Archive for the ‘onBeauty’ Category

Staying Awake Without Caffeine

Friday, June 29th, 2012

When I was in high school I used to drink a triple shot espresso every morning with at least 5 tablespoons of sugar. That would hold me over in a caffeine and sugar induced high of jitters and wide eyed intensity until lunch time when I’d have a caffeinated cola or another cup of coffee. By the time I got home I’d have a cappuccino until that wore off and I fell asleep and woke up; repeating the cycle. I was a full fledged caffeine addict. When I got to college on the days where my 9:00 AM cross campus class got in the way of my beauty rest, I’d do the same thing. I’d eventually crash around 5:00 PM, falling asleep, and waking up at midnight completely refreshed, because that’s practical and what normal people do. Since then my sleeping habits have only gotten worse and unfortunately I seem to be the most alert and awake when everyone else is asleep. I find this to be a problem common among my friends. Between now and graduation I won’t have anything that resembles a normal sleeping pattern, and if I do it’s only for a few days before I’m up till sunrise watching an America’s Next Top Model marathon and hating myself.

James Franco asleep in class, he's just like the rest of us!

While caffeine has helped me, as fate would have it, caffeine also makes me incredibly ill. Anything in the line of dairy, caffeine, energy drinks or red meat will incapacitate me for a few hours. I try to avoid them as much as I can, and only give in when no other options present themselves. My sporadic and unreliable sleep schedule means that I’ll often get cravings for caffeine and it takes everything in me to not run into a Starbucks and order a grande black coffee with an espresso shot, especially on days when I haven’t slept much. I used to suffer through the caffeine cramps and stomach aches, believing that I was choosing the lesser of two evils.

Molecular structure of B12

It wasn’t until I was complaining to my cousin about my dietary woes that I finally found a fix. His advice was to simply take vitamin B12 every morning with my breakfast and I’d stay awake and alert for the entire day. I took his word for it; he manages to wake up every morning at 6:00 AM for a jog, no matter what he did the night before. I stared down the light pink pill, hoping for the best. As the day carried on I felt awake, but without the on edge tenseness and stomach pain that caffeine gave me. I felt calm and naturally awake, like I would feel after a full night’s sleep.

The body cannot naturally produce B vitamins, so we get them usually from the milk or meat of animals who can, making B12 deficiency a problem amongst vegans. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause permanent damage to nervous tissue and can present itself as anemia, lethargy, and depression. Foods richest in B12 include liver, cheese, beef, and whole milk- foods that I consciously avoid. B12 promotes metabolism and helps the body extract energy from proteins and fats.  B12 works with melatonin levels in the body to keep you awake in the day and get you to sleep at night, so after a few days taking the vitamin you should notice an improvement in your sleeping schedule.

Catherine, Hudson County Community College, Read my blog and follow me on Twitter

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A Short History of Chocolate

Wednesday, June 13th, 2012

Chocolate: it’s sweet, it’s brown, it’s everywhere and in almost everything- chocolate covered bacon anyone? But what we’ve come to known today as a staple of the confectionery shop has its roots in much more bitter and slightly bloody beginnings.

Chocolate comes from the cacao seeds which grow directly on the trunk of the cacao tree, native to tropical regions of Latin America. Chocolate has it’s root in the Aztec word “xocoatl,” meaning bitter water, it is the name given to the very bitter drink brewed from cacao seeds. The drink was bitter and spicy, a sharp contrast to the milky and sweet chocolate we consume today. The Latin name for the cacao tree, Theobroma cacao, means food of the gods. Mayans believed the cacao tree was discovered by the gods and given to humans. Aztecs believed Quetzacoatal discovered cacao in a mountain with other plant foods. Aztec Emperor Montezuma is alleged to have consumed 50 cups of xocoatl a day. Both Mayans and Aztecs considered cacao drink divine and used it for sacred rituals of birth, marriage, and death.  Cacao was only drunk by men and considered toxic to women and children (Theobromines in chocolate indeed make it toxic to animals). Aztec sacrifice victims were given a gourd of cacao, with a splash of the blood of previous victims, to cheer up victims who were too depressed to participate in the customary ritual dance before death (I find this only slightly comparable to my 4AM tear stained Lady Godiva indulgences as I weep silently about the one who got away). This makes sense considering that chocolate has been found to affect serotonin levels in the brain. Alcohol fermented from the pulp of the cacao tree was consumed as early as 1400 BCE. So valued was cacao, that seeds from the tree were used as currency in Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican civilizations, and in the America Revolutionary war it was used as part of soldier rations.

