CL’s Exclusive Interview with Miss DC USA 2010: MacKenzie Green

Confident, intelligent, and ambitious are just a few words to describe MacKenzie Green. Crowned Miss District of Columbia USA 2010, MacKenzie has strutted her stuff on stage in front of over 12.5 million viewers competing in the Miss USA pageant and has graduated with honors. Not only is she an outstanding role model to myself and to many other young girls out there, she is a prime example of a classy woman.

CL:  Why did you decide to become a vegan? What are your favorite healthy dishes?

MG: I chose to go vegan mainly because of personal health issues.  I wanted to make more conscious decisions for my health and what I put in to my body.  Going vegan really forces you to asses your diet and where you get your nutrients from.  You can’t just pop by a fast food place or a vending machine if you’re hungry; you have to give your choices some thought.  Also around the time I decided to compete in Miss DC USA my uncle was diagnosed with cancer, and passed away a week after I won.  I made a promise to myself that I would make healthy choices now so that I could end the cycle of cancer, diabetes, and health issues that loomed over my family.  I wanted to be the catalyst for change in my family.

One of my all time favorite dishes is a Sicilian Greens recipe I got from Alicia Silverstone’s Kind Diet book.  She also has an amazing brown rice breakfast porridge with umboshi plums, and the braised daikon is amazing.  Pretty much every recipe in her book is a must try.

CL: What are your must have beauty items?

MG: I have full lips so Aquaphor is a must, I slather it on at night before I go to sleep.  But Aquaphor is great on cuticles, skin, anything, it’s the Swiss army knife in my beauty arsenal.  I also have fairly dry skin so coconut oil is something I use on my body. I also use it sometimes mixed with salt water or seawater to give me beachy waves.  Moroccan Oil and Argon oil are two essentials to keep my hair shiny and healthy.  I was plagued with bad acne growing up so I switch between Tammy Fender and Kate Summerville skin care, and I use Kate Summerville’s vitamin packs as an internal backup to my skin care routine.

My makeup bag is obscene because I have so much stuff.  On a daily basis for everyday and work I keep it light.  Josie Maran, self-adjusting foundation, a simple Bobbi Brown eye palette, eyeliner, and blush, and occasionally bronzer for a little sun kiss.  But when its time to go out, do appearances, speaking engagements, or anything I want to feel over the top fab for I go with MAC.  False eyelashes are always fun to throw on, even on the weekend to run errands, they help me feel glamorous.

CL: How did you juggle your duties as Miss DC USA 2010, being a double major at the University of Miami, and finding some time to relax? Do you have any tips to give busy co-eds?

MG: Juggling everything I had to do with school and pageantry was a lot to handle.  In addition to the pageant I was commuting every weekend by plane to DC for events, then when I got back to school I was on the executive board of 5 clubs, managed the tv station at UM, wrote for the school newspaper, was in the alumni student organization and I was the lead anchor for two TV shows.  Needless to say there was a lot on my plate.  Finding time to relax was difficult, but when I got moments to myself I took full advantage of it.

My advice to other college students is to carve out time for yourself even if it’s while performing a task, for me it was while I was at the gym.  I had to workout, so while I was at the gym people knew that the time I spent at the gym was for me.  I didn’t take any calls or go with anyone, which was time for me to Zen out and be alone.  So no matter what, carve out time, even if its 5 minutes of meditation.  But always take time to remove yourself from everyone and reconnect with yourself and what you want.

CL: You mentioned on your blog that you would like to see “the glass-ceiling finally break.” Could you elaborate on this topic more?

MG: When I said I wanted to see the glass ceiling finally be broken I meant that I would like to see more women in positions of power.  I think it’s important for women to fight to reach new heights so that younger generations of women can look toward more role models.  As a minority woman I have seen minorities reach amazing heights in the world, but those people are mainly men.  There need to be more women shaking it up.  I hope there can be more women in political offices, Supreme Court justice seats, CEOs, and high-ranking military posts.  I just believe women can bring home the bacon, fry it up in the pan, and serve it.  The younger generations of women need more positive role models that dare them to dream bigger, aspire to greatness, and make the women who came before them proud.

