Lunch To-Go

I am a university student, so having a lunch packed with me a) helps me save some much needed cash and b) allows me to have quick access to food when my tummy rumbles during a lecture. For obvious reasons, you don’t want messy food, loud food, or food you have to reheat. If you have food with you that has loud packaging or is messy you will disrupt your own learning environment as well as the rest of the class. Reheating food is also a pain because most classes have a 10-15 minute break (if at all); 10-15 minutes on campus isn’t much time to find the microwave, wait in line, and get back to class on time. With all of that said, I have devised a few easy and hassle-free lunches I like to bring with me.

If you have a sweet tooth, this lunch idea will be right up your alley: Strawberry-Banana-Nutella Sandwich

You will need 1 banana (slices up), 2 slices if your favorite bread, jar of Nutella, and a few strawberries (sliced). All you have to do now is make it into a sandwich by spreading the Nutella onto the bread and layering the fruit! Complicated, I know. 😉

For a delicious and filling lunch I suggest: A Tuna Melt Wrap 

Remember how I said reheating is a no-no? Well, this tuna melt is pre-melted allowing you to just dig into the wrap without the hassle. You will need flour tortillas, 1 can of tuna, 1/2 celery stick (finely chopped), a couple of slices of red onion (finely chopped), 1/2 of a large tomato (finely chopped), a few squirts of Sriracha sauce (or any hot sauce you like), a couple dollops of mayonnaise, salt and pepper, and cheddar cheese (thinly sliced).

Now all you have to do is throw all the ingredients (except for the wrap and cheddar cheese) into a large bowl, mix it together well and then make your wrap. You can easily make this the night before and keep it in the fridge. In the morning, before you head out, just zap it in the microwave for a few seconds and let it cool on a plate before putting it into a container to take with you.

For the salad and pasta lovers: Sesame Pasta Salad

Make the dressing and prepare the ingredients the night ahead and it will be ready to toss and go in the morning! What you will need is 1 pound of linguine pasta (cooked), 4 tablespoons of sesame oil, 3 tablespoons honey, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 1/2 garlic clove (crushed), 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, 2 bell peppers (thinly sliced), some red onion (thinly sliced), 1 carrot ( chopped Julienne style), handful of snow peas.

Make the dressing in a small Tupperware container by tossing in the sesame oil, honey, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, and garlic, then whisk until well combined. Cover and put away in the fridge. Following that, put the pasta and veggies and peanuts into a different Tupperware container and put that in the fridge as well. In the morning, all you will have to do is put the salad together (or take the two containers with you and add the dressing at lunch).

For someone who likes meat: Turkey Sandwich With a Twist

This is not a boring sandwich you are used to, this one is delicious. What you will need is 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 splash of Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper, 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, several slices of smoked turkey, 2 slices of bread, 2 thin slices of tomato, 1 leaf of hearts of romaine lettuce.

In a bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, Parmesan, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper, and lemon juice. Next, spread that sauce generously onto both sliced of bread. Layer one slice with lettuce, tomato, and turkey and then close the sandwich with the second slice. Put the sandwich into a Ziploc bag and that’s that!

 

*Cough*Sniffle*Cough*

Yes, yes I do.

Hello interweb society! I’m sick – coughing, feverish, runny nose, watery eyes, headache – sick. I am not one to get sick regularly, my immune system normally does a good job of keeping away the bugs; unfortunately, it seems that something has made it past the barrier. Poop. As a university student, not much can take you down like a flu or a bad cold can. It’s like Kryptonite! You want to do your readings, you even get settled at your desk ready for action…but when you look at the textbook for more than 5 minutes, your head begins to spin and your eyes roll back into your head. I have been doing my best to get small increments of reading done and even took some notes the other day. Today, though, it’s not looking promising. I slept pretty much all day – woke up at 1:30 pm! I think? Or it might of been 2:30…oh my goodness. I don’t know. What day is it?! Send help.

So, my parents went out and bought me anti-viral tissues (did you know they made those? I didn’t), flu medicine, medicated cough and throat lozenges, and general cold/flu care package materials. I am beyond grateful for that. I made some chicken stock two days ago, but that is long gone and I have no energy to make anymore. Currently working toward mustering the energy for some post dinner studying – I must get something done today…maybe. Though, I did vacuum earlier today (because cat hair and dust and being plugged up and coughing don’t make a nice combination). I gotta say, the energy exerted while vacuuming nearly ended me haha. I was sure that if I sat down I would pass out. Yet somehow, I am still conscious. All I really want to do is watch Netflix in bed for the rest of the night and drink hot tea and eat warm foods. But I also want to get school work done…*sigh* I guess we shall see what I feel like after dinner.

