Do you ever find yourself snacking even though you’re not hungry — at all? We tell you how to break the habit.
We asked Marlene Schwartz, Ph.D., director of research and school programs for the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University, for the best tips to curb your "bored" snack cravings.
1. Recognize that you're doing it: One of the easiest ways to find out when you’re eating out of boredom is to write down everything you eat and at what time for two to three days. You can do this in your daily planner, on a piece of paper, or in a journal. When you analyze your list, you might notice that you're eating a lot of random snacks right when you get home from school because you’re wandering around the kitchen. If you can identify the times and the places that you eat without being hungry, you'll have something concrete to focus on.
2. Set rules: Tell yourself that you eat only when you're sitting down at the kitchen or dining room table. Don't eat in front of the TV, on your bed, or in front of the computer. Those are high-risk areas because you might not necessarily be hungry, but you’re not going to be paying attention to what or how much you’re eating if you start to snack.
3. Make a regular eating schedule: You want to have breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and it's okay to have a healthy snack or two if you have a long stretch between your meals. But don’t stray from that schedule. Do you always need a dessert after dinner? That’s fine. But don’t throw in another dessert two hours later when you’re writing a paper at 1 a.m.
4. Keep your hands busy: It sounds obvious, but if you’re doing something else with your hands, it’s pretty hard to eat at the same time. Polish your nails, try a new hobby like knitting, read a book, play video games — anything to make it tough to eat at the same time.
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Have you ever wondered what Jesus must've been like when he was a teenager? Maybe not, since there's a major gap in his life story in the Bible. But his teen years had to have helped shape him into the man that he became. Well now, renowned physician, philosopher and writer Deepak Chopra has penned a novel called Jesus: A Story of Enlightenment, which imagines what Jesus' teens and early twenties could have been like. We caught up with Dr. Chopra on his book tour recently to ask him a few q's...
Q: Your latest book focuses on Jesus as a very young man, before he was the Jesus we know. Why is it important for us to understand Jesus' teen years?
A: You have to understand the teen years of any leader to understand the mechanics of their leadership. There are certain things that dominantly stand out. People who become great leaders are those who take time to reflect every day on the big questions: Who am I? What is my purpose? Who are my heroes in history, mythology, and religion? What are my unique talents and how do I express them? These are the qualities of silent reflection that make a great leader, like Jesus.
Q: What can teen readers take away from this book?
A: I hope teenagers will be inspired by this story to maximize their potential. The teenage years are years of great chaos and confusion in your lives, but also a time of seeking a deeper meaning. You will see the confusion and the questioning that Jesus went through—just like any other teenager, Jesus had to go through that, too. In the teen years, we often confuse self-image with self-esteem. Teenagers are very influenced by the image others have of them. All sorts of complexes come from this, Q: Do you think today's teenagers get a bad rap? A: What we do wrong with teenagers is we talk down to you instead of treating you as equals. Adults complain that you're not good listeners but really, adults are not listening to what you're trying to tell us. We're always trying to give you advice. We should treat you with lots of respect and dignity and groom you to be future leaders. Q: You are known as a man of great faith. What can a teenager do if they have faith in a religion other than the one their parents brought them up in? A: I would say that rather than looking for another religion, look for the values that are in every religion. The time is coming when we will go beyond narrow religious confines and embrace a spirituality that will include the best of all religions and transcend narrow boundaries. Remember this: Beliefs divide, values unite. When we go to the values that underlie so many religious beliefs, they unite us. So try not to worry what your parents think — try to help them see that you do live by the values that they taught you. Q: What's one thing every teenager can do starting today to help change the world? A: Take the vow: On my Website right now you can take the vow of nonviolence in your thoughts, your speech, and your actions. Every time one person becomes peaceful in their own life, it changes the world. Imagine what would happen if everyone took this vow? I've been working in this field for many years and we make movies and create stories about peace, but unless we make the change ourselves, nothing is going to change. As Gandhi said, be the change you want to see in the world. Go to deepakchopra.com and sign up to take the vow today! To buy Deepak Chopra's new book Jesus: A Story of Enlightenment, go to bn.com.
