Welcome Back, Tiana Blue: A Returning CL Intern

Name: Tiana Blue

School: Penn State proud!

Major: Communications, with a print journalism focus. I will be minoring in Women’s Studies.

Year in studies: I’m a Sophomore, but the time is just flying by.

I have been a College Lifestyles intern since: August 2011 and its been four of the most dynamic months of my life.

Organizational Involvement: I am the Letter Writing captain for Altoona Benefiting THON and the Marketing Manager/Publicity chair for Penn State Altoona’s Red Cross Club.

Pets: Sadly, I’ve never had any.

My friends would say I am: Tall (go figure), optimistic, determined, and easy to talk to!

Astrological sign: A notoriously intense Scorpio.

My personal style is: This is always a tough question for me to answer. I’m going to go with “effortless” because I let my minds eye pick out my clothes. I gravitate toward items that immediately pop into my head and simply hope that it goes together (and it usually does!)

Favorite clothing stores: Any types of vintage or thrift stores and Urban Outfitters, which I have loved since I was in junior high school!

Favorite movie: Kill Bill Vol. 1 by Quentin Tarantino.

Favorite book/author: My favorite book is “Trust Your Vibes” by Sonia Choquette. It taught me an incredible amount of things concerning myself and the world at large. I would suggest everyone read this book. My favorite author is Mitch Albom; he’s one of the few authors that makes me enjoy reading fiction.

Favorite quote: ”Insecurity rents every room it walks into, confidence owns them.”

My screensaver is: Having to answer this question made me realize that I didn’t have one! Now, I’ve got some pretty cool bubbles floating across my screen.

On my iPod you will find: Well, technically nothing–I had to delete all of my music due to a virus! But once I start building up my iPod to what it was before, it would have a ton of Amy Winehouse, Phantogram, Old School Hip Hop, and more abstract sounds like D.I.M and Flying Lotus.

Must-have beauty product: “Ultimate Herbal Oil” by Africa’s Best. If your hair is on the drier side (whether that’s naturally or due to what you put your hair through on a daily basis), this product is chock full of natural oils and extracts such as Soybean and Sage–and it’s under $10 at Walmart!

I have a slight obsession with: My planner. I take it with me everywhere. I was once told that my planner makes it obvious that I’m an artist because of all of the colors and designs you can find on every page. It’s also bright pink and sports a College Lifestyles sticker on the front–best combo.

I dislike: Intolerant, forceful, and unmotivated people.

Last movie I watched: 300 by Zack Snyder.

Last book I read: “Trust Your Vibes” by Sonia Choquette.

My definition of a classy co-ed: A woman that knows who she is each and every day. She lives without too rigid of a plan, allowing life to take its course. She’s confident, but isn’t afraid to ask for help. She’s determined, but knows how to enjoy life. She’s driven toward short and long term goals and strives to be great at what she’s best at–I am a classy co-ed!

Why I am excited about being an intern with College Lifestyles: College Lifestyles has taught me so much in these past couple of months even outside of my writing duties. I’ve never known more about PR in my life! I’m ecstatic to see where CL goes from here–we’re aiming beyond the stars.

Tiana Blue is a Senior Writer for College Lifestyles™. This fourth semester sophomore at Penn State is a print journalism major with a penchant for food, stilettos, and the city that never sleeps.

Ten Tasty Ways to Eat Peanut Butter!

Not only does peanut butter pack a healthy punch of protein and vitamin A, D, and E, but it’s also affordable, too! Typically costing no more than $4, it’s a complimentary snack item that’s loaded with fiber to keep you full. It also works well on its own and with a variety of other things that you can chow down on. Need more reasons to keep a jar of peanut butter on your kitchen shelf? CL’s providing you with ten ways to mix and dip your Jif with tons of tasty foods.

1. By Itself

Peanut butter has a great enough taste to be enjoyed by the spoonful. The folate and magnesium found in every bit of this delectable treat helps lower your risks of heart disease, said bodybuilding.com.

One peanut butter downfall is the trace of polyunsaturated fats.

“To minimize your intake of even this small amount of unhealthful fat, you can buy all-natural peanut butter. If you dislike the way the oil in this type of peanut butter separates to the top of the jar, simply store the jar upside down,” said bodybuilding.com.

