Princess Pocahontas?

Everybody makes a big deal about Cinderella, with her long blond hair and poofy blue dress that matches her twinkling eyes. But I've never wanted to wear that powder blue gown or win the adoration of the tall, dark prince charming. In fact, the prince charming in Cinderella always seemed a bit superficial and transparent to me. Though I by no means seek to disclaim the title of a prince seeking, castle loving girly girl, the Cinderella story never really satisfied me--there was always that little puzzle piece of the story that seemed displaced within the tale that left me unsatisfied.

Then came Pocahontas. There's been a little controversy concerning whether or not my favorite Disney princess is really a princess atall and as you'll observe within the Disney Dynasty, she's certainly not the favorite. You never spot her wearing an impressive outfit or a shiny crown. She's always hanging out in the background perhaps with Mulan or the other ones with questionable princess status and never attends the afternoon teas with Cinderella, Aurora, and Ariel. But her earthy, compassionate, and free spirit always intrigued me and inspired me to be more like her--the song "The Colors of the Wind" runs chills down my spine as she sings, "But I know every rock and tree and creature has a life, has a spirit, has a name." It sounds silly, but something about her sincerity and freeness just speaks to my soul and helps me to see nature as such a gift and want to share my love for it with others. I always felt like Pocahontas when I went to camp and wandering off on my own I would rush through the leafy forests and skip from rock to rock of a babbling brook. She helped me to see what others couldn't and ponder on the more important things that this life has to offer.

So long story short, my best friends make fun of me for favoring the ethnic, black haired, nature girl princess and you probably will too, but I can't deny the overwhelmingly powerful inspiration that I feel when I watch it, even now.

Peeps are my Easter obsesssion. And basically just my obsession all year round. And though most people associated the fluffy sugar coated inflated marshmallow puffs with Easter, I embrace them through all seasons. In fact, as most of you are probably unaware, the Peep modo is "Always in Season." Which is very true. See, if you actually look around for them you will find that different peeps are made for every occasion that you can imagine, keeping me and other peep enthusiasts hooked all year long. They have them in pumpkin, hearts, gingerbread men, eggs, stars, tulips and plenty more.

I recently joined the Peeps fan club. Yes, I actually spent three minutes of my life filling out an online form entitling me to peep VIP status which includes emails including updates and fun facts, and some useful information about the history of peep production. I also own a peep coloring book and a peep pen. Apparently, I'm not alone in my passionate love for these sugary delights since as the website declares, "the amount of Peeps chicks and bunnies eaten on easter could more than circle the earth's circumference." I'm pretty sure I contribute quite a bit to that count, since I ate about 30 peeps on easter and about 20 a day for the next few days. See, it takes a little time after the holidays hit for me to adjust back to life without them. I personally prefer the classic yellow ducks--for some reason the ducks just taste better than the bunnys. I've only been disappointed in a type of peep exept for once instance, when I tried the Christmas stars which were peppermint flavor. Peppermint with marshmallow just tastes wrong, but everyone makes mistakes so I'm not holding a grudge. I'm not sure where this passion originated...maybe part of it is that they're just so dang cute. I love to let them sit out for few days until they get almost hard because it brings out the flavor. Other favorite methods of peep preparation is exploding them in the microwave, dipping them in chocolate, or places them on top of cupcakes. And if you don't like peeps I think you should give them another chance because you're really missing out on this somewhat unhealthy obsession that I have. And that's just unfortunate.

p.s. Visit the website! You'll like it.

Milk and Cereal Milk and Cereal Milk and Cereal, Cereal and Milk

Some people don't eat breakfast. They say they're just not hungry. This is a mystery to me. How can you not be hungry when you havn't eaten for like eight hours? One of the most exciting parts of getting up in the morning is pouring that bowl of cereal and enjoying it for a few minutes before I have to actually get ready and face the day. Though my cereal preference has changed through the years, it still remains a crucial part of my morning routine. As a kid I was obsessed with cinnamon toast crunch and I would eat like three bowls of it before school. A close second was cocoa crispies just because it turned my milk all chocolatey. When I started playing sports I switched to some more hearty versions, like granola and whole grain oaty stuff and presently I'm just plain hooked on honey nut cherrios! They have that sugary honey-wonderful sweetness but are nutritious too!

