Photo credit Monique Muñiz / sports editor

Believe it or not, this necklace was free and it was made out of an old t-shirt.

Doesn’t look like it, does it? All you have to do is find a previously loved shirt that is in gently used condition and get crafty. Any color or print works, but generally, the best necklaces are made from simple prints or plain colored t-shirts. The shirt, a pair of scissors and 15 minutes are all that you need. You can string beads or buttons to add a little bit of flair to your necklace, but nonetheless, it’s your necklace and you can be as creative as you want.

For instructions check out the CSUN Footprint Blog.

Chocolate Cupcakes

1 ¾ cups unsifted all-purpose flour

2 cups granulated sugar

¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 ½ tsp. baking soda

1 ½ tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

2 eggs

1 cup milk

½ cup vegetable oil

2 tsp. vanilla

1 cup boiling water

Combine all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed until the mixture is well blended. Stir in the boiling water. Mix well until water is incorporated. The batter will be thin. Pour batter halfway full into greased and floured heart-shape muffin tins. Bake at 350 degrees for about 8 to 10 minutes.  Cool and then frost with your favorite frosting and decorate with festive sprinkles.

Makes about 30 small cupcakes

Photo credit: Leonie Jones/ Staff Reporter

Year after year the same old turkey, an occasional ham, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and the dreaded fruit cake are served at a traditional thanksgiving table. There are different ways to spice up a thanksgiving dinner that is just as delicious as a thanksgiving feast.

Going home may not be an option, so cooking dinner for one or some friends may have to be an option. Cooking a whole turkey can be a challenging task, and can even be a little expensive, so chicken is a good alternative.

Finding delicious meals that resemble a thanksgiving meal is not the easiest thing to do. Most recipes out there cater to those who are experienced in the kitchen, and the meals require so many ingredients someone can go broke on trying to complete one dish.

With all the obstacles in the way of having a thanksgiving like meal on a college student budget is not impossible. The first task on this mission is finding a main course of choice and finding the seasoning suitable for you.

Cooked turkey breast with gravy, and cornbread as a side can replace a whole turkey and cornbread stuffing from the traditional side. Cornish hens may seem difficult, but some things seem harder than they really are. Cornish hens require a little cleaning, seasoning and baking, the most work done is paying attention to the clock. These and other recipes can be a college student’s thanksgiving hero.

Taking control of thanksgiving is a rewarding experience if done well. The best part is having leftovers to last for the rest of the week. All college students know that being able to stretch things out is a must. Making a home cooked thanksgiving dinner sure beats having a frozen replica that last for a few minutes.

Cornish hens with mash potatoes and broccoli and cheese

1 package of Cornish game hens (2 in a packet)

2 tsp. butter

½ tsp. salt, pepper, seasoning salt, garlic powder, lemon pepper

1 package of broccoli

½ cup melted Velvita cheese

Box of instant potatoes

Directions

Unwrap hens and rinse thoroughly. Thoroughly pat dry with a paper towel. Place one teaspoon of butter inside the hen and season. Rub melted butter on the outside of the hen and season.Cover the hens with aluminum foil and place in oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for one hour. After one hour,  check to make sure the hens are fully cooked.While the hens are baking, put broccoli in pot filled with 2 tablespoons of water for steaming. Cover the pot, and put on low heat. When the broccoli is tender, add melted cheese and mix together. Instant potatoes have their own directions on the box.After the hens are fully cooked, take the foil off and put them back in oven for 15 minutes. Plate and enjoy.

Low Fat Brown Rice Stir Fry
(Recipe from Cooks.com)

• 2 c. brown rice, uncooked
• 2 chicken bouillon cubes
• 1 lb. boneless, skinless   turkey breast fillets, cubed
• 1 tbsp. olive oil (optional)
• 2 to 4 cloves garlic
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 zucchini, chopped
• 1 lb. mushrooms, sliced
• Salt, pepper, and
Mrs. Dash
• freshly grated parmesan  cheese

Directions

Cook brown rice according to directions on package, adding the bouillon cubes to boiling water.
While this is cooking, saute garlic and onion in a non-stick skillet using water or olive oil.  Add cubed turkey, stirring until turkey is almost done (approximately 10 minutes).
Add mushrooms and zucchini, and cook another 10 minutes, stirring and tossing until desired texture of zucchini is obtained.
Season with salt, pepper, and Mrs. Dash.
When rice is done cooking, add turkey mixture to rice, tossing lightly.
Serve with grated parmasean cheese on top.
Serves 8.