CL:  You’re in great shape, what’s your secret? What do your workouts consist of?

MG: Well first off thank you for saying I’m in great shape.  I’m a twelve time Junior Olympian and I horseback rode competitively as well, so I have an athletic background.  So my biggest secret is that I understand training, or being in the gym, isn’t always the most fun, but its necessary to reach a goal.  A lot of work went in to getting fit for the swimsuit portion, but its big events that help you stay focused when you want to sleep in instead of run or have a cookie instead of some tea.  That’s something anyone can apply to his or her life.  If you’re trying to get in shape make a date in your calendar that you want everyone to join you so you can show off your new figure and you’ll have to stay focused since you know everyone is coming to see a transformation.

I had to make sure to tailor my workouts to my shape.  I have a very curvy and muscular body so I constantly keep that in mind.  I do a lot of low weight, high repetition weight training three times a week.  I run, which helps me keep my legs toned.  I also run stairs for half an hour to an hour because it tones my bum and helps me feel strong.  I also love doing different exercise classes.  You can find me in cycling, dance, strength, martial arts, and any kind of class I can get to.  It’s all about challenging myself and pushing my body to new limits.

I’m constantly setting new fitness goals for myself, because living an active life is important to me.  Right now I’m training for my 3rd marathon.  I hope that I’m 90 years old doing marathons and staying active.

Check out Mackenzie’s blog and be sure to follow her on Twitter @MacKenzieAGreen.

Amber Ferguson is an intern at College Lifestyles (TM). She is sophomore at Prince George’s Community College studying English. She’s the first girl out on the dance floor, is obsessed with reality TV, and loves getting stamps on her passport when she travels to new places.

Ask A CL Intern Responds – I’m A Vegan!

I made the choice to stop eating meat and go vegetarian when I was 13 years old. I took it up another notch and stopped eating all animal-derived products and become a vegan (dairy, eggs, etc.) when I was 19. When I tell people about my veganism, several questions always pop up, and as any classy co-ed, I’ve done my research so I can give them confident answers:

1. What do you eat?
Meat, dairy, and eggs are not at the center of the food pyramid! My plate is full of plenty of fruits and vegetables, as well as a hefty dose of whole grains and healthy fats. Some of my favorite foods are smoothies, salads, oatmeal, almond butter, and hummus.

2. Why go vegetarian/vegan?
The reasons that someone chooses to stop eating meat are wide: for the planet, for the animals, for your health, for your culture/religion, ethics, and many more. Regardless of the reason, the meatless movement has been exploding in recent years, with countless of animal-friendly products and companies cropping up and celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres, Carrie Underwood, and Lea Michele spreading the love.

3. Where do you get your iron? Protein?
Research shows that vegetarians, and especially vegans, get plenty of iron in their diets, meeting or exceeding the recommended amount set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Great sources include spinach, beans, and fortified foods like cereals and soy milk. As for protein, as long as you are eating enough, protein shouldn’t be a problem either (even if you’re an athlete!), we just get small amounts in our foods throughout the day instead of a large amount all at once (like in a chicken breast). Yummy protein-rich foods include nuts, seeds, soy products (tofu, edamame, soymilk), and beans.

(Lisa Simpson, another famous vegetarian)

4. Do you have to shop at a special store?
Not at all! Many grocery stores are jumping on the meat-free bandwagon and offering more options for the veggie-inclined. Companies like Lightlife, So Delicious, Silk, and Nasoya can be found in most stores, and you’d be surprised at how many products are “accidentally vegan” (hello, Sour Patch Kids). Whole Foods and Trader Joes, if you are lucky enough to have one near your campus, carry oodles of vegan-friendly products.

5. Is it expensive?
While some people say that it is an expensive diet, they are probably the same people who are buying all specialty, ready-made products. If you take a little more time and cook meals yourself based on whole, fresh foods, the cost is really not too much and you may actually save a few bucks!

6. What do you do at restaurants?
You can always find something, it just may take a bit of research beforehand. If the menu is available online, I try to take a look and see what they offer. Most likely something can easily be modified (e.g. leave off the cheese, no chicken on the salad) or I can make a meal out of side dishes. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and make requests! Speak up! The chef may be able to make something not found on the menu, like pasta marinara.