So there's good news and bad news. And it all concerns chocolate. The bad is that chocolate might one day be considered an drug--and the good is that us "chocoholics" might have more will power than we give ourselves credit for.

Though the term "chocoholics" suggests an addiction of sorts, no one seriously considers those people true addicts. After all, it's just candy--right? Wrong.

Doctors, scientists, researchers and the like have recently been pulling up evidence that inability to resist that 2nd or third candy bar may have little to do with what fitness experts preach of will power and just plain self control. Doug Taren, PH.D associate dean of public health at the University of Arizona says, "Eating it can boost levels of serotonin and dopamine, two chemials responsible for regulating mood and behavior." Similarly, Spanish reserachers discovered that chocolate contains the same alkaloid compounds associated with alcoholism and a seperate study reflected that chocolate candy contains theobromine, a stimulant used in place of codein in cough syrup. Recently, we've seen the cough syrup get caged up in locked glass cases as more and more kids are chugging it to get high. Is it possible that excessive chocolate can have similar effects? Experts say maybe. One group of scientists cited in Shape Magazine "connected some of the chemicals in chocolate to the mood elevators found in marijuana."

So maybe, just maybe us chocolate junkies might really be addicted to the stuff. The way I see it, if eating chocolate is wrong, I don't want to be right! And I just hope that my favorite chocolate treats will never be locked up behind a glass case--at least not in my lifetime.

God's Greatest Fruit

"Watermelon is God's greatest fruit," says my father. I cannot recall a summer without a memory of my dad butchering a watermelon late in the night and calling my sister Brooke and I down to the kitchen to partake. We never ate it the traditional way--Dad first slices it in half with the big knife exposing its ripened red center, and with spoons we dig away circular scoops. Before we know it, it's all carved out like a pumpkin, with only the rind remaining and a big pool of water sitting in the bottom. Dad's fascination with watermelon never diminishes, in fact I'm convinced it grows stronger with each new year. "It's like eating and drinking at the same time, " he raves. And it's true! Maybe it's just his passion for the fruit that inspired me, but I feel the same affection for that God-given fruit. Nothing else even comes close to challenging the watermelon's unique ability to deliver crisp refreshment and bursting flavor while still giving a little something to chew and savor, rather than just gulp down. Watermelon eating is almost a legacy in my family...Dad took great care to teach me how to pick out the perfect one out of a whole barrel, with a series of tapping and thumping techniques. It's all very technical you see.

What's funny is that unfortunately, my mother shares no such passion for the produce and dreads those summer days when my dad trucks home a big melon and smashes it open, leaving its sticky juices gushing all over our granite countertops. She can hardly bear to watch us spit the shiny black seeds into her nice sink and see our wet spoons scattered all over the place...so that's why we traditionally have our little feasts in the quiet of night, when mom is fast asleep. :)

Low Fat Lovin'

Personally, I love all the low fat, reduced sugar, calorie cutting foods because basically it means that I can eat twice as much. There's indulgence without the guilt and realization that those twenty minutes sweating on the treadmill a few hours back were all for naught. As I observe my friends' eating habits, I notice their ability to eat "bad foods" in moderation--foods that I won't touch because I have no such self control. That's why I go for the individually wrapped, single serving stuff, like weigh watcher's chocolate cakes. I can have one every day and feel that chocolate hankering get satisfied. Put a whole chocolate cake in front of me and It's all over...I simply cannot resist that 2nd or 3rd slice. If it is there, I will eat it. I'm not a small portions kind of gal, and I have a feeling that I never will be, so I look for the "Healthy Choice" lables and pay less attention to the serving sizes. After all, a half cup of icecream? And those measely little single serving cups of Ben & Jerry's? Who are they kidding? I could eat 10 of 'em.

This prolonged holiday weekend has really taken a toll on me diet-wise. These past five days...oh wow it's almost been a week now...I've been indulging in gluttonous behavior the likes of which you've never seen and loving it! That is, I've loved it until now.

