Back to School:Breakfast-on-the-go and my first day of classes!

Happy Tuesday everyone! Today was the first day of classes for many universities and other public schools. I'm happy I had a very easy day of classes-only two classes! I was done at 11:50. I had my English and sociology classes. My English class is on linguistics , while my sociology class will be based on ethnography, the close up study of everyday life. I'll get to go around to different neighborhoods of Madison and observe people. It was nice being back, I've already met a couple new people! Currently, I'm trying to figure out some program I'm supposed to download for my statistics class...gross! Oh, and I'm also baking oatmeal cups for breakfast. These are super simple to make and are great for mornings when you don't have much time. They contain natural ingredients and do not have any flour, butter, or oil in them.  So, here's the recipe for baked oatmeal cups:

Baked Banana Oatmeal Cups

• 3 mashed, ripened bananas (the riper, the better!)
• 1 cup of nonfat milk + sweetener of your choice (I used 2 tbsp. of packed brown sugar)
• 2 eggs
• 1 tbsp. baking powder
• 3 cups of old fashioned rolled oats
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 3 tbsp. mini chocolate chips, optional

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Mix all ingredients above except for the chocolate chips. Let sit for a  few minutes.
3. Spray a muffin tin (or use liners) with non-stick spray.
4. Stir in chocolate chips, if using, or put on top (like I did), if using.
5. Pour batter among muffin cups, evenly, and almost full. (I like to use my big muffin pan!)
6. Bake 20-30 minutes. Edges will just start to brown and the muffins will be firm to the touch.

 I love to make these when I have too many over ripe bananas. I suggest freezing these muffins, if you're not going to eat them within a couple days, as they tend to start getting kind of weird and moldy after 2 or 3 days just sitting out. Also, freezing them is perfect! You can just pop one or two in the microwave until they're warm, or you can let them thaw out the night before you want to eat them. I made a batch of six large oatmeal cups and these will probably last me 2-3 weeks! These are super fast and simple to make ahead of time and freeze for days to come. I do hope you give this recipe a try. :)

Right out of the oven.



Baked oatmeal cup!



Back-to-School. Tips and what I can do for you.

It's back to school season! Buying textbooks, loads of papers, cramming for tests, procrastination, and no time for anything. I find it difficult to stay on top of exercising and eating healthy during the school year with all the stress involved with classes and my work schedule. Maybe you feel the same? Life gets in the way, sometimes. I'm used to working out 5-6 days a week for at least an hour a day and making all my meals at home, but once school starts, I'm lucky to get a 30 minute workout  in 3 days a week! I think there are many who can share my feelings on this subject: how can I stay in shape and keep weight off during the school year?

I believe that I have figured out a few things that are helpful to keep weight off, so here are my tips to you:

• Discipline: Discipline yourself with how much alcohol you drink. You don't need to drink every thirsty thursday, friday, and saturday. You just don't need to. Ahem..beer belly? Not attractive.
• Sleep: Don't go to bed at 2 am and get 4 hours of sleep. You're body and mind needs at least 7 hours of sleep a night. Try to go to bed around the same time every night. I go to bed around 10:30 and probably get a solid 8 hours of sleep almost every night. You will feel more refreshed and alert and won't be grabbing for so much caffeine throughout the day.

• Snacks-to-go: You're going to need food throughout the day to keep you fueled up and for your brain to function. Pick snacks that are high in protein and have a low glycemic index. The lower the GI is, the slower it will be released in your body, so your blood sugar won't spike and you won't become even more hungry. I like to throw apples, bananas, almonds, and granola bars into my backpack for between classes when I don't have time to have a meal. My favorite granola bars are Kashi, Nature Valley, and Kind bars.

