Friday, December 31, 2010

Sinusitis and songs

So, if you've been following my Twitter account, you probably know that I've been sick for a couple weeks. I went to the doctor yesterday and found out that I've actually had a sinus infection for 2-3 weeks. Lovely. At least now I know why I wasn't feeling 100% during finals week. I'm on an antibiotic now and am hoping it kicks in soon so that I feel better...

I did find a great walk/jog song (wog?) during that 2-3 weeks. (Before all of healthy living blogland yells at me for exercising while sick, let it be known that I didn't realize I had a sinus infection until yesterday. I thought it was allergies/stress.)


Artist: Britt Nicole
Song: Welcome to the Show
Album: The Lost Get Found (2009)
I love the fun lyrics and the pop/rock beat. I'm not normally a jogger/runner at all, but this song makes me want to run! :)

Friday, December 24, 2010

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
-Isaiah 9:6
Merry Christmas, bloggies! I hope y'all have a great day with family and friends! I know I will.



"Hallelujah, we've been found, a child is born to save us now, Jesus. Hallelujah, light has come, a Savior who will set us free, the promise for those who believe."

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

A healthy lifestyle is...

As you know, this blog is about a college student (me) trying to live a healthy lifestyle.

I've come to discover over the past 6 months that living a healthy lifestyle is more than just eating properly and exercising regularly. Those are important parts, of course, but that's not all that a healthy lifestyle is.

A healthy lifestyle is making cookies with your best friends.



A lot of cookies. With frosting and sprinkles and dark chocolate chips.

A healthy lifestyle is following God and refusing to care what others think.




A healthy lifestyle is letting go of people who only cause you annoyance.

It's just not worth it.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

almond hot chocolate!

I've been on an almond milk kick lately. Don't get me wrong, I'm still a real dairy (yogurt/ice cream/cheese) kind of girl, but I'm really starting to like almond milk. Tonight, I decided to see how well it worked with my very favorite hot cocoa mix...


Verdict? DELICIOUS. The almond milk is thicker and creamier than regular milk, which made for a rich hot chocolate. I put too much of the Ghiradelli in (2 tbsp, which, according to the package is only half a serving, believe it or not), so I ended up with some lumps at the bottom. I will only add 1 tbsp next time.

Recipe:
1 c almond milk
1 tbsp Ghiradelli double chocolate cocoa mix (you can try 2 tbsp if you like)


Heat milk in microwave. It will probably take a little longer than regular milk. Mix in cocoa. Drink! Yum.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

"Everybody knows that's how we roll!"


Song: How We Roll
Artist: Britt Nicole
Album: The Lost Get Found (2009)

I'm done with FINALS!!
It's so wierd to be done. While I was doing my power walk, I kept thinking, "I'm forgetting something...I just know it..." Haha.
Time to get into VACATION mode! I get to spend time with the besties this weekend (!). We'll be doing some cookie baking. Anyone got any recipies for healthy, easy to make, yummy cookies??

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Study break

I am loving this song this week.



Artist: Britt Nicole
Song: Ready
Album: Say It (2007)

It's great for power walking/jogging, but it's also got a great message. I love the lyrics in the bridge:

I'll put this behind me, the way you defined me
Love says I'm something more
I'm over the pain, I'm done with the shame
I found what I've waited for
You left me with scars
But He healed my heart
I've found my place secure in His arms
So I'll put this behind me
I'll put you behind me

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

And now, for an interruption...

I would like to share my thought pattern of last week, this week, and next week with y'all.

finalsfinalsfinalsfinalspaperfinalsfinalsprojectfinalspaperfinalsfinalsfinalspaperfinalsfinals
finalsgrouppresentationfinalsfinalsfinalsmustfinishthatbookfinalsfinalspopquizzesfinalsfinals....


You get the idea. Hooray college! :p

Friday, December 3, 2010

Yum.

Hey bloggies!

Hope everyone's week was fantastic!! Mine ended a whole lot better than it started.

I had lunch with a good friend today. We had some yummy food and an even better conversation :). Guess where we ended up....



It was my first time at Chipotle and it was delicious. I had the vegetarian burrito with cilantro-lime rice, black beans, fajita vegetables (sauteed green bell peppers and red onions), and cheese. I ate about half, 'cause it was way too big. Oh my word, it was so good. I will definitely be going back!

Monday, November 29, 2010

Back...

It's back to school for me today. However, I think my profs are still in "break" mindset because all of them so far have let us out early. I'm not complaining...that's more time for homework, haha.

You know you go to a good university when...you still have assignments due between Thanksgiving break and Christmas break.

Doesn't mean I like it, though! Ugh. Well, at least I have good food with me, haha. Right now, I'm munching on some dark chocolate almonds. I have no clue what brand they are, but they are delicious.

Should I be doing homework? Yes...yes, I should. ;) Instead, I am on blogs and Facebook. Heh.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Happy...uh...Black Friday!

Hey bloggies!!

I hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving!! I know I did. I spent the day with family and enjoyed some great food. Yum...sweet potato pie. I still made some time for exercising, but not as much as normal. I did a 30 minute power walk and a little Pilates, and that was enough for yesterday. I believe in the occasional indulgence. ;)

Now, who actually braved the crowds and went out at some ungodly hour this morning? Not me. I slept in. :p I will be hitting the mall sometime this weekend, but it should be calmer.

Finally, I have had this song on repeat the past few days:



Artist: Taylor Swift
Song: Sparks Fly
Album: Speak Now (2010)

Monday, November 22, 2010

It's one of those Mondays...

It's the week of Thanksgiving, yet I still have most of my classes today. Is it just me, or is there something wrong with that? Haha. One of my profs did cancel class today, which was a nice surprise. Campus is pretty dang deserted. I've never seen it this quiet!

One of my profs bribed us with chocolate to show up today. Unfortunately, it wasn't dark chocolate, but it was still good!