7. Do you ever miss meat/dairy/eggs?
Every once in a while I will miss a specific treat, like creamsicles, M&Ms, or Girl Scout cookies, but there are so many vegan replacements out there and countless numbers of people who spend their time “veganizing” recipes that I really don’t miss them very much! Some of my favorites are Purely Decadent coconut milk ice-creams, Endangered Species dark chocolate, and Luna Bars.

8. What are some surprising non-vegan products?
Some people may be surprised to learn that jello (gelatin), mayonnaise (eggs), Worcestershire sauce (anchovies), and some chewing gums (casein) all contain some animal-derived ingredients. When in doubt, check the label. Once you know what you’re looking for, it becomes easier and quicker to check if a product is “safe” to eat.

9. Do you take any supplements?
Like many people, I take a daily women’s multivitamin. A well-planned diet will deliver all the vitamins and minerals that your body needs to stay healthy and help you keep active, but a multivitamin is always a good idea if you feel like you may be coming up short in some areas.

This may seem like a pretty extreme lifestyle to some people, but the benefits of cutting out meat even just one day a week could help reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and help you live longer, as well as reduces your carbon footprint.

Interested in learning more? Check out:
Ellen DeGeneres’ Blog
Oprah’s Vegan Starter Kit
Vegan Action

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Ellen Ratliff is a Health Writer at College Lifestyles ™. She is a junior at Michigan State University, majoring in Dietetics with a specialization in Health Promotions. She loves even numbers, the color blue, and spending a night in with friends.

Day 18: A Classy Co-Ed’s Guide to Laundry

We’ve all heard horror stories of kids who return home from college with all their clothes dyed pink. Don’t let this be you. Get a parent to teach you how to do laundry before you go. Better yet, learn how yourself with our step-by-step guide!

Before You Leave:

Quarters or Card? Many college guidebooks will tell you to gather as many quarters as possible for your laundry machines. But nowadays, you can pay for laundry at many universities with your student ID card. Find out which policy your college follows before you begin scavenging for quarters.

Is your favorite party dress dry clean only? Chances are, you won’t be making the trek to the cleaners very often. Read the tags on your clothes before you go to make sure you’ll be able to clean your expensive digs in the way that they deserve.

Buy a hamper so you can lug your clothes from your dorm to the laundry room and vice versa. Bags are easily stored in closets and easy to carry, while baskets are sturdier and can be stored under beds.

In The Laundry Room:

Step 1. The most important part about laundry in college is knowing when to go. Everybody wants to do their laundry on Sunday mornings, which can result in long waiting periods. Find a free chunk of time mid-week and do your laundry then.

Step 2. Separate your clothes by color. Most people do whites, lights (pastels), brights (reds), and darks. Patterned? Turn it inside out and wash with the background color.

Step 3. Zip all zippers to prevent snagging. Empty all your pockets – you don’t want a pen to explode on your clothes, and laundered dollar bills rip easily. And pretreat any stains with a stain remover according to the directions. Kiss Off works on almost everything.

Step 4. In general, wash your clothes in cold water to save energy and to prevent colors from fading. As for the cycle – most clothes are fine on normal, but check the label. If it’s lingerie or something that is hand wash only, toss it in a mesh bag on the delicate cycle.

Step 5. Make sure you set a timer on your phone, or stay near the washing machine until your laundry is done. Washing machines are a hot commodity, and someone will move your things out of the way to get her own laundry done. Never mind that your clothes are freshly clean and the floor is oh-so-dirty.

Step 6. To line dry your clothes, hang them up in your dorm room on a drying rack for 2-3 days. If they’re taking longer, try blasting them with a hair dryer for 10 minutes.

Step 7. Tumble drying your clothes? Make sure to remove the lint first, or it will get onto your clothes. If it grosses you out, use a card to take it out. To stay classy, take the lint out when you’re done.

