Preventing a Hangover

If you've ever had a hangover, you know it's something worth avoiding. Simple steps can help you make a full recovery in the morning. Remember to keep the ibuprofen handy just in case!

Stick with Clear Liquors
Dark liquors have cogeners which are shown to cause hangover symptoms. Stick with vodka, light rum, and white wine. The amount of cogeners in beer varies depending on the type of beer it is. Dark beers will have more cogeners.

Eat
Eating before and during the consumption of alcohol slows the absorption process. Cake and pastries should do the trick.

Drink Water
Alcohol dehydrates you. Dehydration is what causes that pounding headache in the morning. Drink plenty before and during. A good rule of thumb is one glass of water per drink.

Unique Date Ideas

Are you tired of the same old dinner and a movie? Here are some fresh and cute ideas for something fun to do on a Friday night.

Visit the planetarium
Most big cities have them. If there is a university around, they probably have a planetarium. They aren't just for first grade field trips. Most offer laser shows for less than a movie and are usually set to some awesome classic rock (Pink Floyd or Metallica). Check the websites for show times and prices.

Visit the Local Brewery
Who says science isn't fun or delicious? A lot of breweries offer tours and samples, some are even free! Oh, and don't forget to pick some up for later!

Camp Indoors
Who cares if it's cold outside when you have a homemade fort and a fire to sleep next to. Make smores, and snuggle up. Get creative.

Get Your Palm Read
Even if you're a skeptic, it will be fun to hear what she has to say. Maybe you guys ARE meant to be.

Paint Pottery
Hit up your local paint-your-own-pottery place. Create something together.

Make a Time Capsule
Fill it with pictures, trinkets, and other things that represent your relationship.

Grocery Shopping 101

Are you intimidated by the grocery store? Do you get lost in those long aisles? Have you ever spent $60 on groceries and find you have nothing to eat? No need to fear, I have the solution! Planning ahead!

Preparation
It's a good idea to write a list. The best way that I can think of is to plan out some meals that you would like to eat through out the week(s). Don't be afraid of lists, they're your friend. Here is an example, feel free to do this with your favorite meals.

Tacos

• Shells
• Ground beef (or turkey)
• Re-fried Beans
• Taco cheese
• Lettuce
• Onion
• Tomato

This is food for just one meal, however you're probably not going to use the whole head of lettuce, the whole onion, and all of the ground beef. Lets see if we can find another meal which uses all of these things?

Cheeseburgers

• Ground beef(or turkey)
• Lettuce
• Onion
• Condiments ( You probably already have these)
• Veggies (Frozen or canned) I like prefer frozen, but canned is cheaper.
  
• Buns
  

See, this is easy. If you can find meals that have ingredients in common, you can save by buying larger quantities. Vegetables will be a good side for most meals.

Breakfast
The most important meal of the day! Don't skip it, studies show that people who eat breakfast are thinner.
Buy gallons instead of half-gallons. You get more for your money. Milk is good for you anyway, plus it is a popular ingredient for all meals.
Cereal is one of my favorite breakfast foods, its fast and delicious. Be sure that you are checking the nutrition values and serving sizes.
Yogurt and fruit, simple and healthy.
Bagels are a great breakfast food. They're relatively cheap. Try to stick with whole wheat, and try peanut butter as a topping.
Eggs. they're versatile and inexpensive.
Alternatively, there are microwavable options for those who are always running late. Watch the sodium content on these.

Lunch
Sandwich meats, salads, and left overs are always good for lunch. Top Ramen are also popular and cheap. However, I personally do not care for these because they are very high in sodium. In case you can't tell, I do my part to watch my salt intake. Make a list of a few items that you think you would want for lunch.

Example List
Now, I can't do ALL the work for you. But I did make an example grocery list for dinners.
This uses 5 lbs of beef. Buying in bulk saves you $.

Sunday
Spaghetti and Garlic Bread

• Ground beef or turkey
• Spaghetti sauce
• Diced onion
• Spaghetti noodles
• Pre-made garlic bread OR make your own

Garlic Bread

• split french or Italian loaf
• butter
• Fresh garlic or garlic powder

Monday
Chili

• Tomato sauce
• Chili powder
• 1 lb of beef or turkey
• Kidney beans
• Onion

Wednesday
Cheeseburgers

• Onion
• Beef
• Lettuce
• Cheese
• Tomato
• Buns
• Fries or vegetable

Thursday
Tacos

• Shells or tortillas
• Taco cheese
• Onion
• Lettuce
• Tomato
• Salsa
  

Friday
Taco salad
Left overs from last night!

Getting the best deal
Have you ever been shopping and was unsure of whether or not you should buy the 12 pack or the 24 pack? Unsure if those instant potatoes are worth it?
Here is a quick way to find out.

