here's to living

The One About the Personal Stylist

2014-02-10T15:01:00.000-08:00

One thing that is certainly enviable about the rich and famous is their appearance. Make-up artists highlight and contour, hair stylists tease and shape, and most fabulously of all, personal stylists take care of every little detail to create a polished look that captures the unique style and identity of an individual. When I heard about Stitch Fix, I really doubted it could live up to its claim - a personal stylist that sent me the latest styles in my size and price range? But upon further review, I found that this new favorite company of mine really has thought of everything to provide the service of a personal stylist at the level you are able to pay! Gone are the long days going from store to store, searching for that perfect item in the right size and price range. No more will you have to search online sales, pay high shipping costs, and deal with the hassle of returning most items because they aren't long enough or look nothing like the picture. Stitch Fix is the real deal.

So here is how it works. You complete a thorough style portfolio, where you identify what your individual style preferences are. You also provide information about price preferences, sizes, lifestyle, age, etc. In this way, you are creating an in-depth profile of what your tastes and preferences are. One of the coolest things is that you can also include your Pinterest clothes board or your favorite fashion blog for reference! Once completed, a stylist is personally selected for you. Your stylist reviews your information and will even select items similar to things you have pinned on Pinterest! Each "fix" contains five different items, including pants, shirts, jewelry, accessories, handbags, dresses, and more! You can even pick which items you prefer to receive in your monthly fix. Each fix requires a $20 styling fee, but the best part is that if you choose to keep at least one of the items, you can use that styling fee as a credit towards your purchase! And if you keep all five items, you get 25% off the total! Anything you do not wish to keep is sent back in the provided packaging with free shipping! You can also provide feedback on your previous fix items, so your stylist can provide even better items with each fix. Check out my link! I get a small credit for referral :) I know you will love it

Check out Stitch Fix Here!

Food Prep Part II: Foil Veggie Basket

2013-01-28T12:02:00.000-08:00

If you followed my previous post about food prep, you may be wondering what to to with all of those awesome veggies. You could munch on them raw with some hummus, or toss them in a chicken or shrimp stir fry. Or, you could cook them up in a foil veggie basket to enjoy alongside a couple of turkey muffins! The veggies I used for my basket included broccoli, cauliflower, baby carrots, cabbage, onions, and a few small purple potatoes. Here's what I did:

Preheat oven to 350 F.
Spray a large sheet of aluminum foil with nonstick cooking spray. Place foil on a baking sheet.
Spread out 1-2 cloves of minced garlic on the center of the foil.
Add chopped cabbage (cut into strips), onions (cut into chunks), small baby carrots, broccoli and cauliflower florets, and halved purple potatoes.
Cut the ends of a lemon. Slice four thin slices. Take the rest of the lemon and squeeze over the veggies on the foil. You can add more lemon juice if you want. Top the veggies with 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil. You can drizzle with olive oil if you do not have coconut oil. Top veggies with lemon slices. Season with sea salt and black pepper.

Voila! A beautiful medley of veggies :)

Fold the edges over and tuck in the open sides. Leave some room for steam! Place in preheated oven for around 30-35 minutes, depending on the size of your veggie basket. This has a strong lemony flavor, which can be toned down by omitting the lemon slices. You can also replace the lemon with a splash of soy sauce or a dry wine.

I just had about half of my veggie basket with two turkey muffins, and it so so yummy and filling!! I didn't even finish it all, so yay for healthy leftovers!

Prep Day: Egg Muffins and Jamie Eason's Turkey Muffins

2013-01-26T14:20:00.001-08:00

Prepping and freezing food has been a lifesaver for me! I tend to make poor food choices when I don't have foods available, or I lack ambition to try to come up with something to make. When school gets busy, I love having some quick options that taste great and aren't sabotaging my health goals! Egg muffins are extremely versatile! Add whatever you need to get rid of, and they will always turn out great! :)

Set up a prep station with cutting boards and good quality knives. Dice two stalks of celery. For the rest of the celery, either cut them into snack sizes for munching later on in the week or dice them for salads, stir-fries, or other meals n the week.

