Did you guys have a great Memorial Day weekend? I did. And by “I did,” I mean, I ate everything in sight. Just kidding, but it certainly feels like it. Nothing like a barbecue to remind you that it’s almost bikini season and you’re not nearly ready to flash those abs.

Speaking of bikini season, let’s talk about one of my favorite summer snacks: chips and salsa. Mmmm. I don’t know if it’s the crispy chips or the spicy salsa but there’s nothing quite like it, am I right? Especially on a summer day.

For this week’s recipe, I decided to switch salsa up a bit and add a fruity twist… and make it into a dessert, because I need healthier desserts in my life.

It took a long time for me to appreciate mangos – I used to really dislike their texture, even though I always loved the flavor. I got over it eventually, and now I love them. And it turns out, they love me, too! Mangos are a great source of fiber, as well as vitamins B6, A, D, and C. Summer for me is all about fruit, so this recipe is just perfect for a relaxing day reading books and lying in the sun. And the best part? It’s sweet and indulgent, but won’t have you feelin’ bloated in that bikini. Winning! Read More »

As the end of May gets closer, I start to crave the summer foods of my childhood: potato salad, greasy hamburgers, funnel cakes, Push Pops… It can’t just be me, right? However, a lot of those foods aren’t exactly, um, healthy. To lighten things up a little bit, let’s talk about fruit.

Watermelon and pineapple are two of my favorite summer fruits. And guess what? They’re delicious together. And they’re delicious grilled, either outside on your dad’s charcoal grill or inside in a skillet.

And, obviously, they’re super good for you! Watermelon is high in antioxidants, as well as lycopene and vitamins C and A. Pineapple is an anti-inflammatory and it can also provide a boost to your digestive and immune systems. Pineapple is also a great fruit for the summer because it can help protect your eyes against macular degeneration, which is caused by sun exposure.

I picked this recipe because… I love to grill things. It’s a great way to spice up pretty much anything. And grilling is an inherently social activity. Plus, you can make it for cookouts and say, “Look guys, you don’t have to eat an entire week’s worth of calories today!” Read More »

Girls, finals are upon us. (And here are 10 ways I know it.) We’re all spending too much time in the library, a soul crushing activity when the weather outside is starting to look like it is actually spring and almost summer. Personally, all I want to do is lie outside in a bikini with an issue of Cosmo.

Speaking of bikinis… actually, you know what, are we ready to talk about bikinis? Personally, with all the homework I’ve been doing, a bikini is the last thing I want to think about, especially with all those late night snack binges to keep myself motivated. Let’s talk about healthy food instead; foods you can make quickly between writing term papers, cramming for that next exam, and stressing about everything you have to get done between now and then.

The recipe I’m featured today is probably one of the easiest ever. Soup is one of my favorite things to make because all you need is a small saucepan, a stove of some kind (or sometimes even just a microwave…more on that below), and your favorite ingredients, which can be pretty much anything. Soups are my solution the day after I eat too much – you know, those nights where you write a term paper in five hours and eat an entire pizza in 5 minutes. Soups, especially homemade soups, are light, healthy, and delicious.

Garbanzo beans are my favorite ingredient to use in soups. They are cheap source of protein, fiber, and iron. That’s why I picked a recipe with them today. With all the late night studying we’re doing lately, we need some extra nutrients. Read More »

Peanut butter. Who doesn’t love to eat it on a spoon in front of the TV the stuff? Ever since we were little kids we ate peanut butter cookies, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and if your mom really loved you, those peanut butter crackers that came in the plastic wrappers.

Peanut butter is one of the cheapest, healthiest foods out there. But by healthiest, I don’t mean low-calorie. Peanut butter is a great source of protein, vitamin E, niacin, folate, and manganese. The downside is that it is primarily fat (it isn’t called “butter” for nothing), so a tablespoon usually equals about a 100 calories, which is an awful lot. The secret is moderation.

For this week’s recipe, I decided to feature something very different and cool: peanut butter noodles. Asian inspired, totally tasty, and dorm friendly, it is a healthy, exciting snack you can whip up while cramming for that big exam the next morning. Ready to give something new a shot? Let’s go! Read More »

Super Bowl detox is now in effect. I won’t tempt you with my cheesecake bar recipe or my cheeseburger pie casserole this week. But one of our lovely commenters last week had a great idea: all day stew! This week we’ll look at a veggie-based stew that you can savor slowly and that will keep you full all day (sans chocolate).