Best price

1 large box of cereal vs. 8 individual boxes of cereal sold in a package

Large box $4.50
Individual box package $5.25

Obviously the large box is cheaper, but which one will give you the best value?
Find out the amount of food in each (Volume, weight, amount)

The large box has about 6 cups.
The individual boxes hold 1 /2 cup in each box.

You following me?
Large box
6 cups/$4.5 = $1.33 per cup
individual boxes
8 cups/.5 = 4 cups of cereal for the individual boxes
5.25/4= $1.31 per cup.

So the individual sized boxes are slightly less expensive. Usually you will find the difference can vary from a few cents up to more significant savings. You can sub out almost anything.

I really hope that this helps! Don't fear the grocery!
To stay on track with your diet, avoid the inner aisles altogether. Everything on the outer walls in the grocery store is likely to be healthy and unprocessed.

Skin Care for Dry Skin

Dry skin is a common condition which is usually caused by low humidity (cold weather, dry heat) or dehydration. Too much caffeine or sugar can also cause skin to become dry. Harsh soaps and over washing can also attribute to the problem. In some cases, dry skin is hereditary. Dry skin occurs when the skin cannot retain sufficient moisture. Dry skin has a rough, scaly texture may be red in color.

Sign That You Have Dry Skin
If you are unsure that you have dry skin, here are some signs.

• Skin feels uncomfortable and "tight"
• Itchy or dry feeling skin, especially on cheeks or around lips.
• Scaly or chapped skin

If you have dry skin, you can start taking steps to resolve the problem.

Diet
Its important to have a healthy, balanced diet. Our diet affects both our inside and outside. Here are some steps that may remedy your dry skin.

• Increase water intake, avoid caffeine, alcohol and sugary drinks.
• Find a multivitamin with vitamins A and B. Deficiencies of both are a known factor of dry skin.
• Increase intake of foods high in sulfur, such as onion, garlic, and eggs.
• Try Peppermint or Chamomile tea.

Cleansing
Try non-abrasive and gentle cleansers. Look for cleansers formulated for dry skin. After washing, pat, do not rub, your skin dry. Wash with luke-warm water, because hot water dries out skin. Invest in a good moisturizer made for dry skin. You may also want to moisturize before bed as well.

Skin Care for Oily Skin

What is Oily Skin?
Oily Skin is a condition in which sebaceous glands are overactive and produce a lot of oil. This type of skin is prone to breakouts and blemishes, specifically black heads. Oily skin can be caused by a variety of factors including diet, hormone levels, and cosmetics. Often it is hereditary. However, having oily skin isn't ALL bad. Studies show that oily skin tends to age slower than any other type!

Signs That You Have Oily Skin
If you are unsure if you have oily skin, here are some signs.

• Your face is greasy a few hours after washing your face
• You have enlarged pores
• You are prone to black heads

Now that you have established that you have oily skin, you can now fix the problem.

Diet
Not all skin care problems can be fixed by topical acne treatments and regular washing. Its important to have a healthy diet. Mom wasn't lying when she told you to avoid that greasy pizza before your date! What you eat affects all of your body, even your skin.

• Avoid sugar and salt. Strive for a healthy, balanced diet.
  
• Take vitamins with B2. A deficiency in this vitamin can cause oily skin.
• Drink plenty of water.

Cleansing
Cleansing twice daily with warm water should remove the excess oil from your skin. Be careful not to over cleanse as the oil is essential for your skins health. Look for cleansers made specifically for oily skin.

Skin Care Basics

If you think that it's gonna take a hundred dollar miracle cream to clear up your skin, you're wrong! You just have to find the right ones, at the right price. In the next following weeks, I will be posting skin care regiments for all different types of skins and products that are priced for thrifty students! Don't be overwhelmed, taking care of your skin is easy! There are only THREE steps that will help you get on the road to great skin! Cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing.

Cleansing
Cleansing is the first step of skin care. You should do it twice a day. Once when you wake up, once before bed. Getting into the routine will be the hardest part, but it will pay off! Trust me. The type of product you chose depends on the type of skin you have (Oily, dry, combination...). Most products are formulated for specific types, so just read the bottle. If you are fighting acne, try products with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.
What cleansing does is remove the dirt and oil build up from your day. If you don't wash the build up off, it can clog your pores causing blemishes. No one wants that.
An affordable cleanser that is useful for everyone: Cetaphil^® Daily Facial Cleanser 80z $6