Southern Fried Chicken
(Recipe form foodnetwork.com)

• 3 eggs
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 cup hot red pepper sauce (recommended: Texas Pete)
• 2 cups self-rising flour
• 1 tsp. pepper
• House seasoning, recipe follows
• 1 (1 to 2 1/2-pound) chicken, cut into pieces
• Oil, for frying, preferably peanut oil
House Seasoning:
• 1 cup salt
• 1/4 cup black pepper
• 1/4 cup garlic powder

Directions

In a medium size bowl, beat the eggs with the water.
Add enough hot sauce, so the egg mixture is bright orange.
In another bowl, combine the flour and pepper. Season the chicken with the house seasoning.
Dip the seasoned chicken in the egg, and then coat well in the flour mixture.
Heat the oil to 350 degrees Fahrenheit in a deep pot. Do not fill the pot more than 1/2 full with oil.
Fry the chicken in the oil until brown and crisp. Dark meat should take  about 13 to 14 minutes to cook, while white meat takes approximately 8 to 10 minutes.

Courtesy of MCT

There are about 100,000 to 200,000 hairs on your head. Like the season, you want to change the style of the hundreds of thousands of hairs, not the follicle count.
So, do you get a haircut or just get a new hairstyle for the fall and winter?
Being a guy, there aren’t many options in clothing or in hairstyle. But no matter what you choose, here are a few trends and styles that are sure to command attention to those hundreds of thousands of strands – in a good way.
There are numerous hair trends that scream cold season hair that make any male ensemble look stylish, up-to-date and fresh.
Most guys get their haircut on the regular, depending on how short or long they may want their hair. On average it would be about every two to three weeks. Well, congratulations men; this season you won’t have to because it’s all about growing it out and doing more with your hair.

The Fringe
If you haven’t noticed, men’s fashion typically mimics the trends of women’s fashion from the previous season. So it is no surprise that the growing popularity of a shorter hairdo on women- is making men think of growing out their hair just a little bit longer.
Don’t get it twisted, the world of fashion is not trying to make everyone androgynous, but it does take cues from each of the sexes over time. This cut is nothing like the women’s cut, but then again, it’ s not the medieval bowl cut your mother gave you when you were six.
The fringe is shorter on the sides and longer on the top. It is the male-take on bangs. It’s great for those guys that just want to roll out of bed and get dressed because hardly any maintenance is necessary. It’s just a tiny dollop of hair product in the hand, run through your hair evenly and done.
This cut works with all kinds of individual style. You can be the rocker, the surfer, the guy that dresses-up to go to school or even the guy that wears jeans and a free T-shirt. The haircut is universal and gives a more mature yet effortless look to any wardrobe.

The Slick Back
If the bed-head, side-swept look is simply not for you, no problem. There is always the ultra sleek slick back hairstyle, that tips its hat to the 1930s and 40s era.
With men’s fashion taking a complete trip down trends past, no wonder this hairstyle has made its second debut on the top.
But when having this hairstyle there is one thing to keep in mind, the kind of hair texture you have. Is your hair wavy or straight? This question may sound silly, but the slick back only really works on these two kinds of hair and the way you cut it is very different.
Gentlemen, if you have straight hair the best way to get it cut is for slightly longer on the top. And if you have wavy hair, depending on your wave, you should typically go shorter on the top.
But there is more to this hairstyle than you think. You could just push all your hair back and call it a day, but depending on your face shape, you really can’t. Pay attention to your bone structure because a strong jaw line, prominent cheekbones or even a dominant nose could throw off this haircut in an instant.
The best answer to this dilemma for any guy would be to look in the mirror and pick out your best side or a feature you want to highlight.  Then play with your hair and the direction of the part, until you find one you’re really happy with.