2. Mix It In Your Salad Dressing

A few issues back, Cosmo offered a clever tip for turning the little bits left in your peanut butter jar into ingredients for a salad dressing.

“Instead of tossing it, just add some oil, vinegar, and ginger, and shake for an absolutely addictive Asian-inspired salad dressing,” suggested Cosmo. What a fun way to turn the tables on your dressing!

3. Smear It On Your Bagel

Back away from the fattier butter or cream cheese options and pick up a small package of peanut butter. It should be located right near either of those condiments in your dining hall.

“You’ll feel fuller for longer if you have half a whole wheat bagel with peanut butter,” said bodybuilding.com.

4. Smother It Onto A Croissant

A warm, freshly baked croissant is delicious enough as it is, but adding a thin layer of peanut butter into the mix will make your croissant ten times as flavorful! If you’re a dorm-dweller and want to try this snack, stop by your local grocery store and buy an already-baked croissant. If you live off-campus and have an oven in your house or apartment, buy a brand of crescent rolls, pop them in the oven, and patiently wait for your croissants to bake!

5. Dip Your Pretzels In It

A local convenience store or supermarket should have a bag of pretzel and peanut butter sandwiches in stock like this one by Snyder of Hanover. If not, simply buy a bag of pretzels of any brand, a jar of peanut butter, and dip! If you love healthy whole grain snacks, try a barrel of Utz’s multi-grain pretzels.

6. Dip Your Celery In It

Celery tastes great with bleu cheese, ranch dressing, and peanut butter!

“Peanut butter also has a lot of protein and iron … And the vitamin C in celery will help you absorb iron in the peanut butter,” said livestrong.com.

This is one of the easiest snacks in this list to make. Just buy a few stalks from your local grocery, put some peanut butter onto a plate or in a bowl, and get carried away.

7. Apple Slice Accessory

Whether you’re a fan of green apples or red ones, satiate your hunger by smearing peanut butter onto apple slices.

“Apples and peanut butter are a common combination, but their main nutritional advantage as a snack arises from the fruit and protein mixture that they form,” said ehow.com.

8. Topping For Crackers

This is a fabulous everyday-snack and is also a road trip essential! If you’re trying to save space in a cramped car, it’s likely that the passengers will be satisfied with this combination. Crackers and peanut butter are so easy to pack along for long distance trips.

9. Bake Cookies

Cookies are lovely, but peanut butter cookies are even better. If you have an oven readily accessible, buy the following ingredients from Walmart or where ever you shop for groceries:

• Peanut butter
• Sugar
• Packed brown sugar
• Butter
• Eggs
• Flour
• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Salt

See peanut butter cookies recipe on simplyrecipes.com for more details and baking directions!

10. Make A Peanut Butter Sandwich, Of Course

Letting go of your childhood doesn’t mean you have to let go of those childhood snacks! Peanut butter sandwiches are the most conventional way to eat peanut butter. If plain peanut butter sandwiches aren’t what you like, grab some jelly or jam to make the sandwich sweeter.

CLassy ladies, feel free to stock up on jars of this healthy stuff–now. And read Meaghan’s article for more healthy snack recipes, including peanut butter and banana roll-ups! Stay happy and healthy, CL readers!

Tiana Blue is an intern for College Lifestyles™ and is a print journalism major at Penn State. This sophomore is an avid blogger that loves to write, draw, roam the streets of Manhattan, and channel her inner chef by watching Food Network re-runs.

CL’s Guide to Healthy Eating at the Movies!

With summer blockbusters like Harry Potter 7 part 2 just around the corner, many classy co-eds will be crowding the movie theaters this summer. (Check out CL’s Top 5 Summer Must Sees!) Every good movie needs some tasty snacks to complete the experience! But before you reach for the jumbo bowl of popcorn and large coke, read on to find out some healthier options to satisfy those movie-watching cravings!

1. Popcorn!
I love munching on some popcorn while watching a great movie. At the movie theater, it’s practically a rule to get some. Luckily popcorn’s considered to be a healthy snack if you eat it in the right sized portion. One way to do this would be to order a small popcorn and share it with a friend. You’ll end up eating less than you probably would. If none of your friends are takers, then try bringing some plastic snack bags to put the popcorn into–an easy way to portion out the popcorn. Also, when they ask if you want butter on the popcorn, (be strong!) say no. The popcorn will be a healthier snack without the added butter.

