Let's go back...

What happened to the simple days? The days that seemed to last forever. The days that were spent with eyes wide open, amazed by smallest things that still surround us now, but hold different meaning. Days that were lived one at a time. Those days have slipped away. They've been pushed aside by life's inability to slow down. They join youth, carelessness, and innocence; a giant cluster of everything we took for granted and wished would end. As I sit here in the house where I was once a young, naive girl, I am reminded of these days from my past. These thoughts could bring upon sad feelings, realizing that these days cannot be relived. But instead, I prefer to relish in the memories and laugh at the thought of them.

This Friday night is much different from those in the past. Friday nights were the best part of the week during our childhood here on Section Street. Not only could we sleep anywhere we wanted, but we could stay up later, without a single worry about the day to follow. There were no alarm clocks, no obligations, and certainly no concerns. We'd laugh for hours, our topics of conversation so unimportant, yet fragile. We would be surrounded by our favorite snacks; stress over caloric intake and nutritional value did not exist.

And since we did not worry about food at all, we were free of guilt. Free of body issues. Free of self-confidence issues. We did not worry about the number we saw on the scale, and probably never even stepped on the stupid thing. Makeup and beauty were things we played with, but did not depend on for happiness and acceptance. Our favorite outfit was a random mix of "play clothes", and were typically shared between us and passed down from sister to sister. To us, being wild was accepting the dare to run around the house in the dark. Being adventurous was trudging through the woods in search for the perfect spot for a secret fort. Cooking was gathering things from the garden and mixing them with mud, water, and a variety of grasses from the field to create a stew.

Our most humiliating moments turned into the everyday happenings of life today. Our biggest discoveries have become those things today that don't get an ounce of our attention. Anxiety occurred while you awaited mom's decision after asking if you could take a bike ride to the dime store. Since the answer was typically yes, freedom was riding down the street in a frenzy to get to our destination. Being frugal did not exist, and we spent every cent of our $3.00 on candy or the occasional useless toy.

Fun did not stop. And it certainly did not need to be sought after like it does today. Grief was experienced after killing a jar of fireflies that served as your nightlight on any given summer night. Death was one of those things that you heard about but swore never actually happened. Hard work was solving a scavenger hunt created by my older sister, and patience was practiced while we waited for her to finish it. Self-improvement meant rinsing your dirty feet off with the hose and setting goals was something adults did. Exhaustion came after a rousing game of badminton and generally lasted no longer than a few minutes. Being comfortable in your skin truly did exist and body image did not. The small things in life were just there, all around us. We did not need to search for them, or bask in them, they were simply there. Time seemed to stand still and getting older, like death, was not something that we would ever experience.

So let's go back to these days. Let's run around without a care in the world, as if getting winded doesn't exist. Let's tell stories and laugh at the dumbest things. Let's explore the world around us, even if it means staying in our backyard. Let's do it...because nobody is telling us we can't.

Saturday morning find...

My Saturday is off to a great start, and I hope you can all say the same! The day started early, at about 5:00, which is ideal for me. The longer I stay in bed, the more time I waste, and the less productive I am the rest of the day. So, I got in my daily workout and morning stretches all before 6:00; not bad. Then it was off to the grocery store for a few items for the weekend: apples, plain fat-free yogurt, strawberries (which were on sale for $1.99), corn on the cob, and milk. Now, I'm not necessarily a milk drinker, and I never have been. Since I don't eat cereal, the only thing I use milk for these days is to pour in my coffee, since I am a bit of a coffee drinker. Well, my day got even better when I noticed the organic milk was on sale; in fact, it was cheaper than the conventional milk I usually get. In a perfect world, I would buy organic groceries like it's no one's business. But, as you may know, it gets a bit pricey. So imagine my excitement when I find that I can afford to buy organic milk today! Oh happy day... 


It's possible that consuming organic food is partly a mental thing for me. I feel like I'm treating my body with more respect by avoiding those "bad" things found in regular food. This is another topic that I've heard too many stories and opinions on, so I just decide to take matters into my own hands and do what I think is best for me. Milk is one of the things I would much rather have in organic form, mainly because it comes directly from an animal, and for some reason just seems better for you. That's my reasoning, and I'm sticking to it. Although, after reading an article that was published in January (http://www.eatingrealfood.com/articles/study-organic-milk-is-more-nutritious-than-conventional-milk/), I learned that organic milk has higher concentrations of polyunsaturated fats. Which means absolutely nothing to me. So, I continue my research. And after drowning my brain with chemistry terms, and being thrown back and forth between "yes, they're good for you" and "no, they're not", I've decided to focus on the benefits of polyunsaturated fats (omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids): improved brain health, healthy vision, healthy skin, strong bones, reduced risk of heart disease, and reduced cancer risk. 


