How to get things done AND Cake Batter Rice Krispy Treats

Today has been a mighty productive day for me. I’ll share the highlights, thus far, of my productive day, and I’ll let ya’ll know my secrets for getting things done!

I woke up this morning excited to try out a new breakfast recipe.  I didn’t have an actual recipe, per say.  I’d read a lot of recipes for this particular breakfast I was trying to make, but I wasn’t really happy with any of them.  I decided to try my own invention of a recipe, and it failed. Miserably. Completely inedible. After that was tossed in the garbage I downed a ginormous bowl of puffed wheat and coconut milk.

Then I set to work on an MCAT biology practice session. That went…okay.  Sadly, my strength is molecular biology because that has been the focus of my undergraduate career. However, the MCAT also tests human biology, anatomy, and physiology. I’m still really weak in these topics despite my studying efforts.

After that humbling practice session, I did some food photography. Then I showered. Then I swept the house. That was a chore, but it was desperately needed. I love my ragdoll kitty, but he sheds horribly!  After sweeping I did an MCAT verbal reasoning practice session.  That went considerably better than biology. I’ve improved a lot in the verbal reasoning section.

I can’t sit still for very long, so after that MCAT session and lunch, I set out on a walk.  I walked and listened to my ipod for about 20 minutes.  It was a short walk, but it was relaxing and reviving which was just what I needed after studying. Now I’m here writing this blog.

These are my suggestions for having a productive day:

1. Sometimes I feel like getting things done, and sometimes I just feel like being a little bit lazy.  I try to take advantage of my “getting things done” mood by maximizing my work when I’m feeling this way. If I’m feeling really resistant to doing something-like sweeping the floor for example-I try to take a break or do something else until I feel more like doing it.

2. Take frequent breaks!  Seriously, I cannot stress this enough.  Taking breaks is especially important for me when I study.  Usually if I’m studying for an exam I will give myself a 10 minute break at the end of every 50 minute studying interval.  This keeps me super productive because while I’m studying THAT IS ALL I am doing. I’m not checking facebook/email/pinterest.  Then, in my 10 minute break, I relax my mind by doing those things.

3. Keep fueled. Being properly fed and hydrated is essential for productivity. If I’m hungry, work just isn’t going to get done. I can’t focus when I’m thinking about the emptiness in my stomach. Good food will keep your mind and body working at it’s peak.

4. Make a list. Sometimes I lay in bed at night, and I literally can’t sleep because I keep thinking about all the things I have to do the next day. The best solution to this problem is to write everything down. That way your mind will be able to relax, and you won’t forget anything the next day. As an added benefit, I find that crossing items off my to-do list is super gratifying.

So…these cake batter rice krispie treats were not on my to-do list yesterday. But what better way to spend my time when I’m bored and happen to have a full box of rice krispies on hand? These rice krispie treats taste different than normal ones. They have a cake flavor that is not too subtle, but not too prominant either.  Cake Batter Rice Krispie treats are an easy way to change up an old favorite.

Yes, I realize these have valentines day sprinkles on them. Sometimes you have to improvise.

Cake Batter Rice Krispie Treats

Ingredients:

• 3 Tbsp. butter
• 1 (10 oz.) bag of mini-marshmallows
• 1/3 cup yellow cake mix
• 6 cups crispy rice cereal
• sprinkles

Method:

Melt butter and marshmallows in microwavable bowl. Microwave in 30 second increments, stirring inbetween, until marshmallows are melted. Stir in cake mix. Stir in cereal so it is completely coated with marshmallow mixture. Sprinkle some sprinkles into the mix. Press into a baking dish (any size will do) and top with more sprinkles. Let these sit until cool, then cut and enjoy!

XOXO,

Jamie

Oatmeal Pancakes

Exciting news here at CollegeGirlCooking!  I just found out that I (and my Avena Shake) were featured on Glamour.com! You can see that article here: http://www.glamour.com/health-fitness/blogs/vitamin-g/2011/07/breakfast-at-your-desk-avena-s.html

 

I thought I’d take today to share a few things I’ve been loving recently:

1. Sweet Cherries- Yum! I hadn’t tried sweet cherries until about a week ago, and now I’m totally in love.  I’ve eaten about 2 pounds in the last 4 days. I seriously can’t get enough.