I had some turkey that I needed to use up, so I chopped that into fine pieces. Although I am not using cauliflower in these recipes, I chopped it up for other uses this week. I love roasted cauliflower. :)

Chop up one small onion, or about half of a large one into small pieces. I had some leftover green onions that I chopped up for the egg cups. Chop broccoli for recipes/snacking during the week. I decided to use some in my egg muffins, so I chopped some up for that in small florets.

Coconut oil has amazing health benefits, so I used about a tablespoon or two in a medium skillet. I added two cloves of minced garlic. Once the garlic is fragrant, toss in several handfuls into the skillet. Add a little water if needed. Saute the spinach until it is wilted. Squeeze out excess liquid and drain. Set aside.

I used a carton of egg whites, but regular eggs work great as well! I added about 1/4 cup of milk into a large bowl. I whisked it together with a Laughing Cow cheese wedge that I had in my fridge. I then added about half a carton of egg whites, and the spinach, broccoli, turkey, and green onions. I added about 1/2 cup of reduced fat colby jack cheese. I also seasoned the egg mixture with black pepper, sea salt, Mrs. Dash, and chili pepper. Add the rest of the carton of egg whites as needed to keep mixture liquidy.

Fill a greased muffin tin with egg mixture using a measuring cup. Try to keep the consistency the same for all of the muffin tins. Be careful not to overfill. I sprinkled a tiny bit more of cheese on the top. Bake at 375 for about 20 minutes, or until eggs are set and centers are cooked. Once cooked, let cool and then remove from the muffin tin. I let them continue to cool on a lined baking sheet I then packaged 4-5 muffins to a quart freezer Ziploc bag. Let cool in fridge and then transfer to freezer! To eat, set out a bag the night before in the fridge. Reheat as many as you want and enjoy!

The diced celery and onion is used to make Jamie Eason's turkey muffins. I mixed up the ingredients while the eggs were cooking, and then baked them up as well! I had a little extra meat mixture so I made about 12 small turkey meatballs, which cooked up quickly. I froze half of the meatballs, and froze the muffins in pairs of 2.

I am so excited to have healthy breakfasts and meals on hand to enjoy for the next few weeks! I like the turkey muffins with a clean barbeque sauce, chopped up on salads, or with a clean tomato sauce. The eggs would be a great protein option in the morning, just add a side of oatmeal or Ezekiel toast and you are set for a great start to your day! Because the turkey muffins contain oats as a binding ingredient, all you need to add is a veggie side for a healthy meal!
Here is the link for Jamie's turkey muffin recipe! I didn't include many prep pictures for that because I forgot :) But she has an even better video that you can check out at Bodybuilding.com.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/video-jamie-eason-turkey-meatloaf-muffins.htm

2013 Challenge

2013-01-07T11:10:00.000-08:00

2013 is upon us, and we have the power to make this our best year yet. But improvement starts with change. The most successful approach is to pick one or two small changes a month. When you have mastered these changes, pick a couple more to work on. Here are some suggestions to consider for your new year!

Swap out your morning beverage for one of the following choices:

Green tea with a lemon wedge
A mug of hot water with the juice of one lemon
Your choice of tea with fresh grated ginger
A cup of coffee with a tablespoon of coconut oil

Superfruit Unity Loose-Leaf Green Tea, 4oz (Google Affiliate Ad)

These options help flush your system, rev your metabolism, and wake you up! Plus, hot beverages help to satiate one's hunger, which will help prevent overeating.

2. Meditate at least 5-10 minutes per day:

Choose a location that is quiet and free of distracting stimuli-- leave your phone and other electronics in another room.
Spend a few minutes clearing your mind and calming your thoughts.
Choose a mantra to reflect on, or simply sit quietly.
If the weather is appropriate, consider meditating outdoors.

Learn to Meditate By Fontana, David (Google Affiliate Ad)

Meditation offers a plethora of health benefits. It can help with stress management and reduction. It can also reduce pain perception, improve resilience, reduce mental trauma susceptibility, increase focus, and improve mental capabilities in aging individuals.

