Sweet Substitutes

Over the last century, the intake of sugar for the average citizen has increased significantly. If you multiply that number by 10, you have the average sugar in take of the modern woman. As stresses in life rise, the cravings only seem to worsen, at least for me, I can not speak for the rest of you. And yes, it is okay to bake, but when you bake and eat half of the batch yourself, you are asking for a new pair of jeans, and not because they look cute.

Well, there are several "sugar substitutes" I have found in college that fulfill these cravings, and also keep my body in it's healthy state.

Dried Mangoes
I had never been a big mango fan as a child, but a good friend of mine let me try one of his dried mangoes while I was in high school. To my surprise, the dried mango's did not have the funny after taste of regular mangoes, and were a little sweeter. Besides the fact that they are not messy, the dried mangoes are a perfect sugary substitute.






Trader Joe's Power Berries
My mother brought these home one day, and to my surprise, they were filling and a little energy boost. What they are is chocolate covered blue berries. And I understand the chocolate sort of goes against the substitute rule, but the chocolate is dark, which is supposed to be good for us right?













Peanut Butter
I think it is disgusting usually when people eat straight out of the peanut butter container, but when class is starting in 15 minutes and you need a quick sugary fill, the peanut butter does the trick. One, it has good fat for your body. Two, it  is pretty sweet so it will hold anyone over for a while.









Chocolate covered raisins 

These are similar to the power berries, except even better. You know why!? because they come in milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and white chocolate! These travel easy, and are usually fresh if you get them at a large grocery store. (At least I think the bins they are sold in are fresh ;)) In any case, they are sweet as any sugary treat you could think of, and who doesn't want to eat raisins without having to actually taste them!?




Yogurt
I know you have seen them, you know, the yo plait commercials where people are talking about the yummy desert they are having, but it is actually yogurt. Well, I am not sure how I feel about eat yogurt that is supposed to taste like a red velvet cake,but strawberry banana amongst other flavors are great sugary substitutes.









Frozen or Dried Cranberries
I had not thought of this until I had a conversation with my roommate, who is in fact a boy, and told me he eats frozen cranberries to settle his cravings. It is like ice cream, minus the cream and the sugar, and all of the other things in it we can not pronounce.

Meditate to Mediate

Before i finally built up the courage to begin my own blog, I remember being very afraid and detached from myself for several reasons including: a relationship, an unhealthy upbringing, and the constant haunting of bad choices that seemed to be following me everywhere. Well, one good thing I have take from college is a Pandora account ( the free online radio station tuned just to your liking.) Aside from my Motown favorites, there was one station in particular I found that brought me back to a peaceful place.


The station Is called "Healthy Heart Meditations" and is lead by Deepak Chopra (a redound sociologist and a large part of the positive thinking enlightenment) along with other musicians who are inspired by serenity. Since most of us are in college, the techno and racy tracks we listen to can be overwhelming at times. Chopra say's we should mediate about 20 minutes a day. I found that literally taking the whole 20 minutes and tuning into this station made me feel at ease and powerful, which is important when you are a 20 year old hoping to save the world one media medium at a time.

None the less, this little time to myself gave me the courage to build a small website and it will help you do the same( whatever is on your to do list). So start meditating, and if a friend tries to make fun of you, just let them see what they are missing when you walk around with beaming light around you. Seriously, it works. And if all else fails, just Winc ;)

Jam Journal

Have you ever been in a Jam? No, not a Jam, but a state of mind where everything seems to have the word suck stamped across it? During this past summer, a few taggers in my childhood town took the liberty of painting the word SUCK across my windshield during a low point my life. Unfortunately, it is easy to get ourselves into unhealthy or unhappy situations, so learning how to climb out of them just as easily is essential.
Piers Morgan held an interview session with Oprah, where he spoke with her about all of the important things in life: love, money, happiness, and brought up a coping mechanism I forgot about .

When Oprah and Piers were on the topic of past relationships, Oprah opened up about a great way to make it through those difficult times at the present moment and laugh later. She mentioned how she began to keep journals at a young age as a means of self expression. In my opinion, this works better than a drunken text or being drunk period ( a new trend in the get over something department.)

Since a large majority of young adults in my generation have become comfortable with sharing feelings on the internet, while relying on feedback from whoever has the time to care, I propose taking the old fashioned route; Keep a journal life becomes overwhelming and difficult. Sometimes writing feelings down gives us all a better chance to evaluate the REAL issue we are facing. For example, are you lonely? feeling down? Your stream of consciousness will usually assist in answering these questions.


Next time you are in a Jam ( which is delicious so I feel guilty giving it a negative connotation), write in an old fashion journal, slow down, breathe, and keep living on the highroad. Maybe later in life, you can even have a fun burning session with your girlfriends.