Facial Hair
Yes, there are trends that follow the follicles that grow out of your face. If you don’t have facial hair, can’t grow it or don’t want it you can totally forget about this part; if you’re even contemplating growing some out, here are a few things to know about grooming.
If you didn’t know, it is “Movember.” “Movember” is a play on the word November-but it’ s a month to grow out facial hair for men’s cancer awareness. More specifically, it encourages males to grow out a moustache. So do some good and grow it out.
It’s a month long challenge for men to change their appearance and the face of men’s health by growing a moustache. The movement was started in Australia in 2003. Men are encouraged to start “Movember” 1st completely clean-shaven. The next part is to grow a moustache for the entire month.
The “ mo,” slang for mustache, becomes the image for men’ s health, like the many colors of ribbon done for any month throughout the year.
The moustache creates conversation to start awareness and hopefully raise funds for cancers that affect men.
It is like any of the runs or walks for charity or fundraising, except these men in November commit to their facial hair growth for the entire 30 days of “Movember,” instead of a 3 to 5K run.
If you don’t want the moustache and want a beard or some other form of facial hair please keep in mind that keeping it clean and neat is important. This trend is not about letting your facial hair go, it’s about adding more to your look and a different feel to that young naked face.
Comb it, brush it, trim it and take care of it. Keeping it neat and clean says a lot about the person that grows it out. Trimming it daily helps along with getting rid of any stray or out-of-place hairs and if you really wish to grow it out, pay attention to under your chin and the neck area because if left unchecked, it can get very unruly.
With these hair trends and tips, your wardrobe won’t be the only thing ready for the season. Get your follicles ready for the fall and winter with a simple trim, a new hairdo and regular grooming.

Courtesy of MCT

Makeup is an essential part of a woman’s life, some even compare it to showering or eating. However women may define makeup, most agree it’s a part of our daily routine.

Foundation is the first step. Most see celebrities and wonder how they achieve that glamorous, yet seemingly effortless beauty. Lucky for you ladies, here are 10 helpful tips to master that red carpet look for this fall season.

Create a customized foundation that matches your skin perfectly. You can do this by going to a beauty counter and blending two  different colors that harmoniously blend with your skin. Remember to make sure the foundation you’re using looks good in all types of lighting.

Pick a concealer two shades lighter than your complexion. Lightly apply a small amount under your eyes. This not only hides bags and dark circles, but also it brightens the eyes, making them a great focal point to concentrate on. It also brings out the color of your eyes. Remember ladies, makeup is supposed to enhance your beauty, not mask it.

Lipstick can add the perfect touch when you’re in a rush. Most college students have a limited amout of time to get ready, but still want to exude that well-groomed look. Try applying a berry or soft pink lipstick with a little gloss. This is not only easy, it’s the perfect fall look. Berry, pinks, and even reds are great lip colors that are very season appropriate.

Get a bronzer. This is the best kept Hollywood secret that the young starlets use. Bronzers help elevate an otherwise natural hue into a sexy glow. Generally you want to apply bronzer last. To apply, lightly swipe the bronzer upward toward the brow and along the jaw line. You can also apply some in the corners of the eye to give a more sultry vibe to your look.

Well-groomed eyebrows are a must. This season, the thicker the better. Thin eyebrows are apart of a summer look,  and it’s now time to grow out the eyebrow with a high arch. A great way to get this look is to get your eyebrows threaded. Waxing can leave eyebrows with a harsh red tint. To maintain your eyebrows as you grow them out, its best to invest in a pair of tweezers to nip stray hairs.

This fall, it’s all about minimizing and maximizing. This means if you’re going to go for a bold eye look, then go for a nude lip, and vice versa. Ladies, be wary of the fact that dramatic makeup isn’t always the most flattering. To avoid this over-the-top look, always ask yourself, do I look drab or fab?

Never shy away from bright eye shadow. Bright eye shadow colors can be worn year round if done tastefully. So if you see a fire hydrant yellow, or pumpkin orange eye shadow, go for it. Just remember the more you apply, the brighter the color will appear. A couple of swipes with the eye shadow brush will do the trick.

