Author: curtis.strite

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Lifestyle

Running Strollers That Keep Up With Your Routine

Jogging strollers seem like such an unnecessary added expense when you’re first starting out with a child. They’re hard to navigate because of their bulk, are terrifyingly heavy, and don’t have all the cool gadgets that traditional strollers possess. But ladies, those fears and stories are a thing of the past. It shouldn’t come as too big of a surprise that there are now fantastic running strollers that can keep up with your daily routine, essentially replacing the traditional stroller in no time.

Why Purchase A Running Stroller?

You may be wondering to yourself why a jogging stroller is even necessary? Well, once you’ve gotten over the initial postpartum recovery you start feeling cooped up in your own home. When you step outside with your little one you may even be reminded that there’s this thing called The Sun. When you run errands it’s much easier to strap your infant to your chest or leave them in their carrier. Pretty quickly you’ll find that strollers are fairly pointless at this stage, but not running strollers. Running strollers are a fantastic way to get out of the house and be active. They give you the capability to access terrain that would ordinarily be inaccessible for a new mom. Plus, many jogging strollers have the capability where your infant carrier can snap right in!

Studies show that exercise is HUGELY beneficial to the postpartum recovery.

It can:

            – Help revive and restore muscle strength and strengthen the abdominal muscles

            – Aid in postpartum weight loss

            – Improve mood, reduce stress, and help relieve postpartum depression

            – Provide energy from increased blood flow (Better Health)

So, with all of that said, I’m sure you’re ready to jump on that jogging stroller train. Fortunately, it’s 2015 so you don’t have to worry about the price being astronomical or the jogging stroller weighing more than you!

Tips And Tricks For Finding The Perfect Fit

There are certain jogging stroller features that are vital, and then there are others that are an added bonus. It’s important to make sure your stroller has some of these features and that these features are efficient. It’s important when you’re shopping that you take them for a test drive around the store. Fold them up, place your child in them, or even roll them down the stairs (with your kid out of the stroller, obviously) to test out its sturdiness.

Jogging Stroller Must Haves

Wheels

Obviously you need wheels, but you may think a wheel is a wheel. But not so fast. For one, jogging strollers only have three wheels instead of four, and they’re much larger in diameter. Jogging stroller wheels aren’t made from tough plastic or solid rubber but are literally a bicycle tire…just on a smaller scale. <ake sure to keep your wheels properly inflated because if they start getting low this can cause back pain and other bodily ailments. Another important point is the options for your front wheel, two to be precise: fixed or swivel.

A fixed wheel is for those joggers that are more serious. It’s perfect when running or jogging over rocky terrain as it won’t veer the stroller off course, but the one downside is you have to lean the stroller on it’s back two wheels to actually turn it.

Then there is the swivel wheel, which enables you to easily turn from left to right. This is ideal for the casual runner who also plans to use their jogging stroller in grocery stores, malls, and other compact places (There are some brand of strollers now coming with the capability to lock and unlock the front wheel, providing the best of both worlds).

Personally, I prefer the swivel wheel as I like going from the park to the farmer’s market. The swivel wheel is a lot more forgiving, and there’s no way I’ll be marathon training anytime soon!

Brakes

Brakes also have options that need to be considered. For the serious joggers, there are hand brakes that will assist you in slowing down when you’re tackling a steep decline. Then for the casual runner you’ll find that the brakes are on the base of your stroller. You’ll either have a break on either wheel or a foot operated brake that prevents you from bending over.

It’s crucial that you remember to brake your stroller anytime that you’re stopping, especially if you’re leaving it unattended for even a moment. Remember, regardless of the front wheel you choose, jogging strollers are meant to glide forward easily. So even the smallest of inclines will cause your child to go rolling ahead.

Shock Absorbers

Shock absorbers are the crutch of a running system. You’ll find coils right behind your two rear wheels, and these are what form parts of your stroller’s suspension system. Shock absorbers absorb any of the bumps and cracks you may bounce over, preventing the stroller and your baby from getting jostled. Beware as some cheaper models of jogging strollers don’t come with any type of suspension system. So, if you’re wanting your baby’s ride to be smooth and for them to just sit back and relax double check to make sure you have those coils (Parent).

Seat

Again, this is a feature that has multiple options. There are three different aspects of the seat you want to consider: the seat cushions, reclining capability, and the seat belt. Seat cushions should obviously be plush, but you also want to make sure you can easily remove and clean them. This will be such a life saver for your time and mental health! Also, a seat that can recline will change your life big time. When those big eyes begin to get droopy just drop that seat back so they can snooze the ride away. Also starting the recline off pretty far back is your best option when you first place them in there, as they most likely will not have gained a grasp on balancing yet. And on those days where you HAVE to check out that sale, why not do it over their nap?  Lastly, your seatbelt should really be a safety harness. The most common harness is the 5-point harness, which secures the upper and lower half of your child. Ones that come with padding is just an additional bonus.