2.  Finishing the novel “Everything Matters!” by Ron Currie Jr. – This book was a really good read.  It’s about a boy who is born knowing when the world will end.  While I loved this apocalyptic book, I did not love the apocalyptic nightmares it gave me.  I’m thankful that I won’t have to endure more dreams about being eaten by dinosaurs.

3. Yoga for Strength- I am weak. I do not enjoy strength training. I can’t do a push-up. I did, however, find a strength training workout I enjoy-YOGA! While some yoga routines focus on flexibility or relaxation, others focus on strength. Look up “yoga for strength” on youtube, and you’ll find a lot of videos.  I did 15 minutes of yoga, and I’m still sore 2 days later.

4. Delicious protein packed breakfasts- I’ve been really into my breakfast shakes lately, but today I switched things up and had oatmeal pancakes.  They were so amazing and quick to make!  These oatmeal pancakes are full of protein and fiber to keep you going in the morning.  I topped mine with yogurt, wheat puffs, and pear slices.

Oatmeal Pancakes

adapted from www.motherof2andloverofshoes.wordpress.com

1/3 C. instant oatmeal (uncooked)

1 egg white

1 tsp. baking powder

Dash of Cinnamon

Dash of Sugar

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Add a splash of water to thin out the batter. Divide batter in two and place batter on heated non-stick skillet.  Cook until eat side is slightly browned

The possibilities for these pancakes are endless. You can add your favorite spices and toppings to the pancake batter.  You could use your favorite flavored instant oatmeal and omit the cinnamon and sugar.  You can top these pancakes with anything: syrup, peanut butter, nutella, pureed fruit, chocolate chips, chocolate syrup, etc.

Enjoy!

XOXO,

Jamie

 

Learning to Love Myself & Peanut Butter Shake

Many people hold the misperception that eating disorders are solely about food.  In reality, food (binging/refusal of food/purging) are all symptoms of the REAL issue.  Refusing food or binging is the way people with eating disorders learn to cope with something that would otherwise be unbearable.

For me, I was super unhappy my freshman year of college.  To distract myself from my depression, loneliness, and severe homesickness, I (unconsciously) told myself that if I was skinny I would be happy.  I focused all my attention on losing weight.  Keeping my focus on dieting and exercise distracted me from the real problems going on in my life. My eating disorder was self destructive, but I needed a coping mechanism and it was all I had.

The number on the scale kept going down and down, but I still wasn’t happy. Of course I realize now that being skinny doesn’t constitute happiness.  I’m happier now at my healthy weight than I ever was when I was extremely underweight. This happiness came to be because I finally stopped to search for what in my life was really making me unhappy.  It wasn’t my weight.

After determining the causes of my unhappiness, I made changes in my life.  I transferred colleges.  I no longer force myself to study 24/7.  I give myself breaks whenever I want them.  I’ve learned to tell people “no”. I’ve slowed down the pace of my day and have learned to appreciate the beauty in things around me.  Essentially, I’ve learned to love myself.

This isn’t to say that my life is complete bliss because that’s unreal for anyone.  I still get stressed over schoolwork. I still worry about my future. Sometimes I still get lonely.  I’ve learned to cope with these things though in a much healthier way.  I call Darren or my sisters if I’m stressed.  I talk to my parents about growing up, and they assure me things will work out okay. And when I get lonely, I escape into a novel.

So now that I love myself and I’ve learned to take care of myself, I only feed myself things my body loves! Lately I’ve been loving these protein packed breakfast shakes.  I recently made a peanut butter shake.

Peanut Butter Shake

1/2 C. cottage cheese

10 ice cubes

1 Tbs. peanut butter

sweetener of choice (a couple teaspoons sugar or a couple packets splenda/truvia)

1/2 C. milk (I used almond milk, but dairy will work too)

Blend everything in blender until ice is fully crushed and everything is incorporated.

XOXO,

Jamie

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Shake

What a girl to do when it’s too hot to be outside, she’s sick of swimming, and she can’t possibly spend one more minute on foodgawker?

Go shopping of course!  Shopping is the perfect way to beat these insanely hot, humid days we’ve been having.  You can get your walk on in the air conditioning, it’s the perfect opportunity to people watch, and you get to buy pretty things!