Blush is a year round essential as well. Blush brings out cheek bones and enhances beauty. Rosie cheeks are great for fall weather. If you have a pale complexion, pink and orange blush is perfect for you. If your skin if more of an olive tone, coral or peachy tones will compliment your skin nicely. For darker skin, bright or soft reds are best.

Mascara is the best way to show off a pretty eye shadow or a gorgeous eye. A great way to enhance your lashes is to apply the mascara in a left to right rapid motion. That way, your lashes will appear extended, and coated evenly.

A smile is the best accessory anyone can posses, so ladies, be bold and beautiful this fall. There is nothing more beautiful than confident woman.

Courtesy of MCT

Most women can recall times  when their mother sent them back to their room to change their outfit when she thought they were showing too much skin.

Even after high school,  some mothers still look at their daughter’s skimpy ensembles with disapproving eyes. As unfair and judgemental  as it may seem, here is a list of reasons to help understand why mothers want their daughters to cover up a little.

It’s natural to want to stand out and do so by dressing a certain way, but that doesn’t mean wearing booty shorts and a tube top will make you look prettier. In fact, it’s likely that by wearing tighter and more provocative clothing you will attract the wrong type of  attention.

Also, people may misinterpret your scantily clad attire as a sign of low self-esteem. You can still shine and look beautiful without having to give the farm away.

GIRL’S NIGHT
When going out for girl’s night, try not to go overboard with the amount of skin you’re showing. When you look like meat, you will be treated like a piece of meat. If you want to wear a mini skirt, wear funky tights underneath as a way to tone it down. Also, wear a top with sleeves if you’re going to be wearing a short skirt.

Create a cute hairstyle, wear bold colors and work your personality as a way to attract others instead of exposing your body to do so.

DATE NIGHT
As far as date night is concerned, even rapper Ludacris is saying he wants a “lady in the street but a freak in the bed.” If you want to be taken seriously by a significant other, dress in a manner that shows you have class. I’m not saying you should wear a turtle neck paired with an ankle length skirt or go too formal on a causal date, but don’t make yourself look cheap by wearing a dress that looks more like a shirt or wear way too much make up.

If you’re going out on a romantic date to a nice restaurant on a romantic date, pairing a colored dress about two inches above the knee with accessories, can make you stand out in just the right way.

Although some men say they don’t like it when women wear make up, it’s not necessarily true. They just don’t it like when women look like they have a mask on. If you’re wearing a dark eye shadow, use a light shade on your lips or wear lip balm. Remember, if you’re wearing red lipstick don’t overdue the eyes.

FAMILY NIGHT
What you wear when you go out clubbing and what you wear to a family party, should not be the same. Out of respect to elders and loved ones, you should wear something you would feel comfortable wearing to church when attending a Thanksgiving or Christmas celebration. Meagerly distributed clothing can make older family members feel disrespected or uncomfortable. A long, delicate skirt is both feminine and fashionable when attending family functions and you can be sure it won’t offend anyone.

WORK DAY
Some people have a hard time picking out clothes for work because it can be hard to look both attractive and professional. A younger employee needs to work extra hard at impressing employers, and prove to co-workers they belong at the corporation.

Always look polished. In doing so, not only will you make a good impression on others, but you will also feel good about yourself. There are so many fabulous options for office clothing such as pencil skirts, a variety of pants and blazers that give you a nice waistline. Avoid wearing mini-skirts, low-cut tops and spaghetti-strap tank tops in a corporate environment.

* * *
When you are young and you live in Los Angeles, the weather allows for you to wear beach clothes year round. However, let’s save high midriff and heavy cleavage exposure exclusively for ocean wear.

There is no draw back to dressing conservatively. It can give a boost to your confidence level because you won’t have to be self-conscious about your physical imperfections..

Photo credit: Paul Kingsley, Photo Editor

Halloween is coming up and carving pumpkins is a tradition along side dressing up as a favorite character. Pumpkins serve as an important part in the environment and spirituality of Halloween, as well as the history. Scary, funny, goofy or traditional, each pumpkin has their own character and it is up to you to decide what kind of character your pumpkin will be.

