It’s getting to that time of the year. The pounds of turkey. The heaps of stuffing. The mounds of mashed potatoes and gravy. Mmmm. You get the picture.

Let me just tell you that it’s not going to be a big deal. Sure, Thanksgiving is a food-heavy holiday, but I can assure you that one day of splurging isn’t going to hurt you! If you’re going to eat a lot, then at least be sure that you’re going to make up for it on the other days of the year. Seriously. Oh, and throw in this awesome cardio burst & ab move into the rest of your routine and I can guarantee you won’t feel as guilty in your turkey hangover.

1. Plank Jacks – CARDIO

Begin in a plank position. Remember to keep your hands directly under your shoulders, have a straight line from head to toe and squeeze your ab muscles. You’re going to hop both feet out so that they’re about 2-3 feet away from each other and back in to complete one plank jack. You’ll repeat this movement for one minute.

What’s a plank? Click here.

2. Push ups – UPPER BODY

Now, there are so many ways to do a push up. On your knees, on your toes, single-handed, explosive, clapping, traveling…the list is endless! Choose your favorite and give me 3 sets of 10.

Need push up ideas? Skim through this video – his version of “easy” push ups make me seem like a baby. Just wait til you see the “extremely hard” push ups.

3. Extended Arm Russian Twists – ABS

Begin in a seated position. Lift your legs that your calves are parallel to the ground. Bring your arms directly in front of your chest. Keep your back straight and chest lifted. Drop your right hand down to the ground and then squeeze your core to bring it back up. Do the same with your left hand. To add more intensity, simply add weights or extend your legs all the way straight into the air.

Give me 3 sets of 15.

Want more cool workouts? Tweet me @jackelynho for some heart pumpin’ moves.

People have been going gaga (har-har) over Lady Gaga’s Thanksgiving special: A Very Gaga Thanksgiving. I love Mother Monster just as much as everyone else, but the whole thing left me kind of confused. I guess Thanksgiving ratings aren’t the highest considering people are spending time with their families, and my dad certainly didn’t want to spend our holiday watching a “pop-tart” (his words) play on a piano table. I think hearing about her family and Thanksgiving memories was cool, and she looked and sounded amazing. I could listen to her all day, but what was the point?

I know Lady Gaga brings in ratings, but I don’t want this to be a new trend. I don’t want to see “Christmas With Biebs” or “A Very Nicki Minaj St. Patrick’s Day.” I think it’s bringing me back to the leave the holidays alone thing. It seems like everyone is focusing on how to make money off of them instead of letting them just be as they are. And with so many specials, it seems like there’s a case of FOMO (fear of missing out) because everyone feels the need to watch. If you don’t, then you’re out of the loop. I’m just not sure I can get behind these specials if they’re going to start happening all the time.

What did you think about A Very Gaga Thanksgiving? Do you want to see more specials like this from other artists?

After you start to come out of your Thanksgiving coma (about 6 minutes to 36 hours after the big meal), you get hungry again. But there’s nothing to eat, but the leftovers. Just how many turkey-stuffing-cranberry sauce sandwiches can one girl eat, anyway? That’s why CollegeCandy has scoured the internet to find notable post-Turkey Day recipes.

Here are seven dishes that especially grabbed us, for reasons good, bad, or ugly:

Most Idiot-Proof: Black Friday Pie (also works on a Saturday)

This recipe calls for lazy cooks to just layer all of their leftovers in a pan and cook them for 40 minutes. It’s like regular Thanksgiving, except all of your food has been mashed together!

Worst Middle School Cafeteria Flashback: Turkey Tetrazzini

Just look at that picture: a beige mess of pasta, gluey white goop, and sad turkey. The only good use for this stuff would be as a projectile in a massive food fight.

Best Way to Liven Up Dry Poultry: Curried Turkey

Heat up a cold, dreary Saturday with this Indian-inspired dish, which should make even Grandma’s dry white meat palatable.

Most Off-Putting Name: Aunt Wanda’s Turkey Carcass Soup

Okay, so this is basically just a regular recipe for turkey stock soup, which could be the least offensive use for leftovers ever. But I can’t get past the word “carcass,” which might be the most unappetizing term ever.

Sassiest: Saucy Turkey

This is really a barbecued turkey sandwich—which sounds scrumptious, by the way—but the name is so sweet that it sounds even more appealing.