What are you most looking forward to about Thanksgiving? The food? Spending time with family? Black Friday?

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

More music!

What does a blogger do when she's waiting for class to start?

She posts music, of course. Oh, and sits on Facebook. ;)




Loving this one this week. Great for running or power walking :)

Artist: Third Day
Song: Make Your Move

Album: Move (2010)




Yes, that is more Christmas music. ;)

Artist: BarlowGirl
Song: It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year (live)

Album: Home For Christmas (2008)

Saturday, November 13, 2010

This week's playlist

I find that I've been listening to these songs most this week:

1. God is in Control - Avalon
2. Grace Amazing - Jimmy Needham feat. Trip Lee
3. The Story Of Us - Taylor Swift
4. You Already Take Me There - Switchfoot
5. Knockin' On Heaven's Door - Avalon
6. Your Grace Is Enough - Matt Maher
7. Beautiful, Beautiful - Francesca Battistelli
8. Lady is a Tramp (Glee Version) - Glee Cast
9. Lucky (Glee Version) - Glee Cast
10. Even If - ZOEgirl

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

I may or may not...

I may or may not have been listening to Christmas music since Saturday.

Don't judge. ;)



Artist: BarlowGirl
Song: O Holy Night
Album: O Holy Night - Single (2005)


I may or may not be blogging while I'm in class.

Sshh. We're having a "writing lab" day...and I'm writing! ;)

I may or may not have enjoyed a delicious steak this weekend.

I could never be a vegetarian. :p

I may or may not have high standards when it comes to guys.

It's not being picky, it's called being careful. Go read Proverbs 4:23 :)

Monday, November 8, 2010

I need to buy this CD.

"Bad day? There's a Taylor Swift song for that."

:)




Song: The Story Of Us
Artist: Taylor Swift
Album: Speak Now (2010)

Saturday, November 6, 2010

cold.

It's FREEZING here.

No, seriously. I woke up yesterday morning, stuck my head out the door, and was like, "I think I need to change my outfit for the day..."

I may or may not have worn a scarf on campus all day yesterday. ;) And I may or may not be living in my sweatpants and 2 pairs of socks today.

What can I say? I'm a true Southern girl.

Power walking song of the week:



Artist: Jimmy Needham feat. Trip Lee
Song: Grace Amazing
Album: Nightlights (2010)


This is one of those songs that WILL get stuck in your head on first listen and it won't get out - but in a good way. I caught myself humming it during an exam yesterday.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Recipe + music

I managed to wrangle the recipe for these delicious smoothies out of the friend that made them. This is the basic recipe she followed (which she played with a little).

1/2 cup canned pumpkin (puree)
3/4 cup milk or vanilla yogurt
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
2 tsp. brown sugar

Ice

I can't wait to try to make my own!

I've had this song on repeat a lot today:







Today's been pretty stressful and I love how this song puts everything in perspective. :)

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

pumpkin spice.



Pumpkin spice smoothies = yum!! I wish I could take credit for these, but I cannot. One of my besties made these over the weekend. I'm trying to wrangle the recipe out of her so I can make some of my own...mm.

Half the semester is over! Whoa! I'm trying to figure out where it went while I'm picking classes for the spring (!).

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Chocolate.

Bloggies, meet my latest snack discovery...


I have no idea why that cut off, but that is my latest discovery: Fiber One Bars! I've tried the Oat/Chocolate and the Oat/Peanut Butter. But when I went to their website, I discovered they also have 4 other flavors that I will track down...especially the Strawberry and the Chocolate Mocha. Yum...

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Things I love...

  • Jesus :)
  • Family
  • Old and new friends
  • Living a healthy lifestyle
  • This song:

Sunday, October 10, 2010

"I bring it to You..."

Artist: Avalon
Song: I Bring It To You
Album: The Creed (2004)

Love, love, love. If you're worrying about something right now, listen to this song!

Friday, October 8, 2010

Is this healthy?





Cheesecake ice cream with graham cracker pieces. No? Not healthy? I didn't think so. But it was still delicious and much needed after a crazy week of classes!

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Twitter, homework, and music for yoga

www.twitter.com/breaksilence15

I am convinced homework multiplies in my laptop bag when I leave it overnight. Does this happen to anyone else or is it just me? :p

Anyways.

As you read on an earlier post, I'm not a huge fan of the music on the yoga workouts on ExerciseTV that I do a couple times a week. So what do I do? Well, the same thing I do for my power walking...plug in my own! I'm trying out tunes by different artists and so far Avalon's music wins! For anyone who's interested, here are the Avalon songs that seem to work the best:

"Alive"
"Arise"
"Fragile"
"Destined"
"Stay"
"Slowly"
"Jesus"

Monday, October 4, 2010

I support healthy living bloggers.

Well, obviously, I kind of *am* one. Haha.

[gets on soapbox]

This article, if you haven't seen it yet (which I'm sure you have if you read Meghann's blog), definitely criticizes healthy living bloggers, 6 in particular! I don't read all of them, but I do read "The Inner Workings of a College Graduate" (now known as Meals and Miles) regularly, and I have to say that the article is completely ridiculous. Reading the healthy living blogs, such as Meals and Miles, Fitnessista , among others, has been motivating me to keep trying to live a healthy lifestyle (with a few indulgences) while in college. Marie Claire's article on the subject is completely wrong.

[/jumps off soapbox]

Now then. Haha.

Foods of the week...
- Apples make great in between class snacks.
- Nutella + peanut butter + whole wheat bread = best sandwich ever. Don't believe me? TRY IT. You will love it. ;)
- I've been putting cinnamon on sliced apples, peaches, and my nutella/pb sandwiches for 3 weeks. Yes, it's good. No, I'm not wierd at all. :p


Healthy living tip...
The feeling when you let go of something that's been weighing you down is amazing!! If you're holding onto something or someone that's dragging you down, LET GO. Give it to God and let Him handle it. To quote one of my favorite songs: It's a new day/Oh, it's a new time/And there's a new way/I'm gonna live my life/All the old has passed away/And the new has come/Thank God it's a brand new day!