Bailey (for those of you that don’t know, she’s my cat) has been keeping me company; which is good because I am quarantined in a tiny space by myself until I am virus-free. Speaking of keeping yourself and your viruses confined, I think more people should learn to do that! I mean, I go to school with hundreds of people, and I also take public transit. I have noticed people hacking a lung in the 3rd row of class – mouth open! Yes, just spreading that bug to all of us, thanks…sharing isn’t always caring. Sometimes it’s best to keep things to yourself. Or, better yet, standing on the bus next to someone (an adult) wiping their running, snotty nose with bare hands and then grabbing the pole to hold on. WHY. DUDE do us all a favor and stay home with your chicken noodle soup and Netflix. *angry hand gestures*

Okay, let’s move on. Aside from whatever bug has been plaguing me the past few days, things have been well. I acquired some new pens – I am a stationary enthusiast, so this is very exciting news to me.  The pens I got are the 10 pack of Staedtler multicolored pens and two Pilot Precise V5 pens. I am the type of person who likes to have her notes not only look neat and organized, but also color coordinated. I do that with my planning, too. Colors play an important part in my life as a student and generally organized human. I am now realizing how sad it sounds to be excited about pens, but you know what? I embrace my affinity for stationary. Pretty excited to use them, as soon as I gather enough brain energy to focus on studying.

Next week, when I am well and more “with-it”, expect a fun post. Meanwhile, stay healthy and have a wonderful week! For now, I am off to make myself some more ginger-honey-lemon tea and try to figure out what to do with myself – study or sleep or Netflix…decisions, decisions.

Week 1

Hello all! As I mentioned previously, I am thinking of making Tuesdays my post day so, here I am! Still not totally sure I will keep Tuesdays; I shall decide after this intro week is over and I have my next week planned out.

How is your first week in 2016 starting out? My Monday was pretty good – I was a little bit too eager and showed up on campus 1.5 hours before class was supposed to begin. Though, to be fair, I did want to buy textbooks at the campus bookstore before the line-up became too long. I guess my early arrival was planned (but I had not foreseen being there that early).

So far…

1. I think I will enjoy my classes much more this semester. I have classes focused on neuroscience, clinical evaluations/treatments, as well as social psychology, and cognition. All deeply interesting topics that spark desire to learn and absorb information.
2. This week, as most intro weeks go, is slow. Everyone is still acquiring their textbooks (including me), professors are introducing their classes… and that is about it. I, however, plan on doing as much as I can this week anyway – starting with review of topics from previous courses which are relevant and helpful.
3. Sleep is coming along…will still take time to adjust to my desired optimal sleep pattern.
4. I have made a schedule which should serve me very well for this semester.

…and that is pretty much it for now haha.

Nothing too exciting to report. Oh! I did make a delicious English muffin breakfast today. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a photo before devouring it; but I will tell you what goes in it and how to make it:

• 1 English muffin sliced in half
• 1 large portobello mushroom, chopped into small cubes
• 1/2 cup of sour cream
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 slices of mozzarella cheese
• 2 slices of aged cheddar cheese
• Butter

Take the chopped mushroom and fry it up in the butter with your salt and pepper until the mushroom becomes soft. Add your sour cream, mix until well combined, and let it all cook down together for a few minutes on medium-low heat.

While mushroom is doing its thing, put the cheese slices onto one half of the English muffin and toast (both halves separately) until the cheese starts to melt. Remove your mushroom concoction from heat and dollop it onto the melted cheese. Close the sandwich with the top half of the English muffin. That’s it.

Surprisingly delicious (can add meat or egg or bacon if you desire) and easy.

Off to study now. Have a great week!

 

The one with resolutions

Happy New Year! I learned a lot from 2015. I am thankful for many things that happened last year. All wonderful things aside, the last stretch of 2015 (from about the end of August up until Christmas) was challenging. My semester started off pretty smoothly, but quickly turned as unforgiving as white-water. Everything was different – my fiance had just left for school to a different province and I was swallowed by school work and studying of my own. It was a trying experience, but I learned a lot from all of it. Though, before any learning took place, I had a rough time. I let myself get away with negative thinking, I slipped into poor habits (such as staying up way too late and losing sleep), etc. I was not myself; I felt like I was annoying myself with how down I got. I started looking for reasons and found them. Now that I found them, it is time to fix them.