3. Eat a salad every day:

As a side dish to a main entree, salads should consist of a mix of dark leafy greens and your choice of veggies. Eat it fresh or add a healthy vinaigrette to get some healthy fats.
As a main dish, salads should also incorporate a lean protein source, such as grilled chicken or fish. My favorite mix is warm grilled chicken, dark leafy greens, sliced strawberries, mushrooms, and red onions with a balsamic vinaigrette.

OXO Salad Spinner - Large Green Spinner - Good Grips (Google Affiliate Ad)

Adding a salad to your daily intake will help you acquire your recommended amounts of vitamins, fiber, and minerals. It will also help fill you up!

4. Practice good workout nutrition:

Pre-workout meals should consist of a lean protein source and a complex carbohydrate source, such as brown rice and chicken breast. Have your pre-workout meal about an hour before your workout.
Post-workout meals should also have a carb and protein, but choose something faster digesting so the protein is absorbed by your muscles quickly. Within a half hour of finishing your work out, munch on some fruit with a protein shake.
Fats such as cheese, fatty fish, nuts, oils, and nut butters should not be considered for post-workout protein sources, as the fat greatly slows down the digestion and absorption process.
Some other complex carb choices include oats, yams, Ezekiel bread, and quinoa. Bananas are great for post-workout snacks with protein, as they have a high glycemic level, which speeds the digestion process and helps proteins quickly replenish tired muscles!
One of my favorite post-workout meals is plain Greek yogurt mixed with protein powder and fresh fruit. Sometimes I top it with about a tablespoon of Grape Nuts cereal for a little extra crunch.

Elite Natural Protein Vanilla - 5 lbs (Google Affiliate Ad)

Workout nutrition is very important for optimizing your time in the gym. Pre-workout meals fuel your physical activity, and can make or break your workout. Post-workout meals help finish the job, by replenishing tired muscles and depleted glycogen stores. Together, pre- and post-workout meals will help you reach fitness goals faster.

These are just a few tips that I thought I would suggest to get your goals started. Make a list of the changes you wish to see in yourself by 2014. Every time you incorporate a new healthy habit, or rid yourself of an undesirable one, you can keep track of it. This will help with your accountability. The goals I provided today were focused on health and wellness. However, every individual has his or her own personal journey and can incorporate their own goals, whether they be related to health, finance, academics, career, or anything else! Use the momentum of this brand new year to create a brand new you! Just a few small changes will bring about positive changes-- I guarantee it!!

here's to living,

Baked Potato Make-Over

2012-10-11T14:03:00.001-07:00

It's that time of year again. Outside, leaves are falling and the fall air is crisp and cool. The time of year that makes me want to cuddle up in bed with something warm and sinful. Today I had a craving for a hot baked potato, loaded with all the toppings- melted butter, sour cream, crumbled bacon, and of course an abundant sprinkling of melted cheese. However, a baked potato with all the trimmings is not too friendly on the waistline, with about 620 calories and 33 grams of fat! So instead of feeling guilty about my food choice, I decided to give the traditional baked potato a make-over! By swapping out some of the fattening toppings for more healthy options, I was able to slash the number of calories to 315, and eliminate 14 grams of fat! Now you will be able to enjoy piping hot baked potatoes with all of the delicious toppings all fall and winter long!

Made-Over Baked Potato

1 Smart Potato (I used Pro Health Baking Potatoes from Hy-Vee, which I got on sale--only $1.79 for a 10-lb bag!)

1 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 Tbsp Plain Greek Yogurt

2 Tsp Low Fat Shredded Cheddar Cheese

2 Slices Low Sodium Turkey Bacon

First, preheat your oven to 400 F. Scrub your potato and dry well with a towel. Take a fork and pierce the skin of the potato about four times on each side. Rub the olive oil all over the potato. This will create a delicious crispy skin! When the oven is ready, place the potato directly on the rack, in about the middle of the oven. On the rack below, place a piece of aluminum foil to catch any drippings. Cook for about 45 minutes, or until the potato is tender. Meanwhile, cook the turkey bacon in a skillet. Let cool and then crumble into small pieces. When the potato is done, remove carefully from the oven. Cut the potato in half, and top with yogurt, cheese, and bacon bits. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

If you want to speed up the cooking process, the potato and bacon can be cooked via microwave. I personally love the way a potato skin crisps up in the oven, but I regularly use a microwave when crunched for time. These make a great and healthy lunch option as well! Bring your toppings and potato to work with you. At lunch time, pop your potato in the microwave and you will have a fresh hot meal in minutes! Feel free to experiment with new toppings as well! Thanks for stopping by :)

here's to living,

Kaching!

