SHANNON URTNOWSKI
Living Editor
Eleven days have passed — we have officially returned to the doldrums of campus life. Classes started almost two weeks ago, so most students are probably settled into their dorm rooms. That means back to the familiar routine of going from dorm to class, dorm to class, with an occasional Malibu Yo run here and there.
But, the fact of the matter is that we can’t live off of Malibu Yo, despite what our stomachs would like us to believe.
Now, think back to your eating schedule this summer. Think back to the four months you spent at home, sitting around the dinner table with family meal after meal or lounging in front of the television with microwaveable entrees or Costco dinners. Think back to mom’s home-cooked lasagna, dad’s flame-broiled burgers from the grill or even those PB & Js you made for lunch each day.
Whatever you may have consumed this summer — and however much, for that matter — for most of you, it did not come from the Caf or Oasis.
Now, most Pepperdine students know these popular eateries well — they’re the only places to get made-to-order meals on campus.
The HAWC and Cafe Fresca in the CCB are great places to pick up a morning muffin or prepackaged salads, but you can’t very well live off of those, either.
Thus, hungry students flock to lower campus to conquer their appetites and settle their grumbling tummies in the cafeterias in the Tyler Campus Center.
The Caf is definitely the more popular destination.
There are four different entree stations with different grilled items, international selections and home-style dishes. In addition, there is a salad bar and a dessert window. Students can pick up everything from spaghetti to pot roast to even a quick slice of cheesecake. With all these different outlets for food, you would think that students would be able to look forward to the choices that await them each day.
Unfortunately, there never really is anything overly appealing — besides the rare yet delicious bread bowls.
Don’t get me wrong — the staff who run food services try. I mean, how exciting can college cuisine get? But still, there could and should be changes.
For starters, The Grill is a pretty dangerous place if you are trying to stay away from fatty, carb-ridden meals. Burgers, fries, hot dogs and grilled cheeses really start to weigh a person down, if you know what I mean. It really is no surprise that many first-year students gain the “freshman 15,” even with the sizeable hills and steep stairs that make up Pepperdine.
I was there myself once, but I have now resolved to make a change in my life for the better.
This year, I have found myself flocking to the salad and yogurt bar, but that is definitely starting to get old. I try to change it up a little bit once in a while with a tuna on wheat from Oasis, but that is starting to bore me, too.
Pepperdine needs to offer entrees with less sauce and dressing, juice that is fresh squeezed and sugar free, oatmeal on a regular basis and maybe even sell some microwaveable Smart Ones or Lean Cuisines in the freezers for students to purchase.
But the selection (or lack there of) is not my only beef. Have you seen the plate portions lately?
The burger baskets are crammed with battered fries and the pasta bowls are filled to the brim — this is no good unless, perhaps, you are a 300-pound man.
So, be smart when you head to the Caf. Oasis is definitely a good place to check out every once in a while, as it offers fresh deli sandwiches daily that rival those from Subway.
For those who are not big sandwich fans, I advise you learn to tolerate them, at least, because the Caf has shifty hours. It closes between 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. every night.
If you are a late eater or have a night class that goes through dinner hours, get to know Oasis. It’s the only place to get food on campus until 11 p.m., most nights.
So, if you are ever in need of a midnight snack, your best bet is Jack in the Box, which is open 24 hours and located just down the hill.
But, the best advice I can give is learn to eat the right foods, the right amount and at the right time — it really is the right thing to do.
09-07-2006
