Looking Back at 2013

Wow. This year went by in a blink of an eye! Noms McGee is still a baby and it's so exciting to look back at everything I have written since I first started my blog earlier this year. 

My first blog post was published on June 12,  2013.

The post read, "Welcome to Noms McGee!"

Let me tell you a little bit about myself..

I am a New York girl, born and raised.
I have a twin sister, Brittany who judges and evaluates all of my recipes.
I am a senior at Long Island University, Post majoring in Nutrition.
I am FINALLY graduating this December, 2013 (phew.what a journey).
I love...love...love to write....

In July, I shared my amazing experience in Hawaii.

Aloha! White sand beaches, clear blue oceans, palm trees, and ohana (family). I'm in paradise! If you're looking to hang loose and leave all your worries behind, Hawaii is the place to be. The Hawaiian culture is focused on the many meanings of "aloha"- greetings, love, enjoying life, laying back, and having fun...

 

In August, I shared my top tips for healthy eating in college. 

It's easy to fall out of a healthy lifestyle when you're at school and have so many different influences around you. Here are my favorite tips to follow when life gets a little bit tricky...

In September, the college theme continued with Fuelin' Up for the First Day.

Nutrient dense snacks filled with fiber, protein, and carbohydrates will keep you satisfied all day long. Choose a variety of fruits and vegetables to compliment your meals for an extra boost of antioxidants!

 

In October, I created a delicious Citrus Edamame Salad.

This salad is bursting with colorful antioxidants!

In November, I was put up to the Recipe Redux challenge to make a homemade gift for the holidays.

The Recipe Redux's November theme was "Adding merriment to mixes." My obsession with breakfast foods aided in my inspiration to create a homemade muesli mix in a jar. Whole food ingredients, like whole grains, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit are packed into one merry jar. This gift isn't only from the heart, but provides heart-healthy benefits to those you care most deeply for. 

In December, I was especially pleased with this adorable Apple Cinnamon Muffin recipe. 

Along with the holiday season comes parties and get-togethers with family, friends, and distant relatives. Whether you're hosting or attending, these muffins are the perfect holiday treat! 

Thank you to all who have been following me on this amazing journey! Have a happy and healthy New Year! 

{Recipe Redux} Celery, Yogurt, & Walnut Sticks

Hi everyone! This month's Recipe Redux theme was right on target for the New Year. Members were put up to the challenge to create a recipe signifying "Good Luck Foods." A little bit of luck is exactly what you need when starting your New Year's resolutions off right! Whether it's cutting something out or incorporating something new, it all comes down to maintaining a year of good health. My New Year's resolution is to be more mindful in all aspects of life - emotionally, physically, mentally, and socially.

My great grandmother was the inspiration behind this recipe. Her staple dish was celery, with a cream cheese spread, topped with chopped walnuts. Since she passed, my family has carried on the tradition. During the holidays, this dish will always be served as an appetizer to share with family and friends. So, here's a little luck from my family to yours!

Celery, Yogurt, & Walnut Sticks
This dish is perfect for a light appetizer or snack. Not to mention, it's incredibly quick and easy to prepare. It's a great alternative for kids who aren't so keen on plain celery, as well. You can substitute the yogurt for a low-fat cream cheese or peanut butter, if preferred.

Ingredients:

6 celery stalks
1 cup Greek yogurt
3/4 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

1. Wash the celery stalks and cut in halves.
2. Evenly spread and fill the crevices of the celery stalks with yogurt.
3. Top with chopped walnuts!

Apple Walnut & Cinnamon Muffins

It's the happiest time of the year! It's the holiday season, which means everyone is gallivanting with a smile on their face. And why shouldn't they! The snow, the lights, the merriment... I could go on. 

Some of my favorite things to do this time of year involve walking the streets of New York City. I love seeing the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, watching the light shows on the storefronts down 5th Avenue, and visiting the winter boutiques in Bryant Park. The city is so romantic.

Along with the holiday season comes parties and get-togethers with family, friends, and distant relatives. Whether you're hosting or attending, these muffins are the perfect holiday treat! 

Yield: 12 Muffins

Serving Size: 1 Muffin

Ingredients:

1 1/2 c. almond meal

1/2 c. rolled oats

1/4 c. brown sugar

1 T. baking powder

1/4 c. walnuts, chopped

1/4 t. nutmeg

1 t. cinnamon

1/4 t. salt

1 egg + 1 eggwhite

3/4 c. milk (I used SkimPlus)

2 1/2 T. butter, melted

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Prepare a 12-cup muffin tin with muffin cups or nonstick spray.

2. In a large bowl, combine almond meal, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, walnuts, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt. 

3. In a medium bowl, whisk eggs. Stir in milk and butter. 

4. Pour wet ingredients into bowl with dry ingredients. Stir gently until evenly combined. Stir in apples.

5. Pour batter into muffin cups until about 3/4 full. 

6. Bake for approximately 30-35 minutes. Muffin tops should be a golden brown.

7. Let cool and sprinkle on some powdered sugar. Serve!

Happy Holidays!

{College} How to Stay Healthy During Finals Week

It's the busiest time of year! For me, this means school is finally coming to an end. Finals are approaching and graduation is right around the corner (Alleluia!). While these are all positive, healthy habits tend to go out the window. Studying for days on end leaves me sleep deprived, lacking energy. In times like these when I need comfort! I'm not talking getting a pep talk from mom, but surrounding myself with comfort foods like, chocolate, pie, and cookies. Yikes! As a soon-to-be nutritionist, I sit back, relax, and remind myself what I recommend to others every day!

Get enough Zzzz's. First thing's first. Sleep is of prime importance. I know my body needs at the very least 8 hours of sleep to be a functional human being. Sometimes a little thing called procrastination gets in the way and an all-nighter seems like the only option. A recent study found that people who are sleep deprived tend to eat more and gain weight. This time around, I'm putting my foot (and my fork) down and planning my study days in advance.

Breakfast Brain Power. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. This statement is repeated over and over again...because it's true! Breakfast consumption has been associated with better diet quality, weight management, and increased cognitive and school performance.  Start by building a breakfast with whole grains, low-fat dairy and fruit. My go-to is oatmeal with milk, a tablespoon of peanut butter, and half of a sliced banana.

Plan ahead. Finals week can get a little bit hairy if you don't give yourself enough time to study. The best thing you can do for your mental health is make a plan. A couple of weeks before (at least) sit down and plan out which days will be dedicated to studying for each class. This will save a lot of stress the night before!

Remember, you can do it!