Tag: college life

My 2025 Ins: Fashion, Food, and Wellness Routines

Now that we’re about halfway through 2025, I thought it would be interesting to reflect on some of the new routines/products I have implemented into my life this year. Who knows– maybe my 2025 “ins” will inspire you to try new things as well.

#1: LAGREE

Y’all…. this semester I have really gotten into Lagree, and it has completely changed my outlook on fitness. Back in high school, I used to be really into going to the gym- lifting weights, progressive overload, all that stuff. Transitioning into college, I have found it so difficult to find the motivation and time to make my way to the gym. Quite frankly, it’s just gotten really boring for me.

Over winter break, when I was back home and didn’t have much to do, I tried Pilates and Lagree classes through ClassPass. Since then, I’ve been hooked. I’m lucky enough to have a studio located less than a five-minute walk from my college apartment! Naturally, I bought a monthly membership and have been attending classes religiously.

I will say… Lagree is on the more expensive side when it comes to fitness classes. However, the workouts are so worth (it in my opinion). I’ve never done anything quite like it. Lagree combines high-intensity, low-impact training into one workout. The shakes you will get during class are insane. That first class is definitely humbling- LOL. I enjoy a challenge, and no matter how difficult the class is, I always walk out of the studio feeling strong and accomplished.

Over the past few months, I have definitely noticed a difference in my body composition and overall strength. My muscles are more pronounced and toned, my flexibility has improved, and the muscle gain has made running easier as well.

My favorite thing about these classes is that every time you go in, you are bound to get a different workout. It never really gets boring! If you haven’t tried Lagree, I would HIGHLY recommend. You might just fall in love with it like I did.

#2: Weekly-ish Dinner Parties

Hosting/attending little dinner parties is the highlight of my week. Sometimes, it can feel a little lonely eating in college, especially if you are used to eating dinner with your family back at home. Additionally, college is an incredibly busy time in your life, and it can be hard to make time for social commitments. Dinner parties are a great way to solve both of those issues!

A dinner party does not always have to be some grand ordeal with five courses, caviar, wine, and the whole nine yards. Sometimes when I have a dinner party, I literally just invite one or two of my friends over. We each cook a little dish/cook together and then turn on a movie or play some cute music. It’s always a gorgeous time and a great way to unwind from the week.

If you need some dinner party inspiration I will attach some photos below of past dishes I have made with friends. There’s a range of simple meals to more complex ones.

My 21st birthday dinner celebration featuring a charcuterie board made from scratch. The charcuterie board had pickles, seed crackers, strawberries, cashews, red grapes, cheddar cheese, brie cheese, blackberries, and fig jam.

For my 21st birthday, I wanted to have a rager but also a classier celebration (two celebrations to represent my two personality types). For the classier celebration, I opted for a small dinner party with about six of my friends. My friend Joel and I cooked two pasta dishes: he made a green poblano pasta and I made a tomato-based pasta dish. As a side, I prepared a fresh arugula salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, feta cheese, and balsamic glaze. For the appetizer, we opted for a super cute charcuterie board. It was so much fun and a really great way to celebrate my birthday.

My friend Bella and I wearing out cute dinner party attire.

Because this dinner party was more of a special occasion, I had all my friends dress up in cute, classy, cocktail attire. This really elevated the dinner party experience and made it feel like we went out to eat at a fancy little restaurant.

Like I said before, dinner parties don’t always have to be a ton of work. Sometimes I like to host in my pjs and make super simple meals. Below is an example of a dinner party I had with two of my friends where we cooked very low effort (but still delicious) food.

Kale Caesar salad with chicken, avocado, and Parmigiano Reggiano. On the side we had air fried sweet potato fries sprinkled with Parmigiano Reggiano.

We were inspired by the classic ‘girl dinner’ meal: Caesar salad and french fries. We elevated the dish and tweaked it a bit by using kale instead of classic romaine lettuce and sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes for the fries. Additionally, instead of deep frying we used an air fryer to get a similar crispy effect. Overall it was a super delicious meal.

#3: Eccentric Tights

Night out on the town.

This year, I feel like I have not had the time to play with my style. School, work, volunteering, and studying for the MCAT has kept me so busy that I don’t even have time to plan cute outfits as often anymore. Fashion is such a big part of my identity, and I see clothing as a way to creatively express myself. It’s hard to put effort into keeping up with my style amid all my other commitments, so lately I have really been slacking in that department.

