You’re almost at the finish line. You and your student roommates can smell the taste of freedom and victory – but you’ve got half a semester to go! You’re so close but you just need that extra little push to get you through the final few weeks. So what can you do?

As fun as all-night study sessions in your student room is, try to avoid the crazy hours and get yourself into a stable routine. This also includes eating. Try to plan ahead and have proper meals and quality snacks rather than cramming in a sugar rush whenever you’re starting to flag!

Block out time every day for studying and just do it. If you can, try to do your studying in the morning so that you can relax in the afternoon or evening knowing that you’ve done a good day’s work. Quality down-time for your brain is just as important as studying!

Although adding another thing to your schedule may feel counterintuitive, giving yourself time to exercise regularly will help you to study. Exercise releases endorphins which make you feel happy, help you to focus and give you more energy. If you’re cramped up in your private student accommodation all day, go outside for a run or do a strength training routine in the park. That way, you get a good dose of fresh air and Vitamin D at the same time.

As stress levels rise and summer approaches, staying hydrated is extremely important. Of course, drinking plenty of water is a great way to do this but if you struggle to get your daily dose with just plain old water, don’t be afraid to get creative.

Eating fruits like watermelon and pineapple can help keep you hydrated or why not mix it up with some soda water and add a few fresh fruit like lemon, lime or even raspberries?

Though it might be tempting to sit in your&nbsp;<a href="http://groupclv.com/">student living accommodation</a>&nbsp;eating donuts, chips and pizza all the time, try and be kind to your mind and body by eating food that will help you. This doesn’t have to mean eating boring rabbit food non-stop. Delicious foods like dark chocolate and avocado are great for helping you concentrate. Nuts and blueberries are also great for keeping you focused so if you’re prone to snacking, why not keeping a handy bowlful of these next to your desk?

Being cooped up in your student housing accommodation 24/7 is not good for you and will do you no favours in the studying department. So, get out and treat yourself to a dinner at your favourite restaurant with friends once in a while. If you’ve been sticking to your healthy routine all week, enjoy a guilt-free Friday night pizza with friends!

It’s also OK to let your hair down sometimes. And if you’re feeling under the weather, load up on some eggs the next day to get you through your study session! Other home remedies known to keep you switched on are bananas, coconut water and ginger (which is great for nausea). And of course, treat yourself to a nice coffee from your favourite cafe!

Knuckling down for those final few weeks of studying doesn’t have to be horrendous. By planning and creating a healthy routine for yourself, you can achieve a lot more than you would by staying up until 4am!

It’s all about moderation. Make time to study and create a healthy eating routine for yourself but don’t be afraid to indulge in tasty treats and enjoy time with friends. It’s all about finding the right balance. A happy, healthy and rested brain will achieve far more than an over-worked one surviving solely on caffeine and sugar!

You’re almost at the finish line. You’re so close but you just need that extra little push to get you through the final few weeks of uni. So what can you eat to fuel up and make it through exams?

End Of Year Munchies - What To Binge Eat Without Guilt

End Of Year Munchies - What To Binge Eat Without Guilt As You Celebrate Almost Being Done For The Year!

Between absorbing large amounts of new information, completing assignments and studying for exams,&nbsp;University&nbsp;can be a stressful time. Mindful eating is just one of the many things we can change about our daily habits that can reduce our stress, increase our brain activity and improve our overall health.

So what is mindful eating and how does it benefit me?

Mindful eating, in simple terms, is the practice of paying attention to your food as you eat.

Practiced well, mindful eating can be a form of meditation. It can also teach you to manage your portions better as you get better. Other benefits include weight loss and a natural improvement in diet. By paying attention to your food, you also start to learn how it affects your mood and energy levels.

You can then begin to fuel your body better and allow your brain to function and retain information whilst studying. You will feel healthier and have more energy for socialising as well as studying.

Though it can be traced back to Buddhism, Zen and even yoga, mindful eating doesn’t have to be a complicated, spiritual or difficult thing to practice. Here are some easy ways you can start incorporating mindful eating into your daily life.