Carving a pumpkin is not as hard as it seems. There are also kits that are available at the grocery store or at Target and Wal-Mart that range from $3-$5. These kits include all the tools you need to carve the pumpkin including a serrated knife and scooper, along with patterns that you can trace onto the pumpkins to make it easier to carve.  There are also many free patterns online.

The best time to carve a pumpkin is just a few days before Halloween or the night before. This way the pumpkin is fresh and won’t rot.

The life span of a pumpkin is not that long, once it is carved. It can last anywhere from a week to a couple of days. To help preserve the life of the pumpkin, you can coat the entire pumpkin, inside and out, with petroleum jelly, pumpkin preserver spray or pumpkin dip available at grocery stores. You can also keep the pumpkin in the refrigerator overnight to try and keep it fresh.

Whether it’s with friends and family, or just by yourself, carving pumpkins is a fun way to get in the Halloween mood. To make the perfect pumpkin for your Halloween party or just to display in the window, follow these easy steps and in no time you will have a wonderful carved pumpkin. Don’t forget to take pictures!

NEED: a clean medium-large, round pumpkin

A large spoon

Serrated knife

Permanent maker

Garbage bag

Newspaper

Tea candle

STEP ONE:  Lay the newspaper out across your counter so that you don’t get it dirty and clean up is easier.

STEP TWO:  Draw a circle around the top of the pumpkin with the permanent marker and proceed to cut the circle out with the serrated knife. As you cut out the top hole, angle the knife so that the lid and hole will be cone shaped. This will help prevent the lid from falling into the hole. Once you have cut around the entire top, pull off the top, take off the goop with the knife and put aside.

STEP THREE: Using the large spoon, scoop out the inside ‘goop’ and seeds until there is none left; throw the remains in the trash bag.  Or, if you’d like, save the seeds and bake them.

STEP FOUR: With the permanent maker, draw the design you wish your pumpkin to have. This can range from an outlandish drawing if you are artistic, or you can keep it simple by drawing different shapes as the facial features (i.e.: diamonds, hearts, squares, stars, circles, triangles).

STEP FIVE: Using the serrated knife, cut out the shapes you have drawn on your pumpkin. Throw the parts that come off the pumpkin in the trash. If it’s part of the design, don’t remove it.

STEP SIX: Once you have finished carving, place the tea candle inside, in the middle of the pumpkin and replace the top back on the pumpkin. A Votive candle, placed in a clear glass candleholder is safer and will actually last longer. White candles give off better light and will look better in the pumpkin. Light it, turn off the lights, and enjoy!

Courtesy of MCT

With the hastily resurrected costume stores and temporary Halloween shops around the area, we know October has officially arrived.  The weather may not show any signs of changing, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go on the hunt for the perfect Halloween costume. While there are plenty of tried and true costumes you can turn to, there are others that will sure to get a lot of laughs, as well as the attention from the cute guy or girl in the robot or fairy costume. Whatever your Halloween costume ends up being, don’t be scared to go all out.  This is the one time during the year it’s acceptable for full-grown, tax-paying adults to dress up as fools.  Take advantage of it. Here are some ideas for timely costumes that will best suit the look you are going for.

Youtube Sensations

If cuteness is your goal, then look no further than viral videos of kids and animals.  Dress up as a sleepy kitten or a laughing baby and you’ve got yourself a real crowd-pleaser.  Kids love them, adults waste time at work by watching them and everybody wins.

Simplicity is key when dressing up like Antoine Dodson.  If this name sounds vaguely familiar, here’s a hint: “He’s climbing in your windows, he’s snatching your people up.”  A chic red handkerchief around your head, a black tank top, and a penchant for looking directly at news camera lenses will make this look complete.

And of course, no Halloween party would be complete without a glimpse of a double rainbow.  Made famous by YouTube user Hungrybear9562 and Mother Nature, this natural phenomenon is easy to recreate: all you need is a white shirt with two rainbows painted across it.  Make sure it goes “all the way across the sky,” though.

