Frequently Asked Questions
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I want to become a Registered Dietitian, but I have an unrelated bachelors degree like you and will need to start from scratch. Help! Where do I start?
- Check out my page all about How to Become a Registered Dietitian. It explains the process, step-by-step, and is especially helpful if you’re applying coming from an unrelated field.
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What kind of camera and lenses do you have?
- I have a DSLR — the Canon Rebel T3i. I have the standard lens that came with the camera, which is great for travel and everyday pictures, and I also have a macro lens — the 60 mm f/2.8 macro lens. It’s amazing for super close up food photography, and is what I usually use anytime I post a recipe or a meal we made at home.
- I also have a point-and-shoot camera that I bring with me on runs, bike rides, etc., and sometimes when I travel, too. It’s awesome, very durable, and takes great photos, even in low lighting: Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS 12.1 MP Digital Camera.
- Finally, I also have a waterproof camera: the Kodak EasyShare Sport C123 12 MP Waterproof Digital Camera! It’s great for mud runs and anything active involving water, like kayaking!
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Speaking of cameras — do you have any tips for taking better pictures?
Ask and you shall receive! Back in 2010, I wrote a post about how to take better photos using a point and shoot. For more help (including details for cell phone cameras, point and shoots, and DSLRs), check out the series of guest posts below!
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What are your favorite restaurants in the Washington D.C. area?
- In D.C.:
- Sea Catch (Georgetown, upscale seafood)
- Sweetgreen (Various locations in DC, VA, & MD, casual lunch salads and the best frozen yogurt ever — review post here, and here)
- Java Green (Midtown, vegetarian/vegan lunch — review post here, and here, and here)
- Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe (Dupont — American food & a hipster bar/bookstore)
- Teaism (Midtown, tea shop & cafe, vegetarian friendly — review post here)
- In VA:
- Aladdin’s Eatery (Shirlington, casual Lebanese — review post here, and here)
- Sawatdee (Courthouse, Thai food — review post here — the summer rolls are the BEST)
- Faccia Luna (Clarendon, pizza/Italian)
- Koi Koi (Falls Church, sushi — review post here, and here)
- Boulevard Woodgrill (Clarendon, American food — review post here)
- Sunflower Vegetarian Restaurant (Falls Church, vegetarian/vegan — review post here, and here)
- Northside Social (Clarendon, wine bar & cafe — review post here)
- Liberty Tavern (Clarendon, bar/restaurant, American food — review post here)
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What are your favorite running/biking/hiking trails in the Washington D.C. area?
- My favorites for running and biking are the C&O Canal (stretches from Georgetown up to MD — check out my “Ode to the C&O Canal” post here) and the Mt. Vernon Trail (along the Potomac River on the VA side from Mt. Vernon up to Roosevelt Island).
- For hiking near DC, I love the Billy Goat Trail (the MD side of Great Falls Park — we hiked it for Matt’s birthday one year).
- If you’re willing to go a bit farther for hiking, Shenandoah National Park is my absolute favorite and only a couple hours drive from DC. Favorite trails to hike in Shenandoah are Old Rag Mountain (very strenuous 5 to 6 hour hike with lots of rock scrambling but super fun and gorgeous views) and White Oak Canyon Trail (about 4 hours hiking — lots of fun waterfalls — check out this post for more).
- Another great hike about 2 hours from D.C. in Luray, VA is a loop that includes Duncan Knob and Strickler Knob (strenuous and about 10 miles/7 hours — see my post about it here!)
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Any recommendations for what to do while visiting DC?
My recommendation would be to walk around the whole city and sightsee! DC is very walkable. Here are some of my favorite DC-related sightseeing/photography posts to give you some ideas:
- Washington Photo Safari
- Photo Journey of a Beautiful Weekend in D.C.
- D.C. Victory Lap
- I = Best D.C. Tour Guide Ever
- A Beautiful Weekend to be in D.C.
- Biking the Potomac
- A Beautiful Day to be Free
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What are your favorite restaurants in the Chapel Hill, NC area?
- Weaver Street Market (Carrboro co-op grocery store with a salad bar/hot bar — like Whole Foods — great for lunch or a quick healthy dinner)
- Sandwhich (Chapel Hill, best sandwich place ever & wine/beer — review post here, and here)
- Elaine’s on Franklin (Chapel Hill, upscale/trendy American — this place is a bit pricey, but insanely delicious. Highly recommended!)
- Mt Fuji (Durham, Asian/sushi)
- Maple View Farm (Hillsborough — the best ice cream on earth. Go to their country store and sit in the rocking chairs!)
- Guglhupf Bakery (Durham, bakery & cafe — great brunch as well as dinner — review post here, and here)
- Butternut Squash (Chapel Hill, vegetarian/vegan — review post here)
- Foster’s Market (Chapel Hill & Durham, coffee shop & cafe — awesome biscuits — review post here)
- Jessee’s Coffee & Bar (Chapel Hill, coffee shop & cafe — great brunch — review post here)
- Vimala’s Curryblossom Cafe (Chapel Hill, Indian, local/organic/vegetarian friendly — review post here)
- The Spotted Dog (Carrboro, American, vegetarian/vegan friendly — review post here)
- Il Palio (Chapel Hill, in the Siena Hotel, upscale Italian. Matt and I went here for Valentine’s Day!)
- Mellow Mushroom (Durham, sandwiches/pizza)
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What are your favorite running/biking/hiking trails in the Chapel Hill area?
- For running, I love the American Tobacco Trail in Durham, and the Carolina North Forest (also great for mountain biking).
- For biking, I love parking at Maple View Farm (hello, after bike ride ice cream treat!) and taking bike rides from there on the roads around farm country. If biking on roads isn’t your thing, I wouldn’t bike here, but traffic is generally very light and cars are pretty aware of bikers since it’s a popular area to bike.
- For hiking, I love Eno River State Park (posts about it here and here) and the New Hope Trail (post about it here).
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What are your favorite products?
- Pretty much everything in this fANNEtastic holiday gift guide post!
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Why are you so awesome?
- Juuuuuust kidding.
I am so bummed I didn’t do any hiking when I was in the DC area. Now I must plan a visit…
Hey, now. Where’s the answer to my question, dangit?
Haha next up on the blog: “How to become awesome”
Interesting that you use the 50mm for travel and everyday. I find the range too close and I want to zoom out. Also, now I want to go back to dc to try what you recommend! But glad I did some of the things last weekend and have the same touristy photos!
Yeah the lack of zoom is super annoying but I love that it takes great indoor pictures and isn’t heavy!
I love this page. Hillsborough, any relation to Hillsborough Farm bacon etc.
Um, hi, Anne, I have a personal question for you. Could you elaborate on the “Why are you so awesome” section? I’d like to know more!
Because I’m friends with you! Duh
Shouldn’t we be asking why you’re so fantastic?
Ha – good point! Although, it should be spelled fANNEtastic
Right-what was I thinking? I had to “brand” a program for a project in my community roatation. I’m thinking you have the perfect name and adjective for a good brand/identity should you have a similar project.
Substitute for rice syrup?
Depends on the recipe, but you can try maple syrup or honey. If it’s in my no bake bars, you really need to use the rice syrup though or else they won’t be sticky enough to stay together!