I heard/read a lot about resolutions being stupid and that setting resolutions is useless because they are sure to fail. I decided to challenge that! I think that with the right goals and the right mind-set resolutions will not fail. It’s all about willpower and good planning. I made a decision (after my semester ended) that, in 2016, I will make some resolutions and stick to them. So, without further ado…here are mine:

1. Blogging consistently. As you all know, my blogging kind of took a nosedive a few months ago. I kept setting times to post… yet somehow either school got in the way or inspiration wasn’t there. So, my goal is to have one day a week set in my schedule where I will post – rain or shine. I have not yet decided the day, but I am leaning toward Tuesday (as I have that day off from classes). I will update the set day later on in the week as I settle into my schedule better.
2. Sunday Ritual. I will be using Sunday as a day to get organized for the week ahead and regroup. To make this a “ritual” I will be doing a basic set of things every Sunday without alterations (unless truly necessary or planned). First thing is shower and do morning yoga stretches. Following that, I will have a large breakfast. This breakfast will be something special/different than the usual daily breakfast – fancy pancakes, smoothies, and/or something like a quiche…you get the idea. During this breakfast, I will read a chapter of a book (nothing related to school; something that will set a positive note to my day and get my brain into gear). Next, is sit down and plan out the week ahead. I will use this time to make to-do lists, get a sense of what I need to do during the week, assign different work for different days of the week, etc. After I have my plans set for the week I will get some work done – such as making notes and doing reading for classes. By the time I have completed all of this it will be time for dinner, so I will spend the rest of the time from dinner onward relaxing before Monday.
3. Unwinding on Saturday. Sunday is the power day of the weekend, so Saturday will be the day of rejuvenation. This means a stress- free day. A day I can use to work on a hobby or project (such as painting), do some yoga, pamper myself a little bit with a bubble bath and good book, make a nice dinner of comfort food, catch-up on TV shows or watch a movie, and things of that nature. I will also be some doing school work, but less volume of it than during the week/Sunday (and most likely in the morning rather than later in the day). I will essentially use this day to create a “zen” state of mind.
4. Consistent Sleep Schedule. God, how my sleep suffered last semester. I was a zombie by the end of it! My goal is to get to bed earlier and awake earlier. At the same time every day. Even on weekends. I do not want to sleep in late, I do not want to stay up too late. I want to have a steady sleep pattern so that my brain is optimally functional and my mood is optimally pleasant haha.
5. Get It Done. As trivial as it seems…it’s important. As human beings we tend to leave some stuff for tomorrow or simply later. With some things, it is OK to do that. When it comes to school work (or other important tasks), not so OK. With that in mind, my goal is to get as much done in a day as possible before I start to feel overwhelmed. That means no dilly-dallying during the week, no putting off readings for “later”, and keeping up with my schedule as closely as possible. I am lucky this semester to have quite a bit of spare time for studying, so I will utilize it to the best of my abilities.
6. No Schoolwork Past 8:00 PM. As important as it is to not procrastinate, it is equally as important to remember to not over-work yourself. I feel like I always knew that, yet despite my knowledge of it, I got sucked up by the current and forgot to breathe. Not drowning myself is another resolution. This means I will try to do as much during the day so that I can finish any remaining school work before 8:00 (or so) PM. Time to wind down before bed is crucial for a good sleep – at least I found this to be true for me.
7. Keeping A Positive Mind. As I have mentioned, this is an area that needed improvement last semester. I was never a totally negative person by any means (that isn’t my nature), but I was not ambitious enough because I felt discouraged, I let little things get under my skin because of other stresses, I was governed by the negatives rather than the positives. So, now I will be getting back to positive thoughts and positive actions and positive expectations. This means beginning each day with good thoughts and ending each day with gratitude and a peaceful heart. I think this will play a key part in keeping up with the rest of my resolutions.
8. Get Moving. I was not successful at finding time or motivation to do yoga consistently (or any other exercises) in the last few months of 2015. I feel quite let-down about it, but now it is time to get into the habit of consistent exercising again.
9. Achieving Straight A’s. As I have mentioned before, my last semester made me struggle…in more ways than one. Needless to say…my GPA struggled, too. That makes me angry. I like my A’s and A+’s. Hence my goal for this semester is to achieve nothing lower than an A on any given assignment or exam. I know that sounds like I am putting a huge strain on myself, however, the way I plan on achieving this standard (such as following my Sunday and Saturday “rituals”) is going to make it as stress-free as possible.

That wraps it up for my resolutions post. I hope you enjoyed the read and I will see you again soon!

[Insert Sorry Face]

Don’t sweat the petty things and don’t pet the sweaty things.
– George Carlin

Quizzes. Lab reports. Exams. Quizzes. Exam. Quizzes. Exams. Lab reports. Quizzes. Lab reports. Essay.

That has been the way my past couple of months have looked – in case you have noticed my complete absence *frown*. Don’t worry, it’s not you…it’s me. Well, it’s actually school.

