Right now (rainy Friday morning right around when the munchies hit and there's a huge muffin in the fridge at work) these look incredibly delicious. Click here to see the original recipe on Jenna Weber's Eat, Live, Run blog.
Friday, May 24, 2013
Coconut Blueberry Muffin Tops
It's almost summer, which means it's finally berry season again! As soon as blueberry prices go down, I'm planning on stocking up and storing as many pints as possible in the fridge and freezer (I apologize in advance, Elandra). Maybe though I'll make some of these yummies on a weekend:
Right now (rainy Friday morning right around when the munchies hit and there's a huge muffin in the fridge at work) these look incredibly delicious. Click here to see the original recipe on Jenna Weber's Eat, Live, Run blog.
Right now (rainy Friday morning right around when the munchies hit and there's a huge muffin in the fridge at work) these look incredibly delicious. Click here to see the original recipe on Jenna Weber's Eat, Live, Run blog.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Take a Break, Jeez!
I go hard. I work a 40 hour a week job, am taking a class and writing a significantly intense final project for it, run a club, exercise 5+ days a week, am an active member of another club, and struggle to find time for doing laundry, hanging out with friends, and cooking. Last week in particular was very stressful, and I'm sure it's not going to get better until I finish this term. I have a race this coming weekend, and my family is moving 6 hours away. This is all manageable, but it really wears a person down after a while.
Shocker: I woke up sick yesterday.
My immediate reaction: It's going to really stink to run this afternoon, and I need to do laundry, and homework, and gee, what about dinner?
As the day went on, I realized none of that was going to happen. My body was clearly telling me what it needed was not another long day, but an easy break-night. So when I got home from work, no, I did not head straight to the gym, but rather, the shower. Cue pjs, a comfy sweatshirt, and hanging out on the couch with a box of tissues and my laptop (ok, so there was still a little homework). I made sure to go to bed early enough that I would get about 8 hours of sleep.
And you know what? Today I feel much better. Allowing myself a night off gave my body time to unwind and start recovering. A good night's sleep was even better. I know it'll be a few days until I'm back to normal, but that doesn't mean I should continue at the same, slightly frantic pace I've been going.
The takeaway is to know your limits. Be comfortable saying "no" when you have too much on your plate. Give yourself a break every now and then. Ask for help when you need it. It's ok to be human.
Shocker: I woke up sick yesterday.
My immediate reaction: It's going to really stink to run this afternoon, and I need to do laundry, and homework, and gee, what about dinner?
As the day went on, I realized none of that was going to happen. My body was clearly telling me what it needed was not another long day, but an easy break-night. So when I got home from work, no, I did not head straight to the gym, but rather, the shower. Cue pjs, a comfy sweatshirt, and hanging out on the couch with a box of tissues and my laptop (ok, so there was still a little homework). I made sure to go to bed early enough that I would get about 8 hours of sleep.
And you know what? Today I feel much better. Allowing myself a night off gave my body time to unwind and start recovering. A good night's sleep was even better. I know it'll be a few days until I'm back to normal, but that doesn't mean I should continue at the same, slightly frantic pace I've been going.
The takeaway is to know your limits. Be comfortable saying "no" when you have too much on your plate. Give yourself a break every now and then. Ask for help when you need it. It's ok to be human.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
A Well Used Mug
I have a new best friend. He's cute, keeps me company all day, holds my hand when I need it.
It's my tea mug.
The graphic is a picture of the simple dog from Hyperbole and a Half. It was given to me a couple of years ago as an awkward Christmas present. When I started work, I knew I would want to drink tea here, and my co-workers all had their own mugs and cups. I picked this one because, since it was an awkward present, I wouldn't feel too too terrible if it broke in transit, but I wanted a mug I liked.
