Hello! 
Sorry for the lack of a mid-day post. Lunch wasn’t anything special, and I spent all morning working on my book. Neither of which were very exciting to blog about.
After lunch, I headed over to Cambridge to attend an event called “For the Health of It,” which was a seminar and Yukon River Salmon tasting, sponsored by Oldways.
Oldways is a Boston-based, non-profit organization that “promotes healthy eating based upon regional diet pyramids.” Food enthusiast and advocate K. Dun Gifford started Oldways to combat the rising prevalence of “pseudo foods” on the market and the chronic diseases related to poor eating habits. I can’t wait to learn more about this wonderful organization.
“For the Health of It” was held at the fancy-schmancy Harvard Faculty Club.
The event celebrated the unique health benefits of Yukon River salmon, and we heard from one of the world’s leading experts on omega-3s, Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian from the Harvard School of Public Health. We also got to meet a couple of the Yupik fishing families, whose traditions date back 10,000 years.
The event started with some mingling and a wonderful spread of smoked salmon appetizers.
I dug right in and tried a bite of everything, but I was so busy chatting away, I never snapped a photo. It actually never crossed my mind! 
After enjoying the smoked salmon, I grabbed a cup of coffee for a little afternoon pick-me-up.
Harvard has some tasty coffee!
The main event kicked-off with a fascinating lecture from Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, DrPH about what consumers need to know about seafood, omega-3′s, and health. Dr. Mozaffarian said a lot of interesting things, including:
- Eating 1-2 servings of fish per week significantly reduces your risk of coronary heart disease
- Salmon has the highest omega-3 content of seafoods; it has 5.2 g compared to 0.3 g in canned tuna (per 100g serving)
- Omega-3′s are extremely beneficial to the brain development of infants
- One should avoid shark, swordfish, tilefish, and king mackerel since they have high levels of mercury
Next, we heard from Jack Schultheis, the Kwik’pak Fisheries General Manager. He explained that the company was formed to protect the fishery and its market to help benefit the community and its fisherman.
Then, we enjoyed a live cooking demonstration from Jeff Tanner and Pete Doire of Legal Sea Foods. They prepared two salmon recipes on-site: Brown Bag Salmon and Salmon Ceviche– each of which will likely appear on the blog in the next few weeks. 
And, finally, we heard from Ellen and Humphrey Keyes and Matilda Oktoyuk about the traditional way of life in Emmonak, Alaska. They talked about their experiences with fishing and subsistence.
After the main program, we enjoyed a reception (complete with champagne) and another salmon tasting.
Bubbly on Friday afternoon? Yes, please!
This time, we tasted the Yukon River Salmon, which was paired with a number of dipping sauces.
I loaded my piece of salmon with Mango Cilantro Salsa.
Delicious!
After the event, I met Mal at the Grendel’s Den for dinner.
As soon as I sat down at the table, I ordered a Dead Guy beer.
It totally hit the spot! I forgot how much I liked this beer! And, the best part: our server is a reader of CNC and hooked us up with a couple of complimentary beers! Thanks, Laurie!
Yay for Friday!
For dinner, I had the Alu Chole, which was a homestyle Indian stew of curried potato and chickpeas with pita bread on the side. It was so tasty and very filling. Good pick! 
Mal and I didn’t want “date night” to end, so we headed over to Grafton Street in search of Bourbon County. We heard a rumor they had it on tap.
And, the rumor was true!!! Mal and I shared a glass of Bourbon County and continued to enjoy our evening together.
On our commute home from Harvard Square, Mal got a craving for ice cream. I’m not one to object to a craving like that, so we stopped at the grocery store, where Edys was on sale 3 for $6.
We really didn’t need 3 quarts of ice cream, but it’s not like ice cream goes bad, right?
I have a feeling this ice cream is going to be trouble. 
I had 2 bowls when I got home. Oh, boy! 
My bed is calling my name. Another busy weekend is ahead!
Good night!
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Yummmm I totally have the hugest craving for mint chocolate chip ice cream now.
I love salmon and I really try to incorporate a lot of fish into my diet.
Your day sounds awesome girl!!! You are so lucky to get to go to things like that
I saw on Twitter about the waitress, how VERY cool!
I’ve had that mint ice cream before. It’s pretty much incredible. Mint chip combined with cookies and creme. I think it lasted four days between me and the boy.
Oh, how coincidental! I’m not one for ice cream at ALL, yet I polished off half a container of Tempt Coffee Biscotti (non-dairy) ice cream tonight. It’s sooo very good.
Wow, a salmon tasting? How awesome! Sounds like you learned a lot of good info. I am looking forward to you sharing a salmon recipe or two in the next couple weeks!