2. Drinks!
Movie theaters are prime places to fall into the soda craving trap. If you’re craving something sugary try ice-tea instead of the soda. However, for a few cents more, opt for the bottled water! Water is always the best option for drinking. No calories, No sugar, No worry!

3. Candy!
The candy at movie theaters is usually filled with sugar and unwanted calories. However, how can you say no to all that delicious candy? My suggestion if you want to stay healthy would be to pick either candy or popcorn and not both. Also another suggestion would be to pick a candy that’s chewy like Gummi Bears, Twizzlers, or Sour Patch Kids. Since these candies have you chewing, you’ll be eating more slowly. Eating slower will help you get full quicker because your brain will have time to register that your stomach is full. Check out the list of calories on all the movie theatre snacks here if you’re interested.

4. Bring Your Own!
A great way to stay healthy and quench those snack cravings would be to bring your own healthy snacks. Craving something crunchy? Try carrots or celery with dip. Not feeling vegetables? Try dry cereal for satisfying your crunchy craving or even your sugar cravings. Want something sweet? Bring some strawberries. Craving something salty? Pack some peanuts. You could even bring your own healthier popcorn popped at home. Just remember portion sizes with whatever snack you choose! Oh and enjoy the movie!

Comment With Your Favorite Movie Theater Candy!

Nicole Savitsky is a junior at DeSales University majoring in English and Communications. When she’s not working or reading, she loves watching movies. She can’t wait to see the last Harry Potter movie with her friends!

Snapshot Your Serving Size

All packaged snacks have serving sizes — but with our busy day-to-day routine it’s oftentimes hard to follow these suggested guidelines.  We want to make healthy decisions, yet time often constrains us from doing so.  I’ve found it helpful to pre-measure my favorite snacks’ serving sizes, so that when in a rush I can quickly pack up my snack and go.  By having a mental image (snapshot) of the correct serving size, I can better estimate the healthy portion suggested on the nutrition facts.  Pictured below are images of 7 snacks found in my pantry.  Each is measured out to its correct serving size, and is placed in a sandwich sized bag.

Veggie Stix/Serving Size: 1 oz

Mini Pretzels/Serving Size: 20 pretzels

Barbeque Pop Chips/Serving Size: 20 chips

Baked Cheese Crackers/Serving Size: 31 crackers

Wheat Thins/Serving Size: 16 thins

Cinnamon Teddy Grahams/Serving Size: 24 teddys

Dry-Roasted Peanuts/Serving Size: 39 peanuts

My advice?  Take some time to make measurements of appropriate serving sizes for all of your favorite snacks.  If I’m not taking my snack on-the-go, I often like to place it in a cupcake paper (easy to hold and usually the perfect size for most snack portions).  Calorie conscious?  Read College Lifestyles’ “Six Snacking Substitutes Towards a Healthier You,” and become a member of “MyFitnessPal“.  It’s a free website that provides a fabulous way to keep count of your daily caloric intake… and yes, there’s an app for that!

Don’t let your eating habits take control of your life — be sure to read Maggie’s interview with eating disorder survivor and speaker Lee Blum.

Abby Bryant is an intern with College Lifestyles™.  She is a senior marketing major at Georgia College & State University® and is the president of her sorority, Sigma Alpha Omega®.   Having a mental snapshot of her favorite snacks’ serving sizes has really come in handy, by both saving her time and by allowing her to experience a healthier everyday lifestyle.

Ideas For Planning a Classy Holiday Party

It is officially the holiday season! Why not throw a super classy Christmas or holiday party? Here are a few tips and ideas for planning a successful Christmas or holiday party:

Tacky Christmas

When it’s time for a party, music is a must. I love the new Glee Christmas CD and think it would be perfect to play in the background of your tacky Christmas party.

Movies are an option for parties and usually depend on the amount of people you plan on having attend. A few options to go along with your theme could include movies such as Elf, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, or Nightmare Before Christmas. All of these are fun movies to keep keep the lightened mood at your party.

Snacks are a must! Some great snacks for your party could be puppy chow, popcorn balls, Chex Mix, Christmas cookies, and hot chocolate. Of course a cute decorative table for your snacks are a must to keep the the holiday spirit during your party.