• Make time: Set aside time in your day, maybe on days with fewer classes or no work, for a 30-60 minute workout. It could be going for a walk, yoga, pilates, swimming, whatever you enjoy doing.  Not only will the benefit your physical health, it will benefit your mental health. This will give your brain a break and can greatly help de-stress yourself.
• Sneak in a workout:  Standing in line? Do calf raises. Elevator or stairs? Take the stairs. It will work your butt and legs, get your heart rate up, and with a backpack on you'll burn more calories due to the extra weight. And the stairs are quicker! Got some extra time between classes? Take a longer route to get to class or take a walk around campus. Walking where there aren't many people? Be brave and do some walking lunges. Who cares who sees you! At least you'll have a nice ass :)

 

Now, here's what I am going to do for you and for me. Per my sisters request, she asked me to 1) write about staying fit and keeping weight off during the school year, and 2) include quick, easy, and healthy meals that are easy for on the go. I like the idea of meals for on the go, whether breakfast or lunch, because as a student, we're always on the go.  As I find recipes and come up with new ideas, I will post and share them with you all. This will be fun for me!  Please give me sometime, though, as I am also a full-time college student and work part-time.

The tips I stated above, I honestly do do every day.  On campus, I always choose to take the stairs, even if its 8 flights of stairs. Also, I'm a commuter and my parking ramp is at least half a mile from campus, so I'm lucky enough to get a good walk in every day. When I started college two years ago, I was very focused on not gaining weight. I'm happy to say that I didn't and haven't gained a single pound. I do make time to workout, I do sleep at night, I don't excessively drink, and I do keep fruit and healthy snacks with me always (apples keep me full for hours!). You need to discipline yourself, make time for yourself, and don't procrastinate. Oh, and of course...HAVE FUN! Enjoy yourself!

These are simple and easy things you can do every day. No excuses. Let's have a wonderful school year! Good grades, meeting new people, going to football games, and staying healthy. We can do it and I'll be your support system, I promise. Have a wonderful day and first day of classes! :)



 

It's a hard knock life.

I've been on an emotional roller coaster this week.  It all started with stress in my personal life (thankfully, that's all figured out now), feeling stressed about the fact that school starts in less than a week, stress with all the crap I need to figure out with my sisters bachelorette party this weekend, and stress from my lovely job at Starbucks! Today marks day 6 of closing at my job and I still have 2 more days until I get a much needed weekend off! I may have cried in the back room of our store last night... I'm completely burned out this week and feeling like some crazy, homicidal lunatic. Watch out...

I've realized how many wonderful people I've gotten to know through my job at Starbucks.  Seriously, these are some of the nicest, funniest, most caring individuals I know in my life. In the last couple days, these people have let me vent to them about my personal life, they've let me rest due to a splitting headache, they've brought me a milkshake, chocolate truffles, AND food my from one of my favorite places. WHAT?! How the heck do I know this many amazing people?! I'm so thankful for each and everyone of the people I've worked with or have gotten to know through Starbucks. These people are all awesome with big, loving hearts. They can put a huge smile on my face, make me laugh, and will talk about poop with me (it's a Starbucks thing...).  So thank you to all of the lovely Starbucks partners reading this!! I know that I can be a crazy, overbearing, bossy, psychopath at times, but you guys still stand by during my loony moments. That's love.  And I love you all. Seriously.

 

 

If its not all ready clear, I'm still on this crazy, emotional roller coaster.  I hope everyone is having a stress-free day/week. But if not, I hope you're able to surround yourself with loving and caring people who can take that stress away. 

So sore. And hungry.

Wow. My body is sooo sore this morning from yesterdays workout. I'm actually kind of surprised with how sore I am.  My butt, inner thighs, upper abs, lower back, and even my shoulders are achey. Getting out of bed was a bit of a challenge and going to the bathroom is even more of a challenge..ugh! Did anyone try the treadmill workout or the lunge challenge video yesterday or today? Are you sore at all?
 
I actually did the treadmill workout again this morning becaue I really liked it and because my lower body is WAY to sore to do any HIIT today! I finished my workout with an ab and inner thigh challenge to Katy Perry's song "Roar" created by, of course, Cassey Ho. I did it two times.  Here's the video if you want to try it...it's fun!

 

 

 

So I was really hungry when I woke up today, so I made myself a big, nutritious and filling breakfast. Here's what I ate:

 



1 whole egg+ 1/3 cup egg white omelette stuffed with spinach and mushrooms, topped with freshly chopped tomatoes.



Apple slices with my favorite peanut butter. Better n Peanut butter from Trader Joes.
 

I really like my apple slicer, core-er thingy. What's this thing called?!

 
That's all I have for you! Hope you have a wonderful day, everyone :)