The 4th of July is only a week away and the store mannequins have certainly arrived in their starred and striped bikinis to make sure we don’t forget it.

It’s an American holiday that takes barbecues, fireworks, and beach parties to a whole new level and with it coming up fast, it’s time to pledge our allegiance to our diets. These diet shape-ups will have you ready to don your nautical wear from the first notes of the Star-Spangled Banner and beyond.

Smoothie Sailing: If no one has let you in on the secret yet, let me be the first to inform of the word of the day: SMOOTH-IES. Smoothies can be counted as a meal substitute or an afternoon snack and they are absolutely delicious (provided that you put the right stuff in them). These 8-ounce concoctions will leave you feeling fuller longer and they are great for sitting by the pool. Simply add ¾ cup of milk, 1/2 cup of berries, whey powder and peanut butter and sip your way to slim! Read More »

I am sitting at a very long table. There are hundreds of people on all sides of me also sitting at very long tables. The only things that separate us are stacks of books, empty coffee cups and crumbs from the last meal we ate 6 hours ago. I have a highlighter and a pen stuffed into my ponytail, which I pull out whenever I need to remind myself of a topic I need to re-learn.

So far, the pen and highlighter have spent the majority of the day working their way across my notebook.

My shoes were kicked off hours ago and I would be resting my feet on the chair next to me if it weren’t for this big oafy kid neeeeeeeeding to sit there to study. Ass.

I am literally ready to pull my hair out. Ready to go home and watch some crappy reality television. Ready to do anything but study. But I can’t; I have two finals tomorrow.

And I am in a sh*tty mood.

Not even my friends visiting me with a milkshake could shake me out of this funk.

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It’s no secret that Starbucks captures both my heart and my wallet.

There is just something about entering those doors on a daily basis that calms my usually antsy self and makes me squirm with delight while I debate over my drink of choice: double tall nonfat, one-pump, white mocha or double tall, soy, no whip, one-pump, pumpkin-spice latte? (Hey, I’m a girl who knows what I like- but I do admit I hate appearing to be high maintenance every time I order!)While I’ve been able to budget my funds to fit in my Starbucks addiction (I just can’t give it up), I often turn a blind eye to the hidden calories that lurk in my green and white cup of java.

Especially with all the delightful super hot and super yummy speciality drinks this season! (hellllo peppermint mocha!)

But now thanks to starbucks.com, you can customize your drink the way you order it (or close to) and see just how much damage you are doing to your booty. Customize your drink of choice by size, milk, whip, etc and calculate… leaving you no room to ponder how you gained that extra pound when you step on the scale. Read More »