Depending on the number of people you have attending your party you may want to give gifts to your guests. You can also use the gift ideas for the hostess of a party you may be attending. Christmas or holiday mugs decorated to be either cute or, to keep the theme alive, tacky, filled with candy canes make a great gift for guests to take home and enjoy later on.

Tacky Pajama Party

To go along with your theme, Glee Christmas CD and Pandora are great for finding music to play in the background of a party. For Pandora, type in something fun like Charlie Brown Christmas or How the Grinch Stole Christmas to create a fun station to go along with your theme.

Movies are great way to entertain guests at a Tacky Pajama party. I recommend the Home Alone series, Jack Frost, and The Life and Adventures of Santa Clause. Since everyone will already be in their pj’s, movies naturally go along with the atmosphere, especially for smaller parties with a few close friends.

Have fun with your snack ideas! My personal favorite is puppy chow. I look forward to it at holiday parties. Popcorn, Chex Mix, candy bars, and hot chocolate are also great holiday snacks to have for your party.

Some gift ideas for your guests as they leave can be super simple or you can get really creative. A few ideas include jars of cookie mix, mini Christmas stockings filled with candy canes, and homemade scarfs/blankets. This will obviously depend on the number of guests attending but some items, like the jar of cookie mix, can also be found out stores like Walmart. This makes it easier on you if your running short on time.

Cocktail Attire

Pandora is a great source for Christmas music! Type in something like All I Want For Christmas by Mariah Carey to create a station. Now Thats What I Call Christmas is also a great CD with classic Christmas music.

If you decide to show movies at cocktail attire Christmas party, I recommend The Life and Adventures of Santa Clause. Also, It’s A Wonderful Life is always popular.

Some great snacks for cocktail themed parties that are simple finger foods, such as mini grilled cheese, veggie and fruit trays, cheese bites, crackers and cheese balls, jalapeno poppers, etc. You can get as creative as you want with these or have a very simple setup.

If you decide to give gifts at your party small goody bags of scents from Victoria Secret or Bath & Body Works can be great gifts. However, if you are on a tighter budget, homemade ornaments or bags of hot chocolate mix are also a great gift for friends to enjoy.

Tropical Christmas

Music at a tropical Christmas party is a must! Jimmy Buffett Christmas is perfect to help set the mood at your party. You can also type in Beach Boys Christmas songs into Pandora for more variety.

If you decide to have movies playing at your party I recommend Jack Frost or Christmas With The Cranks. Depending on the amount of people you may choose to stay with music instead of movies but these are great to show.

Again, snacks are a must! To add some excitement to your snack table add some tropical decorations like red and green hula skirts, plastic sun glasses, etc. Chex mix, punch, and peppermint bark are a few simple snacks for your party. Also to spice up the simple Christmas cookies, make them into shapes like sea shells, palm trees, beach balls, etc.

Great gift ideas for your classy guests could include jars of cookie mix, bags of hot chocolate mix, mini Christmas stockings decorated in a beach theme, homemade ornaments decorated in a beach theme, or small goody bags of tropical scents from Bath & Body Works or Victoria Secret, depending on your price range.

These were just a few ideas to build upon for your Christmas or holiday party. Be sure to add your own sparkle to it, relax, and have fun!

Happy Holidays!

The Classy, Savvy, College Lifestyles Guide to Flying

My parents were and still are, always jetting off places. Nowhere cool, just dull places for work, but they always seem to be in the air.  As a way to make up for all the time they missed I suppose, I went on lots of vacations. Needless to say, I got used to flying and running through many airports.

So what can I share with you about traveling for the next time you take to the sky? Let’s see. I guess it really is about what you bring:

-       Almonds (Or walnuts). They’re hard so they take longer to eat, keeping you a little more occupied and awake. Plus, they’re packed with protein and good for you. Way better than the traditional peanuts.

-       Raisins. They satisfy my sweet tooth, and again, they’re good for you. They also go great with almonds, a simple trail mix minus all the salt.

-       York Peppermint Patties. I always feel, well, Blah, on airplanes. The kick of chocolate and mint make my mouth feel fresh and satisfy my chocolate need when planes get delayed or the guy next to you just wont share the armrest.