When Spanish invaders landed in Latin America, cacao was one of the drinks served to conquistadors. The Spanish hated the brew, calling it a “bitter drink for pigs,” and it only became popular in Spain when sugar cane or honey was added. Thus began what we have come to know as chocolate. The cacao seeds were dried, roasted, shelled, ground, and then liquefied to make chocolate liqueur (it contains no actual alcohol). In 1828 a Dutch chemist made powdered chocolate by removing the fat from chocolate liqueur, producing cocoa butter, and treating the nonfat mixture with alkaline salts to alleviate the bitter taste, and was later known as “Dutch” chocolate. Previously, chocolate was considered a drink rather than a solid food. The first chocolate bar was sold by Fry’s chocolate factory located in Bristol England in 1847. Later, Cadbury and Nestle pioneered milk chocolate into what we know today.

While milk chocolate is high in fats and sugars, dark chocolate has been proven to have medicinal benefits. Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants that benefit the body.  According to an article in the Journal of American Medical Association, polyphenol rich dark chocolate was shown to improve blood pressure in those with mild high blood pressure. However the milk in white and milk chocolate may interfere with the body’s absorption of antioxidants. When it comes to health, the darker the chocolate the better. However, this isn’t an open invitation to gorge on Hershey’s Extra Dark. The benefits come with a significant caloric price. As with most things, all is well in moderation.

 

Whether you’re treating yourself after a long day, getting a gift for someone, or trying to cheer yourself up before ritual sacrifice, chocolate is the way to go.

 

Pick up some hot chocolate or coffee at The Bean.

Catherine, Hudson County Community College, Read my blog and follow me on Twitter

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Sofrito: Add Flavor to Your Food

Friday, June 1st, 2012

On the shelves of refrigerators in Latino homes lies a glass jar, filled with an aromatic sometimes green, sometimes brown, sometimes dark orange-red, but always packed with highly concentrated flavor mix- softiro. Sofrito is a seasoning sauce blend of peppers, garlic, onions, tomatoes, cilantro, salt, and other herbs and spices. Quantity of ingredients varies from recipe to recipe. Instead of using salt and separate seasonings, many foods from Latin America are flavored with sofrito alone. Sofrito is great for soups, steaks, chicken, eggs, or any dish you want to enhance with robust Latin flavor. Because it’s so densely concentrated with flavor, after making a jar, sometimes all you’ll need is a dash of sofrito to season a dish. Sofrito exists in Mediterranean, Portuguese, Filipino, and Caribbean cuisine as well.

Homemade sofrito usually doesn’t use exact measurements, as most culinary escapades in la cocina, ingredients are eye-balled and taste tested rather than carefully measured and trusted. Due to the variety in preparation and ingredients that differ sometimes from person to person, there are probably millions of unique sofrito recipes in the world. As well as being made from scratch, sofrito can be store bought for the lazy and kitchen clumsy. A popular store brought variety is Goya’s sofrito; however it’s also filled with preservatives and lacks fresh ingredients. Sofrito is incredibly easy to make, but if you’re still wary about making it at home and don’t want Goya’s preservative sofrito, try Chulita’s Famous Sofrito. Chulita’s Famous uses fresh all natural ingredients and comes in Sofrito Verde or Sofrito Con Spices variety. They can be purchased in gourmet grocery stores in New York City. For a full list: click here.

Now if you really want to get hands on with sofrito, here’s a simple recipe straight from my kitchen to yours:

Ingredients:

  • 3 Green peppers
  • 2 Red peppers
  • 2 Garden fresh tomatoes
  • 2 onions
  • 1 head of garlic
  • 1 bunch of cilantro

Peel and chop all the ingredients and mix them in a blender or food processor. The consistency should be somewhat smooth: not liquefied and not too chunky. Add sea salt, parika, and cumin to taste. Store in the refrigerator in a glass jar.

After you’ve made your sofrito, grab some tacos from Pinché Taqueria and add some sofrito to them for an even more delicious meal.