Folding / Weight

A big concern for mothers, especially those who are just getting back into fitness, is the ease of lifting and storing a jogging stroller. They’re typically bulkier, but manufacturers have created a “quick fold technology” which enables women to fold it in one quick movement. Jogging strollers used to be anywhere upwards of thirty or more pounds, but now they can be as light as twenty pounds. Ease of storing a stroller can make or break a woman’s quest to fitness (Baby Gear Lab).

The strollers that have the “quick fold technology” are genius because they’ll even balance upright, but the downfall is they’re incredibly bulky. The option for a more compact device is purchasing one where you can remove the wheels and fold it into a smaller space, perfect for storing in your car!

Canopy

It’s crucial to have a canopy that can be adjusted to different covering stages in order to protect your child from sunlight and other elements. Some jogging strollers have a plastic or mesh opening so that when your canopy is fully extended you’re able to clearly see your child.

Jogging Stroller Added Bonuses

Now that you know the nitty gritty about life with a jogging stroller, lets get to the fun part.

How many of you want to store your phone or ipod somewhere other than your arm? Well, some strollers now have a section in between the cupholders (whoa, cupholders!) where
you can easily secure a smartphone or other music device. And if you’re getting really fancy, you may even be able to hook them up to built in speakers! Now that’s VIP running for sure.

A pedometer is a handy addition, as it’ll tell you just how far you’ve traveled. And to go along with that pedometer, a wrist strap is such a life saver as it’ll keep your stroller from getting away from you on that rocky slope.

Fit For Life

So, what are you waiting for? Running strollers are the perfect choice for your first or next stroller. These hybrid city/running strollers are revolutionizing the way women and men spend their time with the kiddos. Exercise is crucial to a healthy and happy life, and having the right instruments to make this possible is key. Take a look at your local baby store to find the right fit for you!

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Lifestyle

Permaculture: Healthy Soil for Healthy Living

While you’re savoring that sweet and succulent nectarine do you ever think about where it came from? What farm it grew and flourished on, who harvested it, and how long it took to grow? I’m sure we’re all at least vaguely aware of the GMO, organic, and pesticide discussion, and have at least a passing thought as to what exactly has happened to our food we’re indulging in.

But let me ask you – have you ever thought about the soil? What type of soil your food grew in, what its condition is, and whether its health benefits are affecting the visibly perfect food you’re munching?

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has declared 2015 as the “Year of Soils” just so people like you and me can get the 411 on healthy soils.

The top points:

-Healthy soils are the foundation for healthy food

-Soils support our planet’s biodiversity; 1/4 of biodiversity to be exact

-Soils help to fight and adapt to climate change

-Soils store and filter water, improving our resilience to floods and droughts

-Soil is a NON-RENEWABLE resource; it’s preservation is essential for food security and our sustainable future

(Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)

A pressing issue that ecologists are discovering is the challenge to rebuild topsoil. Topsoil is a non-renewable resource so the more chemicals and pesticides we transmit the weaker and less efficient it becomes.

Let’s take an example. Say you color your hair every six weeks. You color it red, brown, blond, and any other color that strikes your fancy. After a certain period of time, your hair is going to become brittle, be riddled with split ends, and eventually break off. The beauty of hair is that typically it will grow back.

This is not the case with soil. The more fertilizers we add to perk up the dirt the more its natural elements are neutralized, and once this occurs it’s terribly hard to revive.

Soil is instrumental in carbon flow as that’s what plants live and breathe. Ever since we were little we’ve learned in science class how important it is to diversify where you plant your crops from year to year. However, even with crop rotations, farmers are starting to stumble upon soil that is unyielding no matter what method they try.

Dr. Christine Jones is a soil ecologist who has spent years studying the link between carbon and healthy topsoil. She explains that all of the fertilizer and pesticide use has interrupted the carbon cycle. Farmers start out with the best intentions, but all of these chemicals are breaking down the billions of microorganisms that are crucial to soil.

But there is an even bigger issue that’s resulting from man-made fertilizer; plants have easy access to food, and therefore they no longer need to exude carbon (Christine Jones).

So, now that we know the problems what can we do to fix it?

Permaculture – it’s the latest buzzword for preserving soil.

Permaculture is a creative design process based on whole-systems thinking using ethics and design principles. It helps us to mimic the patterns and relationships we can find in nature and can be applied to all aspects of human habitation, from agriculture to ecological building, from appropriate technology to education and even economics (Permaculture Principles).

I know we all love the earth and the wonderful things it has given us, but we just need to educate ourselves a little more about how we can efficiently take care of and restore the soil which produces so much for us.