Biggest Head-Scratcher: Deluxe Turkey Club Pizza

It’s like a club sandwich—but laid out on a pizza crust. I don’t know whether to be confused or just weirded out. What self-respecting pizza is anchored by a mix of mayo and lemon peel instead of tomato sauce? What about this is “deluxe”?

The So-Crazy-It-Might-Just-Be-Delicious Award: Thanksgiving Won Tons

Turkey, cranberries, and almonds mixed together inside of wonton wrappers, then fried in a skillet. Sounds like an triumph of food fusion to me.

Got any brilliant leftover recipes? Let us know in the comments.

[This post was originally written by Hilary - Columbia University]

So today is the big day. The day you stare a turkey in the eyes (or the drumsticks) and attempt to conquer it. And you’ll win. You always do. After all you did win the hot dog eating contest on the quad last year and you are the only one of your friends who can finish a case of beer by yourself.

Need some inspiration to get you psyched up for the big meal? Look no further!

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Fill your heart this Thanksgiving

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I’m VERY THANKFUL for sex

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10 things NOT to bring up at Thanksgiving dinner

Ah, Thanksgiving. A time to reflect on all the things that I cherish and am grateful for in my life. While holidays normally bring out my Grinchy McScrooge side,  gratitude is a sentiment I can get into. It’s so easy to get caught up in trivial annoyances, gripes and first world problems and forget that hey, shiz isn’t that bad. One aspect of my life that I’m truly grateful for is the sexual sphere. I write a lot about the things that I don’t like but I’m feeling all mushy and soft, so I’m going to indulge in this fleeting positive feeling.

Intimacy – This  has been my favorite part of hooking up since my awkward first kiss many moons ago. Even when I was getting frisky with guys I didn’t truly care about,  I enjoyed being so physically close and connected to someone else. There is something about being in the throes of passion with someone, when nothing else matters.

Endorphins – So, I’m generally a fairly anxious person. I tend to be a little high-strung and on-edge for no reason. But since I’ve started having sex regularly, I feel calmer, more grounded and a lot less likely to cry over the drop of a hat (the drop of my favorite snow globe, however…).

Protein – My favorite part of giving head is swallowing. It’s such a beautiful reward for what is usually a pretty arduous task. I love the taste, I love the moments leading up to ejaculation, and I really do believe those scientists that say semen has health benefits. My skin is clearer than it has been since before I even knew what a Backstreet Boy was and my teeth are noticeably whiter (goodbye, icky Crest Whitestrips).

The relationship I’ve cultivated with my body – I’ve talked about the insecurity that having sex can definitely breed insecurity and even self-hatred. But being naked around someone else regularly has inspired me to truly embrace myself. I can look at myself in the mirror and see a body that is capable of receiving and giving immense pleasure, even though I have stretch marks, scars and the remnants of too many chocolate donuts chilling around my stomach.

Validation – I would definitely not be one to promote actively seeking validation from someone else. That can lead down a dark, slippery, dysfunctional road in which you’re constantly putting yourself in questionable situations in hopes that you find fulfillment. That said, it’s definitely a fringe benefit of healthy, consensual, fun sexy times. There is nothing like knowing that you have the power to arouse someone with your fabulous sex skills.

So thank you, Sex. You’ve done a lot to improve my quality of life. Can you buy me some Louboutins for Christmas to really seal my gratitude? Smooches!

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Don’t think Jeremy Renner is dating any time soon

Thanksgiving is a time to take a beat from the rampant sex, booze and bad decisions of college life and embrace a more wholesome holiday spirit. Giving thanks. The concept alone should make you feel all warm and fuzzy and Angelina Jolie-esqe inside. As you sit down to a delicious home-cooked meal with your loved ones, I genuinely do hope you reflect for a moment on the cornucopia of blessings you’ve received over the year. The toilet paper dress you wore to that Anything But Clothes party didn’t unravel. The freshman you hooked up with took you seriously when you held a plastic knife to his throat threatening death if he told anyone what happened. Your RA still hasn’t found your vodka stash (zipped in the rolly suitcase under your bed). You, missy, have quite a few things for which to be thankful!

