I’m sure most of us (myself included) don’t really stop mid-bite to ponder the effects of different foods on our teeth.  And while it doesn’t need to be at the forefront of our thoughts, we should still think about them chompers from time to time.

I don’t know about you, but I would rather not spend countless hours, dollars, and shrieks of pain getting dental surgery because I didn’t take care of my teeth early on… and refused to give up my daily coffee/candy bar breakfast routine.

Read on for the food rules of healthy teeth.

Drink tea: A study from the University of Illinois found that drinking tea without added sweeteners can significantly reduce the incidence of dental cavities.  Scientists propose that this is due to the polyphenol content of the tea, but the evidence is inconclusive.  Reduce the amount of cavities in your mouth by drinking at least a cup of tea each day, preferably after meals.  Remember that tea has plenty of other health benefits other than for your teeth, so drink up!

Avoid sugary foods: This one’s a no-brainer, but I thought it was worthy to include regardless.  Study after study has found an association between high sugar intake and high levels of dental problems.  Remember that other carbohydrates such as bread and cereals can also contribute to cavities if consumed in high amounts, so aim for balance in your intake of carbs, protein, and fats. If you are going to eat sugary foods, you can improve your dental health by brushing your teeth immediately after food consumption.

Chew sugar-free gum: Gum containing xylitol has been shown to reduce the incidence of dental caries by stimulating saliva production in your mouth, which can decrease plaque build-up.  Just be sure the gum you’re chewing doesn’t contain sorbitol, as it has less beneficial anti-cavity effects than xylitol.  Pop in a stick after snacks and meals to fight plaque buildup and thus, harmful dental cavities.

Avoid over-consumption of dark foods:  These can include coffee, red wine, and dark sodas.  Tobacco also has a similar effect, so stop smoking if you want those pearly whites (and lungs…)

Looks like someone could use some low fat cheese snacks.

Ah, Finals. How I love you. You fall during the greatest time of year and have me reading textbooks instead of drinking Gingerbread lattes and enjoying the holiday sales. You leave dark circles under my eyes and extra inches around my waistline.

Basically, you suck.
Big time.

But, I’m not going to let you conquer my spirit and beat me down to a mumbling, dribbling fool this year. You may not be easy like my Freshman year roommate; I may always scream for joy as I darken the last circle on my last Scantron form, triumphantly dumping my notes in the garbage. But with enough determination I, and the many other good looking and smart students like me, can emerge from the semester with my sanity intact.

How, you ask?
What, are you mocking me?
Don’t look at me like that, Finals. I’ll f**k you up!

OK, here’s how. With a little help from these friends.
How you like them apples, FINALS?!

1. Classical Playlist:
So, most of us don’t have a bunch of classical music mixed in with our usual Gaga/Flo Rida jams on our iTunes. But that is exactly what you need for optimal studying. Studies show that classical music is connected to improvement in some mental tasks. And studying for exams is definitely a mental task. Ot marathon. But you don’t need to spend all your bar money for some boring classical music; just plug in those ear buds, hop on over to Pandora and create a “Mozart” channel. Listen to that (instead of the ever distracting, Britney) while you run through flashcards and you’ll be relaxed, focused and a whole lot more prepared.

2. 24-hour establishments:
If we’re going to be up all night, we need resources. If we run out of paper halfway through printing our essay, get hungry at 4 am, or need a beverage to refuel, we’ll need to know ahead of time where we can go in the wee hours of the morning and get a pint of ice cream what we need. Well, if you live in any of the major cities (NYC, Chicago, Seattle, LA, San Fran., PHX, Austin, DC and Miami) the legwork has been done for you. This website will tell you anything and everything that is open 24 hours so you don’t have to waste precious time driving/Subwaying/walking around looking for “some place that serves bread sticks in this effing town.”

3. Leggings:
Asking us to put on real clothes during finals is just not a plausible request. Chances are after being up all night studying or writing papers we will wake up in just enough time to roll out of bed and sprint to class. To make it easier on ourselves, everyone should invest in a pair of leggings (I’m obsessed with these). Yeah, I never thought I’d say that either, but they truly are the perfect finals attire; they are comfortable to study/sleep in during that all-nighter, but still socially acceptable (with a long top, at least) to wear in public. Done and done.