This past week I've consumed more tea than I know what to do with. I went from maybe one cup a day to one cup every single day to two - three cups a day this week. Because I only have black tea here (keep meaning to fix that!), I've been resteeping the same bag or serving of looseleaf. At the end of the day, the poor mug usually gets forgotten in my post work heading out the door. So I come in the next day to a mug, empty, but still with a line of tea around the top from the day before.
I've tried washing it with and without soap, scrubbing with my fingers and paper towels, but it persists. I suspect it's not going away at this point, but that's ok. It's a well loved mug now, and the tea stain is part of its character. I've been thinking about bringing another mug to work, but it would be the same.
It's my tea mug.
This past week I've consumed more tea than I know what to do with. I went from maybe one cup a day to one cup every single day to two - three cups a day this week. Because I only have black tea here (keep meaning to fix that!), I've been resteeping the same bag or serving of looseleaf. At the end of the day, the poor mug usually gets forgotten in my post work heading out the door. So I come in the next day to a mug, empty, but still with a line of tea around the top from the day before.
I've tried washing it with and without soap, scrubbing with my fingers and paper towels, but it persists. I suspect it's not going away at this point, but that's ok. It's a well loved mug now, and the tea stain is part of its character. I've been thinking about bringing another mug to work, but it would be the same.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
How to Be Organized: Part 1
Dorms are small. As in, it's practically a magic trick how we fit 2 of us, 2 beds, desks, chairs, and closets in this space plus our stuff?! Currently, I'm living in a 3 person room. So right now, there's 3 sets of winter clothes, backpacks, jeans, shoes, laptops, you name it living in our room. I also cook (not microwaves, with pots and pans and good old recipes), so I have a large 12 qt pasta pot, mixing bowls, 2 frying pans, 3 saucepots, and tableware. Seeing as my family is in the process of moving 5 hours away and I essentially moved out of my bedroom over winter break, I kinda have a lot of stuff that I don't necessarily needneedneed but didn't want to throw out or put in storage. (Like books. I love books! It could potentially be a problem, as I just got more reference books and brought some "for fun" ones from home).
It was starting to feel a little out of hand, so this afternoon I sat down and cleaned. Starting with the closet, working my way across the room.
The Closet:
Figure out how you look at your clothes. Do you see them as pants, shirts, sweatshirt, underwear, socks? Or do you see them as hanging out clothes, workout clothes, out and about clothes? Use this to your advantage! Don't forget about that drawer of random crap I know you have, clean that out too.
The Desk:
Since I'm working right now and only taking one class, my desk has turned into a table where I drop my stuff when I walk in between work and going to the gym. If this is how you use your desk and you do homework elsewhere, that's fine. Make sure you know where stuff is though (I've lost chargers this way). If you use your desk for doing work, make sure it's clear of clutter. Maybe have a cup of pencils there for you to use, but keeping it as clear as possible will help you work.
The Bed:
Take off the sheets! Quick, go throw them in the washer! When they come out, put them right back on your bed. Tuck the sheet in the bottom, put the blankets on top. Fluff the pillows, yadaya. Your bed is a key part of your space as a college student. It's a clear alternative to the desk, a couch, a landing zone for laundry, movie seating, etc, not to mention the prime storage space underneath. I'm in a top bunk right now, and I can't tell you how nice it is to climb up there at the end of the day. It also means when I get up in the morning that I can't go crawl back into bed for "5 more minutes" after getting up. It works for me, although making my bed is tricky. I also don't have the storage space underneath the bed because I share it with the girl on the bottom.
Whether you're cleaning as a form of procrastination or your mess has made you crazy, make sure to set aside enough time to complete it to your satisfaction. The worst feeling is being in the middle of a room-cleaning mess and realizing you have a paper due in three hours or an exam early the next morning. Think ahead!
It was starting to feel a little out of hand, so this afternoon I sat down and cleaned. Starting with the closet, working my way across the room.
