Hey there, how are you doing this Wednesday? Feels weird that we’re already halfway through the week (I had off Monday) but I’ll take it!
It’s been over a week since I returned to school and I’m mostly back in the swing of cooking for myself. I’ve had bouts of “I want to experiment with a new recipe” and times of “I’m tired, I want Whole Foods.” As long as it balances out, right?
While breakfasts and lunches have been the same, dinners have been delicious. They took me longer than my normal time length in the kitchen (30 minutes) but were worth the extra work and mess. Not gourmet by any means, but pretty good for a college student living in a small apartment. Fish or other non-chicken protein will happen this week. I need a change!
*Visit Jenn’s link-up for more food ideas!
Coconut chicken + baked sweet potato + roasted cauliflower. I coated the chicken in coconut oil, breaded it in coconut flour, sprinkled it with shredded coconut and cooked in the pan. Yeah, I went coconut crazy but it was so good!
Inspiralized’s Basil Pomodoro Zucchini Pasta with Chicken + a sweet potato (unpictured because it didn’t look pretty on the plate and I wanted some sort of carbs). This is the second time I’ve made this meal and it’s so easy and flavorful. My mom treated me to my very own spiralizer so now I can experiment more while I’m in Miami. I’ve only spiralized zucchini, cucumbers and carrots. Any suggestions for other easy vegetables?
Baked lemon chicken breasts (this recipe) + roasted sweet potatoes + broccoli. This meal was big win for me because I can never bake chicken breasts perfectly. FINALLY. Perfectly cooked, juicy and tender. I proudly went back for seconds. This is completely a “baby recipe” that most people can make but I’m glad to have had a successful experience.
And, because I always need to include this in my WIAW posts…my nightly apple + peanut butter. Never gets old.
Mmm that cauliflower and those roasted sweet potatoes…yummmmm. I cook pretty rarely at college since I’m in a dorm room, but I cook every day at home!
Liv @ Healthy Liv recently posted…A Weekly Grocery Haul
Cauliflower is such a “trendy” vegetable now but I’m loving it!
So… when do you want to come and start cooking dinner for me every night? :) Everything looks delicious! I have a jar of coconut oil but still have yet to use it. I never thought of coating chicken in it! Sounds so good!
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie recently posted…{WIAW} More Avocado Please!
Umm when you start making me your smoothies and overnight oats ;) I love the smell of coconut oil when I’m sautéing something.
Wow, that coconut chicken looks amazing! I am definitely going to have to try that out soon. I honestly don’t “cook” a lot, I just sort of “assemble”, as in, I make a lot of salads, sandwiches, wraps, etc. I always enjoy a freshly-made, hot dinner though, so I really should take the time to cook more often.
My favorite night snack lately has been cottage cheese or yogurt with cereal and peanut butter, but I like switching it up every now and then. :)
More than half of my meals are “assembles” too! Oatmeal packets, wraps, reheating food in the microwave, etc. So I really love when I motivate myself to cook a good meal. Anything with peanut butter is a win in my book :)
Those are some pretty gourmet meals! High five!
Maureen recently posted…Regularly Scheduled Eats {WIAW}
Thanks, Maureen :)
You’re more of a cook than I’ll EVER be haha I just got a george foreman grill for christmas and have yet to take it out of the box. I should probably start attempting to cook again…
side note- your blog layout looks different (I haven’t been reading them on computers lately so it may have changed a long time ago and I didn’t know it) and I LOVE it!!
pickyrunner recently posted…Running Lately.
Haha I was just thinking about getting one of those…but I’m running out of storage room. YES, I just got a little makeover this past weekend :) Thanks!
BEETS! I tell everyone, you must spiralize BEETS!!!!!!
(yes, my favorite bedtime snack is a huge apple with nut butter…..a must!)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…Black Garlic Shishito Verde Chicken
They didn’t have them at the grocery store this weekend (or I missed them?) but I’m going to grab them next time!
Very impressive for a college student – heck, impressive for anyone! I’m so tempted to buy a spiralizer…
Cat recently posted…WIAW #57: Then vs. Now
Well thank you :) I would recommend it…such a good investment!
That coconut chicken looks aaaaamazing. Definitely trying out that recipe soon! I try to cook every night but usually make the same chicken, sweet potatoes and broccoli, I need to get out of my rut haha.
Lacey @ Runs and Roses recently posted…How to live in the NOW.
Thanks, Lacey :) That is my favorite go-to meal and makes up 75% of my dinners. Healthy, easy to make and delicious!
Everything looks fab – also love the new design! It looks amazing.
I usually do a ton of food prep on the weekends then reheat and modify throughout the week.
It’s nice to find a little extra time to make something different or special.
Georgie Morley recently posted…What I Ate Wednesday: on the Whole30
Thanks, I’m loving it too! Having Monday off gave me more time to plan ahead so I’m hoping I can get in that habit (but on Sunday’s :))
1) Looove the new layout ! Lookin’ good, girl!
2) Woah, that coconut chicken sounds good.. I’ll have to try that triple coconut combo :)
3) I want to try spiralizing beets like someone above said — I didn’t have luck with carrots or sweet potatoes, but zucchini and cucumbers both came out great.
.. Honestly, I only cook like maybe 2x a week (other than breakfast) .. I just make enough to last all week. I never have patience to cook when I get home from work, so having stuff pre-prepped makes it easy. :))
Hope youre having a great week!
Emily @ Sweets and Beets recently posted…Sunshine, Shopping + So Much Kombucha
Thank you, thank you! I didn’t have any luck with sweet potatoes either. Glad it’s not just me haha. Having stuff pre-made is a life saver. Keeps me from getting too hangry ;)
I’ve seen people spiralizing sweet potaotes too! Let me know if you try it!
Hilary recently posted…Motivation Talk
That’s on my list!
That coconut chicken looks really good. I try to do most of my cooking on the weekends, but if I have to cook on a weekday, I try to keep it at around five minutes. (I don’t think I could handle 30! Good for you!) I usually have pretzels for a bedtime snack, though I’ve been trying to incorporate more fruit lately.
Rebecca @ MyEagerFeet recently posted…Scrumpy Skedaddle 10K Recap
I try to limit my cooking on weeknights to assembling and reheating, but Monday since there was no class I took advantage!
I need to make that coconut chicken-yum! Also I’ve been eating lots of apples and nut butter for snacks. It’s one of those amazing combos!
Lauren recently posted…Undiscovered Kitchen Ultimate Fitness Giveaway
You can’t go wrong with peanut butter on anything :)
Cooking at home used to be pretty much nightly but these days, I have been going out to eat a lot! But I try to cook at my house at least ONCE A DAY – and typically I do :)
I want to make that coconut chicken!
GiGi Eats recently posted…Middle Earth DOES Exist!
Once a day is a good goal! The chicken was so good :)