The earth is such a precious gift, and we need to take advantage of it. Bring your concrete jungles to life with potted flowers and plants, take your children out into the wild, and experience the rain. First-hand experience will harvest a greater appreciation, in turn making you care more.

When using renewable resources remember its value, not only to us but to the entire ecosystem.

We’re not the only consumers of the environment. Look at the caterpillar or the apple orchard. Everything is interconnected, and one careless move causes a chain effect. Not only should you value the diversity of the environment, but you should also make a conscious effort to utilize all the moving parts. Whether it’s from utilizing an entire broccoli plant to leaving a slug in its habitat. Not everything is going to be aesthetically pleasing, but it’s important to consider more than your immediate comfort.

When you have healthy soil, you have healthy food. If you’re growing vegetation in polluted soil, the finished product is going to be tainted as well. Healthy soil equals healthy living, and of course we want this to be accessible for our future generations. So take time to think about what you’re digging into and how you’re nourishing it. Spread the word, and our world will reap the benefits.

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Wellbeing

Why Staying In A Dead-End Relationship Is The Best Thing You Can Do At Any Age

Relationships. Relationships are sticky and can end with joy or bitterness; sometimes both. You know what’s worse than your typical relationship? One that’s doomed for failure. Have you ever fallen victim to the dreaded dead-end relationship? You couldn’t imagine life with him, but you couldn’t imagine it without him either. It just seemed easier and, quite frankly, it was comfortable to stay on the path you were going. Routines are nice, but little did you realize how your happiness was slowly bleeding away.

But finally, enough is enough.

When you finally escape from that downward spiral you can take a breath of fresh air. Everything has a rosy hue. No longer do you have to stress about what you’re going to wear, how long you’ll be out with friends, or if you’re just in a bad mood. Life instantly becomes better and easier. Of course, you’re going to miss the comfort of knowing someone’s there and invested, but you’ll feel like you’re getting a new chance at life. Three months to three years…it’s a LONG time to be in something that you know is going to end.

Now’s the time to rediscover yourself. If you’re honest, you’ll admit that you had morphed into his identity. Once it was ‘DanAndAmy,’ and now it’s just Amy. You’re no longer identified by your partner; you’re identified as yourself. 

Did you REALLY want to go to P.F. Chang’s, or would you rather have ordered Dominos and stayed home with your friends drinking wine? Should you keep your long hair or chop it off? Are you REALLY an outdoor person? All of a sudden you’re  faced with an identity crisis, but it is the sweetest crisis yet.

How many of us get the opportunity to rediscover ourselves? You’re about to pass  on that ice cream cone but then realize you don’t care if you aren’t a size four. You realize you’re not satisfied staying at home during the week and decide to go out every day, or you may realize that you’d rather lay in bed binge watching House of Cards. So skip the camping trip and go on the yoga retreat. It feels good trying new things and being honest whether you enjoy them or not. You have no one to impress but yourself.

No only do you get to become reacquainted with yourself, but you can be unabashedly selfish. If you want to move across the country for your job you can without it being ‘a thing.’ You don’t have to budget your paycheck so you can go visit his family, and you don’t have to plan your next vacation around anyone but yourself. And you know what else? You can go ahead and eat that last slice of cake.

P.S. You’d be lying to yourself if you didn’t really just enjoy every last bite.

But most importantly, your newfound freedom teaches you how to be alone. It’s scary to rely on yourself when you’ve gotten into such a habit of having a co-pilot. It’s even scarier to realize you’re not going to have those cozy date nights for a while. We’re creatures of habit and when our world gets rocked anything but the norm is going to scare us.

Although there is so much to be gained  you’re not going to get off without feeling some sort of sadness and regret. When time has set in you’ll began to cringe at your ignorance and lack of backbone. It’s inevitable. It’s happened to all of us at one time or another.

So what happens?

You’ll begin to play the ‘what if’ game. What if you had ended it sooner? Where would you be today? Why did you let him hold you back for SO LONG?

Fortunately, I’m writing to you. I’m about to talk some sense into you – Stop running away from the miserable memories and delve back to the good parts.

It worked, didn’t it? If not it’ll take time, but you have to keep trying. 

Look at it this way – You’d never have traveled across the country like you did, vacationed overseas, tried white water rafting, or even appreciated the little things like a starry night. You may have even formed some meaningful relationships through him, a few which you could quite possibly still maintain to this day.

It can be almost painful to admit that there were some good times. Of course, there will have been so much hurt and anger that negate the good times. If there wasn’t these negative emotions you’d still be together.  

Dysfunctional relationships are incredibly eye-opening. They help you rediscover yourself and grow. You end up becoming reborn into a better version of yourself. You become more confident, know what you will and won’t tolerate, and, next time, you won’t be afraid to say goodbye.