2012-08-14T07:10:00.000-07:00

I recently became a Student Ambassador for CengageBrain.com. Having previously purchased books through my college bookstore, I was amazed at how much money I was throwing away by not taking advantage of other companies. There are many reasons why to buy or rent your books at CengageBrain.com, but the most convincing one is definitely their low prices. Here are some specific reasons to check if CengageBrain.com has your textbooks for the upcoming semesters.

Their prices are up to 65% off! Because books are so expensive, these kinds of reduced prices can really save you lots of money. And every college student loves having a little extra spending money!
They provide seasonal promotions, offering additional discounts and savings!
Free shipping on orders over $25! Free is my favorite four letter word :)
There are multiple format options available for your textbooks. I personally prefer having the fell of an actual book for most of my textbooks, but in certain instances I have used the e text versions and found them very convenient and affordable.
If you are late on ordering your books or have to have a certain textbook in a short period of time, CengageBrain.com offers free ebook access while your textbook ships!

These are just a few of my favorite advantages that come with using CengageBrain.com as my textbook and ebook provider. If that isn't enough to convince you to check it out, here's one more incentive. Using the promotional code CEN00083 will give you an additional 15% savings on your ENTIRE order. I'm so happy that I have found CengageBrain.com. I have saved so much money and time by purchasing all of my books there. I hope you have as much luck as I have had!
here's to living,
T.

http://www.cengagebrain.com/shop/index.html

Glitz & Glam

2012-07-23T11:53:00.001-07:00

Glitz & Glam by tamara-reisch featuring black handbags

Lipsy sequin dress
$170 - lipsy.co.uk

Victoria's Secret high heels
victoriassecret.com

Dorothy Perkins black handbag
dorothyperkins.com

River Island wrap bracelet
$20 - riverisland.com

the one about kisado

2012-04-03T08:44:00.003-07:00

The most important thing to remember about working out is to enjoy what you are doing. Being healthy is a lifestyle change, and if you want it to be a part of your life, you need to enjoy it. There is truly no way around it. If you dread your work out and spend every second wishing you were done with it, then you won't stick with it and you won't get good results. Experiment with different forms of physical activity until you find something that is fun to do. However, don't confuse fun with easy. Your work out should still be challenging. There is no greater feeling than completing a tough work out! Variety is also important. Participating several different activities keeps your work outs fresh and exciting. It also has its physical benefits. By keeping your body "guessing", you can achieve greater results as you won't fall into the dreaded plateau. Incorporate dynamic and challenging work outs into your routine. Find goals such as running a 5K or competing in a triathlon to fuel your motivation and movement! My friends and I have written up a weekly schedule, where we are taking up a variety of fitness classes. We look forward to our work out "dates". In the past 5 days I have tried so many new things! From Sweatshop, a high intensity interval class that pushed me to my limit, to Zumba, a fun weekend dance adventure, to Kisado, an interval class which incorporated punching bags to make working out even more of a fun stress reliever, the classes we went to were new and exciting. We are amazed at the benefits we have noticed this early! We sleep better at night and have more energy in the day. We also feel more inspired to eat healthy and drink adequate amounts of water, so we are not undermining our results. I even feel stronger and my abs look great when I wake up in the morning :) I never have regretted working out, and I doubt I ever really will. Don't undermine your goals, go out and make them happy!
here's to living,
T.


My fitness inspiration, Jennifer Nicole Lee!

