How early is too early to claim Senioritis? And yes, that word is capitalized because it’s a legitimate condition. Seriously, I’m not ready to start back with studying, tests and group projects. Another thing I’m not ready to start again? Cooking every meal for myself. I was spoiled at home. I did cook maybe once or twice a week but I had help with grocery shopping and planning. Since I’ve been back in Miami I’ve gone to the grocery store four times. I’ve been here for five days. The first step to getting better is admitting you have a problem, right?
I’ve been eating a lot lately (which we covered last week) and tend to underestimate how much food I should prep ahead of time. Those two habits don’t mix. Luckily I just decided on a course of action… a crock pot. I just ordered one and will be putting it to use this weekend. Hopefully it will save time, effort and make preparing meals one less thing to think about. I guess getting used to cooking again goes along with transitioning back to school. Any suggestions for recipes?
In the meantime, here’s my pathetic attempt at taking somewhat decent photos of my meals from yesterday. #nevergonnahappen #thisisreallife. I cooked everything on Sunday night and am officially out of leftovers.
*Linking up to WIAW*
Breakfast
So this isn’t from yesterday because I always fail to take new pictures of my breakfast. It looks the same every morning (and I say that every WIAW). Bowl one of two + a handful of almonds.
Flashback to NYC breakfast
Lunch
Zoodles with basil, chopped asparagus, sliced almonds and roasted tomatoes with lemon juice and olive oil. Topped with a half of an avocado and chicken tenders. A MAJOR step up from my normal salad. Actually, it sounds fancy but I pretty much just substituted zoodles for lettuce.
Snack
Celery and Wildfriends Honey Sunflower Butter. Just celery stalks (maybe 8 or 10) dipped into the jar. The bigger the scoop of sunflower butter the better.
Afternoon class fuel
Kombucha + an un-pictured apple
Dinner
Dijon-salmon with roasted asparagus, baked Japanese sweet potato (I’m on a major kick with these) and the other half of avocado from lunch.
Snack
Finishing this jar of almond butter as we speak I type.
Aw man I know this feeling all too well – but it’s your last semester!! Treasure every moment ’cause you’re gonna really miss it one day I promise!! :) All of this food looks so yummy. I have been having less and less time and energy to cook and it makes me sad. :( With that being said, I go to the store way less (living at home), but before I would go 3-4 times a week.
Christina recently posted…Broccoli Waldorf Salad
Thank you :) I think deep down inside me I do like cooking but right now my main motivation is just making something to eat, not experimenting (which is kind of sad).
I want to eat every single thing on this post.. especially the dinner. Mmm!! Well I lie, Id have to sub the avocado for peas. I’m not an avocado fan. Crazy right? :)
Jessie recently posted…Almond Coconut Mug Cake + WIAW
Crazy girl! That’s ok, more for me :)
Those zoodles look perfect! Crockpots are great but I usually put mine away for summer since I’m normally making chili or stew or something in it. BUT I’ve also used it to roast beets, “bake” sweet potatoes and once made a frittata in it so I really think they can do anything you want them to :)
Michele @ paleorunningmomma recently posted…WIAW – Hi Ho Back to the Stove I Go
I have a feeling it will be getting a lot of use making sweet potatoes. I most excited for shredded/rotisserie chicken.
Oh Senioritis, I know it will hit me soon and it will probably hit me hard. As excited as I am to get back into a routine and be back on campus, I am really not feeling the whole “school” thing right now. I have a slow cooker and haven’t put it to the use I know it is capable of, but I plan on changing that this fall when I can cook up some soups and chilis!
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie recently posted…WIAW: A Mini Stay-cation
It’s definitely not soup weather yet but it will be great for fall football days.
I only go to the grocery store once a week (Sundays) but I should probably go twice…because by the time Sunday rolls around, I have wine and dairy-free cheese in my fridge… so I go crazy and eat/buy ALL THE THINGS! Haha. You daily eats are incredible – do I need to try sunflower butter?? I love almond butter and cashew butter is my absolute favorite… am I missing out!?