Yesterday Darren and I were bored and tired of being cooped on indoors.  We went to Dollar Tree and browsed around the whole store.  Then we went our separate ways to buy each other a gift costing (you guessed it) one dollar. I bought Darren freezer pops and he bought me a big clear wine glass that you will see featured in this post!  Going to Dollar Tree and picking out gifts for a dollar was such a fun, inexpensive date.  Also, you get a present at the end of it!

Another way to beat the heat is to start off your day with an oatmeal chocolate chip breakfast shake like I did this morning.  This shake would also make a great snack.  It has a lot of protein which I love in a breakfast because it gives me energy to start my day. This shake is also super delicious.  It tastes like an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie.  Darren loved it, so I even have proof this recipe is a winner.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Shake

adapted from http://www.dashingdish.com

Ingredients:

1/2 C. Cottage Cheese

10 ice cubes

2 Tbs. Oatmeal (instant or slow cooking, doesn’t matter)

1 Tbs. Chocolate Chips

1/2 Cup Milk (I used almond, but you can use whatever you prefer)

Sweetener of your choice (I recommend a couple teaspoons of sugar or a couple Spenlda/Truvia packets)

Dash of cinnamon

Method:

Put everything in blender. Blend until ice is fully crushed, and everything is blended.

XOXO,

Jamie

Banana Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake (or as Darren calls it, bcccc)

I have Harry Potter to credit for basically everything good I’ve ever done in my life. For example, my entire valedictorian speech was centered around a Dumbledore quote. I wrote about quidditch in my college entrance essay.  And last but certainly not least, if it weren’t for Harry Potter, I would never had made this delightful Banana Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake.

 

The story starts a week ago, on last Thursday when the final Harry Potter movie premiered at midnight.  Of course I went to the midnight showing!  The next morning though, I also had to drive an hour to my boyfriends and spend the day with him.  It was a pretty action packed day, and I was so tired from the movie!  After shopping and cooking dinner I NEEDED caffeine.  Darren, being the wonderful boyfriend he is, was more than willing to take me to Starbucks.  He knows that bad things happen when I get grumpy. I got my usual skinny iced vanilla latte, Darren got a vanilla bean frap, and we split a piece of their banana chocolate chip coffee cake.

 

The starbucks banana chocolate chip coffee cake had great flavor.  However, neither Darren nor I were crazy about the texture.  I decided it was either stale or overbaked.  Anyways, Darren told me I could make it way better (he always flatters me).  So of course, I had to accept the challenge!

 

This coffee cake turned out incredibly moist.  The banana flavor is a bit more prominent in my version than in the starbucks’.  Darren said he preferred my cake much more though, and I don’t doubt it because he ate half the cake in a day.  I’m not lying.  That boy eats like an army.

Thanks to Harry Potter for making my childhood so completely wonderful, for providing me with endless amounts of inspiration, and for giving me a friend in which I sought solace more times than I can count.

Banana Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake

(featured on Inn Cuisine, recipe from the High Pointe Inn and appearing on BedandBreakfast.com)

• 1 & 1/3 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 4 large eggs
• 4 medium, ripe bananas
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray either a 9×11″ baking pan or classic Bundt pan with non-stick cooking spray; set aside.

Beat sugar, sour cream, butter (or margarine), and eggs together in mixing bowl on low speed for 1 minute. Beat in flour, baking soda, and salt on medium speed for 1 minute. Beat in bananas and vanilla on low speed for 30 seconds. Stir in chocolate chips (by hand). Spread batter in prepared baking pan and place in center of preheated 375 degree F oven for approximately 35-40 minutes, or until light brown on top and toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool in pan (if using a Bundt pan cool slightly, then turn out onto serving platter or cake plate); cut into slices or squares of desired size and thickness. Serve warm or at room temperature.

XOXO,

Jamie

No Bake Peanut Butter, Chocolate, Banana Cookies

There is pretty much a heat wave sweeping the whole country right?  It is so hot and humid here in the midwest!  Because of the heat, I can’t bring myself to turn on the oven.  But my love for cookies and all things chocolate doesn’t cease just because it’s 100 degrees outside!  Yep, this situation called for no bake cookies.

Peanut Butter, Chocolate, Banana no bake cookies that is.

My sister Allie and i whipped up these cookies last night while Taylor sat at the counter and edited pictures.  I love baking with my sisters!  Allie is a huge help even though she always tries to get out of doing the dishes

These no bake cookies are really good.  They are pretty much what you would think of as a traditional no bake cookie, but they have the addition of banana.  The banana allows you to cut out the butter in a normal no bake cookie recipe.  The banana also adds some great flavor.  Peanut Butter, chocolate, and banana make a great combo.

