COLLEGE EDGE & BEYOND!

College Edge! Bright-eyed and Bushy-tailed Students

I have a friend who visits the local high schools quite often to to talk about our local running programs. He told me he could always tell the athletes in the classrooms because they were bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.  What he meant was these students were alert and focused.  He also mentioned they were well groomed.  I tend to agree with him on this observation.  Students who are athletes tend to be very focused and take good care of themselves, mind and body.  

I just spent the weekend in Gainesville, Florida with a group of cyclists from my son's school, Mars Hill College, Asheville, NC, as well as with students from several other colleges from around the Southeast. I am amazed at how dedicated these kids are to their sport.  They train and cycle grueling hours for their race season all year long.  

This weekend they were faced with cold weather and rain for most of the races.  I did not hear anyone complain other than their bikes were completely filthy.  When they finished racing, they chatted with their competitors and talked among themselves about the races.  I was amazed at how well everyone got along even though they were competitors.  After racing, the focus was on eating, cleaning equipment, getting ready for the next race day and hitting the sack early to get adequate rest.  

I know many of these students have high GPA's and study as hard as they cycle. Their dedication to school and their sport translates to every aspect of their life.  Their training leaves little or no time for staying up late and partying which helps them be bright eyed and bushy tailed.  I say to all you bright eyed, bushy tailed students - good for you!  You will succeed and I anticipate become our next leaders!

Read more:  Cycling Success Story

 

College Nutrition: How to Break the Pizza and Beer Cycle

Guest Blogger Maria Rainer shares her insight on eating well.

As a recent college grad, I can speak from experience: unless you take charge of your meals ahead of time, you’ll end up with pizza and beer. And while that’s tasty and fine for one meal a week, you really shouldn’t be gorging yourself on those particular items every night… or morning, either. Not convinced? Check out these reasons for eating healthy while you’re in college, then find a few recipes to try from my list of quick, easy, healthy, and even cheap meals. Yes, I know about that whiny voice coming from your wallet – but you can be financially responsible and healthy. So keep reading and then head to the grocery store or at least pretend to do some homework while you ruminate on the benefits of healthy eating.

Why You Should Eat Healthy Food Right Now

You’re eating for two – no, I’m not talking about having a bun in the oven, but you’re eating for “college student” you and “future” you. It’s hard to believe, but you’ll hit forty and even stray into your fifties one day, and then you’ll need all the help you can get from “college student” you’s nutritional choices. And even if you’re not concerned about the future, there are immediate consequences when you’re suffering from poor nutrition. Obviously, your health will suffer, and diabetes can be a very real possibility even at a young age. Aggression, ADHD, emotions that seem uncontrollable, and other risk factors can also result from poor nutrition. That’s not even counting the slew of stuff you’ll have to put up with once you turn 40 – the increased potential for cancer, high blood pressure, and heart disease, just to name a few.

So avoid becoming a sick old person and enjoy the health benefits of eating well. You’ll be able to exert more control over your weight, preventing problems with being overweight or underweight. You can also expect to see an increase in your energy levels, and you’ll be sure to reach your full physical growth potential by feeding your body what it needs (that one’s for you, short people). You might also be happier and experience a more well-balanced mood, making you an excellent choice for people who hate overly dramatic company. The list just keeps going on and on, but you get the point. Now, here are some quick and easy meals that you can make even with your limited domestic motivation.

Tasty and Healthy Meals to Try

• Breakfast: I know, it’s not a real meal – just bear with me because it’s good for you. Fix a quick and easy bowl of oatmeal with milk, your microwave, and whatever you’d like to add in terms of wake-up flavor. Try fresh or dried fruit, spices like cinnamon, or something more unconventional like hot sauce. You will be awake. You can also try a bowl of granola with yogurt and berries if you’re a hater of oatmeal.

• Lunch: Take a page from Panera and fix yourself a salad and sandwich. You’ll need to keep fresh produce around, but that’s a small price to pay for healthy deliciousness. Try using whole wheat bread, low-fat mayo, lean meat like chicken or turkey, and lots of lettuce and tomato. Spicy brown mustard and pickles can add some low-calorie flavor if you’re fighting blandness – and there’s always hot sauce. When you throw your salad together, add olives, feta cheese crumbles, and Greek dressing for a Mediterranean flair. Not impressed? Snag some sushi from the grocery store and call it good, but don’t forget to use that wasabi.

• Snack: Dip some pretzels in hummus. Seriously, it’s delicious and you won’t know until you try it. If you’re feeling skeptical, use corn chips instead, but just know that it’s your loss. Fruit slices dipped in yogurt are also healthy and delicious, and you can always turn to your old friend chips-and-salsa.

• Dinner: Make it taco night. This does involve browning meat in a skillet, but you can do it – and while you’re at it, make as much as you can for future lunch and dinner meals. You’ll just need to settle the debate between soft and hard shells – or get both – and pick up some sour cream, lettuce, tomato, shredded cheese, and salsa. You already have the hot sauce. Spaghetti is also quick and easy – just cook your noodles, drain them, and put them right back on the heat with the contents of your spaghetti sauce jar. Adding olives and sautéed spinach makes for an even healthier and more delicious meal, but you’ll probably just settle for parmesan cheese.