Don’t rush through your meal and over-fill your stomach. Enjoy your food and give your body the time to let you know when it’s had enough.

Don’t use food as a way of resolving your emotions. Make a conscious effort to choose your food for its nutritional benefits instead.

Eating out of boredom, sadness or frustration is a common problem. Practice listening to your body rather than giving in to these emotions. Look out for stomach rumblings, light-headedness or low energy levels. These are signs of when your body needs food instead of just wanting it.

Focus on eating and eating alone. That means no TV, Facebook or eating on the go. Use meal time as an opportunity to take some time out for you and really appreciate what you’re putting into your body. You’ll consume far less food when you’re not multitasking.

Eating should be quality time for you. Plan your meals and enjoy them alone or with others. Be mindful of&nbsp;when&nbsp;you’re eating.

In today’s convenience-driven society, it’s easy to consume a meal without any idea of where it came from or how it was made. Stop to think about everything that went in to the creation of your meal. From the animals and farmers to the chefs who created the recipes, really think about the work that went into your food and how lucky you are. Fill your mind with positives thoughts – you’ll be surprised at how much it will lift your mood.

University can be a stressful time. Mindful eating is just one of the many things we can change about our daily habits that can reduce our stress, increase our brain activity and improve our overall health.

6 Ways To Practice Mindful Eating On Your Study Break

Look, Aussie’s have, let’s say… interesting tastes.

I’m an Australian. I grew up in a small beach town where all there was to do was surf, ride your bikes, or get up to mischief. So when I moved to Sydney and started studying, I noticed that many of the international students thought we were crazy – partly because we went swimming in the Australian ocean, or walking through the Australian bush without much fear of death by snake or shark bite. But mostly they thought we were crazy because of the Vegemite thing. There are a few noteworthy foods you might like to consider trying if you really,&nbsp;really&nbsp;want to get up to speed on Aussie culture. They taste good. Trust me&nbsp;

The one and only. The only thing that can pry Vegemite from an Australian’s pantry is perhaps that one family member you shun because they spread it on too thick and then complain that it’s too salty. If you’re afraid of Vegemite, or you’ve been told it tastes bad, that person has been eating it wrong. Toast your bread, lightly spread butter over it and let melt, then&nbsp;scrape&nbsp;(and I do mean scrape) the tiniest bit of Vegemite over the top. If you don’t believe me,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_sUhTWtvG4" target="_blank">let Hugh Jackman tell you</a>.

These little squishy cakes of joy are on sale all year-round, but you won’t find them in every Australian person’s pantry. Much of the time the lamington makes an appearance at Australia Day celebrations, the occasional BBQ, or grandma’s house for tea. The great thing about lamingtons is that you can eat an obscene amount before you get full – they are light, they taste good, and they are really cheap to buy. I mean, don’t go crazy, your health should factor in somewhat, but don’t let it get in the way of a good lamington mung* amongst friends.

“The great thing about lamingtons is that you can eat an obscene amount before you get full.”

Stay with me here. They are Kangaroo sausages, and they’re actually pretty good. Don’t be put off by the concept of eating Kangaroo. You may not have known, but Kangaroos are a bit of a pest in Australia, and we are the only country in the world that eats the animal on their coat of arms. Weird right? Wrong. Kangaroo is really good for you, it’s lean, red meat, and you’ll find it served in a lot of high-end restaurants in Australia. If you’re one for trying new things, give it a go! It’s healthy, cheap to buy, and there’s plenty of it in Australian supermarkets.

They are so solid they could double as weapons, but ANZAC biscuits are the best. There isn’t anything remotely exciting about them. They are brown, solid, and kind of hurt a little bit when you bite into them. But like all things loved and cherished by Australian’s, we wouldn’t love it if it didn’t try to harm you in some small way. Mostly they are just oats, butter and sugar, but my oh my do they go down well when dunked in a hot drink. These bickies are cheap as chips, so head out and grab yourself a pack and go to town. Fun fact: when kept in a sealed biscuit tin these babies could survive the apocalypse. Value for money if ever I heard it.

