New Year's resolutions are not overrated

Lately, New Year’s resolutions have become labeled as dorky. Or some people just don’t even try to make resolutions because they know that they’ll give them up faster than the time it took for them to come up with them. But what’s wrong with setting goals? Coming up with resolutions just shows that you’re open for improvement. It shows that you want to change for the better. There’s nothing dorky about that at all. I want to encourage you to make a goal or a whole list of goals. It can be something as simple as flossing everyday or something more elaborate like running a marathon. 

Make some short term goals

Sometimes, making resolutions can be overwhelming because your list consists of items like learn "10 new languages" or "defy the laws of gravity…two times". But it’s okay to set goals that you can accomplish in a month. They can be things like “do 10 push-ups in a row” or “finish a whole book”. 

Remind yourself of your goals

Try keeping your list of resolutions somewhere in your room or on your computer desktop. These resolutions are for the year of 2014, not just the first week. Seeing your goals everyday will remind you what you want to accomplish. 

Go out and actually accomplish your goals

Lots of us set goals but end up forgetting them halfway through January. We give up because we’d rather just take the easy route and go back to our bad habits and sedentary day-to-day patterns. We hardly make an effort to go through with our goals. What’s the point of setting goals if you don’t physically try to accomplish them? Don’t second guess yourself or talk yourself out of your resolutions. Don’t overthink it. Set goals and work hard to accomplish them. Then when December 31st comes around, you can celebrate the many things you were able to achieve throughout the year. 

Here are some goals that anyone can strive for. They are free and make a great impact on your health.

Drink more water

I cannot stress enough how important drinking water is for your health. It is recommended everyone drink at least 8 cups of water everyday, but go ahead and drink more if you want. If you don't like drinking plain water all of the time feel free to mix it up and try making your own lemonade and teas, and I don't mean powdered lemonade! Stay hydrated people!

Get more sleep

This is yet another important thing all of us need. I love sleeping. We should aim to get at least 8 hours of sleep every night, but there’s nothing wrong with getting more. Sleep allows our bodies to rest and recover from our day activities. I find that turning off my electronics and reading a few minutes before bed helps me fall asleep pretty quickly. 

Exercise

The word exercise can make some people cringe. They start imagining endless hours of cardio on a treadmill or elliptical. Exercise doesn’t need to be that way. Just get outside and start moving. You can take a walk around the block, play frisbee, go for a jog, or even ride your bike. The possibilities are endless. Exercise doesn’t have to be a boring routine. Make it enjoyable. 

I hope this post has been helpful for you and it has motivated you to make some goals and stick to them. I wish you a happy 2014! (and 2015….and 2016…etc…)

~Amanda 

50 things to do when you're bored

Cheerios commercial sparks controversy

I was astounded to read on the news how this Cheerios commercial became controversial. In the commercial, an adorable little girl asks her moms about whether or not Cheerios are good for your heart. When the mom confirms that fact, the little girl leaves the room. In the next scene, we see the dad wake up from a nap with a bunch of Cheerios on his chest.

My initial thoughts about the commercial

When I first saw the commercial I thought it was very cute. I don’t usually pay a lot of attention to commercials because there are so many dumb ones on TV nowadays. But, this commercial stood out to me because it was sweet and creative. I had no idea about the controversy it sparked until I read an article about it online a few weeks later.

Why was the commercial controversial?

The commercial was controversial because the family in the commercial is a mixed-race family. Yeah, you read that right. There were so many racist comments when the commercial was posted to the Cheerio’s YouTube channel that its comment section was disabled.

Camille Gibson, VP marketing for General Mills, stated they chose an interracial family because “Ultimately, we were trying to portray an American family, and there are lots of multicultural families in America today”. 

Did you know that the statistics for the number of interracial couples in the United States are at an all-time high? Today, 1 in 12 couples are of mixed-race. 

Nearly two-thirds of Americans said it “would be fine” with them if a member of their own family were to marry someone outside their own racial or ethnic group, according to a 2012 Pew Research study.

I still don't understand why the commercial was such an issue for some people. As for me, I love the commercial, and I give it an A+!

~Amanda

17 things I've learned in 17 years

So the other day, I saw a post online about "24 things I've learned in 24 years" and thought I'd write my own version of the post, but with 17 years. Below are the 17 things that I've learned in the 17 years I've been alive. Enjoy! 

