Last Saturday, I packed up all my stuff and moved three and a half hours away from my husband, home, and puppy to begin my masters in Speech Language Pathology at the University of Iowa. I have been VERY apprehensive of this move. My biggest concern? That I would struggle to make new friends! I haven't started at a new school in eight years! Certainly one forgets how to do these things! My fears were unfounded. Apparently I do still remember how to socialize like a reasonable human being. Thank goodness.
What I did not anticipate was the sheer, raw work load. My undergraduate institution was wonderful and I loved it there and I would not be where I am today without them. But it was not academically rigorous. At least my program wasn't. Again, I loved my undergraduate speech pathology program, but they were barely accredited. Now I am enrolled in the top program in the nation at the graduate level, so things are a bit different. My program started a week before the general term began, and they have definitely kept me busy. I already have 150 pages of assigned reading, 2 writing assignments, a clinical rotation, and classes don't even start until tomorrow.
As a result, I put cooking on hold for the week. It may be on hold next week also. Without a garden in my backyard, vegetarian cooking is more challenging. So, now begins the 'eating' and 'learning' portions of this blog. Iowa City is something of a lone culinary bright spot in a state better known for its corporate farming than for its farmer's markets. Paul and I will be operating on a shoestring budget for the next two years, but I have a plan. I will be using my "eating out" budget to explore a different restaurant or renowned eatery in Iowa City every two weeks. I will review my experiences here, so you'll know where to go the next time you visit Iowa City! ;-)
But to be honest, I get the feeling that most my time over the next two years will be spent learning. So here is where I will be living for the next two years:
And here is what I will be eating for many many meals every week:
Actually, I just have to say a few words about this salad, because it needs to be a part of everybody's life. This is a salad inspired by Andie Mitchell and her blog Can You Stay for Dinner.
There are only four ingredients: salad greens, cottage cheese, fruit, and bacon. For the fruit I usually use apples or pears, but you could get more creative and it would probably be delicious.
The cottage cheese MUST be 4% fat. Anything else is wrong and unacceptable. The cheese acts as the dressing for the salad. It is creamy, mild, and delicious, and pairs perfectly with the other elements. I know it sounds weird, but it really really works.
And bacon. Nuff said.
Mix the whole thing together in a large bowl. And by large, I mean think mixing bowl size. That's what I use. This salad can definitely be a meal, but you have to go large or go hungry or go home. Take your pick.