Photo Credit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/10/prweb8894523.htm

the one about making plans

2012-03-28T13:13:00.001-07:00

As previously mentioned, having a set plan for achieving any goal is a necessity. Establishing a clear action plan to accomplish your dreams will help you stay focused and organized. Today I sat down with my two good friends, TiAnna and Andrea, to construct a work out schedule. Our University's Wellness Center offers a wide variety of free fitness classes, and we have finally decided to take advantage of them. Having a group of supporters not only builds up motivation, but it increases reliability. It is much easier to let yourself out of doing something than to abandon a friend! Because we are in class for most of the day, we have scheduled to work out in the evening. The classes we will be attending throughout the week include Kisado, a high-intensity interval training course, Bosu Playground, a cardio/strength training mix done entirely on a Bosu trainer, Kick & Sculpt, a high energy kick boxing class, and Sweatshop, a Insanity-inspired class which focuses on intense and fast-paced training. I am excited to finally be taking advantage of these classes. Each day will offer a different way for me to break a sweat and get my heart rate up! In addition, we plan to do some P90X-inspired ab training. I also hope to continue some light weight training, because I just love the sculpted results that it offers :) If you have a fitness goal in mind, team up and create a strategy. Don't let your motivation to make yourself better fade!
here's to living,
T.

A little motivation for all those who are starting something new!

the one about getting fit

2012-03-27T13:33:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, my best friend Kelli and I had a work out date at the University's Wellness Center. Living a healthy lifestyle is something that is really important to me, but it seems that I let so much get in the way of it. From making less than stellar eating choices at Commons to spending my spare time watching Mad Men instead of logging some much needed miles to wasting time and money on the ultimate empty calories, alcohol, I have found my goals for healthy living indefinitely stalled. However, I don't want my inability to act on my goals to be a defining quality of mine. So I am going to try to take things into my own hands. The thing about healthy living is that the only way it will ever work is if YOU yourself decide to make changes. No other person can make you do it, not if you want it to be a lasting decision anyways. Something that Kelli said yesterday really put things into perspective for me. Her new fitness mantra was "Eat for the body you want, not for the one you have." What a true and inspiring statement. If you imagine the body you want whenever you make a food decision, I am sure that it will be easier to make healthy decisions. I think that the most important step when deciding to live a healthy lifestyle is to have a set plan and some basic goals. This is really the only way you can evaluate what needs to be done, within both your diet and physical activity. I would highly suggest reading The Eat Clean Diet by Tosca Reno. Tosca is one of my greatest fitness inspirations. She has completely turned her life around by embracing a healthy lifestyle. Her books are easy and enjoyable reads. She lays down the basics of "Clean Eating," as well as the importance of physical activity. She also has oodles of delicious and healthy recipes, which makes Eating Clean a pleasant experience. I would also suggest subscribing to Oxygen Magazine. I can't help but get excited and a fresh wave of motivation every time I get my monthly issue. Oxygen magazine provides fresh and current information, work outs, and recipes for people who are serious about healthy eating and intense work outs. I also subscribe to Fitness Rx and Muscle and Fitness Hers. I am excited to establish my goals and create a plan to achieve my best body yet!
here's to living,
T.

Working on my beach body in my parent's gym at home :)