I'm home for the holidays, home to aquamarine seas, mango trees and 90-degree weather. A white Christmas it is not, unless you count the white sand beaches I can see from my bedroom window. But it's the kind of Christmas I've always known.
I am from Guam, a hometown (home island?) that often provokes a quizzical raise of the eyebrow. "Guam?" people ask. "Where's that?" A few facts:
-Guam is a small tropical island located smack dab in the middle of the Pacific, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines.
-The island's total land area is 212 square miles, just 32 miles long and between 4 and 8 miles wide.
-The indigenous people of the island are called Chamorro, which is also the name of the indigenous language.
-Officially, Guam is an organized unincorporated territory of the United States, along with American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It has closer political ties to the U.S. than commonwealths like Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands.
-Yes, we speak English!
If this is all new information, don't worry – most people have no idea that America still lays claim to tiny territories in the middle of the Pacific. It's really kind of sad, because Guamanians are some of the proudest Americans you'll ever meet. They fly U.S. flags in their yards and send thousands of their native sons to fight U.S. wars. But most of the country has no idea that Guam is even a part of the United States!
As a Chamorro girl and a writer, I feel that it's my duty to spread the word about Guam and its unique history and culture. I spent a significant chunk of college studying the island and its issues, so if you have any questions, ask away!I hope you all are having a wonderful holiday season, wherever you are and whatever holiday you're celebrating. I'll be celebrating the Chamorro way!
Until next time,
Jess
CosmoGirl Travel Blogger
Now that Christmas is over, I'm ready to move on and focus my attention on the next holiday: New Year's.
I look at 2009 as a way to start fresh. Things started great in 2008, but started to fall apart this winter — so I'm looking to make this new year great from start to finish.
Much like everyone else on the planet, every year I make resolutions that I barely ever stick to. As I am getting older, however, I am realizing how important it is to have goals, and that a resolution is really just an early start on my yearly to-do list.
This year, my resolutions include several of the typical goals to improve my physical well-being, but also some to cater to my mental well-being as well.
- Exercise more frequently. I was so busy this semester that I forgot to go to the gym! Now I have to get back on track.
- Give up caffeinated products. This is going to be so difficult, wish me luck!
- Take more pictures. I've gotten into scrapbooking, and I just got a new digital camera. My goal is to take at least one picture every day!
- Read more often. I seem to be convinced that when I'm in school, I don't have time to read. Time to prove myself wrong.
- Dance. I'm rejoining dance club, but I'm thinking of becoming more like Ellen DeGeneres and busting a move whenever I feel like it.
- Land an awesome (and paid!) summer internship. I've already started applying — go me!
- Become more eco-friendly. I've got a list of little ways to do this, but if you have any pointers, let me know.
-Take up yoga. I did it once at summer camp and felt so relaxed — I need that relaxation back in my life!
I'm sure as the year progresses I will add more goals onto my list. For now, here's to hoping that I accomplish everything that I have already set out to do.
What are your New Year's resolutions?
Lately, I've been struggling with the definition of home. When you're traveling, the first thing people want to know, even before your name, is where you are from. It's a simple enough question, but my answer is pretty complicated. Is home where you grew up? (That would be Guam, U.S.A., a tiny island territory in the Pacific Ocean) Is it where you were born? (San Francisco) Where you keep all your stuff? (New York City) Where your parents live? (Guam and Rome) Where you declare residency for voting? (New Jersey) Where you last paid rent? (Paris)
I'm all over the map, as you can see. So when people ask me where I'm from, rather than launch into my life story, I tend to keep it simple. "New York," I say. Everyone in the world knows New York, and everyone loves it. I don't need to explain where it is or how I ended up there. And more importantly, even though I've only lived there for two summers while interning, it's where I feel the most at home.
There's something magical about New York, especially during Christmastime. The city is alive with lights and possibility, and you always manage to stumble on something fascinating – incredibly talented street performers, crafts fairs, television show filmings. When I was going to college in New Jersey, I would always escape campus to come into the city. The energy on the streets would instantly invigorate me, even when I was at my most tired and stressed.
