DIY Microwavable Meals

As college students, we're often too busy to cook healthy meals.  I save time and money by making my own frozen meals. Commercial microwavable meals have way too much sodium and preservatives, not to mention they're not exactly easy on the wallet! ;( By making your own meals, you can have it all-- convenience, healthiness, and cost-efficiency.

On the weekends, I cook a large batch of food. After it cools, I split it into separate portions in microwave and freezer-safe containers. The food can store up to a month in the freezer (possibly longer, but I always finish everything before then). Whenever I'm pressed for time or feeling lazy, I just pop a container into the microwave and enjoy my meal. :)

I usually freeze fried rice, steamed vegetables, or thick soups such as butternut squash soup. The possibilities are endless! Basically anything that isn't too watery or crunchy (eg. chicken noodle soup, lettuce, tortilla chips) will make a good microwavable meal.

Freezer-friendly foods:

• Pasta
• Lasagna
• Chicken fillet 
• Fish fillet 
• Spaghetti sauce
• Meatballs
• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Mushrooms
• Peas
• Corn
• Steak
• Potatoes

You can pair your frozen meal with other dishes for more variety. It's also a good way to stock up on home-cooked foods when visiting family. You can enjoy a little piece of home throughout the school year. (:

   
        Stay healthy,

Healthy, Homemade Popcorn

A healthy, chemical-free, and cheap way to make popcorn at home! Instead of using butter or canola oil, coconut oil can be used as a substitute, given its many health benefits and ability to with-stand high temperatures. Plus, popcorn is so much cheaper to make at home! Hope you enjoy :)


Ingredients:
kernels
coconut oil
salt
seasoning (optional)

Recipe:
1. Find a medium - large sized pot with a lid, preferably a clear lid so you can see the kernels pop!
2. Spoon some coconut oil into the pot. Put enough in so that the bottom of the pot is covered in coconut oil.
3. Turn the heat on high and pop in 3 kernels.
4. Once all 3 kernels pop, the oil is hot enough to add in the other kernels. Don't add too much or the pot will overfill!
5. Allow kernels to pop until the popping slows to maybe a pop a second.
6. Salt and/or season.
7. Eat! :)

*Warning: Try to find a pot large enough to cover the size of the stove top. It can be hazardous if the popcorn overfills the pot and lands on the stove, especially when it's covered in oil.

organic, non-GMO kernels yum! :)

Melting the coconut oil

Waiting for the oil to heat up

Popping the kernels!

Yum! :)

Homemade Face Scrub

A good exfoliator is a prime part of any skincare routine. When I went green, I had to find alternatives for my previous cleanser with exfoliating beads. Fortunately, a natural face scrub can be quickly assembled using just a few ingredients from the kitchen. :)

Ingredients:

• Oatmeal
• Baking soda
• Brown/cane sugar

 Mix the oatmeal, baking soda, and sugar according to a 2:1:1 ratio. You can decrease the amount of baking soda if you have sensitive skin. Blend the oatmeal before mixing with the baking soda and sugar if you prefer a finer face scrub.

After washing your face, take a small scoop of the exfoliating mixture and mix it with a bit of warm water to form a paste. Gently rub the mixture over your face for about one minute before rinsing.

Ta-dah! Clear and smooth skin is made from the kitchen, not from a chemist's lab.

Benefits:

• Baking soda removes dead skin and absorbs oil
• Oatmeal removes impurities and soothes the skin
• Brown/cane sugar smooths and protects skin 

This simple but effective recipe has earned a permanent place in my skincare routine. Hopefully it will find a place in yours too!

Stay glowing,