 

Catherine, Hudson County Community College, Read my blog

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Mother Grain: A Brief Intro to Quinoa

Thursday, May 31st, 2012
Quinoa and pine nuts, garlic, and raisins

Quinoa, pine nuts, and raisins

recipe available here

The new health food fad that’s taking the world by storm, quinoa, is a super grain grown primarily in Bolivia. Quinoa contains all eight amino acids essential for development of tissue, is gluten free, and packs more protein than any other grain. While researching foods beneficial to astronauts, NASA found quinoa unrivaled in its nutritional benefits. Grown by the Incas in South America, it was known as “mother grain,” and was used to feed Incan armies. Quinoa has been for many years a staple of the Bolivian diet, however in recent years it has been introduced to American and European markets.

Quinoa is prepared similarly to rice and takes only about 15 minutes to cook. It’s an excellent replacement for rice, bread, or couscous. It has a nutty flavor that works as a perfect side dish and delicious on its own. Quinoa is well suited for vegans, vegetarians, or anyone looking for foods that pack a nutritional punch. Additionally, quinoa flour can be used in baking as a gluten and wheat free alternative. For breakfast I like combining cooked quinoa, a dash of maple syrup, a bit of almond milk and fresh berries for a healthy and filling breakfast that holds me over well into lunch time.

quinoa plant

However despite all of its nutritional value, quinoa’s growing popularity has had negative effects on Bolivians. The export to America, Europe, and now Australia has resulted in higher prices of quinoa in Bolivia, making the growers of quinoa rich in the process. Those native to Bolivia can no longer afford the super food and are looking to cheaper processed grains that are lower in nutritional value leading to fear of malnutrition in an area that has long been affected by it. Additionally it’s view as a third rate rural food by centuries of agricultural imperialism by Spanish invaders has discouraged its local consumption.

 

Quinoa is a great food for experienced and novice cooks alike looking to add something new to their pantries. Because it’s so easy to make, it’s perfect for exploring new recipes. Pick up some recipes for a culinary quinoa adventure at May Wah Vegetarian Market and enjoy 10% off with student ID and this coupon courtesy of The Campus Clipper.

Catherine, Hudson County Community College, Read my blog

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Want to relieve some stress? Try rock climbing! Really.

Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012

The end of the school year is approaching.  Many of us are anticipating those late evenings writing final essays, studying for finals, or finishing projects.  This is the time where stress levels sky-rocket; and while some of us utilize the adrenaline to his or her benefit, some of us (myself included) buckle underneath the pressure.

Over the years, I’ve tried various ways to relieve stress, whether that be binge eating (sweets in particular) or procrastinating; yet, I’ve come to realize the best way to relieve stress is to exercise.

The Rock Wall at Crunch Fitness on 59th Street

My friend MacKenzie introduced me to rock climbing a couple of years ago.  She is an avid rock-climber and recently just scored free rock climbing shoes off of craiglist’s Free Column.  I was putting it off for a while, thinking that I didn’t have time to go – but little did I know how productive I was after exercising! even if only for an hour.

Just recently, I went rock climbing for the first time with the Cooper Union Rock Climbing Club; it was wonderful.  I highly recommend checking out if your school has a Rock Climbing Club; usually the admission is free, if not discounted.

There’s nothing quite like reaching the top of the wall after using all of your physical strength left.  Like many exercises, rock climbing synchronizes mental endurance and physical endurance.  My favorite part about indoor rock climbing is releasing your grip at the top of the wall, falling back, and trusting that the belay will catch your weight.

With this coupon, you can save a few dollars on your summer membership to Crunch Fitness on 59th street; this Crunch, in particular, has a rock climbing wall.   I also recommend checking out Brooklyn Boulders in Clinton Hill.  Brooklyn Boulders has a variety of walls, levels of difficulty, a slack line, and endless belays.  Be sure to go with a friend for foot and hand placing tips.  Remember, the key is strategy!

 

Katheryn, The Cooper Union Check out my blog!

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Spring is Abloom with Sunshine

Thursday, March 22nd, 2012

Spring is here!

The First Day of Spring, Tuesday, March 20th, was welcomed with a huge helping of sunshine and fresh air.  Spring kicked off earlier this year than in the past, meaning a brighter, warmer time for everyone this season.  I left for work this morning in a long sleeve floral print tee, tossing on a dark gray hoodie just in case, and was pleasantly surprised by the sudden shift in temperature in just a mere two days.  The weather dares me to slip into a pair of strappy sandals and rock the cat-eye sunglasses like a boss, a challenge I gracefully accept with the coming months of clear skies and occasional breezes.  I prepare to retire my favorite leather boots in favor of Rainbow flip flops, sandals that pile up in front of every Southern Californian’s door mat.