4. The right source of caffeine:
As much as I love coffee and Red bull, that’s not going to cut it when it comes to finals. In about a week or so we will all be running on empty, with 2 hours of sleep under our belts. To combat this sort of sleep deficiency, we need tea. Namely Cinnamon Apple Spice and Vanilla Almond tea. It’s much healthier than for you than Starbucks, it’s still got the caffeine we need and these fun flavors don’t taste like icky booty like some of those unflavored teas do.

5. Brain Foods:
There’s something about finals that just triggers our body to crave the most fattening foods we can get our hands on. Resist this urge! Not only will this leave your notebook greasy and smelling like french fries (wait…maybe that’s not such a bad thing), these foods make you sluggish and slow your brain down. Instead we need to have healthy snacks on hand that will keep us energized and focused. Some of the best study foods are grapes, nuts, yogurt, granola, popcorn, low fat cheese, whole wheat breads or crackers and cottage cheese. Luckily, all things you can – er – borrow from the cafeteria next time you’re dining.

What other tips do you guys have for making it through finals?

Good to the last...gallon.

[Life isn’t black and white. As much as we wish we simply loved or hated things, there is often that whole annoying gray area in the middle. Like how we love American Apparel basics, but aren't so sure about the gold lame... Or how we love staying on campus all summer, but just aren't so sure we wanna be in the classroom. Damn you, gray area; you make decision-making that much more complicated!]

“One venti double chocolate chip skinny white mocha frappuccino with a single shot of espresso, half whip, skim milk, sugar-free caramel syrup, shaken not stirred.”

Does that sound like you? I, like so many people I know, can’t function without a big mug of Joe in the morning (and one in the afternoon). My eyes won’t even open until the heavenly scent of coffee hits my olfactory glands. Yes, I even grab one on the way to the gym. It’s not my fault – I’ve been conditioned by our go, go, go and caffeine-obsessed culture. But I wonder: is that (extra large) cup of energy-charged caffeine really good for me?

Love It
I admit it: I’m a caffeine addict. Coffee, tea, diet soda, you name it, I drink it. I have many reasons for my addiction, reasons I use to combat the imaginary little guy on my shoulder that tells me all this caffeine is not all that good for me:

Coffee reduces the risk of disease, improves your performance, and even has a few antioxidants in those heavenly beans. Tea has even more health benefits: it fights cancer, lowers cholesterol, strengthens your immune system, and has an amazing amount of EGCG. Some scientists even believe green tea can speed up weight loss. And when you need a fiz fix, there’s nothing like a can of ice-cold Diet Coke. And what about those late-nighters that seem like a college requirement at times? It’s why I currently have 3 cans of Red Bull in my fridge (originally a pack of 4). I mean, I always drink at least 8 cups of water to keep my body happy, but sometimes water just doesn’t cut it.  It doesn’t wake you up like coffee does, doesn’t provide as many health benefits as tea, and isn’t as fun to drink in a little cafe with your friends while you catch up on the weekend’s happenings. So be quiet, imaginary little anti-caffeine man and let me enjoy my caffeine in peace.

Loathe It
There’s a reason why humans are only supposed to consume under 300 mg of caffeine daily, which is equivalent to about 3 cups of coffee. (And I’m talking actual cups, not those giant venti things I’ve been walking around with.) Too much can cause twitching, an increased heart rate, tremors, upset stomachs, anxiety, and insomnia. Since caffeine is a diuretic, it can also lead to calcium loss which can ultimately lead to reduced bone mass and even ostereoporosis. Not to mention, too much caffeine leads to frequent trips to the bathroom (I don’t know about you, but this is why I never drink before long trips). Dark caffeinated beverages like coffee and Coke also stains your teeth and make your once-pearly whites not so white or pearly anymore.

I love my caffeine and could never give it up (just…can’t…do it….), but I do try to limit my intake so I don’t become too jittery and high-strung. And I’m working more milk into my diet to offset the calcium loss. And I’m brushing my teeth more often. And I’m….well, I’m doing anything to keep from breaking up with my Starbucks barista.

What about you? Are you trying to decrease your consumption as well? Or will you still make your (twice) daily latte runs?

pass it.

Well my favorite holiday is here. Don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas cookies; I love pumpkin pie; and I also love dressing up like a slutty Dorothy, cat, nurse, (insert random noun here); but there is nothing I love more than the 20th of April.