• Dessert: In all seriousness, half of a cantaloupe filled with cottage cheese tastes great. But if you hate melon and cheese, there’s always fruit salad. If you’re feeling adventurous, make fruit pizza and be the hero of your campus – at least for one night. All you’ll need is that sugar cookie dough that comes in the suspicious sausage roll package, a bunch of fruit, your oven, and some spreadable strawberry (or plain) cream cheese. Roll out a round pizza shape from the cookie dough, bake it, slather it with cream cheese, and top it with sliced fruit. Enjoy a slice or two, then see what you can get out of your friends in terms of compensation for the rest. You might be surprised.

Meet Guest Blogger, Maria Rainer:  Maria is a freelance writer and blog junkie. She is currently a resident blogger at First in Education and performs research surrounding online schools. In her spare time, she enjoys square-foot gardening, swimming, and avoiding her laptop.

 

 

College Edge: Etiquette School - Why?...You Mean, Why Not!

I just read this great article in Bloomberg Businessweek, WHY ETIQUETTE SCHOOLS ARE THRIVING, The Fact is Today's Young Professionals Need to Be Told How to Dress and Act by Teddy Wayne.  

I wanted to share this article because it is spot on.  Funny thing is, we sent our son to Etiquette School at ripe old age of eight.  It was a 4 or 5 week program held during the summer (one night a week).  The program was a three year program after which you graduated at a special ceremony. The program was inexpensive and well worth anything they ask for since the lifelong benefits and habits it creates are amazing.

I remember how the teachers wore beautiful dresses and white gloves. Our son dressed up in a formal jacket, white collared shirt, tie and dress pants each week. He slicked his hair back and put on cologne just like a grown man.  He held himself high and entered the ballroom to escort girls, learn how to eat properly, dance and so on. Oh, and how he loved the food! 

He actually really enjoyed going to etiquette school and he has fond memories of it. I remember how proud he was when he graduated. His transformation was amazing and to this day (he is 19 years old), people always tell me how polite and mannerly our son is. He knows which utensils to use (and gently reminds me which ones to use), where to place his napkin, how to dress and so many more things. Most importantly he understands how to treat others with courtesy and respect. I still see his etiquette instructor around town (thank you, Bernadette Watkins!) and shower her with praise and thank you's.

Etiquette school is a great way to add to your 'Asset Arsenal'... Good Manners Are Good Business!

Full article: Etiquette School

College Edge: Natural Energy Boosters for Students

Guest Blogger Louise Baker shares her insights on Natural Energy Boosters for Students

College students often find it difficult to maintain the energy they need for classes, homework, and socializing. They often survive on fast food or pizza for nourishment, operate on little sleep, and rely on caffeine in coffee and taurine in energy drinks to help keep them awake. But there are natural foods and practices that college students can take advantage of for maintaining and improving their energy levels.

Deep Breathing Exercises

Many college students tend to be under a great deal of stress trying to balance their academic and social lives. What most don’t realize is how shallow their breathing tends to be, not only when faced with deadlines or crises, but during everyday activities. Taking a few minutes every day to breathe deeply can help increase energy levels and can help make them more conscious of their breathing habits. The information contained in this link explains more about deep breathing.

Reason

Deep breathing exercises allow more oxygen into the bloodstream.

Alternative Sweeteners

Sugar substitutes are a good idea for college students, because sugar causes rapid drops in energy levels after its initial boost. Sweeteners such as agave nectar are preferable to sugar. Agave nectar can be stirred into water, tea, or coffee. Information about agave nectar can be found here.

Reason

Agave nectar helps keep blood sugar levels more stable and do not lead to a drastic loss of energy after the initial spike that comes when eating sugar.

Healthier Snacks

College students should evaluate the foods they are snacking on. Instead of eating candy or simple carbohydrates in between meals, they should consider eating fruits such as apples, pears, or berries. This goes for snacks they may have late at night. Other healthy snacks are discussed here.

Reason

These fruits will provide energy because of the sugar they contain but they will also not cause the fatigue and sluggishness that follow when candy or simple carbs are consumed. They also contain fiber and vitamins to help a sluggish system.

Eat Protein at Breakfast

Making quality protein the focal point of the earliest meal of the day is important for maintaining energy levels. Foods like peanut butter, turkey bacon, yogurt, and eggs are some of the best protein sources. Sugary cereals, on the other hand, leave much to be desired. More tips for healthy breakfasts can be found by following this link.

Reason

Since breakfast is the first meal of the day usually after a nightly fast, eating too many simple carbohydrates can cause blood sugar levels to rise too fast. This can lead to high energy in the morning, but usually results in a drop in energy levels by afternoon.

Chlorophyll

Instead of coffee, college students may find that chlorophyll-rich green drinks are better for helping them keep their energy levels up, without the side effects of caffeine. These green drinks also provide much-needed vitamins and trace minerals, which college students may be lacking. Some ingredients to look for in green drinks include alfalfa, wheat grass, barley grass, and spirulina. Green drinks come in powders that can easily be stored at room temperature, and mixed with water or juice for consumption. More information about green drinks can be found on this page.

Reason

Alfalfa, spirulina, wheat grass, barley grass, and other greens are known to purify and oxygenate the blood.

Louise Baker is a freelance writer and blogger who usually does car insurance comparisons over at CarinsuranceComparison.Org. She recently wrote about finding cheap car insurance quotes.