Dorm Room Dishes: New Year’s resolutions edition

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This New Year, staying healthy can be easy with this delicious pizza-pita recipe. PHOTO BY BRITTANY RUESS / THE JOURNAL

If you made a resolution for the new year, you’re not alone —  the beginning of the year is the best kind of fresh start there is. However, for many who start out the new year on a mission to eat well, lose weight and get in shape, the temptation to seek a quick fix often results in failure to reach one’s goals.

Out of all the Americans who make food-related resolutions, 90 percent of them will break their resolutions within the first 15 days of the new year, according to a survey conducted by Harris Interactive. The going gets tougher for students, who don’t typically have the biggest food budgets and are already too stressed and tired to even think about working out. To avoid tossing out your resolutions along with that ugly sweater your cousin got you for Christmas, make the most of what’s available to you on campus and try these tips.

Plan Things Out. If your resolution requires you to set aside time for a specific activity, like working out, take advantage of the free planners in the University Center (UC). You’ll be less likely to forget what you planned and more likely to actually hit the gym if you put it in your schedule. You can also write in which date you hope to have accomplished your goals by to hold yourself accountable.

Make Smaller Changes First. We’ve all been there before — you want to kick a bad habit so you go cold turkey. You start out strong but the cravings soon begin and, before you know it, you’re binging. Instead of remaking your entire diet right away, try starting with small, healthy changes. The next time you grab a sandwich at Blimpie’s, have your normal sandwich on wheat bread instead of white, or try skipping the mayo.

Do Research. Put your access to free Internet to good use and hit the library to figure out the best ways to accomplish the things you want. Search for new healthy recipes or figure out which workouts will help you reach your goal. You can also look up nutritional information for your favorite WOW Café & Wingery or Blimpie’s meals to see if you can fit them into your regular diet or if they should be eaten sparingly.

Don’t Be Tempted. Put yourself in situations that will be conducive to reaching your goals. Moreover, try to avoid putting yourself in situations where you know you’ll be tempted to do something you won’t feel good about. If you know you’d regret eating a slice of pizza, try to stay away from the club giving away free slices in Sverdrup that day.

Hit The Gym. The fitness center in the lower level of the UC is available for all students to use, not just athletes. The fitness center is open every day of the week and times are posted on the front door; fitness center operating hours can also be found at www.webster.edu/uc/fitness. The indoor pool in the UC is also available for students to use. Operating hours for the pool can be found at www.webster.edu/uc/pool. Before you dive in, though, check the detailed pool schedule online to make sure you won’t be interrupting a practice or class.

 

Try this healthier alternative to the traditional pizza, made with whole-wheat pita bread, low-fat cheese and turkey pepperoni.

To make the pita pictured, you’ll need:

1 whole wheat pita pocket, cut in half

1/2 cup shredded, 2% mozzarella cheese, divided in half

12 slices turkey pepperoni

4 tablespoons pizza sauce, divided in half

Place six slices of pepperoni into each pita half. Add two tablespoons of pizza sauce into each pita half.

Sprinkle equal amounts of shredded mozzarella into each pita half. In the microwave, heat the pita halves for about 90 seconds, or until the cheese is melted.

 

Variations: Any traditional pizza toppings can be added. Try making a supreme version with pre-cooked sausage, onions and green peppers.

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