One thing that I have found to be an easy, low-effort way to elevate my look is by adding an eccentric pair of tights to a simple outfit. Tights are a huge confidence boost as I always feel very good about myself whenever I put on a pair. Plus, I think tights are super chic and really elevate a look if styled correctly.

Lately, I’ve been playing with colored tights and animal-print tights to turn a basic outfit into a more editorial, high-fashion look. Not only do they look really good, but they’re also pretty cheap. I thrifted my leopard-print tights from Pavement (they have never worn before), and Amazon also has great options for cute, cheap, colored tights as well.

#5: Run Clubs

Lady Bird Lake running trail in downtown Austin, Texas.

Guys…. run clubs are not propaganda. The wellness girlies were right…. running is so much fun. If you want to hear my whole pitch about how I got into running and my running tips, you can read a bit about it here.

Anyways, back to run clubs. Run clubs are so much fun and a great way to meet people in your community. If your city/town doesn’t have any major run clubs, create your own! I love setting a weekly schedule with my friends and choosing a different trail/route to explore with them.

This past April I met my goal of running my first ever 10K (go Longhorn Run!). I owe part of my training dedication to my weekly run club. It’s not always easy to get out there and run. Some weeks you will feel soooo unmotivated. Having a group of people to help keep you excited and accountable is so inspiring. It truly helps you stay on track.

Go get out there!

That pretty much sums up my new 2025 routines. Like I said, a big part of my life is being consumed by the MCAT right now. Hopefully after I #ace this test in September, I can get my life back in order and start doing more things again. With that being said, I hope you enjoyed this little read and a peak into my year so far.

If you were inspired by any of my wise words of wisdom, let me know down below. Thank you all so much for taking the time to read my blog post, and I will see you very soon. Stay beautiful!

May 28, 2025
College and the Struggle to Maintain Healthy Habits

Health. What a complicated topic. Health is determined by a number of different qualitative and quantitative measures, making it hard to define using less than holistic terminology. Not only that, but health can mean a vast array of different things depending on who you ask. Medical health, mental health, physical health… the list goes on.

How do you define health as a young college student and what qualifies as a ‘healthy habit’? The number of hours you spend in the gym? How much sleep you get per night? How many trips to your favorite take out place you’ve talked yourself out of?

For me, being healthy means getting three meals a day, at least 7 hours of sleep a night, and physically feeling my best. I’ve found that when I feel my best physically, it’s easier to follow suit mentally as well. Unfortunately, the past few semesters I have noticed that my healthy habits have taken a seat on the back burner for a little too long now.

In true ‘new years resolutions’ fashion, this winter break I am attempting to curate a plan to prioritize my health. I want to bring my health to the forefront of my priorities as it really is something that only you, the individual, can take charge of. So, here is a list of things I plan on doing (in no particular order) to motivate me and keep me consistent.

Staying fit: run with runners

My organic chemistry II professor, Brent Iverson, was a true inspiration for me to start up my running journey. Now, I know what you’re thinking, ‘Diana, I absolutely hate running. It is the bane of my existence. I would rather dunk my arm in HCl than start up running!’ To that, dear reader, I would tell you that I too was once in your shoes.

Growing up I always hated running (I was a chunky kid, I’ll spare you the evidence). I hated running so much that in seventh grade during my first ever soccer practice, the coach started practice off by saying, “everyone interested in being a goalie follow me. The rest of you, start running laps,” and you know what? Being a goalie sounded reeeeeally interesting to me if it meant I didn’t have to run. So, I became goalie of my soccer team to avoid the dread of intensive cardio.

That all changed last semester when I was inspired to start running. My professor, Dr. Iverson, was a huge spokesperson for the importance of physical activity, specifically running and endurance training. He shared a story with us about a friend of his who was diagnosed with a brain tumor and beat the odds his doctors gave him, all because of running. This friend, determined to make the most of his life, continued his training regimen, winning a marathon while pushing his daughter in a stroller. You can read the full story here.

Not only did the man, Iram Leon, win the marathon, but medical imaging also showed that his brain tumor stopped growing. Hearing Iram’s story was truly moving, and it was the catalyst for my running journey. Additionally, a phrase that continues to ring through my mind is something Dr. Iverson would always say during lecture, “No matter how rich you are or how successful you are, when you become old it will all mean nothing if your health is compromised. Your health is something that no amount of money will truly let you buy, so take care of it now.”