You may not usually celebrate this joyous occasion – I have actually only had the pleasure of celebrating it once – but one time was all it took to become an ardent supporter. In light of this, I thought I’d bestow some of my favorite stoned activities with you all so you have some options to spend  the best Monday of the year! So pull a Michael Phelps (read: hit the bong) and enjoy any of the following:

Watch Things
This is not only broad but also very obvious. And why is it obvious? Because it’s so much fun! There are so many enjoyable things to watch that are only more enjoyable under the influence. You could go with a funny movie like  Anchorman or Old School, or pop in an epic TV show like Summer Heights High, The Office, or, of course Planet Earth. You could also throw in a hilarious comedian routine -  Jim Gaffigan’s new one, King Baby, was responsible for me nearly peeing myself last week. Or, my personal favorite, just turn on the iTunes visualizer. Trippy!

Eat Stuff
Another very stereotypical example of a fun but often overlooked thing to do while high is eat. To maximize the fun of eating while being high, choose things that have very distinct tastes, flavors or sensations, like green apples and blueberries (cold). If fruit isn’t your thang (because who chooses something healthy when everything sounds so good), you can just build snacks out of your favorite ingredients. My friends and I usually end up with something  (rice cakes) smothered with peanut butter and chocolate chips. Yeah, it sounds weird right now, but get back to me after you take a few hits.

Delving even deeper into the unhealthy department would be Starburst, Skittles, and sherbet, which all happen to be very fun to eat while high. You may worry about getting fat from all the snackity snacking, but don’t be. You’ll burn all those calories laughing at your hand or the funny shapes of the clouds…on the ceiling.

Tune in
I love listening to music in any state, but rocking out while high is definitely one of my favorites. Just last week I was listening to Pink Floyd’s, Dark Side of the Moon, one of few classic rock bands I never fully understood and realized, “Wow, this is why everyone loved this stuff!” It was just so….awesome. Besides classic rock and that awkward genre of music labeled “chill,” electronic music sounds particularly phenomenal when high. Hell, everything will sound new, different and awesome when you are high, so pop in that Paris Hilton CD and rock out.

Go places
Sure, it’s tempting to lay around eating Tostitos when you’re high, but get up and go somewhere!  Even the most mundane activities take on a whole new level of fun when there is some cannabis in your system. Need some ideas? Here are some of my favorite de-stoned-ations: the beach, the woods, a park (or anything cool outdoors), anywhere in the sun, a bowling alley, a jungle gym, a concert, a diner (so much food!), the movies, the zoo, a museum, a long walk, or shopping (though I did end up buying some weird things at Target).

Other
Costumes, shadow puppets, prank phone calls and playing with iChat (if you are lucky enough to have a Mac) are also awesome.

Whatever fun things you plan on doing while you are high, be responsible. I know I am probably not a portrait of responsibility by any means but I have made a lot of mistakes and have learned from them. If you are consuming marijuana, don’t eat too much; it can be a very uncontrollable and terrifying experience. If you are high, don’t drive. Seriously, don’t do it. Not only is it dangerous, but you could really eff up your future if you are caught. Plus, it’s a lot easier to eat a peanut butter smothered rice cake when you’re not clutching a steering wheel. Finally, don’t get a haircut. Just trust me on this one.

Peace out, potheads, and have a great 4/20!

Girl suspended for responsible behavior.

Victoria Beckham does Sponge Bob Square Pants.

OMG Katie Holmes is scaring me.

Top 5 celebrity wardrobe malfunctions.

The beauty of tea.

Need a major? Try green energy.

And let us tell ya; with CC on your side, geek has never looked so chic.]

When I was young I used to sit in my room late at night and go through the toy catalogue page by page, writing down everything I wanted in a handy, easy-to-use list for my mom. She was a busy woman; I was only trying to help her out. Well, she didn’t buy me anything that was on my ten page list and, although this list is quite a bit shorter, I don’t think she’s going to buy anything from this one either. But I can try.

Below is my Holiday Wish List. I know this season is all about the giving, but this is what I want to be getting. So, if you are in the mood to give, I am definitely in the mood to recieve any and all of these electronics.

Tunage!

