How to Join a Sorority: Part Two

Step Four:  Get prepared.

Figure out what to wear for every round.  Start here.

Get tips and tricks from women who’ve been in your shoes, like from here and here.

Step Five: Recognize the importance of being Panhellenic.

You may not know what “being Panhellenic” means now, but I assure you, it is a huge part of being in a sorority – and it starts even before recruitment.  Before recruitment, it means taking every stereotype with a grain of salt.  During recruitment, it means not judging other PNM’s opinions of sororities and not letting “tent talk” bother you.  After recruitment, it means making friends in other sororities and keeping the ones you made during recruitment.  It means being involved in your school’s Panhellenic council – whether that means serving as an officer or simply attending events.  Being Panhellenic will provide you with many lifelong friendships with women outside of your own sorority.

Step Six:  Know that your recruitment experience won’t be perfect.

Sometimes you’ll sweat and sometimes you’ll be cold.  Maybe one day your hair won’t look perfect.  You might not get invited back to a chapter you fell in love with.

You’re not alone and none of the sisters you meet will have had a perfect recruitment either.  It doesn’t exist.  Try to make the most of your recruitment experience and have fun with it.  It’s all worth it, I promise.

Step Seven: Register.

Depending on your school size, this may mean sending an e-mail to the Panhellenic Vice President of Recruitment or registering via a website and paying a fee.  You can find out how or who to contact on your school’s Greek Life website or College Lifestyles’ upcoming Recruitment PDF Guide – look for it soon!

Have a great recruitment everyone!

Brynne is a senior at the University of Connecticut, a College Lifestyles™ intern, and a Kappa Alpha Theta.  Her interests include reading, identifying nail polish color by name, and trying every Larabar that exists.

Greek Yogurt vs. Regular: What’s the Difference?

I recently discovered – thanks to the world of food blogging – the joys of Greek-strained yogurt.  I remember a friend buying some a few months ago and telling me it was tart and thick.  I thought it just sounded like sour cream.  However, after being a regular fixture in every food blog I read, I picked up some Chobani at my grocery store and fell in love.  The taste, texture, nutrition statistics, mix-ability – to me, Greek yogurt is perfection.  I find myself craving with fruit, dark chocolate pieces, and cereal instead of soft serve.

Taste – Yes, Greek yogurt is tart – but in a good way.  If the plain flavor is too tart for you (in the unlikely event you’re eating it without any mix-ins), drizzle in some honey – problem solved.  Its taste also makes it a great alternative to mayonnaise and sour cream.

Texture – Thick.  Very thick.  The first time I tried the Fage brand, my spoon stood straight up when I stuck it in the middle – awesome.  Even non-fat is super creamy.  Thinking about it, I would compare the texture to thick Cool Whip.  Great, right?  Yes.

Nutrition Stats – Here’s a quick comparison of Fage 0% Plain to Dannon Nonfat Plain

Serving Size: 6 oz, about ¾ cup
Fage 0% Plain Dannon Nonfat Plain

Calories:  90                               Calories:  80
Total Fat:  0g                               Total Fat:  0g
Cholesterol:  0g                         Cholesterol:  5mg
Sodium:  65mg                           Sodium:  120mg
Total Carbs:  7g                         Total Carbs:  12g
Dietary Fiber:  0g                      Dietary Fiber:  0g
Sugars:  7g                                    Sugars:  12g
Protein:  15 g                               Protein:  9g

With only 10 calories difference, Fage has no cholesterol, nearly half the sodium and sugar, and almost double the protein.  I’m pretty sure that speaks for itself.

Mix-ability – I love the flavored yogurts: blueberry, strawberry, honey, and my favorite, peach!  I haven’t tried Stonyfield’s Greek yogurt brand, Oikos, but Chobani has the fruit in the cup already and Fage keeps it in a little sectioned off part of the cup.  Either way – delicious.  Even without manufacturer-added fruits, it is more than simple enough to add your own – berries, bananas, peaches, I’ve even been thinking of apple lately.