I was determined to take charge of my own health, so my friend Joel and I started training for our university’s 5k race together. To seasoned runners, that may not sound like a big deal, but to Joel and I, it was a big deal. Sure enough, with lots of hard work, we crossed that 5k finish line and became better versions of ourselves on the other side. Thank you Dr. Iverson.

This coming April, we plan to tackle the 10k race.

Joel and I post 5k taking a celebratory photo.

How did we do it?

Some advice I would give people just getting into running is to not do it alone. It’s so much more fun and motivating to have a run buddy by your side. It’s harder to skip runs when you have someone counting on you to get out of bed and on to the trail with them.

If you don’t have someone willing to run with you, another great tool to keep you motivated is a running app. Personally, I like using the Nike Run Club app. It’s a free app that helps you train for your running goals as a beginner, intermediate, or even advanced runner.

My favorite features of the app include their training schedules and their guided run features. Especially as a beginner runner, it can be daunting to figure out where to begin. Thankfully, the app makes it so easy to follow a plan curated by professional running coaches.

Nike Run Club app: ‘Getting Started’ training plan

When I’m out on my runs, I always choose to follow guided runs. I like to hear the coach’s advice. It’s a good reminder to keep pushing hard and to do my best.

Another popular running app is Strava. Personally, I have not tried this app but I have heard great things from lots of my friends who use it.

Staying fit: fitness classes

Another great way to stay inspired to follow your fitness goals is with fitness classes. As college students, we don’t all have the disposable income to spend hundreds of dollars on classes every month (another reason to love running- it’s free)! However, I have found some cheat codes over the last few semesters on how to spend virtually zero dollars on fitness classes.

1.) Find free classes in your college town.

One of my favorite ways to find free fitness classes is by scrolling through the Eventbrite app. If you are unfamiliar with Eventbrite, it’s an app that showcases hundreds of different things happening in your city at any given time. You can sort by price, type of event/activity, and location.

Personally, I have attended numerous free yoga, pilates, and run club events that I found through the app.

Free yoga class hosted by Swift Fit Events that I found through the Eventbrite app.

2.) Become a ClassPass user

Option two is for those of us who have a little more money to dedicate to our health plan. ClassPass is a new development for me. From what I know, it’s an app that you pay for monthly and it gives you access to an array of different fitness classes in your area. The upside to ClassPass is that it gives you the opportunity to add variety into your workout routine, without having to pay for multiple different memberships.

ClassPass App homepage

I’m currently doing the one month free trial and using my credits to morph into a pilates princess. I’m soooo excited to finally try reformer pilates. Euro summer here I come!

Healthy eating to nourish the mind and body

Fun fact about me- I’m a nutrition major! Although I don’t plan on being a dietitian post grad (I want to be a doctor) I am a firm believer that nutrition is the most important element of healthy living. As a college student, it can seem difficult to maintain a healthy diet due to monetary and time constraints. However, I want to reassure you that it is possible to do so.

If time is your concern, consider meal prep. Now, I’m not talking the meal prep where you prepare the same boring plate of chicken and rice for an entire week. Personally, I need variety because eating healthy does not mean sacrificing taste and excitement. Consider preparing ingredients instead. Pre cook your grains for the week, pre cut your fruits and vegetables a few nights in advance, make your breakfasts the night before, etc.

Prepping ingredients in contrast to meals lets you mix and match so each meal is something new! It prevents boredom and promotes food variety, which is a very important aspect of a healthy diet. Grains that I love to prep include quinoa, brown rice, and oats. I also love making a whole pot of pasta at the beginning of the week that I can customize to my liking.

Below are examples of meals you can make with pre prepped ingredients.

Mediterranean stuffed sweet potato with hummus, marinated chickpeas, feta cheese, and tofu. Paired with a micro greens side salad.

For this meal, you can pre marinate the chickpeas at the beginning of the week and use them as I did above, or in a pasta salad, or as a topping for a DIY Cava bowl.

Cava inspired bowl with quinoa, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, feta cheese, and crumbled tofu.

Lentils with cooked celery, cooked carrots, and a fried egg on top.

Lentils are another great food to pre cook. They are so nutritious and so easy to customize.

If money is a concern to you, I have a few tips on how to eat healthy without breaking the bank.

#1: Buy grains/legumes in bulk

Buying in bulk is always cheaper, especially if you go to stores like Central Market where they let you bring containers to fill up. Like I mentioned before, some of my favorite grains/legumes to purchase are quinoa, brown rice, oats, lentils, and various different beans.