The Closet:
Figure out how you look at your clothes. Do you see them as pants, shirts, sweatshirt, underwear, socks? Or do you see them as hanging out clothes, workout clothes, out and about clothes? Use this to your advantage! Don't forget about that drawer of random crap I know you have, clean that out too.
The Desk:
Since I'm working right now and only taking one class, my desk has turned into a table where I drop my stuff when I walk in between work and going to the gym. If this is how you use your desk and you do homework elsewhere, that's fine. Make sure you know where stuff is though (I've lost chargers this way). If you use your desk for doing work, make sure it's clear of clutter. Maybe have a cup of pencils there for you to use, but keeping it as clear as possible will help you work.
The Bed:
Take off the sheets! Quick, go throw them in the washer! When they come out, put them right back on your bed. Tuck the sheet in the bottom, put the blankets on top. Fluff the pillows, yadaya. Your bed is a key part of your space as a college student. It's a clear alternative to the desk, a couch, a landing zone for laundry, movie seating, etc, not to mention the prime storage space underneath. I'm in a top bunk right now, and I can't tell you how nice it is to climb up there at the end of the day. It also means when I get up in the morning that I can't go crawl back into bed for "5 more minutes" after getting up. It works for me, although making my bed is tricky. I also don't have the storage space underneath the bed because I share it with the girl on the bottom.
Whether you're cleaning as a form of procrastination or your mess has made you crazy, make sure to set aside enough time to complete it to your satisfaction. The worst feeling is being in the middle of a room-cleaning mess and realizing you have a paper due in three hours or an exam early the next morning. Think ahead!
3 Ingredient Healthy Cookies
Found this recipe 2 weeks ago and now I can't stop making them! I think Super A laughs a little bit every time he sees that I got more bananas, but he likes these cookies too. They're delicious served cold, hot, or room temperature.
Ingrediants:
2 bananas
1 cup of oats
Mixins! (chocolate chips, walnuts, raisins)
*cinnamon if desired
Directions:
Mash the bananas in a reasonably sized bowl. Stir in oats (you might need less than 1 cup, you might need more depending how wet it is) and mix ins. Drop spoonfuls (or do what I do and scoop them with your hands) onto a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.
I think I've made 3 or 4 batches since I found the recipe. The really neat thing about these is if you eat a couple, you're really just eating a banana, some oatmeal, and maybe a few chocolate chips. You could do a healthier option and go for raisins (ooh, banana bread cookies!) but then I would really recommend adding the cinnamon. I usually make a double batch using 4 bananas, and that usually requires 2 cookie sheets. They're not as good after the 2nd or 3rd day though, fyi.
Enjoy!
Ingrediants:
2 bananas
1 cup of oats
Mixins! (chocolate chips, walnuts, raisins)
*cinnamon if desired
Directions:
Mash the bananas in a reasonably sized bowl. Stir in oats (you might need less than 1 cup, you might need more depending how wet it is) and mix ins. Drop spoonfuls (or do what I do and scoop them with your hands) onto a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.
I think I've made 3 or 4 batches since I found the recipe. The really neat thing about these is if you eat a couple, you're really just eating a banana, some oatmeal, and maybe a few chocolate chips. You could do a healthier option and go for raisins (ooh, banana bread cookies!) but then I would really recommend adding the cinnamon. I usually make a double batch using 4 bananas, and that usually requires 2 cookie sheets. They're not as good after the 2nd or 3rd day though, fyi.
Enjoy!
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Put Down the Coffee!
and pick up the tea instead!
Many studies have been done involving tea, and it has been proven time and again to be good for you. What's more, tea has many health benefits coffee does not. It has more varieties and flavors (from standard green tea to fruit flavored tea to chamomile and mint to coconut and chocolate) and less caffeine (which means more sleep for you).