-       Gum. Okay, not surprising. But it’s pretty much a well-known flying standby that deserves to be mentioned.

-       WATER. Flying leaves me feeling like the air on the plane, stale and dry. Water takes care of everything, from the dry throat to dry skin and has 0 calories. Trust me I’m a diet coke fiend & a poor college student, so the idea of a free Diet Coke is appealing, but I know I’ll feel much more refreshed at the end of the flight if I have just nice pure water in me.

-       My computer. I’m on my way to Los Angeles right now! It gets me to do some tedious computer tasks I normally wouldn’t do when I have Internet access, (read: Facebook access) like manage my budget, edit pictures and work on my calendar.

-       Headphones, I need some kind of noise instead of the freezing air blowing out of the vents and the woman in 14C snoring.

-       Reading materials. Currently I have a Glamour and the English Patient. Glamour for fun vacation reading. The English Patient, it’s my “I’m not trying to get noticed but if you happen to look, don’t you think I’m so educated and well read and interesting” book. Vacation means not worrying about jobs or school, so your brain can take a little tougher read that really makes you think. Don’t worry, we all get tired, that’s why there’s glamour!

-       Cards. Don’t travel with someone and ignore them for Britney on the iPod. I’m assuming if you’re traveling with them that you like them, so chat, interact. But if a plane ride starts getting long, whelp, there’s The English Patient. “I’m sorry I really need to focus on this complex work of literature so would you mind if we chatted later?”.

There’s probably way more I could share with you, but these came after lots of flights figuring it out on my own. Find out what works for you and feel free to share!

Audrey is a PR major at Marquette University. She is a proud sister of Alpha Chi Omega and their VP Communications. A lover of traveling, music, movies of every         genre, summer sun and all that it brings!

Delicious Dorm Snacking for the Kitchen-less

When school starts and stress rises it’s easy to get swept up in late night junk food.  While the occasional late night study group pizza is okay, it can be pretty detrimental to your health if made into a habit.  I understand that when you’re in a pinch it can be hard to make the right choices, especially when the right choices aren’t as easy to grab as chips out of the vending machine.  So what’s a co-ed to do?  Get savvy with your snacking!

When it comes to buying snacks for your dorm, the most important place to look is the ingredient list.  Packaged foods are often chockfull of added fats and sugars, not to mention a whole host of other preservatives!  Still, it is possible that with a little ingenuity and a touch of forethought, you can have healthy snacks on hand for an in-room pick me up!

Your Delicious Dorm Snack List

1. Shake up some trail mix

Everyone likes their trail mix a little bit different—some people like a hint of sweetness, others prefer it salty.  So here’s a list of ingredients to pick up that will allow you to mix up your own!

-Nuts: look for almonds, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, and cashews

*TIP: Look for the words “raw” or “dry roasted”.  Also, nuts often have a ton of added salt, so try to find unsalted nuts. Or, if you like them salty and are mixing types of nuts choose one with salt and one without!

-Dried Fruit: blueberries, cherries, raisins, goji berries, apricots, strawberries, apples, shredded coconut (unsweetened)

*TIP: Dried fruit is naturally very sweet but many companies add sweeteners to their fruit—look for brands that are unsweetened!

-Dark Chocolate: the higher the percentage of cocoa the better!

*TIP: Break up a bar of dark chocolate into tiny pieces for a sweet surprise and an added energy boost from the caffeine in extra dark chocolate.

-Dry Cereal

*TIP: Dry cereal adds great texture! But try to choose one without too much added sugar—like Cheerios!

Remember, although trail mix is a healthy choice, it’s only healthy in moderation, like most foods.   Nuts provide healthy fats but they are high in calories.  Don’t be afraid of them though!  Just portion out a small handful of trail mix and you’re good to go!

2. Popcorn

Popcorn can be a great choice—if you know what to choose.  Look for small snack size bags or ones with less butter.  If you don’t have access to a microwave try to choose bags of pre-popped popcorn that say “Air popped”!  This means they have WAY less fat than other brands.  Plus, popcorn is a great snack to share!

3. Oatmeal

Small packages of instant oatmeal are a great way to get a filling, healthy breakfast or snack.  Go for plain oatmeal and add some cinnamon or sliced banana to cut back on the sugar that the flavored oatmeal adds but still have all the flavor! Plus, hot food will leave you feeling more satisfied!