Welcome to November friends! I can’t believe it has been so long since I have posted anything! Sheesh! I tried committing to the whole one post a week idea, and for a little while I kept writing and saving drafts to finish later. As you can tell, the posts haven’t made it past the draft stage. Life got busy and in the way of my blogging progress. I lost my groove *heavy sigh*. I also can’t believe that Christmas season is just around the corner (erm…just after final exams are done with *sweat*). Who else is excited!?!? *crickets* Too early? Okay…

Anyway, I hope that everyone had a great fall so far! I am figuring out this new system of time management where I hopefully make it to the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep a night haha. I have been doing pretty well…I mean, I haven’t fallen asleep in any classes nor have I lit my chemistry lab on fire…so…all good things. Other than that, just normal student life. Finish classes at 6 pm and head home, study, rinse and repeat. Nothing too thrilling, then again, I rather be doing this than scrubbing hot plates at a shady fast food joint.

Also, where have in-laundry scent boosters been all my life?! My clothes smell like a fresh meadow and magic. I don’t know how to better describe the scent. I have two: one is by Bounce in their original scent and the other is the Downy Unstoppables in the teal colored container. What’s pretty great is that I have sensitive skin and normally avoid trying extra heavily scented laundry items but, on a whim, I chose to give these two a go…no problems, just yummy smelling clothes – and the scent isn’t overpowering either. Maybe I have arrived a little late on this train but I am here. These are magical little beads, they burst into a wonderful scent for long after I’ve already worn my clothing.

Do you guys enjoy bundling up in comfy sweaters and scarves and lounging wearing warm socks while watching it be cold and rainy outdoors? I do. I like hearing the rain coming down on my roof while sipping my tea. It’s tranquil.

It is now rather late, I should sleep so I can catch my 7 hours of Zzz. I will be back this weekend or tomorrow!

If you’re reading this on Thursday night, good night to you! If you are reading this on Friday, happy Friday!

My Cup of Tea

Hello, hello!

A class that I attended today has been the most enjoyable and exciting class to date. The course is: Tea in China and Japan. It’s a history course about tea and the culture that revolves around it. And I think you all know just how much I enjoy my tea. Needless to say, this is going to be my favorite course.

The professor that teaches this course is actually a professor my fiance took classes with; in fact, that is where I got my recommendation from! The information provided and the professor’s passion for the subject creates a really good vibe in the classroom. I am extremely lucky that I was able to take this course. Joining me in this course is my bestie! My enthusiasm and interest for tea has grown exponentially after just the first day. I think this is going to be a lovely break (though still requires hard work) from my science and mathematics courses.

Onward, I think the most thrilling part of the course is that we get to do a lot of hands-on learning. We will have the opportunity to witness traditional tea ceremonies both Chinese and Japanese (our choice of which) and/or make our own tea cup with a professional. The professor also mentioned that we will be getting the chance to sample many different types of teas and he will prepare the teas for us in class with a tea ceremony. Amazing. Oh, and for the final exam…he will provide “the finest” teas for us as we write! Yaay! If you know me, you know just how much this class tickles my fancy!

Throughout my student years, I have only truly been impressed with a handful of professors. For example: a chemistry professor whom I took a class with this summer, a math professor I started with at my university, and this current professor. Now, I don’t mean that I didn’t enjoy any other professors, I had many good instructors – more good than not. However, the three I have mentioned are the people who stand out to me the most. For many reasons. The chemistry and math professors gave me the confidence to continue and not give up trying. I got my first A in math and chemistry is no longer a foreign language to me haha. I am grateful for that. My current professor has already inspired me to do well simply by being so passionate about his subject and giving us so much insanely interesting information – he seems to really want his students to get the most out of the course and have an amazing time. I was absorbed into the subject from the first minute. I thank my fiance for introducing us!

Now, it is time for me to bid you adieu and get some sleep before tomorrow’s classes. Have a good Friday everyone.

Side note: Since this post is going up on September 11th, I would like to take this time to remember the tragic events that happened on 9/11 2001. I am reaching out to the families and individuals who suffered, my heart goes out to you. I hope that one day we can all live under peaceful skies.

Semester Prep!

Hello dear readers!
This post was inspired by my upcoming fall semester. I want to share with you what I bring to school with me every day, my must-have items for school, favorite snacks and teas for fall, and favorite school supplies. Plus, the most important part (maybe?): I will be sharing how to set yourself up for a very successful semester!

First thing is first: Favorite school supplies:

