Presentation – 0; Taste – 10

on February 3, 2010
in All Posts

When I was a senior in college, I presented a thesis on the communist methods of censorship in Eastern Europe.  I remember my professor drilling into my head, “Presentation is everything! Presentation is everything!”  Of course, preparation counts, too, but if you get on stage and blow it (this was a thesis competition), you’re done.

 

Sweet Breakfast Burrito presentation FAIL:

IMG_6473

Well, maybe not a FAIL entirely, but the whole wheat pancake base is suppose to roll up (like a burrito!), and the pumpkin yogurt is suppose to be on the inside, not the outwside.

 

You can see how a Sweet Breakfast Burrito (and the recipe) is suppose to look on the Breakfast Recipes page.  :)  I added pecans and coconut to today’s burrito!  My issue with this burrito is that I used a pan that was too small, so in turn, my burrito was too short and couldn’t be rolled.

 

Still – it was DELICIOUS!

IMG_6480

Time to get some writing done!  My current article is on “easy ways to get healthy – or stay healthy – in college.”  Which is going to be a doozy!

 

And HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEGAN!

{ 58 comments }

 

  • Brie (The Fit Bride) February 3, 2010, 9:11 am

    Pecans and coconut are always made of win. NOM.

  • Emily February 3, 2010, 9:11 am

    The presentation of that isn’t a failure! It still looks good!

    If possible, could you hit some high notes on your article for staying healthy in college. I obviously have a college budget but there are some day where I work 8-5 and then class from 6:30-9:30 and I get bored with the same ol’ sandwich and hummus combo. =]

    Also, A few months ago you did a bit in some show for Operation Beautiful – I don’t watch TV a lot so maybe I missed it? What show were you on?? Do you have the clip? I’d love to see it!

    • Caitlin February 3, 2010, 9:12 am

      I will actually re-post all my articles on the blog because I know I have a lot of college readers (they are all tips for being in college!).

      The TV show STILL isn’t out. They are sitting on in, which is so disappointing but thats the way TV works. However, the longer it takes to come out, the better for the book. So, I guess it’s a good thing in the end.

      • Caitlin February 3, 2010, 9:13 am

        Oh and I can’t say what network it was for due to my contract… but its a BIGGIE 🙂

  • Jessica February 3, 2010, 9:17 am

    Caitlin,
    how do you roast your mushrooms? I want to put them on my menu tonight!!!

    • Caitlin February 3, 2010, 9:19 am

      rinse in water, coat in EVOO, salt, and pepper, and roast at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or so. that’s it! soy sauce is another good mix-in to the coating.

      • Jessica February 3, 2010, 9:37 am

        thank you…I am trying your sweet potato and baked beans tonight..and wanted to try the mushrooms too..

      • beth February 3, 2010, 11:11 pm

        actually, mushrooms are never to be rinsed in water. you should rub them with a rag or paper cloth. Wetting them adds more moisture to the already existing water retaining little shroom.

        • Caitlin February 4, 2010, 8:44 am

          i’ve heard that too! I think from Rachel Ray. But I’ve never had an issue with it if I just immediately bake them (I wouldn’t rinse the entire bucket with water and then put it back in the fridge). Maybe that’s why my mushrooms are so plump and moist!

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing February 3, 2010, 9:19 am

    Oh yum.. how have I not tried that yet?! It sounds good.. even if it doesn’t look like you want it too. Presentation is important yes… but if it tastes bad and looks pretty, well who wants to eat it? I’d rather it not be perfectly presented but taste amazing.

    And that is SO exciting about the TV show, I didn’t know about that!

  • Madeline February 3, 2010, 9:20 am

    I can’t wait to read your next article! I just graduated in May, and being healthy in college was extremely difficult. There was plenty of access to healthy foods and the gym, but I found that the peer pressure to be stick-thin was nearly impossible to cope with. Definitely post a link on your blog!

    • Caitlin February 3, 2010, 9:28 am

      it’s interesting you said that because i feel like there was this weird duality in college. on one hand, i felt pressure to be thin, but on the other, i felt pressure to drink TONS of beer and eat lots of cheap pizza. hmm.

      • Madeline February 3, 2010, 9:32 am

        there was definitely cheap pizza, but more beer, liquor, and working out. also, comparing body types and mutually complaining about what my girlfriends and i didn’t like about our bodies, which wasn’t helping anyone.

