Tag: healthy

Law Student Reviews: Hello Fresh

Post author By cerebellumchef
Post date January 30, 2017
No Comments on Law Student Reviews: Hello Fresh

jogging

Balancing a schedule is beyond hectic in law school. I imagine it’s similar to actually practicing law. There are deadlines, meetings, prep sessions, after-hours events – the list continues…

What I find particularly challenging is working out and eating well between reading and briefing cases. Since I’ve been sorely lacking in the “workout plan” department, I felt I should pick up the slack on the healthy eating. Because, I can get pretty comfy with Mountain Dews and a granola bar. That’s sorta healthy – right?

Honestly, I will zone out pretty much anything and everyone while I’m reading and prepping for class. If my stomach growls, I usually have a protein bar on hand. That’s the extent of fancy. For this simple reason – I meal prep. Funnily enough, I don’t meal prep the same thing five days in a row. I love leftovers, but not three meals in a row.

So I plan meals for the week and make a few on Sunday. If I forget to prep, my wallet takes a huge hit. Since classes are downtown, I can get virtually anything delivered via Favor, UberEats, or DoorDash; a marvelously quick way to eat through my coffee budget. :[

In an effort to help me balance my life a bit better, I decided to try Hello Fresh
Plus, this week we’re getting back into the GYM! #summergoals

I surprised the Beau [mostly because he paid for it and had no clue until the box arrived]. He seemed pretty excited to open the box, though. HelloFresh sends all the ingredients (aside from Salt, Pepper, and Oil) in one refrigerated package. It sits patiently on your doorstep until you get home to tear it open and exploit its yummy goodness. Um, you know – cook the things.

I was happy with the packaging. Each meal fits perfectly into rectangular boxes, but the meat is packed separately (for obvious health reasons). The box includes a recipe book, which is usually about 6 steps or less and includes pictures! Super neat.

We started with the Broccoli Beef recipe. What made me chuckle is that I already had nearly all of the ingredients in my pantry for this dish. It’s clearly a family fave! I was happy with the overall turnout, but I think the flavor could have packed a bigger punch – possibly improving the beef seasoning.

Following the recipe was simple and satisfying. If you are new to the kitchen, or maybe not so comfy with your current chefiness, then HelloFresh is perfect for you! If you’re already adept, then I’d say you should try a box anyhow! I enjoyed the speedy delivery (waited only 3 days for my first box) and the convenience of groceries delivered straight to my home. Sure, Tom Thumb and Sprouts (partnered with Amazon) are providing home delivery options – but the terrible experience with Sprouts has me worried about any other grocery delivery methods.

We will likely only use HelloFresh on a monthly basis, or during weeks when I know my schedule will be off the charts. The Beau can even follow instructions and cook our dinner for a change of pace! Wouldn’t that be scrumptious?

How do you prep for your busy days?
Let me know!

I hope you have a wondermous week. Be awesome.

Tags #summergoals, #UNTDCOL, Chinese, Food, healthy, HelloFresh, Meal Prep

Daily Dose

Let’s Talk About Sex

…Baby!

Salt ‘n Pepa were on to something, ladies and gents.
I mean, most responsible [and irresponsible] adults have sex. It’s a primal need to procreate. Everyone does it…right?

The straight up answer is yes…and no.

Why the heck am I mixin’ my sweet-tea sippin’, pasta-makin’, cupcake-bakin’ opinions on this topic in with my normal foodie finds and fit experiences?
Because this year I want to expand my bloggy horizons and discuss all levels of health. Being fit, I feel, means that you are in total homeostasis. Every piece of you, mind – body – soul, has reached a balance. If part of you is whackin’ out, or your two ears o’ corn shy from a whole bushel – well, you need to straighten out that ship and get to your true north.

Copyright, Charles Schultz – Peanuts Comic.

You may be wondering why I suddenly feel this way.
I don’t suddenly anything.
But I am bringing you in closer to my friendship circle and delving into another level of comfy with you, because I realized that sexual health is a growing concern for many of my friends.

As today is the first of the year and 2014 is no longer “upon us” but rather…HERE, I want to discuss my plans.
While I am ramping up a new semester of teaching, prepping for graduate school and finding new ways to sate my fitness and foodie passions, I stumbled into a wasp nest of problems that several friends of mine are battling. I’m obliviously baking away in my kitchen and these lovely ladies and gentlemen are worried about their significant others who are seriously mistreating them and mangling their affection into twisted perversions of love.

What’s on everyone’s mind?

RELATIONSHIPS

Quite frankly, I’m no expert. I am however, experienced with (brace yourself) 2 long-term relationships. Again, no expert claims here.
But, don’t shut me out just yet.

I grew up with 3 brothers, strong father figures in my dad, uncles and grandfather, and was raised to know my self worth. Knowing one’s worth, I’ve found, makes it a helluvalot easier to know what to expect from a partner.

What happens when one doesn’t know what they should expect in a relationship though?

A friend of mine is exactly in this situation. She has no freaking clue what she’s worth, but she found a guy who tells her she’s pretty and BAM! She’s his. She pays his bills, buys gifts for his kids, and is impressed by his gentlemanly abilities to have kept his package under wraps for more than three dates.

When did having several baby mama’s, no job, saying please and thank you every so often, calling you “baby” and pinching your derriere in public become the ways of a “gentleman?” I must have missed the damn memo.

In case you didn’t know – let me tell you…THIS IS NOT HEALTHY! And no, you probably shouldn’t be dating the jerk.

