Category: Food + Drink

Simple & Creative Lunch Ideas for Students

Finding an easy lunch plan to stick to and follow can be incredibly challenging. So, I’ve made a list of some quick and easy recipes that will make your morning smoother. Enjoy!

Finding an easy lunch plan to stick to and follow can be incredibly challenging. Finding recipes that you can cram into your busy schedule is key to having a great start to your day. Here are some of my favorite recipes for a busy student. if you want my lunch planners along with my monthly planners, go ahead and visit my Etsy shop here.

Have you ever been in such a rush in the morning that you either forget to make lunch or are so stressed that a simple ordeal turns into a big time-suck? For some reason, this used to happen to me all the time. For an easy start to your morning, I recommend making your lunches in the evenings. You can also grab some my monthly planners here that include lunch planners. These help a ton!

1. Tacos

Tacos are easy if you have most of the ingredients prepared already. It can be challenging to make all of the taco toppings in the morning, but pre-made ingredients are easy to include. My favorite tacos have ground beef, tomatoes, avocado, cheese, carrots and lettuce.

2. Cucumber Sandwich

Cucumber Sandwiches are absolutely delicious. These are often seen as a tea – time snack in European countries. They are energizing and are a lighter meal. They need to be balanced out by other sides because they aren’t incredibly filling. You might need to make several small sandwiches in order to create a full dish.

3. Hard Boiled Eggs + Cheese

Hard boiled eggs and cheese is probably the easiest idea in this list. You can lay the eggs in boiling water and relax while they are cooking. You can wrap them in cheese for added flavor. This one is amazing, especially for an early morning.

4. Mediterranean Wrap

Mediterranean wraps can almost be a full meal. They are easy to make within ten minutes. My favorite Mediterranean Wraps include hummus, deli meat, olives, lettuce, tomatoes and edamame. For an easier option, you can make a wrap with nutella, peanut butter and fruit. This takes about five minutes at most. Enjoy!

5. Beans and Rice

Making a black bean and rice bowl is about a ten minute ordeal. I like to use basmati or jasmine rice and any type of black beans (canned or cooked). Any rice or beans would work wonderfully. I cook the rice while I am preparing the beans, for sake of time. Like most of the other meals, this needs to be rounded out with other side dishes to account for a balanced meal. I like to add green vegetables such as cucumber or strawberries on the side. This is a flexible dish, so anything works!

Bonus Tip:

Consider packing your lunch the night before you need it. That way, you have more time to sleep in and less of a rush before you leave!

I can’t wait to see what you create for your lunch! I’d love to hear comments or see photos of what you made! Just drop it in the comment box below. Don’t forget to join the Busy & Beaming community so you never miss a post. I can’t wait to see you next week!

Keep Smiling,

The Best Autumn Starbucks Drinks

Autumn was meant for pumpkin spice lattes and apple cider. Whether you prefer a different drink or feel like (pumpkin) spicing it up, this post will help you find your new favorite fall flavor!

There’s no doubt about it. Autumn was meant for pumpkin spice lattes and apple cider. Whether you prefer a different drink or feel like (pumpkin) spicing it up, this post will help you find your new favorite fall flavor! If you’re in the mood for more summer-y flavors, you can check out my post on the Best Summer Starbucks Drinks.

I don’t know about you, but my favorite Starbucks drink changes often, but only if I’m in the mood to switch it up. If you are a non-coffee drinkers out there or those who like to try a drink without it, you will love this post. Who doesn’t want to be able to indulge in all those fall flavors without added bitterness? This brings us to my top drink:

1.) Pumpkin Spice Creme

All the talk about the pumpkin spice latte made me crave something similar. The pumpkin spice crème is delicious. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again – this drink is like heaven in a cup. It is like pumpkin pie, but with vanilla. This is one that I wholeheartedly recommend that you try. For coffee drinkers looking for something like this, you can add a few pumps of mocha or espresso.

2.) Caramel Apple Spice

This is Starbucks’ take on a classic autumn treat. For those of you who have never heard of this before or are unclear, the caramel apple spice drink is heated apple cider with cinnamon, whipped cream and a salted caramel drizzle on the top. These flavors combine to allow you cuddle up with fuzzy socks and a good book during a rainy fall day.

3.) Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino

While this drink is normally prepared with coffee, it can be ordered without it. Without coffee, it is a cold slice of pumpkin pie in a cup, which is perfect for those warmer autumn days. With coffee, be prepared for a taste similar to the pumpkin spice latte on ice. This one is definitely on my list!

4.) Guava Iced Tea Lemonade Refresher

I have not had this drink myself, but I am told that it is a drink that is for either the autumn or spring seasons. This drink is incredibly refreshing, and it brings a splash of summer and tropical flavors to those of you missing those warm days. This drink can either be ordered sweetened or unsweetened. For similar beverages, click here to view my post on Best Summer Starbucks Drinks.

5.) Butterbeer Frappucino

Calling all Harry Potter fans! This drink is not known by many, but is amazing in the fall and winter. It tastes like fantasy and halloween all in one with hints of caramel. This can be ordered with or without coffee and is a wonderful addition to your day. A small or medium size of this drink is recommended due to its robust flavor.

Bonus: Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Muffin

My favorite Starbucks bakery item is by far the pumpkin spice muffin. It is full of flavor and covered in flax seeds (which makes it a little healthy). In the middle, you will find cream cheese. This may or may not sound appetizing, but I assure you that it is delicious. It has 350 calories. \

If you enjoyed this post, I would love it if you dropped me a comment! What are your favorite Starbucks drinks? Let me know! Next week, join me on the blog to see a high school/college hack on how to stop procrastinating. In the meantime, you can sign up for the Busy and Beaming Community so that you never miss a post. See you next time!

