App-ing your way to health
We’re getting into the semester here, and I don’t know about you but my stress-o-meter is at about 120 right now, and keeps climbing with every additional assignment given. Peace of mind is hard to get when you have three essays due at the end of the week and a job to make that little extra bit of cash, but, hey, we’re college student’s right? We’re the future generation that’s going to make or break the world as we know it. No pressure. Right.
Luckily, there are ways to manage stress that require no more equipment than a cell phone. That means no getting up to drive to Planet Fitness or walk to NEC’s gym, which in the winter is pretty damn swell if you ask me. Not to mention there’s no added pressure from the public; you don’t have to look good, you don’t have to clean up after yourself, and you definitely don’t have to keep up with that triathlon runner sprinting his little heart to oblivion on the treadmill next to you. If you want to give up, you can, though I don’t encourage it!
One easy app that helps you de-stress and exercise at the same time is DownDog, a simple to navigate and free (unless you want to update and get all fancy) yoga instructor that fits right into your phone. The app allows you to go at your own pace and pick your sequence type, ranging from Beginner 1 to Advanced and then Beginner Restorative to Intermediate Restorative (which focuses on breathing and uses props for a more relaxed yoga practice); it then allows you to pick your time, the shortest of which is only 15 minutes.
Who doesn’t have time for 15 minutes?
Once you pick your sequence and time, a gentle voice guides you into different poses with a soundtrack playing in the background. And if you’re new to yoga, never fear; the poses are shown on the screen as you do them so you will never get lost.
Yoga has a multitude of benefits, some of which are increased flexibility, weight loss, and stress-relief, according to The American Osteopathic Association. So why not download the app (it’s free!) and give it a try! It certainly can’t hurt.
Fit Food in a Flash
As fall progresses, the mornings are going to become more and more frigid, meaning you won’t want to leave the warmth of your dorm room, let alone the warmth of your bed–especially to get breakfast. You’d rather hit that snooze button three or four times than commit to facing the inevitable. And hey, I don’t blame you, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a nutritious, energizing breakfast right in the comfort of your own dorm.
And what’s better than warm, nut-buttery, chocolate chip banana bread, just like mom used to make? I can’t say I can think of one.
This recipe is moist and delicious, and only takes about a minute, but requires you to have something in your pantry that no one should live without: nut butter. I say nut butter and not peanut butter, though peanut butter is less expensive and works just as well, because almond butter is a personal favorite of mine, and almonds pack a greater nutritional punch than peanut butter.
According to Livestrong.com, although both peanut and almond butter have very similar nutritional information, almond butter pulls just a little bit ahead–but a little bit is a lot in the food world.
For example, almond butter is richer in heart healthy fats. While peanut butter weighs in at 3.3 grams of monounsaturated fat per tablespoon, almond butter has 5 g. Almond butter also has a higher source of fiber, with 1.6 g compared to peanut butter’s 0.9. And lastly, almond butter has about four times as much Vitamin E as peanut butter.
But if you don’t care about the numbers, and love the taste of good ole pb, then by all means use peanut butter.
Instead of traditional flour, this recipe uses high fiber coconut flour. While this may be a little bit more expensive, a little goes a long way, and for those of you with gluten allergies or sensitivities, this could be a gut-saver.
And banana’s, well, they’re .79 cents a pound, so no excuses there!
1 Minute Banana Bread
Orignal recipe can be found at thebigmansworld.com
Ingredients
½ medium overripe banana, mashed very well
1 tbs coconut flour (can sub for almond flour)
1 tbs nut butter of choice (I use homemade almond butter, but any nut butter will work)
2-3 tbs dairy free milk (or normal milk, and I know you have that because you can’t have cereal without milk)
Chocolate chips (optional, but oh-so-delicious)
Directions
- In a microwave safe mug or cereal bowl, combine mashed banana and coconut flour. Mix very well and add nut butter. It should be a VERY thick batter.
- Using a tablespoon at a time, add milk of choice until you reach a thick and creamy consistency. Stir in as many chocolate chips as desired.
Cook in the microwave for 1 minute, or until desired texture is achieved (this varies microwave to microwave).
