Friday, October 23, 2009 at 06:39 AM

Lots to Celebrate

Hi, guys! Long time, no see!

Yesterday was absolutely INSANE! 8-O It was my first day back to my full-time job in a whole week and it was my second-to-last day and I needed to train a temp. I also had 2 calls at lunchtime and then I went to a fashion show immediately after work. Needless to say, it was crazy day!

So, I have lots to tell you guys! All good news! :mrgreen:

First, I won a Bertolli Sauce Sponsorship to the Foodbuzz Festival, which means that they will cover my travel and hotel expenses!!! I still can’t believe it!

My winning menu item:

Mini Five Cheese Sauce Sandwiches

Sliced ciabatta bread with fresh mozzarella, pepperoni, green bell pepper, minced garlic, and Bertolli Five Cheese sauce.

The Foodbuzz community will vote on their favorite dishes starting tomorrow through November 1. The top 3 will get to demo their item live at the Foodbuzz Tasting Pavilion on November 7 in San Francisco.

Many thanks to Bertolli Sauce for the honor! I’m so excited! :-D

Exciting thing #2…

Carrots ‘N’ Cake finally made it into a magazine!!!

Of course, it was cool to have my photo in Shape and my name in Health, but I was so bummed after my contribution was cut from the recent blogger piece in Self magazine. I really wanted my blog mentioned!

But, CNC’s shout-out in Health magazine as an inspiring weight-loss blog totally made up for it!!! I had a smile on my face from ear to ear when I saw it! :mrgreen:

It’s the November issue– the one with Jillian Michaels on the cover– page 146. Be sure to check it out!

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And if life couldn’t get any better…

Yesterday, I found out that I received a partial scholarship to attend the Institute for Integrated Nutrition!!!

I’ve heard such great things about this program and I’ve been wanting to do it for ages! Now that I have a little more free time, I can finally devote myself to learning about one of my passions.

I chose to do the distance program instead of traveling to NYC– just to make life a little easier– so I start later this month!

Ahhhhh! So excited! You’ll be hearing LOTS more about it!

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And finally…

It’s my last day at Harvard!!!

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Even though I’m excited to start the next phase of my life, I’m also sad to leave such a wonderful place. My bosses treated me so well and I loved working for them. They’re both such amazing people– I’m bummed that I won’t see them so often anymore.

But, I’m off to live my dream!

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I just ate breakfast (toast with peanut butter and banana) and now I need to get ready for my last day of work!

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Fashion show recap coming later this morning!

Posted by: Tina 84 comments

Posted in: Uncategorized

84 Comments on “Lots to Celebrate”

  1. #1 megan Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 6:44 am

    Congratulations Tina on the magazine feature and scholarship! I’m really interested to hear about the IIN because I’ve considered that program myself but I just don’t know enough to take the plunge. Lots of exciting stuff going on for you!! Hooray for no more desk job!

  2. #2 Jessica @ How Sweet It Is Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 7:06 am

    Congrats!!! Enjoy your last day. :)

  3. #3 maria Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 7:08 am

    AH! Happy last day. And congrats on all the exciting things you have going on (especially your Health mag shout out!). :D You’re living the dream girl.

  4. #4 Becky Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 7:35 am

    Congratulations !! I actually graduated from IIN in 2006. It was a really great school. I learned alot from there.

  5. #5 Erica Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 7:40 am

    WOW! Congrats Tina! Enjoy your day- you deserve it!!

  6. #6 Emily Eats and Exercises Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 7:47 am

    What a ton of good news! I’m excited to hear more about the IIN program – sounds like you’ll learn a lot. Enjoy your last day.

  7. #7 Marisa (Trim The Fat) Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 7:50 am

    Congrats, Tina! So many wonderful things are happening for you! Yay for living out your dreams!

  8. #8 Stephanie Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 7:51 am

    what an exciting day! you are an inspiration to us all :)

  9. #9 Paige@ Running Around Normal Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 7:53 am

    What an awesome day! Congrats!

  10. #10 TC Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 7:58 am

    Will you do nutrition counseling after completing the INN program?

  11. #11 Estela @ Weekly Bite Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 8:02 am

    Good things are happening! Congratulations!

    Enjoy your last day of work :)

  12. #12 Emily (Healthy Fit Mama) Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 8:06 am

    Congrats!! Hope your last day of work goes well.