No Bake Peanut Butter, Chocolate, Banana Cookies

adapted from http://www.dashingdish.com

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup peanut butter (crunchy or creamy)
• ½ banana, mashed
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• ½ cup low fat milk (I used almond milk)
• 4 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 3 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1/8 tsp salt

Method:

1. Put mashed banana and peanut butter together in a large skillet and cook over medium-low heat, stirring until peanut butter and banana are combined.
2. Once the peanut butter is melted, take the skillet off the heat and add the rest of the ingredients, stirring until everything is well combined.
3. Drop cookie dough (about 1/8th cup per cookie) on a baking sheet lined with wax or parchment paper (or foil sprayed with cooking spray), patting cookies into desired shape. Place baking sheet in fridge or freezer until cookies are set.

XOXO,
Jamie

 

Diet Foods: the good, the bad, and the ugly

I have a problem with foods marketed as “diet foods.”  My main problem is that the majority of these foods simply don’t taste good, and therefore, leave me wanting more.  Honestly, the full fat and full sugar version of anything CAN have a place in your diet, and you can still maintain a healthy lifestyle.  The idea of eating full fat yogurt should not scare you like it used to scare me.  I used to be so obsessive about calories I would get angry at my waiter or waitress because I swore to myself they gave me a regular Coke instead of Diet Coke. Like I’ve said many times before, eating is about listening to what your body desires- what does your body require to feel and run at its fullest potential?

However I will acknowledge, there are lower calorie options that aren’t so terrible as well.  In this post, I’ll being going through what I’ve found to be the good, the bad, and the ugly of “diet” foods.

The Good:  These are foods that I love and really don’t seem so diet-y to me at all.

1.  Skinny drinks from Starbucks- You can order pretty much any drink at Starbucks in a “skinny” version in which they use nonfat milk and sugar free syrup instead of the full fat and sugar stuff.  I honestly can’t tell the difference between my skinny iced vanilla latte and the regular version.  When I was deep into my eating disorder I knew the calorie count of the regular drink and the skinny drink, but I’ve long forgotten that now.  I just know I love my skinny vanilla latte, so I’ll stick with it.

2.  Slow Churned Ice Cream- Edy’s was the first brand to come out with this kind of ice cream, but now pretty much everyone makes a “slow churned” or “double churned” variety of ice cream.  Something to do with this churning process makes the ice cream have about half the fat and calories of regular ice cream.  It tastes the same as regular ice cream, and since I eat ice cream on a daily basis (yes, I’m serious…daily), I figure I might as well get the slow churned stuff.

The Bad:

1. Lean Cuisine Meals- These meals are so measly they should be called snacks.  Some of them do have pretty good flavor though.  If you aren’t into cooking I’d suggest steaming a bunch more veggies and some lean protein to stir in with the lean cuisine meal.  Then you might feel satisfied.

The Ugly:

1. Walden Farms Zero Calorie Peanut Butter- You read that right. Zero Calories people. I found this product when I was well into my recovery.  I laughed out loud when I found it though, thinking about how my former self would have devoured this seemingly “free food”.  Of course I had to buy a jar of it just to find out how it tasted!  It was TERRIBLE.  I would actually describe it as inedible.  How anyone manages to eat that chemical concoction is a mystery to me.  Both my mom and I had a little taste, gagged, and promptly threw the entire jar into the trash can.

2. Fat Free Salad Dressing- I have an issue with fat free salad dressing because it isn’t really dressing at all.  It should be called fat free salad goop I think.  Instead of “dressing” a salad.  It just sits as an unappetizing blob.  The taste isn’t so great either.  Healthy fats, like olive oil in salad dressing, should have a place in your diet.  These fats are great for your hair, nails, and skin!  If you are eating your greens, you owe yourself some delicious salad dressing.  Why waste your time eating something you don’t absolutely love?

I could go on and on with this list, but I’m going to leave it here.  What are “diet” foods you love and hate?

Oh yeah, I made some iced coffee today too!

Iced Coffee

• 1/2 cup chilled coffee
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 1 Tbs vanilla Torani syrup
• 1 Tbs sugar

Mix all and pour over ice

XOXO,

Jamie

Frozen Hot Chocolate!

