Nawlins recap and lots of pictures

I can’t keep track of the days lately and my trip to New Orleans just flew by!  The summer in general is just slipping from my grasp it seems, moving closer and closer to the start of school once again.  I really had a wonderful trip and met some great people.  The conference was really interesting and gave me a new insight into nutrition education that I had never quite thought about before.  Here are all the sessions that I attended:

• Using Technology to Engage Captive and Fleeting Audiences
• Convenience vs. Conviction
• Teaching the World to Fish:  Strategies to Create Global Food Security  
• Deconstructing a Possible Hunger-Obesity Paradox
• Communicating Healthy Options Down the Street and Around the World
• How to Write a Grant and Get Results
• USDA Demonstration Project and Local Wellness Policies

I had never looked in-depth to global food insecurity issues before, so it was pretty interesting.  There were so many great professionals there and it was nice to network and meet some of them.  Here is the poster that we presented at the conference.

 

A little Mardi Gras Fun!

 One morning session we got to try samples from Kashi, yum!

I really liked that cocoa beach flavor on the left.

  

And of course, while a good portion of the time was spent in the conference sessions, there was still some time for play and savoring the amazing food of New Orleans.  I loved all the fresh seafood!  It was to die for.  I think I had more seafood in that week that I’ve had in a long time!  lol

This was at a place called Deannie’s . . . crabcake stuffed flounder

This was at a place called Snug Harbor, which is also where we saw some great jazz . . . salmon with a multigrain pilaf and sauvingon blanc

 

A local favorite . . .

 

I had a shrimp po boy at Mother’s . . . still wanted to try that ham.

 

Had to go to Cafe du Monde to get a beignet with mounds of powdered sugar!

   

Had to try one of Nawlin’s famous Hurricanes, but it’s really sweet!

Also had some crab cakes, but the remoulade sauce was a bit too rich for me.  I also had gumbo (oh man!), BBQ shrimp (so good!) and good ol’ pralines.  Their food is just phenomenal, a little spicy for my tongue, but so good.  I love trying local cuisine, and there was so much more I could have tried!

I didn’t get to see any of the areas that were hard hit by Katrina, but mostly spent time along Decatur St. and Bourbon St. in the French Quarter.  We went to a couple jazz clubs too, which was so much fun.  I really enjoy jazz music.  We went dancing and bar hopping on Bourbon the last night there.  I LOVE dancing, just love it.  I think I could dance all night long.  Well, 3 am came and I was pooped and had a bit too much to drink!  Now I am working on correcting my sleep deprivation for the past 5 days lol  

A view from the hotel . . .

 

Sunny and muggy, but nothing like the Vegas heat.  I actually don’t mind humidity, it makes my skin soft and hair curly :)

 

Jackson Square on the left and famous bourbon st. on the right.  Wow, even being from Vegas, I was surprised by things on this street lol.

And this is my new favorite word :)

I had such a great time!  Now I have to get back to reality and get cookin’.  I’ve missed you all while I’ve been gone.  I’ll be sure to get caught up on all your great blogs asap. 

What is one of your most memorable or most fun trips?