Quintessential Southern Californian

Biking around Central Park.  Watching the sun set over the East River.  Eating a not-quite-yet-defrosted ice cream sandwich in front of the Bethesda Fountain.  These are all the things I’ve done since winter has slyly slithered away with its tail tucked between its legs.  With the exception of the $4 ice cream brick, the newfound sun is promising.  The liberation from wooly socks is refreshing, as are the crisp breezes that send a chill through my fat stubby toes.  My sandals harbor no bitterness while they’ve been in storage for the winter months; in fact, I swear they hugged me when I took them out for a brisk walk to the market.  As confident as I felt, no pair of sandals is complete without a clean set of digits.

Vada Spa has got you covered with a full array of beauty services.  For beach babies looking to hit the waves, you can get a Brazilian or full leg wax special for just $18.  To top it off, get your toesies in shape with a pedicure for $18 as well; don’t forget that a hot shade of nail polish goes a long way on your toes!  These student savings are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays with your student ID.  Take advantage of the quickly-rising Spring heat with Campus Clipper student discounts today!

Go get your beauty on, girlfriend (or gentlemen.  Hey, even guys need a spa day)!

Angeline Dinh, Pepperdine University

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Bareburger

Wednesday, March 21st, 2012

New York might well be one of the best places in the world for food. The City has been the gateway to the USA for over a century with over a third of all Americans able to trace their ancestry through Ellis Island, and with such an astonishing mix of races and peoples from all over the world, diversity is the watchword in NYC. It’s no surprise that all these peoples kept their local cuisines going – many of them have managed to keep whole languages going!

With so much choice in food in New York, it can be hard keeping track of it all. You would certainly be forgiven for thinking that Pizza was devised here, the way it has taken hold… But the only, really, truly American food, has to be the humble hamburger, which like so much of US culture, seems to have gone on to dominate the World! Like all food that has found its way to New York, it seems to be popular, and there are now so many interesting hamburger restaurants and joints, and variations on the concept it can be impressive, if not rather overwhelming.

I had the pleasure recently to try one of the newest and more rapidly developing restaurants selling their own version of this timeless classic, Bareburger. After an initial start in Brooklyn, this small but rather excellent little chain is now franchising across the city. I had the pleasure of trying it at 85 2nd Ave along with my better half; Bottom Line Up Front: Tasty burger. Do you need to know more?

The restaurant itself is on a fairly quiet corner, a few blocks down from St Marks. It is a really bright space, decorated with a slight, modern twist on classic rural Americana – though the fork chandelier made me feel slightly wary! The service was quick, pleasant and very knowledgeable. The hamburgers themselves are close to a design-your-own set up, where you can specify the meat and the bun with selections including Beef, Turkey, Elk, Boar, Portabella Mushroom, Brioche Bun, Lettuce Wrap, Wheat Flour Wrap or a Multi-Grain Roll. Wanting to get the best comparison, I took a classic beef/roll combo, but I’ll have to return to try the Elk now…

A Classic American Feast!

Aside from the content, there is also the style to consider, with a further fourteen menu choices for your burger. I took the ‘Supreme’, while my date went for the Maple Bacon Cheeseburger. We were not disappointed at all. The presentation was really excellent and both burgers were juicy, tasty and different enough that we could be certain Bareburger has its own signature and style. The food came in the classic basket, with a simple bu t very effective selection of sides – we took the onion rings and fries. Even the beverages were organic, and my blueberry soda went really well with the whole meal, that unusual, organic edge of a healthy drink (without being so-called ‘health food’) perfectly complimenting the natural food.

Food Goes in Here

You do not get hamburgers in the UK like you do in New York, and I love them. I have a running list in my head of the top 5 places, but it just doesn’t seem like enough (or even reasonable to try and rank them!), and now I have another one to juggle in there. Bareburger has nine (soon to be ten) outlets across the City. If you like your hamburgers, if you like to support good organic food, and particularly if both, you need to check them out. We have a student discount coupon for you right here!

Dan
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Perfect Poise and Parade Ground Posture

Wednesday, March 7th, 2012

One of the big changes for me now I’m a student, is the lack of deliberate spaces and times in the day for exercise. I no longer have the benefit of exercise being considered a productive part of my day, and no one demanding I participate. I guess that’s not so different, coming from the Army or from High School – both institutions value fitness and make time for it; once you’re outside those organisations, it becomes entirely a matter for the individual.