#2: Purchase frozen fruits and vegetables

This is a great way to minimize food waste because fruits and vegetables tend to go bad very quickly, especially if you are the only one consuming your groceries. Contrary to popular belief, there is absolutely nothing wrong with buying frozen fruits and vegetables. In fact, it helps bring variety into your diet because it gives you the opportunity to purchase produce that may not be in season. Frozen produce has all the nutrients preserved, so you are not losing out on that front either.

Of course there are a few exceptions with buying frozen produce, especially for foods that have a high water content like tomatoes and cucumbers.

#3: My tried and true, Trader Joe’s

Many people consider Trader Joe’s to be a “bougie” grocery store as it often gets grouped in with Whole Foods and Sprout’s by the fitness forward moguls. However, it’s actually quite cheap in comparison to other grocery stores.

Trader Joe’s is noticeably cheaper with great quality products because they typically only sell products under their own private label. This allows them to buy directly from the supplier, allowing them to avoid cutting a check to the “middleman”.

So before you jump to conclusions about my favorite grocery store, take a look around and see how many great deals you can find. I’ll provide a link to my post where I talk about some of my favorite products in case you need a guiding light. Read about it here.

Practicing mental prosperity

If you are anything like me, you base way too much of your personal value on your grades. Personally, this was what facilitated the downfall of my healthy habits. I neglected so many of my other priorities to ensure perfect grades and an undeniable resume.

Please, you are so much more than a student in college. College is not only a place to study, but it’s a place to discover who you are as a person, find new hobbies, and a time for growth. You cannot hyper fixate and put all your energy into being the perfect student because news flash, you are human, NOT a robot (thanks for reminding me of that Emilia).

When I feel myself getting a little too crazy about my future and my grades, I turn to a few outlets that help ground me back to Earth.

#1: Journaling

Writing how I feel has always helped me. You can opt in for a digital journal or a more traditional paper journal. You can even get really fancy with it and find a super pretty book to write in to elevate the experience. Whatever helps you stay motivated and consistent.

#2: Go on a walk

This one is my personal favorite. There is nothing like going on a brisk walk while listening to your favorite album or podcast to elevate your endorphin levels.

#3: Meditate/listen to ASMR

This is a great way to unwind from a long day and help ease you into a great sleep. Sleep is so important for mental clarity and health promotion overall.

#4: Join clubs at your university

Social isolation does nobody any good, and I understand that it can be difficult for some people to make friends in college. School clubs/orgs are a great way to meet people who share similar interests as you. I always recommend joining at least one school organization that relates to a hobby of yours. It adds a fun element to your school week and introduces you to a ton of cool people that you can lean on for support.

Clubs are a great reminder that grades do not have to solely dominate your university life.

What will you implement into your weekly routine?

Now that you have read some of the things I plan on implementing into my routine, I hope you feel inspired to do the same. Your health is important, and you should start taking charge of it as soon as possible. Thanks so much for reading this post, and I will see you soon my dearest reader.

December 21, 2024
2024- My Recap of a Year Full of Love, Light, and Growth

Goodbye 2024 and helloooo 2025! It feels so weird to say that out loud- or on keyboard I should say. This year was an eventful one full of laughter, love, tears, growth, and prosperity. With each year etched as a tally mark on the metaphorical wall that represents my life, I become more and more grateful to be alive. This world has so much love and light to offer, and I’m so happy to be in it. With that being said, I’m going to do a recap of some of the moments that helped me grow and appreciate life. Maybe this recap will inspire you to try new things in 2025!

#1: Started my blog!

The very first thing I did back in January was start this website you are reading off of right now! I do have to admit that I have not posted or written as much as I would have liked over the past year. During my winter break last year I was very committed to consistently put out good quality content, but since school started back up and I began working two jobs, it has been so hard to make the time to write/journal/blog/create content. Moving forward into 2025 I want to dedicate more time to making posts on here. I’ve always loved creating content and sharing my life, opinions, thoughts, and so forth with the world, so I am really going to try and hold myself accountable.

#2: Left my teenage years behind (turned 20)!

This year I hit a huge milestone for younger Diana- I left my teenage years behind. I remember turning thirteen and imagining myself in the future. Turning twenty, BEING twenty, sounded so old and official because it meant no longer being a teenager. It felt so grown up to hear people talk about being in their twenties. I always thought that I would have my entire life figured out as soon as I entered that decade in my life. Safe to say I was being severely over dramatic.