Exfoliating
Exfoliating is the second step to your skin care regiment, and you don't even have to do it everyday! I'd say about every other day. Exfoliating gets rid of dry, dead skin and exposes very soft and rejuvenated skin. If you have sensitive skin, I recommend using a gentle formula. Exfoliates come in different varieties from creams, beads, even pumice! It might take a few tries to find the right one for you.
One that I love, and according to sales, everyone else loves too is St. Ives Apricot scrub. $4



Moisturizing
Moisturizing, like cleansing should be done daily. Its best to do it right after exfoliating. Moisturizer is basically lotion for your face. Look for moisturizers with sunblock for added skin protection. If you already have oily skin, look for products that are oil-free. When using moisturizer, always apply in an upward motion, from the chin up. Avoid your eye area. Wait until it is dry before applying make up. TIP: You can mix your moisturizer to your foundation when in a pinch! It helps to keep your skin youthful and dewy!
A great moisturizer for everyone is: Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer $14

Roommates 101

Whether you are living on campus, or in your first apartment, you are most likely going to have at least one roommate. Roommates can be a blessing and a curse all in one. I'm going to give you some tips on choosing the right ones, and setting some ground rules to make both of your experiences pleasant ones.
Choosing The Right Mate
Ideally, you are going to want someone you have known for awhile and can trust. It helps if they share similar interests and have some of the same values as you. Opposites really don't mix in these situations. If you aren't living on campus, you are going to want someone who is proven to be self-sufficient and responsible. Some things to look out for is how long they have held their current job, and how responsible they are with their money. I know that no one is perfect, but you really don't want to be stuck with all seven hundred dollars of the rent if they bail on you.
If you are planning on moving in with a friend, please know that things will change. For example, things that never bothered you before will. For example, the way she squeezes the toothpaste and the fact that she doesn't trim her toe nails over the garbage! (ew!) This really is a big risk because I have seen many friendships fall apart because they became roommates. Between the petty arguments and their lack of financial responsibility. However, if you have spent numerous hours with this person (people) and feel confident enough to share a house with them, by all means, pursue it.

Keep your options open until you are absolutely sure you want to make a commitment. However, don't leave your potential roommates in the dark for too long. Qualities in a good roommate include, but certainly aren't limited too...

• Ability To Hold a job- This indicates: a)They have an income b)They can make commitments.
  
• Cleanliness- Well, if they don't respect their stuff, why would they respect yours? Besides, they will be more likely to clean up after themselves!
  
• Good Grades- This means they are taking their college education seriously, they can set goals and meet them.
  

Budgeting
This is such an ESSENTIAL step. Make sure you can afford it! Moving out on your own means that you will have considerably less financial freedom. Write it all down. Over estimate the price of the bills. Don't forget that most companies charge an activation fee. Also, if you are renting, you will most likely have to pay an application fee, and a deposit (which you may or may not get back when you move). Don't forget about the cost of furniture, small appliances, cleaning products (Which get pretty pricey), and other essentials for your new place.
An easy way to split expenses is to divvy it up.
If its the two of you, combine all of the bills up and each of you pay half. This gets kinda complicated with more than two people. If, say, its three people in a two bedroom apartment, whoever gets their own room has to pay x amount more. Make sure you agree on this PRIOR to when first months rent is due. Also, for your sake, put everyone on the lease.
Food
Don't forget about the cost of food as well! I have found that it costs me about 100 every two weeks. This can go up or down depending on what kind of food I buy, and if I go out to eat. When it comes to roommates, I cannot stress enough that you buy your OWN food. Do not go in on food. It never works out. Person "x" ate all the Pop Tarts, person "Y" didn't buy any groceries this week. Its the fairest way I can think off. Buy some sharpies and write your names on your stuff. Buy a mini fridge, or even assign cabinets to each roommate. However, I do think that planning meals together is a good idea, if it can be done. Maybe Fridays, you all pitch in for a nice barbecue or spaghetti dinner.
You really can't tell your roommate how to budget. You can tell them what you expect, and when you expect it.
Rules, Chores, and Pet Peeves
If you outline what you expect of each other, this will prevent innumerable amounts of issues in the future. Make a list of rules. No loud music after 6 on school nights, no boys staying the night, don't bring strangers in without permission, ETC. Whatever you feel are good rules. Good, REASONABLE, rules. Remember, its there place too! Everyone should have a say, and you should all have an understanding. Post the rules on the fridge so everyone knows, if you'd like.
Chores are probably a big reason why roommates fight. Just assign them as you'd like. I would say schedule it out. I like to post it just so there is no arguments. Make it as even as possible. Another great idea is to share your pet peeves with your roommate, so they can avoid doing them. If you know what their pet peeves are, you can avoid irking them, and avoid a petty argument.

Closing
If you respect each other, and each others privacy and stuff everything should be fine. If you define what you expect, then you will know what to do to stay on their good side. Best wishes to you!