Healthy Living While on A College Budget

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My First Blog Post

Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.
— Oscar Wilde.

This is the first post on my new blog. I’m just getting this new blog going, so stay tuned for more. Subscribe below to get notified when I post new updates.

Welcome back to my blog! This is my fourth part to my Healthy Living While on a College Budget blog. This summer I have really enjoyed getting to write and learn about this topic. I hope you guys have hopefully learned and are adding one of the tactics I have mentioned.

Taking care of your body and staying healthy is so important and especially in college. You are at such an exciting time in your life where you are experiencing so many emotions and feelings all the time. It is very easy to get overwhelmed and stressed out. Taking care of your body and exercising can build confidence, reduce and relive stress, improve mental health and build healthy relationships.

How to find the time to exercise.

Finding the time to exercise in college can be difficult for a lot of students. With trying to stay on top of their school work and classes and balancing their social lives and extracurricular activities. It is important to get at least 30 minutes a couple times a week of exercise. So instead of going home for that nap or to play some video game why don’t you go to the gym with some friends and get your heart rate up. Here are some helpful tips on how to make time when it comes to exercising in college.

Go to class in your gym clothes.

You are more likely to hit the gym if you are already dressed for it and on campus. I have found myself telling myself I was going to go home after class, change, and then workout but then I lay on my bed for a couple minutes and then its two hours later.

Go to the gym between classes.

Instead of going home to take that mid-afternoon hit the gym and get your exercise in. Or instead of that hour in between class when you get food with friends, head to the gym with them and catch up while on the treadmill.

Find an exercise buddy.

One of the best tips to making sure you get your workout in is to do it with a friend. Having a gym buddy allows you to keep each other accountable and be able to learn and help each other out.

Sign up for an exercise class that counts.

A lot of colleges offer exercise classes that count for credit towards your GPA. It may be hard but you will be able to learn how to properly workout and get your exercise in for the week.

Join an intramural sports team.

Intramural sports are a great way to get exercise while at school. They are also a great way to meet new people and are a lot of fun. I love playing intramural sports with my sorority especially floor hockey and softball.

Sign up for a class offered by the gym.

Most gyms offer a schedule of different exercise classes each week. Make sure you check it out and see if there is certain class you would like to take and try to fit it into your schedule.

Walk to class or bike to class.

Rather than taking the bus or catching a ride with a friend, walk or ride your bike if you have one to get class. An easy way to get a little exercise in.

Why is it important to exercise in college?

Helps set a routine.

College students are constantly surrounded by friends, making time for homework and studying, going to class or meeting with teachers, attending social and extracurricular activities, planning and making schedules aren’t very realistic. It is important to set time aside to get your exercise in. Even if it’s only 30 minutes a few times each week can help give a routine to your busy lives.

Reduces risk of illness.

Staying healthy in college is so important. Germs are constantly being spread around with everything always sharing things. Going to the gym and staying healthy are more likely to have stronger immune systems and are less likely to catch colds and viruses.

Reduces stress and depression.

Research has shown that exercise cannot only relieve stress but also boost one’s mood. As a college student, I am constantly feeling overwhelmed with balancing my school work, my sorority, my social life, and staying fit. Exercise is a great way to release stress and leaves you feeling happier and focused.

Helps you become a better student.

This is a great video from Med School Insiders that talks about how exercise can help you become a better student.

Hitting the Gym at College

How to find the time to exercise.

Go to class in your gym clothes.

Find an exercise buddy.

One of the best tips to making sure you get your workout in is to do it with a friend. Having a gym buddy allows you to keep each other accountable and be able to learn and help each other out.

Sign up for an exercise class that counts.

A lot of colleges offer exercise classes that count for credit towards your GPA. It may be hard but you will be able to learn how to properly workout and get your exercise in for the week.

Join an intramural sports team.

Sign up for a class offered by the gym.

Most gyms offer a schedule of different exercise classes each week. Make sure you check it out and see if there is certain class you would like to take and try to fit it into your schedule.