tres chic

2012-03-22T19:11:00.001-07:00

tres chic by tamara-reisch featuring a heart chain necklace

Hervé Léger bandage dress
€1.295 - shopmrsh.com

Prada platform high heels
$790 - prada.com

Oasis suede clutch
$50 - oasis-stores.com

Anna Sheffield gold diamond ring
£1,850 - liberty.co.uk

Betsey Johnson heart chain necklace
$128 - zappos.com

Banana Republic long drop earrings
$40 - bananarepublic.gap.com

VIcenza beaded jewelry
£6.40 - debenhams.com

gotta love the black

2012-03-22T18:38:00.001-07:00

gotta love the black by tamara-reisch featuring flat sandals

Black shirt
$22 - weekday.com

Quiksilver cotton shorts
$50 - quiksilver.com

Ash flat sandals
£65 - theoutnet.com

Tylie Malibu cross body handbag
$297 - endless.com

AS29 gold flower ring
£1,250 - harrods.com

Diamond bangle
$5.99 - stylesforless.com

Sparkle jewelry
$33 - swarovski-elements.com

Mango oversized sunglasses
£23 - mango.com

date outfit

2012-03-22T18:06:00.001-07:00

date outfit by tamara-reisch featuring crystal earrings

Alexander McQueen platform sandals
$1,130 - bergdorfgoodman.com

Love Moschino red handbag
psyche.co.uk

Astley Clarke opal jewelry
$2,335 - astleyclarke.com

Stephen Dweck crystal earrings
$240 - bergdorfgoodman.com

ring-a-ding-ding

2012-03-22T16:37:00.001-07:00

ring-a-ding-ding by tamara-reisch featuring platform shoes

House of dereon dress
£90 - bankfashion.co.uk

Le Silla platform shoes
$1,070 - stylebop.com

Vince Camuto clutch bag
$148 - vincecamuto.com

Rachel leigh jewelry
$23 - dealuxe.ca

Gold jewelry
diva.net.au

classy and summery

2012-03-22T16:07:00.001-07:00

classy and summery by tamara-reisch featuring pink rings

Cecilia Pradomurion scoop neck tank
$250 - lespommettes.com

Citizens of humanity jeans
€229 - jades24.com

Yves Saint Laurent nude sandals
€750 - montaignemarket.com

Wildfox Couture pink ring
€89 - jades24.com

Janis By Janis Savitt clear earrings
$75 - ylang23.com

Wood bangle
$30 - witchery.com.au

Jimmy choo sunglasses
$232 - glassesonweb.com

put some jack daniels in my cup

2012-03-22T15:55:00.001-07:00

put some jack daniels in my cup by tamara-reisch featuring beaded jewelry

Black top
$24 - boozingear.com

Hollister Co. cotton short shorts
$30 - hollisterco.com

Leather booties
£395 - brownsfashion.com

Deepa Gurnani beaded jewelry
£95 - julesb.co.uk

Jigsaw twist jewelry
£39 - jigsaw-online.com

Mango long earrings
£8.99 - mango.com

Burberry gold aviator sunglasses
£179 - johnlewis.com

Cowgirl belt
$3 - theoldwestgallery.com

Nail polish
$6 - jacob.ca

the one about summer

2012-03-22T15:35:00.002-07:00

Lately, the lovely weather has caused me to spend much of my time day dreaming about summer. What is it we love about summer so much? The warm weather, carefree attitudes, roadtrips, days at the beach.. It doesn't matter what activity you may be participating in, one of the best perks about summer is the great outfits! Summer is probably my favorite season to shop for, and can definitely be one of the cheapest. I've recently came across Polyvore.com, which is a fabulous website for putting together outfits. In celebration of this beautiful weather, I have decided to come up with some outfits I would deem worthy of wearing this upcoming summer. Hope you enjoy :)
here's to living,
T.

p.s. I can't wait to get my tan back :)