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Lifestyle

Stranger Than Fiction: Scientists Are on The Verge of Creating Lab-Grown Limbs

I’m sure many of us have seen the recent PSA’s regarding organ donors. The feels that ensue are gut wrenching and, quite frankly, made me take a detour on my way home to change my driver’s license preference. Organ donations are one of the advanced medicine miracles of our time, giving people a second chance that 65 years ago wouldn’t have been feasible.

However, organ donations are known for being few and far between. The waiting list is dizzying and the amount of time you have to wait sometimes borders on years.

But now there’s talk that organ donations may eventually be a thing of the past with lab grown prosthetics beginning to take shape. Although this is not the same as organ transplants it could quickly morph into this.

The exact science behind this new age-y science is fairly involved, but here’s a breakdown. We’ll use the example of a rat since that has been the first success story.

    1. An arm from a deceased rat was taken and placed in a vat of chemicals that disintegrated all of the cells leaving “primarily [the] vascular and nerve matrix.” In other words, it pretty much looked like a clean skeleton.

    2. As the cells were being removed from rat number one, muscle cells from rat number two  were being grown in an additional dish.

    3. The skeletal arm was placed in a container, and these new muscle cells were injected into this skeletal arm (again this is a VERY basic explanation of the process).

    4. This arm was left in the vat for two weeks, and when later inspected, the cells had been accepted. When electrical stimulation was applied to the arm it already had 80% muscle mobility (CNET).

This bioengineered arm has a clear advantage over a prosthetic limb as the range of motion is better and you can feel pressure and/or heat. Although clinical trials are a long way off and the success of it actually being accepted by the body will initially be slim, the current success of human hand transplants is encouraging.

In 1998, the first successful human hand transplant was performed on Matthew Scott. This 13 hour procedure was performed in New Zealand and doctors from around the world were flown in to provide their assistance. Since then, multiple hand transplants have been performed with success rates being higher than fail rates (Composite Tissue Allotransplantation).

The hope is that organically grown limbs and organs will have a higher acceptance rate within the body compared to that of a foreign organism. Prosthetics are usually rejected, or the recipient is on antibiotics for their remaining years to keep their body from rejecting this foreign matter (Engadget).

Organ donation is amazing and prosthetics are used by thousands, but wouldn’t it be amazing if we could have an endless supply to stop waiting lists and remove stigmas? Lab grown limbs are on the horizon, and although it may feel as though we’re playing God, the results can be astoundingly beautiful.

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Sweat

Why 'Skinny' Isn't the Goal We Should Aim For

We can talk all day about the unrealistic and unfair expectations of what a woman’s body should look like. I mean, have you seen models lately? First of all, there’s just no possible way that big of an, uh, ‘upper chest area’ could be naturally on that tiny of a waist. It’s just not.

But, for some reason, we convince ourselves it is. And, we try to get that. Us regular, everyday women. Why is this stuck in our heads? Hey, I’m not yelling at you. It’s stuck in my head, too.

I’ve had to work to accept the fact that my more ‘athletic’ body (re: big thighs) is going to be my body forever. I just can’t physically get my thighs to shrink enough to get that coveted thigh gap (re: sarcasm, on the coveted part. It’s dumb. Unless you naturally have small thighs, then kudos for having a natural thigh gap. Keyword there: natural).

Anyway, the point is that we shouldn’t do things with the end goal of being ‘skinny’. Here’s why:

1) Skinny doesn’t always equal healthy.

You know those people that can eat whatever they want and never gain a pound? I’ve always been jealous of them. I have to count every single calorie I put in my mouth. But, really, we’re putting way too much emphasis on weight.

Studies show that those people with lightning-speed metabolisms make up a large portion of the percentage of people that have medical issues we pair with obesity: type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. It’s become known as ‘skinny fat’. These people with the envious metabolisms stay skinny, without exercising or eating right, and it’s unhealthy. So, maybe skinny isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be.

2) Skinny has become a state of mind.

When you’re aiming for skinny, are you aiming for skinny because you want to be healthier and weigh less, or is it because you want to be like those girls? Those girls being the ones that I talked about with the impossible-to-get bodies. I’ve aimed for skinny before. I bought into that mindset that to be attractive, you have to look (at least close) to how they look.

But, then I metaphorically slapped myself out of it. When I was aiming for skinny, I wasn’t eating right. I ate way less than what my body needed. I was exercising, but with the little protein and carbs I was getting each day to help my body recover the exercises weren’t helping me be healthier. I just felt tired and wasn’t getting much skinnier.

Working out without eating enough won’t decrease your body fat percentage in the long run. You’ll feel worse, sleep worse, and won’t be able to concentrate (probably because your stomach is growling). It’s an unhealthy way to try to be what we have come to believe looks good and is healthy.