  13. #13 Shannon (The Daily Balance) Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 8:08 am

    Congrats!! You are movin’ up girl! I’m sure there is much more to come ;)

  14. #14 Beth @ DiningAndDishing Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 8:11 am

    Just one good thing after another – that’s amazing!!! Congrats on all your success Tina, hard work pays off!!

  15. #15 MelissaNibbles Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 8:11 am

    Congratulations Tina! You’re becoming famous right before our eyes!

  16. #16 Meghan@traveleatlove Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 8:11 am

    Holy exciting day! Enjoy your last day of work!

  17. #17 Felicia Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 8:12 am

    Congrats on all the great news!!

    That all sounds so exciting!! Have a fantastic last day of work.

  18. #18 Peace and Peanutbutter Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 8:13 am

    Such exciting news Tina! Congrats!!

    Institute of Integrated Nutrition will be fabulous! Glad you are so excited to move forward :-)

  19. #19 leslie Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 8:19 am

    congratulations on your continued success, tina. it’s really wonderful to read along as so many exciting things begin for you!

  20. #20 Madelin @ What is for breakfast? Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 8:28 am

    Wow Tina! So exciting! The course sounds great – I’ve been thinking about doing something like that myself :) .

  21. #21 CaSaundra Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 8:28 am

    Wowee! Your on a roll! :-)

    What exactly are you going to be majoring in/studying at the institute??

  22. #22 Britt @ Runnerbelle Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 8:30 am

    Congrats! So many wonderful positive things are coming to fruition for you!

  23. #23 Tasha Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 8:34 am

    Wow! You’ve had so much exciting news! Enjoy your last day.

  24. #24 Sarah @ The Foodie Diaries Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 8:36 am

    All so exciting! I can’t wait to hear more about the Institute of Int Nutrition! I have a lot of friends who have gone and loved it–and I’m considering going, too!

  25. #25 Lina Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 8:38 am

    Hi Tina! I just graduated IIN and it was the best experience ever! I’m so glad you chose to enroll, I think you will truly enjoy all the information. I might be able to get you some more money off the tuition so e-mail me at twistedska@yahoo.com…that goes for anyone else interested!!! It seriously is a life changing experience with all the information you get to hear. It was incredible seeing the speakers live, i’ll be interested to hear how it is doing the long distance program, I already have a few friends signed up. Enjoy the ride!

  26. #26 Kristin @ Iowa Girl Eats Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 8:39 am

    VERY exciting stuff indeed Tina!! Congrats on everything that’s been coming your way lately!!

  27. #27 Babycakes Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 8:40 am

    I too have heard fabulous things about the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Congrats on all your accomplishments of late! :)

  28. #28 Sarah R Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 8:40 am

    Wow, wow, wow! What a wonderful few days for you! You deserve it all.

  29. #29 Lauren Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 8:43 am

    Congratulations, Tina! You deserve all the happiness that is coming your way! The Institute for Intregrative Nutrition sounds SO interesting…I may have to look into this myself, living in NYC and all. That is all such great news about the Bertolli Sauce Sponsorship!

    Have a great last day at work. It is natural to feel a little sad about leaving Harvard, but such amazing opportunities await you. Take care!

  30. #30 Diana Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 8:43 am

    Congratulations! That’s so awesome :)

  31. #31 Tina Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 8:44 am

    Ahh congrats on all the wonderful things happening in your life!! I can’t wait to read all about your new adventures :D

    Your peanut butter toast looks just as scrumptious as always.

  32. #32 Sarah Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 8:48 am

    I hope your last day goes smoothly and I can’t wait to hear more about the IIN…I looked at it yesterday and I think if I can save up a little bit of money, I’d love to do it too. Can’t wait to hear about your experience. Congrats on all the good news!!

  33. #33 Whit Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 8:52 am

    Wow, congrats on all the good news!

  34. #34 Cynthia (It All Changes) Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 8:53 am

    Congrats! Have a good last day of work. Its hard leaving but you are off to bigger and better things.

  35. #35 Pam Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 8:56 am

    Wow Tina…Congrats…All those wonderful things happening for you! Good Luck!

    Enjoy!

  36. #36 Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 8:57 am

    wow lots of GREAT news in this post – congrats! i’m excited to follow along w/ your upcoming adventures!

