5 Tips for Being Positively Productive

I don't know about you, but sometimes I let procrastination get the best of me. When there's so much to explore on a sunny day, which we've been lucky to have so many here in Portland, it's easy to put everything on the back burner. This often leads to trouble - late nights, cram sessions, and just too much to do in so little time. So, my friends at Kabbage, a company that empowers small businesses (and blogs) to follow their dreams by providing funds to grow big and strong, inspired me to compile a list of some of my essential tips for being your most productive self!

#1 Write it down
Grab a piece of paper, a planner, or white board (whatever you're most likely to look at) u'd create a list of the tasks at hand. Whether it's to write a paper, do laundry, go for a run, or attend a meeting, having it all written down in ink will help you visualize how to schedule your time.

#2 Prioritize
Now that you have your handy dandy list, consider what's most urgent. Can the laundry wait? Is the paper due at midnight? I usually like to stick with whatever's due first.

#3 Brain Food
Being productive can be exhausting. Or, you may just get hungry out of boredom. Having something healthy to munch on will help you fight through mental blocks. My favorite productivity snack is a handful of raw cashews with dark chocolate chunks.  yum.  Oh, and a cup of coffee or tea will do wonders!

#4 The Perfect Playlist
Put in your headphones and pick a playlist on spotify - Chill, Focus, Intense Studying (whatever floats your boat).  This will help set the mood for a productive day.

#5 Minimize Distractions (aka put the cellphone away!)
Yeah, those text messages are just flooding in, but you won't get very far when your honey is trying to say hey. So do yourself a favor and put your phone away. Every hour take a 15 minute break and use this time to check in with friends.


{Brain Food Recipe} Bite Size Peanut Butter & Dark Chocolate Cookies


For entrepreneurs looking for some more productivity tips, check out Kabbage's website and blog!




[Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post.]

Fuelin Up for the First Day

Thursday, September 5th marked my first day back to school. Yes, I have made my way from sunny California back to the hustle and bustle of New York. As I stood in LAX airport , I contemplated canceling my flight, making a dramatic exit, running out to the street to call a taxi...you know, like what you see in the movies? I quickly came back in touch with reality and spent my flight reminiscing on my unforgettable summer memories of being a beach bum, exploring the California coast, and spending time with loved ones. Work hard, play hard, right? It paid off for me. Besides all my summer fun, I took some major steps in optimizing my career as a young professional. In the past few months, I have started my very own blog, created award-winning recipes, and formed a network of life-long mentors. Life is good.

The completion of my very last semester as an undergraduate college student is filled with advanced nutrition classes- medical nutrition therapy, research methodologies, nutrition communications, and community nutrition. A whopping 17 credits puts me in class from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm. You know what that calls for? Energy! Lots and lots of energy! I'm the girl who eats breakfast an hour before class and is already hungry 10 minutes into my first class. With a half an hour commute to campus (without traffic), it is my responsibility to prepare and pack nutritious meals and snacks to get me through this busy day. And so, I have photographed my day of school meals...


Breakfast: Whole Grain Shredded Cereal + Blueberries + Walnuts + Skim Milk

Lunch: Greek Yogurt + Pistachios & Almonds + Baby Carrots + Larabar

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!

Have a healthy and successful year back to school!