Many students strive to find a perfect balance in their daily lives. Le Moyne College senior, Cayla Wright, shared her expertise on this topic as a way to help others, especially through these trying times. Keeping up with COVID-19 is no joke, however maintaining a healthy lifestyle may make it a little easier.

It is difficult to stay motivated when life continues to throw curveballs, but Wright has a simple way to keep herself going. As a way to occupy her time and to encourage others, she created a holistic nutrition Instagram page: @caylas_clean_eats.

Wright explained, “With school just starting back up, trying to get back into the routine of things and figuring out this new lifestyle with COVID has been stressful and I am still adjusting.”

In a college community, it is easy to fall between the cracks, but there will always be people to pull one another out. This can easily be done, especially with all of the COVID-19 regulations, through helpful advice. Talking to friends and family for encouragement is so important right now.

Wright said, “As a college student, the most important advice I can give to everyone is to find balance. Do things that make you happy, indulge in foods you enjoy—don’t restrict yourself because that only leads to a downward spiraling path—, and do your best to find ways to incorporate healthy habits into your daily life.”

While majoring in psychology and minoring in dance, Wright has found the motivation to become a certified Holistic Nutritionist. This is just another step she has taken in order to use her skills to help others in her life.

One way in which she is able to do this is by living up to her words, “Living a holistic lifestyle involves taking care of your whole self… so your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.”

According to the National Association of Nutrition Professionals website, a holistic nutritionist has the philosophy that “one’s health is an expression of the complex interplay between the physical and chemical, mental and emotional, as well as spiritual and environmental aspects of one’s life and being.”

This seemed like the perfect path for Wright to educate herself and others with advice on personal health.

Creating her Instagram page, @caylas_clean_eats, has been a great outlet to expand knowledge to her community. On this page she includes dozens of tasty recipes and overall healthy living tips.

Here are some easy to make meals, snacks, and drinks for college students that Wright has recommended:

1. Matcha Latte: In a large Mason Jar (Any cup works. I like the mason jar because it makes measuring easier) add 1c plant based milk (I do unsweetened almond milk or oat milk) and add a handful or 2 of ice; fill up a mug half way with hot water and whisk in 1 tsp matcha powder & sweetener if you would like (I use agave, honey works well too). Add the matcha mixture to the mason jar stir and enjoy!

What is matcha and why drink it? Matcha is a form of green tea that has tons of health benefits. It gives a natural energy boost, is high in antioxidants, increases brain function, can promote heart health, and even help prevent cancer. This is a great alternative if you are looking to ditch the coffee, but need that energy for the day. After drinking my matcha latte I truly feel so much more energized and am able to focus better throughout the day!

2. Three-ingredient pancakes: All you need is 1 ripe banana, ½c rolled oats, and 3½ tbs plant based milk. Blend all ingredients in a blender and your batter is ready to make pancakes. If you do not have a blender, simply mash the banana with a fork and use oat flour instead of oats! Add any toppings you’d like into the pancakes, I like frozen blueberries and usually top with agave and cinnamon.
3. Oatmeal bowl: Eating a bowl of oatmeal to start your day is a great way to nourish your body, keep you fuller longer for a busy day, and use some creativity. I prepare my oats by adding 1/2c rolled oats to a bowl, sprinkle of cinnamon, ½ tbs chia seeds (loaded with lots of nutrients/antioxidants/keep you full), & enough water to just cover the oats, mix all together and microwave for 1 ½ minutes. Mix again and add toppings of your choice! My usual toppings include some kind of frozen fruit (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries), nut butter (peanut or almond), and superfoods like chia seeds, hemp hearts, flax seeds, cacao nibs…the possibilities are endless!

“Stress is another factor in college that is very important to manage. So many of us, including myself, find food as the answer when we feel stressed, but there are so many other ways to go about it,” explains Wright. “To reduce your stress, find activities you enjoy doing that get your mind off of the cause of your stress, such as hanging out with friends, doing some physical activity, or even just listening to your favorite music.”

These are tips that every college student, administrator, or community member can take into consideration.

Drinking plenty of water, carefully eating, staying positive, and being physically active are key factors to keeping a clean and healthy lifestyle.