I could have scarfed down that entire plate of smoked salmon! What a reception–and I love those Harvard buildings. Ya gotta stock up on ice cream when it’s on sale…you just GOTTA
That is a great buy for Edy’s! I totally would’ve snagged them up too!!!
The salmon looks so delicious. One of my favorite meals for sure! You just can’t go wrong with a good ole piece of salmon!!
Oh dear..this is making me crave many bad things….but i must resist until the end of lent!!! Counting down the days
Oh my gaaaaawd I love Grendels den. You know their entire menu is half-priced during certain evening hours?
Oh, and I love Edy’s too. You lucky girl.
I love me some champagne as well! Champagne, salmon, AND ice cream!? I’m jealous!
What a fun day! Growing up in the Northwest, I am a huge seafood brat and Salmon is my absolute favorite. Salmon + Champagne = lovely
Ha, I just got back from Grendel’s Den… and Adam started with your beer as well. We must have been on the same wave length tonight
Grafton St has the best grilled cheese I’ve ever had! I need to go back there!!!
What a great day…salmon with mango cilantro salsa sounds like the perfect combination!
What fancy seminar, but looks like it was fun and informative.
What a fascinating event! I absolutely adore salmon, it’s probably my second favorite food next to bread.
Love the presentations and spreads.
Aaah, Edy’s why do you have to be so delicious and affordable? I love their Girl Scout editions. Swoooooooon.
Jenn
I know you posted lots of delicious food in this post, but I’m still stuck on the ice cream. Peanut butter cup. Mmmmm…..
I love salmon. Good thing it’s healthy
I love bagel and lox!
That presentation looked so nice and fancy. Well it is harvard after all. Haha.
that’s so funny, that’s exactly why i can’t keep ice cream in the house! what a fun tasting…i’d love to have a little salmon excursion soon
Whoa, what a fun night!!! Mmmmmm ice cream! Why am I eating yogurt right now? Ice cream sounds a little better
Wooo…that was a long one ; ) Great ice cream picks! If they were in my freezer, they would be triple trouble!
the last time i “had” to buy a few gallons of ice cream it was gone surprisingly fast!
Tina,
i really enjoy your blog and think you have a great approach to healthy living. However, I think the fact that you complain about your book ALL THE TIME is a turn off to buying it. Personally, I would not want to buy a book that someone was not excited to write. If you want to write a book, then do it. If not, then do what makes you happy. Isn’t that why you quit your full-time job in the first place? Sorry if this sounds harsh, but it really seems like you have never said one positive thing about writing a book. Just my 2 cents.
what a great looking day! That building is stunning
:O I have food jealousy! Salmon is one of my all-time favourite foods! For my birthday last year, my gran bought me a kg of smoked salmon
Gosh what an awesome day you must have had!! I’m very jealous 
I unfortunately agree with Lindsey. I LOVE your blog, but it seems like there are millions of people who would do anything for the opportunity to write a book, yet you seem to resent it, and I agree, have never said anything positive. It doesn’t seem like it brings you much joy, which is a shame considering you get so many opportunities with blogging that you do seem to love, which is how it should be. Maybe you could explain to your readers a little about your book? What you find difficult, enjoyable, etc?
Edy’s espresso chip is one of my favorite ice cream flavors of all time!
I kind of disagree with the comments above about your book. You have mentioned on the blog before that you are so happy to have this opportunity to write a book, but that you are simply doing A LOT while also trying to write a book. The other bloggers that are also writing books (that I read anyway) have basically had no job or VERY limited hours while trying to write (not that I am saying they are slackers, that’s probably how it should be realistically). I know you work part time, but I think all your jobs together probably aren’t part time any more AND you are trying to write a book! It’s kind of like people who are in college and working full time. They appreciate the opportunity to be in school and learn/further their career but it’s a lot of work so they probably complain about it! Writing a book is something I have always wanted to do, but reading more about the ins and outs of it makes me realize it’s not just you sit down one day, bust out a book and then it’s a success- it takes a lot of hard work and a lot of sacrifice to finish a book. I think that makes me want to read them more. Just my opinion.
Oh and ALSO I am in love with Edy’s ice cream. I kinda wish I never knew it was on sale at Stop and Shop. I may have to ask my fiance if we can shop somewhere else this weekend. If I buy 3 things of it I’ll be in serious trouble haha.
@lindsay: @Danni: I think Kelly’s comment above explains things the best. I am working 50+ hours and trying to write a book at the same time. It’s just a lot to deal with all at once. (I didn’t quit my full-time job to write the book. The deal happened later.) Writing a book is an amazing opportunity and, like I’ve mentioned on the blog in the past, I am very grateful for it.