It’s dangerous to slip into this state of mind when you believe skinny is the only way to be. This is where eating disorders take root. Everyday in the U.S. eating disorders affect 10 million women and 1 million men. That should be proof enough that we need to be working to change this ‘state of mind’.

3) Being fit will feel and be so much better!

Even if it is a long journey, both mentally and physically, having a goal to be fit will feel so much better. Having a good balance of calories each day–that includes some fats, some sugars, and, yes, some carbs–along with an active lifestyle, will get you to a body you’ll feel happy about. You might not be a size zero, but you’ll be the size you weren’t meant to be: a healthy, fit size!

Having a mindset for being fit will be more energizing. You’ll feel happier and have better mental health. You’ll be less likely to have health problems. And, once you let go of that nagging feeling, that societal pressure to be skinny, the possibilities of what you can do and how you great you can feel are limitless.

Let’s change the conversation. Let’s stop aiming for skinny and start aiming for being fit, healthy and in love with our own bodies!

Categories
Wellbeing

Easy Steps To 'Zen' Your Move

There’s nothing quite as overwhelming as living out of a box. You’re looking for a fork and instead find the sandal that’s been missing for days. You’re wanting to make dinner but the only cooking item you find is a beater and spoon; not too helpful. MOVING…that dreaded word that holds excitement and anxiety in one.

Moving is exciting, but it’s also incredibly stressful and exhausting. However, my friend recently went through a move, and I never even knew it. There were no espresso IV drips, no crying phone calls, and no rumpled outfits in sight. What was her secret? Goal-setting, organization, and a little bit of zen.

This sounds simple enough, but we all know how easy it is to get derailed. Luckily using some of these tried and true strategies can assist you in not only coping, but avoiding the typical unpleasantness that’s usually partnered with your big move.

Switch Over Bills And Subscriptions

It’s tempting to put the busy work off until the last minute or even for when you’ve already moved, but this can be incredibly detrimental. Not only for your finances but for your mental health as well. You can do this as early as a month before your move-in date. Go to the post office and submit a forwarding address, and begin making phone calls to your credit card company, utilities office, and any other offices where you need to submit your new location.

Pack At Least A Week Before

I hope you’ve been collecting those boxes because now’s the time when you’re going to need to cash in. Go room by room, each day after work, and pack up all of your items; labeling has never been more important. If you make sure that each box is clearly titled then this could very well be your easiest move yet.

Ask For Help

Moving day is stressful, and it’s even more bothersome when you’re encumbered with the entire move yourself. Seek out help, whether it’s family, friends, or coworkers. Not only will it speed up the process, but it can help prevent injury as well.

Stay Hydrated & Fit

It’s crucial to maintain your health whether it’s the weeks before, during, or after your transition. Fast food and soda may seem like the answer, but that’s one of the worst things you could do to yourself. Although proper nutrition and exercise may seem tedious, it’s wildly beneficial. Exercise has been given increasing credence for reducing stress. So guzzle down that water while you’re lifting heavy boxes, and even though you may be exhausted, going for a light jog will remove you from your chaotic mess and assist you in coping.

Unpack One Room At A Time

Containing a mess is preferable. When you focus your energy on one space at a time you’ll feel more accomplished and not so overwhelmed. That sense of relief when your kitchen is finally organized and ready for the next Rachel Ray meal is amazing, and can easily be attained if you’re not flitting about your space frantically trying to unpack.

Find Your Zen Space

Sometimes you’re just not going to be able to handle the mess and stress of your new move, and that’s okay. If you have an established place that provides you with serenity, now would be the time to indulge. Go to your favorite yoga studio, traipse through the park, or just go for a drive. Whatever it is, make sure that it’s something you’re comfortable with because when you’re going through change the best resource is something that’s familiar.

Change is stressful and leaving your comfort-zone is doubly so. But if you’re organized, ask for support, and take care of yourself this move could possibly be your best one yet.

Good luck!

Categories
Wellbeing

Being Content Doesn't Mean You're Settling

Happiness is self-contentedness. — Aristotle

I was driving to work the other day, and I was happy, unapologetically so. I recently moved into the city and was overjoyed to avoid the 45-minute traffic jam. The buildings were older, the trees mature, and there was a bustle that just felt fresh.

I was envisioning a future where I’d bike to work, take my daughter to the park, and spend lazy Saturdays exploring new markets and restaurants. But then I stopped myself. Is this where I really wanted to be? I never wanted to live in St. Louis. I had set my sights on Colorado, northern California, Washington… Why was I suddenly feeling so content?

Was I becoming complacent?

This terrified me, and my happy mood instantly plummeted, urging me to yearn for the next best thing. As I expressed these feelings to a friend, it hit me: Maybe I’m scared to be happy.

