$5 Breakfast? You CAN have it at York!

So last week I announced that February would be my month of "Cheap Eats" on campus. And after I posted the blog the response I got on my twitter (if you're not following me you totes should *shameless self-promotion*) was INCREDIBLE!!

I'm happy to say that I am not alone...that is, I'm not the only one walking around Keele Campus trying to find a bite to eat that won't burst my budget!

So to everyone that tweeted me or came to visit me in the RED Zone booth with suggestions, comments and advice THANKS SO MUCH!! I hope that you have as much fun reading my "results" as I had finding them.

DISCLAIMER: I went to as many places as I could within the week, so if there are some places that you suggested that you don't see on the list, I didn't disregard your suggestions, I have stored them and will for sure try to visit them in the coming meal challenges. I tried my best to stay within the $5 budget. It was a little difficult and in some places I went over but you'll see what I mean below!

I had so much fun researching this blog and I really hope that you enjoy it!!

Sooo.... "Let's Talk" about where can you go on York's Keele Campus to get BREAKFAST for $5???

Option1: Cafeteria's

Central Square
Cafeteria
Big Breakfast

--There are several options at the York Cafeteria's that offer students breakfasts for around $5.  Here are your Options:
---Bagel with Butter and a Small Coffee and 2 Hashbrowns = $4.96
---Egg and Cheese Breakfast Sandwich =$4.16
---Big Breakfast: 2 Eggs, 2 Hashbrowns and Bacon or Sausage = $5.20

How did we do on the RULES? Well as you can see only one of the options comes with a drink included, so the cafeteria's lose points on that count. Also when it comes to value for money the cafeteria won't be winning any major points for that either.





Option 2: Treat's Coffee Emporium
--This option is one of the HEALTHIER options on campus as well as one of the cheaper options!!
Options include:

Treat's Breakfast
Egg and Sausage
with Coffee

---Breakfast Bagel Sandwich: Egg, Cheese, Bacon or Sausage and a Medium Tea or Coffee = $5
---Breakfast Bagel Sandwiche: Egg, Cheese and Veggies with a Medium Tea or Coffee =$5

You might be thinking...how is this a healthier option? Well if you get the whole wheat bagel, with all the veggies you have gotten a serving of protein, dairy, grains and veggies. So you're hitting all your major food groups in this meal.

How did we do on the RULES? Both meals come with a drink, so points for that, both meals come in right ON BUDGET and this meal is sustaining so you get more value for money.

Option 3: Tastes
--This option is the BIGGEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK!! YAY!!!

Breakfast Option1
With Tea

Options Include:
---Breakfast Option1: 2 Eggs, 2 pieces of Toast, Sausage or Bacon and a Small Tea or Coffee =$3.95
---Breakfast Omelete: 2 Eggs, w/cheese or veggies, 2 pieces of toast & a Small Tea or Coffee = $3.95

Judging based on the Rules? Tastes comes in WELL UNDER BUDGET! That's saving money for your next meal. Tastes has MANY inexpensive breakfast options that come with a drink included. They are all around the $3.50 - $4.50 mark (before taxes). I am happy to say that the quality of the food is VERY high and the value for money at Tastes can't be beat!

Unofficial Option 4: La Prep
--I attempted to visit La Prep as one of my healthier options however the cost of breakfast there broke the bank and the value for money was NOT high enough for my to include it as an official list of breakfast options.
Options include:

Parfait and Tea

---Breakfast English Muffin: Egg, Tomato and Cheese on English Muffin and a Tea = $6.16
---Breakfast Parfait: Granola, Fresh Fruit and Vanilla Yoghurt  and a Tea = $6.16

According to the Rules La Prep comes in way over budget, the food is not sustaining, that means that you'll be looking for your next meal in no time. Also value for money with their meals isn't very high if you're looking for a meal for $5. They have GREAT food if you don't mind spending $7-9 on breakfast.

Well those are the food options that I put forward for you to try next time you're on campus early looking for a cheap breakfast. I hope that you enjoy the options. Feel free to leave your comments below. If I left something out and you really want to share it with our fellow Yorkies feel free to comment!

Be on the look out for my SNACKS blog next week!

Remember to take it one day at a time and catch me in the Zone!

Nicole

Cheap Eats on Campus: Challenge Accepted!

I don't know about you guys but I am constantly finding myself on campus between classes broke and hungry. (I totally didn't mean for that to sound as pathetic as it did!) Knowing that I can't be the only one on campus that experiences this I thought I would dedicate the month of February to finding Cheap meals on campus!