Personally, I tend to go a little more big-picture with my thank-you-fors. Eyesight…I’m a big fan of seeing. Also, my DVR, which has saved me the inner turmoil of choosing between Happy Hour and the newest episode of Parks and Rec. Most of all, however, I’m thankful for men. Yup. In all their burping, scratching, bearded glory. Think I’m crazy? Take a look at my favorite dude things and then tell me I’m wrong. Dear Dudes, I’m thankful for you because…

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(When you’re done here, don’t forget to check why He Said he’s thankful for women over at COEDMagazine.com)

In my hometown, there is a special unofficial holiday that celebrates Thanksgiving the day before Thanksgiving. This night is usually referred to as “Black Wedesday” — a play on words of the insane shopping day that is “Black Friday.” Clever, I know. This is a huge night to go out to the bars. You can find every college student home for winter break and every other resident in town with no work the next day out celebrating, and what better way to get a head start on celebrating Turkey Day than going out to the bars and getting completely wasted? That is the mindset I had going into my first Black Wednesday experience last year, and oh boy, was I wrong or what?

In my experience, this night can go one of two ways: 1) a fun and memorable night out with friends and family or 2) a drunken blur that ends with your head in a toilet.

Having dealt with the latter of those two options on my last night out on Black Wednesday, I would not want any other girl to go through the drunken hot mess of a night I did. It’s important to go out and have a good time, but it more important to a) make it home alive and b) not be so hungover you can’t stomach that second helping of mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce. So I have complied a few tips to help any girl survive Black Wednesday.

1. Stay at one bar the whole night

I know this doesn’t sound like fun, but trust me, this is a good tip. On Black Wednesday, the bars are so overcrowded that you can barely move. And with the overcrowded bars, comes long lines outside those bars. Try to get your group of friends to agree on one bar to stay at and park there the whole night. You will not regret this. I’m from the Midwest, so it’s basically below zero by the end of November, and it was last year on Black Wednesday. I spent more time waiting in lines in the rain, freezing my ass off and getting soaked, than I did inside the actual bars. Not fun.

2. Do not over do it

I have heard many people refer to this night as “Black(out) Wednesday” but this is not the way to having a successful night. Of course, I can’t be a hypocrite and say that I have never gone overboard with the booze, but I can say that this night in particular is not a good one to over do it. On this night, you will most likely run into every person you have ever known since birth. These people will include: your religious education teacher, your sophomore year lab partner, your ex-boyfriend, your ex-best friend, a copious amount of your parents’ friends, and every single person from your graduating class. This night is basically like a three hour long passing period or an early high school reunion. The last thing you want to be when running into all these people (especially the ex-boyfriend, yikes!) is a drunken mess with beer spilled down your dress and vomit in your hair. Obviously it’s more than okay to get a good buzz going, but make sure that you can carry on a coherent conversation and show everyone what an amazing young woman you have become.

3.  Save your money

On Black Wednesday, the bars in my town are well aware that this will be one of the busiest nights they have. So what better way to make more money than to raise their prices? And they do just that. And everyone is too drunk and merry to notice. That is until you open your empty wallet the next morning. I am not sure of the exact amount I spent during my last outing on Black Wednesday, but I do remember buying a round of Vegas Bombs for my entire senior year math class. Just take a lesson from me — don’t do that. Pregame (for a lot cheaper) before going out to the bars, and maybe just stick to nursing one or two drinks for the rest of the night.

I guess the unofficial fourth tip would be to just have fun! This night is a great opportunity to catch up with people who you may have lost touch with over the past couple of years. Many look at Black Wednesday as another excuse to get completely annihilated and make a fool of themselves, but go a different route this time. Enjoy the night so that you can also enjoy the next day! Turkey Day! Trust me, you don’t want your Nana to ask you at the Thanksgiving dinner table if you “hit the bottle hard last night.” Been there.

Do you guys have Black Wednesday in your hometowns? Does it have the same connotations as mine does?

Thanksgiving preparation time in my family gets pretty hectic. Between my sister throwing turkey basters at my brother, my dog helping himself to stuffing and my grandmother asking if every electronic device in our house is an iPhone, it’s a noisy mess. That’s why this year I decided to create a Thanksgiving-themed playlist to drown out all the noise from the family — and I couldn’t help but be inspired by  these amazing #thanksgivingsongs and #newthanksgivingsongs  that I saw on Twitter.

Check out our favorites right here:

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