Group Costumes

It’s hard to miss with Jersey Shore group costumes, and due to the show’s recent popularity, orange make-up is sure to abound.  Make sure someone dresses as The Situation (painted-on abs), Snooki (giant poof of black hair), and Vinnie (disturbingly perfect eyebrows).

Men who show up with multiple women at parties may be thought of as players, but thanks to this year’s celebrity sex scandals, there’s now a specific group costume idea for you, too.  You can choose to be Tiger Woods, with his red polo shirt and a gaggle of lovers (a blonde golf club-wielding wife is a bonus), or Jesse James and his tattooed mistress.  Word of warning: if you go with this group costume idea, you may lose the respect of every woman on earth.

If you’ve got a group of four female friends, the girls of “Sex and the City” are ideal costume choices.  All that’s needed are couture gowns and puns; puns as far as the eye can see.  If you’ve got camels on hand, bring them along.

Current Events “Concepts”

One of the hottest political topics this year was universal healthcare, so why not dress up as it?  It won’t be an easy costume, but the recognition you’ll get for your clever idea and hard work will be well worth the effort.  Find a way to represent the universe with small planets surrounding your head, and then wear some kind of stethoscope, and you’ve got your universal healthcare.

If you’re feeling particularly creative, you may want to represent the economy with your costume.  Think outside of the box for this one, and be as resourceful as you can.  You can wear a sign that reads foreclosure, or simply a large graph that’s in steep decline.  People may not know what you’re supposed to be right away, but it’s a definite conversation starter (possibly with aforementioned cute guy or girl).

Finally, remind everyone of one of the summer’s biggest events with your World Cup costume.  Find a way to make yourself look like a giant, walking globe (does American Apparel sell earth-print full body leotards?), and carry around a giant goblet.  If you feel that’s not obvious enough, throw in a soccer ball.

Photo credit: Paul Kingsley, Photo Editor

Sorry to say, but this generation is accustomed to instant gratification. Thanks to iPhones, iTunes and the internet, you don’t have to work very hard to get what you want, when you want it.

This means people are having a tougher time achieving their aspirations because goal attainment is no walk in the park.

Whether you’re trying to lose weight, stop procrastinating, quit smoking or get good grades, you have to realize none of these things are a click away. No pain, no gain.

Be realistic. You’re not going to drop five pounds tomorrow, or start studying a month in advance for our next test just because you want to.  There’s more to being a goal getter than desire.

First things first: You need to ask yourself what it is you want to achieve.

We all have at least one aspect of our appearance or daily routine that needs a makeover.

Maybe you would rather add or eliminate something entirely. No matter what it is (or isn’t), you need to know what you’re dealing with. You might even want to write it down and tape it to a mirror or bedpost as a little reminder.

This initial step is a real eye opener because it allows you to stare your wish right in the face. It forces you to put your thoughts, hopes and dreams into actual action words.
Next, you need to think about why you want to change this feature about yourself or your life.

What will you be able to do once you hit this target that you can’t do right now? What kinds of positive changes will occur strictly as a result of this transformation?

You can list the people you know who can help you succeed, and you should also recognize who isn’t facilitating your situation.

This is important considering the effect your relationships with family members, coworkers, friends and peers have on your confidence. You need to be surrounded by encouragement throughout this process.

So, you have an idea of what exactly you want to modify, the constructive differences you can expect, and who will and won’t help you along the way.

Identifying these key pieces of the puzzle is a big step in the right direction. You’re on your way to a sure win.

Now, let’s talk specifics.

To overcome obstacles of distraction and discouraging past failures, you need to create helpful habits. Establish when, approximately, you’re going to start climbing the ladder’s steps and the precise date you want to shout, “I did it!”

Consider what days of the week you will dedicate to soul searching. What time will the clock strike as you work on that waist line?

By deciding to, for example, work out at the gym every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., you’re solidifying your chance at goal-getting survival.

Monday will arrive, you’ll go to the gym at 11 a.m. and you’ll feel great because now you can believe yourself. When you said you were going to do something, you did it. Here comes Wednesday, and you find yourself on the treadmill at 11 a.m. again.