And not just fruit – I regularly add Kashi’s Heart to Heart, but granola, rolled oats, coconut, dark chocolate bits, a crumbled Larabar – the possibilities are endless.  With all the possible mix-ins, consider Greek yogurt the Coldstone Creamery of your refrigerator.

I hope that I’ve convinced you to pick up at least one container of Greek yogurt on your next grocery trip.  If not, believe me, it’s your loss.  Be sure to check out all of my Greek yogurt creations on my food blog, Bee’s Eats!

Brynne is a senior at the University of Connecticut, a College Lifestyles™ intern, and a Kappa Alpha Theta.  Her interests include reading, identifying nail polish color by name, and trying every Larabar that exists.

How to Join a Sorority: Part One

Thinking about joining a sorority?  Take the first steps.

Step 1:  Ask yourself why you want to go through recruitment.

If the answer includes lifelong friends, performing community service and helping out a philanthropy, a connection to something with a deep history and limitless future, academic support, and expanding your leadership skills, sorority life may be for you!

If the answer includes scenes from Animal House, you may want to try a different route.

Step 2:  Do your research.

Log onto your school’s Greek Life website.  Usually these are located under Student Life, Residential Life, or Student Activities sections.  Find the answers to these essential questions:

•    Are you eligible for recruitment?  Or does a low GPA or class status (some schools require that you be a second or third-semester student) hold you back?
•    When is recruitment?  Is it only in the fall, only in the spring, or both?
•    If it is held in the fall, will you need to move into your dorm early?
•    What chapters are active on campus?
•    Do you need recommendations?
•    What is required of you financially, academically, and time-wise?  Do you meet these requirements?

Step 3:  Find out what sororities are REALLY all about.

Check out your school’s chapters’ national and local websites.  Read the histories, creeds, purposes, and open mottoes of the sororities you may be meeting.  All of these things will give you great insight into the organizations.  Know that we are NOT what you see on TV and in movies.  We care about more than booze and boys.

Visit the National Panhellenic Conference’s website.  Look at all the information under the “Potential New Members” tab.  See what famous and renowned women are sorority members – you may be surprised!

Test your Sorority IQ at this website headed by the National Panhellenic Conference.  Take the quiz to see if sorority life is for you and get some recruitment tips.

Check out The Sorority Life for much more information about what sororities are and what they are not!

Check back soon for Part Two!

Brynne is a senior at the University of Connecticut, a College Lifestyles™ intern, and a Kappa Alpha Theta.  Her interests include reading, identifying nail polish color by name, and trying every Larabar that exists.

True Life: I’m Obsessed with Food Blogs

Okay, I admit it.  This is my new obsession.  Reading food blogs.  I blame my friend Nicole for this, as her vegan food blog has led me to obsessively checking my newly utilized Google Reader for updates on the twelve (12) healthy food blogs I follow.

There are all kind of food blogs out there: gourmet, recipe, chocolate, healthy, vegetarian, vegan, raw, the list goes on and on.  Posts can be three times a week to three times a day.  Bloggers may post a review of the food, nutritional statistics, the recipe, or just pictures of what they eat.  Some get paid, some get free stuff, some make new friends.

Due to my newfound health-conscious attitude, I love the healthy food blogs.  They have only helped my quest to become an all-around healthier person.  Kath helped me rediscover my love for oatmeal and introduced me to the idea of oatmeal toppings.  Yes, toppings.  Peanut butter on oatmeal is amazing.  Amy began my love affair with the medjool date, something for which I will be forever thankful.  Jenna inspires me with her healthy balanced love of food, exercise, and a good glass of wine.  Lo makes me laugh and want to move to Chicago.