1. Your past has shaped you, but you shouldn’t dwell on it.

2. Most people are too focused on themselves to focus on you, so don’t worry about what other people think of you.

3. Your parents aren’t always right but they are 99% of the time. 

4. There are some things in life that you just won’t want to do, but you’ve got to suck it up, do it, and move on. 

5. Don’t take everything so seriously; laugh a little.

6. Two words: Hakuna Matata

7.  It’s okay to cry.

8. Money can buy a lot, but it can’t buy happiness.   

9. Exercise isn’t just about looking good on the outside. Your body will thank you for it. 

10. Trust in God at all times.

11. Happiness is a choice. You can choose to live a bitter or joyful life.

12. You can never know too much. Spend more time reading and learning instead of watching mind-numbing tv shows and cat videos.

13. Try something new every once it a while. 

14. Smile more often. You never know if your smile will make a stranger’s day. 

15. Get off the computer!  

16. You are what you eat. 

17. No matter how many difficulties and hard times you go through, you will be ok.  

The 17 lessons listed above are things I've learned but haven't quite mastered yet. There's so much you can learn everyday if you are open to learning and improving.

~Amanda

The pressure put on people to be perfect

What's wrong with the media these days? 
Lately I've seen how the media these days have portrayed women. It's worrying me. Nowadays, women are expected to look perfect and speak perfectly and wear perfect, expensive clothing and eat salad. Let me tell you something, we are not perfect, nor should we even have to strive for perfection. (But, there's nothing wrong with salad, just know that, we girls, can shovel food down.) Magazine articles and pictures tell us otherwise. There are creams and ointments and pills being sold by the gallon that have been "proved" to take away those spots or wrinkles or little gray hairs or extra pounds. Those spots and wrinkles are considered ugly by today's standards. But, it's natural! If God did not want us to have wrinkles and pimples then he would not have created us with those little imperfections. It doesn't mean that buying those creams and ointments makes you a bad person. But, there may be a problem if those creams and ointments become something you just have to have. I'm not saying makeup is something we shouldn't use. But, when makeup starts to define how you see yourself that's when you need to question why you're using it. 

What's with women's magazines?

I cannot begin to tell you how ridiculous women's magazines are these days. All of those pictures in those magazines are completely edited on Photoshop. Celebrities are not perfect. They are human. They have skin problems and imperfections. You just never get to see the "real" them because every picture taken of them is hauled into a lab of "experts" who edit every facet of their appearance. Magazine articles don't even talk about REAL problems. They just talk about things like how to "tone" your arms (whatever "toning" is) and make your skin perfect. Or, my personal favorite, "how to get a boyfriend". Just stop. They talk about guys like they're all the same, but they aren't. And vice versa. They talk about women like they're all the same. But we aren't! We have different body types and hair textures and personalities. 

So girls (and guys)…don’t pay attention to the media. 

They have changed the definition of beauty. You don’t have to be skinny to get a guy. You don’t need hundreds of dollars worth of beauty products. And, you don’t need tips from celebrities on how to look like a million dollars. Beauty doesn’t come in a bottle or a pill. As cliché as it may sound, true beauty comes from within, so don’t let anyone tell you different. 

~Amanda 

Eat Real Food

I’ve been learning a lot about food for the past few months. I’ve learned what GMO is and how our country makes food. I’ve also learned about the importance of eating real food. 

What is real food?

The dictionary says that “real” means “something that is not fake or artificial”. Food means “something that nourishes or sustains in a way suggestive of physical nourishment”. Therefore real food is food that is minimally processed and maintains its natural integrity. Let me give you some examples. An apple is real food. A packet of oreos, on the other hand, is not real food. Steak is real food, while Twinkies are not. So is bread real food? No, it isn’t. 

Why is wheat bad for you?

