It's our favorite time of year again, folks. And by favorite time, I mean these most-loathed weeks of finals. I don't know about you all, but after putting in hard time in the stacks, I can work up a mean appetite.
Because studying for finals is so draining, I use this grueling time as an excuse to indulge in good food. At the same time, though, I need to stay away from fast food and TV dinners that lack in long-lasting sustenance, meaning my alternatives - to be attractive enough - have to be just as quick and easy. We all know that sometimes during finals when you claim that perfect cubicle, you just can't bear to give it up in the search for food. My solution? Plan ahead. Packing your library meals to-go is faster and easier than you think and definitely much more nutritious. These two quick and easy "brain food" meals will help you stay focused in the library rather than hunting around for some grub:
Club Clem's Soup du Jour: Tear open a packet of your favorite Ramen soup flavor and prepare according to directions. Once the noodles are cooked, add things that will - in Emeril's words - "kick it up a notch." Try cracking an egg into the pot while the soup is boiling. The egg cooks quickly and makes for a protein-packed meal. Of course you can also add other goodies such as grilled chicken or beef, fresh or frozen vegetables of your choice or special toppings like cilantro and my personal favorite, Sriracha hot chili sauce. Pack it in a thermos and you are good to go. Who says you can't eat gourmet on a budget and time-crunch?
The Alderman Foot-Long: My favorite meal for those long reading days or late-nights-that-turn-into-mornings is a sub. The night before an exam or reading day, load up a long French baguette with veggies, deli meats, cheese - whatever cold-cuts you like! Wrap the whole thing very tightly in foil and freeze it.
Yes, freeze your sandwich.
The next day when you head out to the library, you will already have a meal that will thaw to a perfectly chilled deli sandwich by dinner time. And because it stays chilled for a while, leftovers make a good fourth meal in the wee hours of the morning.
After eating, pop in a peppermint candy or gum. Not only does it keep your breath minty fresh as you read up on biological processes, but it might also help boost your grade. Peppermint has been shown to increase concentration, aid in memory retention and clear up that brain "fog" that inevitably creeps in after long hours of studying. Fresh breath never tasted so good.
I am sure you all already have your own favorite go-to meals during finals, but keep in mind that there are some healthier, more brain-friendly options than the Pav's Chick-fil-A menu and College Inn pizza. Even if you don't want to abandon your prized spot in the stacks, you can still take a break to enjoy a convenient yet nutritious meal. And no worries, both of these meals are silent-floor friendly - after all, it's exam time and that means no noisy munchers allowed.
Vanessa's column runs biweekly Fridays. She can be reached at v.stephenson@cavalierdaily.com.
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