Thankfully, my travels have finally taken me back. I am in New York for a few days en route to Guam for the holidays. I am writing this entry in a Starbucks in Union Square while sipping on a Gingerbread Latte and nibbling on a massive Rice Krispies treat – man, I missed them when I was in Europe! Outside, it's snowing, and the streets are lit up with twinkle lights. Dean Martin's "I'll Be Home for Christmas" just started playing on the sound system – the perfect song to suit my mood. Even though I plan to continue traveling and exploring the world, I have to be honest – it's good to be home.
Until next time,
Jess
CosmoGirl Travel Blogger
What clique were you part of in high school? We all know Mean Girls and the "Plastics." It seems like every school has their notorious clique of girls, mean or not, plastic or real. Even in Gossip Girl, acceptance into Blair's posse parallels that of applying for college! The pressure to be accepted is sometimes outrageous.
At my middle school there was a rivalry of the cliques. It was amongst the "Chickas" and the "Stars." I remember being friends with girls from the "Chickas" and then having my other friends start the "Stars" in effort to mock the "Chickas." I was in the "Stars" for a while and then made the mistake of saying that what we were doing was immature. This resulted in my expulsion from the group. Though our leader claimed they weren't a real clique, the "Stars" definitely had turned into one.
Then there was "M.O.S.S." — my friend's high school clique, which started amongst her and her three close friends. She described how each letter in "M.O.S.S." stood for one of their four names, and because one of them had a green house in her home (where they hung out), the four of them found it pretty clever.
Now I'm not saying all cliques are bad; I still refer to me and my two best friends as the "Trio" every time we come home from college and reunite. While it may seem silly, it's just a way that we remember that no matter where we are, we have each other.
What is dangerous in middle or high school though is the exclusivity you put on your group of friends. When you don't let others hang out with you and expel friends when given the opportunity. Even setting down rules to what must be followed to stay part of the group is a bad idea.
So are you part of clique? Are there a group of "Plastics," "chickas," "stars" or "M.O.S.S." at your school? Do you label you and your friends?
Xoxo,
Divya
Technology and I just don’t get along.
I’ve never had a problem understanding how to use my computer, iPod, cell phone or any other technological gadget, but I’ve always had problems with getting them to work.
In the past five months, I have had to bring my laptop to our campus computer team at least five times. At first, it was a simple problem – the back light on my screen needed to be replaced. Once that was fixed in August, I thought I was all set. Soon enough, I was back in the Resnet (residential networking) office, begging for help to clear all of the viruses off my computer. No matter how hard the computer guys work to clean my laptop, the viruses keep on coming, and I have no idea where from.
I’ve gotten used to my computer being sick all of the time, and like a good "mom" I always take care of it until it gets better. But I have to admit – it’s getting really old.
On top of my constantly ill computer, my iPod decided to stop working last month. As I attempted to upload some of my new songs onto it, a message popped onto my screen telling me that the device had been corrupted, but could be fixed by restoring its original settings. So, that’s what I did, and it hasn’t worked since. Now I plug in my iPod, and nothing happens. It won’t charge, it won’t upload my music, it won’t do anything. Rest in peace, my dear friend.
I’ve asked Santa Claus for replacements this Christmas, but I fear that any replacements may some day meet the same tragic fate as my current failed gadgets.
At least I still have my cell phone. For now, I'm getting ready to head to the library to pick up a book and study for some finals.
Has technology ever failed you? What do you do for fun when you don’t have a computer or an iPod?
I love my dog. He is the only stable man in my life. He loves me unconditionally and even (especially) gives me kisses after I've had anything wreaking of garlic or tuna to eat. He sees me when I look my worst, lays next to me when I'm feeling blue and waits patiently for my return when I go out. For all these reasons, Sam (my dog), deserves some pretty fantastic gifts this holiday season.
One of those gifts will be his very own bed. Not that I don't enjoy his drool or hair all over my pillows and sheets, but he really deserves a his own area where he can stretch out and not hog half the covers. This uber-cute bed from Bessie and Barnie is custom-made to order. You can pick the shape, size, and color for your favorite feline or canine companion. If you're looking to hide large amounts of hair from your shedding sidekick (perhaps so much hair you could create puppies from his clippings), try to get a color that's the same as your pet. To learn more about ordering, please call the Canine Country Club (212-787-7387) for details on purchasing these beds.