This could be debated but the thing about bread is that the wheat in most breads are highly processed. Most breads have “enriched flour”. The flour that you buy in the supermarket nowadays is wheat that has been ground and later the factory adds bleaching agents in order for the flour to be white. Those bleaching agents are harmful for our bodies. Also, “vitamins and minerals” are added to the flour for it to be legally called “enriched flour”. Part of making the flour is refining the wheat. When the wheat is refined you strip away pretty much all of the nutrients the grain had in the first place. This is how much is taken away when the grain is refined:

• Half of the beneficial unsaturated fatty acids
• Virtually all of the vitamin E
• Fifty percent of the calcium
• Seventy percent of the phosphorus
• Eighty percent of the iron
• Ninety eight percent of the magnesium
• Fifty to 80 percent of the B vitamins

In the end, bread is just not good for you because it contains little to no nutrients that your body really needs. So why consume something that is actually harming you? I haven’t even talked about how wheat contains gluten which a lot of people are unknowingly sensitive to. Gluten intolerance isn’t some “Hollywood fad”. Grains in general can be harmful because they give you an insulin rush which later crashes and leaves you feeling tired. You can read more about grains here: (http://wellnessmama.com/575/how-grains-are-killing-you-slowly/). (The title of the post is a little depressing, but it has some great information.)

Why is it important to eat real food?

Our bodies are designed to consume real food. We weren’t designed to lounge in front of the TV and shove handfuls of Doritos into our mouths. And we most certainly weren’t designed to go through the McDonalds drive through and order ten pounds of food with no real nutrients but being careful not to forget that Diet Coke. Real food has the nutrients that your body needs. 

Have you ever had a bag of chips or candy and said that you were “only going to eat one”. Yeah, it happens. Then an hour later you have an empty bag, a guilty conscience, and an unsatisfied appetite. The thing is, you can’t just eat one. Your body is looking for that nutrients and it isn’t getting it from the chips, so you just want more. Real food satisfies your body. It has natural vitamins and minerals that your body needs. Eating processed junk won't give you the nutrients your body needs and will leave you feeling gross and groggy. 

How I eat…

I aim to eat as much real food as I can. I try to eat Paleo. Paleo is a lifestyle change of eating real food. It just has a fancy title. With Paleo you steer clear of grains, sugars, beans, and processed junk. I do “cheat" every once in a while. I don’t like to think that I’m being deprived. But, honestly, after I cheat I pay for it later. My stomach isn’t so happy. With Paleo you can eat fruits, vegetables, some nuts and seeds (peanuts are not nuts, they are legumes), and meats. You also try to cook with coconut oil instead of vegetable oils. Paleo is a little more than changing how you eat. There are other things that are part of being Paleo. But, I'm not going to get into that today. Here's a great post about Paleo: (http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2010/10/04/the-beginners-guide-to-the-paleo-diet/). 

Should you eat real food?

Yes! I challenge you to try to eat real food for at least two weeks and see how you feel. I’ve been eating this way for almost a year and I can say that I’m never going back. I feel better overall. I recover from my workouts faster, and after I eat I don’t feel so weighed down. Also, my skin has never looked better! Try researching Paleo online and see what you find. And, if you do Paleo and it doesn’t work for you, that’s ok. At least you tried it out. If you want to check out some pretty neat blogs and websites from people that eat real food check these out:

• http://www.nerdfitness.com 
• http://wellnessmama.com
• http://www.marksdailyapple.com/#axzz2jWIQDai3
• http://www.draxe.com

I hope you enjoyed this post. Let me know what you think about eating real food and your experience with eating healthier.

~Amanda

Sources:

http://www.madehow.com/Volume-3/Flour.html#b

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/03/26/The-Little-Known-Secrets-about-Bleached-Flour.aspx

People Notice The Little Things

I think it's important to realize that people really do notice the little things. You may think you go about life unnoticed and under-appreciated, but you'd be surprised to know how many people are watching (in a non-stalker way, of course).

In the past few days I've come to realize that people notice a lot more than I give them credit for. There are some people that I had never talked to before that noticed I had been gone for a few months. I hadn't even thought anyone would notice. I don't want this to make me sound pitiful or anything, but I didn't think anyone would notice my absence because I usually keep to myself. Anyways, because there are people watching, we should remember to always be mindful of our actions. Here are a few things you can do:

• Try smiling to the people you pass. Who cares if they think you're a weirdo!? We need more joy in this crazy world we live in! And who knows, maybe that smile will make their day. 
• Manners matter! "Please" and "thank you" go a long way and holding the door for the person behind you is kind.
• Be respectful. You never know what battles other people are going through. You don't know if they're having tough economic issues at home or have a very sick relative. 
• Don't gossip. You never know who is listening, and talking about other people can bring about a lot of unnecessary problems.
• Lastly, Jesus calls us to love our neighbors and shine his light. If we are followers of Christ we need to be good examples. There is no excuse for a sucky attitude. That doesn't mean we don't have the right to be angry. You can be angry, but don't let out your anger on other people. Ephesians 4:31-32 says "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." That verse is pretty self-explanatory, guys. And let's not forget Luke 6:31 "Do to others as you would have them do to you." 