  • Freya @ foodfitnessandfreya.wordpress.com February 3, 2010, 9:21 am

    Bah I don’t think presentation is that important – long as it tastes good, that’s all that matters! Plus I still think your breakfast looks ace anyway lol 🙂
    Haha I could write that article for you! I’m healthy and in college :P/I’d love to read it and see what tips you have – my housemate could use some!
    Have a good day 🙂

  • Paige (Running Around Normal) February 3, 2010, 9:21 am

    I love sweet breakfast burritos! Still looks good to me 🙂

  • Shannon (The Daily Balance) February 3, 2010, 9:23 am

    i still think this looks awesome! I SEE pumpkin, pecan and coconut — how can it look any better? ah, perhaps if you topped with chocolate 😉

  • kay February 3, 2010, 9:23 am

    that actually looks really pretty!! I say its a perfect presentation!!

    ohh i can’t wait to read your article when its done – im going to college next year and kind of want to avoid the freshman 15.

  • Morgan @ Life After Bagels February 3, 2010, 9:23 am

    Probably the best starting tip for healthy college living – STOP DRINKING BEER. I wish someone had told me that.

  • Jessica @ How Sweet It Is February 3, 2010, 9:24 am

    So many creations I make look like garbage. I actually don’t think this looks too bad!

  • Run Sarah February 3, 2010, 9:28 am

    That still looks delish despite the presentation, yum!!

  • skinnyrunner February 3, 2010, 9:29 am

    oh well. it all looks the same going out….

  • Lauren @ Eater not a runner February 3, 2010, 9:30 am

    Still looks pretty delicious to me!

  • Jenny February 3, 2010, 9:31 am

    Sometimes to be really delicious, things have just gotta be messy 😉

    I bet you have some great tips for being healthy in college! And really, any advice you can give college students is helpful.

  • Jenna @ EatingGreen, StayingLean February 3, 2010, 9:32 am

    Ohhh, I dunno…I’m pretty sure it still looks delicious 🙂

    Also, that’s a GREAT idea…maybe you should even do a series on it because there are so many points you could focus on? Would at least give you some extra posts out of it!

  • Danielle (Coffee Run) February 3, 2010, 9:34 am

    Hey- I think it looks good!

    Good luck on your writing 🙂

  • Cassie @ A Very Busy Mind February 3, 2010, 9:45 am

    This is one of the reasons I love reading food & fitness blogs – the crazy and delicious food! Blogs have made me a firm believer that eating healthy isn’t boring or unsatisfying; in fact, it’s BETTER than how “normal” people eat!

    • Caitlin February 3, 2010, 10:02 am

      i never understand why people say eating healthy is boring or yucky!! i would so rather eat THAT breakfast than a poptart.

  • Nicole, MS, RD, LD February 3, 2010, 9:53 am

    Presentation isn’t everything with food unless you’re selling it…and we trust you 🙂 Looks delicious!

  • Tiffany February 3, 2010, 9:56 am

    Oh, what an awesome idea! Looks like something I’m going to have to make this weekend. The presentation is still wonderful, and you can call it a sweet breakfast “tower” instead. Then the presentation wouldn’t be a zero. No shame in changing what it is after the fact. 🙂

  • Haleigh February 3, 2010, 10:00 am

    I think that the presentation wasn’t a fail, it looks quite good!!

  • Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) February 3, 2010, 10:02 am

    Who cares what it looks like as long as it tastes good! 😀

  • katherine February 3, 2010, 10:07 am

    The burrito looks delicious – just much more fluffy. Ain’t nothin’ wrong with that 😉

  • Jenn @ Livewellfit February 3, 2010, 10:11 am

    Well, that burrito looks delish!! I bet it taste even better!!!

  • Megan February 3, 2010, 10:13 am

    It still looks pretty good! And I’m glad it tasted even better! I can’t wait to read your article! 🙂

  • Dan February 3, 2010, 10:50 am

    I would call it a Sweet Breakfast Pie! HAHA… And I love PIE!