I also can't forget to pick up some of Sam's favorite toys. Take a look at Sam's wishlist here, which includes gifts for his fellow pet friends.
Happy holidays to you and your favorite furry (or feathered) friend!
xoxo,
Deanne
P.S. Don't forget to pick up gifts for your siblings, parents, and friends. They may not be as loyal as your pet, but hey, they deserve something nice too.
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Hola, chicas!
I'm still on the road, literally – I'm writing this entry on a bus traveling through the southern Spanish region of Andalucia. This past week, I have been hopping around Spain with an unlimited bus pass, hitting up Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Cordoba and now Granada. It has been a pretty crazy experience so far. Last Saturday was Constitution Day in Madrid, which made finding accommodations close to impossible – I was scared I'd have to sleep on the streets! I managed to choose the coldest, wettest week in the history of Spain to travel, and I came down with the flu AND pinkeye in my first few days here. Plus, Spain is a very social place, which can make traveling alone, well, a little lonely.
I'll stop before I start sounding like Debbie Downer and get to the high points of the trip. There have been lots, I promise! I got to see some really incredible monuments – Park Güell in Barcelona, the Alcázar in Seville and the Alhambra in Granada were my favorites – and explore some really cool museums. I met awesome people from all over the world in my hostels and had interesting late-night conversations on American politics and the pros and cons of organized religion. I finally got to finish the book I've been reading (Palace Walk by Naguib Mahfouz, a family saga set in turn-of-the-century Cairo) and had a lot of much-needed time with my thoughts and my iPod.
Overall, it was a good trip, but being on the road for so long on your own really makes you miss the comforts of home – especially when you're sick! All I wanted was soup, Sex and the City DVDs and my mom. Instead, I had to sleep in a 12-person hostel dorm room in the middle of Spain. But what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right? Even though being sick threw a damper on my trip, knowing I could survive on my own was pretty empowering!
The Notebook, Atonement, Breakfast at Tiffany's, and My Best Friend's Wedding are all classic romance movies that we let our hearts swoon to when we watch. We cry and believe that soul mates and true love exists. That real romance is out there and some of us simply have not found it yet.
However, can real life be like a movie or fairy tale? Maybe it can't and these movies are just a fantasy and a good form of entertainment. After all, how many of us drop glass slippers and have our prince persistently traverse a town looking for the girl who wore it? Perhaps the problem today is that people pursue romance and not love.
You may think "why is pursuing romance a bad thing?" It isn't necessarily, but it is a bit unrealistic. Reason being, when you get into a relationship, you may have that Notebook Hollywood relationship for the first 6-8 weeks, but when flaws are exposed is the true test of how strong the relationship is.
I believe that real love, or even real care for someone is loving them when they are unlovable. When the best version of that person does not shine through, yet you still care for them strongly.
It is the same love you have for your friends and family, yet (to what I assume) stronger and more intense. Someone once told me, "I would die for loving someone, but not for being in love." Is being 'in love' a temporary state of mind, and is that why people can fall 'out of love?'
What are we constantly looking for? Romance or love? A mix of the two perhaps? What is your definition of the two?
xoxo,
Divya Bahl
When I was a freshman in college, my room had a nice bathroom that I only had to share with four other girls. Since we had a bathtub, one night I decided to take a bubble bath. One of my roommates and I got a little silly and she started taking pictures of me in the tub with the bubbles strategically placed to cover my girly parts. It was fun at the time...but flash forward to when I finally got that roll of film developed (yes, this was before digital cameras). As I looked through the pictures it occurred to me that the guy at the film place — a guy I didn't even know — had seen me naked (almost!). I was mortified. That was the last time I took any "sexy" pictures of myself.
NOW flash forward to today, when you can easily take a topless picture of yourself on your cell phone and send it to a guy without really thinking about it. The problem is that if you decide you don't want other people seeing that picture, you may be too late — the guy may have already shown or forwarded it...to lots of people.