Thanks for the reply. I totally did NOT mean my comment to sound negative or critical, I was just genuinely curious about how you’re feeling about writing a book! I admire your dedication to all of your projects, and I read your blog every single day (from all the way across the world
) and have read along as you had 4:30am wake up calls to write. It’s definitely clear that you are the only book-writing-blogger with a traditional job as well, and so I’m totally not ignoring that! I think maybe sometimes it just comes across like you are more sressed than excited about the book. I know you’ve written about being a pessimist before, which I am too, so maybe that’s got something to do with it? It’s hard to appreciate the positives when you are so overwhelmed, which we all experience! Would you consider a post, or even just talking about how you feel about the book, emotionally? Just like, what has been the hardest thing and what’s been surprising, etc. I understand that it must be difficult to be under stress when you just want to enjoy a project. I admire your work ethic and I hope comment didnt sound mean 
Hey girl, I’d love to hear some things about the book too. It doesn’t sound like it brings you any joy at all. I’m interested because I think writing is one of the most difficult and misunderstood professions. I’d be interested to hear about the ups and downs and the work that actually goes into writing a book. I think you’re doing the best you can and I don’t think the people above meant to be negative at all. It’s very hard to tell tone of voice in a one inch comment section.
That being said, I was at Grendel’s last night and I see myself in your pic! I’m famous!!!
What a fantastic event! I absolutely loooove salmon
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What a post!
I love it when date night doesn’t end, and when it does, the ending includes ice cream.
Harvard Faculty Club! Looks like it was a fun event
I like Dead Guy Beer too. Yay for good beer.
That salmon tasting looks AMAZING! What an afternoon!!
Seems like such a fun time. And buying 3 Edy’s containers because they are on sale is totoally something my husband and I would do… and I’m even lactose intolerant!
What a great afternoon and evening! Love the ice cream. Sometimes two bowls is better than one. Actually, it’s always better than one!
Espresso chip? I haven’t seen that flavor yet but it looks soooo good!
What a neat event! I had Tilapia, Shrimp, and crab last night so maybe some Omega 3s snuck in?? ;> I’ve had that pb cup ice cream before too…soo good!
I like the sounds of that non-profit. Sounds like you had a fun-filled day/night! Three cartons of ice cream would definitely spell trouble in my home!
about writing……just my 2 cents….i LOVE writing. i am writing a book now (and working as well), so i have related to your whole process–the 4:30 wake-up calls, etc. the thing about writing at least for me is that the process itself can be so frustrating and overwhelming, etc. sometimes in the midst of a 3-hour writing session i am ready to just say screw it. and if i had a blog, some of those sentiments would inevitably make its way on it. since i don’t, my boyfriend gets to hear my struggles, just as a person always shares their work struggles with their significant other. yet, as i said, writing is truly what i think i what to do for the rest of my life. there’s something about it that keeps me coming back. and writing (in various forms) obviously is and will continue to be a huge part of your life (the blog, articles, the books, etc.). basically, i’m just saying that i understand. and in some ways i appreciate you not trying to be “polly positive” all the time, although i’m sure you feel the pressure to be that way on the blog. thanks for all you do.
Looks like a very fun, interesting day! Dead Guy beer YUM! OOOHH all that ice cream WAY too much temptation…..unfortunetly if it’s in the house it’s mine!
what fabulous spread of goodies for you. BTW I read your tweets. so cool getting recognized all over town. BTW I’m on vacation right now and this whole week has been COOKIE week for me and not cookie friday! eeehhhhh
Tina, I’m a Harvard student who reads your blog ALL the time — let me know next time you’re going to be in the area!! I would love to meet you. — Nell
What an awesome night Tina! Happy Saturday to you, Mal and Murphy!
That spread of salmon looks so amazing! Salmon is my favorite variety of fish, because ut’s so flavorful, versatile, and has so many benefits to eating it.
Those three tubs of ice cream would get me in soooooo much trouble.
But your event looks great and I love the info.
we were out at Kroger, a local chain grocery store looking for Edy’s Peanut Butter and the last container looks damaged so we didn;t buy it
Love ice cream!!! I also love Dead Guy beer. It’s so good!
PLEASE please please could you post the recipe for Brown Bag Salmon NOW??
I tried to google it, and got your blog HA! So that was kind of a dead end!
It sounds so wonderful, I just need to make it ASAP!
(thank you!)
oooo champagne, salmon & ice cream…yum!
That ice cream looks so good (especially espresso chip–didnt even know they had that). There is always a reason to buy ice cream!
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