I know that might sound impossible, but for you guys I'll take the challenge!

How am I going to do it?
-I will cover the following meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks and Dinner

-Budget for each meal will be $5 (or as close to $5 as I can get!)

-I'll present you with at least 3 options for each meal
--I'll try to make sure that at least 1 meal is a "Healthy Option"

-Each meal MUST include a beverage

-I'll tell you where you can go to get each option

I know you might be thinking...that doesn't sound hard! Finding places to eat won't be difficult, finding meals for $5 will be a bit more challenging. I'll give it my best shot and hope not to let you guys down.

If you know of a GREAT place that fits the parameters mentioned above let me know about it in the comments section, I'd be more than happy to check it out and add it to the list of places to eat on campus!

Look out for my Breakfast and Snack blog next week!

As always, remember to take it one day at a time and catch me in the Zone!

Nicole

President for a day? Think you've got what it takes to run YorkU?

So far this Month has been dedicated to self-improvement on my blog. Since it is the LAST week of January I thought I'd keep this spirit alive by mentioning the President for a Day contest. I know that it might not seem to be in the vein of self improvement BUTTT if you look at it as an opportunity to challenge yourself and try something new or even just to build your resume with colorful credentials then I think this totally works!

With a school the size of York it can be easy to make statements like "York Administration doesn't know what they're doing," or "York doesn't care about it's students," and if you really feel that way then the "President for a Day" contest might be for you.

How it works:
-You must a York Undergrad student
-You must submit a resume and 500-word written or video essay on the topic "What would be your top 3 priorities that would directly impact students if you were appointed of York University?"
-You HAVE to SUBMIT you package by 4pm EST on FEB 1st 2013 that's THIS FRIDAY!!!!

Wanna know more check out the link here.

What happens on the day:
-Swap day is Tuesday Feb 26th 2013.
-You will assume the role of York's president for the day. You get to attend all the meeting and events that President Shoukri has scheduled for that day.
-You'll get to have a catered lunch in the presidents boardroom with five of your friends.
-On Thursday Feb 27th 2013 you get to have breakfast with President Shoukri to discuss your top 3 priorities for students.
-You also get a $200.00 gift certificate to the York BookStore.

So does that sound like something you wanna get in on? I know that BookStore gift certificate sounds AMAZING!! Not to mention the free food and the chance to meet with Shoukri to discuss issues facing students. Hummm I think I might actually apply!

Think you got what it takes?
APPLY NOW!

If this has piqued your interest don't forget to get your application in by THIS FRIDAY at 4pm!! Here is the application link.

Good Luck and check out the contest on twitter by following the #YUPRES4ADAY

Remember to take it one day at a time and catch me in the Zone!

Nicole

Sustainability...CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!

It's our world!
Let's protect it!

On Monday of this week the RED Zone underwent a "sustainability" evaluation. We had to discuss our environment practices and what sort of impact we were leaving behind. This got me thinking...WHAT kind of an impact do I leave on the environment and what types of changes can I make to try to reduce my carbon foot print. 

There are 3 major things I took away from the evaluation and training:
1. EVERY ACTION no matter how small it seems has an impact.
2. Reducing your carbon foot print doesn't require me to give up all my earthly possessions and live off the land.
3. Making small changes makes a lasting difference.


After the presentation I got to thinking, What can I do? How can I try to make reduce my carbon foot print and live a more sustainable life?

Here's what I came up with:
-Start using reusable water bottles instead of buying bottled water. This is a BIG change for me since in my home country we only have bottled water, since tap water is not safe to drink.

- Start using a reusable coffee / tea mug. This is not only better for the environment BUT also saves me some money when I buy coffee as well!

My cup actually looks a  LOT like this one!

- Start unplugging electronics when not in use. I didn't know that electronics still draw power when plugged into a socket even if they aren't in use.

I am going to accept the challenge to make my life more sustainable. This week I started using my reusable coffee cup and water bottle. Admittedly the water bottle was a little more challenging, I'm still trying to wrap my head around the whole drinking from the tap thing. I'm working on it! So if you happen to find your way into the RED Zone, ask me how I'm doing with my sustainability challenge! 


Also if you want to adopt any/ all or additional sustainable practices feel free to let me know in the comments section. Maybe we can help support each other in our journey to lead more environmentally friendly lives!


Want to find out what SUSTAINABILITY looks like at York University? Check this link!