Step 8. Take your clothes out of the dryer ASAP to avoid wrinkling. Make sure you’ve gotten everything (I always forget something in the dryer) and revel in the wonder of warm, clean, laundry.

Sasha Graffagna is a soon-to-be junior at New York University. A proud sister of Theta Phi Beta, she talks too fast, travels a lot, and loves coffee.

Pretty Plants for Your Dorm or Apartment

Plants are a fabulous way to brighten your dorm or apartment, and they are easier to care for than you might think. Here are some plants that grow well indoors and will keep your living space chic and stylish, with care tips from iVillage Home&Garden, About.com and Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens Master Gardener Joanne Schreiber.

Colors – brighten up your life! These take a little more cultivation than the others because they do flower, but the beautiful results are worth it!

Moth Orchid, Novelty Stripes.

• These plants require bright, indirect light.
• They do not need to be watered frequently, so check to see if the soil is damp before you add more water.

Amaryllis, “Yellow Goddess.”

• These plants also need bright, indirect light.
• Make sure to keep them well-watered so that the soil is always moist.
•  These are seasonal and rest after blooming – but they do bloom again!

Greens – bring the great outdoors, indoors.

Lucky Bamboo.

•  These plants do great in the shade.
• They are sensitive to tap water chemicals, so make sure to leave a cup of water out over night so the chlorine has time to evaporate before you water them, or use bottled water for watering.

Dragon Tree.

• These plants also do well in low levels of light.
• They require moderate watering; if the soil feels a bit dry, it’s time for some water.
• Browning tips means they need more humidity.
• Keep a broom handy to sweep up shed leaves!

Health – these plants not only liven up your space, but also keep your air clean and you healthy!

Chinese Evergreen.

• These do well in most types of light and shade.
• They do well in different temperatures of 60 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
• They only need watered when they feel dry to touch.

English Ivy.

• Direct sunlight is not good for these plants, so they are ideal indoor plants (light makes the leaves pale).
•  These also only need water when they feel dry.
•  Keep the ivy leaves pruned so they do not take over!

Use these tips, and you’ll find that you DO have a green thumb!

Debra Schreiber is a senior at Duquesne University where she studies journalism and Spanish. She loves cake decorating, the Pittsburgh Penguins, the television show So You Think You Can Dance, hitting the gym, and her lovely Alpha Sigma Tau sisters!

Don’t Toss It! Recycling Your Stylish College Memorabilia

If there is one thing young and classy college students love to do, it is preparing to decorate their future dorm rooms. In the weeks leading up to freshman year, stylish young women spend countless hours picking out the perfect comforter and matching storage gear to best reflect their sophisticated and chic personalities. But packing up the dorm room for the summer is a different story. Whether it’s t-shirts or textbooks, students have the tendency to toss these items rather than pack them away into their already overstuffed cars.

Have you thought about putting a cover on that trashcan? Recycle your unsalvageable or undesirable dorm items! And not only will you be going green, but you can also create fresh new items for next years dorm room! Your personality will shine like never before once you try these crafty and affordable tricks!

1. Photo Board

Would you believe that you could create a fabric photo board of all your favorite photographs from an old textbook and a shirt? Not only is it possible, it’s free!

• Take a hardcover textbook and cut the cover off, leaving a sturdy and rectangular shape.
• Then, take any shirt (patterned or fun colored shirts are always best!) and stretch the bodice so that it covers one side of the hardcover.
• Cut the rest of the fabric away and staple the ends to the back of the textbook cover.
• Next, take any ribbon of your choice and proceed to make an “X” across the front side of the board from corner to corner and then a “< >” shape from the middle of one side to the adjacent side.
• Finally, place a staple at each point where the ribbons intersect and glue a trinket of your choice over the staple.

Now you have a new, personalized photo board to place all of your favorite photo memories on!

2. Bulletin Board Collage

This project is much simpler than the t-shirt photo board but equally satisfying! If you happened to bring a cork or bulletin board with you to school, be sure to save it!