Walk to class or bike to class.

Rather than taking the bus or catching a ride with a friend, walk or ride your bike if you have one to get class. An easy way to get a little exercise in.

Why is it important to exercise in college?

Helps set a routine.

Reduces risk of illness.

Reduces stress and depression.

Helps you become a better student.

This is a great video from Med School Insiders that talks about how exercise can help you become a better student.

Recipes to Start Living Healthier.

Welcome back my friends! I hope you guys are at least learning something or finding a new tactic to add to your daily routine. For this blog I will be giving y’all a couple healthy easy and cheap recipes that hopefully you can bring back to school.

I love to cook! I love experimenting and trying new things. I am actually going to be taking a knife skills class in a couple weeks so I can properly learn how to use a knife because god only knows how many times I have come close to chopping off a finger. (No one cares Mary Claire!) Anyways when I am at home, I am always helping out in the kitchen and finding new recipes to try out. Mastering the skill of cooking takes practice!!! For the past year, my family has been getting the Hello Fresh and Blue Apron meal boxes which I love to make. They are so easy to put together and really help improve my cooking skills. I highly recommend you check them out if you can afford them!

Where to find recipes?

You do not always have to follow a recipe verbatim. Spice it up and throw in different things or if you do not have a certain ingredient substitute for something you do have. Cooking is all about experimenting! These are some awesome sites that I have found some great healthy recipes on.

A great start.

Microwaved Poached Eggs

The easiest way to cook a poached pan is in the microwave. Pop an egg in the microwave with some water and vinegar and turn that sad lunch into an impressive dish.

Blueberry-Pecan Overnight Oatmeal

Not the cook-over night, just put the oats in the microwave and drizzle some pecans and berries and you are on the go. Some additional toppings are bananas, honey, cinnamon, sugar, and apples.

Mid-day break.

Tomato Toast + Basil Cream Cheese

Rather than spending that $15 on that avocado toast save and make something that will taste just as good.

Black Bean Soup

Only calls for 3 basic ingredients but can be topped with cheese, sour cream, tortilla strips, or a sliced avocado to give it some taste.

Cravings.

Grilled Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich

All you need is some bread, peanut butter, a banana and a pan and voila. A very simple and quick recipe for your mid-afternoon snack.

Hummus, Feta, and Bell Pepper Cracker

In a rush to class? 4 ingredients to make this small delicious munch while you are on the move.

Microwaved Potato Chips

All it takes is five minutes to transform a sweet potato into crispy and delicious chips.

The Main Event.

White Chicken Chili

Throw all your ingredients into a crock pot and come back from a long day of classes to a meal all ready prepared.

Chicken Fajitas

A perfect weekday dinner that can create leftovers for the week.

Pizza Roll Ups

Also perfect for a late night snack. Only 5-ingredients for these pizza rolls to come together so quickly without all the sweat.

Recipes to Start Living Healthier.

Where to find recipes?

A great start.

Microwaved Poached Eggs

The easiest way to cook a poached pan is in the microwave. Pop an egg in the microwave with some water and vinegar and turn that sad lunch into an impressive dish.

Blueberry-Pecan Overnight Oatmeal

Not the cook-over night, just put the oats in the microwave and drizzle some pecans and berries and you are on the go. Some additional toppings are bananas, honey, cinnamon, sugar, and apples.

Mid-day break.

Tomato Toast + Basil Cream Cheese

Rather than spending that $15 on that avocado toast save and make something that will taste just as good.

Black Bean Soup

Only calls for 3 basic ingredients but can be topped with cheese, sour cream, tortilla strips, or a sliced avocado to give it some taste.

Cravings.

Grilled Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich

All you need is some bread, peanut butter, a banana and a pan and voila. A very simple and quick recipe for your mid-afternoon snack.

Hummus, Feta, and Bell Pepper Cracker

In a rush to class? 4 ingredients to make this small delicious munch while you are on the move.

Microwaved Potato Chips

All it takes is five minutes to transform a sweet potato into crispy and delicious chips.