Remember, we are not perfect, nor should ever feel the need to strive for perfection because it's impossible. We will make mistakes and say things we don't mean. I know I struggle with kindness! We all do. But let's work on bettering our actions. This world is so messed up; we need some kind people doing some kind things. 

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." -Aesop

~Amanda 

Funny things people do with technology

I love technology but there comes a moment when it can be too much. Technology is prevalent is almost every aspect of our day-to-day lives. From the moment you wake-up to the moment you lay your head on your pillow at night. The rise in technology has been drastic during the past few years. More and more gadgets are coming out everyday. Some gadgets aren't even necessary. For example, I know we all need this toaster/radio because when I toast bread all I want is to listen to some good tunes and it would completely ridiculous to turn on my radio in the other room. 

So, I definitely need a toaster/radio. You know what to get me for Christmas!! Technology can be a good and bad thing. Technology has allowed the public to access a whole new world of intelligence. We can keep up-to-date with the news and gather research in the snap of a finger. (That's the good.) But, the average person would rather watch cat videos. (That's obviously the bad.) It worries me that in the futures humans might have to rely on technology for literally everything they do. The movie Wall-E might not be fiction for long. On that happy note, technology is present everywhere and certain things about that drive me, and a lot of other people, insane. I'm sure you have run into some of the people I've mentioned below…they're everywhere…

Bluetooth Fanatics

Have you ever encountered a random person on the street talking on their bluetooth? Have you ever thought that the person was crazy and talking to themselves? This happens to me every time without fail. Someone will stroll right past me babbling like a mad maniac. I turn around and casually examine the deranged person and come to the conclusion that they don't look crazy but maybe they are anyways. Has this ever happened to you? You pass a random stranger and they seem to be talking to themselves when you realize they're just using bluetooth. Weirdos...

Using cellphone while driving

This is very scary. I cannot begin to tell you how many times we've passed someone in the car weaving around in their lane. When we pass them we glance inside their car and, surprise, surprise, they are on their cellphone! Stop it people! Turn off your cellphones when you're in the car. It can wait. You cannot drive and be on your phone at the same time. Too many think they can multitask when we all know they can't.

People using hashtags and text abbreviations in a conversation in person

This one really makes me laugh. It's hilarious how I can be talking with someone in person and they start using hashtags or abbreviations. They just start going "OMG! Did I tell you what so-and-so did the other day? It was totes horrible. FYI! #OMG #what? #Icannotbelieveit #noway!". Stop people. Please stop. It butchers the moment and makes you sound ditzy. Well, while I'm talking about hashtags let me take this moment to ask that we just end all hashtag-using….period. Por favor! 

Instagram

We all have those friends that feel the need to Instagram everything they do. They post pictures of what they eat, who they talk to, where they are, and what they're doing. It's okay to post things every once in a while when you're actually doing something interesting but showing me the leftover pizza you had for dinner is unnecessary and kinda gross.

Crazy Cellphone user

I've dodged so many people in the mall because they're not paying attention to where they're walking because their eyes are glued to their cellphone screens. They're like 21st-century zombies. When you exit a store and enter the giant hallway in the middle of mall it's like playing a giant game of Frogger where the cellphone-addicted people are the cars and I'm the poor froggy just trying to get somewhere. I've always said that one day some of those people are going to walk headfirst into a giant pole for being hooked to their cellphones. (And I hope I'm there to witness that because it would be pretty funny)

Selfie Maniac

Have you ever been in the middle of a store or a coffee shop and noticed someone taking non-stop "selfles" of themselves? I have and it's pretty funny. All I want to do is sneak up behind them and photobomb their pictures. Selfies can also be annoying when you have a friend that posts them on Facebook and Instagram 24/7. We get it. You love your face. 

Isn't it funny what people do with technology? This list could go on and on, but I shall spare you from reading on for days. (The previous sentence pretty much means I couldn't think up more funny things people do with technology.) I hope you enjoyed the post! 

