Recipes and snack ideas for school and clinicals

SilverOwl · May 13, 2013

I'm moving out to live on my own once I start my bsn program in August. I'm so worried because I can not cook at all! I'm open to fast and easy recipes so i won't starve!

Oh now, cooking is like anything else... if you read the directions, and practice, you'll figure it out!! And you might even have a good time doing it too!! :) You might want to start with some crock-pot/slow-cooker recipes like some others here have suggested as those are often easy and forgiving and are a rewarding way to start learning about flavors and combinations!

This thread is a great idea btw but I'm afraid I may not benefit from it much as I don't eat many of these things... Any other Paleo eaters out there??!?

My biggest challenge by FAR will be trying to adhere to Paleo while having such a limited amount of time, especially in an accelerated program!! The entire principal of the Paleo lifestyle (it's not a "diet"...) is the pure opposite of the high-convenience SAD (Standard American Diet), which means I will have to do an astronomical amount of planning to even have a shot in the dark at staying on track!! I think I'm going to start doubling most of my recipes going into the summer, and try to save a freezer-full of prepared meals. Snacks are going to be the tough one...

klkoniec · May 13, 2013

So one idea I picked up from a nutritionist is to have one of those glucerna snack bars, if you need a boost. Even though they are marketed for people who are diabetic, anyone can actually eat them. They won't cause your blood sugar to spike because it has a low glycemic index.

Sadala, ADN, RN · May 13, 2013

I'll tell ya, every semester I am determined to bring my own meals and eat healthy, yadda yadda. And I always kind of fall down on the job part way through. But I really DO feel better during the times I am eating more healthy meals.

hunnybunches · May 14, 2013

Fresh, frozen fruit sounds delicious right about now! I'm in Cali and it's already 100 degrees! :confused:

hunnybunches · May 14, 2013

This thread is a great idea btw but I'm afraid I may not benefit from it much as I don't eat many of these things...
...

I have never heard of Paleo before, enlighten me please!

hunnybunches · May 14, 2013

Easy Peesy Meals- serves 4
*Pork Chops- place 4 chops in crockpot, in separate bowl mix 1 can cream-chicken soup and 1 can cream mushroom soup, pour over chops and set on low for 6 to 8 hours.
(Serve with homemade mashed potatoes and pour the left over soup on top of potatoes as gravy.) ****SUPER TENDER and GREAT for LEFT-OVERS
*Chicken Parmesan Spaghetti- serves about 4
-Noodles: Boil ½ bag of spaghetti noodles…follow bag’s instructions
As the noodles boil, prepare cheese sauce….
-Cheese Sauce: In a small sauce pan add 1 tbs of butter and let melt, add 1 package of cream cheese (cubed), add ½ cup of shredded parmesan cheese, add “about” 1/2 cup of milk, stir all ingredients over low, add a pinch of garlic powder and parsley leaves
as the cheese sauce is warming, stir fry meat and veggies….
-Chicken and 2 red bell peppers: stir fry small chicken pieces over medium with cut red bell pepper with 1 tbs butter.
-Mix noodles, cheese sauce, chicken/bell peppers together and serve *If cheese is too thick just add more milk and let it heat up
(Sometimes I add mushrooms and squash)
* Meatloaf- use Kroger’s meatloaf mix and recipe on the back(It tastes the best!!!)Serve with green beans and mashed potatoes.
*Chicken Pie- serves about 5
option 1:
Use a rotisserie chicken and shred 3 cups of meat and place to the side.
Boil 1 can (or 2 if you want it extra juicy) of chicken broth and 1 can of cream of chicken soup over stove.
In another bowl...mix 1 cup SELF rising flour, 1/2 melted butter, sprinkle pepper, 1 cup buttermilk (1tbs vinegar + 1 cup whole milk (stir and sit for 5 minutes)= buttermilk) and set aside
In a 2 qt casserole dish add chicken, half a bag of frozen peas, half a bag of fresh cut or frozen carrots. Pour boiling broth/soup over chicken. Pour flour mixture over the top and do NOT STIR it. Try to pour it so the entire top is covered.
Place in the oven for 40 to 45 minutes at 425 F.
option 2:
Use a crock pot to cook boneless chicken breast...enough for 3 cups.
I serve with fresh salad and fresh fruit (like watermelon) YUMMY!