I’m going to come right out and say it.  This is probably my favorite drink I’ve ever made.  Frozen hot chocolate was made famous by a restaurant in New York called Seredipity, and it has inspired foodie blogs ever since.  This frozen hot chocolate will not disappoint.  It makes a perfect breakfast as it is nutritious and high in protein.

 

It’s also SUPER chocolatey.  I’ve mentioned my love for sweets at breakfast.  This is totally my kind of breakfast beverage.  I’m craving one to go with my lunch already.

 

I’m going to warn you right now: this drink contains cottage cheese.  Yes, I thought this was a little strange at first too.  But it makes the drink soooo creamy.  This drink is delicious, cottage cheese and all.

 

Frozen Hot Chocolate

adapted from http://www.dashingdish.com

Ingredients:

• 1 Packet of diet or regular hot chocolate (I only had regular on hand, but use whatever you prefer!)
• 1/2 Cup cottage cheese
• 1 Scoop protein powder, option (I omitted this.  I never use protein powder, as I feel I get enough protein in my diet)
• 3-4 Stevia/Splenda packets (I used 3)
• 1 Tbs cocoa powder
• Pinch of salt
• Ice/Milk(to desired consistency, I use about a whole tray of ice and 1/2 cup of almond milk)
• *Optional: Whip cream to garnish!

Method:

1. Add all of the ingredients to a blender, adding the milk last, using just enough to get things moving! (Add more water slowly if needed.)
2. Blend until smooth. When shake is thick and creamy it’s ready! Pour into a large cup and enjoy!

XOXO,

Jamie

Ice Cream for Breakfast

So here’s the thing people:  I love ice cream.  Like I could pretty much live on ice cream.  I could top anything with ice cream and gobble it right down.  I could defeat any ice cream eating contest out there.  It’s true. I love ice cream more than almost anything.

Except for maybe my family…

and my boyfriend…

I guess…

Anyways, I accidentally bought sugar free rocky road ice cream at the store instead of slow churned rocky road ice cream. The sugar free tastes okay, but I’m an ice cream aficionado, so I’m pretty particular about quality ice cream.  I didn’t know what I would do with all this sugar free ice cream that I didn’t love.  (I don’t like eating foods I don’t love).  So, I decided why not turn it into a breakfast milkshake?  It’s sugar free, has nuts in it, 3 grams of protein per serving…totally healthy enough for breakfast right?

I thought so…

My breakfast milkshake was actually more of the consistency of a breakfast frosty.  It was super good!

Breakfast Frosty

• 1 large banana, frozen
• 1 large scoop sugar free rocky road ice cream (or ice cream of your choice)
• enough almond milk to reach desired consistency (about 1/2-1 cup)
• sugar to taste (optional)

Blend everything in blender and enjoy!

XOXO,

Jamie

The struggle to remain “food positive”

I kind of see my recovery as a shift from being “food negative” in thinking that food=fat to being “food positive” in thinking that food is a way to nourish my body and a site of enjoyment and experimentation.  Being “recovered” from my eating disorder doesn’t mean that I never experience negative thoughts about my food choices or my body.  Instead, I see recovery as having the tools to deal with these thoughts and act in a way that’s healthy for my body.

These past few days have been a little rough for me.  For example, yesterday Darren asked me if I wanted to go out to breakfast with him and his mom.  I originally said no even though I haven’t been out to breakfast in a while, and as I’ve stated numerous times on my blog, I LOVE breakfast!  After I got off the phone with Darren I realized the only reason I said no to breakfast was because I was anxious about all the calories I would eat.  I realized this was completely my eating disorder creeping back up on me again.   I needed to do what I wanted, and not let my old ways of thinking come back into my life.  I told Darren everything I was feeling.  He, being the completely supportive boyfriend he is, assured me it was completely okay to go out to breakfast.  He picked me up, and I enjoyed a lovely breakfast with him and his mom.

My old ways of restrictive thinking creep back up on me occasionally like they have been for the past few days.  However, I just act against them and reaffirm to myself that I can trust my stomach to tell me when I’m hungry and what I need to eat.  I can enjoy food and still be healthy. If I hadn’t confronted my instance of food anxiety yesterday, I would have missed out on a really great time.  It’s unfair to yourself to let food control your life.  Confronting your food fears in the first step towards freedom.  Good luck everyone!

 

XOXO,

Jamie