Take a note from Fat Patricia – you don’t need to try every guy or girl. Make good choices. Copyright – Universal Studios

A partner should treat you with respect, love, and passion. They should not just be passionate towards you, but about you as well. You should be praised, held, sung to, cooked for, bathed in kisses, etc… and reciprocate these things to your loved one!
It’s not difficult. Express what you need and ask them what they need too!

Asking your SO can be difficult, but your needs are pretty easy to figure out.
Knowing your worth, especially when no one explained this concept to you, is hard to grasp. Basically, you are your own golden rule.
Don’t let others treat you in a manner in which you would not treat yourself. Only you know your limits and feelings. Listen to your heart, as cheesy as this may sound.
You are amazing and highly valued.
Believe me when I tell you that your own brand of scrumptious is a hot commodity. Don’t be plastering that on just anyone’s basic ham and cheese sammich. You need to be delicately slathered onto a slice of panini-pressed sourdough with Gruyere, avocado slices, tomato and roasted turkey breast.
Go find your perfect sammich, instead of settling for the local fuel-station version.

Put yourself out there this year and go after what you want.
You deserve it.

Wait for the one. Your one. If you can.
I promise you, chivalry still exists.
Oh, good guys don’t finish last either.

More on sex, food, and love-letters for the beau in your life – all in my next post.
Much love,
CC

Tags chivalry, emotional, healthy, love, one, passionate, pitch perfect, reciprocate, relationships, sammich, sex

Daily Dose

PSA for your Sexy Self!

Hi ya’ll!

It’s Christmas Eve! I’m spending my much-needed family time in the deep south. Tejas!
Growing up in such a rich (literally) Hispanic-centered foodie capital has had its thumbs ups and downs.
For example, it took going to college (and living alone!) to realize the meaning of portion control.
In a family of 6, with 4 men, making calabaza con pollo for anything less than 10 people was considered a joke (and still is).

Honestly, Paula Deen could sit and take notes from my grandmother on the proper uses of various lards, fats and butters. At least, she could have – before grandma jumped on my healthy train (and the doctor’s orders set in).

We, as a culture (and I truly hope you don’t find this offensive or rude – it’s matter of opinion but usually a rule) loooooove our fats.
Making tamales? NEED LARD. If you didn’t know – that’s why they’re so delicious. Oh, and they get a sprinkle of magic, too.
Calabaza con Pollo? Extra oil, please.
Wedding cookies? Lard AND Butter. Double check, check!

According to the Office of Minority Health, Hispanics are almost twice as likely to develop diabetes over the non-Hispanic communities. The CDC reports that over a third of the Latinos surveyed have high blood pressure and are not treating it.

Why the hell not, right?

Because we, as a population, tend to fore-go doctor’s office visits when informed of a possible health threat. That is…if a Hispanic bothers to get to a physician in time to be diagnosed and receive treatment.

So you see, attending college was a huge step forward for me – both educationally and health-wise.
I needed to get away to learn how not to feed my body.

Don’t start hating on me right away.
I am a devout foodie and realized (almost instantly) that I simply couldn’t function without my favorite foods from home.
Step one – learn how to fix recipes for a single person.
Step two – don’t revert to cooking for a family of 6 and think “It’s ok, I’ll keep it for leftovers.”
NO!
Leftovers with gigantonormous portions are such a terrible idea! Self-control has left the building.

Thankfully, I finally figured out portions and working out. It took a long damn time – but I figured it out. The boyfran and I fell into step with fitness and are loving it. [sidenote: he’s out cycling right now while I post this…laaaazy Sarah]

Collectively, we have lost 60 pounds in the past 7 months. Between rock climbing, running and the occasional What-a-Burger (just about the best burger you’ll ever have) – we are fittin’ it!

Christmas 2013 Portraits!
60 pounds slimmer.

With all this fitness going on, we can come home for the holidays and realize that [despite the fact I purposefully do not own a 20 qt pot so I do not “decide” to make tamales for the pair of us] we do not need to inhale every ounce of food placed in front of us. Honestly, that’s how he gained 50 and I gained 35 pounds the first summer back from our freshman year. Oh, hell yes we did! And, it’s horrifying to look back on those pictures.

We come home, eat a few faves and then make sure to go for a run or simply maintain our jean size. It’s too much hassle to worry about calories while we’re here in South Texas. In fact, it’s damn near impossible.
One tamale contains the same (if not more) calories than a McDonald’s Big Mac. How gross is that?

Instead…we eat what we want and hit the gym. Don’t see this as a reward system though! I fell into this trap once and the beau had to drag me the hell outta there!
Don’t tell yourself, “Oh, I can eat this fattening piece of scrumptiousness because I ran five miles.”
Eating it just threw your workout into wonk-mode and now you have to work out again.
No! You are not a dog. Eat to be fit, not fat.
Eating to support your foodie habit is one thing (because it’s in moderation and balanced), but eating to support donuts and heavy cream with a side of lard – not so smart. You could be a fitness freak with clogged arteries and simply drop dead, mid-run.
Be smart about the choices for your body. I promise, you’ll be happier (and healthier) for it.
Go enjoy your roast beast at your Christmas feast!

Tonight’s post will be all about the yummy foodles and antics that go on in our household. Family time is always an adventure, especially around the holidays. We’ve got screaming aunts, menudo pots on the floor, recipe-flinging and baking cakes without getting tripe in them.
All in a day’s work, while on vacation.
You’re gonna love it!

Much love,
CerebellumChef