• Five Star College Ruled Notebook (1 subject): College ruled is the only paper I can stand writing on – I know I’m a paper snob. Five Star is my favorite brand of notebooks because they are durable and have grate quality paper…not to mention they are somewhat spill proof; the cover is plastic, so if I drip some of my drink onto the cover, it’s no problem. [P.S. When Target was in Canada, I bought a Target brand Five Star equivalent notebook…it was cheaper but still same style. If you have a Target around, go look for those instead of the Five Star. We Canadians no longer have that opportunity.]
• Sharpie Pens: I think along with being a paper snob, I am a pen snob (haha). I like these pens because not only do they write incredibly smoothly, they are also long lasting and don’t bleed through paper or leave gloopy spots like cheaper pens sometimes do. I have 4 plain black pens and 4 coloured pens by Sharpie. I like my notes to be all black ink and then use the coloured pens for indicating important things or colour coding. Also, for chemistry, I like to use coloured pens when working with formulas and molecules. Same as biology. So Sharpie Pens all the way!
• Bic Intensity Pens (fine point): Like the Sharpie Pens, these are my favorite. They are actually pretty close to the Sharpie Pens. Same idea: don’t bleed, good ink flow, smooth. I only recently discovered them, so if you want a better priced alternative, give these a go!
• Five Star College Ruled Heavyweight Refill Paper: For class notes, I use my notebooks. As for taking notes form a textbook or handing in some work during class, I like this paper – a lot. It’s thicker than average paper, so it won’t rip easily or get crumpled as quickly. Plus, I find my pens work really well with this paper – always a plus!
• Bic Wite-out Tape: Because no one has time for waiting for the liquid stuff to dry!
• Bic Highlighters/Sharpie Highlighters: I buy the assorted colours because I colour code things and like to have the freedom of deciding what colour I will be staring at for a few hours. They work well and don’t make paper soggy. *thumbs up*
• Cue Cards (blank and ruled): I think this is self-explanatory? Quickly though: Blank are for sciences where I need to draw and write, ruled are for courses which require only writing. Plus some professors give the option of bringing one cue card with us to exams. Handy!
• Bic Mechanical Pencils: Easy peesy lemon squeezey! No sharpening required and comfy.
• Regular wood pencils: I use these sometimes. It depends really. At home, I use the wood pencils a lot more, but during class the mechanical ones are easier. [I will add sharpener and eraser here: the eraser I use is just a regular white one from Staedtler and I use a metal sharpener because it’s sturdy].
• Avery Heavy Duty Binder: Some classes are just really handout heavy – like biology. Other times, I like to keep all my progress throughout the semester in binders along with important notes and syllabi.
• Post-It Notes and Page Markers (multi coloured): Super handy for reminders, or little notes in textbooks, or flagging significant spots. I like marking chapters to do before exams, what to read every week, etc.
• Folders: I like to keep folders with 2 pockets lying around for times I need to bring in essays or hand-in assignments (like labs). I currently have cat ones (who would of thought…HA) and a silver one.
• A ruler, scientific calculator, and graph paper: Umm, as a science student, I pretty much couldn’t live without these items.

Next, let’s talk about what I bring to school with me on a daily basis and all of what I think every student should own:
What I bring in my backpack:

• Snacks, lunch, and a water bottle/tumbler. My school has a free water dispensing station located on almost all the floors. I just bring an empty water bottle with me and fill it when needed. In the mornings, I also always bring my tumbler with fresh brewed tea in it (Handy tip: bring tea bags with you from home and ask cafeteria for hot water. No cost for tea!). Snacks and lunches are going to be a separate post! But I like to have a hearty lunch and light snacks.
• Notebooks, pencils/pens, binder etc. The essentials. I don’t think I really have to list that part out, right? Haha
• iPad…well, I would bring my laptop if it weren’t so large. On my tablet are things like e-textbooks, Google Calendar, & Email. Having a small tablet is easier to lug around.
• iPod…because bus rides suck without music.
• Kit: hand sanitizer, Advil, Band-Aids, Pepto-Bismol (we all have bad days, ok), hair ties, gum, travel mouth wash, lip balm, hair brush, and tissues.
• I bring homework to work on during breaks or things to study. I like to utilize all of my time at school, especially when I have long breaks between my classes, being productive then means I will have less to do once home, and that is always a welcome state of affairs!
• Cellphone charger, wallet, USB stick, keys, and an extra layer of clothing in case I get chilly. Where I live, the fall months are always rainy, so I bring a small umbrella too.

Here are a few things which I would classify as must-haves for most of us students:

• Agenda/planner (either hard-copy or electronic). I have been saved by this item before. I use Google Calendar, it’s a good app that I can access on any device and it keeps me organized. A great way to stay on top of due dates and exams. Trust me. Planning will help with stress management!
• USB stick…we need this item. Great way to back things up and make sure that even if you forget to print an essay, you still have it on hand.
• Laptop. You’re going to college in the 21st century. Most of the general population, I think, will be able to get their hands on an average non-fancy laptop, if they want one. But really, having your own portable device will make life easier and more convenient. Also a laptop sleeve to protect it.
• A small kit to bring in backpack. Something with emergency medications, hand sanitizer, tissues…etc. You never know what you may need and it’s better to have a small stash with you at all times.
• Travel tumbler/mug and reusable water bottle: I think these are pretty essential. Why spend money (we college students rarely have) on things like coffee or packaged water bottles? Investing in these items will save you money in the long run. Plus tumblers keep hot drinks hot for a long time, so that is always good in the colder months.
• A glass container which is medium sized and has a tight lid. Make sure it is dishwasher and microwave safe. Having one of these will make taking lunches or dinners to class with you a cinch.
• Portable charger or just a wall charger. We all use our cellphones. We also hate being left with a dead phone mid-day. So bring a charger!
• Food. Pretty much a given? You’d be surprised. I see many people buying expensive food from the cafeteria on campus. It’s nice to treat yourself sometimes, but on a day-to-day basis…I suggest bringing your own food.
• Calculator: even if you don’t take sciences, it’s still pretty good to have around.