Hmm. Sounds good to me...organic milk it is! As long as it's on sale. 


Since I'm always in the mood to learn more, what can you tell me about organic milk? 

My brand of choice!

Am I really a city person?

As I was walking home this afternoon, after a delicious lunch at Goodwin's with my cousin Shana, I found myself behind two women who were clearly not residents of Chicago. How can I tell? Well, it's easy to spot a visitor. Usually their pace gives it away, and since I walk super fast (according to everyone who's ever walked next to me), I usually pass them. And if that's not enough, tourists' heads are typically tilted back as they view the massive buildings. They're usually carrying a camera, looking slightly confused and overwhelmed. It's these people that really make me feel fortunate to be in a city that people flock to. Anyway, I heard one of the women say, "I'm just not a city person." Which got me to thinking; am I really a city person? 


Well, yes and no. If you haven't noticed, I like to keep to myself. You'll never find me in the bars or out with friends. Mainly because I don't find pure happiness there. I don't get enjoyment from spending time with people who don't truly care about me, and I definitely don't see anything positive about wasting precious time doing things that don't make me a better person. So, for that reason, I am not a city person. Since the city offers so much nightlife and activity, it's great for people who are into the whole social scene. And good for them. However, that doesn't mean that I don't enjoy different aspects of the city. Since moving here I've spent more time exploring and soaking up the things that I find appealing and inspirational; something else the city is full of. I've been so enthralled by the people here and I think it's safe to say I've seen every kind. I've been amazed by the architecture and the city itself and still find myself gazing out of my window, just like I did on the day I moved here. 


Something about the "big city" always intrigued me and I think I know why; because it's different and makes me uncomfortable. My whole life I've been comfortable and safe and average. By being here I've opened a completely different door, forcing me to explore this new world and learn about myself in the process. This past year has been more of a mental experience than a physical experience, and I wouldn't change that for anything. For that reason, I am a city person.


But, I still think these 2 years will be enough for me.

Squeeze that lemon!

Although we all know how important drinking water is for our health, most of us still aren't downing an adequate amount on a daily basis. I've heard so many assumptions on the "correct" amount of water...your weight in ounces, half your weight in ounces, 8 glasses (my glass or your glass?), and other random quantities. My solution: drink all day. I carry around a convenient bottle that I keep on refilling during my day...whether I'm at school, at home, or relaxing outside (which I won't be doing today since it is basically a monsoon out there). At first it was difficult drinking so much water, but now I've become dependent on it. I feel dehydrated if I don't get my usual amount, which tells me that my body does need it! But, my latest and greatest addition to my water addiction is a delicious one: LEMON! 

That's right, dropping a fresh slice of lemon into my glass of water enhances the drink and gives me happy, summer-y feeling! Not only that, but it tastes so much better. And, adding fresh lemon slices to your water comes with a handful of health benefits. I start my day with a full glass of water and 2 slices of lemon to "cleanse" my system and feel fresh for the new day. Apparently lemon also aids in digestion and prevents bacteria buildup in the body. Who doesn't want that?? Take a look at this article I found on Livestrong.com:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/111175-benefits-lemon-water/

Take my advice: for just 50 cents a piece, lemon is a great way to enhance your water (and a cheap/healthy alternative to lemonade!) 

Drink up!!

Current obsession...

This is just a quick post to share my current love affair with you. It's days like today that make me fall even more in love with the MAXI DRESS! With the current temperature in Chicago at 90 degrees, this garment is a must-have for this girl. And since it's always windy in this city, shorter dresses just won't work. With the maxi dress, I'm able to stay cool and be stylish at the same time (although I'm much more interested in being cool). And mostly importantly, they're comfortable! 


However, I don't like to spend a lot of money on summer clothes, since they'll just get worn to the beach for a couple months. Luckily, Forever 21 has the best assortment of maxi dresses and at prices that we can all afford. AMEN!! 