Super A got me into drinking tea last year, and I'm glad he did. I found out that I prefer black tea, usually flavored in with fruit or vanilla. Cinnamon Apple is another really yummy one, and it emits this delicious smell perfect for rainy days. Then there's a loose leaf tea called Urbane Cookie that is a mix of rooibos and black tea with cacao nibs, coconut, and apple pieces in it. I'm enjoying it immensely, but I'm excited to finish off the teas I do have and try more yummy flavors!
(Infographic borrowed from Greatist - link to article at bottom of page.)
http://greatist.com/health/how-to-brew-perfect-cup-tea
Many studies have been done involving tea, and it has been proven time and again to be good for you. What's more, tea has many health benefits coffee does not. It has more varieties and flavors (from standard green tea to fruit flavored tea to chamomile and mint to coconut and chocolate) and less caffeine (which means more sleep for you).
Super A got me into drinking tea last year, and I'm glad he did. I found out that I prefer black tea, usually flavored in with fruit or vanilla. Cinnamon Apple is another really yummy one, and it emits this delicious smell perfect for rainy days. Then there's a loose leaf tea called Urbane Cookie that is a mix of rooibos and black tea with cacao nibs, coconut, and apple pieces in it. I'm enjoying it immensely, but I'm excited to finish off the teas I do have and try more yummy flavors!
(Infographic borrowed from Greatist - link to article at bottom of page.)
http://greatist.com/health/how-to-brew-perfect-cup-tea
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Apples: A College Student's Ideal Snack
Recently I've been looking into eating more healthy foods and whole foods (because I started training for triathlons and running races). Part of this is due to being crazy hungry a lot of the time, so instead of reaching for Cheese-Its or Animal Crackers, I want to grab something that is actually going to fill me up.
Apples are a solid, healthy choice. First of all, they're a fruit. There's a variety of "species" of apples, from tart Granny Smith to the ever-popular Fuji, to my current favorite, the Braeburn. It's kinda tart and kinda sweet, so it's a nice balance.
Second of all, they're cheap. I can get Granny Smith, Red Delicious, and possibly Fuji apples from my campus dining hall, but at the store (Trader Joe's is my closest grocery), I can get nicer, larger, apples for $.70 apiece. Cheaper (and healthier) than a 100-calorie pack from a vending machine!
Third of all, they're less than 100 calories and have a good amount of fiber. The sugar in them is natural sugar, not the corn syrup and long and hard to pronounce "ose"s listed on packaged food, so it's good when you're craving something sweet.
Fourth, you can do so many different things with apples!
Apples and PB (or yogurt)
Plain ol' Apple Slices (cut in quarters and remove core)
"Baked" Apple Slices (cut into thin slices and core, place in microwave safe bowl, heat for ~3 minutes, add seasoning as desired)
Homemade Applesauce (15 minute version)
Apple Pie Replacement
Apple Oatmeal Cookies
Do you have any favorite apple-based snacks?
Apples are a solid, healthy choice. First of all, they're a fruit. There's a variety of "species" of apples, from tart Granny Smith to the ever-popular Fuji, to my current favorite, the Braeburn. It's kinda tart and kinda sweet, so it's a nice balance.
Second of all, they're cheap. I can get Granny Smith, Red Delicious, and possibly Fuji apples from my campus dining hall, but at the store (Trader Joe's is my closest grocery), I can get nicer, larger, apples for $.70 apiece. Cheaper (and healthier) than a 100-calorie pack from a vending machine!
Third of all, they're less than 100 calories and have a good amount of fiber. The sugar in them is natural sugar, not the corn syrup and long and hard to pronounce "ose"s listed on packaged food, so it's good when you're craving something sweet.
Fourth, you can do so many different things with apples!
Apples and PB (or yogurt)
Plain ol' Apple Slices (cut in quarters and remove core)
"Baked" Apple Slices (cut into thin slices and core, place in microwave safe bowl, heat for ~3 minutes, add seasoning as desired)
Homemade Applesauce (15 minute version)
Apple Pie Replacement
Apple Oatmeal Cookies
Do you have any favorite apple-based snacks?
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