Survival Secrets

So to say my summer was cut short is an understatement.  This school year has been pretty rough so far, in that it's been a transition with moving to a new position and working overtime and pushing myself into overdrive as far as being in graduate school full time...it's been...rough.  Rough=stress eating.  Somehow, after some mini-breakdowns, I've made it to Spring Break and I'm back to my pre-holiday weight.  Unfortunately, I've had so little time to prepare my favorite kinds of foods (ie: healthy, home-made, all-fresh, low-processed foods).  To survive I've had to find some creative shortcuts and plan friendly snacks to help me survive.  Here are some of my new-found faves:

5 Minute Sweet and Spicy Chicken
When I'm in a hurry (everyday with my ridiculous schedule) I've got to find ways to make some quick and healthy options.  This one is a shortcut I created that can be ready in five minutes.  To help myself out during the week I have a pot of brown rice (I used to buy the minute rice brown rice bowls, but it gets pricey and it's easy to make on a Sunday afternoon while catching up on homework...)
Ingredients:  
-1/2 cup cooked brown rice
-Canned pineapple chunks

Throwing together a few pre-planned
 ingredients saves so much time.  

-3 oz. Chicken (I am in love with Simply Smart Perdue Chicken Chunks)
-Frozen Stir Fry Vegetables (My favorite blend is the Bird's Eye Stir Fry, but Costco has a cheaper blend)
-Annie Chung's Sweet and Spicy Sauce
-Sriracha
-Chopped Scallions (optional)

I'm shocked at how good these are
and super low points!

On a day I'm running late, I can just throw all of these in a tupperware container and microwave it at work, but for best results, mix up the vegetables/pineapple and rice with some Sweet and Spicy sauce first for about 3 minutes in the microwave.  I'll stir it all up and then put the chicken on top and microwave for another minute and a half.  Then top it with sriracha and chopped scallions.  Enjoy!

Yum! :-)

Hummus Wraps
Most days I have to take both lunch and dinner with me because I have class at night.  This wrap is so filling, and takes a couple of minutes to assemble.  I love to wrap it in wax paper (parchment is too stiff) and cut diagonally and feel like I have a fancy dinner from takeout :-).

Ingredients:  
1 large tortilla, like La Tortilla Factory Whole Wheat that Costco has in a double pack
2 Tablespoons Hummus, I like Sabra Supremely Spicy
Alfalfa or Broccoli Sprouts, just a good handful
Mixed Greens, a handful
Kalamata Olives, about 4
Cucumbers, about a 1/4, chopped
Sliced Scallions, a couple stalks

Spread hummus evenly on the tortilla and add the other ingredients on one third of the tortilla.  Roll it up in wax paper, shifting the ingredients to stay in the tortilla as it's rolled.  Cut down the center at a slight angle and carefully transfer to a container or plate.  If you are going to travel with this, be careful not to add watery ingredients, like tomatoes because they will make everything too soggy.


Some snacks that have been saving graces for me have been:

Fage and Oikos Greek Yogurt-I love the strawberry flavors and they are not only sweetly satisfying, they are packed with protein for long-lasting fullness.

34 Degrees Crispbreads-these crackers are like thin wafers that can be used for sweet or savory snacks.  I like to spread 9 of them with 1 tablespoon of almond butter and sprinkle some chocolate chips over them and slip them in the microwave for just under a minute.  They are also amazing topped with...

Cabot Reduced Fat Cheese-there is a party platter from Costco that lasts for a really long time with each slice being one point.  I like to crumble one of the garlic and herb slices over some canned French Onion soup.

Please Help

I know it's been a while, but I'm getting ready to walk in a fundraiser to help fund research for Cystic Fibrosis, a disease that threatens the life of my little niece.  Please, if you can, follow this link to donate to our cause.  Thank you!