Between balancing classes, planning for co-op, managing your clubs, making time for friends, and maybe even honoring your New Year’s resolution to hit the gym everyday, trying to make time for anything else may seem kind of impossible. And when you end up awake and studying at 12:30 with your friends, ordering in PDubbs and calling it a night sometimes seems like exactly what you need. While it’s fun to do that occasionally, it’s important to not overlook your well-being. Eating poorly on a consistent basis can affect your quality of sleep, mood, and overall health. So if you’re planning on trekking to Northside to get Currito for the third time this week, try setting aside a few minutes to try one of these recipes instead!
1. Blueberry Overnight Oats
“I just don’t have time for breakfast!” Is no longer an excuse with this simple recipe. With just a few minutes of prep time the night before, you’ll have a yummy, good-for-you breakfast waiting for you when you wake up.
Ingredients
· ½ cup rolled oats or quick oats*
· ⅔ cup water
· ½ cup lowfat vanilla yogurt
· 1 baby pinch of salt
· blueberries, pecans, brown sugar, and other goodies for topping
1. In an individual food storage container, add the ingredients in the order listed (except for toppings). Do not stir. Refrigerate overnight.
2. In the morning, stir up the mixture; it should be thick and the oats should be completely soft. Add the toppings of your choice. Repeat forever.
*The different varieties of oats affect the texture, so if you like a thicker, chewier texture go for rolled oats and if you prefer something softer and creamier, go for quick cooking oats.
Recipe courtesy of Pinch of Yum
2. Power Omelet
If you’re not a morning person, but have a packed afternoon, there’s no better way to make the most of a brunch-time meal than a power omelet! Packed with veggies and protein, it’s perfect to hold you over through a couple back-to-back lectures. This is an original recipe of mine and it’s one of my favorites!
Ingredients
· 2 egg whites
· 1 whole egg
· 1 cup baby spinach (packed)
· ½ cup red bell pepper, diced
· 2 tsp olive oil
· ½ tsp garlic powder
· ground black pepper (to taste)
· pinch of salt
1. In a small skillet, over medium heat, heat oil
2. Add diced bell pepper and sauté until it begins to tenderize, then add spinach leaves and seasoning mix of garlic powder, pepper, and salt
3. Continue to sauté until spinach leaves begin to wilt
4. Meanwhile, whisk together the egg whites and whole egg
5. Pour over veggies in the skillet, and let cook until the egg is mostly firm and cooked through
6. Carefully, slide a spatula under the edges of the flat omelets, until you are able to flip one side over, onto the other
7. Allow to cook for several extra minutes, until fully cooked
3. Burrito Bowl
This isn’t your typical Currito Bowl—its better! By making your own version of this campus favorite, you have more control over portions and the quality of your ingredients. Plus, the 25 minutes this takes to put together will be so worth it when you can dig into your leftovers—this recipe is portioned for two servings.
Ingredients:
Base:
· 2 cups cooked brown rice
Protein:
· 1 cup rinsed and drained canned black beans
Salsa:
· 2 diced plum tomatoes
· ¼ cup finely diced white onion
· 1 small, seeded, minced jalapeno pepper
· ½ minced clove garlic
· juice of ½ lime
· dash of salt and dash of pepper
Creamy Topping:
· ½ cup plain yogurt
mixed with
· ¼ cup finely chopped cilantro
· 1 teaspoon honey
· 1 teaspoon lime zest
Garnish:
· Sliced avocado
· Shredded lettuce
1. Combine salsa ingredients in one bowl (or a food processor) and creamy topping ingredients in another
2. Divide layers between two bowls (one for now and one for later) in the order listed
3. Top with salsa and creamy dressing and enjoy!
4. Greek Yogurt Salad Dressing
In need of a fresh, light lunch that takes practically no time to put together? Whip up this creamy dressing to toss with your favorite salad ingredients and enjoy!
Ingredients:
· ½ cup nonfat Greek yogurt
· juice of ½ large lemon
· 1 teaspoon dill weed
· ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1. Mix Greek yogurt and lemon juice together
2. In a small bowl, combine dill weed and black pepper together
3. Add to Greek yogurt mixture and continue to season to taste
5. Margherita Pizza!
This recipe is better suited to a night in, when you have more time to really savor cooking a meal and sharing it with your friends. So the next time you’re feeling pizza and a movie, gather up your girls for a Trader Joe’s run to put together this yummy DIY dinner.
To make your life a little easier, you can buy pre-prepared pizza dough instead of making it from scratch.
Ingredients
· Pizza dough mix or pre-made pizza dough
· 1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
· 1 garlic clove, halved
· 4 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced
· 1 cup (4 oz) fat free mozzarella cheese, shredded
· 1 tsp. balsamic vinegar
· 1/2 fresh basil, chopped
· 1/8 tsp. salt
· 1/8 tsp. black pepper
1. Prepare the pizza dough according to the directions on the package.
2. Preheat oven to 500ºF. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray (or utilize a pizza stone if you have one) and get a bit of flour on your hands.
3. Start working your dough and stretch it into a long rectangle on your baking sheet, pressing with your fingers to finish forming. Your dough should be very thin.
4. Brush your dough with about a 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil and rub your crust with the cut sides of the garlic. Arrange tomato slices over crust, leaving a 1/2 inch border and sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly throughout.
5. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbly. Sprinkle pizza evenly with chopped basil, salt and pepper and feel free to drizzle a bit of balsamic if desired.
Recipe courtesy of Eat Yourself Skinny
So what are you waiting for? Start planning your shopping list, and get cooking!