Okay, that covers the essentials I believe every college student should bring to campus with them. Let’s move on to talking about how to set yourself up for the most successful semester yet!

1. Prioritize and Organize: Before classes even begin, take a look at your schedule and print out a copy. Next, write in times for sleep, exercise, studying, showers, lunch, dinner. Literally map out every single day of the week. By hours. It may seem silly but once you have a good schedule set up, you can play around with it and modify as you get into the groove of things. The main thing is to know the general pattern of each day. Stick to the overall schedule – it doesn’t have to be by the minute or even by the hour, just do follow a schedule. It will keep you motivated!
2. Keep track: Once you get your syllabi, get your planner (or wherever you keep your schedule) and write the due dates, other important days, and exam days for your classes. Also keep track of how you are doing in the course – for each course you are taking, write down everything the prof will evaluate you on, and next to that write down your grade for that exam/assignment.
3. Buy your books early: shop online for textbooks a month in advance for new/used ones and 2 weeks before classes begin for books students are selling. The earlier you get on top of things, the better chance you have of scoring a good deal on a used (or new) textbook.
4. Make connections with your professors: Don’t be intimidated. Most professors really like keen students. If you form a good rapport with your instructors, you will benefit greatly from it.
5. Sleep: Getting the appropriate amount of sleep a night is vital to not only memory, but your immune system, and a whole load of other things. We need sleep. Manage your time well enough, so that you get 7-8 hours a night of solid sleep.
6. Set small goals: for each course you are taking, have a list of small goals you want to achieve and reward yourself with lattes or other treats when you reach it. It’s much more fun when you make a game out of it and encourage yourself. For example, a goal I set for myself is: if I do all of the practice problems for my chemistry course tonight, I will bake myself cookies. Simple, yes? Very effective, actually.

Time for a little blurb about my favorite fall/winter teas and snacks (not school related)! Let’s get to it:

• Cold 911 from David’s Tea. Especially if you have the sniffles with the weather change, this tea is great. Eucalyptus and peppermint is really good for the sinuses.
• Serenity Now from David’s Tea. It’s just perfect after a long day.
• Earl Grey from David’s Tea. Classic and delicious.
• Coconut Chai Tea by Zhena’s Gypsy Tea. I mix it with some cream and sugar. This one is a great warm-me-up when I get home.
• Cinnamon apple chips (homemade). I think this is a good alternative to regular chips and also cures a sweet craving.
• Cheesy garlic bread and tomato soup. Comforting and warm and gooey.
• Cajun buttery popcorn. I think it’s a pretty easy snack if you are just peckish while studying or watching something.
• Warm naan bread with a spread like humus or guacamole. I know, odd combo, but I just really like naan bread.
• Cookies! Because what is winter/fall without cookies?

Don’t Lower Expectations, Increase the Effort.

A new semester is coming up fast – 2 months! Registered for my 5 courses and 2 labs! Oh boy, this will be quite a challenge! I guess it will keep me occupied. Until then, soaking up the freedom of 3 classes and 1 lab…

Coming up: Chemistry + Lab, Biology + Lab, Psychology, Mathematics, and an Asian Studies class on Tea! What. A. Combo! Haha. That tea class is going to be phenomenal.

Tea is always a good idea.

To be honest, I have never taken such a work load before. I mean, I’ve been busy with 4 courses and labs before but never 5 courses plus the labs…we shall see how that ends up going! With appropriate planning, I am sure it will be manageable. I will be in school every single day of the week (excluding weekends, of course) and every day will be until 5 pm except Friday. Fall will be rainy and grey and dark, that always makes it hard to fight the early morning tiredness and trek out to class. But the grey sogginess is good when I am home, it will be cozy and easy to focus on studies.

I figure it this way: study now and be proud of myself later.

Study while others are sleeping; work while other are loafing; prepare while others are playing; and dream while others are wishing.

