Cooking for the Grad Student's Soul (on a budget)

It took me awhile to figure out exactly what I wanted to "blog" about.  I've always been a fan of keeping a journal, and writing your emotions down as a way to express yourself, but historically I've stuck with the old fashioned pen and paper format.  I thought I'd give a blog a try simply to save shelf space in my apartment and the environment by saving paper!  The next question became "what should be the theme of my blog?"  All good blogs have a surrounding topic of interest right?  Yes, I am a graduate student studying Psychology, but no I don't want to write about classes and tests.  I'm writing as a way to ESCAPE the stresses of pursuing a Masters degree.  Then I though "escaping stress, okay, so what do I do that relaxes me?"  Well, I like to stay fit and healthy!  I find it a form of control, yes, but also a form of comfort.  Ensuring my body is healthy and functioning well helps my mind focus and perform in class.  So, okay, exercise...yea...I could do a fitness blog, but I'm a true believer you can change your life through food!  I'm just like any other busy woman out there.  Sometimes I don't have the TIME to get to the gym, sometimes I don't have the MOTIVATION, and sometimes I simply don't have the WILL POWER to stick with a workout routine for more than a few months.  However, I've maintained a 15-20 lb weight loss (I used to weight 155 and wear a size 6/8, I now weight 137 and wear a size 2/4) for over a year by watching my diet!  I don't like the word "diet," but that's what it is.  Your diet is simply what you eat on a daily basis.  If I can't make it to the gym one day my world does not come to an end and my size 4 jeans still fit the next day because I EAT, and I eat well.

I've decided to blog about what I eat, how much I eat, what I make, what ingredients are involved, and how I maintain a healthy diet all on a grad student's budget!  Not your average "cooking blog."  I consider myself a pretty picky eater, so rest assured there will be no recipes involving crazy foods you can only buy in South Africa.  Also, I survive on a minimal budget thanks to school, so be advised everything I make will be CHEAP, but wholesome, healthy, and good for the grad student soul!  Time for lunch...let's get started!