Artist: Avalon
Song: New Day
Album: Testify to Love (2003)

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Avalon + yoga?

Seems like a strange mix, but it worked for me!!

(I should be doing homework. My sociology and business law books are staring me in the face. But I did yoga instead, because none of it is due till next week. So there. Haha.)

This yoga workout: click (If you do the one on ExerciseTV, it's a 20 min, the clip is only 2)

+

this CD:




(Confession: I don't like the music used in the yoga workout, so I muted it and put my own music on.)

It worked! "Destined" and "Stay" worked especially well with the flow of poses.

Back to my HW...

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Well, hello, old dance pop song...

...you make a great addition to my power walking list.

Artist: ZOEgirl
Song: Even If
Album: Life (2001)

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

1/4 there...

One of my professors informed us that we're just about 25% done with the semester already. Whoa...

I'm sorry, I've been a bad blogger lately!! You would not believe how much homework I've had. I had my first exam AND a group presentation due today (not in the same class) so I've been running like a crazy person for the last week trying to get everything done! I love my university, but geez, I think the professors conspire on assignment due dates sometimes...

Anyway. Snacky foods of the week:

  • Apple slices. I was craving fresh fruit today, and I discovered a bag of apple slices in the fridge this morning. I took out a few, tossed them in a bag, and munched on them in between classes. Yum!
  • Mini boxes of yogurt raisins. More yum! I haven't had these since I was a kid. They're still good.
  • Kashi bars. Duh. My go to flavors the past 3 weeks have been Dark Mocha Almond and Dark Chocolate Coconut.
  • A sliced peach with cinnamon sprinkled on top. Uh...obviously I sat down at a table and ate this. Haha.
  • Chocolate with almonds...umm, should I admit that? ;)

Monday, September 13, 2010

Umm, delicious. The end. :)

Friday, September 3, 2010

Weekend is coming!!

Well, it's the end of my first week of fall classes!! I already have a decent pile of HW (yick), but I think I'm gonna like all my classes this semester. My profs seem decent (we'll see if I still have the same opinion at the end of the semester, haha) and I've already made some friends.

I also might be able to use this blog/other food blogs as a research paper topic for one of my classes at the end of the semester. Stay tuned for details...

Monday, August 30, 2010

Bloggin' from campus...

Hey y'all!
Well, I'm officially back in school!!
I'm currently chilling on campus, waiting for my last class of the day to start in about 30 minutes, munching on a Nature Valley granola bar. (I forgot how good these things were. Must buy more and rotate them with my Kashi bars.)
I'm still looking for good, healthy, portable (read: no silverware) snack ideas that I can slip in my purse and eat in between classes. So far, I have granola bars and little boxes of raisins. Obviously, this is not gonna work for the whole semester. Help, bloggies!! :)

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Fall 2010, let's go!!

Dear Fall 2010:
I have never been happier for a new semester to get here. Please go better than Summer 2010 did.
Love, breakingsilence

That's not to say that parts of my summer weren't amazing. I got to hang out with every single one of my best girl friends this summer. That has NEVER happened before. There's always someone I can't get together with, but somehow I managed to pull it off this year. Lots of laughter + lots of Starbucks consumed = AWESOME. Oh, and I kicked macroeconomics' butt. Haha. That part of Summer 2010 = A+

The rest of summer 2010 = Ehh. I don't really care to go into the whole story. Let's just say that anything that inspires a blogger to write a series on Dealing With Drama can't be good.

The new semester starts next week, and I CANNOT WAIT. It's gonna be fabulous, I can tell. :)

Oh, and I want this shirt. --> click

Question: I'm going to be running around campus a LOT next semester. I need some suggestions on healthy and portable snacks I can slip in my purse and munch on in between classes. Anything?

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Some days.

Some days...
you eat cereal and yogurt for dinner just because it sounds good.

Some days...
you slack off at work and have a hilarious conversation with your coworkers instead.

Some days...
you wish the fall semester would start.

Some days...
you forego exercising in favor of spending time with your best friends.

Some days...
you have to let go of things or people that aren't good for you anymore.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Dealing With Drama :: Random Advice

If you seem to be dealing with more drama than you're used to...

  • Talk to someone. Friends, family, whoever would be willing to lend an ear (or a text). You might get some really good advice!
  • Scream into a pillow.
  • Go for a walk/run.
  • Blast your music and sing along as loud as you want.

Song of the Week:



Artist: Carrie Underwood
Song: Undo It

Album: Play On (2009)

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Dealing With Drama :: Work

If you're one of the few college students that can get through school without having to take a part-time job, I have 2 things to say:

  1. How did you manage that?
  2. I am super jealous. Haha.

A lot of us do have to work part time through college, which can open up a whole new can of worms: WORK DRAMA! Here are just a few tips to help you minimize work drama:

  • Make friends with your coworkers and do what your managers/supervisors tell you (unless, obviously, it's illegal).
  • If you absolutely cannot make friends with your coworkers, bring a book or your iPod with you to keep you occupied on breaks.
  • If you decide to go out with a few of your coworkers one night after work, make sure you stay sober and alert. The last thing you need is for something you did the night before to be all over the office the next morning!
  • Stay out of the office gossip mill. As tempting as it might be to spread around what one of your coworkers did the night before, avoid it at all costs, especially if you were not there. If you weren't there, you don't know the whole story.
  • If you end up not liking your job, but can't find another one, live by this mantra: Go to work, do your job, and go home. It's just a part-time job, not your chosen career.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

It's just a music kind of day...

I'm a bad blogger. I haven't written the next installment of Dealing With Drama yet. It's coming!!