I have found that some of the most interesting blogs to me, are those of women recovering from eating disorders.  Amy, Kath, and Jenny make no secret of their past and present struggles and for that I respect them.  They have such interesting perspectives of what works for them and their bodies, as well as coming up with amazing food combinations.  They really are inspirational.

If you’re thinking about starting a food blog, there are three requirements: a love of food, a love of writing, and a good camera.  If you’re interested, there are some great articles about how to start a food blog:
http://www.lastappetite.com/how-to-start-a-food-blog/
http://wanderingchopsticks.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-to-start-food-blog-or-what-i-wished.html
http://www.amateurgourmet.com/2005/08/my_1000th_post_.html

And check this list out if you want to start reading:
http://www.nursingschoolsearch.com/blog/2008/07/100-food-blogs-to-inspire-your-healthy-eating/

Brynne is a senior at the University of Connecticut, a College Lifestyles™ intern, and a Kappa Alpha Theta.  Her interests include reading, identifying nail polish color by name, and trying every Larabar that exists.

The Truth about Fats

With all of the different fad diets and news articles about fats and our country’s rising obesity rates, the facts can sometimes get lost in the mix.  While all kinds of fats are often lumped together as things to avoid, our bodies actually need fat to survive – the good kinds of fats, anyway.  Yes, there are GOOD fats!

The basics are that there two general groups of fats: saturated and unsaturated.  By now most people have heard that the saturated fats are the ones to avoid.  In this group are saturated and trans fats, including hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated fats.

Saturated fats are found in animal products, such as meat and the skin of chicken, turkey, and other poultry.  They are also found in certain vegetable oils, like coconut oil.  Most fast-food items, such as French fries, fried chicken, and hamburgers, as well as a lot of pre-packaged microwave popcorn, contain saturated fats.

These are the fats that contribute to raising blood pressure and bad cholesterol levels, leading to an increased risk in heart disease and other illnesses.

Onto the good: the unsaturated fats, including mono- and polyunsaturated fats.  Omega-3 fatty acids are a kind of polyunsaturated fats.  Famous for being found in salmon, they are also present in several other kinds of fatty fish, such as trout.  Walnuts, soy, and ground flaxseed are other excellent sources of Omega-3s.

Olive oil is a great common source of monounsaturated fat.  Also found in avocadoes, hazelnuts, almonds, peanut butter, and pumpkin seeds, monounsaturated fats are often referred to in reducing the risk of heart disease.

These are the fats that can actually reduce (yes, REDUCE) bad cholesterol levels, also known as LDL cholesterol and increase good cholesterol (HDL).

While a great source of fat, nuts are hard to put down and are pretty calorie dense.  That’s why I’m obsessed with Emerald Nuts’ 100 calorie packs of nuts.  The packs I know of are almonds, almonds and walnuts, and cocoa roast almonds!

My source and for more information: http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/skinny-fat-good-fats-bad-fats.

Brynne is a senior at the University of Connecticut, a College Lifestyles™ intern, and a Kappa Alpha Theta.  Her interests include reading, identifying nail polish color by name, and trying every Larabar that exists.

How to Sleep Better

I have a hard time with my sleeping patterns both at school and at home on breaks.  I was getting sick of my bad habits and tired of being tired when I have to get up before my body has gotten enough sleep.  From a quick search, I gathered these quick tips on how to get a better quality of sleep each night.

5.  Start a bedtime ritual. Check the blogs you follow, brush your teeth, plug in your phone, read a chapter of a great summer read, and hop into bed.  Just a short nighttime ritual can help your body and mind get in to “I’m getting ready for sleep” mode.
4.  Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet. Turn off the TV and shut the laptop.  Run your air conditioner or fan and get cozy in your warm blankets.  Get blackout shades.  To sleep better with a roommate, invest in a good pair of earplugs and a nice sleep mask, like this one with aromatherapy!
3.  Make your bed your own. Have it be the place you can go to relax and be alone.  Make it as comfortable as possible.  I LOVE my big full bed at home – my extra long twin at school just can’t compare with the level of comfort and quality of sleep that I get.  I also have about eight pillows on my bed for variation and lots of things to snuggle with.
2.  Try to get up and go to sleep at the same time everyday – even weekends.  That way your body gets into the groove.  After a while, you might not even think about it anymore – your body might just recognize that it’s time for rest.
1.  Snack! The best pre-bedtime snacks are carbs and dairy.  Have a small bowl of cold cereal, some crackers with a wedge of Laughing Cow spreadable cheese, or some fruit.