• Take any flat or paper materials you received throughout the year such as hand written letters, photographs, or tickets or programs from events and arrange them across the board as you desire.
• Then, take small cut out pieces of paper (perhaps stationary!) and write down quotes or words of wisdom that guided you through your year and place these across the board, covering open pieces of cork if need be!
• Finally, take the more three-dimensional pieces of memorabilia from your year such as tassels, necklaces or lanyards and drape them on the sides of the board.

And there you have it – a scrapbook of your year for your wall!

3. Pillow and Quilt

If you happen to be inclined towards sewing, then this is a fun and unique project for you! Often we purchase clothing because of what it sponsors, not because we intend to sport it. So instead of tossing your clothing, turn it in to something you will use – a pillow or a blanket!

For a blanket or quilt:

• Cut out the bodice or logo on a shirt (measure so they’re the same size).
• Stitch them together, even mounting them on a fleece blanket if you desire!

For a pillow:

• Cut out the bodice or logo on your clothing and stitch it to another piece of fabric (the fabrics should face inside out when you stitch).
• Leave a small corner open so you can turn the pillow inside out and then stuff with as much cotton as you please!
• Then stitch up the last corner and you have yourself a fluffy pillow!

If none of these ideas truly fancy you, there is always the charitable option of donating your dorm items to local charities! High schools and universities are always in need of textbooks for their students, so type in a quick Google search of organizations that may be in need!

These crafty projects are fun and productive ways to unpack your belongings from college and to ease back in to the comfortable and relaxing life that being home for the summer offers! They’re great ways to fill your room at home with wonderful college memories, as well as providing fresh, personalized decorations for next year’s dorm room! Classy crafting for classy co-eds – what could be better?

Emily Corr is a rising junior at Providence College, studying Social Science, English, and Theology. She loves finding new ways to turn old items into fun and practical decorations! She hopes you will try these crafts and enjoy the trip down memory lane they provide!

Classy Causes: Facts on Fair Trade

Lately, I’ve been having a string of bad luck. Just every little thing that could go wrong did. I was sick, exhausted, stressed, and verging on seriously depressed. Like so many other classy co-eds, I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself and am often pretty stressed out. All my recent bad luck made me a little insecure and so I took some time to think about what I really think is important in life. Even as a child, I wanted to make a difference in the world. Now, as a college student, I occasionally feel so useless because I can’t afford to donate to charitable causes very often, so I’ve been seeking out more practical ways to help out and supporting fair trade is one I recently heard about at a lecture and want to share with all of you.

What is it?:

• Fair trade is NOT a charity. It is about using a more equitable exchange system to create sustainable change for producers.
• Fair trade organizations create partnerships with their suppliers and help support the communities they come from.

What do fair trade organizations do?:

• Create opportunities for economically and socially marginalized producers
• Develop transparent and accountable relationships
• Build capacity
• Promote fair trade
• Pay promptly and fairly
• Support safe and empowering working conditions
• Ensure the rights of children
• Cultivate environmental stewardship
• Respect cultural integrity

How does fair trade make a difference in the world?:

• Tangible benefits include the building of schools, construction of wells for clean, easily accesible drinking water, sending children of producers to school, and income generated from fair trade sales helps pull communities out of poverty.
• Intangible benefits include revival of cultural techniques, increased biodiversity, increased value of women in their communities, and positive community development in developing countries.

How can I help?:

• Buy fair trade products. Tons of different products are available, from clothes and home goods to coffee and chocolate.
• Ask your local merchants to carry fair trade product lines.
• Tell other people about the fair trade mission.
• Work or volunteer for a fair trade organization.

For more information, you can visit www.fairtradefederation.org (where I got the majority of these facts). I’d also like to thank Jessica Canfield, the Executive Director of Mustard Seed Fair Trade, for introducing me to the cause.

Kat McClain is a College Lifestyles intern who enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her amazing Alpha Chi Omega sisters, volunteering, and learning about new causes. She is currently trying to figure out what to do with the rest of her life and desperately counting down the days until Spring Break.

Dirty Hands? Clean Them Up Without Anti-Bacterial Soap

It’s freezing outside and right in the middle of cold and flu season, so being cooped up in a dorm, sorority house or off-campus apartment means you’re primed for getting sick this winter. Instead of falling prey to a week in bed recovering from a cold or cough, take a smart cue from the experts and arm yourself with soap and water to prevent illness.