I still want the Ipod Touch. It’s so much fun. Touch screens are just great on their own; they make anything ten times better and boat loads more fun. But this little machine is loaded with the awesome. Not just for music but for games and videos as well. I need at least 16 GB because I do a lot (what? I get bored!), but the 8 GB should be ample (and cheaper!) for your Average Joe. Of course, if you get even more bored than me there’s always the 32 GB option. . .

Phone!

Speaking of getting bored, I’m pretty bored with my phone. I’d love a new one. In fact I want the G1. Everything you love about Google in a phone. Since everyone in the world is already plugged into Google (hello, Gmail!) this phone is just an extension of your everyday. It’s like your laptop but small and with phone capabilities. The G1 is a hot little piece of equipment and makes an excellent stocking stuffer.

Games!

But sometimes I like to unplug from the world (which is what I call the internet) and just game mindlessly. I like to do this in new and different locations. Like the mall, the library, or the bus. For this, the Nintendo DS is my pick. I’ve been down with Nintendo since it was a gray box of 8 bit goodness. Nintendo is the King of handheld gaming. PSP ain’t got nothing on them. The DS has a wide array of games, handles well, and is extremely fun. Animal Crossing? I’m set.

TV!

I really need a new TV (for when I am bored of internet and gaming). I want to 32” HDTV. Not just because my old TV totally died on me, but because tube sets are on their way out. Not only that, but all the new gen systems (which are really current gen systems) like the Wii just look better on HDTV. And they save major space in small quarters.

Computer

So my laptop is clunking along pretty slowly these days. She’s an old girl and seen some better days. I’m loyal to her but I think its getting time to trade up. I don’t really use my laptop for anything other than a glorified typewriter, but it would be nice to be able to do other things. Like watch movies. Dell has some sweet deals and are easily customizable for whatever you need. Like loading up all that music for your sweet new iPod.

That’s my list. What do you guys want?

All summer, everywhere I go, if it’s after 3pm, everyone is drinking beer. And, look, it’s not that I don’t like alcohol. I am a very big fan of wine. But if you drink wine while everyone is drinking beer, you suddenly become the butt of every joke. Which I totally get. But, I digress.

I don’t think the perfect summer drink is beer. I think it’s–wait for it, wait for it–TEA.

That’s right, tea. Don’t you know that drinking hot things cools you off, silly? Plus, tea is great for you and is very refreshing.

Here are some summer teas to help you cool off when everyone is making fun of you for shunning beer:

Chai Tea

Chai is the best of all tea worlds, if you ask me. It’s strong black tea with milk and sugar and spices. Delicious. Make it an iced chai and you’re set for the summer.

Thai Iced Tea

Spiced and sweet and, best of all, iced for your summer enjoyment.

Ginseng Green Tea

So high in antioxidants it’s kind of ridiculous. Plus, the ginseng helps keep you energized and alert (green tea naturally has less caffeine than black tea). Steer clear of the bottled Arizona kind, as delish as it is, to avoid excess sugar.

White Darjeeling Tea

White tea has even more antioxidants than green tea, and it’s low in caffeine so you can drink it at night when everyone else is drinking yucko beer around the campfire.

But, of course, if you absolutely need the caffeine (like I do), go for:

Keemun Tea

A black tea from China, keemun is deep and strong and strangely chocolatey (something I can always appreciate). It’s a black tea, so it’s fully caffeinated. So drink up, jitterbugs!

And if sweet and delicious is more your thing, try:

Bubble Tea

It has no nutritional value and it’s high in fat and it probably doesn’t have much caffeine, but it has squishy tapioca balls (sound gross but are great) and is so sweet and delicious, you must drink it all summer. And that’s an order, soldier!

So join me, friends, in the campaign of tea! Put down that high calorie beer and do your body a favor with summer tea. Summer tea! SUMMER TEAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!

[Image courtesy of http://www.everythingcoffee-tea.com]

Allow me to fill you in on my revelation:

Frappuccino: Absolutely not datable. Fraps are merely a milkshake with a thimble of coffee in it (obviously to make it more grown-up) and put in a fashionable cup to show off how trendy/cool/grown-up one is by carrying it around. Guys who go to Starbucks and order frappuccinos do not actually like coffee, but don’t want to feel lame for carrying around a McDonalds cup with what they really want – a milk shake. It has been my experience that the frappuccino guy is full of as much crap as his frap, steer clear.

