Breakfast Favorites

Just for fun, I thought I would do a quick post of pictures that recap my favorite meal of the day...breakfast! Some are easier and better for "on the go" type situations that others, but all delicious! 

Have a look....

We begin with oatmeal: 

And more oatmeal...

I may have a problem...

Last one! 

Cold cereals/yogurt:

muesli and almond milk

Muesli and yogurt 

Yogurt and granola + blackberries

Egg white scramble + pomegranate protein smoothie

Berries on berries 

Quick fruit/nut bar if I'm in a big hurry

Green protein smoothies!

protein powder and greens powder 

smoothie!

OJ + smoothie + tea

And of course the obligatory cup of green tea with every breakfast :) 

Protein Balls

I told you guys in the last post that I wanted to share with you the recipe that my mom used to make the protein balls that she sent me in my care package. They are addicting and amazing and wonderful. I probably have eaten 3 or 4 a day since they got to me on Friday. This recipe is super super easy and quick. You don't even need an oven! They are perfect for anyone who is looking for a simple snack to keep around the house/apartment/dorm to eat after a workout or on the go. Check them out...and let me know if you do!

Almond Butter Oat Balls- a recipe from Mama Shelley :)

3/4 cups flax meal
1 cup of rolled oats
2 tbsp chia seeds
3/4 cup almond butter
1/2 honey or agave
1 tsp vanilla
2 tbsp boiling water
1/3 cup craisins
2 tbsp goji berries
*any dried fruit you want!*

Put all ingredients in a large bowl (except for the water). Mix the ingredients and then add the boiling water, roll them into little 1" balls and place into the refrigerator until they are cold and hold their shape.

*recipe makes about 3 dozen *

*disclaimer- these are not my photos, but these are exactly what mine look like! I was having troubles with my camera this morning...my apologies.*

And just for fun I want to share this video with you. Hopkins does Harlem Shake! ... yes there is a live cat and people hanging off of the balcony...

And the med school did it too!

Food from the Week

It's midterm week at old Hoppie Hopkins so I'm sorry for the lack of posting this week. This post is all about food! YUm! Here's a look at just a couple of things that I've been craving this week! 

Roasted brussel sprouts: 

They're REALLY easy to make. All you do is cut them up into fourths, put them on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Bake them in the oven at 350 for aout 15 minutes. They're amazingly crispy

ready for the oven! 

 fifteen minutes later...

perfectly golden and crispy! I love when some of the leaves fall off and are crunchy when they come out of the oven. SO GOOD. I have been known to eat a whole tray of roasted brussel sprouts in one sitting...no shame.

Also I've been loving scrambled eggs lately. I've been trying to increase my protein intake in the past couple of weeks and being a vegetarian means that my options for high protein foods are somewhat limited. Eggs are the perfect alternative to meet! I mix egg whites with one or two eggs and then scramble them up with spinach and any other veggies I have laying around. 

We had Phi Mu sister dinners this past weekend with our new members and there was a ton of delicious food. I made a platter of cheese and brought baguette slices and grapes to go along with it. I also contributed the carrots and hummus. Along with what I brought there was amazing guac that was homemade by my roomie Sophie, chips and dip, buffalo chicken dip, and brownies! So much good stuff for a fun night! 

New Phi Mus!! They are so cute

I also ordered some special food items from amazon this week so here's a looksie: 

Simply Granola (gluten and sugar free, vegan, and low carb)...it's actually surprisingly good for how healthy it is. A friend of mine recommended I try the Whole Soy Nutlettes cereal on the right and I actually really like it! They add the perfect crunch to a bowl of greek yogurt and berries (my go to breakfast for the past week).

Pure bars! They have tons of flavors to choose from but this one looked especially tasty. Great for an on the go snack to sneakily munch on during class when my stomach starts to growl so loud that people turn and look at me (it happens...).

I also got an AMAZING package from my mom this week! It included more Vega One Protein powder in the Vanilla Chai flavor, powdered green supplement to add to protein smoothies, homemade veggie burgers, healthy berry walnut muffins, and these amazing little balls.

I need to get eh exact recipe from her but basically all that's in them is almond butter, almond meal, chia seeds, cranberries, goji berries, and agave. To say that they are addicting would be a large understatement.

I'm off to brave the snow and head back to the library! Time to study for midterms :( 

Superbowl Sunday!

Second semester classes have officially kicked off and I'm slowly but surely getting back into the swing of things after 6 weeks of winter break! It's hard having to get my body used to waking up early again. I've noticed that I have been extra tired all week...like desperate for a nap around 3pm every single day. Oh well, eventually my body will be able to survive better on only 5 or 6 hours of sleep. Ah the perks of being young.

Now for the good stuff...food from Superbowl Sunday!!

As you should know, the Baltimore Ravens WON THE SUPERBOWL! Before the game I definitely wouldn't have called myself a major Ravens fan, but being in the city when they won was definitely one of the coolest things that I've ever experienced sports wise.

I used game day as an excuse to try out some new recipes on my friends while we huddled around the TV to watch the game and even more importantly, the AMAZING half time show!!

Here's a look at da game-day nomz:

Egg white veggie cups 

- super easy to make! I just filled muffin tins with diced red and greed peppers, onions, spinach, and then filled it to the top with egg whites. Then you throw it in the oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. 

veggie quinoa

chips + salsa and guac, cheese and crackers, veggie tray with hummus, pigs in a blanket, cookies, etc. 

Needless to say, there was a lot of food and I was sufficiently full by the end of the night. 

Yay RAVENS!!

More eats from the past week:

Lots and lots of tea and coffee

Light and Fit raspberry yogurt with muesli, flax seed, and blueberries 

Muesli and almond milk for breakfast. Trying to switch things up a bit from my normal smoothie.

Lunch one day was one of my homemade veggie burgers with scrambled egg whites and spinach. 

You've never heard me talk about Freshii before because we have somewhat of a love-hate relationship. It's a great place down the street from my apartment building. They offer healthy salads, wraps, quinoa and brown rice bowls, and soups too! Oh and they have a really good breakfast as well. The problem is that things can get pretty pricey there and also they changed their menu this year and I'm not sure how I feel about it. I still go there occasionally and just build my own wrap, bowl or salad. The above picture shows my favorite salad creation thus far. Kale base with quinoa, carrots, green apple, dried cranberries, and goat cheese. The dressing was light lemon vinaigrette. So green and good.

Ps-it's been freezing in Baltimore lately....

Be on the look out for another post coming this weekend about this past busy week. Think lots of sorority girls in pink!! Yay new Phi Mus!!