I'm definietely going to have to try these! I've never thought of throwing porkchops in the crock pot before!

hunnybunches · May 14, 2013

I like to make a pot of brown rice and sometimes a pot of beans on the weekend. Then I'll eat rice and beans with added stuff for lunch, like green olives, veggies, left over chicken. Whatever's handy. I also make a bean salad concoction with kidney beans, olive oil and vinegar and whatever seasonings. Onion and garlic. I like that plain, with added tuna or over salad. I also to cut up veggies for the week and make my version of hummus (I'm allergic to sesame so I don't make it authentic). I take a can of garbonzo beans, rinsed and drained, add garlic, salt, pepper, a chipotle pepper and olive oil. It's DELISH!

I'm never been a big eater of beans but I'm going to have to try some of your suggestions.

Julesmama28 · May 14, 2013

I've gained probably 10 lbs this semester from eating too much, sitting in lecture all day then going home to my kids! I agree that getting a lunch box and packing food definitely helps with healthier choices, it's cheaper too!

One thing I do before each semester begins is make a bunch of freezer meals, healthy and I don't have to think about dinner on a busy day!

MorganB · May 14, 2013

I made an investment in oneof the six mini meal lunchboxes. I packed frozen water plus an extra bottle. for breakfast it was usually scrabled egg, steak fajita meat pre cooked from the freezer section, and or spinach and feta cheese omlets super easy. For snack granola and yogurt. For lunch it was usually left overs. I hate crockpots... so on weekends I would grill a ton of meat and veggies, and or I would cook a bulk of meats using a pressure cooker with the browning feature, super fast and easy.

Typically lunch consited of a lean meat and or two veggies.

My wednesday staple was spaghetti squash with meat sauce and green beans. The great thing is I'm a mom of 3 so what I prepared worked well for everyone.

On clinical days I prepared taco meat, rice ( white) with a bullion cube added, and green beans for the baby sitter to warm up for the kids. Super easy.

On the days where I wanted to splurge I would back two lean cuisines.

I didn't gain any weight I actually lost because I ate what I prepared. Many clinical days I was eating my dinner while in traffic lol. I slipped it right into a microwave after post conference.

eyesopen_mouthshut, CNA · May 14, 2013

1. 1 cup Special K chocolate delight mixed with 1 cup Special K protein plus and 1/2 cup dried fruit of choice (I like bananas!)... put into zip-lock bags, portion how you like; you get fiber and protein, so you'll be nice and full during those long clinical days!

2. Dried apple slices and peanut or almond butter; again, goooood protein!

3. Instead of buying diet sodas from the vending machines, get a pitcher of water, and cut up one cucumber and 1/2 lemon, and a few sprigs of mint... let infuse over-night, and pour from pitcher into empty water bottles. You can keep the cucumber and lemon in the water if you want (I usually throw them out after the all-night infusion); you can also try mixing it up with kiwi, strawberries, etc. Great cleanser, and no unnecessary sodium (so no water weight!)

4. Can never go wrong with pb&j... add in a whole banana for some vit K

If you want more, let me know, I'll post them all :)

eyesopen_mouthshut, CNA · May 14, 2013

So one idea I picked up from a nutritionist is to have one of those glucerna snack bars, if you need a boost. Even though they are marketed for people who are diabetic, anyone can actually eat them. They won't cause your blood sugar to spike because it has a low glycemic index.

My fiance is a pharmacist, he said this is an AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME idea!!!

hunnybunches · May 14, 2013

1. 1 cup special k chocolate delight mixed with 1 cup special k protein plus and 1/2 cup dried fruit of choice (i like bananas!)... Put into zip-lock bags, portion how you like; you get fiber and protein, so you'll be nice and full during those long clinical days!
2. Dried apple slices and peanut or almond butter; again, goooood protein!
3. Instead of buying diet sodas from the vending machines, get a pitcher of water, and cut up one cucumber and 1/2 lemon, and a few sprigs of mint... Let infuse over-night, and pour from pitcher into empty water bottles. You can keep the cucumber and lemon in the water if you want (i usually throw them out after the all-night infusion); you can also try mixing it up with kiwi, strawberries, etc. Great cleanser, and no unnecessary sodium (so no water weight!)
4. Can never go wrong with pb&j... Add in a whole banana for some vit k
if you want more, let me know, i'll post them all :)

more! More! Moooooorrrrrreeeeeee!!!!