4. Fruit

Fruit is a great choice for your dorm room! Apples, bananas, and oranges all keep well.  Smear a little peanut butter (look for brands without added sugars or hydrogenated oils) on an apple or banana and you’re good to go!  Just don’t buy too much fruit at one time or you run the risk of it going bad before you can eat it all!

5. Applesauce

Individual applesauce cups are proportioned, easy, simple, and delicious.  Opt for the “no sugar added” option to shave off a few extra calories.  Add a few sliced almonds on top and you have a delicious snack!

So, don’t fear those late night snack attacks or midday munchies! A healthy snack will be waiting for you in your dorm!

For another great snacking idea, try granola! Make some at home and bring it with you to school! Or maybe you can even talk your parents into making it and sending it to you in a care package!

Emily Hacker is an intern with College Lifestyles.  She is majoring in Psychology and minoring in Nutrition at the University of Southern California. She is currently obsessed with Trader Joe’s Almond Butter with Roasted Flax Seeds spread on a banana! Yum!!

CL’s Ultimate Summer Road Trip Playlist

It’s road trip time! But before you go anywhere, run to the store and grab an itunes giftcard because you’re going to need it!  Get ready to download the best songs for your road trip playlist! These jams have to keep you energetic and singing one, five or twelve hours into your trip.  Here are my picks for CL’s Ultimate Summer Road Trip Playlist.

1. Ace of Base – The Sign
2. Ke$ha – Dinosaur
3. Marc Cohn – Walking In Memphis
4. R. Kelly – I Believe I Can Fly
5. Jonas Brothers – Australia
6. Matt & Kim – Daylight
7. The Rocket Summer – Brat Pack
8. Tupac – California Love
9. Backstreet Boys – Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)
10. Hanson – Man From Milwaukee
11. Journey – Don’t Stop Believin’
12. Justin Timberlake – Seniorita
13. Rihanna – Shut Up and Drive
14. New Kids on the Block – Step By Step
15. Regina Spektor – Folding Chair
16. Eddie Money – Take Me Home Tonight
17. Jay-Z ft. Kid Cudi – Already Home

One or two classics thrown in with many favorites! Check these out for your next road trip!

What songs made it onto your playlist? Let us know! Tweet at us: @collegelifestyl!

Becky Alberico is an intern at College Lifestyles ™. She is a Communication Studies major at Edinboro University of PA, and a member of Alpha Sigma Tau! Becky cannot wait to see the cornfields and flatlands between Pennsylvania and Iowa with fellow intern Kaitlyn in less than two weeks!

Check out Hillary’s post about what kinds of snacks to bring with you on your next road trip!

Smart Summer Late-Night Snacks For the Healthy Co-Ed!!

From children to teenagers to adults, all of us have those late-night cravings — especially when sitting down to watch great Summer T.V. like True Blood or The Next Food Network Star (P.S. Briana has a great review of some awesome Summer shows here!)  But for a large amount of savvy co-eds, keeping our bodies in Summer healthy-and-fit mode is at the top of our priorities, and we have been long advised against eating after certain times of the night!  Certain fitness experts will tell you that is a myth, and certain experts will stick with the advice.  I’m not here to argue that point, because I swing between both sides of the debate — but what I do know is that regardless of the real truth to the argument, what matters the most isn’t simply when you’re eating, but what you’re eating.

So for you smart Co-Eds with stressful Summer work days that just want to sit down, relax, and enjoy the show with a delicious little snack, I have created a list of smart late-snack munchies that will fulfill your cravings and be generally healthy at the same time!

1) Popcorn! The favorite of all late-night munchies!  Here are some fun facts about popcorn — if you ‘re eating the popcorn loaded with cheese or drenched in liquid butter or “double butter” popped, you’re definitely working towards clogging a couple important arteries.  However, popcorn is actually a smart snack choice, rich in fiber, low in calories and fat, and sodium free (minus any salt you might add — not recommended for healthy snackers).  Buy popcorn that has a lighter amount of butter — or even pop your own!  **Take Note** When you look at the nutritional information sidebar of most popcorn boxes, you’ll see the fat content, calorie count, etc. at high numbers.  However, take a look to the right and see the column that says “when popped” and see the huge difference.  Don’t be deceived!