There’s a popular sentiment that we should always be striving to better ourselves, physically, financially, and emotionally. There is always room for improvement, and while pursuing excellence is typically healthy, it can be terribly harmful when taken to an extreme.

Being content means accepting where you are with happiness. Being complacent means settling for circumstances that are less than ideal. I was fearful that being happy was going to keep me in this place forever. But would it really be that bad? I had become so obsessed with plans I’d constructed in college that instead of moving me forward they were actually holding me back.

Being content doesn’t mean you’re settling, it means that you’re mature enough to enjoy individual moments in life, whether big or small, planned or unplanned. It means that the horizon is not always out of your grasp; you can actually touch it and marvel within its beauty.

Social psychologist, speaker, and author Heidi Grant Halvorson has explained how contentment and happiness evolve over time: “Research suggests…that [happiness] slowly evolves into something very different from our youthful idea of happiness. Happiness for the young is largely about anticipating the joys of new accomplishments…as we grow older, we find that happiness becomes more and more about being content in our current circumstances, and hanging on to what we’ve already got.”

Many other psychologists agree that happiness isn’t a feeling, but is more accurately described as having a sense of contentedness.

Why wait till our youth has passed us by to be satisfied with what’s before us? Our mental health is a work in progress, and although it’s important to be introspective, happiness shouldn’t make us feel guilty either. Every day we grapple with the challenges of attaining happiness. It can be a rocky path for some. So cherish those good moments and don’t let them be plagued by fear or self-doubt. Your body and mind will thank you later.

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Wellbeing

Transracial Paradox: The Psychology Behind Racial Identification

The term ‘transracial’ has been discussed in the news a lot recently. Some people in the media are saying it’s synonymous with transgender. However, to compare the two (transracial and transgender) is impossible.

For starters, transracial is an adjective that describes a certain type of adoption process, not a person. Secondly, when discussing the association between multiple races it’s crucial that we know the difference between racial and ethnic identification.

It’s interesting how, in our culture today, the accessibility between our race and someone else’s is so fluid. Take the millennial generation for instance. How many kids have adopted the black culture even when they are not African-American? They mimic cultural facets like hip-hop, hairstyles, slang, and dress, which have all become acceptable by society.

But it can become problematic. Anita Thomas, a health and psychology researcher at Loyola University Chicago, reaffirms the difficulty that comes with racial identification. Many kids brought up in a culture that isn’t within their set ethnicity may feel that they can’t relate to people of their own race.

But where is the line between adopting a culture and completely identifying with one race over another?

Ample amounts of research reveal that most individuals recognize their socially assigned race, even if internally they relate with a differing ethnicity. So when do these feelings go too far, and why has “transracial” suddenly become a buzzword?

Rachel Dolezal, the former NAACP Spokane, Washington chapter president, has recently been under fire for claiming to be African-American. Consequently her favorite word is transracial; it’s the crutch to her entire story. Again, transracial is being used incorrectly in her argument since it refers to adoptions NOT the race you identify with most.

The fallout she’s been experiencing is due to her deceitful behavior and motive for advancing her career and placement within her community. Dolezal has participated in various interviews and shuts down the argument that her identification was for selfish purposes.

“[At five years old] I was drawing self-portraits with the brown crayon instead of the peach crayon and black curly hair, [that’s how I was identifying myself]…As much as this discussion has somewhat been at my expense recently, and in a very sort of viciously inhumane way come out of the woodwork, the discussion is really about what it is to be human. I hope that that can drive at the core of definitions of race, ethnicity, culture, self determination, personal agency and, ultimately, empowerment.”

Critics argue that entirely eliminating one’s previous race and assigning another to themselves is merely another element of white privilege, and that “even if someone identifies as another race, they have the luxury of dodging the burdens that come with.” (Essence)

In the past, African Americans who have lighter skin have passed as white to escape oppression. Overall, people are rather ambivalent regarding what race you identify with or even try to pass yourself off as. However, when you begin to completely deceive people for personal gain, this is when problems arise. “Someone who crosses racial boundaries from a privileged one to a marginalized one is much more likely to do so for political purposes or to profit from minority culture.” (The Guardian.com)

Let’s again take Dolezal. She appears to be benefiting from identifying as black without having to experience “a lifetime of racism,” and she’s able to shed this persona if and when she wants. Her actions would be counterintuitive if she didn’t have the option to relinquish her newfound identity.

On a lesser scale, rappers like Iggy Azalea, Riff Raff, and Eminem all benefit from the privilege of being white. They have culturally appropriated themselves through their lyrics and dialect. Iggy Azalea imbues her tracks with southern hip-hop, which consequently skyrocketed her to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Yet outside of her musical persona she’s just another white, blond woman who has cashed in on the popularity of our age’s obsession with hip-hop culture, which originated and is mainly populated by the African American culture.

