The Breeze of Summer

Nestled in the Station Square foodies is a new place: Island Cafe! They took over the old Starbucks place and it looks awesome.

I discovered this place one afternoon while doing my job hunt with my friend. We walked in to apply and got swept up in the atmosphere. The place is cafeteria style where you can see them prepare your food (which I think is pretty cool!).

Now I have to say I didn't get time to try anything but they have EVERYTHING there and its all cheep! So I really want to go back and think you should all check it out too. Tell me what you think and we can collaborate.

I has paninis for $6.50, Sandwiches from $2.35 - $5.50, Wraps for $6, Wins from $4.25 - $10.75 (6 pieces to 20!), Soups and Salads, Sides, Beverages Platers and Breakfast!!! What more could a Pittsburgher want? I also noticed its the hot spot for students and workers over in Station Square to eat lunch at.

Hours:
Sunday 8am-6pm
Monday-Thursday 6am-9pm
Friday 6am-11pm
Saturday 7am-11pm

224 W. Station Square Drive (412) 281-6201 or (412) 281 - 6202

So rustle me up a BBQ Best Panini and I'll see you there soon!

American Red Cross Pledges Initial $1 Million to Haiti Relief

American Red Cross Pledges Initial $1 Million to Haiti Relief

Let's follow suit and help out Haiti in their time of need! Text "Haiti" to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross' effort to help Haiti - It charges the $10 to your phone bill.

Healthy Chinese from College Lifestyles Blog!

So one of my fellow interns at College Lifestyles posted these AMAZING recipes for healthy Chinese food earlier this month and I just HAVE to share them with you. Check out Katy's article in her original format and the rest of our articles on the site!

Here is just ONE of THREE of her recipes - go to her article for the rest!

Sweet and Sour Tofu (serving size: 1 ½ cups)

Ingredients:

1 20-ounce can pineapple chunks or tidbits, packed in juice

3 tablespoons rice-wine vinegar

2 tablespoons ketchup

2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 14-ounce package extra-firm water-packed tofu, drained, rinsed and cut into 1/2-inch cubes

2 teaspoons cornstarch

2 tablespoons canola oil, divided

2 tablespoons minced garlic

1 tablespoon minced ginger

1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-by-2-inch strips

1 large green bell pepper, cut into 1/2-by-2-inch strips

Directions:

1. Drain and set aside pineapple, reserving 1/4 cup of the juice. Whisk the reserved pineapple juice, vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce and sugar in a medium bowl until smooth. Place tofu in a large bowl; toss with 3 tablespoons of the sauce. Let marinate for at least 5 minutes and up to 30 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, add cornstarch to the remaining sauce and whisk until smooth.

3. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.

Transfer the tofu to the pan using a slotted spoon; whisk any remaining marinade into the bowl of reserved sauce. Cook the tofu, stirring every 1 to 2 minutes, until golden brown, 7 to 9 minutes total. Transfer to a plate.

4. Add the remaining oil to the pan and heat over medium heat. Add garlic and ginger and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add red and green peppers and cook, stirring often, until just tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in the reserved sauce and cook, stirring, until thickened, about 30 seconds. Add the tofu and pineapple and cook, stirring gently, until heated through, about 2 minutes more.

NutritionPer serving: 255 calories; 12 g fat (1 g sat, 5 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 32 g carbohydrates; 10 g protein; 4 g fiber; 368 mg sodium; 537 mg potassium.

*Picture courtesy of Katy's Original Article

A Little Healthy Reading

Bethenny Frankel Book Signing from Boca Raton magazine on Vimeo.

Since I'm on my health kick for 2010, I thought I'd share my inspiration. I came across this book in my college's bookstore before Christmas Break and, though I'm not finished reading, this book has some really great ideas!

Naturally Thin by Bethenny Frankel (you know her as the star to "Real Housewives of NYC")

She gives you simple rules to follow like "your diet is a bank account" and "taste everything, eat nothing" but doesn't tell you to starve yourself, skip meals or eat super healthy - cardboard tasting food. It's real life advice for real people!

Healthy 2010

If you are looking for a way to kick the 2010 off in a healthy way (like me!) I've got your back!

Just today I figured out a cheep, simple and healthy meal for ya'll college students to make (and it's tasty!).

Grilled Chicken Salad
- Grilled chicken
- Tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Carrots
- Cheddar Cheese (Optional)
- Ranch Dressing (Optional)
- Hot Sauce (Optional)

Each variation is shown below:

#1 - Loaded!

#2 - No Cheese

#3 - Bare Minimum

Cheep Chili

When the wind is a-roaring and the temperature is low the best food is chili! And I have the simplest recipe for you guys.



Recipe:

2 lbs (or however much you like/need) lean ground beef or turkey (or go Vegan and take it out!)
1 can Red Kidney Beans
1 can Pinto Beans
1 small bag of carrots (chips or shredded or cut your own)

1 large Green Pepper, sliced and diced
1 small jar Minced Garlic
Minced Onions
1 large can Crushed Tomatoes
1 small can Tomato Sauce

1. Brown the meat. Season as you like.
2. Throw in veggies and beans (including liquid). Cook together
3. Pour in all tomato products
4. Cook down till everything is as you like.

An Erie Special

While on Christmas Break I thought I'd do a special post for my Erie people - or if you are going to travel to Erie anytime soon.

If you are looking for some good Chinese food for lunch or even dinner, look no further than Happy Garden located on 418 State Street.


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I went there New Year's Day with a friend and ordered the General Tso's Chicken with fried rice and an egg roll with a Wild Cherry Pepsi. All of that only costed about $6 so price is pretty good here too. They have a huge menu as well so if something else tickles your fancy...



My only issue was the actual place is sort of grungy looking and the employees don't talk unless you are ordering or needing something...you might just want to use this place for take out!