Jamie recently posted…WIAW – Nantucket Faves
Yes, get on the sunflower butter ASAP. I’ve only tried Wild Friends so I guess I’m partial to that flavor/brand :)
I love my crockpot but definitely use it so much less in the summer – that needs to change! It’s nice to have meal ready for you after a long day – I think you find that is a great investment.
I really try to space out my grocery habits – I tend to always overestimate! I try to go once or twice a week, but sometimes I do wander in to browse…haha, but what’s new?
May recently posted…Coconut Chocolate Chip Goji Berry (Superfood) Cookie Dough Bites
That’s exactly what I’m thinking! Walking into my apartment after a long day and smelling dinner sounds amazing in theory. I love browsing the grocery store too!
The slow cooker is KEY…I love it and cannot wait to start using it again…Meals for days! Your eats look so good and love all the nut butter consumption. It is always a good idea. ;)
She Rocks Fitness recently posted…Stretch It Out With prAna
Never a complete day without nut butter every 3 hours (pretty much how I survive).
Slowcooker chicken will change you life and be great for leftovers!!! You will love it!!! Do you have a kitchen this years or?
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…Mint Chocolate Sunflower Bites
YES! Chicken will be the first thing I make. This is my third year having a kitchen :) Just freshman year I didn’t have one in the dorms.
Your day of eats seems like the perfect balance of nutrition and YUM! I’m especially drooling at your lunch. I just got a spiralizer and need more recipe inspiration!
Christine@ Apple of My Eye recently posted…Breakfast Pizza
Definitely check out Inspiralized.com for recipes. Ali is the best!
Looks like a yummy day of eating! I <3 my spiralizer.. it makes every meal more fun!
Liz recently posted…FitSnack August Review
Right?! It sounds silly to say that but it’s true.
Haha I’m the same way- I could honestly go to the grocery store every day but I don’t let myself because I end up buying way too much (even though I always still forget SOMETHING). Hopefully the slow cooker helps! I’ve used mine for everything from lasagna to chili!
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables recently posted…What I Ate Yesterday
I always forget stuff too! I need to make an old-fashioned list and just stick to it.
Good luck with classes! I remember that feeling well. The end is near though!
Love Japanese sweet potatoes. Totally addicted myself. :)
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted…Post-Workout Grapefruit Sherbet [Recipe] + WIAW
I need to stock up on those sweet potatoes because it’s a hit or miss at my grocery store!
You’ll get back in the groove! :) And I think I got senioritis the last semester of my junior year ;) haha. Just enjoy senior year, chica! <3
I'm at the grocery store like 3-4 times a week. IT'S BAD!! Hahah :)
Ha I tried to claim senioritis last semester because *technically* it was my first semester of senior year (because I’m graduating early).
You eat great in college! I usually had one meal at my apartment (if that). My breakfasts were usually toast that I toasted in my oven smeared in PB – we were too cheap to buy a toaster!
Dani @ Dani California Cooks recently posted…WIAW – Busy Business Eats
This is definitely a step up from all my prior college years. Freshman year was frozen entrees almost every night!
My go to crockpot recipe is hardly worthy of being called a recipe, but it is so yummy! Just put a package of chicken breasts and a jar of salsa in the crockpot and cook on low for bout 5 hours or high for about 2. The chicken turns out perfectly! I used to be able to go to the grocery store whenever I wanted, but now being back at school and not having a car means I really have to get creative in my dorm kitchen and be thrifty with food.
sarah recently posted…I’m Moved In!
That is just what I was thinking of making! I’m glad to hear you’ve had success with it. Freshman year I didn’t have a car (or kitchen) so I had to be creative too. But frozen meals and pre-made food from Whole Foods was the extent of my creativity haha
I had no problems with senioritis in high school, but it hit me so hard in college! I think I worked so hard academically for so long that I was just…done. Try to enjoy it as much as you can! There are a lot of good things after graduation, but I still miss the college lifestyle a lot. My favorite crockpot recipes are for chicken. I usually throw whole breasts in with whatever sauces I want and cook it 6-8 hours on low – it basically shreds itself at that point! Then it makes easy, healthy lunches the rest of the week.
Rebecca @ MyEagerFeet recently posted…Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon: Week 4