Store: “ANZAC Biscuits are on sale.”<br>You:

Ohhhhh… there isn’t much I can do to convince you to try one of these things, and for all I know you’ve eaten them before, but they are such a big commodity in Australia that it’s nothing short of unpatriotic to dislike them. Sausage rolls are the roadside snack, the midnight snack, the half-time snack, the breakfast, lunch and dinner of the true blue Australian. So if you haven’t sunk your teeth into one of these yet, get around it. Squirt some tomato sauce on that bad boy and you’re in business.

It’s safe to say that after sampling all of the above foods, you’re well on your way to becoming an inducted Aussie. You don’t have to like them, you just have to try them&nbsp;

Here are a few noteworthy foods you might like to consider trying if you really, really want to get up to speed on Aussie culture. They taste good. Trust me 

Foods To Fast-Track Your Aussie Culture Education

Pens down. Listen. New Years Eve is officially 25 days away. If your bank account somehow manages to survive the hell you reign on it at Christmas, you’ll be only slightly prepared for the second wave: whatever you do to bring in 2017. Check your bank balance, now look at me. Now look back at your bank balance, then back to me – do as I say and this will work out:

Don't spend all your money between Christmas and NYE

This is important. You have 5 days between Christmas and New Years Eve – all you have to do is not blow your money between those days. Can you do that? Yes you can. Christmas presents can drain your money, but you know what’s more draining? Realising it’s NYE and you can only afford a soft serve at Macca’s because you spent your last hundy on a pair of sunnies you didn’t need*. (Didn’t understand that?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDb_WsAt_Z0" target="_blank">See here for compulsory viewing</a>).

*Translation: Realising it’s New Years Eve and you can only afford ice cream from McDonald’s because you spent your last $100 on a pair of sunglasses.&nbsp;

Put the phone down… Carefully. Okay. Deep breath. Feel better? Good.

Have you got $100 to spare on an Uber surge? No. Find a plan B.

Of my experiences trying to find the perfect place to spend New Years for the night, I always found I was carrying around more alcohol than I even got to drink. Yes, it’s something to celebrate, and you should celebrate! But buying two bottles of vodka and a 6-pack is probably a bit excessive, unless you’re planning on supplying it to a few friends. Don’t blow your money on an excessive amount of alcohol – you’re going to need some cash for the morning-after Macca’s run, and you’ll praise yourself for it when you’re craving an all-day-breakfast hash brown.

If you’re living in a city that likes to hike up the price of stepping through the front door *cough*SYDNEY*ahem* you’re probably not going to want to venture too far into the CBD. Fireworks, festivities and events are inevitable on the night, and if you’re going to check it out, that’s awesome! But if you’re not, a word of advice: stay back. It costs money to get in, and even more to get home after midnight. A large proportion of the population will have booked out their swanky seats watching the fireworks about 12-months in advance, so unless you’re planning on heading down to the venue hours before the show starts, pick a spot at a comfortable distance from the chaos to kick back with your mates.

New Years Eve is a fun night, as long as you’re not hitting it too hard and you stick with your mates. Just stay safe and make sure you’ve got enough money to get yourself home when the celebrating is done.

You have 5 days between Christmas and New Years Eve – all you have to do is not blow your money between those days. Here's how.

A Definitive List Of Things That Will Eat Your Money On NYE

Lets face it, food rules everything we do.

And if it doesn’t, then you’re kidding yourself, because food is probably one of the greatest joys to grace the planet. Many of my most memorable days have something to do with a large selection of seafood, and if I go to a party I am almost exclusively the person lingering at the snack table. No shame, just a fact. While food takes up 80% of the better moments of my life, it’s very easy for us to forget when a healthier alternative is available. No, I don’t mean swap a Chicken Schnitzel for a garden salad (please, I’m not a monster) – I just mean that there are standard ingredients out there that are very easily incorporated into your meals so it’s not cutting years off your life. For example:

While it’s refreshing AF, drinking OJ basically ensures you’re not getting any of the natural fibre content. The pulp and skin is usually removed from the juices you can buy at supermarkets. It also means there’s a lot more sugar included than you think. Skip the juice altogether and head to the fruit &amp; veg aisle – you’ll feel fuller and you’ll actually be reducing your calorie intake*.