summer style

2012-03-22T15:28:00.001-07:00

summer style by tamara-reisch featuring gold plated jewelry

Top
bonprix.pl

J Brand cotton shorts
£106 - farfetch.com

Sam Edelman ankle wrap sandals
£120 - farfetch.com

Yellow gold jewelry
£60 - the-dressingroom.com

LK Designs enamel jewelry
€72 - pret-a-beaute.com

Miso stretch jewelry
£12 - republic.co.uk

Disney Couture gold plated jewelry
£24 - comparestoreprices.co.uk

Mango aviator shades
£18 - houseoffraser.co.uk

the one about hawaii

2012-03-21T14:34:00.002-07:00

This March, I was accepted to attend my Spring 2013 semester at the University of Hawaii at Hilo through the National Student Exchange program. Travel has always been a great interest of mine. I remember fondly the family road trips and vacations from my younger years. I have always expressed interest to incorporate travel into my life. For me, a semester abroad would give me an independent start on this. While spending a semester at Hawaii may just sound like an extended spring break to some, I am looking to gain much more than a good tan and some souvenirs. Although my friends and family are undoubtedly the most important things in my life, I am hoping to gain some independence, maturity, and a greater sense of identity through my time away. I think that I will be able to gain some perspective on my life through this "tropical retreat". I have always been somewhat of an introspective person. In my younger years, I often spent time hidden away with a book. I think this trip is essential to regaining my purpose and reconnecting with myself. I have some difficult years of schooling ahead of me. I feel that Hawaii will allow me to step out and prepare for the hardships that medical school may have in store for me. I will have to be mentally strong and academically focused to excel in medical school. For me, Hawaii is an escape to give me the mindset needed to finish my undergrad strong, and prepare for my future.
Of course, spending a semester away is a big decision, and comes with some hardships, mainly financial. The price of living in Hawaii is much higher. From rent to shipping to traveling costs, spending a semester in Hawaii will cost about $2000 more than a semester at my current school. Obviously, I have some big decisions to make in a short amount of time! Who knows, maybe a year from now I will be blogging from a Hawaiian shoreline under a palm tree :)
here's to living,
T.

the one about studying

2012-03-20T14:41:00.001-07:00

So here I am, on a typical Tuesday night, with more that needs to get done than I have the motivation to do. Time management is important for college students. Balancing work, activities, social life, and school can be difficult and overwhelming. I have found a study tool that I utilize when I plan on spending an extended period of time studying or completing assignments. Its called Focus Booster, and it is a free application that you can download directly onto your computer to help break up your study session into manageable chunks. You can access Focus Booster at http://www.focusboosterapp.com/. Focus Booster is basically a timer that displays on your screen. When you start studying, the timer starts counting down from 25 minutes. When the time is up, you are given a five minute break for your leisure. This tool is dependable and has worked really well for me. It helps me stay focused for my allotted study time without getting burnt out and resorting to creeping Facebook or some other equally time-wasting activity. It works best if you really force yourself to work and focus for the full 25 minutes. It is not impossible, trust me :) This is just one study tip that has helped me, and may just help you ace your next test as well!
here’s to living,
T.

the one about brussels sprouts

2012-03-20T14:38:00.001-07:00

One of my passions is eating healthy. Not only do I enjoy the benefits of feeling and looking good, but I actually realy like healthy food. Case in point, I just downed a delicious pot of garlic Brussels sprouts as an afternoon snack. Although the little green buds are often regarded as unappetizing, I have found that I love them. If you’ve never tried them before, I suggest preparing them by roasting them. They crisp up in the most tasty way! I purchased mine at Hy-Vee and trimmed them and cut them in half. Then I just tossed them in a large Ziploc bag with some olive oil and chopped garlic. Whenever I needed a snack I just took out whatever amount I needed, dumped them into my microwavable pot (such a lifesaver in college), and microwaved them for 2-3 minutes. Deeelish! If you need more persuading to give them a shot, consider this: a serving of Brussels sprouts contains nearly 4 grams of fiber, almost 3.5 grams of protein, and a full amount of your daily recommended Vitamin C, among other vitamins and minerals. Furthermore, they contain a potent anticancer compound and another chemical which aids in DNA repair in cells, which can contribute to blocking the growth of cancer cells. Now I realize by now, my post has turned into a full on rant on why you should try my newly discovered favorite cabbage-derivative. If none of that is going to convince you to give ‘em a shot, than I guess you will miss out on my delicious snack. Now, I have an episode of Mad Men to finish and some Genetics to study.
here’s to living,
T.

the one about twitter

2012-03-20T14:22:00.001-07:00

I am really looking forward to blogging, and I hope to do so frequently. Let me know what topics you are most interested in hearing about, and I will be happy to answer any questions! If you would like, follow me on Twitter (@TamaraReisch) and Pinterest (Tamara Reisch) for more updates and fun! Thanks for stopping by!
here's to living,
T.

the one about leggings

2012-03-20T13:41:00.001-07:00

To be honest, it was only recently that I began to develop my own personal style. Although I love people watching and picking up on what others are wearing, I no longer rush out to buy a piece of clothing or accessory solely because it is "trendy". Ultimately, I look for a few main qualities in my wardrobe:

