health nut

What’s in my Fridge? : Easy Meal Prep Ideas

As a typical stressed our college student, I don’t have much time to cook. But I do have a secret strategy that helps me eat well during the busiest of weeks. I’ve designated my Sundays as “cooking days” so I prepare all my food for the week by filling my fridge with nutritious staple ingredients.  Untitled

What’s in my fridge:

– Spinach

– Sweet Potato Hash (made with coconut oil and cinnamon in a skillet)

– Quinoa and Spinach cakes (purchased from Costco)

– Chopped apples

– Cooked apple and turkey sausage

– Chopped strawberries

– Cooked and chopped chicken

– Pistachios

– Peeled hard-boiled egg

– Celery

– Pesto

– Salted almond dark chocolate

– Steel cut oats (Purchased from whole foods, good quality oats are the best!)

– 2 Oranges

It  may seem like a motley collection,  but these items are great staples to make endless , delicious combinations!

For example:

Breakfast: Two hard-boiled eggs, oatmeal with cinnamon and fresh strawberries

Lunch: Salad with apples and pistachios, eat a sausage if you are still hungry!

Mid Afternoon snack: Two quinoa cakes

Dinner: Chicken and pesto on a bed of spinach with a side of warm sweet potato hash

We may all be busy people, but we need not compromise  food! If you spend the time preparing, it will pay off.

Happy Planning!

xx

Written by contributing writer Kenzie Bosmeny

Chia Seed Pudding

While living in the dorms, my favorite thing from home was my mom’s infamous Chia Seed Pudding care package. She would pre-measure  the ingredients into a little box so all I had to do was buy some milk and viola!

Chia seed pudding is great, healthy alternative to regular pudding. The pudding has a tapioca-like texture but with a more versatile flavor that makes it perfect for any occasion. You can garnish it with chocolate and fruits to make a dessert or throw some granola and raisins in for a mid-morning snack. Sky’s the limit!

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Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons chia seeds

2/3 Cup of milk (I used almond milk, but any kind will work)

¼ teaspoon vanilla

A pinch of salt

½ teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon honey

*If you want a chocolate flavor, add 1 tablespoon cocoa powder)

In a small bowl combine the first five ingredients. Mix well and refrigerate for at least an hour. When you’re ready to serve, mix in the honey to your liking.

Now for the fun part. Once you’ve created the pudding you can garnish it with whatever your heart desires!

A few of my favorites: Nuts, fruit, coconut, raisins, ginger, pomegranate seeds, granola, chocolate shavings

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