Yes, okay, I know deep-fried food is often the key to happiness, but in this case the happiness isn’t worth it if you only live to 45. You can still crisp the hell out of your food by pan-frying your veggies or meat in a skillet with cooking oil. Easy swap.

Now before you run in the other direction at the thought of any do-it-yourself task in the kitchen, calm down. Using basic oil and balsamic vinegar as a dressing is a lot better for you than the processed dressings you can buy in the supermarket. A “less is more” approach to dressing will usually taste better, you’ll feel better, and you won’t be spending anywhere near as much money. You’re welcome.

If this one hadn’t already occurred to you, Greek Yoghurt serves the same purpose as most dishes that have sour cream, so you’re amping up the protein without too much of a change in taste, consistency, or price. Not to mention it’s less calories (if that’s what you’re counting).&nbsp;So yes, burrito’s are technically still on the menu…

I could sit here and write a whole blog on the great things that avocado does for the universe, but I don’t have that kind of time. Sure, butter lasts longer in the fridge, but if you buy under-ripe avocados and let them sit for a couple of days, you’ve instantly got a natural butter alternative, and it tastes amazing. Spread that bad-boy out over toast and add some sea salt.

There is absolutely no shame in asking for a doggy bag when you can’t finish your meal in a restaurant. I did it for the entirety of my uni life and I still do it now. Often when we go out to dinner we tend to overeat because the food is just sitting there. When you realise you’re getting full, take the rest home! That’s your lunch sorted for tomorrow.

If food swaps aren’t your thing,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wisegeek.com/what-does-200-calories-look-like.htm" target="_blank">check out this website</a>&nbsp;that compares portions of food that equal 200 calories. I apologise in advance for all the shocking revelations you’re about to have about your all-to-frequent M&amp;M binge (again, no judgement, I’m eating chocolate right now).&nbsp;

A healthy body means a healthy mind! Here are our top food swaps that will help your delicious meals be just a little bit healthier.

Easy Food Swaps To Help You Survive The Summer

“What does ‘deso’ mean?” I hear you say.

‘Deso’, or designated driver, is the happy individual that gets to consume non-alcoholic beverages of an eve where all of their companions get to drink alcohol. To most, this seems like a bad deal. You don’t get to party with your friends and you are tasked with the job of looking after them all night. But don’t be fooled – there is beauty to the deso responsibility, and you should consider this next time you and your mates are trying to pick a deso driver for the night.

The second thought you’ll have the morning after is “oh my god, what did I do last night?” Put your hand up for deso driving and you won’t run the risk of saying embarrassing things to people or falling over in a ditch and waking up with bruises all over you. Reminiscing about the night before won’t be so painful when you have peace of mind that nothing you did was even slightly humiliating. Well done.

The first thought: “oh my god, am I dead?” You’ve probably experience one or two hangovers in your day, and if you haven’t, well done – tell me your secrets. There’s nothing more satisfying than knowing you’re capable of getting up and walking around the next day while your friends spend the entire day inside because they feel sick. You’ll feel productive and get stuff done.

Volunteering to be deso is a great sacrifice. You’re choosing not to party hard in order to get your friends home safe. You’re the real MVP, and your friends will appreciate it. It also means you can hold it over their heads next time you all want to go out&nbsp;

And I mean heaps of money. The more you drink, the more reckless you get with your spending. Pretty soon you’re buying your friends drinks and throwing down all kinds of money on alcohol. If you’re the deso you get to give your bank account a rest – non-alcoholic drinks are usually cheaper, and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2012/02/28/3441707.htm" target="_blank">you won’t drink as much if you’re sober</a>.

The ultimate purpose for the deso driver. At the end of the night your mates are going to load in to the car and demand to be taken home. You are the chariot of safety and responsibility, and there’s a little satisfaction in knowing they aren’t going to hitchhike or pass out in a gutter somewhere.