In a recent survey taken by cosmogirl.com in partnership with The National Campaign to Prevent Teen & Unplanned Pregnancy, we asked teens nationwide all sorts of questions about how common it is to send sexy pictures and text messages or to post them on your MySpace/Facebook profiles, and why you do it — even when you know there can be pretty embarrassing consequences. Check out our photo gallery of some of the most surprising results here, and also see the full results at thenationalcampaign.org. And even though we know you already know, it's worth taking a look at our list of things to consider before hitting send or post — sometimes the best advice just bears repeating, you know? So...if you've ever sent/posted a "suggestive" text or picture, why did you do it? Did you end up regretting it? Tell us!
And next time you take a bubble bath? Do yourself a favor...leave your camera outside the bathroom!
Love,
Susan
Another entry, another country! This week finds me in Barcelona, one of Spain's most vibrant, lively cities. I am here visiting my younger sister, Livia, who is studying abroad at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra through International Studies Abroad. Barcelona is one of my favorite cities in the world — I love how full of art, culture and life it is. Livia loves it too, and it's pretty obvious she's having the time of her life.
In my opinion, studying abroad is one of the most fulfilling experiences you can have in college. When I was a sophomore, I studied Italian language, culture, art and history at Temple University in Rome. My dad lives in Italy, so I had visited several times before, but living and studying in the city was an entirely different experience. I really got to know Rome, and corny as it sounds, I really got to know myself.
There are tons of programs out there, each offering a completely different experience. Great resources are available on StudyAbroad.com, IIE Passport and GoAbroad.com. Before you select one, make sure to ask yourself a couple of questions:
What kinds of courses does the program offer? Whether you're passionate about international relations or a closet art geek, make sure your program offers a wide array of courses to suit your interests.
What's the living situation? Usually, study abroad programs offer dormitory-style housing, apartment set-ups or home-stays, which allow you to immerse yourself in the culture and language of a host family. Put a lot of thought into what living situation will fit your character and schedule best.
Are there opportunities for interaction with local students? Some programs have their own campuses, while others allow you to take classes in local universities. While the idea of studying at a foreign university sounds a little intimidating, especially if the language of instruction isn't your first, it offers a great chance to meet locals.
These are just a few items to take into consideration, and there are countless others. But with so many programs out there, you're sure to find one that fits perfectly!
This Thanksgiving, while most families (including my own) were joined around a traditional dinner table sharing turkey and stuffing, I was on a rooftop restaurant overlooking the Nile, feasting on beef shawarma and spicy potato stew. Although I was far from home, I had a lot to be thankful for -- I am currently in Egypt with one of my best college friends exploring the treasures of one of the world's oldest and greatest civilizations.
We started our adventure in Cairo, which is one of the most insanely chaotic cities I have ever visited. In fact, the city was recently singled out for having one of the highest noise pollution indexes in the world – about twice the normally acceptable level set by the Environmental Protection Agency!
We hit all the major sites – the Egyptian Museum, the Al-Azhar Mosque and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar. And let's not forget the Pyramids at Giza. We decided to forgo the traditional day trip route in favor of the much-hyped nightly light show - a Sphinx-narrated sound, light and laser extravaganza. The show was horribly cheesy but loads of fun – the perfect way to experience one of the last surviving wonders of the ancient world, in my opinion.
After a few days in Cairo, we were ready for our next stop – Luxor, home of the Valley of the Kings, the temple of Karnak and the tomb of Tutankhamun, among dozens of other temples, ruins and tombs. The sheer number of things to do in Luxor was overwhelming; we spent a hectic two days sightseeing and still didn't fit everything in!
Now, we are heading south to Aswan, a sleepy town that is supposed to be "all the things you imagine when you think of the Nile" – desert, palm trees and lazily floating feluccas. I'm excited to sit back and relax for a little bit. Egypt has been fascinating but extraordinarily difficult. Right now, I am jotting this entry on a piece of scrap paper while waiting for a train that was supposed to depart at 7 a.m. It is currently 10:34 a.m. Public transportation, like opening hours, Internet connections and pretty much everything else we've encountered on our trip, doesn't function like it does in Europe or the U.S. Luckily, we're learning to let go of our expectations and go with the flow. When things get really bad, we laugh until our cheeks hurt at the absurdity of the situation.
At the end of the day, these kinds of things – unforeseen delays, ridiculous adventures – are part of the fun of exploring.
Do you have any crazy travel stories? Share 'em here!
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