Of course, if this doesn’t sound like the brightest idea, there’s always a Plan B.

Instead of going all OCD on your goal, try limitation.

I know, it sounds like a scary word. But, surprise surprise, weight watchers don’t have to limit food intake and procrastinators don’t have to hit the books.

Instead, limit couch and internet access. Tell yourself you’re only aloud to watch TV or go on Facebook at night. That way, when you would normally be catching up on TiVo or stalking your friends in the afternoon, you’re free as the wind.

You’re presenting yourself with more time to participate in the changes you’re trying to make. Hopefully you would spend that time getting physically fit or studying.

Setting short-term, mini goals on the way to achieving a long-term want will increase the likelihood of your success through that instant gratification you’re expecting.

You’ll love this next word: rewards. That’s right; you can give yourself an incentive to initiate the probability of victory. Treat yourself for taking action. Instead of beating yourself up after taking a detour, why not stay on course and catch some compensation for your hard work?

It all comes down to this: Where there’s a will, there’s a way. You have the will and I lit the way, so don’t be part of passive plans. There are no more excuses.

Look! Wow! You’re a goal getter now.

Many snacks that are marketed as being ‘healthy’ actually aren’t that much better, than say, a chocolate bar or bag of chips.

The more obvious ones include protein shakes and anything claiming to be low fat or sugar free.

Here’s a list of some surprisingly unhealthy snack foods:

GRANOLA/ENERGY BARS- Most of these bars are like eating a candy bar, with as much as 500 calories. Their small size also leaves you with an empty stomach.

Alternative: Choose bars that have 200 calories or less, with 5 grams of fiber at the least, and some protein, which helps provide energy.

SMOOTHIES- Just because it has fruit in it doesn’t mean it’s good for you. Smoothies can have up to 80 grams of sugar, 350 calories, zero protein, and often times no fresh fruit. Fruit “concentrates” are often used instead. Sorbet, ice cream, and sweeteners can make smoothies as unhealthy as a milkshake.

Alternative: Get the “small”. Ask for fresh fruit, low-fat yogurt, milk, or protein powder to add good nutrition.

ENHANCED WATER- These so-called ‘vitamin’ waters are not only filled with sugar but they don’t even include actual vitamins. Vitamins are commonly added to bottled water and falsely advertised on the front label. But many brands add sugar, taking water from zero calories to 125.

Alternative: Refrigerating tap water can enhance the taste or adding packets of crystallized lemon adds flavor without adding calories.

MUFFINS- Think of them as mini cakes. They have just as much sugar. One muffin can add up to 500 calories with 11 teaspoons of sugar.

Alternative: Get a muffin that’s 100 calories or less and stick to muffins with fruit flavors such as blueberry or raspberry.

LOW FAT GRANOLA- Low-fat granola has only 10% fewer calories than regular granola and has plenty of sugar. Don’t let the ‘low fat’ label fool you.

Alternative: Look for low-sugar, whole-grain cereal instead. To sweeten, top it off with fresh fruit.

CAESAR SALAD- A small bowl has 300-400 calories and 30 grams of fat, thanks to loads of dressing.

Alternative: Use only 1 Tbs. of dressing and 2 Tbs. of tangy, Parmesan cheese.

LOW FAT YOGURT- Yogurt is rich in protein and calcium, however, it contains large amounts of added sugar. Some brands add 30 or more grams of fructose, sucrose, or other sweeteners.

Alternative: Choose a yogurt that has 90-130 calories and that has 20 grams of sugar or less. Avoid yogurt that has fruit on the bottom or blend sweetened yogurt together with plain, nonfat yogurt.

DRIED FRUIT/VEGGIES- It takes more dried fruit to make you feel full, leading to more calories. On top of that, many dried fruits are covered in added sugar.

Alternative: Fresh fruit and vegetables. Fruit already has natural water, which is filling, and vegetables are good for you. Broccoli, for example, has a ton of vitamin C and folic acid, and onions are rich in antioxidants and can help prevent cancer.

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So the next time you feel the urge to snack but want that healthy option, try to shy away from these not so healthy foods and go for the alternative.