Until then, please enjoy some recent favorites!!




Artist: Julianna Zobrist
Song: The Tree
Album: The Tree (2009)


I came across this song by accident and loved it so much that I had to add it to my workout playlist. It works great for warmup or cool down. I don't know why her music isn't getting more attention! ( website ) I'm hoping she'll stick "Brave One" and "Lock You Down" on iTunes SOON so I can add them to my workout playlist!




Artist: Avalon
Song: Take You At Your Word
Album: In A Different Light (1999)

An oldie, but still good! I love using this song in my warmup.



And now, in a slightly different genre....



Artist: Fireflight
Song: Desperate
Album: For Those Who Wait (2010)

Disclaimer: I'm not normally a fan of harder rock. Fireflight, however, is the exception.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Cold remedies

Raise your hand if you're sick right now.

*raises hand*

*looks around*

Oh wait, I'm the only one? Haha.

I've finally caught the cold that's been traveling around the house for the last week. I've been coughing since yesterday and it feels like someone shoved a cotton ball up into my sinuses. GROSS. I'm so glad I'm done with summer classes - can't imagine having to study feeling like this!
Thankfully, I remembered an old remedy an elementary school teacher of mine recommended to my mom way back when: hot lemonade with honey! It works and it's very easy to make.

What you need:
1/2 lemon (or, if your sore throat/cough is really bad, use the whole lemon. I may or may not have done this yesterday. Haha.)
Water
Honey
Microwave

Squeeze the juice out of the lemon into a mug. Add water. I normally fill the mug halfway with water, but you can use more or less, doesn't matter. Microwave for 20-30 seconds, or until hot. Add honey to taste. Drink.

It's not a cure-all, but it will definitely help soothe a sore throat.

I'll pick up Dealing With Drama again as soon as I feel better!!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Dealing With Drama :: Guys

"I don't get it. Guys say that girls are complicated, have they met themselves?" -piece of flair on Facebook

I love it when random things you read while wasting time come in handy. Yes, we girls are complicated. I'm not debating that point. But guys can be just as complicated. (Any guy that would be willing to debate this point can leave a comment on this post.) Most guys don't intentionally cause drama. It just happens, especially when a girl likes a guy! Now, I am the furthest thing from an expert on this subject, but here are some things I've learned recently about minimizing guy drama:

  • If he likes you, he'll let you know. I have learned ONE thing about guys this year, and that is when a guy likes you, he WILL make it known. He may not come right out and say "I like you, will you go out with me?" right away, but there are other ways he'll show his feelings. He'll try to get in contact with you as often as possible through phone calls, texts, IM, or Facebook. Or some combination of the 4!! If you have a part-time job and he knows it, he might stop in "just to say hi".
  • If you are interested back, encourage him! Answer the phone when he calls. Text him back. Reply to his wall post or IM. If he's dropping hints that you should come by his work "sometime", then do it! If he's truly interested in you, he will love the fact that you took the time to come say hey to him.
  • If you're NOT interested, don't string him along. Enough said. But let him down gently.
  • Do. Not. Obsess. It just causes more drama. Put the phone down. Log off of Facebook. Go out for a walk or run. Hit Starbucks or the mall with your (girl) friends. Having a staring contest with your phone is not going to make him reply any faster, and being on Facebook until midnight will not make him log on any sooner. (I'm preaching to myself here.) Don't text him 9345798 times asking "Where are you? Are you ok? Why haven't you messaged me today?!". Think: Would you like it if a guy was doing that to you?
  • Alcohol is never a good addition to the mix. When out with a guy (on a date or just as friends), stay sober. Thank you Ellen for the reminder!!
  • Just be yourself. I can hear the groans now. I know we've been hearing this since middle school, but it's so true! Don't change who you are or what you believe for a guy. I don't care how much of a cutie he is. If he can't accept you for you, then he's not worth it.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

And now, for an announcement...

...I kicked economics' butt! Woo!! I'm officially done with summer semester!!



I also tried sushi yesterday.



(Veggie and brown rice sushi, that is!)

It was pretty good. I'd eat it again. Next time, though, I might try sushi with cooked fish. (I'm not eating raw fish and you can't make me! Haha.)

I'll pick up the "Dealing With Drama" series again next week!

Monday, July 19, 2010

Dealing With Drama :: The Intro

Drama -
any situation or series of events having vivid, emotional, conflicting, or striking interest or results. [Source: Dictionary.com]

breakingsilence's definition of drama-
Something that should've been left behind in high school, yet continues to follow us, whether we like it or not!!

Most people associate drama with silly little high school girls whispering between classes about who did what before first period. Unfortunately, high school drama is just the beginning. It multiplies once you get into college and continues when you get a job. If you allow drama to affect you too much, it can mess with your mood...and by association, your health. You can't escape drama, but there are ways to deal with it. In this series, we'll be talking about...
  • school drama
  • guy drama (assuming only girls read this blog...sorry dudes lol)
  • part-time job drama

and ways to deal with each type. If you have any suggestions/comments/ways you deal with drama, drop a comment on this post!

Friday, July 16, 2010

Need ideas...

Posting 2 days in a row...I'm pretty sure that's a new record. Haha.

I was thinking that my next little "series" was going to be on dealing with drama, because, let's face it, drama starts in high school and only gets worse in college, right? There's really no way to avoid it - you have to learn how to deal with it. In my opinion, dealing with drama effectively (without starting MORE!) is part of the healthy lifestyle we're trying to follow. I'd like to invite any readers to share their strategies for dealing with drama. I have a few of my own, but I thought it would be cool to have some more input.

Thank you! :)

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Check out CP's giveaway!

Hey guys!



Head over to http://www.thecollegeprepster.com/ for a cool giveaway!!



Carly is giving away a lot of cool stuff, so be sure to head over there and check it out!

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Sweat music.