Being the deso driver is great for a lot of reasons, but none other that you’re making sure your mates stay safe. Everyone should be the deso driver once in a while, and it helps to take a break from drinking at every social gathering. It might be a bit tiring to deal with your mates all night if they’re drinking, but they will appreciate it and they will return the favour when you need it!

‘Deso’, or designated driver, is the happy individual that gets to consume non-alcoholic beverages of an eve where all of their companions get to drink alcohol. Think that's drawing the short straw? Think again!

The Perks Of Being The Deso Driver

Put on your bibs and sharpen your forks. This is a food blog.

Food is pretty much treated as the elixir of life when you’re a student – especially since it is. But our love for food borders on a line somewhere between religious worship and unhealthy adoration. Admittedly, in my poorest of uni student days I pretty much ate whatever wasn’t going off, including stuff that was past its ‘use-by’ date. I’m not proud of it. But eaters gotta eat.

Figuring out how to shop like an adult instead of a kid on a Red Bull high is a trial by fire in university life. You have to buy your fair share of $1 nondescript grape flavoured ‘juice’ before you realise it’s almost entirely sugar and the tears of fruit farmers. The brutal truth aside, I’m willing to let you cut a corner and get some advice from someone who has weathered the storm of a juvenile Doritos diet: here’s how you buy groceries like a real human adult.

This is rule numero one. If you’re already in the grocery store, stop. Go home. Eat something and come back. This is the only way to stop yourself from buying stuff you don’t need. Do you really need a family value pack of individually wrapped Malteser Bunnies from Easter? No. Walk away, and take a good hard look at yourself in the reflection of the oddly-placed mirrors on the sides of the meat section. Shopping hungry never ends well.

Check your cupboard before you leave the house

There is nothing worse than the realisation that you spent your precious few dollars on a bag of rice when you had one sitting in the cupboard at home. If you’re strapped for cash, which most of us are, sticking to what you&nbsp;need&nbsp;is the best way to play it. Have a glance at what’s running low and write a list. Making sure you update your staple dry foods like pasta, rice, canned beans or anything else with a long shelf life – it will be a Godsend when you run out of food and money at the same time. It happens, and those beans will be your dinner one fateful night.

Boring, I know. But you don’t always have the luxury of eating what you&nbsp;feel like&nbsp;eating each night. Sometimes you gotta cook in bulk and ration it out like a sensible person – I’m saying this because I was the insensible person that bought Mexican food with my last $20 and then had to eat dry pita bread for three days. Cook up some stir-fry or a big fried rice on a Sunday night and let that baby sustain you for the week.

Stop it. The pharmacy on my campus used to have self-serve lolly bags where they weighed it and then you paid. That system was my undoing. I ate like an 8-year-old and then freaked out when all my money was gone at the end of the fortnight. If you want to snack that’s cool, just get them when you do your grocery shop, it will be cheaper and there is usually more of it. That way you’re not blowing your money on impulse sugar hits.

If you’re the kind of person who wraps a half-eaten sandwich in plastic and leaves it in the fridge for three months, it’s bad and you should feel bad. That sandwich costed anywhere between $5-12, and now half of it is nondescript mush in the fridge you haven’t cleaned out since 2009. Do yourself a big ‘ol favour and buy a value pack of freezer bags and Tupperware. You can get them in Coles/Woolies/K-mart for a decent price and it means you can save half of your sandwich for dinner, instead of turning it into a subject for a petri dish.

Take it from someone who wandered the desert plains of bad food purchases for a good 2-3 years, you’ll figure it out along the way. Just don’t buy stuff you don’t need and uni life be sweet.

Here are our best tips for budget friendly grocery shopping

Cut Your Shop Budget Without Cutting The Food

ANZAC Day is one of Australia’s most celebrated holidays

And we do this in a lot of different ways. Some of us travel all the way to Gallipoli for the televised dawn service, others gather on beaches and public spaces all over the country to pay their respects at services held throughout the day. We&nbsp;wear Red Poppies and it’s the only day where the popular gambling game, Two-Up, is legal. If you’re not too sure how to get involved with ANZAC Day, there is one simple – and delicious – way to celebrate our fallen soldiers: bake a huge batch of ANZAC biscuits. ANZAC biscuits are a go-to Aussie snack and they taste amazing. So here it is – a super easy and cheap recipe for ANZAC biscuits.