Carmel Macchiato/Vanilla Latte/Peppermint Mocha/any drink with more sugar and/or whip cream than actual coffee: These drinks are for girls- particularly young girls. Any guy who orders these high maintenance beverages is just that – high maintenance. Ordering one of these drinks is the equivalent your suitor ordering a Cosmo at the bar, not very manly. Do you really want to battle for the high maintenance title with your man? It’s endearing when a girl is H.M., it’s gross when a guy is.

Tea/Iced Tea: Here is an acceptable beverage choice. This is ordered by the guy confident enough to admit he doesn’t like coffee. I appreciate that, coffee is not for all and it takes a real man to admit that he thinks it tastes yucky. Ordering tea shows self-assurance, and who doesn’t want that in a mate?

Coffee/Iced Coffee/Americano/Cappuccino/Espresso/Latte – Any form of coffee beverage lacking syrup, flavoring, and/or sprinkles: A guy who orders any of the aforementioned is probably worth a shot (no espresso pun intended). It takes an adult to order a real coffee drink without the sugary mask. While I would love to guarantee a guy is dateable when ordering these drinks, all I can offer is the hope that with the grown up coffee drink comes a grown up in a relationship.

I quit Diet Coke. I’ve been clean for 2 months with one lapse, where I tried to save calories at the bar and went for a Bacardi and diet. I couldn’t even finish it and have been off the sauce (the cola, that is) ever since.

Basically I have come to the conclusion that diet soda isn’t that great for you. Yes, it gives you a caffeine buzz, but there’s something I respect more about coffee and tea. I also read Skinny Bitch and the scare tactics got to me. But as I tried to keep myself from running around all jittery, I realized that leaving caffeine is a lot like ending a serious relationship. Except it can actually help stop the formation of an ulcer instead of causing it.

I’m down to one cup of coffee a day. It’s trickiest when you need little pick-me-up to get through the work day, but some things have definitely helped me transition:

1) Tea. It’s not the same as my Diet Coke fix, nor is it quite as glorious as my daily coffee, but it can be delicious and still gives you a little kick. There are also decaffeinated teas out there to help for that transition later down the road.

2) Hot water with lemon. It sounds weird, and I own that. But I love it. It’s very cleansing and refreshing, and that slice of fresh lemon really does more than you may think.

3) Flavored seltzer. It’s not too sweet, but it’s basically just carbonated water with enough hint of difference that you feel like you’re getting something. This is my newest addiction.

4) Apples in the morning. I heard a rumor that an apple in the morning can wake you up as well as a cup of coffee. It’s not quite the same, but it definitely helps, and it’s a great way to get in a fruit right at the beginning of your day.

5) Going to bed at a reasonable hour. I am getting more lame, and I’m accepting it. Thursday nights are still sacred and reserved for going out, but I try and call it a night other days by midnight at the latest. If I have to be up early anyway, it doesn’t kill me to stay in Sunday through Wednesday.

Have you recently tried to quit caffeine? Tell us what works for you!

Kombucha!

No, I’m one of the Three Ninjas (Remember them? How cute was Rocky?), Kombucha is a fairly new organic refreshment. A drink. An expensive drink, but, it’s damn good…good for you, that is.

According to Wikipedia, Kombucha is “the Western name for sweetened tea or tisane that has been fermented by a macroscopic solid mass of microorganisms called a “kombucha colony,” usually consisting principally of Bacterium xylinum and yeast cultures.” Fermented tea?? Sounds delightful.

A man by the name of G.T. Dave began bottling this light and fizzy juice in 1995 after his mother beat breast cancer, all the while drinking this ancient concoction. According to the bottle, Kombucha supports digestion, metabolism, immune system, appetite control, weight control, liver function, body alkalinity, anti-aging, cell integrity, healthy skin and hair. Need I say more?

Kombucha contains less sugar and very little calories for the wallop of goodness it delivers. I can attest that while working behind the bar, this is also a great drink to keep up energy levels. Better yet? If and when randoms ask me to down some shots with them, I pour a bit in a shot glass and yee haw! Oh, so sneaky…

Be warned there is a small trace of alcohol. The only downside, its hard to find and when you do, it breaks the bank a bit at right around four dollars a bottle. Make it last like me and cut it with water half way through. Mm mmm mmm.