It has NOT been a fun week. Don't ask why, it just hasn't. Lots of things going on and...AHH. I will be so glad to get to the weekend.

(And why did Blogger make that so tiny?? Grr. *hits Blogger* I hope you can read that!)


That, if you can read it, is my favorite list of power walking songs right now, or as I call it, "sweat music". Sometimes, if you're having a bad day (or WEEK), exercise and "sweating it out" can help relieve stress. It certainly has been helping me!!

If you can't read it:
1. The Best Thing [Euro Stack Mix] - Avalon
2. Million Voices - BarlowGirl
3. Anthem - Superchic[k]
4. Running Out of Time - BarlowGirl
5. Alegria - Salvador
6. Come Alive - BarlowGirl
7. Lady is a Tramp - Glee Cast
8. Don't Rain On My Parade - Glee Cast
9. Psalm 73 - BarlowGirl feat. Todd Agnew
10. Take My Chances - BarlowGirl

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Music rediscovered

I love rediscovering really good workout songs, don't you?




Artist: Avalon
Song: The Best Thing (Euro Stack Mix)
Album: 02 Avalon Remixed

I was looking for another song off the same CD on YouTube for a guy I know (he loves this genre) and I found this one instead. I put it back into my workout playlist and took it for a test drive (er, walk) this afternoon. I don't remember why I removed it in the first place - great power walking song!!

I did eventually find the original song I was looking for, and it's going into my workout playlist tomorrow!




Artist: Avalon
Song: Can't Live A Day (DJ Tiesto Mix)
Album: 02 Avalon Remixed

And there it is!! Enjoy the bonus song. (Sensing a theme with this week's music yet?? Haha. I love my rock and roll, but there's still a part of me that likes the pop/dance/techno!)

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

It's a cereal week..

I am currently waiting for class to start...with a serving (3/4 cup) of Strawberry Yogurt Cheerios to munch on in case I get hungry during lecture. I'm pretty sure I haven't eaten straight dry Cheerios since I was about 4. Oh well. When you do a 40 minute power walk before class and your professor is longwinded AND boring...you do what you have to. Haha.



Favorite meal add-on of the week:





I still love these things (I prefer the chocolate chip cookie version over cheesecake though) and I found a new way to eat them this week: mixed with cereal for breakfast! My current fave combination:

1 YoCrunch 100 Calorie Cup (use the topping too!)
3/4 cup (1 serving) of Post Great Grains Cereal
Fruit of your choice (optional)

Put ingredients in a bowl. Mix. Eat! You can use any cereal, but I like using the Great Grains because it's not too sweet and it's got whole grain, protein, and fiber.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Friday, July 2, 2010

music Friday :)

First off, I was informed yesterday that a couple of my real-life friends have been creeping around the blog. Hi guys! *waves*

Since I haven't done this in a while, here are a couple of good songs to listen to...and if you like them, add 'em to your own workout playlist!




Artist: Steven Curtis Chapman
Song: See The Glory
Album: Declaration (2001)




Artist: BarlowGirl
Song: Take My Chances
Album: How Can We Be Silent (2007)




Glee is taking over my workout playlist. Not a bad thing though. ;)



Something to discuss: What are your favorite summer fashion trends? (Yes, I did swipe the idea from Gina's blog. Haha.)

Sunday, June 27, 2010

the healthy student's guide to eating out :)

We've all been there. You're trying to live a healthy lifestyle by exercising and eating right. But then there comes the challenge of going out to eat with friends or family and ordering something off the menu. What's in this? How much fat/salt does it have in it?? Am I allergic to any of the ingredients? Is there ANYTHING healthy on this menu?? I present to you...the healthy student's guide to eating out!

  1. Find out what restaurant you're going to ahead of time and Google it. Most restaurants now post their menus and nutrition info online, so you can browse and know what you're getting into. I like to pick 2 options off the online menu and then pick whichever one I have a taste for when I get to the restaurant.
  2. Modify your dish!! If you see a dish you like, but don't like the side/dressing/toppings/whatever, ask for it to be left out or replaced with something else. If a restaurant you like tends to add too much dressing to a salad, ask for it on the side.
  3. Lay off the cocktails. Alcohol has calories - empty calories. You're not gonna get any nutritional value from it. If you must drink, make it a once in a while treat, and limit yourself to ONE drink.
  4. Don't be afraid of your sweet tooth. If you're with a group and you want dessert, split something. All you have to do is ask for multiple spoons/forks to be brought with the dessert. You satisfy your sweet tooth without blowing your quest to be healthy!
  5. If you're overly stuffed, take a SLOW walk around the local mall/park after your meal. You'll feel better.

Friday, June 25, 2010

Ahh...

Up until last night, I was having Glee withdrawals. (Glee withdrawals = "Glee-drawals"? Haha)





Apparently, my DVR (which is set to record all new episodes) has marked the reruns showing on Fox on Thursdays as "New Episodes". I discovered this last night and I'm not complaining. ;)

Some eats this week:



I ran out of cranberries. Boo. Thankfully, 1/4 c Yogurt Cheerios + 1 tbsp raisins make a great mock trail mix to munch on during class. (Excuse the Ziploc bag logo. Once again, not so great food picture taking skills. Working on it. :p )




I just discovered Stonyfield has CHOCOLATE Oikos in 4 packs. Why have I not seen this at my grocery store yet?? I will find it. ;)



I prefer the Hazelnut Latte flavor. But the Wild Blueberry Muffin flavor is still good.


Oh, and about 928375983 strawberries (unpictured). :)

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Chocolate craving

This isn't what it looks like...



Ok, maybe it is. ;p (Excuse my bad food picture-taking skills.)

But that's not milk chocolate underneath the marshmallow. Nope. Those are Ghiradelli dark chocolate chips. And let me tell you, it was just as delicious as a regular milk chocolate s'more.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

One down, one to go!