P.S.
I mean burning the notebooks, not anything illegal. ;)

Finding Common Ground

The other day, me and my girlfriend took a trip to the mall just to get out for a few minutes. This particular friend is someone I have a lot of respect for; they work hard, challenge their own intellect, and avoid mingling in immature conversations that tend to bash others. Over the several months we had known one another, I had been, to say the least, clinically depressed. Nothing was seeming to make sense, and although there were small glimpses of light among the darkness, I was stuck at a scary place in life.

Well, when we were returning home she told me that she had been clinically depressed at a point in her life, and no one ever knew it (aside from close family I am sure.) Now, this is the kind of girl who manages to immerse herself in such a colorful and creative world, that picturing her depressed is impossible. But yes, she admitted she had been and in some ways I felt like she was sharing it to let me know it was going to be okay.

She mentioned during this time, although she was in school in participating in activities that brought her joy, something was still missing. Whomever she was speaking to about the issue advised her this: "Do one thing everyday that makes you happy." Ironically, I feel like most healthy people do this subconsciously and it keeps those who practice this in better spirits, but sometimes we fall out of routine and it is hard to get back in it. When I danced once a day, it seemed like work and/or class was always enjoyable, as I was always in high spirits.

Thankfully, there are people we come across in life who let us know that regardless of the situation, everything will be okay. This friend lead by example; she makes music, small films, and surrounds herself with all of the things in life which she enjoys. Considering I may have lost this joy at some point in adolescence, when insecurity overshadowed happiness, knowing such a beautiful person (inside and out) could be happy living a simple life filled with close friends, patience, and art, I can do the same. Next time you are speaking with someone close, listen deeply; they may share some common ground with you and keep you leveled in life.

"In a barren valley, beauty still exists"
-Alysha Webb

Waxing Woes

The majority of young women (and older for that matter) from the time we enter middle school, leg shaving is no longer a fascination, but a requirement. This goes for other parts of the body as well of course, and as we get older, the list only grows. When home for the holidays, my aunt was having the waxing conversation with my sister and I about which ones hurt the most and which areas we are less concerned with. The details of our conversation are unnecessary, but you get it. We just all want to be clean and shiny.

Ironically, when I returned from home, a couple of roommates were preparing to see boyfriends who have been away for a month or longer and wanted to go beyond a razor blade and shaving creme for once. I told them how I used to own a full on waxing kit from a beauty supply store and how convenient it was. Eyebrows could be done in 5 minutes, those little hairs on the tips of the knees would be non existent in seconds, and I could give close friends mini makeovers when their pockets were low. Unfortunately, during a big move, this wax I used happened to pour out of it's tub onto my belongings so I do not always recommended that particular investment. However, I have experimented with several other product I have found to be of good use and here they are.

Nair Shower Power

Honestly, armpit, leg, bikini, eyebrow, wherever you can fit this stuff, it works! There is a small sponge that comes with it and all you have to do is place the cream where you want it, let it sit for a few minutes, and sponge it off. It really is that simple and because it is a shower product, the infamous scent Nair products leave behind disappears.

Sally Hansen Hair removal Cream

This is a good product for the upper lip. The scent is strong, so this product is a little scarier to use, but if you follow the directions the upper lip can be left as smooth as a babies bottom for a long time. ( I know we do not all have hair on our upper lips, but some of us do and it is worth taking a few minutes to either bleach or remove)

Nair Microwave Wax

Again, after my spill, I do not recommended the hot wax to many people. However, I lived with some girlfriends last year that used this stuff and it was just as easy to clean as it was to use. If the wax goes anywhere you hadn't intended, it will come right off of the surface and you can put it back in the tub or throw it out ( usually the stuff on the edges is safe to reuse.) You do not need strips to take it off either, just peel off the dried wax in whatever area with your fingers (this is how it works!)

I do not believe in encouraging any women to be insecure, trust me! But I know there are certain things we are concerned with whether we want to be or not. Enjoy!

Making" Moves"

Moving is undoubtedly one of the most difficult and daunting tasks existing on the planet. We manage to accumulate so many "things" from our many experiences that sometimes taking them off of a wall and putting them in a box can be emtionally challenging.Luckily, good girlfriends and good laughter make this process far easier ( especially after gummy bears and rainbow sherbet ice cream, yes I really ate that.) Additionally, I have contracted small tips that I found useful, saving me time and money.

One, take a rag to your room even before your pack everything up. The dust your belongings accumulate is already bad, but it will only be that much worse if you don't give things a good wipe down first.


Two, go through your closet and get rid of that skirt you just had to have in case an occasion came along (but never did). I think I gave about three of those away and although I am just torn being separated from my black and turquoise bubble skirt, somehow, I think I'll might survive without it.



Third, utilize the space you have in a large object you own. Example; I folded all of my clean linens and placed them in my laundry basket. It stands up and takes room anyways, and now I do not have to make a million trips carrying my blankets and towels.

