Gotta hit the road Jack. But first..lunch!
Karen and I hit the gym. I spent 45 minutes on the ET with my Jean Inman RD binder. I feel like I know so much and so little at the same time!
Foodservice formulas anyone!?
Lunch was colorful and abundant. This is a perfect example of how a lunch can include the rainbow, be huge and still within normal calorie levels.
A slice of Dakota bread with mashed pinto beans and avocado, salt and pepper
A small fuzzy peach
So creamy!
And a big ole salad.
Romaine, veggies, hummus blob, sprinkle of goat cheese
We’re headed up to Charlottesville. Big drive ahead! See you on Twitter 
{ 69 comments… read them below or add one }
LOVE that lunch! I had avocado today too – I always forget how creamy and delicious it is
Have a good drive!
Mmm, yeah avocados are so delicious!
Beautiful lunch! The avocado gives it an extra special visual kick. Have a safe drive!
Your lunch is so colorful. Mine was grey–but delicious!
Pretty! My mom is an RD and worked in the public school system for decades, and I so remember how much she stressed presentation of healthy foods. She was all about having colorful fruits and veggies cut up into different shapes and presented in a way that was actually fun. And she’s always said that as long as your not eating factory foods, try to get at least 5 (natural!) colors on your plate at every meal. It’s cool to see that fad diets come and go, but those ideas of balance are still the bottom line in true nutrition.
Oh, have fun and good luck on the search! I hope you find a great place this trip! Your lunch looks like perfect fuel! Have a safe drive!
I love large lunches that include every food group and every color of the rainbow. That looks amazing, yum!
That lunch sounds incredible to me. It is inspiring my dinner!
Good luck studying! I am so nervous for when I have to take the RD exam!
What a beautiful lunch!! I love fresh peaches, so summery and sweet.
Drive safe!
Meg
That bean and avocado open-faced sandwich is the stuff my dreams are made of – yum!
Have a great trip!! I hope the drive is smooth sailing. I definitely don’t miss studying at all
love mashed beans on bread – why don’t they serve that in restaurants?!?
I totally agree! I know they do in some European countries, though. America needs to step it up! Haha
As much as I love hummus, I can stand it as salad dressing … I feel alone on my boat hehe!
Eating ginormo salads is the best! You feel like you’re eating for.ev.er, which sometimes is just so satisfying!
Lovin’ your lunch. I’ve never thought to smash beans on bread. Protein, iron, carbs, and color — love it!!
This may be a dumb question but are your pinto beans heated or cold?
Have a great drive:)
FYI I think I might have had two food service formula questions on my RD example.
*exam
FYI I think I might have had two food service formula questions on my RD exam
That lunch seriously got my mouth watering. Have a good trip!
I’m sure it’s in some obvious place and I’m totally missing it, but how can I contact you if I have a question? Do you have an e-mail posted that I’m completely missing?
It’s on the Kath page! Katheats@gmail.com
Thank you!
A gorrrgeous lunch!!! Not that that is a new thing =)
A colorful plate is a healthy plate! Looks deeeeeeelish! Drive safely
Now that is an RD’s lunch — so healthful and colourful!
Wow – thanks for reminding me of the importance of presentation!
Just wondering – you often use goat cheese. How does it compare in texture, taste, and nutritional value to feta cheese (which I love!)?
Better tasting (less salty), creamier texture, great nutrition
That lunch looks SO good! I love eating for volume
Hey,
I absolutely know how you feel. I’nm writing my Nursing exam at the moment (one day left tomorrow and then of course the practical and oral ones).
And I feel like I know a lot but the senate (who developes the Qs here in germany) manages to ask questions where I’m like: “How should I know. I’m becoming a nurse not a doctor!” As a nurse in Germany you’re not allowed to do a lot. Like when I want to put some cream or lotion on my patient I have to ask the doctor but in my exam they want me to name 4 medications that patients take when they have a specific disease….
Good luck for your studying though!
I felt the same way when studying for my RD exam. You know so much… but so little.
You’re going to do great!