As a twenty year old girl now, I am still so young and have so much to learn and grow from in life. If I could give a younger version of myself some advice, I would tell her: 1.) It is okay to not have everything figured out yet! Life is still so brand new and you have so much to accomplish. There is no rush! Just enjoy life at your own pace. You have so much time. 2.) Being twenty is just as fun and exciting as being sixteen. You find fun in every decade of your life.

#3: I walked in my first runway show!

Diana Farmer walking for Jiagia Studios in the Hook’d Magazine 2024 Runway Show. Photo from The Daily Texan instagram post. Photographer: Manoo Sirivelu

This was so much fun!! At my university I am a part of several fashion clubs/organizations, one of them being Hook’d Magazine. Every year Hook’d hosts a runway show that showcases designs created by university students. In April I had the unique opportunity to walk as a model for one of the designers, Jiagia Studios, created by Parth Ghawghawe. This experience was so amazing and I had a blast pretending to be a top model walking in NYFW. It was definitely a little out of my comfort zone as I was terrified to trip in front of hundreds of people in my six inch stiletto heels. Thankfully everything went smoothly and I felt like the third Hadid on that catwalk. 10/10 would do this again.

#4: Watched my little sister graduate

In June I got to see my little sister graduate, which was so emotional for me. As an older sibling, it’s hard to grasp the concept of your younger siblings growing up and hitting major milestones in their lives. She will always be four years old with botched bangs she used safety scissors to cut herself. Nevertheless, I am so proud of her and excited to see where life takes her.

#5: Experienced Italy as a diagnosed celiac for the first time

My mom and all of her family are from Italy (I am half Italian), so I have been going every summer to visit since I was born. The summer of 2023 I was officially diagnosed with celiac disease AFTER I had gotten back from my yearly trip to Italy. Summer 2023 Diana was still enjoying all the glutenous pizza, pasta, desserts, and breads that Italy is so well known for (unknowingly damaging my intestinal cells but it’s okay because at least it all tasted so good). I was so scared to visit Italy this past summer as I was unsure of how my diet would play out.

To my utmost surprise, Italy is so far advanced in the gluten free world. Because food is such a big part of Italian culture, the Italian Celiac Association (or AIC for short in Italy) has done an amazing job at making the lives celiacs living/visiting Italy so easy and enjoyable. For starters, Italian citizens/residents get a monthly stipend from the government to help them purchase gluten free foods. Secondly, there is a booklet created by the AIC that showcases every certified gluten free establishment (and establishments that have been recognized for their food safety) for EVERY region of Italy. You can find everything from gluten free grocery stores, gluten free gelaterias, gluten free bakeries, to restaurants that are safe to eat at.

The photo above shows some desserts I tried from a certified 100% gluten free bakery in the hometown where my nonna lives. Finding this bakery was so special for me because the tartlets above were always my favorites growing up as a kid. I was so happy to find out how tasty they could be made- despite being gluten free.

If you are a fellow celiac and you have concerns about traveling to Italy, I want you to rest assured that you will have no trouble finding delicious foods to indulge in.

#6: Moved into my first apartment

I’m currently a junior in college and this is my first year not living in a dorm. Having an apartment to call your own is so nice. Pictured is a view of the sunset from my room- I could not be more in love. This was another huge milestone because your first apartment is something that you remember for the rest of your life. It’s an additional step into adulthood!

Decorating was so much fun. It’s such a girl apartment and I love it so much.

#7: Got featured in magazines

Sophia, Montana from Spark Magazine’s issue No. 23, Motor.

Like I mentioned before, I am a part of several fashion clubs/organizations at my university, one of them being Spark Magazine. This is my first semester in this organization, and I am a part of the modeling committee. Modeling is one of my hobbies that I find so much fun. It’s kind of like theatre in a way because you get to put on a persona and pose in front of the camera.

This shoot was so much fun to execute and I really love how all the photos turned out. I hope to be able to be a part of this team again next semester!

Stoicism from Hook’d Magazine’s issue No. 7, Sanctum.

Another magazine I got to model in was for Hook’d Magazine. This is the second issue of Hook’d I have been able to model for but this one holds a special place in my heart because I loved this team so much! The garments we were modeling were hand made by two Textile and Apparel students. That in itself is incredible. Again, I hope to have the opportunity to model in future magazines.