According to studies from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, anti-bacterial soap doesn’t keep people any healthier than regular soap and water. In fact, anti-bacterial products can make bacteria stronger by leaving a residue that allows some of the bacteria to continue to evolve after most have been killed by the product.

According to a 2005 study lead by Allison Aiello, families who used anti-bacterial products experienced no significant difference in the amount of bacterial killed over the course of a year as compared to families who used regular soap-and-water products. As long as parents and kids washed their hands regularly, they experienced the same decrease in illness, whether or not they used anti-bacterial soap.

The evidence points to using regular soap and water, but making sure that you use it right. To wash your hands properly, you need to use soap and warm water for 15-20 seconds, as long as it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” or the chorus of Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face” (from “can’t read my…” to “pa-pa-pa-poker face”). If you can’t get to soap and water, you can use an alcohol-based sanitizer as a substitute (because it doesn’t leave a residue). Rub it into your hands completely until they’re dry and you’re good to go.

Instead of creating a superbacteria, use these cute regular soaps and on-the-go alcohol-based anti-bacterials to keep yourself healthy for the rest of the winter.

Soaps:

1. Dr. Bonner’s Organic Bar Soap in Baby Mild

This soap is gentle enough to use on a baby, so definitely gentle enough to use on your wind-burned winter skin. It’s unscented and perfect to sit beside any sink in your house, dorm or apartment.

2. C.O. Bigelow Lavender and Peppermint Soap

Not only is this soap a very pretty purple, but it’s also soothing for your skin (and your nerves).  With calming lavender and peppermint infusions, it will leave your hands and soul feeling ready to face the day.

3. Mrs. Myer’s Clean Day Liquid Hand Soap in Honeysuckle

This all-purpose soap has aloe vera to keep your hands smooth and honeysuckle to keep your spirits up on frigid winter days. As an added perk, this soap is biodegradable, so you can use with an eco-friendly conscience.

Splurge: Fresh’s Sugar Soap Anniversary Edition

This soap is extra luxurious – perfect for a Valentine’s Day splurge for best friends (or for yourself!).  The smell is “delicious combination of sparkling citrus, soft floral notes, and gourmand base notes like caramel and vanilla,” which makes it perfect for keeping extra bars in a draw to make your clothes smell amazing until you’re ready to start using them.

Anti-bacterial Hand Sanitizer:

1. Purell To-Go

These classic hand sanitizers are perfect to throw in every bag or clip on to your backpack for class. When you need a quick dose of clean, these alcohol-based sanitizers are perfect. Use sparingly, though – they’re no replacement for soap and water.

2. Jurlique Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer

This all-natural moisturizing hand sanitizer will keep you hands soft and smooth as it kills 99.9% of germs, perfect for a classy co-ed to throw in her purse.

3. Bath and Body Works Pocketbac Sanitizing Hand Gel in Cinammon Heaven

Cinammon is the perfect winter scent, and this sanitizer is an on-the-go dose of winter bliss. Your friends will be begging to borrow this yummy burst of clean.

Abby Shure is a sophomore at Northwestern University majoring in History. She loves warm scarves and wool mittens to keep warm walking around campus, and adores the smell of vanilla-scented soap on cold winter days.

CL Answers The Question: What Can You Do With Thanksgiving Leftovers?

Thanksgiving is over, the dishes have been cleaned, and the family has headed home.  But to your surprise there is still a ton of turkey, a load of sweet and regular potatoes, oodles of stuffing, and cranberry sauce overflowing out of the fridge.  It’s leftover overload!

If your parents are like mine, they sent you back to college with most, if not all of the leftovers.  But what can you do instead of reheating everything over and over again?  How about you create something new?  That’s right it’s time to reuse your leftovers in a new dish.

With a lot of kudos to the Food Network Channel, I have found some of the best recipes that reuse one, if not many of your Thanksgiving leftovers.