I am DONE with one of my summer classes! YES!! Only one left, and that ends in a month! Actually, I should be studying for it right now...but nope, I am on a study break. I spotted this on Gina's Twitter account and thought it was worth posting:



What do y'all think? Personally, I agree. I think taking "study breaks" to exercise last semester helped me pass my hardest class, accounting. When studying for an exam, I'd take 3 or 4 10-20 minute breaks to do a little Pilates, a little bit of power walking, that kind of thing. It worked - I did a lot better in accounting than I thought!!


And now that I've posted that, it's back to my economics study coma.


Economics...I will defeat you!!


;)

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Summer is officially here!

Hey!! How's everyone's summer so far?? Mine has been busy with summer classes, part-time job, and of course, hanging with friends! Oh, did I mention it's HOT?? I've been doing a LOT of DVD workouts, because who wants to workout outside when it's blazing hot? (Anyone who's lived in the South will understand!!)


I find that I've been doing this one most frequently:



It's a little on the short side (33 min.), so I'll normally tack on 5-10 minutes of extra power walking. I like this DVD because it's not just power walking (which can be boring)...it has some easy kickboxing moves in it...yay variety! Haha. I've found that I get even more of a workout when I mute the DVD and put my iPod on instead!



Some eats this week:





Mmm...peach and pomegranate. Need I say more?


Lots of those...sensing the fruit theme yet??



Whoops, how did THAT get in here? ;)

Ok, it wasn't vanilla ice cream, it was chocolate frozen yogurt, and it was delicious. ;)

Monday, June 14, 2010

OMG!!!

Short post, but I had to stick this news article up:


http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/37596789/ns/health-womens_health/


I am....at a loss for words. What do y'all think?

Sunday, June 13, 2010

If the homework is extra credit...

...do I still have to do it?

Hmm. I probably should. Especially since I've been ignoring it all weekend. I went on a mini vacation and I brought it along, meaning to do it. Did I? Nope, not at all. ;)




Artist: Britt Nicole
Song: Holiday
Album: Say It (2007)



I need another vacation.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

It's really quiet in here...

What does a blogger do when she gets to class early and she's finally found an elusive internet connection? Well, she blogs, of course!! ;)


And I come prepared to class with these babies...


Yes, I really do sneak these during class. Shhh. Haha.

Monday, June 7, 2010

Untitled

My breakfast fix this week:




Yum. Love this stuff. I've been known to make 2 packets at a time, haha.

Anyway...Who's excited for GLEE tomorrow??



Loving the new version of Don't Stop Believin'!!

Friday, June 4, 2010

Calling all Gleeks!

Go here:

http://www.gleethemusic.com/us/regionals/widget

You can hear all the songs from Tuesday's season finale!!

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Randomness

First of all, who watched Glee last night?? The whole Will/Sue thing - I wasn't sure whether to bust out laughing or cover my eyes!

Fast breakfast idea of the week:

2 frozen waffles
1 c pineapple chunks

Cook waffles. Top with pineapple chunks. Drizzle a little of the pineapple juice on top. No sugary syrup required!

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Well, I hope everyone's week went better than mine! Thankfully, my ear allergies seem to be clearing up!


A few of the things I've been munching on this week:



Hmm...does putting fried shrimp on top of a garden salad make it healthy? Eh, probably not. But it was delicious! The salad was very simple: lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, and carrots.

Kashi TLC bars in various flavors:



Staying hydrated the yummy way:



As you saw on an earlier post, a couple 100 calorie packs of Craisins were also consumed this week to keep me awake during summer classes ;)

And, of course, lots of fruits, veggies, and other healthy foods...and some not so healthy, haha :)

Song of the week:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAA0ASlh1HU

(For some reason, YouTube won't let me embed this one. Oh well. Enjoy anyway!)

Friday, May 28, 2010

Dear allergies, I hate you - part 2

Dear allergies,

We are not friends.
I did not like you when you settled in my nose and throat in past years.
Now that you've settled in my ears, I have progressed from mere dislike to HATE.
You need to go away and never come back.

Sincerely, an annoyed college student.


Yup. That has pretty much been my week. Summer classes + allergies = AHH!

Any suggestions on relieving allergies?

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Summer semester = EVIL.

Ok, that's a little dramatic. But I still hate summer classes. HATE HATE HATE. It hasn't even been 2 weeks since the semester started and I already have a TEST coming up next week. This should be VERY interesting...


I may or may not be sneaking these during class...


I don't normally eat Craisins (or any dried fruit) too often, because it's just too sweet. I prefer fresh fruit. But when your professor is putting you to sleep...you do what you have to. ;)

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Splurge of the month...

I know we're all college students on budgets, but if you want to splurge on a pair of shoes, I recommend these:


Fitflops!!

Well, ok, maybe not THIS style, because they're $85, (EEK!) but a pair of Fitflops in general (they do have cheaper styles). I bought a pair recently. They are extremely comfortable and I'm already wearing them out. Haha. They're great for running around campus and are a lot kinder to your feet than regular flipflops.
As to the style pictured above...aren't they too cute?? I wish they weren't $85!! Stupid budget...

Monday, May 17, 2010

Thanks Target!

We all love Target, right? Especially their prices! Well, when I spotted this in their weekly ad, I had to take advantage of it...

Free $5 giftcard if you buy 5 Kashi products (cereal, frozen meals, snacks)!

click to see the ad, go to page 26-27

And, of course I took advantage of it, since I love the Kashi TLC bars.

Thanks Target!

(Sorry about the supershort post...will post something longer later this week!)

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Warmup with an attitude and PIE!

Artist: Carrie Underwood
Song: Cowboy Casanova
Album: Play On (2009)

I'm not normally a fan of country music, but I love Carrie's music, and I've been loving this song for my warmup and cooldown.


And now, the PIE! Well, sort of. Oh, did you think I was gonna write about real pie? Haha. Nope, pumpkin pie flavored Kashi bars! They're healthy, delicious, and you should try them.