#8: Saw one of my favorite artists, Clairo, in concert

Words cannot describe how much I love Clairo. She is one of my favorite artists and getting to see her in concert with my friends was unreal. This was kind of a spur of the moment decision as my friends and I all bought tickets to this concert like the day before. We all needed a break from our school work and studying, and this was the best way to unwind.

Clairo’s voice is so angelic and it truly healed something inside of me. This was one of the best concerts I have ever been to and one of the best days of my Fall semester. I will cherish this night forever.

#9: Enjoyed an “all expenses paid for” 5 star meal

There was a new restaurant in Austin, Texas that opened up called Jupiter Supper Club that is completely plant based and has so many gluten free options on the menu. One of my friends had to ‘in’ and got us a table at their soft opening where we had the opportunity to try out their entire menu for FREE. Now, as a college student this is a huge deal. We are never passing up a free meal. Everything was so delicious and luxurious. The restaurant itself is beautiful and decorated with so much thought.

My friends and I dressed up and walked around down town Austin feeling like true A-list celebrities after our free five star meal. Definitely worth failing my biochem quiz the next day. Everything in moderation, right?

#10: Hosted a 100% gluten free friendsgiving

Let me start off by saying how much I love my friends. This Thanksgiving, I had the dream of hosting a friendsgiving with a huge group of people full of gluten free Thanksgiving foods that I miss eating. I invited 25 of my friends over to my college apartment and we had a huge potluck style feast. The best part? Everything was safe for me to eat. Some highlights of the foods that were made and brought go as follows: sushi bake, pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting, fresh baked bread, TWO turkeys, creamed corn, sweet potato casserole, the list goes on.

All the food was so delicious and I had so much fun hosting all of my friends.

To a wonderful 2024…

There are so many more events and days I could write and highlight, but I think 10 is a nice, even number so I will leave it at that.

All in all I had a truly wonderful 2024 and I am so excited to see what 2025 has in store for me. See you all in the new year!

December 19, 2024
Healthy College Pantry Essentials for Busy Students Like You

I’m currently in my third semester of college and trust me, I’m no stranger to a busy schedule and a stressful workload. Some days I have 6-8 hours of back to back classes with no time to hit the dining hall. Because of this, I have learned what foods belong in my pantry to keep me fueled and fed. It’s so important for us students to take care of our nutritional needs so we can tackle all the tasks needed to get done. So, whether you live in a dorm room with just a microwave or even a small apartment, everything on this list will work for you.

#1: Quick Oats

Quick oats have to be one of the most important things on this list. Oats are an amazing, nutrient dense food that is great to add to your diet. They are a great complex carb that will help keep you satiated and energized until lunch. Additionally, oats are a great source of fiber and help regulate your cholesterol levels. The specific type that I choose are gluten free, protein oats. I like them with a little added protein for additional benefits.

Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Protein Oats

I reach for these in the morning, especially when I have early classes to get to (since I don’t feel like waking up even earlier to get breakfast at the dining hall). You can make these in the microwave by adding some water or milk, or if you want something even quicker, let them soak overnight in the fridge so you can eat them on your way to class.

#2: Microwaveable Brown Rice

Again, another great, easy way to get whole grains into your diet is with microwavable brown rice. Of course if brown rice is not your thing you can opt for white rice, but I prefer brown rice for a multitude of reasons. For one, it’s a whole grain (whereas white rice is a refined grain). This means that when you eat white rice, you are not getting all the nutrients that the whole grain version has to offer. Additionally, since brown rice is a whole grain, it is a complex carbohydrate which will keeper you fuller for longer. Besides all the health benefits, I just honestly prefer the texture of brown rice better. It’s a win-win for me.

Seeds of Change Organic Brown Rice

I love this specific brand because it’s a certified gluten free rice. If you don’t have to worry about avoiding gluten, any brand works fine.

Spice this up with your favorite seasonings to add an extra punch of flavor and variety to the taste. My favorites are cumin, garlic powder, paprika, curry powder, and cardamom. If you are vegetarian of vegan, pair this rice with a peas, chickpeas, or beans to create an easy, plant based complete protein source! You really can’t go wrong with this. It’s easy, fast, and filling.

#3: Canned Beans/Legumes

Beans and legumes are an amazing food group to incorporate into your diet. They are very nutrient dense and are a great source of fiber, protein, iron, and B vitamins. As I mentioned above, if you pair them with a whole grain such as brown rice, it creates an amazing plant based complete protein source.

