Don't Hesitate, Study Abroad!
Many people are reluctant to travel abroad for multiple reasons ranging from expenses to lack of desire. But is the lack of desire stemming from the fear of “missing out at USC?” It is true that your college years are the most important and memorable, but why wouldn’t you want to enhance those memories traveling to a destination of your dreams?
Fitness: How to Get That Winter Workout Bod
As the semester comes to a close, it becomes increasingly difficult to find time to work out when finals are the only thing that inhabit your mind. For those of you who fear sitting around countless hours full of anxiety and stress leading to packing on pounds, don’t fear, there’s hope! If you allow yourself a 30-40 minute study break per day, you can work out in the comfort of your own home or an easily accessible gym with these helpful tips:
Are You Searching For Mr. or Mrs. Right?
Contrary to popular belief, there are many college students who have a predisposition that they will find their “true love” at college. Hearing stories of their parents meeting as undergrads or friends who have found their carbon copy during their school years puts a subconscious mental strain on the college brain.
Most students mask the thought of wanting to find Mr. or Mrs. Right in front of their peers, but it can't be argued that the thought hasn't passed through almost every student’s mind. If you are a firm believer that the right person is awaiting you in school, here are some things to keep in mind when you think someone may actually show potential:
- Remember to stay true to who you are. Pretending to be someone you aren't with hopes of impressing somebody is only masking your real personality. You will find the right person doing the things YOU like to do.
- Be happy with where you are presently. If you are overwhelmed with past relationship memories, schoolwork or any other personal issues, and think focusing on making a relationship with someone will drive those feelings away, you’re wrong. All it does is build up more emotion you don’t need. A relationship should be an added bonus to your life, not a stress factor.
- Everybody has flaws, including YOU. It comes down to a matter of which flaws you can tolerate and which you cannot. Be aware of the double standard; criticism not only comes from you, but can also be directed your way. As long as you and your significant other can compromise and accept each others' pet peeves, you'll be fine.
- Remember the “Golden Rule” we learned as children; treat others the way you would like to be treated. In terms of relationships, the person you want to invest your admiration in must treat you with the same respect that you entrust in them. A strong relationship has equal dedication coming from both sides.
Keep in mind that all relationships are different, but every person deserves the best with what they are willing to offer. As cliché as it is, listen to your heart. If you don’t feel happiness in a department that is important to you, be strong enough to let go. There are more opportunities out of college, don’t lose hope. Settle for the best, not less.
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Where Healthy Food Options Are Hiding On Campus
Unfortunately, there is a limited amount of healthy options in Russell House for students trying to avoid the infamous “Freshman 15.” For those of you that find it difficult to choose something appetizing that isn’t coated in grease or butter on campus, here are some suggestions:
On the main floor, the salad bar and sushi cases for leafy lovers can satisfy a vegetarian craving. If you would rather go with something a little more filling, the Horseshoe Deli offers plenty of sandwich options that you can custom order to fit your appetite. If a fruity option is what you’re searching for, Freshens offers several smoothies that include boosters of your choice, ranging from Focus to Energy.
Although the upstairs can appear to be a fast food paradise, there are healthy options hiding amongst the fluorescent Burger King and Chick-Fil-A signs. Santorini’s gives students the cultural option of Greek salads and entrees, including grilled chicken wraps, pita chips with hummus and steamed vegetables. Over at Einstein Bagels, flat bread and lower calorie sandwiches can also prove to be satisfying meals.
If you happen to live off campus, enjoy cooking and have access to a kitchen with an oven or stove, I recommend you check out this site for simple, quick dishes and this link for the more advanced chef. Sally Kerr-Dineen, a culinary artist and mother of two college students, created these sites for beginners and more advanced cuisiniers. Her inspiration stemmed from wanting to teach her children simple recipes so they would not go off to school and be left to survive on fast food. These recipes are sure to spice up your kitchen and your palate, and may even have you expanding your culinary talent.
Image Source: asianweek.com
Your Salad isn't as Healthy as You Think it is
Gone are the days when our mothers bribed us with dessert after dinner if we ate our vegetables. Lately, USC students have actually become more concerned about their dieting habits and want to eat more nutritious items. Just look at Russell House food venues: Freshens, Horseshoe Deli and the salad bar are popular stops for health-conscious Gamecocks. There’s only one problem: these attempts at eating healthier fail due to unnecessary additions to the food.
The word "salad" has become seemingly synonymous with the term healthy, and has hundreds of recipes to choose from. Generally, salads consist of lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and so on. This doesn’t sound too bad, right? Wrong. People usually don’t stop there; they add meats, croutons, cheese and enough dressing to sink a ship. A salad with all of these additives could total close to 1100 calories with 65 grams of fat. Considering most daily nutrition values are measured by a 2,000-calorie diet, this is less than ideal. So how do you change your salad for the better? Change what you put in it!
Instead of lettuce as the base for the salad, try dark green vegetables like kale or spinach. As far as salad dressings go, they all have potential to be high in calorie content, so ease your pouring hand. Nutritionists recommend one tablespoon per salad. Add some fresh fruit and veggies for a sweet, crunchy burst to your meal. For better weight-loss results, try to limit croutons, fatty meats or high-sodium condiments.
Another food favorite amongst wellness watchers is yogurt. With selections like parfaits, smoothies and frozen desserts, what’s not to love? Yogurt’s calcium, Vitamin D and probiotics make it a health-food staple, but all of those “fixins” at the yogurt bar could be detrimental to your health goal. Adding fruit is one thing, but dishing out whipped cream, gummy bears and sprinkles is another. Keep your yogurt simple and nutritious.
Last but not least, the sandwich. Bread, meat and vegetables are all you need. Condiments like mayo, mustard, oils and cheese may be tasty, but they increase calorie content. Adding vegetables is one way to make the sandwich nutritious, but I don’t mean lettuce and tomato. Throw on peppers, spinach or even cucumbers to spruce up your meal.
The key thing to remember is: make your meals simple. A little preparation and focused mindset will keep those urges for extra toppings at bay. Healthy habits take time, but every step will put you on the right path.
Here are some fun and helpful links for healthy eating:
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff
Now, I’m fully aware that this is purely a blog, not some sort of self-help domain or a forum for religious discussion. (I’m Jewish, so I’ve already got the minority complex on my side, but don’t worry — that’s besides the point.) Obviously a vast majority of my friends are Christian, and that’s something I’ve become as comfortable with as Easter eggs and Christmas trees. All of that said, I want to share an experience I had a couple of weeks ago in Charleston.
How Do You Know?
How do you know if you’re ready for a relationship?
How To Resist That Mac-N-Cheese
Shut Up, February 14th is Not the Worst Day of Your Life
Here’s the thing. There are two kinds of people in this world: those who hate Valentine’s Day because they aren’t being wined and dined by Johnny Bravo, and those indifferent about the self-proclaimed holiday because they’ve been spoiled year-round by the men of their dreams. Let’s be realistic here for a moment and break this down.
How Do You Know If You're Indulging Too Much?
We all do it. You know, sneak ourselves a piece of chocolate about once a day, or if you’re like me, five times a day. Guilty. I kick myself every time — just like the time I found a little Milky Way bar stuck in my Nike shorts pocket. Yes, it happened, and I ate it.
Yet, I spoon-feed myself this shit, whereas my father gets spoon-fed this shit by my dog. She just slips little chocolates under his pillow at night. And yes, her name is Jellybean — of course. I’m surprised she gives it to my dad and doesn’t indulge herself. Dogs get sick from chocolate, though … lucky.