2) Fruit! Fruit is always a good late-snack idea – full of nutrients, low in fat and calories (although watch out for acidity fruits late at night), and delicious!  Stay away from calorie-rich dipping sauces or added sugar and simply eat the fruit in all its purity.  Sometimes we dress up fruit so much we forget how organically delicious it is!

3) Cereal! I love me some late-night cereal!  It’s low-fat, typically low-cal, and absolutely delicious!  But I’m careful to watch out for two specific things that shouldn’t be neglected when eating cereal late at night — A) sugar content, and B) portion size.  Chances are, when you’re eating your late-night snack, you are physically done for the day.  Ready to rest and rejuvenate!  That means, a lot less calorie burning, and a lot less sugar you’ll be working off, so more or less sugar will be turning into fat.  So save the Lucky Charms and Cinnamon Toast Crunch (Now I’m getting hungry) for another time, and delve into some Special K or Cinnamon Life.  Finally, if you’re a cereal lover like me, you think the 3/4 cup “serving size” listed on the nutritional information bar is a load of junk.  NO cereal lover can eat that little amount of cereal and be satisfied.  However, understand that if you’re loading up that bowl or going for seconds, you’ll be consuming double or triple the quoted amounts of fat, carbs, and grams of sugar, and that’s never a good idea before bed.  So eat a small bowl of some healthy cereal topped off with skim milk, and enjoy the delicious benefit of late-night cereal!

4)  Frozen Yogurt! Your sweet tooth can’t stray away from ice cream, you say?  Take the healthier alternative route with frozen yogurt – lower in fat and calories, as well as sugar contents in some cases.  However, just like with cereal, pay attention to portion sizes!  Most ice cream portion sizes on the nutritional side bars read “1/2″ cup, when most of our ice cream bowls topple at around 2 cups on average.  Quadruple the sugar content!  So be careful, but enjoy this healthy sweet tooth winner.

So there they are, Co-Eds!  Put your feet up, flick the TV on, and set up with your favorite TV show and a delicious, satisfactory snack that will have you raving all Summer long!  Now, what about you?  Do you have favorite healthy late-night snacks of your own?  Let us know!

Kelsey Book is a  writer and a dreamer who thinks faith, family, and musicals make her world go ’round!   As she states, ‘I believe in influencing the good in those that surround me, and that a night with close friends in comfy clothes, holding a bowl of buttery popcorn and watching a Glee marathon is a night well lived!’

Spring Clean Your College Lifestyle Diet

With another school year coming to an end, it’s the perfect time to not only rid your room of anything school related, but also spring clean your diet! Don’t worry if the Freshman 15 crept up on you from frequent late-night dorm dates with your cereal box, or too many trips to frozen yogurt with your girlfriends.

With spring at its peak, and the summer season so near, adding fresh, wholesome foods back into your diet is easy as pie (no pun intended). Try these summer snacks to get you feeling great about your body by the time the sun decides to shine!

Here are my TOP 5 ways to lighten up and brighten up your summer eats:

1. Add strawberries, 0% fat Greek yogurt, and a sprinkle of nuts to frozen (multigrain) waffles for your morning dose of Vitamin C and protein.

Trader Joe’s inexpensive Greek yogurt is perfect for my college lifestyle budget.

2. Add a handful of raw spinach to almost any smoothie for a powerful “Green Monster” to pump up your iron intake and make your skin glow!

3. Homemade hummus and farmers’ market veggies are the definition of a healthy and satisfying pool snack. Check out my simple hummus recipe.

4. Start your morning or energize your afternoon with a zero-calorie cup of antioxidant-rich green tea. Serve it over ice with a splash of pure pomegranate juice for an extra refreshing sip.

5. For something sweet, trade in your sugary double scoop of Haagen Dazs for homemade banana soft serve. Add 1 frozen banana to the blender, puree until creamy and top with a small spoonful of chocolate peanut butter – it’s as simple as that!

Also check out Liz’s tip for snacking on sweet potatoes – yum!

Here’s to a healthy & happy summer!

Hillary is an intern at College Lifestyles and student of Food & Nutrition Communication at California State University, Chico. Her favorite possession is by far her running shoes, and her day isn’t complete without a piece of quality dark chocolate.

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