Even though summer is dwindling to an end (seriously—where did it go?!), there are still a few scorcher days left, and there’s no better time to take advantage of the refreshing coolness of smoothies than now. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just picking up a spatula for the first time, smoothies are basically the perfect meal or snack because they can be made and customized with so little effort.

All you need is a blender (and sometimes you don’t even need that—I have only a food processor, and I can make smoothies just fine) and a little creativity and you’re on your way to an at-home Jamba Juice. Seriously, why spend $6 on something that you can make at home for $1?

To illustrate just how simple it is, here’s a little mix ‘n match guide for you. Read More »

Health guidelines and facts are constantly changing as we learn more about the human body and what we need to stay strong. To maintain optimal health, you need to keep up to date with the newest in fitness, nutrition and medical research.

Check out the latest headlines about that unique body of yours:

- My morning cup (or 7) of Joe has been my favorite workout buddy for a long time. Not only does it give me energy, but new research proves that it lessens the pain that comes after an intense workout! Caffeine blocks the brain and spinal cord from processing the biochemical adenosine, preventing pain during and after your spin on the stationary bike. You don’t need to drink as much caffeine as I do (shoot…I shouldn’t be drinking as much caffeine as I do!) to feel the benefits. A modest 2 cup serving of java will do the trick. Just don’t go overboard; if you’re heart rate is too high, working out may be more difficult than necessary. Read More »

Just the thought of having to put on a bikini makes me want to move to someplace cold and dark. Maybe someplace like a cave? Instead of coming to terms with the fact that I can’t wear a parka all summer long, I stress out and start having intense cravings for cookies. I completely sabotage any hope for my summer body and instead ingest junk because I can’t bear the thought of a flabby ass. Does this make any sense? NO. IT. DOESN’T.

I know I’m not alone here, so lets just kick the bad habits of self-sabotage!! Stop staring at yourself in the mirror with self loathing and use these helpful tips to make the transition from winter hibernation to summer rejuvenation (I don’t know that’s all that rhymed?) easy! AND WEAR SUNSCREEN!

*Stop grocery shopping on without a LIST! If you make a list of healthy options it will be MUCH easier to stick away from buying Haagen Daaz on a hot summer’s day. Watermelon will have to suffice.

*Make your own smoothies. Believe me, I love Jamba Juice just as much as the next girl, but hidden calories make “healthy” smoothies not so healthy.

*HAVE A POPSICLE!! Low fat fudgicles only have 50 calories!

*Find a workout partner and do things outside; ride a bike, play volleyball, tennis, swim. Make your workout plan feel like you aren’t working at all by making it a social activity. Read More »

Deflowering a virgin is something that guys think about…and they usually think about it in one of two ways: they either are dying to do it because they love the idea of being a girl’s “first” OR they’re terrified of it because they can’t emotionally throw down and they don’t think it’d be fair to rob a girl of her innocence without being able to give her foot massages and take her out on dates.

However, when I deflowered my first and only (or so I hope to be my first and only) virgin; I wasn’t thinking about either one of these things. Because I didn’t know he was a virgin. I had just met him.

Here’s what I DID know:

-He was bangin’ hot.

-He was a few years younger than me. However, he was 19 and legal.

-He was shy around me and I thought it was cute.

-He was willing to drive two hours to meet up with me the day after he met me.

-He still lived with his parents.

-He worked at Jamba Juice.

Here’s what I found out during the act:

-He was afraid of giving oral. I taught him how. (In my defense; I believed that there was a possibility he could have been inexperienced with oral, but still experienced with intercourse.)

-He had no idea how to take charge in sex. (Yawn. I hate that.)

Here’s what happened after the act: Read More »

There are days when I exist almost completely on a smoothie diet.

I get up late, leave myself no time for breakfast, and grab a Vitamin C Blaster! on my way to class. Lunch time rolls around, I’ve got meetings and rehearsals before another batch of classes, so I run back over and buy a Protein Berry Boost. The people at the smoothie place know me by name. It’s like we’re in some secret club; I come in, they see me, nod, and get to work.

But I recently read an article that stopped me in my tracks.

Here I was thinking I was being Miss Healthy, drinking my nutrients, when in actuality, I might have been loading my body with unwanted fat and carbs.

Cool.

For one thing, a small, store-bought smoothie usually rounds out at about 16 ounces, which is roughly two cups. Anything larger than that is more than an average woman needs in one serving, especially if there’s yogurt, flavoring, and sugar added.

Also, just because something has a piece of fruit in it, doesn’t mean it’s healthy. A small “Chocolate Elvis” from the chain Planet Smoothie may have bananas in it, but it also has loads of calories, 9 grams of fat, and 108 grams of carbs. Read More »