So what exactly makes a person the ethnicity they claim to be?

Ethnicity is the makeup that someone receives from their family, society, and media. Your ethnicity could be virtually anything since it’s socially constructed.

Brandi Lindsey, a contemporary transracial expert describes how transracially adopted children struggle with ‘fitting in’ because of their appearance and cultural heritage. This is due to their ethnicity lying somewhere outside their assigned race.

Even though race is socially constructed as well, we don’t have the luxury of refusing our assigned race because many times it’s undeniable. Race comes with very real and concrete benefits and consequences.

So for a moment, let’s entertain the discussion of similarities between transracial and transgender. Proponents of the similarities between the two are stating that race and gender are both social constructs. And this is true. However the validity behind this argument stops there.

Race is based on genetics and biology. If your parents are black then you will be black, if your parents are hispanic then you will be hispanic. To get into the technicalities of biology would be incredibly tedious, but it’s based upon evolution and the regions our ancestors were from.

Gender is not based on biology; it’s a social construct used to differentiate between males and females.  This can easily be changed whereas changing races is only accessible to certain people.

To make this more clear lets say we have a black woman named Tiffany and she said that she was white, what would you say?  Chances are you’d laugh and not believe her…at all. Transitioning into a different race is a privilege only certain people can tap into. Now lets use Dolezal for another example. She is able to get a tan, a perm, and find certain outfits that help her assimilate into a different race. The difference between our friend Tiffany and Dolezal is that Dolezal can go home and wash off her bronzer, straighten her hair, and call it a day. Tiffany can’t wash off her race, and that’s something that isn’t defined by makeup.

There is no similarity between the two.

In conclusion, the common thread that’s become rather insidious in our society is utilizing the normative white privilege to further personal agendas. On the surface some of these racial identification complexes may seem innocent enough, but there is a deeper rooted psychological defect that needs to be investigated.  

Instances in history where a minority has attempted to visually morph into a dominant race has been used as a device for personal gain, whether it was to escape oppression or increase chances for opportunity. To say a person in a well established majority isn’t trying to access a benefit by assimilating into a traditionally oppressed race is false.

If people want to identify with a race other than their own they should be doing it with transparency and tact.  But truly, if we want to have a conversation in regards to identifying with a different culture it should be done in the context of ethnicity and race, not through the use of a term reserved for an adoption process. Racial identification is a complex issue that’s been wrought with struggle. However, topics like these frame positive conversations that can hopefully be filled with understanding and compassion.

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Nosh

Coffee Lovers Rejoice, Science Says It's Good For Mind, Body, And Soul

Coffee is always competing for the world’s most popular beverage, but what many don’t know that it’s actually doing a lot more than helping you be a functional member of society. Several scientific studies have accredited coffee as the number one source of antioxidants in America’s diet, providing numerous cognitive benefits, keeping the liver healthy, and reducing stress.

Free radicals, (which sound like rebellious teenagers running amok) are atoms, molecules, or ions damaging cells within the human body and can potentially contribute to cancer. A recent study has discovered that roasted coffee stabilizes and combats these harmful radicals, thus making that next cup of morning joe something to never feel guilty about.

For those female drinkers out there, a study has also found that drinking up to four cups of coffee a day can reduce the risk of endometrial cancer by one fifth.

Many people believe that hot tea or vegetables are superior in antioxidants than coffee. Wrong! According to a study back in 2005, scientists discovered for the first time, decaf and caffeinated coffee were equally shown to be the primary source of antioxidants in consumers. Joe Vinson, Ph.D., study leader and chemistry professor at Scranton University said, “Americans get more of their antioxidants from coffee than any other dietary source. Nothing else comes close.”

It’s no secret that coffee lovers jump-start their morning for caffeine buzz, but it has also been proven to be great for short-term memory retention. Don’t take this as an excuse to drink 12 cups a day, but in moderation, your brain will be in tip-top shape after a few cups.

The benefits of being a coffee consumer don’t stop there; moderate consumption is also believed to be associated with reducing the risk of developing the liver disease alcoholic cirrhosis. This disease can destroy healthy tissue within the liver replacing it with scar tissue, and is most commonly found in heavy alcohol users and smokers. A study discovered coffee drinkers were 22 percent less likely to develop the disease.

For those who want all of these benefits yet despise the taste of coffee, simply walk into a coffee shop and take a whiff.

The magical power of coffee can even be found in the scent. The aroma of coffee has been attributed to reducing stress. Granted, scientists here studied the brains of lab rats when exposed to the smell of coffee, making it ethically and scientifically questionable, but the smell of coffee is rather fantastic, so we’ll let this one slide.