The Main Event.

White Chicken Chili

Throw all your ingredients into a crock pot and come back from a long day of classes to a meal all ready prepared.

Chicken Fajitas

A perfect weekday dinner that can create leftovers for the week.

Pizza Roll Ups

Also perfect for a late night snack. Only 5-ingredients for these pizza rolls to come together so quickly without all the sweat.

Grocery Shopping on a Budget

Welcome back to my blog! Hopefully you are learning something and getting some helpful tips to take back to college. Crazy to think that in exactly a month I will be starting my senior year. Anyway this post will be all about creating a healthy grocery list while on a budget. A lot of healthy food can be expensive but you gotta be creative with what your options are and a lot of the times you can find deals and cheaper brands.

Create a list and stick with it.

The first step when wanting to go to the grocery store is making a list. This will ensure that you have all the healthy foods you need and don’t shop around for unnecessary stuff. I have found myself buying the most random and unhealthy foods when I don’t have a list. This will also help you create a budget. When I go to the grocery store, I plan and budget my list for about 2 weeks worth of food and to be around $60-$80. Having a list can save you time and money.

Plan out your meals.

A tip to maintain a healthy diet is to have ingredients necessary to prepare tasty meals all week long. Empty fridge and cabinets can lead to wanting fast food = FAT. Planning out your meals each week helps you avoid making poor choices. A fun way to start planning is creating a recipe board with all the details of what you are going to eat that week. Another thing to do is pick out a fun food for the week because the same stuff gets boring over time and life all about balance and listening to your cravings too.

My must haves.

Bananas
Strawberries
Frozen Fruit/Veggies
Lettuce
Peppers
Avocados
Carrots
Granola
Hummus
Nuts
Popcorn
Granola Bars
Chicken Breast
Shrimp
Brown Rice
Potatoes

Compare the nutrition facts and prices.

Before you put that ice cream in your cart make sure you look at its nutrition facts. Look out for the added sugars on a label to tell the difference between natural sugars (like from fruit) and the added ones (the processed sugar). The processed sugars is what makes it unhealthy and more fattening. When it comes to pricing, go more for the store brand because they are usually much cheaper.

Breyers ($4.39) vs. Halo Top ($3.88)

Pictured to the right are Breyers and Halo Top’s chocolate ice cream. From the nutrition facts you can see that Breyers calories per serving is 90 while Halo Top’s is 80 calories per serving. But if you are just having one of those days (its okay we all have them) a need to eat the entire container go for the Breyers. Breyers is 270 calories per container while Halo Top is 320 calories per container.

Open Nature ($4.09) vs. Purely Elizabeth ($5.49)

Pictured to the right are Open Nature and Purely Elizabeth’s “original” granola. From the nutrition facts you can see that Open Natures calories per serving is 240 while Purely Elizabeth is 140 calories per serving. That is a difference of 100 calories.

Siggi’s ($1.37) vs. Dannon ($1)

Pictured to the right are Siggi’s and Dannon’s blueberry greek yogurt. The nutrition facts for Siggi’s is 110 calories per cup while Purely Elizabeth is 130 calories per serving. It is only a 20 calorie difference but the less calories the better.

Do NOT shop while hungry.

I have found myself doing this more than I can count. DO NOT shop when you are hungry because it will bite you in the ass at check out. You also will end up forgetting to buy the items you need because you are in a hurry to eat. Also it will help you avoid all the junk food your tummy is admiring. Maybe have a snack before going.

Shop around the store.

Think perimeter = healthy. Typically the perimeter of a grocery store is where all the fresh produce, frozen veggies/fruits, dairy products, eggs, and meat/seafood/poultry. Avoid going to the center aisles to avoid temptation to all that junk food.

Focus on the main food groups.

When shopping, think of your cart as your plate. Focus on filling your cart up with the main food groups: carbs, proteins, dairy, fruits and veggies, and fats and sugars. Pick up a couple options to give yourself a variety. But try to avoid so much of the fats and sugars. Some foods have lots of saturated fats (added fats) and when eating too much can raise your cholesterol and increase the risk of heart disease.