~Amanda

Do you know how your food is made?

I had the opportunity to watch a documentary called "Food Inc". It has forever changed the way I see food and the food industry. I was shocked by the mistreatment of animals and workers. The food we consume everyday has been through so much more than we thought. The average American supermarket contains approximately 47,000 different products but only a few companies control the whole food industry.

Did you know?

McDonalds is the largest purchaser of ground beef, tomatoes, lettuce and even apples.

Chicken

Learning about the life of a chicken grown to be slaughtered in a factory was sickening. These birds are genetically modified to grow and become fatter at a faster rate than how they should naturally grow. They are born in little drawers with hundreds of other chicks. 

Then they are literally dumped on a conveyor belt to be tagged and counted. They grow from a chick to a 5 and a half pound chicken in 7 weeks. Their bones and organs can't keep up with the rapid growth, so the chickens can hardly stand or even walk. Plus, if that isn't enough, people prefer white meat. So the birds are genetically engineered to have large breasts.

The whole meat company is controlled by 3-4 companies, so you might think you're buying a product by a certain company when the company is actually owned by a larger business.

Why?

The whole food industry is a complicated thing. It all comes down to money. Who has the most money? 

The fast-food industry fought not to show the public the calorie information of their products. They fought not to show people the amount of trans fat in the food they were eating. The food industry fought to prevent whether or not to reveal if the product was GMO. (foods are just starting to be labeled GMO because of a new law) The food industry even wanted to prevent having to add "origin of food" labels (AKA where the food was grown). Why? It all comes down to money. These companies don't want their consumers knowing where their food is from and what it has inside of it. Because if consumers truly knew what was going on and what they were eating those companies would lose money.

Even our fruits and vegetables have been scientifically modified.

Another thing that I found surprising about the production of fruits and vegetables was the fact that certain fruits and veggies should be eaten by season. Certain produce is not naturally in season year round. For example, tomatoes are not in season all year round. So when they aren't in season in the US the food industry will pick green tomatoes half way around the world and ripen them with a certain unnatural gas. Did you know most of the fruits and vegetables being sold to you in the US have been genetically modified from when they were seeds? They have been scientifically altered to grow larger than how they normally should.

The things they do in this food industry are outrageous. I have hardly scratched the surface on this problem and I haven't even talked about everything going on in the industry that produces red meat and pork or how they treat workers. But you can imagine how bad it all is.

What can we do about it?

There are a bunch of little things we can do. First, start supporting small, local farms. Large corporations have taken the business from small farms. Those small farms have gone bankrupt or nearly bankrupt and have had no choice but to sell to large businesses. Support small farms! 

Second, try growing a garden (even a little one). Next, buy fruits and vegetables that are in season. Also, eat healthier overall and do not support fast food companies. Don't fall for those stupid advertisements that try to show you how "delicious" the food is. It's not delicious and it's isn't healthy. The food will not leave you satisfied because it doesn't have the vitamins and minerals your body really does need. Another thing you can do that will help is to try asking your school to provide healthy lunches. Last, but not least, spread the word!!! Tell people what's going on and even try finding out this research for yourself. Watch Food Inc. It's a great documentary with lots of information about the food industry in the US. But, in the end, you need to make the most of what you have. In other words, eat as healthy as you can with what you've got. And remember, we, the consumers, control this market. The companies will produce what is selling. Ask for organic and non-GMO and that's what you'll get. Have you noticed the sudden rise in organic products in the supermarket? That's because people are starting to search for those products. 

~Amanda 

Photo Credit:

1. http://www.participantmedia.com/pm-films/food-inc/

2.http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film2/DVDReviews48/food_inc_blu-ray.htm

3.http://www.ethicurean.com/2009/06/12/food-in/

4.http://www.opensecrets.org/news/assets_c/2010/11/stack-of-money-3153.html

5.http://www.yalescientific.org/2012/05/what-am-i-eating-the-infiltration-of-genetically-modified-foods/

6.http://bearingdrift.com/2013/04/30/the-virginia-small-farm-and-food-freedom-resolution/

What NOT to do in driver's ed

So, I'm taking the driving portion of driver's education this week and I've been thinking a lot about what I should and shouldn't do during the time I'll spend locked up in a white car learning about driving. Lots of "do not's" popped up in my head that would probably not be good to do during driver's ed. I thought I'd share a few with you...

