Stuck inside this weekend because of an(other) excess of snow or lack of money? If you’re already missing all of that free wonderful food from home, practice your improvisatory skills with DIY Thai!

Featured Ingredient: Coconut

Coconut is rich in protein. It’s a favorite among fitness freaks (and CollegeCandy writers) for its ability to promote muscle growth. Coconut is also rich in Calcium, Vitamin A, and (good) fats. Studies show that it also helps maintain proper thyroid and kidney function. That makes it the perfect ingredient for a satisfying, tasty, easy, healthy meal!

You Will Need:

2 TBS coconut or sesame oil (or cooking oil of choice)
¼ cup shredded coconut
1 small onion
1/2 cup broccoli
1/2 cup carrots
1 Package firm tofu
4 TBS peanut butter (or tahini sauce)
1 TBS soy sauce (optional)
Ginger or coriander to taste (optional) Read More »

Ever since our family dentist looked at my brother’s teeth and asked him if he routinely fell asleep with candy in his mouth and my mother saw the amount of money it would take to clear his teeth of cavities, I haven’t had anything but diet soda.

Sugary sodas and juices went out the window as soon as my parents realized the havoc they were playing with our health (not like the aspartame in diet soda is any better…but…I mean…let’s not think about that), and since that fateful dentist appointment 13 years ago, I have been very conscious of the hidden bad stuff inside innocent-seeming liquids.

Sometimes, even the good, “healthy” stuff can stab you in the back. Need some examples?

Glaceau VitaminWater (20 oz)

This shiz has 130 calories and 33 grams of sugar. I love VitaminWater because it makes me feel like I’m ingesting actual vitamins, but when I force myself to think about it…how healthy can something that tastes THAT sweet really be?

Pina Colada

This summer drink has 625 freaking calories and 75 grams of sugar. Do you KNOW how many miles on the treadmill that is? Give me some rum and a splash of lime — still tropical, but waaayyy less mean to the waist line. Read More »

So, apparently ‘fruit salad’ on the east coast is literally just a bunch of chopped up fresh fruit, cohabitating in one bowl, possible even in a watermelon carved into a bowl shape. Sounds good to me, I love fresh fruit. I just hate buying it because if I don’t eat it all, I hate the guilt that goes along with it (not to mention the smell of fruit that’s gone bad…).

So a slightly less-healthy version of the fruit salad follows, because a) its ingredients are all canned or pre-packaged (which means you do not have to rinse or chop a damn thing) and b) it’s not THAT bad for you, and is a great summery treat. And also, this is what I grew up with, and why I am always confused when fruit salad does not come with marshmallows…

So here goes:

1 small can mandarin orange slices, drained

1 small can of pineapple chunks, drained

1 can chunky fruit cocktail (I hate the word chunk too, please go with it), drained

1 small jar maraschino cherries, drained

1 cup sour cream (again, I use low fat/no fat but please go with your gut)

½ bag shredded coconut

¾ bag of mini-marshmallows Read More »

I love Almond Joys. They’re basically my favorite candy bar. Coconut, almonds (for protein!), and chocolate, there’s no better combination in this world.

(Unless it’s Jake Gyllenhaal, Ryan Gosling and chocolate)

One of the best bartenders I know gave me this recipe, and I’ve tried it a few times myself. It’s definitely sweet, not something to get wasted on, but just perfect for those Saturday night BBQ’s or the beginning of a girl’s night out.

Almond Joy Shot

• 3 oz. Malibu Rum

• 1.5 oz. Amaretto

• 1 oz. Chocolate Liqueur

• 1 oz. Baileys Irish Cream

• Chocolate Syrup

• Whipped Cream

Add the Malibu, Chocolate Liqueur, Amaretto, and Baileys to a shaker with ice. Shake about 6 times (try not to over-mix, the individual flavors will get muddled), and then pour into shot glasses. Drizzle a little whipped cream and chocolate syrup on top and you’re good to go!

…And always remember to drink responsibly. Cute bartenders never go for the drunk girls.