William A. Ward

My Top 5 Study Beverages:

1. Tea (iced or hot)…this one is not surprising, tea is good for any occasion haha
2. Hot mulled apple cider…during the fall, I sometimes find myself reaching for a hot mug of aromatic apple cider
3. Fresh fruit infused water…it’s refreshing and hydrating and fruit gives the water a touch of flavor, which makes it less “meh” – sometimes I like to jazz it up by using sparkling water/tonic water/club soda and squeezing a citrus fruit in it
4. Fresh juice…I have a juicer and I like to make myself a carrot and apple juice, it’s tasty and very healthy
5. *occasionally* I like a cold coke…usually when I am feeling bummed about studying/have been studying a lot and want to indulge in pop drinking

Notice there is no coffee in my list of study beverages – I very rarely drink coffee. I know, it’s weird…doesn’t everybody drink coffee? Haha, but I can easily go without coffee and actually prefer not to drink coffee – just isn’t my thing. There are some occasions that I do like a mug of joe. Some days are definitely, undeniably coffee days (or nights…when the exams get hairy). What is your favorite beverage for when you need to get stuff done (doesn’t have to be studies)? What about your favorite pick-me-up snack?

Spring Inspirations

I can tell it is getting warmer (closer to summer)! I want to share a recipe with you which was inspired by spring, sunshine, and freshness. I will also be giving a few tips on how to handle final exam period in college. Spring is a beautiful time of year, but for us students it also means the dreaded finals week(s).

I think what I like most about spring is that it is a time of growth for plants & flowers, fruits & vegetables. Everything begins to look beautiful and rejuvenated; the air becomes warmer, birds sing, and colors bloom. For some reason, I have always believed spring to be a time of personal “blooming” as well. A time where we find new energy – a time for growth, much like our plant friends. I find that “spring cleaning” doesn’t only apply to my physical world but also my spiritual world. Spring seems to bring with it some kind of energy that just propels me out of my winter blues and into cheerfulness (even if it rains).

Fresh Spring Rolls:

• cooked large shrimp (peeled and de-veined)
• rice paper wraps (can be found in the Asian aisle of most supermarkets)
• fresh basil leaves
• fresh mint leaves
• lettuce (optional)
• rice vermicelli (cooked) (also found in most supermarkets)
• red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• peanut sauce for dipping

1. Soak the rice paper wraps in a pan filled with warm water. Let soak for about a minute. Remove onto working surface.
2. Layer the ingredients on one half of the rice paper wrap and leave about 1 or 2 inches of space on the outer sides. Suggestion: layer shrimp, basil, & mint first. Then add your lettuce (if using), vermicelli and red belle pepper.
3. Fold the sides inward, then roll the rice wrap up tightly.

Peanut Sauce:

• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic (or one large clove)
• 1 inch fresh grated ginger
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil

Plop all ingredients into a blender and whiz together until smooth. Transfer to a small bowl for dipping.

*No measurements for ingredient amounts are given for the spring rolls, as the quantities are dependent on the amount of rolls you want to make*

P.s. Spring rolls are actually a very tasty study snack food 😉 …a little messy, but very yummy.

My Study Tips for Final Exams:

Finals are around the corner! Let’s get crackin’!

1. Go to your professor’s office hours or find another time to meet. Never leave things you don’t understand for the last minute. Even if you have nothing you need to clarify with your professor, go see them anyway – they may have some suggestions on how succeed in their specific course/how to properly prepare for the exam (this tip should really be followed throughout the semester).
2. Take your time. Since final exams are normally cumulative, it is important to allot the appropriate amount of study time and energy for each course you take; so start studying early! Final exams are mentally taxing, avoid putting off studying for a time where you have to cram all your studies together. You will feel confident about your knowledge and feel prepared for the exam if you manage your time properly during your study period.
3. Do all of the practice available. If your professor has practice exams, do them. If you find other resources with practice exams or problems, do them. Basically, do any and every kind of example problems you can. Practice all of the textbook problems along with anything your professor gives out. It is important to feel confident answering any kind of questions thrown at you. This way, on the exam, you won’t be stumped by wording or order. You can also do a timed mock final exam a few days before the actual exam and see how well prepared you are.
4. 50-10. The average brain cannot and will not stay 100% focused any longer than 50 minutes (normally). Take a 10 minutes break every 50 minutes in order to refresh your mind.This technique entirely changed the amount of stress I felt. I also did a lot better on exams when using this technique because my brain actually absorbed everything I put into it. Concentration and focus are the most important things when it comes to studying (not the amount of time you spend studying).
5. Eat, sleep, and exercise. The obvious. You must sleep enough hours in a day, otherwise your brain will turn to jelly (metaphorically, of course) before you even get halfway through a study period. Eating well and exercising (even going for a walk) not only relieves stress and mental fatigue but it also helps raise your energy levels while keeping blood pressure down.
6. Breathe. It is good to be a little worried about finals, that means you care. Just don’t becomes so lost in test anxiety that you can’t concentrate or enjoy your days. If you relax, you can study more effectively. Take some time to breathe and relax!

These are the “basics”, however, I have found these exact things the most helpful when preparing for exams and I hope these suggestions also help you with your finals! 🙂 Good luck to all you students out there!