Obviously, the more coffee one drinks the less beneficial it will be, but science has given the world a green light on the daily java brew. It’s pretty remarkable how coffee has built up a bad reputation over recent years as being addictive and harmful, but in reality can actually help us all live healthier lives. With that being said, go support local coffee shops, get creative with brew methods, and hang out with friends and family over one of the most delicious and healthiest beverages in the world.

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Nosh

Changing Just 5 Things About the Way I Eat Made a Huge Difference

I love food. Love it. Whether it’s a warm, perfectly assembled meat lovers pizza or a vegetable stir-fry with a thick, sweet teriyaki sauce, I can dig it. I grew up with grandmas who could do some serious cooking. The homestyle, comfort food type of cooking. While I loved it, it gave me high expectations for how food should taste (little did I know they used bacon grease in most dishes…that’s healthy, right?)

Now that I’m no longer a kid that can eat whatever I want, eating healthy and actually liking it has become trickier. With age, eating seems to turn into this weird balancing act of eating those good sugars, plus plenty of fiber and protein, oh, and veggies, too. And, what foods are good for my heart again? I need some to boost my metabolism, too. And, then the toughest part, limiting sweet treats. Ugh, getting older is sort of a bummer sometimes.

I started to test some tricks out on myself to see if ‘controlling’ what I ate could be easier than it sounded (and was). I read from Dr. Mike Moreno’s ’17 Day Diet’ book, the theories of juicing, and suggestions from other workout/dieting programs. It came down to five little things I could do that made a huge difference in how I eat and my ability to keep my diet (and weight) healthier.

1. Spicy, Spicy, Hot

I’m a bit of a wimp when it comes to hot foods. Mild salsa can be a touch too much for me depending on the brand. But, I do love the spicy food burn (weird, right?). Have you not had jalepeno or Sriracha chips? Whew. Good stuff.

But, here’s the trick. If I open a bag of those chips (it’s one of my favorite snacks), I know I won’t eat more than a handful because they’re hot to me. I took that theory and applied it to foods I cook. Often, I’ll add a touch of some spice to make it just mild enough that I still like it, but just hot enough that I won’t (and can’t) eat more than what I really should.

2. Whole Wheat Wins

Whole wheat or whole grain foods skip the whole refining, processed food part that white breads, flours, etc. go through. What this means is that the important healthy parts of the white flours, breads, etc. have the entire grain taken out, and the nutrients that are removed during that process must be added back in through a refining process. (The more processed, the farther away from all-natural and healthy you get).

It also has less calories, saturated fats, carbohydrates, and has more protein and fiber (the good stuff). I started switching my pasta to whole wheat, english muffins, bread, crackers, and pretty much anything else I can find. The amount of calories I save each day has been tremendous and the extra protein is a great nutrient to have after my workouts to help replenish my muscles.

3. Fruit In the Morning, Not Afternoon

This was a trick that I pulled from the ’17 Day Diet’. It suggested that you should always eat fruits before 2PM because, while the sugars in fruit are natural, they’re still sugars and won’t digest as well later in the day, meaning you won’t be burning those sugars off. So, I started eating more fruit in the morning. Simple things like adding a banana to my breakfast or having apple slices as a mid-morning snack.

The natural sugars helped boost my energy throughout the morning, and if I eat one in the late morning, it can help me in the drowsy after-lunch hours. You shouldn’t have more than two servings of fruit per day, but eating those servings earlier will help you bounce right through your day, and avoid storing those sugars as fat.

4. Shakes and Smoothies As Sweet Treats

Yes, sometimes this can be a hassle. Who has time to get a bunch of ingredients together in the morning to make some concoction in the blender? This is why I tend to gravitate toward smoothie and shake recipes that have less than 5 ingredients (and, there’s lots of them out there).

5. Alcohol Shouldn’t Be a Fourth Meal

This is sometimes a tough habit to change. When I’m out with friends on a Friday evening, I want to have a drink with them and enjoy myself! But, I started to look into my choice of drinks and I was a bit surprised when I added up the numbers. I started to realize two or three beers after dinner was pretty much equivalent to me eating another meal.

So, I made some small changes. Surprisingly, using ginger ale as a mixer with different kinds of liquor is lower in calories than using sodas or just beer. But, I also started getting a glass of water in between every couple of alcoholic drinks. It keeps me from drinking a fourth meal of calories, but lets me still indulge a bit.

Bonus Tip: Popcorn

I’ve always said I could live on popcorn. But, as it turns out, it’s a great choice for a low-calorie snack that also has lots of fiber and whole grains. It’s better to air-pop it if you have the option, but if not, try to stay away from the heavy butter types.

But, if you just can’t do without the butter, it’s still a better option than downing a soda, eating a candy bar, or slicing off a piece of pie!