If you're driving:

Do not ask your teacher to snap a picture of you driving so you can put it on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.

Do not take your hands off the wheel and shout "Hey look! No hands!"

Do not try to purposely run over every squirrel you see.

Do not stop at the green lights. (That should be obvious.)

Do not honk frequently without motivation.

Do not shout "We're being followed!!" and accelerate violently.

If you're in the back seat:

Do not cover your mouth with duct tape and signal to the other cars you've been kidnapped.

Do not ask your teacher "Are we there yet?"

Do not play the license plate game.

Do not start singing "1,000 bottles of beer on the wall". Mostly likely the other people in the car will not join in. Actually, how about not singing anything.

Do not ask your teacher if you can stop for ice cream. They will most likely say "no".

Do not rate the driver on a scale from 1 to 10 on how well they just did something.

~Amanda

How to get a guy to like you

It feels like everywhere on the internet I see posts talking about "10 ways to make a guy fall in love with you" or "Flirty text message ideas" or "Signs that he's into you". Shut up. I don't understand why people fall into these traps. Do you even know who's giving you this "advice"? I saw one post titled "10 ways to make a guy fall in love with you" and I found the title interesting. How are you going to make a guy fall in love with you? There's really nothing you can do to make him fall in love with you. Kidnapping might work if you're really desperate!

Love and marriage has been around for decades without the "help" of stupid magazines. How did Eve survive without all of that" helpful advice" from Cosmo? How did she know Adam loved her? Well people, she knew. And, she survived without the "tips". Thousands of women have survived without those magazines, and I honestly believe they were better off without them.

Our society has turned love into a little game. They've also given little girls the wrong view of relationships. Changing yourself for a guy has become the norm. Wearing different clothes and acting a certain way is a "surefire way to get that guy to fall for you".  But let me tell you something, reading on how to make a guy fall in love with you won't help. Believe me. There aren't shortcuts and rules to the "game". Let things happen as they should and trust that God will take care of you.  

Plus, has anyone ever wondered if the reason our society's view on love is so warped is due to stupid women's magazines that say they can solve all of your problems? They say the definition of love is money. Or maybe it's looks. But, if you want to know what real love is…check out John 3:16.

~Amanda

Bad Fitness Advice

You cannot listen to everything you read. There are a lot of fitness magazines and websites out there that give you horrible advice. Just because it's in a known magazine or website does not make it valid. I wrote my own version of bad advice...it's exaggerated just a bit.

*Warning: the following content contains graphic sarcasm. Do not read if you are boring and can't take a joke.*

I'm here to show you how to loose the weight the right way. First, don't even try to exercise before you buy some really expensive clothes. We have to make sure that you at least look the part. It's going to be hard, but I know we'll get you looking like an athlete eventually. I want to see you clad in the most expensive clothes that all the celebrities are wearing (including those purses). 

 Also, those butt-toning shoes are legit. They really tone your butt, so get them if you want a body like Kim Kardashian. 

Who cares if they got sued because the shoes were apparently not working! The people that bought them obviously didn't wear them long enough. If you didn't spend at least $500 on clothes, then you're wasting you're time. You cannot workout in just anything. After you've gotten all of your clothes you have to get the most expensive gym membership you can muster. You need a gym with all of the latest machines and equipment. So now it's time to go to the gym. When you get there you have to go on every magical machine in the gym and put it on the heaviest weight. "No pain, no gain." If your legs feel like they're going to fall off, don't worry, "No pain, no gain." If you snap your ankle in two, don't worry. "No pain, no gain." Next go to the free weight area. Unless you're a girl. Girls should never touch a free weight. But, they can touch the Shake Weight (commercial below). It comes in pink, ladies!

