Now that I am in the second semester of my Junior year at UT, I am super busy! Not only is this one of the most challenging semesters, but I am also working many hours, trying to keep up with my running and training, and trying to think of marketing techniques to get my house sold! It is mind-boggling sometimes, but I am trying to keep everything in perspective....I'm in the home stretch!
Sometimes it seems like it would be easier to just go buy a sandwish somewhere on campus. However, being on a tight budget does not allow that. Instead, I make lunch everyday. This has its benefits; I don't spend money frivolously, and I always have a healthy balanced lunch.
The way that I think about my eating throughout the day is to think about how I started my day. When I make breakfast I decide if I am in a carb mood or a protein mood. If it's a carb mood then I usually make oatmeal. My method of making oatmeal is a little different from ripping open a packet of instant oatmeal. Instead, I buy Fiber One cereal and a canister of plain quick cooking oats. I pour approximately 1/2 of a serving of each in a bowl, 1/2 banana sliced, 1/2 serving of raw walnut pieces, and a small handful of frozen blueberries. I sprinkle about 1 TBSP of flax seeds and a little bit of cinnamon on top, pour about 1/2 a serving of skim milk (I use organic...tastes so much better!) on top, and place in the microwave for 1 minute and 30 seconds. After a minute and a half I stir the ingredients, then put it in the microwave for another 2 minutes. I like my oatmeal not too dry, but not too runny....somewhere right in the middle. This keeps me full for a few hours, until I'm ready for my usual mid-morning snack...which I've already told you about in a previous blog entry.
If I am in a protein mood I scramble 1 whole egg and 2 egg whites, with frozen spinach, some dicded tomato, and just a bit of cheddar cheese. I usually eat this with a banana and just a small bit of natural peanut butter.
Both breakfast options are super fast and easy!
If I decide to have a carb meal, I usually eat a salad for lunch. I load my salad with a lot of veggies to add some excitement to the meal. I usually use green or red leaf lettuce, about 1/2 of a tomato, 1/2 stick of celery, 1/2 of an avocado, a little bit of crumbled blue cheese, and just a bit of light balsamic vinaigrette.
If I decide on a protein based breakfast, then I will eat a few more carbs for lunch. I spread about 1 TBSP of natural peanut butter or black bean hummus on 1 piece of sprouted grain bread. Ezekial bread is a great brand. If I use hummus, then I usually also add some lettuce and maybe tomato. I only use 1 piece of bread, but I do not fold the bread in half. I find that by keeping the bread flat, and not folded, I don't feel like I am eating only 1/2 a sandwich, and I've saved 80-100 calories. I usually eat an apple or some red grapes with this sandwich.
For my afternoon snack, I usually eat an apple, or some carrot and celery sticks with hummus.
As you can see, I'm a creature of habit. I do love to try new things, and encourage everyone to try new and exciting food. I definitely mix up my foods, but salads and sandwiches are a blank canvas. You can make them according to what you feel like eating or what you prefer.
I hope this encourages everyone to try ways of eating healthy on a budget and on the run! It is possible! Just remember to mix it up, eat what your body is saying you need...as long as it's good for you!
