product must live up to in order to earn the right to make such a claim.

One product under fire in a recent lawsuit is Arizona’s Green Tea with Ginseng. Arizona’s Green Tea with Ginseng boasts the claim “100% Natural” on the front of its can but, taking an extra second to look at the ingredients proves otherwise. The ingredient that sparked this lawsuit was high fructose corn syrup, a sweetener made artificially by processing corn syrup to increase its levels of sucrose (table sugar). By that definition, an all natural product is one which contains anything derived from the earth, plants or animals. Although a product such as high fructose corn syrup comes from a natural product (corn), the process to form the high fructose corn syrup chemically alters the corn and thus changes the composition of the once “all natural” product into one that is unnatural.

“Made with Whole Grains”

The phrase “Made with Whole Grains” is another slogan that requires no nutritional credentials. This claim can be seen on a range of products shelved in supermarkets including crackers, breads and cereals. With this claim it is also important to check its legitimacy by reading the ingredient list on the nutrition label. Unless a product has whole grains or whole wheat flour listed as its first ingredient, it is likely that this product contains minimal amounts of whole grains.

“0g Trans Fat”

Lastly we see the phrase “0g Trans Fat”. This phrase, unlike the two previous claims, is under regulation by the FDA. What makes it misleading you wonder? According to FDA standards, a product can claim “0g Trans Fat” as long as the amount of Trans Fat per serving is less than 0.5 grams. This may not seem like a big difference but I think its obvious to see that 0 grams of Trans Fat is not the same as 0.49 grams of Trans Fat. The difference only becomes more pronounced when the serving size is increased. Thus eating double or triple the serving size bumps your Trans Fat intake up to .98 gram – 1.47 grams respectively. Now, if this is done more than once a day with a product claiming to have 0 grams Trans Fat, then an unaware consumer is actually consuming multiple grams of Trans Fats while under the impression that are consuming 0 grams of Trans Fat. To decipher whether or not a product contains any traces of Trans Fat check the ingredient label for any type of hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils.

It’s important to understand the truth behind these false claims made by various products. Without the knowledge on how to decipher the legitimacy of these claims you may unknowingly be consuming products that are not as healthy as they appear. To ensure the healthiest options be sure to keep a look out for these misleading labels while grocery shopping!