Not only that, but College can be pretty bad for you anyway. Working, hunched over in Coffee shops, or lounge spaces with others, even in the library you don’t always get to sit in the best spaces, or the best ways. You may not feel it in your very early twenties, but I can promise you it is startling how soon back pain can inject itself into your life! Sitting badly at a computer for extended periods  is a well known evil, but like most things that are bad for us, yet not immediately painful or unpleasant, we just do it anyway. By the time you feel the pain, it’s already getting pretty far along. Even if you do abide by good posture, even take breaks every hour and follow all the good advice that’s out there, it’s still not a natural thing to be sitting at desks, working on computers, the way we all do.

Is Bigger really Better???

As someone who is always interested in new forms of exercise I was pretty keen to give Pilates a go. Sure, it’s not exactly what you think of when you think of military style fitness, but I’ve seen some pretty tough guys almost break down in a hard aerobics class, and the purely fittest people I’ve met have sworn by spinning and other less than macho forms of exercise, so I always keep an open mind; if it’s tough for you to do, it’s good exercise.

Better Exercise

Power Pilates may have the ring of Hollywood fad to it, but the form has been around a long while, and you only have to consider the physiques of most Hollywood stars to realize there may yet be something in it.  For me, the real benefits lie in the combination of stretching with resistance that really pushes your muscles to their limits, whilst keeping everything in a natural range of motion. This means that whilst you might get pretty exhausted, you should never be straining yourself, or doing damage. It also means that it works really well in strengthening those muscles that are hard to reach independently, like the ones holding your spine in place! Getting at these stabilizers is always valuable, and any exercise that can effectively target them is going to be more valuable than you realize.

Dan
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When was your last visit to the dentist?

Saturday, March 3rd, 2012

Do you have a dentist phobia?  Or are you just relaxed about having the routine 6 mouth check-up and cleaning?  It is a rather intimate situation; you feel exposed by giving someone the authority and privilege to poke around and examine your mouth.  For me the worst part is the unbiased suggestions on proper hygiene that feels more like a scolding.  But the thing about fears is that you have to face them.

I was long overdue for a cleaning and went to see Dr. Maritza Villamar Lozano.  Her office was warm and her staff was very friendly.  I felt calm and relaxed from the moment I walked into her office.  There was no wait and I was having X-Ray’s taken soon after I arrived.  Dr. Lozano was very compassionate and amicable.  She was also extremely meticulous, and professional, and took great care in answering my questions.  With up to date technology, she was able to take pictures and videos of my teeth and went over in detail, all of her concerns.

The cleaning process was quick and painless.  The hygienist took care great in being gentle and gave me advice on maintaining the hygiene of my teeth and gums.  My overall experience helped to alleviate my fear of the dentists and I feel much better knowing that I took a big step towards taking care of my teeth.  I feel more in control of not just my dental hygiene but also my life.

Rona, Columbia University, School of General Studies

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Looking good for open mic

Thursday, March 1st, 2012

Everyone I know agrees with me when I say that when you look good, you feel good. Looking good and feeling good exudes confidence and makes you a more attractive person. Not in a shallow sense, but it’s true that someone seems more attractive when they’re confident. The biggest task is finding a place that’ll make you look good but also gives you a NYC student discount.

Where your new hairstyle begins...

Confidence is key when it comes to stand up comedy. If you go up there sweating, shaking, and visibly lacking confidence then no one laughs, because they feel uncomfortable. It’s unbearable watching someone on stage, twisting in the wind, and everyone just wants it to end.

I’ve grown in my confidence doing stand up, and feel more and more relaxed with each open mic I do. One of my tricks, from the very beginning, is making sure that I look presentable. Dress for success. Fake it till you make it. Whatever you want to call it– putting yourself together nicely not only shows the crowd that you prepared in advance, but it also makes you feel a bit like a star– stylish clothes and well-groomed hair.

Get a great looking hairstyle!

People remember your hairstyle. Trust me, I have big curly, blonde hair that stands out before I do. Think of that feeling right after you get a haircut– you feel renewed and confident. Getting a new hairstyle can completely supercharge your confidence and make you look and feel like a million bucks! You can look like a million bucks without spending a million bucks by going to a hair salon that offers NYC student discounts. If you want to look like a star without breaking your bank, WS Hairstyling by NYU has a lot of student discounts. The hairdressers are the best and are really nice!

 

Paul, Auburn University 2012

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