Post-graduation life and the RD Exam

Things have been coming together since returning from my summer travels.  Last month I resumed a job (different position) at the Brandeis "Smart Balance" lab, working for Dr. Hayes again.  After so many years, this is my first full-time job!  Better late than never!  

It was strange at first being back in the cramped little lab after a 4 year separation, but I have been able to jump back in fairly smoothly.  Unfortunately I don't think the job will last more than a year or two, but for now it is fun being involved in nutrition research again.  So far I love the people I work with and I love spending the day on a college campus, especially one that is less than a mile down the road.  I can walk there in 15 minutes, allowing me time in the morning to exercise, and letting the car rest in our driveway all week long.  Also, I feel relieved to not have to spend evenings and weekends picking away at assignments, and the work I do during the day actually provides a paycheck.  People say the working world is not as fun as being a student, but for the moment I am enjoying this lifestyle improvement!!      

Other big news is that yesterday I finally took the RD Exam.  It was a bit harder than I was expecting but I passed!  It feels WONDERFUL to have that behind me and to have the RD credential after 4 years of work.  Now I just have to worry about paying dues and earning the required continuing education credits.  Could be worse ;o)

Puffballs, fresh from the forest

It looks like it is going to be another great year for mushrooms in Prospect Hill!  Seth and I already noticed an early bird Chicken of the Woods a couple weeks ago but unfortunately it dried up before we decided to cut it and enjoy its meaty goodness.  Luckily,  however, Seth spotted other potentially edible mushrooms called puffballs.  Despite the very cute name, young puffballs may be mistaken for two deadly mushrooms, the first called the destroying angel and the other the death cap.  You don't want to make a rookie forager mistake! 

Puffballs!!  They look like someone left white grapefruits in the woods, don't they?

Cutting open the mushroom helps to confirm the identity.

Puffballs indeed are light and puffy, like styrofoam.

 

A little scary but we survived!  Puffballs have a surprisingly pungent, earthy, mushroomy flavor.  Similar to chicken of the woods, they are kinda delicious and kinda gross at the same time.