Thursday, May 13, 2010

Ew.

When I first saw this product on a commercial, the only thought that went through my head was "Ew". Please tell me I'm not the only one.



Isn't that gross? I think I'll stick to the occasional Chick-Fil-A indulgence. LOVE their nuggets. I'll usually pair an 8 or 12 pack of nuggets with either a side salad or a fruit cup.


Yummy.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Dear allergies, I hate you.

Is it just me, or have allergies in general been worse this year??

I know mine have. Normally, I end up with a stuffy nose/sore throat for a few weeks, and that's it. This year, however, my allergies decided to move from my nose/throat into my ears. Result? It feels like someone shoved cotton into my head through my ears. Not a nice feeling. The only thing that's clearing it up is nasal spray. YUCK. I reallyreallyREALLY dislike using the nasal spray, but when I stop, the "cotton-ear" feeling comes back.

Do any of you have allergies? What do you do to relieve the symptoms?

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Veggies, music, and an insane "diet"

Veggies. Ok, not the word some of you wanted to hear. I'm the odd one: I LOVE most veggies and I always have. When I was little, my parents thought I was gonna turn out to be a vegetarian... Not that there's anything wrong with that, haha. I just didn't like meat until I got a little older. But I still love my veggies. I prefer them raw, but if they have to be cooked, I'll steam them. You keep the nutrients in the veggies that way.

I like the boxed Green Giant stuff with no sauce. You take it out of the box, put the bag in the microwave for 4ish minutes and there you go! Instant veggies. (Sugar snap peas are my fave.)
And now, another good workout song:




Artist: Melissa Greene
Song: Next Step
Album: Next Step (2009)

And finally, I was browsing the 'net the other day when I came across a news article about a new "diet" that is supposedly going to help you live to 120 ( click ) . Seriously? That's ridiculous. Where do they come up with this stuff? How is cutting wheat, sugar, dairy, meat, and tap water out of your diet gonna help you live to 120? The sad thing is, some people will buy it...

Thursday, May 6, 2010

you are beautiful :)

Who's been watching Glee? Anyone? What did y'all think? I'll admit it - I'm a total Gleek! LOVED Mercedes' rendition of "Beautiful" last week - so good!!




I found this website yesterday and I had to post it on here. For those who don't know, it's called Operation Beautiful, and its mission is to end "fat talk" or negative self-talk. You leave a message on a sticky note in a public restroom that says "you are beautiful!" , "you're amazing the way you are!", etc. LOVE it. :)

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Done!!

I just took my last final and I feel like I did really well on it!! Woo-hoo!! Good luck to all of you who are still in the midst of finals!

A good song (or 2) to add to your workout playlist:



Artist: BarlowGirl
Song: Come Alive

Album: Love and War (2009)




Artist: BarlowGirl
Song: Running Out Of Time
Album: Love and War (2009)

Told you I'd be adding more BarlowGirl songs at a later date. "Come Alive" and "Running Out Of Time" are 2 of my favorite power walking songs. Enjoy!

Saturday, May 1, 2010

One. More. FINAL!!

Thank God.

I'm almost done!! Well, at least until summer classes start. ;)


Quick breakfast idea of the week:


1/2 cup Special K Granola (credit to flickr for the pic):

1-2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries (I used frozen...need to buy some fresh ones, yum):

1 serving yogurt (whatever variety you prefer. I tried it with Greek yogurt and the YoCrunch vanilla 100 calorie cups, it worked for both)

Step 1: Slice strawberries (or, if you're using the frozen variety, dethaw in the microwave for 1-2 minutes)

Step 2: Mix yogurt with strawberries.

Step 3: Add granola, mix well.
Step 4: EAT!

No more "I don't have time to eat breakfast, so I'm skipping it" excuses! This takes 5 minutes to prepare.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Studying + social networking + blogs = productive? Eh, not so much.

In fact, I'm adding that to the survival guide.

  • Stay off myspace, facebook, twitter, blogs, etc. until you're done studying! In fact, just close the laptop and just walk away...

Haha. Like that's gonna happen, right?

Anyway. I finally tried the Kashi TLC Peanut Peanut Butter bars the other day, and they're good, but I still prefer the Dark Mocha Almond ones. What can I say? I like dark chocolate. ;)

Continuing on the random trail...how many of you have seen this website? I discovered it today on another blog and had to check it out. All I have to say is AHHH! Seriously, how do people come up with this stuff?? What are your thoughts on it?

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

"this is your anthem, get your hands up!"

And now...a break in the "Finals Week Survival Guide" series...a music break!! Feel free to plug it into your own workout playlist...or just listen and enjoy...




Artist: Superchic[k]
Song: Anthem
Album: Beauty From Pain (2006)

Monday, April 26, 2010

Finals Week Survival Guide, part 2

I said in the last post that I'd be adding some of my favorite "study break" workouts soon! Well, here they are.
If you're anything like me, you get sleepy while studying. (Confession: I *have* fallen asleep while studying before...oops! ;) ) When I start getting sleepy, I'll do one of these workouts, and presto, I'm awake. ;) All of them are are fairly easy, and all of them are 20 minutes and under.

First up:

Do the 1 mile walk. It runs 15-20 minutes. If you're studying a super boring subject and need to wake up, this is the best one to do!

Next:

http://www.exercisetv.tv/store/p-1593-rhythmic-stretch.aspx

A 10 minute rhythmic stretch. This is probably the easiest one of the bunch - it's all about stretching!

Third:

http://www.exercisetv.tv/store/p-1647-total-body-pilates.aspx

20 minute Pilates workout. If you've never done Pilates, ignore the next 2 and do this one. It's longer, but it's easier.

