I have a really good ice breaker for all of us to do together. 

Let’s say our favorite cable network television channels together on 3! Ready? 1...2...3 

FOOD NETWORK AND HGTV

Make fun all you want, but those channels are my go-tos. Watching cooking shows makes me want to cook and watching home renovation shows makes me want to become an interior designer. 

You are LYING if you say you have never narrated your steps while cooking or baking. I’ve done it. You’ve done it. We’ve all done it. We’ve all pretended that we were recording an episode of our non-existent cooking show. If I had my own, I would end it by chomping into whatever dessert I just made and saying Smile. It’s good for you. 

Classic, I know. 

Unfortunately, I most likely will never, ever have a cooking show on the Food Network. For starters, I am not a cook. Another reason is the fact that I eat the same handful of meals on a rotation, so I would run out of episodes and things to cook real fast. I also don’t cook with cheese or meat so that eliminates about half or more of the viewers. Anyways. 

Being a college student in a big city means that I have access to lots and lots of yummy restaurants at all hours of the day. It also means that money can easily fly out of my wallet so I try to cook as often as I can and honestly, I love it! I eat healthier when I am in control of my groceries and my meals and I honestly find it really fun. Plus, it helps when you are obsessed with your grocery store as much as I am obsessed with mine (Trader Joe’s). 

Like I said before, I basically eat the same five things (kind of being dramatic but also not really) throughout the week, so here is my rotation of various meals! I would say there are some recipes that I only make on occasion and others are my ride or dies. Special occasion meals with get a * next to it. I am also naming them as if I own a restaurant, so enjoy! So fun, I know.

~ BREAKFAST ~

PB + H(on)EY

Peanut butter and honey on a toasted English muffin with a side of sliced fruit

(right now that fruit is either a kiwi, plum or clementines and this is my STAPLE breakfast, eat it almost every single day)

Ready, Set, BurritGO*

A warm tortilla with a thin spread of avocado and salsa, scrambled eggs and chopped up Trader Joe’s Quinoa Cowboy burger 

(I have to be in the mood for a really filling breakfast for this one)

Jack’s Breakfast* 

Named after the famous song Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson…these easy vegan banana pancakes are a GO-TO. 

2 mashed bananas, 2 cups of flour, 2 cups of almond milk, 4 teaspoons of baking powder, add as much vanilla as you like and top with honey or syrup

(I usually cut the recipe in half and it still makes a ton)

The Grass is Always Greener Smoothie 

A refreshing green smoothie made with spinach, frozen pineapple, banana, ginger cubes, frozen mango and almond milk. 

~ LINNER (LUNCH + DINNER) ~

FUNjitas* 

Your classic fajita filled with sautéed peppers and onions with a twist: Trader Joe’s Quinoa Cowboy Burgers and Chili Lime Seasoning. 

(You can also skip the tortilla and put it over a bed of kale or rice instead) 

Pantry Bowl

Roasted chickpeas, broccoli and sweet potato over a bed of sautéed kale and white rice or farro, topped with coconut aminos. 

(Use whatever veggies you have, roast them in the oven and put over greens or rice!) 

Look Ma, Curry!  

Named after the feeling of PRIDE I felt after learning my first “adult” recipe…roasted chickpeas, sautéed onion and yellow pepper in a yellow Thai curry and coconut milk sauce over kale or arugula and white rice. 

(Let the veggies cook first, then add the coconut milk, let it simmer and thicken, and then add the curry)

Pea is For Protein Pasta 

Chickpea pasta and Trader Joe’s Turkey Meatballs with garlic tomato Sauce or garlic olive oil on top of sautéed kale

(So quick, so easy, so filling, so protein-ey)

Cowgirl Salad

Lettuce with roasted corn, chopped cherry tomatoes, diced avocado, crushed tortilla chips and a Trader Joe’s Quinoa Cowboy Burger dressed in Trader Joe’s Green Goddess Salad Dressing

(Trader Joe’s please sponsor me)

Time’s Up Bowl 

Veggie dumplings with white rice and sautéed kale and broccoli with coconut aminos or peanut sauce

(Just because it is another quick and easy meal)

AND THERE YOU HAVE IT FOLKS. 

I hope I have given you a few ideas of some new meals to try and if you have any questions about how to make them or ingredients or things like that, don’t be a stranger. As you can see, a consistent theme of mine is chickpeas, kale and TJ’S Burgers. Those are the three things I would bring with me if I was stranded on an island. No doubt.

So, what is your go-to breakfast, lunch or dinner while at college?