Health and Fitness

Our girl Elle said it best

A Food Journal:

It may seem like a far fetched idea, or something that will take up way to much time, but it's not! I just went to Target and picked up a really cute small journal. Inside on each page I have written the date, calories, carbs, protein, fat, and sugar at the top. Now here's the hardest part: write down everything you eat. Everything. This isn't to say you need to have X amount of calorie intake a day, it's just to keep you aware of what you're putting into your body. The first day I did this I nearly cried at the end of the day. I was eating and drinking so much I swear I could have fed an army.

Measure Your Food:

I know it doesn't sound like fun, but it really will help. Serving sizes tend to be a lot smaller than the actual amount we eat and that's a problem. If you measure your food, not only will it be easier to log, but it will also continue to keep you aware of what, and how much is really being consumed.

Don't Be Cardio-Exclusive:

I am so tired of seeing girls in the gym spending hours upon hours on cardio machines. Yes, cardio is great for you and you should do at least 30 minutes a few times a week, but cardio alone is not going to make you lose dress sizes quickly. Think about adding in two to three strength training sessions a week. It's a proven fact that you will lose inches faster through strength training than cardio alone. This is because strength training promotes muscle growth and muscle burns more calories than fat. So, grab some dumbbells and get to stepping!

Don't Over Exert Yourself:

The biggest concern when starting a new weight loss program is going too hard, too fast. I remember when I first started running cross country in high school, my first day I tried to keep up with my friends. Those friends had been running for years and did races on the regular, none the less. My advice is to slow your roll at first. You only have to focus on yourself and what your body can handle. If that means starting from the bottom, so what?! You have to start somewhere and, lets be real, at least you're doing something. 

Also, don't forget to stretch. Not only is it important to keep your muscles flexible so they can recuperate faster, it will also give you a leg up in yoga and other trendy exercise routines.

Be Realistic:

If you're trying to lose weight you need to remember that you didn't gain that weight in a day, so you won't loose it in a day either. Give your body time to adjust to the changes you're making and keep in mind that you are perfect the way you are. Love yourself. If you do it will be easier to do this for yourself. The realistic weight loss is 1-2 pounds a week. Remember that. The same goes for if you're just trying to be healthier. Any result takes time, so be patient and keep pushing.

Now go eat a celery stick!

XOXO

-Ashely Wewers 

South for the Winter

It's getting colder, which means several things: hot chocolate, pretty scarves, snowmen, and winter balls. But what else does it mean? It means birds flying south for the winter and leaves falling off of trees and all the bugs have gone into hiding (yes!!). But there's one last thing you're forgetting. You know what it is.

All right. I'll give you a hint: Squirrels.

That may sound bizarre to you, but it actually has a lot to do with this week's Snack How-To. What am I making, you may ask.

Acorns.

I was stalking Pinterest (not unusual) when I stumbled upon a picture of these little acorn bites and I knew I had to try them out! A couple of my sisters and I made them in my kitchen as an experiment, so this recipe is based on what we did, as I couldn't find a precise one on the internet. As a warning, this recipe involves the use of peanut butter crackers, though alternatives have been used. For the sake of authenticity, I will still be using peanut butter crackers in the recipe.

South for the Winter: The squirrels are doing it, and so can you!

Prep Time: 30-45 minutes

Cook Time: None

Ingredients Include:*
Nutter Butter Sandwich Cookie Bites
Hershey's Kisses
Chocolate Chips
Chocolate Icing

*Note: How much of each ingredient you need depends solely upon how many people you're making for. For the purpose of this recipe, I will direct you in making ten of them.

Directions:
1. Take out five (5) Nutter Butter Sandwich Cookie Bites
2. Separate the two halves so that you have ten (10) cookies

3. Unwrap ten (10) Hershey's kisses

4. Spread chocolate icing over the flat bottom of the chocolate kiss and the peanut butter side of the cookie

5. Stick them together and wait for it to harden*

6. After the icing has hardened, take out ten (10) chocolate chips

7. Spread icing over the flat bottoms and stick them to the top of the "acorn"

*Note: Be sure to place them standing up so that the icing may harden and they don't slip.

Once you're done and they've sat out for a while, your little cuties should look something like this:

Those squirrels are gonna be so jealous, man.

These little guys go fast and they're a perfect bite-sized snack for any fall or winter occasion! They're also pretty easy to store and even easier to make! You can squirrel them away in any part of your dorm or set out a bowl of them for everyone to enjoy. And, if you want to make something quick for the multiple Friendsgivings that you will, no doubt, be attending, or even for your own family Thanksgiving, these are the perfect option!

So when you decide to disappear into your room during finals week, or just to escape the cold, be sure to have these with you to keep you company. No hibernation is complete without them.

Everyone have a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving!