By: Nick Sahlollbey

Exams are around the corner. For most students, this generally means a few intensive weeks of early morning and late-night study sessions, high levels of stress, low levels of energy and repeated thoughts of dropping out. This behaviour is often exacerbated by hunger, so for your health and well-being during these hard times, you’re going to need to ensure you keep your belly full and your mind focused.

Hummus is a quick and easy snack that you can add to just about anything. Fortunately, it’s almost as easy to make as it is to eat. This article will provide an easy recipe to follow for students in need of a pick-me- up snack over the next few weeks.

Ingredients

To get started, you will need a can of chickpeas, olive oil, salt, cumin, garlic and lemon juice. Optionally, you can add tahini, a sesame paste that can be bought or made by blending sesame seeds, oil and salt.

While some prefer to leave it out, others love the zest and deep flavour that tahini adds. I’ve even had friends that claim that adding tahini can make the hummus taste like you’re eating a burrito (in a good way) so I highly suggest using it.

Steps 

1. Start by adding about half a cup of tahini to your food processor (or a high-powered blender), along with ¼ cup of lemon juice, and a garlic clove.
2. Blend this mixture for about one minute while making sure that you’re getting an even blend without the paste sticking to the sides.
3. Next, add two tablespoons of olive oil, a teaspoon of salt and another of cumin, and ¼ of your chickpeas (don’t forget to rinse them) before blending the paste again for another minute. * The key is to add the chickpeas in small quantities to get your hummus to come out as smooth as possible.
4. Again, scrape the sides of your blender and ensure you’re getting a nice and even blend, and then add the rest of your chickpeas and a couple tablespoons of water to facilitate the blending process and control the thickness of your paste.
5. Be patient with this blending process as you don’t want to end up with any chunky bits in the final product.
6. You can also add more water at this point if you feel that the smoothness of your hummus is not yet to your liking.
7. You can even add some canned red kidney beans for additional flavour and protein.

And that’s it, you’ve made hummus. If you like, top it up with some olive oil, paprika, and even hot sauce if you’re a spice lover. The lemon juice and salt have preserving effects and will ensure that your hummus will stay good for a couple of weeks in the fridge.

Serving Ideas

Unlike ranch and guacamole, hummus is a versatile food which can be eaten in many ways. Most commonly, hummus is spread over bread. Try cutting you pita bread into chips and slightly toasting them to get crunchy bread you that you can dip in your hummus. Feeling bold? Try mixing your hummus into your mashed potatoes and topping it off with a touch of sour cream. Hosting a party? Make a chip dip by throwing a layer of cheese and letting it melt in the oven. Top this up with a layer of sour cream and shredded lettuce.

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By: Mitali Chaudhary, Sohana Farhin and Allison Mizzi

Healthy snacks

Raw fruits

Nothing can fill you up (and taste as good!) as a bowl of your favourite fruit. With essentially no preparation required, this is the perfect solution for a sweet tooth, while providing you with vitamins and fibres. It just involves a bit of forward planning – if you sense a stressful week ahead, remember to load up on your fruits at the grocery store.

Greek yogurt

Being a healthier alternative to regular yogurt, with a smooth texture and taste, this is one of the most versatile options as a quick snack. You can top it with (almost) anything, like bits of cereal, almonds, bananas, granola, and honey and it is guaranteed to taste delicious. It’s best to stick with plain Greek yogurt, and toppings without additional sugars, to keep this snack healthy.

Almonds and other nuts

These can sustain you for a surprisingly long time, and are filled to the brim with unsaturated fats, protein, fibre, and minerals. They can be eaten alone, roasted as a substitute for potato chips, or sprinkled over some oatmeal or Greek yogurt (see below).

Veggies with hummus

Make mom proud with this one. Vegetables like carrots, celery, broccoli or cucumbers all deliver the crunch you crave while note taking, and taste great with any kind of hummus dip. The hummus adds a savoury flavour to the veggies, which are packed with essential nutrients, and it’s an excellent source of protein.

Study spaces

SWELL

If you like company and tea, check out the Student Wellness Education Lower Lounge in the basement of MUSC. Open to all, the SWELL is a space for students to relax, learn about wellness education, and take a break from busy university life. The lounge features couches and chairs, perfect for students to work. Its basement location, across from the Underground, makes for a quiet and relaxing space, away from the hustle and bustle of MUSC. The SWELL features daily programming, including Mindfulness Mondays and Wellness Wednesdays, which can be great study break opportunities as well as a microwave, free tea, and free fruit on Fridays to keep your energy up as you cram.

Empty tutorial and lecture rooms

There are lots of empty tutorial and lectures rooms all over campus. Take your pick, whether it is ABB, BSB, the Arts Quad, or Hamilton Hall. These rooms are usually used for tutorials. However, they’re often left open and perfect for student use, particularly after the library closes. If you are looking for a quiet and private space for self-studying, empty classrooms are equipped with white boards or chalk boards that are begging for flow charts and diagrams. As such, they also work well for group studying. Bring some snacks and your books, and you’ll be set to study in your own private space.

Hospital cafeteria

If you like cafes, try studying in the hospital cafeteria, found on the main lobby in the second floor of the McMaster Children’s Hospital. There are lots of seats that are usually left empty at night. It is a great place for quiet studying, without the atmosphere of a library. There is also the “Corner Café” near the hospital entrance that is open 24 hours, seven days a week. With healthy meal options, as well as baked goods, coffee, and tea, the hospital cafeteria is the way to go if you need an energizing late night snack for your studying.

MDCL atrium

If you are looking for a calm and relaxing location, the waterfall room in the atrium of the Michael DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery is ideal. Its floor-to-ceiling windows let in natural light, a nice change from the fluorescence of most buildings on campus. If you enjoy studying outside, this is the next best thing, allowing you to appreciate natural greenery, rain or shine. With ample benches, the waterfall room is an excellent space for catching up on your reading, or listening to a lecture podcast.

Whatever kind of space you need to succeed, McMaster has it. Sometimes, one just needs to do a bit of searching. The above four places are some of our favourites. What are yours?