  • Heather (Heather's Dish) February 3, 2010, 10:52 am

    i think that presentation looks wonderful…it made my mouth water just looking at it 🙂

    have fun writing, I know you’ve got some really great advice to give on this subject 🙂

  • Beth @ DiningAndDishing February 3, 2010, 10:54 am

    aw, presentation fails when blogging are always such a bummer. for what it’s worth, it still looks very pretty from my POV! 🙂

  • Matt February 3, 2010, 11:08 am

    As long as it tastes good… That’s what counts!

  • Laura Georgina February 3, 2010, 11:26 am

    It may not have been roll-able, but you get an A+ just for attempting to make anything creative or crazy for breakfast (says a girl who can barely manage to microwave her oatmeal in the morning)!

  • Kloé February 3, 2010, 11:26 am

    Looking forward to reading that article about health and college!

  • Retta @ RunRettaRun February 3, 2010, 11:28 am

    It still looks yummy to me!

  • Erin February 3, 2010, 11:35 am

    In that first picture I think your “burrito” looks like a really yummy cinnamon roll 🙂

  • Katie @ Health for the Whole Self February 3, 2010, 11:42 am

    I say if it tastes yummy, who cares what it looks like 🙂

    I’m excited to read your upcoming article! Eating healthy in college is a real challenge for so many people, so it’s great that you’ll be addressing the issue!

  • Amber K February 3, 2010, 11:48 am

    Still looks yummy to me! A little odd, but I say with food TASTE is everything!

  • Kelly February 3, 2010, 12:19 pm

    Yum! And I think it still looks fantastic!!!

  • Ellen Collis February 3, 2010, 12:52 pm

    It is amazing how presentation can make eating so much more enjoyable, but the taste is all that really matters—sounds yummy! Here’s a little help for your article: Lay off the booze! 😉 (“Drunk eating” was the death of me in college. Hello, Freshman 15!)

    http://www.firednfabulous.blogspot.com/

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) February 3, 2010, 1:15 pm

    My lunch for yesterday was a big mess of yumminess. It just didn’t roll up well but I devoured every bite.

    As a food blog reader I love hearing that something tasted good even if it didn’t look so pretty.

  • amanda@thegrainsofparadise February 3, 2010, 1:20 pm

    Looks pretty great to me! 🙂

  • Michelle @ H.E.R. February 3, 2010, 1:24 pm

    I decided I better start joining the conversation if I ever want a shot at getting my website promoted :). Maybe I’m just hungry, but this looks amazing to me! I love making little breakfast wraps out of WW-pancakes.

  • Heather February 3, 2010, 1:26 pm

    sweet breakfast burritos – BRILLIANCE! going to have to try these out this weekend for sure!

    Speaking of presentation – i made lemon cupcakes last night for a coworkers birhtday today. I spent extra time piping on the frosting in pretty designs to seem “put together and good at stuff.” It snowed this morning and on my way to the car I slipped, causing all my cupcakes to turn upside down. cursing may have taken place as I realized I am NOT put together in any regards and should just give up any attempts to look cooler than I am 😉 as especially at the office.

    • Caitlin February 3, 2010, 1:27 pm

      awww i hate it when that happens! i’ve dropped many cakes. but i bet they still tasted wonderful!

      • Heather February 3, 2010, 2:22 pm

        not at all shocking, the guys in the office didnt actually care v. much about what they looked like. apparently they passed the “taste testing” as well. Score 🙂

  • Elizabeth February 3, 2010, 3:15 pm

    Cool breakfast! I am looking forward to reading your article… I am in college and find myself eating the same thing all the time at the dining hall to try and be healthy. I think any tips would be helpful. 😀

  • MegaNerd February 3, 2010, 4:02 pm

    Thanks for the bday shout out!

    I miss you!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) February 3, 2010, 5:51 pm

    LOL – still a lovely looking pancake!

  • Diana (Mymarblerye) February 3, 2010, 8:06 pm

    Um, your breakfast looks good!! you want a post on UGLY presentation skills? click on my blog. OR better yet…I’ll write a post on “no no”s. hahaha

  • Jenna February 3, 2010, 8:20 pm

    Still looks yummmmy!

  • Erin @ Erin Eats and Exercises February 3, 2010, 8:32 pm

    When I was in high school I took a home economics class and while cooking our teacher would always blab on how “presentation is 75% of your grade!” I still joke about it to this day. Taste is really what matters!

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