Here are a few that I found (and love): 

CHEAP...yet, super cute!! Get this one for $14.90.

Fun, summer color! Add this to your wardrobe for $22.80.

I didn't think I liked TIE-DYE...but I like this! Especially for $24.80.

Disclaimer: If you're under 5'4", I would not recommend attempting the maxi dress trend as it will most likely make you look even shorter. Sorry...but the truth hurts. 

Yes, it IS possible...

Ahhh, here we go. Somewhere between the enjoyable busyness (yes, I had to use dictionary.com to make sure this was an actual word), I have found my blog again. Who am I kidding, I'm never too busy for my blog. But sometimes I get so wrapped up in other aspects of my life that I simply want to enjoy each moment, instead of write about them. Today seemed like a good day to write, since I have found myself in the calm portion of the semester. With only a week and a half left, the only thing on my plate is a random assortment of 4 finals and 2 presentations. Sounds like a lot, right? Nope...I'll be fine. I am still waiting for it to get hectic, but it seems as though I've made it (almost) through another semester without much, or any, stress. Also, the next 2 weeks will take me to the completion of my first year at the Illinois Institute of Art, leaving me with only another year to go before completion. Wow...*sigh*.


Speaking of being a student...something I've learned while being a student is that it IS possible to eat healthy on a strict budget. Quite frankly, I'm getting tired of hearing that the "college student diet" is acceptable, since we basically have no money. That it's OK to eat pizza and macaroni & cheese and McDonald's because it's cheap and it's all we can afford. Well, this is me putting my foot down in disgust and slight confusion. The last time I checked, a pizza (if we're talking your standard Jack's) is around $5.00. Sure, that gives you 8 slices and fills you to the brim (with sodium cholesterol, and simple carbohydrates), but I've found a way to eat all of my food groups in less than $5.00...per DAY! 


And since you probably don't believe me...take a look at my menu on any random day:


BREAKFAST:
Cup of Plain, Non-fat Yogurt - $0.50
Banana - 5 for $1.43, which means one is about $0.29


LUNCH: 
Cup of lettuce - $1.00 per bag of about 4 servings, so $0.25
Cup of brown rice - $2.19 for a box of 9 servings, so $0.24
Ear of corn - $0.18


SNACK: 
Cup of yogurt - $0.50
Banana - $0.29


SUPPER:
Portion of fish - $1.00
Ear of corn - $0.18
Cup of brown rice - $0.24
Cup of lettuce - $0.25


Which brings my grand total to $3.92 for the entire DAY! I agree that this menu lacks variety, but trust me, I do switch it up on a daily basis to avoid getting tired of the same ole' thing. Sometimes I will throw in a bag of organic/fat free popcorn as a pre-bedtime snack. However, I've learned to stick to a few key components in order to eat healthy with my budget: 


(Keep in mind my grocery store is awesome and typically has good prices on the things I stock up on)


1. Bananas are the cheapest fruit. But when they have a sale on other fruits I definitely take a break from bananas! For instance, watermelons are on sale right now for $4.99, and will usually last me 2-3 days (I love watermelon)...so, for a treat, I will get watermelon and sacrifice a portion of my budget.
2. Fish portions are always priced at 10 for $10...thank you Jewel Osco!! 
3. Brown rice is a healthy alternative to other carbohydrates. It keeps me full and kicks my carb craving in the butt. Also, if I make a portion at a time, I will avoid eating too much of it and will get 9 servings out of each box.
4. Look for sales! Sure, I would rather get the standard bag of iceberg lettuce, but Fresh Express's shredded lettuce is on sale right now for $1.00 per bag! Who cares if it's meant for tacos. 
5. Generic tastes the same as name-brand. Unless you think about it too much, there really is no difference in taste.


So, all of these tactics combined have led me to the conclusion that it IS possible to eat healthy on a "student's budget". And eating healthy improves my mood/self-esteem/attitude, and empowers a healthier mind...which will come in handy over the next 10 days! 


Even if you're not a college student, it is still possible to feed your family (and yourself) healthy meals on a budget. I read this article on Dr.Phil.com (love this man) about eating healthy on a budget...and there are millions of other ones out there. So, do your research, clip some coupons, and focus on the nutritional value of your food without stressing about prices! 


http://www.drphil.com/articles/article/608

My favorite healthy meal: Baked fish, brown rice, and a big salad with tomato!