Step one:&nbsp;Preheat oven to 170°C. place flour, oats, sugar and coconut in a large bowl and stir to combine.

Step two:&nbsp;In a small saucepan place the golden syrup and butter and stir over low heat until the butter has fully melted. Mix the bicarb soda with 1 1/2 tablespoons water and add to the golden syrup mixture. It will bubble, so remove from heat.

Step three:&nbsp;Pour into the dry ingredients and mix together until combined. Roll tablespoonfuls of mixture into balls and place on baking trays lined with non-stick baking paper, pressing down to flatten slightly

Step 4:&nbsp;bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown

Everyone prefers their ANZAC biscuits a little differently. Bake them to your preference, whether that’s moist and soft, or until they’re solid and crunchy. Dip them in your coffee or enjoy them on their own! Take some pics of your bickie creations and post them on Instagram or Facebook and tag us!

If you need me I’ll be eating baked goods for the next three days,

ANZAC Day is one of Australia’s most celebrated holidays. If you’re not too sure how to get involved with ANZAC Day, there is one simple – and delicious – way to celebrate our fallen soldiers: bake a huge batch of ANZAC biscuits. 

Easy Anzac Biscuit Recipe!

Let’s face it – Christmas is a strain on the bank account.

We buy heaps of presents, food, drinks, clothes and travel hundreds of thousands of kilometres to be with the people we love on the day. Some of us do it up fancy with a three course meal and endless snacks throughout the day, and some people just like to keep it simple. Even if you’re not the Christmas-y type, we’ve got some great ways to make an amazing Christmas lunch that won’t be a massive strain on your bank account. Here are my top picks for affordable and simple Christmas lunch/dinner recipes:

Before you freak out at the word ‘salmon’, you can substitute this for tuna or anything else you’d prefer – depending on your budget. All you need is:

50g frozen peas (or fresh, if you’re a fancy pants)

Fill large saucepan with cold water and add a pinch of salt. Place on a high heat and bring to boil

Peel your potatoes and chop them into 1cm chunks

Carefully add the potatoes to the boiling water, bring back to boil, then turn the heat down to medium and simmer for 10 minutes (or until cooked through), adding the peas in the last 2 minutes. Once cooked, drain and leave to cool.

Chop your chives finely and add to a mixing bowl. Then add your drained salmon/tuna. Grate lemon zest into bowl. Add your flour. Crack in the egg.

Once cool, mash the potatoes and peas well. Then add them to the mixing bowl and mix well.

Sprinkle flour onto a large plate. Divide mixture into 8 with your hands. Place into frying pan on medium heat with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Cook 3-4 minutes each side, or until golden. Voila! You can thank Jamie Oliver for that one.

Broccoli with Toasted Garlic and Hazelnuts

Hazelnuts can be expensive, so you can opt for any kind of nut you prefer (pine nuts, almonds etc). Your ingredients are:<a href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/uploads.mystudentvillage.com/2015/12/13192033/Broccolini-with-Pine-Nuts-and-Garlic.jpg" target="_blank"></a>

Heat your oven to 190 degrees Celsius. Spread hazelnuts on a rimmed baking sheet and toast, tossing occasionally until fragrant. Chop roughly.

Fill a large saucepan with ½ inch of water and bring to a simmer. Place broccoli in, cover, and steam until tender. Transfer to plate.

In a small saucepan, cook the oil and garlic over low heat until the garlic is just golden. Transfer to a small bowl and stir in hazelnuts and lemon juice. Drizzle over broccoli. Season with salt and pepper.

This is another great recipe that’s rich and will fill you up without complicating things in the kitchen. You need:<a href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/uploads.mystudentvillage.com/2015/12/13192648/2376-1.jpg" target="_blank"></a>

Heat oven to 200° C. On a large rimmed baking sheet, toss the Brussels sprouts, pecans, oil, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Turn the Brussels sprouts cut-side down.