Green Valley Garbanzo Beans (Chickpeas)

Some of my favorite beans/legumes are chickpeas, kidney beans, and pinto beans. Again, you can eat them straight out of the bag/can by adding your favorite seasonings! A good tip is to try and look for a low sodium variety for something a little healthier.

#4: Salty Snack- Hippeas Chickpea Puffs

Every once in awhile, you just want a satisfying snack to crunch on while watching your favorite show or while studying. The great news is, you do not have to give up taste/satisfaction for health! Some of my favorite chips that I reach for constantly are Hippeas chickpea puffs. These snack puffs are made from chickpeas which makes them a great source of fiber and some protein. Additionally, they are vegan, gluten free, and nut free! I highly recommend if you are looking for a savory snack with great flavor and crunch.

Hippeas Chickpea Puffs

#5: Sweet Snack- Siete Mini Bunuelos

Of course we need a sweet treat in the pantry to satisfy the sweet tooth cravings. So, I present to you: Siete mini bunuelos! Siete is another one of my favorite brands out there. All of their products are gluten free and made with wholesome ingredients (without sacrificing taste). If you had not yet tried their products, I highly recommend!

Siete Grain Free Cinnamon Crisps (Mini Bunuelos)

#6: Nut Butter

A good nut butter is such a versatile food that is also a great source of healthy, unsaturated fats (which can help keep you full). I recommend looking for a natural nut butter that is made from only your nut of choice and maybe some sea salt. There really is no need for all the filler ingredients that big brands like to add, so try sticking to the natural stuff as it is the healthiest option.

Trader Joe’s Creamy Salted Almond Butter

Personally, I am a big fan of almond butter and peanut butter, so I switch between the two depending on what mood I’m in.

I love adding nut butters to my oatmeal, as filling for dates, or in sandwiches. Honestly, a drizzle of this stuff over anything is sure to be delicious.

#7: Dates (or your favorite dried fruit)

I could write a love letter to dates. They are one of my most used fruits when I am in a pinch. Dates are full of natural sweetness and offer a ton of carbohydrates, so they are a great food to eat when you need a boost of energy. My favorite way to eat them is filled with a nut butter. It’s like a healthy, natural version of a candy bar and is a great midday snack.

Another way I eat dates is in my oatmeal as a natural sweetener.

Dates last such a long time in the pantry and are a staple for my ‘kitchen’.

Natural Delights Fresh Medjool Pitted Dates

#8: All Natural Protein/Energy Bars

Like I mentioned before, life as a student is very, very, busy, especially if you are managing a job on top of your school work as well. One way I stay energized and fueled on days where I have a back-to-back schedule is with protein bars.

Now, I have a love-hate relationship with protein bars. On one hand, they are super convenient. You just put them in your bag and eat them whenever, wherever. On the other hand, many protein bar companies add in so many weird ingredients that I am not a fan of. I really try to keep my diet focused on whole foods, so for me those are a no-go.

However, throughout my years consuming protein/energy bars, I have come across some great brands that use good ingredients to create their products.

All Natural Protein/Energy Bars

Some of my favorite bars are made from the brands RXBAR, GoMacro, and LARABAR.

The RXBAR and GoMacro bars offer a larger protein content, so if that’s what you are looking for, I’d go with those. There’s also sooo many flavors to choose from so experiment! Some of my favorite RXBAR flavors are peanut butter, pumpkin spice, and chocolate sea salt.

LARABAR does not offer a lot of protein, but they are still a great bar made with real fruits and nuts. If you need some extra energy, these are a very good option for you as well.

#9: Protein Powder

Protein is a very important macronutrient that helps support strong muscles and is in charge of many functions in our bodies. It’s very important that you get an adequate amount of protein in your diet so you can live a healthy, enjoyable life. An easy way for busy students like us to up our protein intake is with protein powder! Protein powder can be added to oatmeal, milk, water, and smoothies for an easy protein boost.

Vega Plant Based Protein Powder

My favorite brand of protein powder is Vega. Their protein powder is plant based, gluten free, and nutrient dense because they are made with vegetables as well! The taste is amazing as well. My favorite is the chocolate flavor!

Plant Power!

There you have it, healthy pantry essentials for busy students like me and you. I hope you found this blog post helpful! If you try any of these or have added these to your pantry, let me know! As always thanks so much for reading and please take care of yourself! Until next time.

-Diana

January 15, 2024