Fourth, go somewhere close to get boxes. I went to the tiniest student market, which supplies junk food for U of O kids year around, and asked if they had any extra boxes. Considering all of the goods they bring in, the owner was more then happy to give me boxes that were piling up behind he register. Now, I just made a box that would have gone to waste completely usable and not to mention they are sturdy! ( especially the one's that were used for the beer bottles)


Anyways, next time you are feeling overwhelmed about a move, just make a couple yourself and you will be ready to leave in no time!

Mascara Makeover

My make up bag has three different mascara's in it. Now, this is partly because my mother buys new one's on a regular bases, and partly because I am indecisive even about which little tube of eyelashes I like best. Well, after many years of experimenting with drug store brands as well as department store brands, I have decided which tubes do what for me and which I would suggest to my fellow young women so our "Winc's" will stand out.

First Culprit: Covergirl "lashexact"

This thin purple tube has fits easily in a clutch or small make-up bag, which is convenient. Opposed to some other brands, the wand is more firm and the mascara inside, more evenly distributed on the brush. When I put this one on, it lifts my eye lashes a lot, but doesn't make them stand out as well as some other mascaras. This is one for subtle volume.

Second Culprit: MAYBELLINE "theCOLOSSALVOLUM'express. 

This is the number one of my list of mascaras. Thick enough at the root to avoid having to use eyeliner, and a huge brush to get to even the tiniest of lashes. This one sticks true to it's promise of volume, while also avoiding the clumping lashes together issue.

Third Culprit:  MAYBELLINE "Grand Lash" mascara

I have a feeling that anyone reading this one, has used this pink and green tube and trusts that the brand will do them well. My  mother has used this her entire adult life and it was the first tube I used. This mascara, when brand new, does the complete job; it lifts, it separates, it doesn't clump, and it is inexpensive. However, I always feel like this one runs low quicker then the others, which is not tragic, but we want a mascara that will deliver to the last drop right? Right.

Fourth Culprit: LANCOME L extreme mascara (waterproff)

Although I am not a fan of department store mascaras, I decided to try this one last year and was pretty impressed. The brush for this tube is long, and made my appeared to add a few extra lashed ( which is always great.) This tube is also waterproof, which I good for a special night out. However, the waterproofing make it a little more difficult to take off. If you are one of those girls who is not a makeup fan, but likes to go all out when the occasion calls for it, this is a good pick. 

Foregoing Flaws

There is a new year upon us, which means many things including; new years resolutions, a mental "fresh start" for many, a time of forgiving, and a time of change. I made no resolutions this new year, because I have been in a phase of changing for several months now. Did I say months? I meant years. The only difference between my past changes and the current, I am now changing for myself and not everyone else.

For almost 7 years now, I have been changing various parts of myself to please my sister, my mother, a boy who is truly irrelevant in the grand scheme of things, and others who are simply intimidated by my vigorous attitude ( often mistaken for promiscuity or being "stuck up".) One year, my friends were all white, which obviously meant I wanted to be white ( really no, these were just my friends) so then I underwent a transformation to be a "black girl" (whatever that entails). After I did that, my mom and sister finally left me alone so I was okay. Next, was the boy issue. I was never willing to engage in sexual activity when I was young and I got pestered for it by a boy who later took the liberty of telling everyone I was a slut (I forgive him, but come on.) Then I leave for college, and I am actively participating in whatever interest me because this is what we are supposed to do when we are younger. However, the person I dated at the time decided that was "spreading myself thin" and I should cut down on my activity. (Come to find out, he just did not trust me, but did I stop trying all of the things that made me happy to sit around with him for comfort? Of course.) I even had a boyfriend tell me he liked my hair better straight, which is insulting because my hair in naturally curly and I love it that way.

Currently, I am at my mothers, with a suitcase full few items I need, trying to figure out where I am going next in my life. Before I make this decision though, I have to make one more. I need to learn to look over all of the "flaws" people have managed to convince me are apart of my spirit and live my life as the person I want to be. Although everyone seems to have an opinion about me or what I am doing, are any of them there while I am sitting all alone because I let everything pass me by? No. They are at the mall, out with their friends or teammates, or out on a date.

The moral of the sob story is: Look over the flaws everyone else likes to point out about you. Sometimes an aggressive or positive attitude intimidates others and as we well know; misery LOVES company. Today I will stop being miserable, because all of those things I did so wrong, made me feel so right. I encourage any other girl my age to do the same. You are the only person who ultimately exists in your universe. Incase no one has ever told you, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL JUST THE WAY YOU ARE. Insecurities of your own often appear in the form of another person, and when that happens, you just have to put up your hand, politely ask them to move, and stay on your jolly road. If you pass them again at some point, just Winc ;)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2gy1Evb1Kg&feature=player_detailpage