The Dreaded First Day

I remember a time when I actually used to look forward to the first day of school. The shiny new school supplies, the perfectly pointy crayons, perhaps a new backpack, those were the days. Oh how quickly things change...

Now I dread the first day of classes, I dread the tuition bill even more! College first day of classes isn't exactly thrilling. Thankfully I eased my way into the new semester with only one class on Monday. Not a bad start to the year! Because my class was late in the afternoon and I knew I would get stuck in horrific rush hour traffic getting back to the apartment I made a hearty lunch packed with protein to hold me over.

It wasn't anything fancy, but it was hearty and delicious. I had one slice of gluten free bread with 2 tablespoons prepared PB2. I sliced half a banana and put it on top of the PB2 and drizzled a bit of organize honey over the top of the whole thing. 

With the PB2 and banana sandwich I had a parfait bowl (surprise, surprise!)

The parfait bowl is 1/2 cup Dannon Light and Fit vanilla greek yogurt, small handful fresh blueberries, 1 tablespoon KIND cinnamon and oat clusters and one Cocoa Crunch Square Bar. I cut the Square Bar into chunks and heated it up for 15 seconds, just enough to get the chocolate warm and gooey...YUM!

Cottage Cheese with Fruit

Not being able to run for the past two weeks has really been a struggle for me. Every time I just start to build up mileage it seems like lupus strikes and pushes me back. I have been having pain in my lower back since coming home from Up North and per doctors orders I've had to lay off the running. 

It's definitely frustrating, but I am trying to be positive and find other ways to exercise. On Thursday morning I chose to do the bike. I did a little over 12 miles and had to stop because the seat on the bike was killing my back.

After biking and some stretching I was hungry for a snack. Recently I've become a big fan of having fruit in cottage cheese. Maybe it's the salty and sweet combination? Who knows, but it is delicious! It's a great post workout snack/meal too. 

Crockpot Chicken Jambalaya

Breakout the crockpot because it's almost fall, unless you walk outside right now...The weather seems to be confused. Of course it's been relatively coolish all summer then I move back to school and BAM it get smoking hot again. I always hate that- I can't enjoy the weather while I'm stuck in classes all day and it's depressing.

I tripled checked that I packed my crockpot before leaving home. For those who have been reading for awhile I live off my crockpot during the school year (eventually I will get back to my crockpot Monday posts). With my crockpot I make enough food for the week, so I can come back from class and just heat up leftovers. Leftovers make my life so much easier, especially when I come back from class really late and hangry.

I have never had jambalaya before. The sodium content is too high for my liking and shrimp freaks me out. I wanted to try it so I decided to switch out the shrimp for turkey sausage. It was so delicious and it made a giant amount of food- 9 servings! 

Crockpot Chicken Jambalaya

• 1/2 package Tyson Chicken breast tenderloins
• 1 low fat turkey skinless turkey sausage-I bought a 13 oz. package (two sausages) and only used 1 of the sausages
• 16 oz frozen stir fry vegetables
• 14.5 ounce organic diced tomatoes
• 8 ounces reduced sodium Jambalaya rice mix
• 2 cups water

Line crockpot with crockpot liner.

Dump frozen vegetables into the bottom of the crockpot.

Cut turkey sausage in thin slices, then cut it in half.

Place chicken breast tenderloins and turkey sausages on top of vegetables.

Pour diced tomatoes on top of meat and then pour in water.

Cover crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours or low for 3 hours.

40 minutes before serving add jambalaya rice mix into crockpot, stir in and switch crockpot to high. 

If you are really hungry (or hangry like I was...) you can eat a bit after 20 minutes, but it will still be watery because the water won't be fully absorbed yet.

Nutrition per serving (serves 9):

Calories: 165

Carbs: 7

Fat: 3

Protein: 17 

Sodium: 373

Sugar: 4