It all started with valentines day. That one wonderful holiday when you can wear pink and red at the same time and eat chocolate from sun up to sun down with no guilt whatsoever. See, the point is that that kind of behavior is only supposed to last one day. But apparently I just couldn't let go because the day after valentines I went straight to the leftover fudge. So I ate chocolate for breakfast that day, and for the following three mornings after. From there the indulgence intensified to consuming every sweet in sight, ansd in mass proportions. I'm talkin everything from hershey kisses to cupcakes to packages of candy hearts. I need an intervention and fast because it's just getting ridiculous! I've been getting these weird sugar headaches and painful stomache aches but somehow as soon as they subside, I'm completely refreshed and ready to start the process all over again!

I swore that monday it would be different. But not so. It must be the holiday thing. The worldwide excuse to indulge. But it's presidents day for goodness sakes! That's not a food holiday atall! Well anyway, I have high hopes for tomorrow and I'm gonna try very hard to turn over a new leaf.

Minimizing Your Muffin Top

When you think of a muffin, what do you visualize? When I think about muffins, I think of a cute little grandma and that song...you know the one that goes, "Do you know the muffin man the muffin man the muffin man oh do you know the muffin man...anyways...what you should think of when you think of muffins is obese people. Because sadly, that's exactly what the muffin man does. He makes you gain weight. Lots of weight.

When faced with a few breakfast-food choices, namely a donut, a cinnabon, and a muffin, the health-conscious gentleman or lady is more than likely gonna grab the muffin. It just seems like the healthy choice, with its blueberry chunks and lacking icing.

But we have been deceived.

The other day, while looking to grab a mid-morning snack at the twilight zone, I stumbled across the muffin shelf and eyed up a few different ones. They all seemed pretty small, and as my eyes searched the rest of the shelf they set on one gloriously good looking muffin. It was about the size of a medium sized apple, and looked like it might satisfy my hunger with its delightful banana nut flavors. I casually checked the back of the wrapper and was flabbergasted at the sight of 650 calories and the fat content...of which I can't recall the exact amount was equally shocking. Then I looked at the serving size which was a HALF of the muffin. A half! If I would have consumed that entire muffin (which I could easily have done with room for a second helping) I would have eaten over half of a days worth of calories! I would have had to skip lunch and to say the least I was not willing to do so. Nor was I willing to face the more frightening alternative of running it off. So to say the least I rejected that muffin and opted for a banana and a granola bar. I have a feeling they filled me up more than that muffin would have.

So if you've recently discovered the new and improved mammoth muffin at the Wilk and gave it a permanent home on your campus grocery list, I suggest you reconsider. Either that, or don't be surprised when you start packin on the pounds.

I never thought of myself as an iPod-loving person. I often see people walking down the street with headphones stuck in their ears and mp3 players stuffed in their back pocket, bobbing their head and paying little attention to their surroundings. There also exist those brave students who keep them in during class, as the thumping bass blares across the row of seats. I suppose I separated myself from the ipod-crazed stereotype since my headphones usually sit in my desk collecting dust. I much prefer my super convenient i-Home. With a quick click of the remote, nearly one thousands songs are at my disposal, to be shuffled exactly as I please while I eat, get dressed, etc.

But as days came and went this week and I saw hundreds of oblivious students lipsincing along with their favorite tunes, I grew curious. They just looked like they were having such a great time. Thus, one day in an effort to avoid disturbing my roommate while she studied, I dug into my messy drawer for my headphones and poured myself a bowl of cereal at my desk. As I munched and crunched with my headphones in, it felt just plain strange! Even though the volume was down low, the music felt too loud and heavy, like it was hammering on my eardrum...and on top of that my ears were suddenly extremely sensitive to my chewing, as my teeth ground up my cherrios. The headphones felt just like earplugs. I felt cut off from everything and everyone. And honestly, I felt a little uncomfortable and on edge...as if in the event of a fire I would be the only one who didn't hear the yelling. Anyway, I tried it all out for a few minutes until I couldn't take it anymore and at that point I wondered how everyone else did it. Maybe I'm just a little technologically slow. I wouldn't be suprised. But now when I see all those kids on the street walking around in a daze, I'm even more confused than before.

