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Healthy and Cheap College Food Essentials

Eating Healthy in College on a Budget

Eating Healthy in College on a Budget

It can be extremely difficult to eat healthy in college, so I’ve pulled together some of my favorite tips to share to make the process easier!

All of the items you see below were under $150 and can fit in my dorm shelf and mini fridge. I promise, eating healthy in college (even living in the dorms) is possible. I’m super busy all the time with two jobs, an internship, this blog, sorority life, and a full class schedule. If I can do it, you can do it!

Smoothie ingredients

Smoothie ingredientsMake a healthy snack or meal replacement with a quick and easy smoothie. Use almond milk for protein, frozen berries, a whole banana, a spoonful of almond butter, and a handful of spinach. I promise, you won’t taste the spinach AT ALL! It’s the easiest way to get a healthy serving of fruits and veggies.

Healthy snacks

Snack idea

I love tuna and crackers for a quick, protein-packed, snack!

Snack idea

Take these to-go packs of ranch and a Ziploc baggie of carrots when you’re on the run. It’s so easy to take these in the car, on the way to class, or for your lunch at work.

Snack

I always crave fresh fruit while I’m at college. Unfortunately, most dining halls do a terrible job at providing fresh fruits or veggies. Berries go bad pretty quickly, but I’ve found grapes to last a little longer. They’re also easy to just throw in a Ziploc bag and take with you – no slicing necessary.

Two go-to lunch/dinner options

Lunch/dinner

You can make little roll-up sandwiches super quickly by spreading on some cream cheese, layering on turkey and spinach, and then rolling it all up. I take these in little bags for my lunch at work. They’re filling and delicious.

Lunch/dinner

I’m not vegan, but I am obsessed with these vegan chicken patties. They are SO good! They taste like chicken nuggets while still being healthy somehow. I have a huge stash of about four of these boxes in my freezer because I eat them so much. I love throwing a patty and some instant brown rice into a Tupperware for lunch at work. You can just put it in the microwave for a minute and everything is hot and ready to eat!

At least one breakfast option

Breakfast

I honestly cannot stress the importance of breakfast enough. Especially for college-aged kids – we need fuel in the morning. So many of us are running off to class and then work and then other clubs/activities and then finally working on homework. Since we can’t always rely on being well-rested in the mornings, our bodies crave fuel. Make sure you have one breakfast staple on hand. I like having yogurt with some protein-packed cereal – you can easily plop some into a paper bowl and take it on the go if you need. EAT BREAKFAST! Your body will thank you.

Super quick microwave meals

Microwave

Yeah, I know. This isn’t ideal. However, eating something is much better than eating nothing. We all know that Easy Mac and Cup-O-Noodles isn’t the best choice for our bodies. I’ve found Annie’s organic mac n’ cheese and Barilla’s pastas to be the best alternatives. Sometimes, we are just too tired to even think about making ourselves something healthier. Trust me, the idea of just heating something up always sounds appealing. Just make sure when you do eat these quick, microwavable meals that it’s not all the time and they’re not completely terrible for you.

 

One thing you can make that feels like a “real” meal

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Cooking in the dorms is virtually impossible. However, I have found there are a few creative ways that you can whip together something that resembles a “real” home-cooked meal. I use a hot pot (like this one) to boil water. Once the water is boiled, I add in quinoa and olive oil. Quinoa is so versatile, but I love putting lime juice, corn, black beans, tomato, and avocado in it. A light and healthy meal, it doesn’t take that much time to make but let’s you feel like you’re actually cooking. I usually make a medium sized batch of this and put it in containers for lunches for the rest of the week. To hear more about the recipe, check out my other post here.

 

Your favorite goodies

Goodies

Yep, you’re allowed to pig-out every once in a while. Having some of your favorite goodies on hand allows you to feel comfortable and like you’re not completely depriving yourself. I really think it’s important to have some of your favorite things nearby especially if you’re feeling down or homesick.

A few more tips:
  • Pack snacks in Ziploc bags for portion control
  • Never eat in bed
  • Don’t eat while watching TV or when you’re bored
  • Put smoothie ingredients in Ziplocs and store them in the freezer – the fresh spinach and fruits will last much longer
  • Almond milk can be stored on your shelf until you open it. After that, put it in your fridge
  • Drink green tea in the morning. Put lemon and Stevia in it
  • Drink water!
  • Don’t drink energy drinks
  • Brush your teeth right after dinner. You’ll be less tempted to late-night snack once your teeth are clean

 

Was this helpful for you? What are your go-to healthy college foods?
9 Comments
April 5, 2014 by
Lifestyle

Make A Dream Board

The New Year is the best time to set new goals! Most people have difficulty following through with their goals, but one great way to stay on track is to create a “dream board.” Even Oprah swears by it! Essentially, a dream board is a collection of pictures, words, and phrases that will inspire you and remind you daily of your objectives! I was shocked that only a few short months after creating one for myself, I had accomplished over half of the goals I set. Images are so powerful and it’s a great feeling to use them in such a positive way!