So, if you're a guy, pick up the heaviest weight you can find and whatever you do just make the loudest groans you can so that the other innocent gym-goers know you're there. Do one rep and then slam you're weights on the floor and pound your chiseled chest like Tarzan. Good job! Go drink some Gatorade. Try to drink as much Gatorade as you can. Water doesn't have the abundance of nutrients Gatorade has.  Now go home and watch TV. Find that channel that sells all of those fitness machines that everyone thinks are lame. Get whatever comes on the screen. After you've ordered all of those amazing fitness contraptions it's time for a protein shake. Dump as much protein powder that fits in the blender and mix it with Gatorade and start chugging. Go to GNC or the place nearest you that sells diet pills and shakes. Get everything within reach. Just take it all. Do you think you can be healthy by only eating fruits and vegetables? You cannot get all the vitamins and minerals you need from simply eating fruits and vegetables. It's simply ridiculous! You need to chug that protein. And, always remember to buy things labeled "low-fat", "fat-free", and "sugar-free". Oh, and buy a few thousand boxes of those tiny 100-calorie snacks. Repeat everything you just learned everyday. And there you have it! You're on your way to a successful weight loss.

So that was my bad fitness advice. Now whatever you do...do not follow the advice above! You'll probably end up like this guy (but the only difference between you and the guy in the picture would be that you wouldn't even be able to pick up a pencil):

~Amanda

Do's and Don'ts of an Awkward Silence

An awkward silence is pretty much the death of a conversation.  Everyone just sits there scrolling through their minds for conversation topics and others just hope that someone will say something....anything. An awkward silence can be well…awkward (duh!!). But things can be done to overcome them. Next time you're caught in an awkward silence try doing of one of the following:

-Stop. Drop. And roll.
-Whisper…."make a wish."

-Ask seriously…"Do ants have feelings?"

-Bow your head. Close your eyes. Do not look up even if the other person starts talking and after a while say "Amen."

-Yell "Put that thing back where it came from or so help me!" (it's from Monsters Inc people)

-Start wheezing uncontrollably and don't explain why.

-(You must say this in a monotone voice with a completely straight face.) "Hit me with your best shot. Fire away"

What ever you do….do not do the following!

-Do not say "awkward turtle". That joke is dead so stop it.

-Don't say "awkward silence". You just made everything even more awkward dummy.

-Don't just sit there. Think of something to say!

-Do not comment on the weather. (Only use that as a last resort.)

-Do not say "Soooooo…."

I created a list of suitable and unsuitable topics for you to study. Feel free to make a copy of it and keep it handy (just in case).

Now, if all else fails just do the following.

You are now well prepared for your next awkward silence encounter. Good luck!

~Amanda

Why is Shakespeare so confusing?

Elated. I found some free poetry books on the Kindle (which probably sounds really nerdy….but hey! Whatever!)  I used to be really into reading but as I got older I stopped reading as much. One of my resolutions is to read more so this is me trying. Anyways, I got one book with some of Emily Dickinson's works, a Shakespeare book, and one that has a variety of poems from American poets. I read two pages of the Shakespeare book last night before my Kindle froze. I found it a little ironic. It was as if the poor Kindle couldn't even handle the complexity of Mr.Speare. Those two pages were so confusing, to say the least. The guy's writing is so beautiful and witty but utterly confusing. I wonder if he even understood what he was writing! Anyways, because my Kindle froze, I had to Google how to reset it and, long story short, I fell asleep. I eventually fixed it the next day. I'm a little scared of approaching Shakespeare again (for me and my Kindle's sake). I don't completely dislike him. I can handle him if I have an interpreter by my side.  If you're thinking about reading Shakespeare here are some tips:

• You might want to keep a dictionary by your side or a list of Shakespearean terms
• Read it before you go to sleep so that you fall asleep faster.
• Read. It. Slowly.
• Be prepared to spend more time reading it than you would on a regular book.

Reading Shakespeare also gets me thinking about how much speech has changed since then. Romeo, in Romeo and Juliet, says “Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.” when his eyes fall on the beautiful Juliet. People obviously do not speak like that anymore. Today's version of what that would have sounded like goes something like this... "That girl's so hot!!!!"

Wow….how lovely. Don't you think?

 Overall, Shakespeare isn't horrible, but his writing sure is confusing. Well, wish me luck and pray that my Kindle doesn't breakdown again.

~Amanda

My Love/Hate Relationship with Facebook

Having a Facebook account can have it's pros and cons. At times, the cons greatly outnumber the pros. Allow me to rephrase that: Most times, the cons greatly outnumber the pros. I've considered deleting my account and ridding myself of the addictive social-networking tool once and for all, but I just can't seem to do it. I've traveled to different places around the world and Facebook is the best thing that helps me stay connected with the people I've met on my adventures.

But nevertheless here are my pros and cons of Facebook...

