5 Tips to Make It Through The Day

My friend Christie recently posted on Facebook, "Freshman year = "ooo college is exciting", hanging with friends, a few classes, movie nights, floor events, at least 10 hours of sleep, fun and free time. Senior year = "get me outta here", what friends?, a million classes, work, sleep? what's that?, forget free time, add more classes and more work." I couldn't agree more with Christie but with the help of some loyal friends, roommates, and simple pleasures in life, we (especially me) will make it through!

Tip #1 No matter what time it is ALWAYS make some time for your friends. My favorite is to play Just Dance 2 on the Wii with my roommates/friends.

Oh yea we Whip it :)

Tip # 2 Make Studying fun with Pandora (Disney and Glee Station), Colored Pens, and Notecards

My fav is using a hot pink pen and colored sticky notes!

Tip #3 Make time for your favorite activities; college goes by way to fast to not participate!
Trisha and I in 2008 at MSU Football game! Yea Spartans!


Tip #4 Enjoy the simple pleasures in life.

I absolutely love this gum, chewing a piece instantly puts a smile on my face!

Tip #5 On a really bad, boring, fun, tired, whatever day, take a pic of yourself and make a funny face. It'll give you a nice little break!

Can you tell I'm bored at work??

Recipe so easy even Christine can do it!

Eat in Month. I'm doing ok. I've cut back my eating out to 1 day a week (excluding $1 coffee from speedway because my coffee make broke). I'm determined to do better but as a college student who doesn't ALWAYS want to cook for just myself and have a ton of leftovers, it's hard to do. But I did cook today and did really well!

For breakfast I had a Special K shake, chocolate flavored!

I had to have a quick lunch between classes.
It was a Myloplex bar and banana.



For dinner I went all out, with Vodka Cream pasta with Spicy Italian Turkey Sausage!
Here's the recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 lb. Spicy turkey sausage
• 1 32 oz can of tomatoes, flavored with basil, diced
  
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1/2 small onion, chopped
• 1 cup vodka
• 1 cup cream
• 1 large bunch of basil, chopped
• Olive Oil
• 1 lb Penne pasta

Directions

• Preheat large skillet. Drizzle with olive oil and add sausage to pre-heated pan. Brown sausage. Add onions and garlic and saute until translucent. Drain and add tomatoes. Add vodka. Turn heat to a simmer. Break up tomatoes with a spoon or potato masher. If more liquid is needed add pasta water.
• In a separate saucepan, while sauce is simmering, bring water to boil for pasta. Cook pasta according to package directions
• When pasta is done, Add cream to sauce and bring to a boil, then remove from heat. Add basil and stir until just wilted. Serve over pasta, and don’t forget the garlic toast!

Day 1 of Challenge

This is part of the Eat In Challenge that I'm doing... I highly recommend it!!

Breakfast

• Asiago Cheese bagel with 1/3 less fat veggie cream cheese
• Black Coffee
• Apple

Lunch

• Salad with lots of veggies!!
• Water

Dinner

• Plain Chicken breast
• Vegetables

New Year, New Goals

So I realize this post is coming a little late but better late then never!

I've always been a larger girl/woman. I used to blame it on genetics (still do a little) but deep down I know it's because I need to exercise more and eat better. 2011 is the year that I'm going to do it. I've already joined the gym on campus (IM West), made a schedule of classes to go to (If you want to join please come! it's $3/class) and made a plan of healthy meals. During the month of January I will also be doing the Eat In Challenge. I can't eat out AT ALL, this will be great for healthier eating and my budget!

So along with losing a healthy amount of weight here are my goals for the year 2011:

1) Lead a healthier lifestyle (better eating, more water, exercise)

2) Run the Relay for Life 1/2 marathon in Portland (July)

3) Run the Disney Princess marathon in December

4) Be on the honor roll for my last semester at MSU

5) Create a support system of people who love me, cut out those who don't.

6) Keep my room/car/school life clean and organized!!

7) Give myself more credit and positive reinforcement

8) Start to manage my money better (maybe start paying back student loans???)

9) Visit my older sister and brother in Washington D.C and Chicago... it's hard to get away from work and school.

10) Be nice to a random person and make them smile at least once a day.

What are your 2011 goals?