Chowing on Chocolate

I've developed a recent fetish with certain chocolate candies--peppermint patties and hershey kisses. It's not that I'm constantly binging on these chocolate treats, but I do need at least one of each a day to keep me going strong. It's like my day isn't complete unless I've opened that drawer to my secret chocolate stash and allotted myself that portion. When I realized I was routinely performing this slightly strange daily ritual, I tried to put a stop to it. That is, I tried and failed. So here I am enslaved to the Hershey empire, as I continue to purchase and stash these savory sweets. They say that to break an addiction, you have to replace it with something else. Maybe I'll try to switch the patties and kisses with carrot sticks and celery. It's a nice thought anyway...

I scream, you scream.

Today as I was rushing to a class, my gloved hands stuck in my pockets and walking swiftly in an effort to keep from turning into a popsicle, I passed a girl eating an ice cream cone. I took a double take and observed her as she strolled along as if it were 70 degrees licking this frozen treat. At this point I wondered if I was in fact worthy of the "Icecream Queen" title or whether I should turn over my crown to her. I suppose I'm still adjusting to western weather.

Recently I discovered a new favorite kind of icecream. It's chocolate-rasberry swirl, and frozen yogurt, which means it's waistline friendly. It's great because you can grab it right at the quickie food place at the Wilk...I can't remember the name at the moment. Cosmo Connection is my best guess, but there are so many cutesy names at the Y that I can't keep them straight. Yesterday at the library my sister and I were in the midst of a conversation when we burst into laughter after hearing a guy on the phone tell his friend to meet him at the "Cougar and Spice." Apparently I'm not the only one who's a little confused. But anyway, aside from the wonderfully creamy, rich flavor of my newly found favorite, its also ultra convenient! It takes like two minutes to pick up even if the line is out the door, plus you can even pull the lever yourself like a big kid to get just the right amount! That way you don't have the girl behind the counter skimping on your fro-yo, especially when you're not feeling the need for portion control. When you pay, they just stick it on the scale and you get exactly what you pay for. Mine is usually only about a buck twenty five, and I'm no skimper!

Freshman Feeding

So I live in the dorms. Helaman Halls. Where the Cannon Center is the daily feeding trough of choice...or perhaps just of convenience for most hungry and somewhat lazy freshmen. It's smack-dab in the center of our little community and takes approximately 15 seconds by foot to reach from any given Hall. We like it most of the time.

We also welcome absolutely any excuse to escape it. My friend Natalie frequently accepts dates from a barely tolerable guy who hounds her almost weekly, lured by the prospect of an original meal. In essence, she takes the food and runs until the next week she gets a call. It works for her.

For us, Wendy's is eating out. We can buy fries and even drink real Coke. (The kind with caffeine)
The only set back is that it certainly does not take the Dining Plus of which we've become very fond. Many have defended the prospect that Dining Plus should be accepted anywhere from the good old Cannon to shopping malls, P.F Changs, and virtually anywhere in Provo.

It has been considered that the incredible excess on our cards account for a great chunk of the "freshman fifteen" predicament. For those of you less familiar with the wonders of Dining Plus, the money that you fail to spend builds up until it reaches a whopping 75 dollars before you lose it. Anything over 75 bucks goes straight into BYU's pocket. As kids, we hate the thought of our Dad's money, which is rightfully ours, taken away from us. It's that Gimmie Gimmie mentality coming back.

So what we do is go to Cosmo's, the little convenient store, and buy candy. Lots and lots of Candy. We raid the gummy worm bins and grab the Valentines Day chocolate boxes. We grab bags of cookies in case we need it for FHE and end up eating it ourselves. I find myself purchasing chocolate bars I would rarely buy back home, taking no thought whatsoever of the prices beforehand. After all with 60 plus dollars to spend on mostly snack and finger food, who takes thought to be frugal? Sometimes I wonder if BYU's dining plans are turning us into gluttons and spend-thrifts.

Bland Buffet

I used to love the Cannon Center. It felt like Golden Corral everyday.

Then I went home for Christmas. Everything changed. I remembered what real food tasted like.

My previous contentment switched to depression. I discovered that yesterdays supper was in fact a large part of todays lunch, only rearranged into clever salads and juiced into soups. As I traveled from bin to bin of uninspired concoctions food appeared mushy, bland, and just plain old. I feel abandoned. The Cannon is just letting me down.

I need some spice in my life.