Con: reading the posts where people feel the need to post every detail about their day. I love reading about every single itty-bitty detail of their "absolutely fabulous" day. (notice my sarcasm)

Pro: Facebook is the perfect tool for keeping up with friends.

Con: Game requests. I have to admit that I was terribly addicted to Farmville a few years ago. I don't know if it was the kaleidoscope of colors or the mesmerizing music that seems to hypnotize you into wanting to play it more and more and more. It's a trap! Don't fall for it! But, for those of you who have unfortunately fallen victim to the enslaving games, please don't send me requests. I don't want to be in your mafia or send you a cow for your marvelous, little farm.

Pro: Sharing my photography on Facebook is easy and all of my friends can see my pictures!

Con: Those cryptic status updates that make you want to push someone down the stairs. We've all heard those statuses that are purposely directed to one person. "I hate you for what you did." Who do you hate? Why do you hate them? Then when someone asks them what's wrong they reply simply with "I don't want to talk about it." or "Inbox me.". HA! Well, I didn't realize this was a private matter! 

Pro: Facebook reminds me of my friend's birthdays. Man...I'm so bad at remembering birthdays. Thank you Facebook!

Con: Political battles. Thank goodness the election is over because the time during and shortly after the election was pure madness. Pure madness I tell you!!! Some people think it's their job to convert people to their political party. Every argument is pretty much the same. Person A says something about politics. Person B disagrees with Person A. Person A argues back about why he/she's right. And the rest of the alphabet are watching the debate as they're glued to their computer screens eating giant tubs of popcorn.

Pro: Facebook allows me to stay connected with friends, share and view pictures, chat, and keep up with events all in one place.

Con: Anything starting with "Like if…". Grrrr…..

Pro: You can keep up with what's going on in other people's lives. I can keep up with people that are undergoing surgery so I can pray for them. I can motivate someone who's new resolution is to be more active. I can see what movies and music my friends like on their profiles.

Con: People trying to add you on Facebook that you don't even know. What gave you the impression that I want to be your friend on FB? I don't even know you! You could be a psycho serial killer who wants to brutally murder me in my sleep!  Weirdos…

Pro: You can express yourself.

My conclusion is that Facebook is the perfect tool for keeping up with friends, but it has its obvious cons! But all joking aside, I think it's clear that I have a love/hate relationship with Facebook (and I know I'm not the only one). What do you like and dislike about Facebook?

~Amanda

The Pros and Cons of being short

I'm about 5 feet tall and I weigh (whoops...temporary memory loss). I've always been short and it's never really something that I've hated about myself. I embrace my compact size. But, some days, being tiny can have it's disadvantages.

Con: Finding pants that aren't too long. 

Pro: Dressing up as a Hobbit is as easy as pie. (I have no idea where that untrue expression originated. "Easy as pie." Pie is not easy! Have you tried making a pie? You have to make the dough and chop up whatever you're going to put in it...then sauté whatever you're going to put in it and and…well you get the picture.)

Con: People mistake you as an arm rest. Oh if I had a nickel for every time someone put their arm on my head I'd be rich.   

Pro: People in the grocery store never ask you to help them reach something on a higher shelf.

Con: You have to ask people to help you reach something on a high shelf.

Pro: No one can ever find you in hide-and-seek or sardines. I love playing hide-and-seek for exactly this reason! One time I hid in a dryer and no one was able to find me. Another time I hid behind a bookshelf. Yes...behind it.

Con: Sometimes mistaken as a child. Whenever I reply to someone's question of "How old are you?" they always say "Really? You look a lot younger!". This happens every time without fail.

Pro: You could pass for a child's admission at the movies until you were 13.

Con: Your seatbelt hits your face.

Pro: Being in the front row for all group pictures! (this can double as a con)

Con: When people try to pick you up. *glare* (Dear tall people, please stop trying to pick us halflings up. We will bite you.)

Con: Being stuck behind someone with a huge head at the movies. (maybe if I kick his head he'll let me get away with it because I look like a child)

Pro: Being a natural expert at limbo.

Con: Hugging someone much taller than you can be really awkward.

Pro: You look younger.

Con: finding shoes small enough for your feet that don't light up or have Dora's face plastered all over them.

Con: the childhood days of being called "shorty" and "chicken little". But maybe that was just me.

~Amanda