Healthy Food for the New Year!

It’s that time of year again! A year full of resolutions, goals, and change!  Now many students have been talking about being healthier for the year of 2012.  I wish I was a bigger fan of exercise, but I’m a huge fan of wonderful food!  I decided that in order to stay healthy, it’s important to eat healthy as well.  Now I am not the one to count calories or make sure I have the right amount of food on my plate.  I eat what is tasty, and will keep eating until I’m absolutely full.  However I found a few recipes that seemed very delicious, healthy, and you can stay in your residence hall to make them!  Here are a few of my favorites that I found:

Twice-baked Microwave Potatoes
4 large Russet potatoes
3 green onions, chopped
2 Tbsp. butter or margarine
1/4 c. milk
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 c. shredded cheese
pepper to taste

Arrange potatoes on a microwavable plate. Pierce potatoes with a fork in several places. Microwave potatoes for 8 minutes, turning them halfway through. Remove potatoes from microwave and let them stand for 8 minutes or until they are cool enough to handle. Meanwhile combine green onions and butter in a microwave-safe bowl, cover and microwave for 1 minute. Cut potatoes in half and scoop insides into mixing bowl. Mash insides with butter and green onion mix, milk, salt and pepper. Spoon mixture back into potato skins, then sprinkle the cheese on top. Microwave for 2 minutes or until cheese is melted.  (www.heb.com)

Gaucamole Dip

• 2 avocados
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 ripe tomato, chopped
• 1 lime, juiced
• salt and pepper to taste

1. Peel and mash avocados in a medium serving bowl. Stir in onion, garlic, tomato, lime juice, salt and pepper. Season with remaining lime juice and salt and pepper to taste. Chill for half an hour to blend flavors. (www.delish.com)

Chili Dip

1. Grab some Hormel Chili with no beans, some shredded cheese and a block of cream cheese.
2. In a microwave safe pan, spread the cream cheese evenly on the bottom. Add the chili on top, evenly once again, and then sprinkle the cheese on top as well.
3. Cook on high in the microwave for about 5 minutes or until the cheese in the middle of the pan starts bubbling.
4. Serve with chips. (www.coedmagazine.com)

Microwave Omelet 3 eggs 2 Tbsp. butter or margarine cheese,chives or bacon bits for filling salt and pepper Whisk 3 eggs together and add filling ingredients. Melt butter in either a 9 in. glass pie pan or a large cereal bowl. Add the egg mixture. Cover with paper towel and cook in microwave approximately 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Let stand 3 minutes before eating. Add salt and pepper to taste. (www.heb.com) Nachos The Yummee Yummee Team often makes these for a quick and easy lunch. Tortilla chips on a plate topped with refried beans, shredded cheese, bacon bits, salsa ... In the microwave for a minute or so and then top with fresh diced tomatoes and sour cream. Make them mild or hot and spicy to match your tastebuds. Lunch is ready. Come and get it!  (www.yummeeyummee.com) Now these are just a few of my favorite dishes that are fun, healthy, and easy to make in the leisure of your own residence hall!  There are plenty of websites that I found very helpful with quick and easy recipes that will help you follow through with your new year’s resolutions!!!  Good luck! http://coedmagazine.com/2011/04/04/10-best-dorm-room-microwave-recipes/ www.101cookbooks.com www.yummeeyummee.com www.delish.com/recipes http://www.onlinecollege.org/2009/10/13/100-delicious-dirt-cheap-recipes-for-the-starving-student/