Avoid proteins, such as meat or protein bars, large portions of food, anything high fat or spicy, anything with caffeine or a lot of sugar.

Sweet dreams!

Brynne is a senior at the University of Connecticut, a College Lifestyles™ intern, and a Kappa Alpha Theta.  Her interests include reading, identifying nail polish color by name, and trying every Larabar that exists.

What’s Gnu? (Corny, I Know!)

I was reading a new favorite food blog, Small Bites, and saw that the author mentioned “Gnu Favor & Fiber Bars.”  The funny name stuck out in my mind and when I was shopping with my mom yesterday, I saw a box (Bag?) of them.  Of the 5 flavors, the store I was at had 3: Banana Walnut, Cinnamon Raisin, and Chocolate Brownie.  The other flavors are Orange Cranberry and Peanut Butter.  I’ve been really into both cinnamons and raisins lately, so I picked up a bag of Cinnamon Raisin Bars, which contains 5 individually wrapped bars.

As I was running out the door to work, I threw one of my new bars in my bag to eat as a snack later on.  First of all, Gnu Bars are definitely a healthy snack.  With a huge 12 grams of fiber per bar, it gives you nearly 50% of your daily needs, if you’re on a 2,000 calorie a day diet.  There are no trans fats, no high fructose corn syrup, and nothing artificial.  The “Gnu High Fiber Blend” is made up of a bunch of whole grains and oats, and there are raisins, apples, and plums in the bar.  Fruit juices and rice dextrins are listed, I assume used as sweeteners.  These plus the fruits included give you 11 grams of sugar per bar.

The 12 grams of fiber are made up of 8 grams of soluble fiber and 4 grams of insoluble fiber.  Soluble fiber (able to dissolve in water) may help lower cholesterol and help regulate blood sugar.  Insoluble fiber (unable to dissolve in water) promotes regular bowel movements and may help prevent against colon cancer.

And, oh yeah, the taste.  It was really, really good!  It tasted just like an oatmeal raisin cookie, was soft and moist, and filling!  It got me through the rest of my shift until dinner when I got home just fine, about 3 hours later. I’ll definitely buy these again and I want to try all the flavors!

Brynne is a senior at the University of Connecticut, a College Lifestyles™ intern, and a Kappa Alpha Theta.  Her interests include reading, identifying nail polish color by name, and trying every Larabar that exists.

What Cinnamon Can Do for You

Who knew that such a great tasting spice could be so good for you?  The health benefits of cinnamon have been known for centuries, some of which are:
•    Lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol
•    Increases the body’s resistance to Candida, the genus of yeast that causes infections
•    Helps regulate blood sugar
•    Studies have shown that just smelling cinnamon increases brain function (including memory!)
•    Fights E. coli and other bacterium as a natural food preserver
•    Great source of essential nutrients, such as calcium and iron

With all of these amazing health benefits, a sprinkling of cinnamon is a quick and tasty way of improving overall health.  Here are a few ways to add some cinnamon to your diet:
•    Sprinkle some in your coffee in the morning (or afternoon, or evening).  It reminds me of pumpkin spice coffee year round and perks up an otherwise boring cup of caffeine.
•    Put on sliced apples or cottage cheese for an afternoon blood sugar booster, something I need nearly every day.
•    Dust your morning oatmeal with a teaspoon and squeeze in some honey.  If you’re in a hurry, pour it all into a travel mug and grab a spoon!
•    Add it to your bag of microwave popcorn for a sweet and salty treat.
While cinnamon is obviously a healthy spice to add to your diet, it has also been shown to be toxic in high levels, so please do not pour an entire bottle in your morning coffee and oatmeal.