  37. #37 Rebecca Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 9:01 am

    Congrats on all of your accomplishments!! You deserve everything that’s happened to you!! :-)

  38. #38 rosie Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 9:02 am

    Congratulations! A famous quote is “luck is preparation meeting opportunity”. You have certainly earned all of your recent accomplishments. Keep up the good work and thanks for being such a healthy, balanced inspiration.

  39. #39 Autumn Tao Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 9:03 am

    Congrats to you Tina. Enjoy all the excitement!

  40. #40 Meg C. Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 9:04 am

    good luck on your last day!

  41. #41 elizabeth Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 9:10 am

    congrats!!!! thats all so exciting!! i have several friends who’ve done IIN and have really enjoyed it. best of luck!

  42. #42 Morgan Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 9:12 am

    Congrats on everything! Sounds like you have a lot of great things to look forward to!

  43. #43 Megan Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 9:15 am

    Congratulations! These are all such wonderful things! A friend of mine graduated from IIN and I was one of her first clients as she began her health counseling practice. It is such a great program with amazing speakers, and lots of helpful information. You will LOVE it! My health and life have improved tremendously since completing her program! GOOD LUCK!

  44. #44 K Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 9:25 am

    Ahhh!! Tina!! Congratulations on EVERYTHING – you should be so proud of yourself. I hope you celebrate big time this weekend :)

  45. #45 Jocelyn Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 9:25 am

    Hey Tina..congratz! All of that sounds wonderful.

    I’v heard some good things about that school but also some not so good things. Is it 100 percent legit?

  46. #46 Grace Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 9:27 am

    Congratulations!!! (x3!) I hope I’ll get my copy of ‘Health’ soon. :)

  47. #47 christie @ honoring health Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 9:28 am

    Wow, congrats on all fronts, Tina!

    I have a friend that did the distance program at IIN and loved it! Good luck!

  48. #48 Julie @savvyeats Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 9:29 am

    Congratulations! What a way to start off the weekend, huh? :)

  49. #49 Meg Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 9:30 am

    Congrats on all of the good news! Happy Friday!!!
    Meg

  50. #50 Jillian (back to the nest) Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 9:36 am

    Aw, congrats! All exciting stuff and all well-deserved.

  51. #51 Joelle (The Pancake Girl) Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 9:37 am

    YAY, sounds like a great Friday for you! That Integrated Institute for Nutrition sounds very interesting.. as a NYCer interested in nutrition, I am going to have to check this place out…

  52. #52 Jessie (Vegan-minded) Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 9:40 am

    Congrats on the magazine, that’s great! So many exciting things are going on in your life right now, and it has been really fun to read about everything. :) The IIN program sounds really interesting too.

  53. #53 Lauren Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 9:41 am

    Congrats on everything! you deserve it!

  54. #54 Melissa Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 9:42 am

    Tina,
    Congratulations!!! This keep getting more and more exciting for you. It’s awesome! I love your blog and it’s great to read about all of your successes. You totally deserve them!

  55. #55 Runeatrepeat Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 9:45 am

    Congratulations! Very cool :) Best of luck in all the new excitement.

  56. #56 Rose Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 9:46 am

    Congratulations on everything, Tina!

  57. #57 Sagan Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 9:56 am

    THAT IS SO EXCITING!!!

    I think I’ll be making a gourmet sandwich like that when I get home from work today… and that’s awesome that you’re in those magazines AND about the IIN! I’m so happy for you Tina. Your life is so full of adventure.

  58. #58 Susan Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 9:59 am

    Where to even begin? All I can say is congrats Tina – your hard work and dedication is paying off! Not only are you totally deserving of all these wonderful things, but you are inspiring others to pursue their dreams too :D

  59. #59 Carolyn Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 10:00 am

    Wow! You have a lot of fantastic stuff going on. Congrats on all of it! :)

  60. #60 Kelly Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 10:13 am

    Congrats on the foodbuzz scholarship. I was bummed not to get it, but also happy to see that you and Shannon from Tri To Cook both got one. Nice to see that people I respect won. I’ll have to live vicariously through you.

  61. #61 Food Makes Fun Fuel Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 10:15 am

    Congratulations, congratulations, and congratulations!

  62. #62 Brooke Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 10:19 am

    Congrats on everything Tina! I was so excited to see you post about the IN program. It is something I looked into a few years back, but couldn’t do it. Now that they have a distance learning program, it might be possible :) ! Thanks for the info! You’re a total inspiration for living out your passion and dreams!