Try different stores.

For all my Farmville folks out there, you know the struggle of trying to find healthy food when all we have is a Walmart and Food Lion. So it’s all about being creative. Different stores have different choices. If you are always shopping at the same place, you might be missing out on some healthier and cheaper deals. Also check out farmers markets to add some fresh seasonal produce to your kitchen. My favorite grocery stores to go to when I am at home are Trader Joes, Whole Foods, and Harris Teeter.

Being Healthy in College 101

Hi everyone! Welcome to my first series of Healthy Living While on a College Blog. I am very new to this so please bare with me as I go. So let’s get down to business shall we? Let me tell you folks the “freshman 15” is REAL. Don’t count yourself short, because it will creep onto you out of nowhere. As I approach my senior year (CRAZY), I want to share some helpful 101 tips on how to be healthy in college.

Make smart choices in the dinning hall.

Self control is the most important thing when it comes to a college dinning hall. Here are some tips that I have found to be helpful when trying to decide what to eat.

Fruits and veggies are your friend.
Hit up the salad bar.
Look at the nutritional cards before.
Grilled not fried.
Avoid overeating.
Skip the desert or only once a week.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

Even if you wake up at lunchtime or in a hustle to get to class, it’s important to try and squeeze a healthy breakfast that is full of high fibers. Eating a healthy breakfast will increase your metabolism and help give you that boost to get through your busy day. My new go to breakfast is an avocado on a lightly salted rice cake with a sprinkle of salt and pepper, Trader Joes Everything But The Bagel Seasoning, and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper. It’s all about the creativity!

Examples of healthy breakfast:

Greek Yogurt
Fruit
Hard-boiled eggs
Natural peanut butter
Fruit
High fiber cereal
Granola bars
Avocado toast – watch the carbs!

Have healthy snacks in your room.

It is okay to sometimes indulge on that McDonalds after a good night out or that late night pizza, but limit yourself to it once a week. One tip too is limiting yourself to 3 meals a day and a couple healthy snacks.

Healthy snack examples:

Granola Bars
Whole grain crackers
Pita bread
Trail Mix
Oatmeal
Nuts
Fruit
Baby carrots
Celery
Hummus
Yogurt
String Cheese

Knowing your limit.

Most students come to college not knowing their limit with alcohol. Most alcoholic beverages are high in calories. If you are of age, pay attention to the ABV of the drink you are about to pick up and as well as the calories. A night out of drinking can be exactly what you need after a long week but you need to be cautious of what you are putting into your body. Watch the beer belly!

Utilize your campus gym.

Getting into a gym routine is hard. I can speak for myself. But once you get into one you will feel so much better about yourself. Find a workout buddy. When it comes to exercising, you need to figure out what’s best for you. Whether it’s a spin or yoga class, running on the treadmill, or doing your own workout.

Remember too hydrate.

So many college students reach for the soda, coffee, or energy drinks to keep them awake which racks up the calories and we become dependent on them. Instead try to reach for a tall glass of water that will not only do the trick but will also keep you hydrated. A good tip is to carry a water bottle around with you everywhere.

Everyone gains a few pounds while in college. It happens. So put down the scale and stop looking in the mirror because college only happens once and you need to embrace every moment of it.

Introduce Yourself (Example Post)

This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.

You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.

Why do this?

Because it gives new readers context. What are you about? Why should they read your blog?
Because it will help you focus you own ideas about your blog and what you’d like to do with it.

The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.

To help you get started, here are a few questions:

Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
What topics do you think you’ll write about?
Who would you love to connect with via your blog?
If you blog successfully throughout the next year, what would you hope to have accomplished?

You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.

Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.

When you’re ready to publish, give your post three to five tags that describe your blog’s focus — writing, photography, fiction, parenting, food, cars, movies, sports, whatever. These tags will help others who care about your topics find you in the Reader. Make sure one of the tags is “zerotohero,” so other new bloggers can find you, too.