These websites, from which this list is compiled, show more benefits as well as the sources citing these claims:
http://www.monumentalmassage.com/articles/benefits_of_cinnamon.html
http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/10-health-benefits-of-cinnamon.html
http://www.thehealthysnacksblog.com/10/the-top-5-health-benefits-of-cinnamon/

Enjoy!

Brynne is a senior at the University of Connecticut, a College Lifestyles™ intern, and a Kappa Alpha Theta.  Her interests include reading, identifying nail polish color by name, and trying every Larabar that exists.

Smoothies!

One night this summer I was bored and hungry and randomly decided to throw some things together to make a smoothie.  I’ve tried to make smoothies in the past but they never turned out right.  Somehow, I found the perfect combination of ingredients.  I have a bunch more flavors on my list to make, but if you have any suggestions, please comment about them!

Strawberry Banana
•    Half of a ripe banana, sliced
•    ½ cup of fresh raspberries
•    ¾ cup fresh strawberries, sliced
•    1 cup fat-free or low-fat yogurt (I like Dannon Light & Fit Vanilla)
•    1 tsp. vanilla extract
•    3-5 ice cubes
•    Honey to taste

Puree in blender until all ingredients are blended.  Obviously, the honey and vanilla extract are optional but I just like to add them for a little extra taste and sweetness ☺.

Berry Blast

•    ½ cup frozen or fresh blueberries
•    ½ cup frozen or fresh strawberries, sliced
•    ½ cup frozen or fresh raspberries
•    * ½ cup water (if using frozen fruit)
•    * 3-5 ice cubes (if using fresh fruit)
•    1 cup fat-free or low-fat yogurt (I like Dannon Light & Fit Vanilla)

Puree in blender until all ingredients are blended.  With the frozen fruit, you might have to periodically mash the fruit down with a spoon (of course with the blender off).

If you use plain yogurt (not vanilla or a fruit flavor), you might want to add honey, vanilla extract, or even a packet of a sugar substitute as a sweetener.

Enjoy!

Brynne is a senior at the University of Connecticut, a College Lifestyles™ intern, and a Kappa Alpha Theta.  Her interests include reading, identifying nail polish color by name, and trying every Larabar that exists.

Meet Brynne!

Hi!  I’m Brynne and I’m a senior at the University of Connecticut, majoring in English.  I’m currently the Vice President Education for the Gamma Zeta chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta.  In the past I have also served as Risk Manager.  After graduation next year I’m planning to attend graduate school to get my Masters in Higher Education and Student Affairs or College Student Personnel.  I love to shop, watch movies, and read – especially David Sedaris and Jodi Picoult!

I’m so excited to be interning for College Lifestyles!  This blog includes so many of my interests – style, food, and sorority life.  I have a lot of plans for my blogs, including:  Best Beach Treats, Top 5 Summer Reads, Healthier Options at Starbucks, and some healthy smoothie recipes.  I’m really a sorority girl at heart, which I didn’t discover until I went through recruitment my sophomore year.  Since I’m somewhat obsessed with Greek life, there will probably be more than a few blogs about things relating to being/going Greek.

And since we love lists here at College Lifestyles, here is list of 5 things I’m currently obsessed with.
5.  Crossword Puzzles (it’s my true nerdy, English major self that loves them)
4.  Smoothies (since I discovered I’m not so bad at creating them)
3.  Twilight (sorry, I really can’t help it)
2.  Nail Polish (it’s really a problem at this point)
1.  Recruitment (I love it and I’m going to be this fall’s pledge class mom so I really just can’t wait!)