What a great and filling lunch!
love the cheese on the salad
YUM! Your lunch sounds seriously amazing! And the avocado + pinto beans.. delicious!
Lovely lunch. I love lunches like that, including so much good yummy foods!
I had a great salad today too! Sometimes I really love a good salad and adding cheese just makes it divine!
Lunch looks so healthy and fresh! Enjoy Charlottesville!
~Alyssa
Oh, that salad looks so summery and refreshing! Safe travels!
That’s a great combo of flavors. Oh my yum!
Such a creamy looking lunch! You’re right, it is very possible to have a huge, colorful, meal within normal caloric limits. The peaches, avocado, and cheese look especially creamy and yummy!
i am now in love with the smashed-beans-on-bread idea! and nothing beats a fresh, juicy peach in the dead of summer
Kath~
Do you eat your salads without dressing usually? just curious. It looks lovely!
Barbara
Yeah, I’ll tell you if I put anything on. I don’t really like salad dressings from a bottle and I’m pretty lazy to make my own. Most of the time I use olive oil and/or honey or balsamic but when I have hummus and/or cheese I just skip it. I like the taste of sweet, sweet lettuce!
Ugh…Jean Inman. It is such a helpful review but so overwhelming (especially if you don’t love food service…which is me)! If you have the audio portion make sure to highlight whenever she says “note.” Many of those “notes” were on my exam. Good Luck!
Hi Kath! Your lunch looks great! How much hummus would you say you use for salads? 1 or 2 tablespoons?
1.5 tbsp!?
I LOOOOVE peach season. I just went to the farm stand and bought several baskets full and started freezing. Here in Canada it’s near impossible to find a peaches (even frozen) when they’re not in season!
Delicious lunch!
I love salads because they can make a meal more abundant.
Gosh, that salad looks delicious! And you are right that a salad really does allow you to eat more. You feel like you’re splurging when really you’re being quite healthy!
Hope you had a great drive to Cville! I’m a VA girl and I’m pretty darn convinced that you’ll love it here. Especially CVille. It’s one of my favorite places in the whole state!
Have a safe drive!
Wishing you safe travels!
Today was rough, and i think a simple bean sandwhich is JUST what this kind of day calls for for dinner! YUM!
What a wonderfully colorful and yet simple meal that makes my mouth water! I need to eat more avocado since they’re more in season now. Even though really they’re never in season in the midwest. ha
What a tasty lunch! I particularly like the bean /avo bread combo! DELISH!
Good luck in Cville! I hope the house hunting goes well
Hi Kath! I’ve been reading for a while now and just graduated from the University of Virginia! I’ve lived in CVille for the past five years – its absolutely AWESOME! If you need any advice or restaurant suggestions don’t hesitate to ask! So jealous you’re moving there!
Are you still here? Feel free to email me a list of your favorites!
I am so excited to hear about your adventures!!
Safe driving!
Gosh that lunch looks delicious! i love being able to eat so much food because I eat healthy!
It’s awesome, isn’t it?
I would be full in the best way after eating that lunch…and your parfait from breakfast looks amazing.
I miss Charlottesville!
I shall focus on what I *can* have in my life at the moment instead… ie goat cheese and yummy bread 
Smashed pinto beans + avacado + salt and pepper = delicious sounding!! Also seems pretty easy. Can’t wait to try!!
That lunch is beautiful! And so full of various flavors. Awesome. =)
Ugggg! Foodservice formulas…. oh man all the HACCP rules and numbers— blah! But I always found the gym was the best place to park it on an elliptical, and do some serious studying!! Two birds with one stone!! I’m sure I may have missed this, but when are you taking the RD exam???? Soooooo exciting!!! Again, congrats and finishing and following your dreams!
Your lunch looks so yummmy! Colours are seriously amazing
BTW: Do you eat peaches with fuzz on or off?
Wei-Wei
I just found your blog and when I saw your RD binder I just died laughing! Yikes! What memories that thing brings back. Don’t stress about the test. It really isn’t that bad although I did take it about 10 years ago! Maybe they changed it since then. No worries, all you have to do is pass and then you will probably never use any of the stuff in that binder during your career anyway.