TurkeyTurkey, Cranberry and Fontina Panini

Ingredients:

• 8 slices whole-grain bread
• 6 ounces thinly sliced Fontina cheese
• 8 ounces sliced leftover turkey
• ½ cup leftover cranberry relish
• 1 cup arugula leaves
• Extra-virgin olive oil

Directions:

For each sandwich, lay 2 slices bread on a work surface. Lay about 3/4 ounce cheese on one slice of the bread; top with 2 ounces turkey meat, 2 tablespoons relish, about 5-6 arugula leaves and an additional 3/4 ounce cheese. Top with the other bread slice (there should be cheese next to each bread slice). Repeat with remaining ingredients.

Brush the top of the sandwich with olive oil; heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Put the sandwich, oiled-side down, into the pan, place a small heavy pan, or aluminum foil-wrapped brick on top of the sandwich to press it down. Cook until bread is golden and crisp and cheese is beginning to melt, about 5 minutes. Remove the heavy pan or brick, brush the top of the sandwich with oil and carefully flip it. Put the heavy pan or brick back on top of the sandwich and continue cooking until bottom bread slice is browned and crisp, cheese is melted, and sandwich is heated through, about 5 minutes more. Remove from the pan and cover to keep warm while cooking the remaining sandwiches.

To serve, slice each sandwich on the diagonal and serve warn.

PotatoesPotato Cakes with Fried Eggs and Turkey-Red Pepper Hash

Ingredients:

• 1 cup leftover mashed potatoes, at room temperature
• 1 large egg, plus 4 for frying
• ¼ cup milk
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon finely chopped sage
• Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 5 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• ½ small onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
• 1 small red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and chopped
• 8 ounces diced leftover turkey meat, about 2 cups
• ½ cup leftover turkey gravy
• ¼ cup leftover cooked corn kernels
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.

In a bowl, mix the potatoes, egg, and milk together until combined. Add the flour, season with salt and pepper, and mix until smooth. Heat 2 teaspoons oil on a non-stick griddle over medium heat; pour about 1/3 cup of the batter onto the warm griddle, gently spread it to a circle about 4″ wide, and cook, flipping once, until golden brown, 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer to the oven to keep warm. Repeat with remaining batter.

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a small skillet over medium low heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the red pepper and cook until softened, about 4 minutes more. Add the turkey, gravy, and corn and cook, stirring, until turkey is heated through. Season hash with salt and pepper, stir in the parsley, and keep warm over low heat.

Heat the remaining teaspoon of oil on the griddle over medium-high heat. Crack the eggs onto the griddle and cook until desired doneness. To serve, put a warm potato cake on each of 4 plates; top the cakes with a fried egg and divide the hash evenly among them.

VeggiesExtra-Veggie Frittata

Ingredients:

• 8 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• Chopped parsley
• Salt and Pepper, to taste
• ½ cup leftover stuffing
• 2 cups leftover cooked vegetables (such as broccoli or cauliflower)
• Grated cheddar cheese

Directions:

Beat 8 eggs, 1 cup milk, chopped parsley, and salt and pepper. Add 1/2 cup stuffing bread cubes and 2 cups leftover cooked vegetables. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in an ovenproof 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; add the egg mixture and cook 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low, top with grated cheddar and cook 10 minutes. Broil 3 minutes, and then slice.

For some addition recipes, be sure to check out Food Network online.  There is a whole link for Thanksgiving Leftovers.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, whether you were with family or with friends.

Samantha Crotty is an intern with College Lifestyles.  She just returned from Thanksgiving break with her family and only has a few more days left until she is finished with school.

Fall in Love with Fall

Autumn is probably my favorite season of the year. As much as I love summer with it’s bikinis, shorts, and flip flops, and spring’s florals and pretty colors, autumn is the best because it’s just cool enough for sweaters, boots, jeans, and nice hot coffee. So this post is dedicated to all the fun fall things I just can’t wait to get my hands on.

1. Pumpkin Spice Lattes, Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate, and Caramel Apple Spice- I love Starbucks year round, but the autumn flavors are without a doubt the best. To keep it green, pick up one of the super cute tumblers and get a small discount on every coffee (it’ll pay for itself if you, like me, get your Starbucks fix quite a bit).