  63. #63 Morgan @ Life After Bagels Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 10:25 am

    woohoo! you got lots of good energy coming your way, and you deserve it Tina

  64. #64 Missy Maintains Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 10:37 am

    Congrats! I am starting IIN in a few months too! Very exciting about the magazines!

  65. #65 Nicole (dishin') Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 10:54 am

    What a great post! You have so much going on in your life right now and it’s all because YOU made it happen. It’s very inspirational. You’re following your passions and it’s fun to be “along for the ride” with you!

  66. #66 Melissa (Melissa Likes To Eat) Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 11:17 am

    WOW!!! Congrats on everything!!!! Remember a few weeks ago how stressed you were about your upcoming decisions…..looks like you made the right ones! :) Now you can sit back, relax and enjoy the ride!

  67. #67 skinnyrunner Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 11:27 am

    congratulations on all your good news! its so inspiring to read about you living your dreams and passions! congrats again.

  68. #68 Lara (Thinspired) Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 11:32 am

    Tina! Congrats on all of this but especially INN! I remember you telling me about how much you wanted to go during our emails about AFPA. So happy for you. Congrats!

  69. #69 Kat (kats daily plate) Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 11:44 am

    Tina, BIG CONGRATS to you for everything! I am so happy for you and wish you all of the best on these endeavors. Of course, I will be reading along!
    Enjoy your last day of work. I’m sure its bittersweet, but you have so much to look forward to!

  70. #70 Lynn (The Actors Diet) Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 12:15 pm

    congrats on everything! so exciting – and you’re gonna love integrative – i have two friends (one is my coblogger, christy) who went there.

  71. #71 Tay Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 12:27 pm

    Wow congrats on all the exciting events!!!

  72. #72 RunToTheFinish Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 12:31 pm

    Yeahhh congrats!! so many wonderful things are coming your way, what an adventure

  73. #73 Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food) Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 12:43 pm

    Congrats on the sponsorship and magazine mention!

  74. #74 Jenna Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 12:48 pm

    wow! such exciting news! have fun at your last day of work :)
    jenna

  75. #75 Whitney @ Lettuce Love Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 12:52 pm

    Congrats, congrats, congrats!

  76. #76 Ellen Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 12:57 pm

    congrats tina! all major accomplishments. the scholarship to IIN has me especially excited for you! can’t wait to hear about it.

  77. #77 emily - eatventures Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 1:03 pm

    Congrats, all around!

  78. #78 Lizzy Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 1:09 pm

    Congrats my Love! this is all such amazing news and i’m so very happy for you! :)

  79. #79 Gabriela Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 1:25 pm

    Congrats on the sponsorship and magazine! Things are really working out for you, it’s sounds great! Have an awesome weekend!

  80. #80 Jess Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 2:51 pm

    so glad you’re going to be doing IIN this year! Me, too – I’m pretty stoked about it :) You’ve got so many great things going on – you deserve it!

  81. #81 brandi Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 3:33 pm

    congrats Tina! I hope we get to meet – I’ll be doing my Nature’s Pride Bread recipe!

  82. #82 Ashley J Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 5:52 pm

    Oh my gosh Tina congratulations!!!
    To get the sponsorships and scholarships, do you enter in contests or something? I’d love to check that out!

  83. #83 Heather McD (Heather Eats Almond Butter) Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 5:58 pm

    Tina,
    Such great news! I am so excited that you are attending the Institute for Integrative Nutrition as I would love to do that program. One of my good friends traveled back and forth from Nashville and complete the program last year. I would love to have her knowledge. Plus, they teach you a lot of marketing/business principals. Good stuff.

    I’m glad you made it home safe and sound, and I’m sure Murphy was super happy to see his mama. :)

  84. #84 Pam Reply to this comment
    on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 9:15 pm

    Tina,
    I signed up for the IIN Distance Learning program this week too!!
    I learned about it because you mentioned IIN in your FAQ page where you made reference to it and the Nutrition and Wellness Consultant course.
    You can get a CEU certification from SUNY Purchase for the IIN Distance Learning, which provides higher accolades since a University backs up the program. It does cost about $400 to get the cert, but I think it’s well worth it. Can’t wait to hear what you think of the program. Congrats!!

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