Fourth:

http://www.exercisetv.tv/store/p-1646-pilates-abs.aspx

If you have any Pilates/yoga experience, go for this one. It's probably the most intense Pilates workout of the bunch. 10 minutes. Difficulty level: intermediate.

Finally:

http://www.exercisetv.tv/store/p-1648-leg-slimmer-and-toner.aspx

Not super easy, but not super hard either. 10 minutes. Difficulty level: beginner to intermediate.


So, as you can see, there are some "study break" workout options for everyone, in shape or not! And now you'll stay awake while you're studying. ;)

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Finals Week Survival Guide, part 1

If you're a college student, you're doing 1 of 3 things right now...
  1. Stressing about your upcoming finals
  2. In the middle of studying for finals
  3. Celebrating being done with finals (if this is you, I am jealous!!)

If you're #1 or 2, then I present to you the Finals Week Survival Guide!! Take a quick study break and read up:

Tip #1: Cramming does not work!!
~Trust me. If you have a tough final coming up, start studying 15-30 minutes per day about a week and a half in advance. It WILL help. Cramming or pulling an all nighter the night before the exam will just make you really tired the next day. Start your studying at least a week before, and you'll see a difference.

Tip #2: Bring a friend.
~If a friend is taking the same course you are, study with them a couple days before the exam! Or, better yet, if you know a few people in your class, get a study group together. Everyone in your class busy? Study via Facebook. Hello Facebook Chat!

Tip #3: Take study breaks.
~This builds off #1's "Cramming does not work" tip. Yes, you should study the day before a final. However, when you do, take a 10-20 minute study break if you feel yourself getting overwhelmed. Exercise a little, put on a favorite song, grab a healthy snack. (I'll be posting some of my favorite 10-20 minute workouts within the next couple days!)

Tip #4: Go to bed.
~Repeat after me: "Studying after midnight the night before a final will not magically transport the course material into my brain." GO TO BED. Aim for at least 8 hours of sleep the night before a final. If you're rested, you'll remember more.

More tips and "study break" workout suggestions coming within the next few days!!

Friday, April 23, 2010

More snacky goodness!

Once again, I'm late to the party on this one. I can't believe I just discovered this yummy snack a couple weeks ago...






I've tried the Dark Mocha Almond, Dark Chocolate Coconut, and Cherry Dark Chocolate. (Seeing a trend yet?? I love dark chocolate. It's good for you AND delicious!) I have a box of Peanut Peanut Butter ones waiting for me as soon as I finish the box of Dark Mocha Almond ones I bought on Wednesday. Or maybe I'll open them tomorrow. ;) If you need a nice little boost either before or after class, grab one of these and eat it on the run!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Stick to fruit...

I always like trying healthy new snacks...or at least snacks that *appear* healthy. Sometimes they're good, sometimes they're bad. This one definitely struck out with me...




It looked like a mini version of a cobbler, and I like cobbler, so I decided to try it! The package says you can heat it up for about 20 seconds before adding the crumble, so I did. Cobbler this isn't. The pineapple and mango have very little flavor, and the fruit sauce it comes in is too sweet. My advice? If you want a healthier mini cobbler that bad, make your own! All you need is a sliced apple (or other fruit of your choice), granola, cinnamon, and a microwave. Or better yet, just snack on a regular piece of fruit.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Procrastination and a good workout song :)

Look at that, I'm updating more than once a week! :) Yay for procrastinating on homework! ;)

Anyway, I think I'll post one of my current favorite workout songs for y'all to enjoy and maybe add to your own workout playlist!!

I like to rotate my workout playlist A LOT. I'm always adding new songs and taking out the ones that I'm tired of listening to. It keeps my workout interesting, which is really important. Boring workout = less motivation.



(10 points if you can find my screen name in this song...no fair looking up the lyrics! haha)

Artist: BarlowGirl
Song: Million Voices
Album: How Can We Be Silent (2007)

You will probably see me post more good workout songs from the Barlow sisters in the future - they have quite a few!

Anyways. Enjoy the song!

::EDIT:: For some reason, I'm not seeing a link to comment on this post...anyone else having this problem??

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Hi, I'm breakingsilence, and I am a late bandwagon jumper!

Haha. Now, what is this bandwagon that I've jumped on later than everyone else?
The Greek yogurt bandwagon, of course!
I had several people tell me I should give it a try. I tried the Oikos Blueberry Fruit on the Bottom flavor, and it was really good! I normally go for the YoCrunch 100 calorie cups if I want yogurt (there will probably be a separate post on those, still love them), but these are just as good, and have more protein than regular yogurt! So, if you're studying for an exam and need a little pick-me-up, or if you have a part-time job and need a little something to tie you over until you get off work, I'd definitely recommend grabbing one of these. Well, not necessarily this brand, but any Greek yogurt. Note: If it's your first time eating it, stick to the Fruit on the Bottom varieties, no matter what brand you choose. I mistakenly picked up a Vanilla one and it was a bit...sour. Oops. ;) Next time, I'll be adding fruit or granola!


Friday, April 16, 2010

The name of the blog is kind of misleading...

...because I'm not a college freshman anymore! But I am in college, and I thought it fit.

Anyway.

Once upon a time (back during high school) I blogged. A LOT.

Over the past couple years, however, blogging has definitely fallen by the wayside. I'd like to start again, but this time with more of a focus: living a healthy lifestyle as a college student! It's hard - as most of us discovered our first year or so of college in the form of "the freshman 15". But it is entirely possible to eat right and stay in shape while studying for exams and having a social life, and I'm proof of that!!

My goal is to update once a week with workout tips/ideas and yummy, good-for-you snacks that you can find in any grocery store...because, let's face it, college students are poor! Haha. :p We can't always afford the really good organic stuff...or have the time to find it, for that matter. That's why, when I do food posts, it'll be concentrating on healthy (or at least healthier than what you're eating right now!) snacks that a busy student can just grab and go!

That's pretty much it for now. Here we go...