 Dream Board
Dream board pictures
Want to make your own dream board? Follow the steps below!
  1. Set your goals – Do you want to land a job or internship? Improve your health or fitness? Learn a new language? Want to save money for that Michael Kors bag you’ve been crushing on forever? Make your goals specific and realistic – don’t try to lose 20 pounds in a month, you’ll drive yourself crazy!
  2. Find compelling images – use magazines, Google images, favorite celebrities,       inspirational quotes, etc.
  3. Make a cute collage including all of the pictures you find on a big poster board.
  4. Hang it somewhere you look everyday – think subliminal messaging!
  5. Go conquer the world!
 It can be overwhelming to decide which goals to focus on. Here are some of the ones I chose for my dream board:

  • Take more pictures with a REAL camera and print them out
  • Write more letters
  • Read five books
  • Save $1,000
  • Work out at least 4 times a week
  • Get three A’s spring semester
  • Drink more green smoothies
  • Give more compliments
It’s so simple and rewarding. You’ll be thanking yourself for the daily reminder – it will motivate you to actively work towards your goals. Once you’ve accomplished all of them, save the board as a memento and start a new one!
Dream board

More digitally inclined? Check out Oprah’s online dream board creator: http://www.oprah.com/spirit/O-Dream-Board-Envision-Your-Best-LifeTM
1 Comment
February 6, 2014 by
Beauty

Makeup Review: Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Lip Balm Stain

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“I want to write a love letter to these”

That was what I told my roommate when I came back from Target with every color they had available of the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Lip Balm Stains. There are actually a lot more colors than pictured above, but these were the only ones available at the store near me.

I have been on a quest for as long as I can remember to find the perfect lip stain. I never wear lipstick because I don’t have the kind of money you need to invest in one that is long lasting, non-smudgy, and highly pigmented. So I have spent hours scouring the shelves of drug stores to find the perfect stain. Stains are fantastic because they go on extremely thin and actually really do stain your lips. They’re the definition of long lasting.

Now, I’ve tried a lot of stains. So many of them are too thin. The lighter colors show up translucent and are completely ineffective. The dark colors tend to turn the skin around your lips a darker color – making your makeup look smudged and messy. On a whim, I picked up the 025 Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Lip Balm Stain because I wanted a hot pink lip. I tried it at home and was astonished – the color was so pigmented and bold! I fell in love. I wore it all day to work, through my night class, and every meal. I left the dorm at 9am and returned at 10pm. The stain was STILL there! Not only was it still there, but it was the same hue, texture, and color. I was beyond thrilled. When I went to take off my makeup, I literally scrubbed my lips for several minutes because the stain was that strong. I will say that the only difference between 9am and 10pm was that the look was much more matte and not a gloss anymore (which I like better anyways). If you want to keep the glossy look throughout the day, I would just dab on a bit more stain to the lips to freshen it up occasionally. But besides that, there’s no need to touch it up at all.

I was a little weary about buying the 040 color because I hardly ever buy anything with orange in it. However, I was excited to see that it wasn’t a tacky neon  color – but an understated and mellow orange. As far as the other colors go, the 001 is a very natural look – it was the exact hue of my lips which was perfect. I love wearing natural colors on my lips for a polished everyday look instead of just going with some chapstick. The 055 is a deeper red – it has darker tones to it and is more of a wine red than the typical bright red lip. It’s the perfect shade for the holiday season!

Anyways, two huge thumbs UP for these stains! I’m so impressed. Highly pigmented, long-lasting, ability to be a gloss or matte, and very beautiful colors – I couldn’t ask for anything better. I’m so glad I can say I have finally found the perfect lip stain!
2 Comments
November 21, 2013 by
Lifestyle

Meal Prep: Salad Jars

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Eating healthy while in college or having a hectic schedule is extremely difficult. One of the ways to avoid fast food, snacking, and starving is to plan out your meals for the week. As a busy college student, my class and work schedule doesn’t allow for me to make it to the cafeteria for lunch during the week. Because of this, I have to pack my lunch for the day. I could easily just pack peanut butter sandwiches or Easy Mac. But after living off those freshman year (and gaining the typical freshman 15), I have no desire to continue this unhealthy lifestyle. Yes, planning out your meals for the week requires extra time and thought. But I promise it’s worth it.

One of the easiest meals to prep for the week is mason jar salads! These are really popular on Pinterest and one of my coworkers makes them regularly. So I decided to try it out for myself and have been pleased to find that it is a life-saver! Not only are they super quick to prepare, they are extremely healthy and convenient.

