August 24, 2011 (Updated March 8, 2023)

Back to the Grind

by Anne Mauney, MPH, RD

31 comments
Hello friends! I can hardly believe that yesterday was the first day of fall semester here at UNC and the start of my second year of grad school! Before class, I began my day with an early morning swim with my friend Lindsey. 001

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 45 minute swim — check! I decided to dedicate breakfast to the cooler fall-esque weather we were having and busted out some hot oats. It’s been AGES since I’ve had oatmeal! 009

Looks like vom, tastes delicious

I used my trusty Perfect (Microwave) Banana Oatmeal recipe and stirred in blueberries halfway through the cooking time. When it was out, I added in some cottage cheese and chia seeds.

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I LOVE cottage cheese with banana + blueberry oatmeal. Killer combination — the salty and sweet balance themselves perfectly. Try it!

It was fun being back on campus yesterday — it was buzzing with activity with all the new freshmen and everyone getting back to class. I always like dressing up for the first day of class, just for fun 🙂 Casual black cotton summer dress + cardigan + fun belt = old clothes made awesome! Who says you have to go shopping to look cute on the first day of school? 🙂

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I headed home after class for a late lunch on my patio in the beautiful weather.

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A huge arugula salad topped with tabouli, hummus, and avocado, with a drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette: 012 Plus some crackers and cheese. So simple and satisfying. Smoked gouda is my favorite! 014 Dessert was some unpictured juicy cantaloupe. I almost always end lunch with fruit — so refreshing! I’m getting ready to head off to day 2 of class — it’s a much busier one than yesterday, with 3 classes back to back, including the return of ::evil drumroll:: BIOCHEM!!! Noooooo!!!!! This is supposed to be our hardest biochem class of the program (we have another in the spring, too, but this is apparently the worst). Sigh. Biochem = my arch nemesis. I spent most of yesterday afternoon running errands and grocery shopping, printing out syllabi and lectures, prepping binders, and filling in my calendar with all the due dates for everything. Gah. It’s going to be a VERY busy semester, to say the least. Have a wonderful day!
Breakfast + Brunch
- anne

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31 comments
  • Molly @ RDexposed
    Biochem is dreadful, but useful. I'd like to take it over for it to be able to sink in even more. Enjoy drawing hexagons for CHOs and flipping bonds!
    Reply
  • Renie
    I have faith, you can do it. The outfit is so adorable and very original. Have a great day at school. (I used to tell my kids, "pay attention and learn so you can make mama some money").
    Reply
  • Clare @ Fitting It All In
    Good luck with the new school year! And thanks for the cottage cheese in oats recipe idea - I just bought cottage cheese for the first time and was trying to think of a good way to use it!
    Reply
  • Mary
    Oh, this makes me I miss Chapel Hill (even 8+ years later!). Make sure you drink from the Old Well...it may help you get an A in Biochem :)
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Haha I'll take all the help I can get! ;)
      Reply
  • Gina @ Running to the Kitchen
    Biochem sounds horrific, good luck with that class! Hearing you talk about school, papers, tests, etc. makes me realize how much I dread going back one day for my Masters. Ugh...
    Reply
    • Anne P
      It's fun to learn again, though :) (Minus biochem... heh)
      Reply
  • Heather C
    Ha, evil biochem....ohhhh man. You've survived it once, you can do it again!! You'll be done with this year before you know it ;)
    Reply
  • Gena
    Welcome back to school! I'll be joining you next week -- love the cardigan and belt :)
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Good luck to you for next week! :)
      Reply
  • Ali
    I HAVE THAT BELT! Love, love, love it! Good luck with the semester :)
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Best belt everrrrrr! Oldie but goodie :)
      Reply
  • Michelle @ Crazy*Running*Legs
    Lol to looking like vom! It doesn't look that badactually - I've definitely seen worse. LOVE your belt. Good luck with school and biochem!!
    Reply
  • Heather @ Girlyeverafter
    Super Cute belt. I would always start college trying to be one of those girls that didn't show up in workout gear, but that always only lasted the first week. oh well at least I was already geared up for my runs after classes! Good luck with biochem!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Haha I doubt it will last long for me, either!
      Reply
  • Casey @ Pocket Full of Sunshine
    Your posts are always so fun and positive, Anne. I love your upbeat attitude! (Exception: biochem: who could be excited about that?! Haha sounds SO scary to me!) Anyway, have fun in class!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Thanks! :) And the day that you read a positive post on here about biochem... will be the day you know my blog was hacked ;)
      Reply
  • Alexa @ Simple Eats
    Love that belt! I always love dressing up for first days of class, too. It makes it more exciting!
    Reply
  • Jess from Penn State
    I stumbled upon your blog website and I'm so glad that I did! I love reading your blog and thanks for all of the recipes. I also love the belt too!
    Reply
  • Sana
    Biochem is ruing our lives, at least you look cuteee!
    Reply
  • Amanda @ Running On Waffles
    Biochem is the worst! I thought organic was going to be the worst chem course I ever took...and then I got to biochem. Good luck!!!!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      I actually liked organic! I had a great teacher. That makes all the difference!
      Reply
  • Alejandra @ Mouthfuls and Morsels
    I have also started the habit of ending lunch with a serving of fruit. It totally helps to quench my sweet tooth, no dessert cravings! :)
    Reply