Featured ingredients:

Acorn squash: This little bugger is loaded with Omega 3 fatty acids, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C. Many studies suggest is also has anti-cancer properties, not to mention its rich texture and savory flavor make it seem way too tasty to be healthy.

Chickpeas: Sure, they taste amazing ground up as hummus, but chickpeas don’t have to be pulverized to be appreciated. They are loaded with protein and fiber while being low-fat.

Read More »

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 »

I have a feeling there are lots of half-empty bags of potato chips around our rooms now that we are coping with the stress of a brand new semester. (Or…er….uh….always?) Perfect. You have the not-so-secret ingredient for this week’s fun, tasty, and super-easy recipe:

Potato Chip Chicken Tenders.

….And if you don’t, well, start eating, ladies! You’ve got some dinner to make! Read More »

[Got something awesome everyone needs to know about? A really rad singer? A wicked new book? The best makeup of all time? Email your “The Know” ideas to Jill@collegecandy.com or tweet me and I’ll pass them along to everyone right here, every week. Make your kindergarten teacher proud and share!]

I love peanut butter. As in, please don’t judge me but I could sit in front of the TV with a spoon (or my finger?) and eat it like a bowl of ice cream. Or strawberries. If only peanut butter had the same fat and calories as strawberries. Then I’m certain all of life’s biggest problems would be solved.

If I am going to indulge in my beloved PB I want it to be GOOD. We should all know by now that the stuff we grew up with (read: peanut butter made with hydrogenated oils, unnatural products, etc.) is so bad for us. And in my (not so humble) opinion, why eat a higher calorie food that’s bad for you when you can eat a version that is actually good for your body?

….And, might I add, tastes a hell of a lot better.

If you don’t know it yet, all-natural peanut butter is good for you (in portion control, as I’ve learned the hard way). It’s packed with protein and healthy fats, and it makes for a great snack! I’m a fan. A big fan. Quite possibly a bigger PB fan than a Badgers fan…but don’t tell anyone. I consider myself a Peanut Butter aficionado if you will. A connoisseur. Truth be told, if there was a talk show about Peanut Butter, I would be the Oprah Winfrey. Or at least Ryan Seacrest. And ladies and gentleman, I believe I’ve found the Mona Lisa of the natural peanut butter world: Read More »

Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston may be ancient history, but there’s one American super-couple that isn’t going anywhere anytime soon: peanut butter and banana. Today’s recipe takes the classic sandwich and, well, turns it inside out to create a savory snack or a meal on the go.

The Ingredients: Everyone knows bananas are high in potassium, but their high fiber content and the variety of sugars they offer (glucose, fructose, and sucrose) make them ideal sources for extended energy. They are also high in iron. Besides being the one of the tastiest snacks, peanut butter is also one of the healthiest: it’s high in monosaturated (good!) fats that help prevent bad cholesterol from building up. PB also contains nutrients like niacin and calcium.

The Recipe:

3 large, very ripe (read: disgusting and brown) bananas

2 eggs

1/2 cup butter or substitute (my fave for baking is Earth Balance)

1 1/2 TBS sour cream or buttermilk

1 tsp lemon juice

1 cup sugar

1 cup natural peanut butter

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

2 cups flour

Note: For a real peanutty punch, replace 1/2 cup of flour with peanut flour

Read More »

You’ve been eating nothing but junk food for the past week and now you want to eat healthier. However, you don’t want to surrender eating what tastes good, either. Plus, you have another party coming up and no time to cook for it. Yes, there’s a recipe for all of that. Today I bring you three ingredient salsa. Why buy it from the store when in three minutes you can have gourmet?

Today’s ingredient: Red Mango

Mango is high in iron, antioxidants, Vitamin A and Vitamin E while remaining low in carbs. It also contains phenols, a nutrient associated with cancer prevention. Eating mango also relieves clogged skin pores. This fruit has a refreshing flavor, but what makes it even more perfect for inclusion in salsa is that it helps prevent acidity and indigestion.

Read More »