Keep Smiling,

Overnight Oats Recipe

Overnight oats is a super quick and easy recipe, and it’s delicious. What more can you ask for? Let’s get cooking!!

Overnight oats is a super quick and easy recipe, and it’s delicious. What more can you ask for? By the name of the recipe, you may have guessed that they need to be made the night before, but they’re worth it. A single bag or box of these ingredients can create enough jars of overnight oats for a few months. There are several different variations of this recipe, but I will give you the recipe for a peach recipe. Let’s get cooking!

Ingredients:

  • Almond Milk
  • Oats
  • Chia and Flax Seeds
  • Fruit
  • Vanilla Yogurt
  • Peanut Butter
  • Nutella
  • Fruit of Your Choice

Hopefully your overnight oats turned out well! If you have any questions, I would love to answer them! Let me know how these turned out. As always, I love to hear your feedback, so leave me a comment at the bottom of this page! Don’t forget to join the community for extra tips, tricks and posts. See you there!

Keep Smiling,

Summer Starbucks Drinks

Starbucks is the most well known coffee shop, and it is for a good reason! I’ve compiled a list of my favorite drinks just for you so you can experience the taste of summer.

Starbucks is the most well known coffee shop, and it is for a good reason! They offer various flavored drinks to match any taste pallet and are refreshing to have, especially during the summer. I’ve compiled a list of my favorite drinks just for you so that you can experience the taste of summer. For cozy drink suggestions, you can check out my post on Best Summer Starbucks Drinks.

This summer, drive-through’s are almost always packed with a line out the door. I’ll never pass up a trip to Starbucks, but Starbucks isn’t a place where I stay. I usually stop by while I’m on my way somewhere or passing through. They do, however, create a welcoming atmosphere to those who wish to stay and get work done. When stopping by quickly, it is convenient to have a drink that is easy to order. Which brings me to drink #1.

1.) Berry Hibiscus with Mango and Dragonfruit

Long name, I know. But this drink is SO GOOD! Add this drink to your list, especially for a cold drink used as a wake up call in the early morning. If your already awake, this drink can also help to keep you energized throughout the day with its sweet and exotic flavor. For those of you who love fruit in your drinks, you can order strawberries and/or blackberries in this one for added taste.

2.) Strawberry Açaí Refresher

This drink is a go-to order for several of my friends. The strawberry açaí refresher is similar to the pink drink, but tastes a little different and has less protein (because of the lack of coconut milk.) It is still a wonderful drink to have on a hot summer day. It reminds me of lemonade, in a way.

3.) Iced Guava Passionfruit Drink

This is a new drink, so it’s a little on the pricier side, even for Starbucks. I tried this recently, and I loved it. I think it might be my new favorite! The IGP drink also tastes similar to the pink drink, but has a more robust fruity flavor and is more energizing.

4.) Pink Drink

The pink drink was all the craze last summer, and it still hasn’t lost its fame. If I’m not mistaken, it was on the Starbucks secret menu at one point in time. If it’s still there, it’s secrecy has been leaked. I think it is one of the most popular Starbucks drinks out there! While it is fruity and sweet, there is coconut milk in it, which adds protein and something a little extra to the drink. It might not be the healthiest thing in the world, but I like to order this drink after a run sometimes.

5.) Iced Coffee with White Mocha and Cream

I, myself am not at all a coffee drinker. In fact, I’d choose almost anything over coffee. I’m more of a frappuccino/refresher kind of girl, but I know that favorite flavors certainly differ. This drink was recommended by one of my friends who loves coffee, and I think that iced coffee is more of a summer drink than warm coffee. Since I’ve never personally had this drink, I can’t tell you much about the flavor, but if you like sugary drink of mocha, then I’d say that this one is probably for you. If you want to try a hot drink with a similar flavor, or would like similar suggestions, check out my blog post on Best Autumn Starbucks Drinks.

That’s all! Hopefully I helped to narrow down your order choices for the next time you stop by Starbucks! I’ll see you next week!

Keep Smiling,

The Most Amazing Cinnamon Muffin Recipe

Cinnamon muffins are one of my favorite muffins. Not only are they a tantalizing autumn treat, but they taste great as a breakfast option as well. Now you can make them yourself and they’re super easy!!

Cinnamon muffins are one of my favorite muffins. Since you’re here as well, I’m going to go ahead and guess that you’re in the same boat. Not only are they a tantalizing autumn treat, but they taste great as a breakfast option as well. Now you can make them yourself and they’re super easy!!

This recipe is a modified recipe from the blog “Taste & Tell”. I modified it by substituting almond milk for normal dairy milk, olive oil instead of vegetable oil, and by using baking soda instead of baking powder (the quantity has also been decreased).To check out the original recipe, click here to check out her blog. It’s awesome!

*If you switch to regular dairy milk, increase the sugar quantity to 1/2 cup instead of 1/3 cup*

Cinnamon muffins are my all time favorite autumn treat and breakfast option. It tastes so good with a warm cup of coffee. (Or so I’m told. I don’t drink coffee). If you’re like me and coffee doesn’t fit within your taste pallet, I recommend eating it with warm milk. It’s amazing!

Flavored muffins are also seen as challenging to make most of the time, but take it from me – these are SOOOOO easy and equally as delicious. Most of the ingredients are probably in your house, but if you happen to need anything, they are all relatively low cost. Let’s get baking!

Thanks so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed the muffins and the recipe! As always, comment below! I love to hear your thoughts, feedback and results! Stay safe!

Keep Smiling,

Belle

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