Comfort: This one is really important. If it doesn't fit properly, don't buy it. If it is poorly made and not comfortable, don't buy it. If it doesn't feel good on you, don't buy it. It is truly as simple as that. Buy clothes that fit properly, are of good and lasting quality, and are comfortable to wear. They will last longer and you will get so much more use out of them.
Versatility: When considering purchasing something, consider what's already in your closet. If you can come up with several possible outfit combinations, then go ahead and buy it! But if it would require you to buy a new jacket, shoes, bottom, etc. then reconsider your decision. Every closet should have a few good quality staples to build outfits around. A few things that I consider necessary are leggings in the basic colors (grey, black, white), some long tunic-style shirts to go over leggings in basic colors, flat black boots, good quality blue jeans, a good quality pair of skinny jeans in dark wash, a black waist-cinching belt, black dressy heels, long cotton tank tops to layer over in a variety of colors,and a black pencil skirt. When purchasing your staples, make sure they are well-made, durable, and easy to care for. You may have to spend a little more money, but it will be worth having clothes that last a long time.
Appeal: Now that we've got the basics down, it is important that the rest of the wardrobe not only makes you feel good wearing it, but look good as well. Wearing a fabulous outfit can really change an ordinary day into a special one. I always get a boost of confidence when I know I am wearing an outfit that looks and fits well. When shopping for appealing clothing, look for pieces that flatter your body type, and present you to the world as you wish to be presented. As I move into my twenties, I have stepped away from the flashy and moved towards the classy. It really helps to have a personal style to identify with. Once you know what you are looking for, look for unique and eye-catching pieces. This certainly does not mean to go out and pick the most wild and brash pieces you can find. Alternatively, find pieces that can add spice and interest to your outfit. It's hard to go wrong with a great neutral outfit while using accessories to add a pop of color.

The outfit I tossed on today did not take much planning. However, I felt comfortable and attractive in it. Because I have begun to develop a coordinated wardrobe, I was able to toss a few staples on, accessorize to bring it from mundane to marvelous, and rush out the door without worrying about it. College students often fall prey to tossing on sweats and a t-shirt as their daily uniform. For some, this is fine. And, honestly, I have no problem with it. Personally, I am not a sweatpants kind of girl. I am actually much more comfortable in boots and leggings. My wardrobe is just as affordable and doesn't require any more effort. What's more is that I am beginning to acquire some good quality apparel as well as refining my own personal style. For today's outfit, I am wearing the following:

Black Flat Boots: Madden Girl Crytikal Black Boots, $47.99, http://www.zappos.com/madden-girl-crytikal-black-fabric
Leggings: Victoria's Secret Carbon Daily Legging, $24.50 or 2/$40, http://www.victoriassecret.com/ss/Satellite?ProductID=1265748616001&c=Page&cid=1329190950677&pagename=vsdWrapper&search=true
White Tunic: Victoria's Secret V-Neck Tunic, $24.50 or 2/$40, http://www.victoriassecret.com/ss/Satellite?ProductID=1265748621528&c=Page&cid=1329190950677&pagename=vsdWrapper
Pink Scarf: Solid Basic Everyday Scarf: Pink, $6.75, Wet Seal
Black Button-Up Sweater, Miss Me Black Sweater, $48.50, Miss Me, purchased from www.hautelook.com

The great thing about this outfit is that I like it. I thoroughly enjoy wearing it, as it is comfortable and fits my personal style. All of the things I am wearing can be re-worn in new ways, thus making them extremely versatile. I am so glad I was introduced to leggings. They are the most comfortable things ever and they look great!
here's to living,
T.

the one about me

2012-03-20T11:16:00.001-07:00

I am excited to make my blogging debut! I hope to share my thoughts and ramblings on life, fashion, fitness, and food. Firstly, I shall introduce myself. My name is Tamara and I am a 20 year old college student, pursuing a degree in Biology with plans to attend Medical School following the completion of my undergrad. My interests include eating clean, running, resistance training, shopping, biking, cooking, and reading. This blog will primarily focus on my day to day experiences and encounters. Enjoy!

here's to living,