Healthy and Delicious Lunches

“To keep the body in good health is a duty…otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.”

Buddha

Hey guys! So I survived the insanity school weeks. I am finally on break…my university calls this “reading week”. We are apparently supposed to use this week to catch up with class work and study for exams, but my professors were kind enough to have all of their exams and major work be due before the break – which means I get to relax! Well…erm…I will probably still do some school work just to make the rest of the semester a littler easier. I will also be blogging more this week – I have things I want to share with you and now that I have the time I can do that!

Today, I am going to be giving you guys a few ideas and recipes for healthy lunches to bring to work/school. Previously, I would bring regular lunches with me…you know, like left over lasagna or whatnot. Though it all tasted absolutely delicious, I found that my energy levels went down and I was feeling a little sluggish in class (and during laboratory work). I figured since my body doesn’t do well with heavy foods at lunch, I should instead try to bring lighter meals and plenty of healthy snack foods to munch on. So, if you are anything like me or are curious about some healthy lunch ideas…here we go:

For an Energy Packed Healthy Lunch:

1. Have 3-4 snacks in your bag
2. Pack a light but nutritious lunch
3. Bring a refillable bottle of water + some lemon slices to squeeze in for freshness (or any other fruits you want, for flavor)
4. Optional: An herbal tea for a midday pick-me-up

Lunch #1 – The Quick Wrap

• Avocado, sliced
• Tomato, thinly sliced
• Chicken breast, cut into strips
• Spinach tortilla
• Lime juice (fresh squeezed)
• Chilli (optional)
• Garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper
• Feta cheese, crumbled
• Roasted red peppers (from a jar), sliced
• Grape seed oil or olive oil

Pan fry the chicken breast in oil with chilli and garlic, once chicken is cooked add the fresh squeezed lime juice. Season to taste. Assemble the tortilla to your preference, I put the chicken under the rest of the ingredients because it seems to make less of a mess when I eat it haha. So for me it goes: chicken, avocado, feta cheese, tomato, roasted red pepper.

Lunch #2 – The Bowl

• Rice noodles, cooked as directed on packaging
• Red belle pepper, cut into strips
• Carrots, sliced into thin strips
• Red cabbage, finely chopped
• Yellow belle pepper, sliced into strips
• Edamame beans (removed from pod)
• Green onion, finely chopped (for garnish)
• Toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
• Sesame oil for frying
• Onion, sliced thinly

For the sauce: 1/2 cup peanut butter, 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce, 3 tbsp water, 2 tbsp honey, 1 garlic clove, 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 2 tsp sesame oil. Combine the ingredients in a blender and whirl together until smooth sauce forms.

Stir-fry the veggies (except the green onion) in some sesame oil for about 10 minutes. Add the peanut sauce to the pan. If the sauce is too thick, add one tablespoon of water at a time until desired consistency is reached. Toss the veggies in the sauce so everything is evenly coated. Remove from heat.

Cook the noodles as directed on the packaging. Once cooked, toss the noodles into the pan with the sauce and veggies and mix it all together.

After reheating this bowl at work/school garnish with toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onion

Lunch #3 – Chickpea Sandwich

• 1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• celery, finely chopped
• carrot, finely chopped
• Green onion, finely chopped
• Salt and pepper
• Dijon mustard (1-2 tsp usually works well)
• Juice of 1/2 small lemon
• Mayo or humus to combine ingredients
• Cajun spice
• Whole grain bread
• Monterey Jack cheese, grated (optional)

Mash chickpeas into a paste. Toss in the veggies, salt and pepper, Cajun spice, lemon juice, mustard, and mayo/hummus. Make a sandwich to your liking, add your choice of leafy greens (I like spinach with this sandwich), sprinkle on the cheese and there you have it!

Snack Assortment #1

• 1 cup honey Greek yogurt
• 3 fruits/berries (banana, strawberries, blueberries are always a good combo)
• 1/2 cup of almonds in a zip-lock bag

Snack Assortment #2

• Popcorn with garlic, smoked paprika, and Parmesan cheese (toss popcorn with a some unsalted butter, garlic powder, Parmesan, dash of smoked paprika, and salt)
• Apple slices with side of honey for dipping
• Baby carrots with tzatziki for dipping

Snack Assortment #3

• DIY trail mix: Cashews, coconut shavings, dark chocolate chips, dried fruit of choice, and almonds. Cut all the dried fruits into small pieces and combine in a zip-lock bag with the nuts and dark chocolate and coconut for an awesome snack.
• Grapes
• Triscuit crackers with a bottle of low-sodium V8 juice
• Fruit salad: kiwi, mango, pineapple tossed with dash of honey and coconut shavings

There you have my suggestions for some filling yet light lunches as well as delicious snacks to keep energy levels up throughout the day.

Have a great week!