2. Cardigans!!!!- I am obsessed with cute cardigans, especially ones with stripes or unexpected pops of color. I like to wear them long and with skinny jeans tucked into boots (perhaps even with my flirty summer camisoles underneath).

3. Messenger bags- Ok, so I’ve been carrying my messenger bag since school started, but it’s fall semester so I say it counts. I love the awesome paisley and floral prints that Vera Bradley uses. I carry my books in a pretty Simply Violet patterned one.

4. Jeans, jeans, jeans!- I am very hardcore about my denim. I own approximately 20 pairs of jeans, plus quite a few denim skirts (super cute with tights and boots). They dress up, they dress down, and they’re just so comfy. They work with any style from girly to preppy. My favorites are from Miss Me.

5. Boots- Every classy co-ed on a campus with snow owns at least one pair of boots, because they make it so much easier to get around without having soaking wet and frozen feet. However, there are a lot of options that are a little more fun than the standard Uggs. Even though I love mine as much as the next girl, I’ve got a new obsession with Ralph Lauren Leather riding boots and a pair of flat purple suede boots I got on sale last summer.

Kat McClain is an intern for College Lifestyles(TM), a junior at the University of Missouri-Columbia, and a member of Alpha Chi Omega. She is so excited for autumn, homecoming, Halloween, and, of course, all the lovely fall fashions.

Going Green is the New Black: Sustainability in Fashion

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Sustainability in fashion is making an impact on design philosophy and consumer behavior. Also known as eco-fashion, sustainable fashion is changing attitudes towards environmentalism and social responsibility in the apparel industry. As a classy co-ed, it’s vital to learn about the importance of this movement!

Fashion designers are implementing natural fibers, dyes, and methods into their apparel production. According to the non-profit organization Earth Pledge, “Fashion uses more water than any industry other than agriculture. At least 8,000 chemicals are used to turn raw materials into textiles and 25% of the world’s pesticides are used to grow non-organic cotton. This causes irreversible damage to people and the environment, and still two thirds of a garment’s carbon footprint will occur after it is purchased.”

Besides the environmental issues, sustainability in fashion also deals with the social side of the matter. Sweatshops, child labor, unfair wages, and overtime are all major issues facing the apparel industry today. Sustainable fashion encompasses not just eco-friendly fibers, but also clothing that is produced in legal factories with safe conditions, fair wages, and employees who are not exploited.

Websites like Greenissexy.com and the BBC online fashion magazine Thread, dedicated to ‘eco-fabulous’ style, offer free tips to help people get involved in sustainability in fashion. Shopping at thrift stores and vintage shops helps reduce the consumption and production of new garments. Donating your old clothing to Salvation Army and other thrift shops is another eco-friendly option. Swap shopping; a concept that involves you and a group of friends trading your castoffs is also a great way to recycle clothes and get a group of your closest friends together. Taking your old or very worn shoes to a cobbler to be resoled is another tip Greenissexy recommends, cutting down on your cost of buying a new pair of shoes and the energy involved to manufacture. I recently resoled my very favorite pair of boots I have owned for years, and they came out as good as new! It is a great way to hold onto the shoes you love, while helping out the sustainable movement.

The Bosom Buddies Recycling Program helps you get rid of your old lingerie, and give it to someone who needs it.  Women in shelters and housing centers do not always have the privilege of having a clean bra, and through this program that is just what they receive, while you contribute to the community and the sustainable fashion movement. More information on this program can be found at their website, brarecylcling.com

On the college price point, sustainable fashion can be found at mass merchants such as Target, who featured a GO International sustainable fashion line with Rogan Gregory in spring 2008.  Tons of online digital boutiques offer organic cotton tee shirts and bamboo fiber denim. Ecofashionworld.com has come up with a guide for the eco-conscious consumer with top picks for stores and designers.

Essentially sustainability in fashion is simple, be more aware, and consume less. Of course this is sometimes easier said than done, but by being conscientious of your consumption habits and purchases, you can make a difference!

Leslie Campbell is an intern at College Lifestyles (TM). She is a senior in Apparel Marketing at Kansas State University. Follow her on twitter @lccuppycake!

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