Roast until golden and tender, roughly 20-25 minutes.

Another fun and easy dish if you’re low on funds and/or time. Your ingredients are:

60g cheddar cheese (can use any cheese you have on hand)

Squeeze the avocado flesh into a blender, discarding the stone and skin. Squeeze in all the juice from 2 limes, rip in the coriander stalks, add the yoghurt and a splash of oil and whiz until smooth, then season to perfection.

Peel the onion and carrot. Ideally in a food processor, or using a box grater and good knife skills, grate the onion and carrot, then finely slice the cabbage. Very finely slice the chili by hand, then tip everything into a large bowl. Add most of the coriander leaves, then pour over the avocado dressing and toss together well. Taste and season to perfection again, if needed. Whisk all the eggs together in a bowl, with a splash of water to loosen and a pinch of salt and pepper.

Put a large non-stick frying pan on a medium-low heat. Once fairly hot, put in a tiny drizzle of oil followed by a quarter of the egg mixture. Swirl it all around the pan, grate over a quarter of the cheese and let it melt, then cook the omelette gently without colouring it, so it’s soft, silky and smooth, for just under 2 minutes, only cooking on one side. Slide it on to a plate, spoon over a quarter of the avocado slaw, then gently fold up the sides and roll over. Serve with a wedge of lime and a few extra coriander leaves. Repeat with the remaining ingredients, serving them up as you go.

For those of you after a lighter option, this is a great recipe. You will need:<a href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/uploads.mystudentvillage.com/2015/12/13193401/990_1_1408638881.jpg" target="_blank"></a>

Any zesty dressing or mustard and lemon juice mixed

Lightly rub a baking tray with some olive oil and put to one side. Put a large pan on a low heat and add your butter and sugar. Leave on a gentle simmer for a couple of minutes, stirring occasionally to stop it catching, until the sugar has completely dissolved and the mixture starts to darken. Gently stir in your pecans until they’re well coated in the caramel syrup. Be careful not to splash yourself, and don’t be tempted to have a taste because hot caramel can burn quite badly. Once coated, tip the nuts on to the oiled tray and use the back of a spoon to separate them out into one layer. Leave them to cool so the caramel can harden on the nuts.

Core, quarter and finely slice your apples and add to the bowl with all your leaves. Break the cooled pecans apart, add half of them to the bowl, and use your hands to delicately toss and dress everything. Serve on one big platter, or divide up between plates, and finish by crumbling over the rest of your beautiful caramel pecans.

Add a dash of your dressing and you’re done!

For those of you who like a bit of spice in your life, look no further. This is a great light dish that tastes amazing and simultaneously fills you up without stacking on the calories. You will need:<a href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/uploads.mystudentvillage.com/2015/12/13193728/812_1_1436889551.jpg" target="_blank"></a>

1 fresh chili, deseeded and finely chopped (optional)

Place all the kebab ingredients and the optional spices in a big bowl and mix well.

Divide the mixture into four equal pieces and get yourself 4 soaked skewers. With damp hands, shape the meat around and along each skewer, pressing little indents in the meat as you go, for a nice texture.

Grill the kebabs for 8-10 minutes until golden and cooked through, then push to the cool side of the barbecue and warm your tortillas next to them for 30 seconds.<br>Read more at

Transfer the tortillas to plates and top each with a little lettuce. Drizzle with olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice, if liked. Slip the meat off the skewers and break it up. Spoon over a blob of yoghurt and drizzle over any resting juices. Sprinkle over some chopped chili for an extra kick and tuck in.

These are just a few of my favourites, but there are plenty more to be found all over the internet if you’re stuck for ideas. Definitely check out&nbsp;<a href="http://www.jamieoliver.com/" target="_blank">Jamie Oliver’s website</a>&nbsp;for some simple but satisfying suggestions!

Here are our top picks for affordable and simple Christmas lunch/dinner recipes:

Recipes For An Affordable Christmas Lunch

Everything you need to know about studying, campus life, CLV News, student culture and more.

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