Happy February, everyone! As we all begin to adjust to our spring semesters, I have come to the realization that I need to manage my time differently from last semester. Having to dedicate most of my time to studying now, I’m super glad I explored recipes when I had the time over break. I plan to meal prep with some of these recipes every weekend for the semester. I am excited to see how maintaining a standard for nutrition will impact my ability to study, and maybe I’ll save money along the way. I have a bad habit of getting Starbucks regularly, so I know I’ll save a lot by making my own coffee at home. And so, today, I thought it would be great to share some of these recipes!

First up is my all-time favorite, baked salmon. I use the recipe created by Erin Clarke. It is my go-to dinner; I love preparing it with mashed potatoes or broccoli. Only recently, I discovered that adding cream cheese to mashed potatoes makes them super creamy and delicious. If you need a recipe to try it out, here is the one I follow by The Salty Marshmallow.

I don’t know about you, but winter is the season of soups for me! I can’t get enough. Trying to be healthier, I usually stick with healthy options like this hearty Quinoa Vegetable Soup with Kale. I was shocked to find myself enjoying eating kale for once. It’s super filling and great for eating in 30-degree weather! Another favorite of mine is French onion soup. Unfortunately, this soup is crazy high in saturated fat, but you have to treat yourself every once in a while. And NYTimes’s French onion soup is the perfect treat.

And last but not least, dessert. My favorite dessert is the chocolate chip cookie. I like to finish the day with a small treat, and nothing is better than a soft and gooey chocolate chip cookie. I don’t know how Tasty cracked the code, but team member Alvin Zhou has crafted the perfect cookie. I am so happy to have found his recipe, as it makes the best cookie I have ever had. I am almost mad at him, seeing as now any store-bought cookie will never be able to compare. So, if you plan on making this recipe, prepare to have a new standard for the dessert.

Overall, I am excited to see how the meal prepping turns out. I am so grateful for the people who post their recipes online. I may not be the best chief, but with these recipes I can make some pretty delicious food. To quote the great Julia Child, ” no one is born a great cook, one learns by doing.”