What you need:
– a mason jar or any kind of air-tight jar
– salad ingredients of your choice

How to pack your mason jar salad

Step 1: dressing
– add one or two tablespoons of your choice of dressing first to the bottom of the jar

Step 2: non-soluble (non-absorbent) veggies
– add any kind of non-absorbent veggies such as corn, carrots, etc.

Step 3: beans, grains, pasta, seeds
– pour in your source of carbs or vegetarian protein by adding beans (rinsed and drained), grains, pasta, whatever you choose

Step 4: cheese, eggs, meat, protein
– add in whatever cheese or hard boiled eggs, chicken, meat, or tofu you’d like

Step 5: absorbent veggies and fruit
– add your fruit or more soluble veggies such at tomatoes
– if you are prepping these for the week, add these ingredients the morning you plan to eat the salad just so they stay as fresh as possible

Step 6: absorbent grains, nuts, and seeds
– this is where you can add more absorbent products such as quinoa and flaxseed

Step 7: salad greens
– now you can add your fresh spinach or lettuce
– this should fill your jar to the brim. Pack it fairly tightly

Ta-da! You’re done! Now seal the jars and store them in the fridge. You can make these on Sunday night and they will remain fresh until Friday afternoon! Keep in mind, although they are stored in air-tight containers, they will only stay fresh for 5 days. When you are ready to eat your salad, pour the contents into a bowl, toss, and enjoy!
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November 4, 2013 by
Lifestyle

Doubling Chapman’s Pinterest Following: How I Did It

pinterest

I’ve had the incredible opportunity to work with Chapman’s Strategic Marketing and Communication department this past year – specifically within their Interactive Department. I’ve been given a lot of responsibilities that I’ve found have helped me grow significantly as a young professional in the marketing industry.

One of my responsibilities that I would like to highlight right now is creating, gathering, organizing, posting, and writing copy for all of Chapman’s Pinterest posts. Now, many people my not even know that Chapman is on Pinterest. But at the time I was trusted with this responsibility, there were about 350 people who were following their boards. Now there are 864. So how did I do it?

The answer is simple: I started thinking as a student. What could possibly make me want to follow my university’s Pinterest account? I asked myself, what do I like to pin on my own board? The answer is probably what most women ages 18-45 would answer – recipes, crafts, fashion, DIY, career tips, and innovative ideas/tips. These are also the most popular subjects on Pinterest as the majority of the users fall into that demographic. The tricky part was figuring out how a higher education establishment could possibly post with these topics in mind without losing credibility or spamming its users.

I researched what other universities were doing effectively. One university that stood out was Butler University. They have almost 1,000 followers. Their use of “repinnable” content blew me away and was still appropriate for their brand. Using them as inspiration, I developed the following boards to implement on Chapman’s profile:

  • Healthy Panther – recipes for living in the dorms, exercises to do in dorm rooms or tight spaces without equipment, healthy living tips
  • Independent Living – “life hacks,” money management, organization, manners, laundry, other fun tips and tricks for life
  • Academic Success – study tips, vocabulary lists, organization, funny study memes, brain food ideas
  • Career Tips – resume and cover letter tips, how to dress professionally, interview advice
  • Chapman Events
  • Chapman in the News

The first four boards were widely successful. The other two had a good response as well, but did not attract quite as much engagement as the others. Through the implementation of popular but relevant hashtags and these new “repinnable” content, engagement spiked and followers increased dramatically. Almost a year later, there is more than double the amount of followers than before.

Check out Chapman’s Pinterest page here.
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September 10, 2013 by
Lifestyle

Chegg’s Marketing Understands Students

chegg

I recently rented all of my textbooks through Chegg and was happily surprised to find all sorts of goodies in the box – not just my stuffy, boring textbooks. Wedged on top of my Microeconomics book was a Red Bull. Next to that laid some travel sized TRESemmé shampoo and conditioner, 5 Energy Gum, and a coupon for Hulu Plus.

This little tiny gift has a serious impact. The gesture tells students, “Don’t worry, we’ve got your back.” It’s a pat on the shoulder, a push to the right path, a smile in our direction. Telling us that we don’t have to face another school year alone.

But above all, it creates a loyal relationship with us. I obviously want to purchase my books from a company that rewards me for being financially savvy and caring about my education. They also don’t send random promotions or useless gag gifts. They understand what students want – and need. An energy drink? Yes please. Travel sized shampoos? Perfect for when I visit home. Hulu Plus offer? Procrastination central. Why would I order with anybody else?

Buying textbooks is often a cause of extreme anxiety and frustration for many students, but companies like Chegg are learning how to make this process easier. They strive to lighten the burden financially and mentally. I could go on and on about how amazing it is that Chegg offers such low rental prices, but that’s another topic for another time.

This is the kind of marketing that excites me. It’s innovative. It’s fresh. It doesn’t feel in-your-face or superficial. It has a clear message and creates a strong following of loyal customers that will return semester after semester. Well done, Chegg.

 
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September 2, 2013 by