Archive for the ‘onBeauty’ Category

What to Eat Before and After Working Out (and a fantastic college discount!)

Thursday, July 18th, 2013

When trying to get fit, your diet is just as important as exercise, if not more.  The two go hand in hand.  A great workout routine coupled with a poor diet will not get you very far.  Let’s zoom in and explore the foods you should eat before and after your workout.

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Think of your body as a car; food acts as gasoline to keep you going.  By ingesting the right foods, you set your body up for a successful workout.  Timing also plays a role in nutrition.  Avoid eating a full meal directly before a workout.  If you must, eat a light snack 5-10 minutes prior to exercise, something under 100 calories.  Ideally, you should consume a meal an hour and a half to two hours before a workout.  The meal should be light so it doesn’t drag you down during a workout.  Keep in mind that different foods take different amounts of time to digest, so you want foods that will digest rather quickly.  Some suggestions:

-Whole wheat toast with peanut butter and sliced bananas

health.com

-Greek yogurt with granola and cinnamon

-Oatmeal with fresh fruit

After a workout, you have a small window of time to ingest and replenish the proper nutrients.  Between 20 and 60 minutes after your workout is when your meal should be consumed.  Bringing prepared food to the gym in a bag may be a good option.  Also, protein shakes come in handy when you don’t have much time.  It will probably take too long to prepare a meal at home after a workout.  You may miss the time frame.  Here are some suggestions for post-workout meals:

-Grilled chicken and mixed vegetables

-Salmon with sweet potato

-Turkey and white American cheese on 9-grain wheat bread

Changing your diet comes as a challenge to most people, myself included.  I tend to fall in and out of a steady healthy diet.  Sometimes, you only have certain options, especially in a college dining hall.  Make wise choices and think about your goals before everything you eat.  Check out my upcoming post, “the cheat meal,” for more nutrition tips.  With a student ID and Campus Clipper coupon, you can walk into the Garden of Eden Marketplace and receive a special discount on healthy groceries.  Stock up!

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Joey Silver, University of Delaware. Check out my Twitter!

Follow the Campus Clipper on Twitter and Like us on Facebook!

Interested in more deals for students? Sign up for our bi-weekly newsletter to get the latest in student discounts and promotions  and follow our Tumblrand Pinterest. For savings on-the-go, download our printable coupon e-book!

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The Do’s and Don’ts of Gym Etiquette (and an appetizing college discount)

Tuesday, July 9th, 2013

The gym resembles a small community, and as a member, you must know the rules.  Usually, signs on the gym wall have rules listed, but I compiled a list of do’s and don’ts when you’re training to better yourself.  Displaying proper gym etiquette will keep everyone around you comfortable and safe.

Do’s

Return the weights to where they belong — If you are using dumbbells, put them back on the rack in the designated holder.  If you are using a bar, take all of the weights off when you’re done.

Keep clean and wipe down your machine — Not wiping down a bench or machine that you just used irks everyone around you.  You can usually find a spray bottle and a paper towel very close by.  Keeping clean also means picking up everything you brought with you (i.e. wrappers, bottles, bags, towels, etc.).

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Use deodorant — Working out next to a smelly person is never pleasant.  Smell good, no problems.

Dress appropriately — See my previous post.

Spot someone if they need — Sometimes, you will see a person without a training partner, and they go to lift some heavy weights, but they struggle.  To avoid injury, jump in and offer a spot.  This goes for men and women.

Don’ts

Don’t occupy a machine for too long — You can be a ‘gym rat’ but don’t be a ‘gym hog’.  Spend 20 to 30 minutes on a treadmill or elliptical for cardio.  Share machines and work in with others.

Don’t drop weights — Not only can a weight bounce and hit something or someone, but it disturbs those around you.  Place the weights back in the designated positions.

Don’t talk too much — The gym is not a social gathering.  You are there to work out, not to chat with friends.

Don’t use your cell phone — Quick texts won’t distract you, but taking phone calls, playing games, and long texts are not for the gym.

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Don’t grunt loudly — It is disrespectful to those around you.  People don’t want to hear you screaming to push out one more rep.  Try exhaling; it has a similar effect.

Don’t walk between someone lifting and a mirror — Personally, I like to watch myself in the mirror to make sure I utilize proper form.  It distracts me when someone walks right in front of the mirror, so just be careful of that.

Don’t go to the gym when sick — For the health and safety of those around you, it’s okay to take time off from the gym.

I hope you are able to take something away from this post.  By implementing this etiquette into your gym time, it ensures the safety and comfort of your peers.  After your workout, come by Slane on Macdougal Street for an awesome student discount when you present the Campus Clipper coupon and your student ID.

Disclaimer:  Coupons valid before expiration date and while supplies last.

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Joey Silver, University of Delaware. Check out my Twitter!

Follow the Campus Clipper on Twitter and Like us on Facebook!

Interested in more deals for students? Sign up for our bi-weekly newsletter to get the latest in student discounts and promotions  and follow our Tumblrand Pinterest. For savings on-the-go, download our printable coupon e-book!

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Workout Music (and a super college discount!)

Tuesday, July 2nd, 2013

Music can have a profound effect on your workout.  When I first started working out, I didn’t listen to music; I preferred the sounds of the iron clinking, and the grunts of people lifting weights.  One day, I decided to bring my iPod to the gym to see what would happen.  I was surprised to find that I easily lifted more weight.  The music energized me.  Below, I have created a short playlist for YOU!  Different people prefer different genres of music, so the list is divided into Rap/R&B, Rock, Heavy Metal, Electronic, and Pop.  I have found that these genres are particularly effective for working out.

www.askmen.com

Rap/R&B

Jay-Z and Kanye West- Power

Hoodie Allen- The Chase is On

Usher- Caught Up

Biggie Smalls- Hypnotize

G.O.O.D. Music- Clique

Rock

Europe- Final Countdown

Journey- Separate Ways

Nirvana- Smells Like Teen Spirit

Rush- Tom Sawyer

Sum 41- Fat Lip

Lit- My Own Worst Enemy

Heavy Metal

Metallica- Enter Sandman

Drowning Pool- Let the Bodies Hit the Floor

Pantera- Walk

A Day to Remember- Downfall of Us All

Avenged Sevenfold- Bat Country

Electronic

Laidback Luke & Steve Aoki- Turbulence

Avicii- Levels

Afrojack & Steve Aoki- No Beef

Ellie Goulding- I Need Your Love

Adrian Lux- Teenage Crime (Tonic Dutch Bootleg)

Pop

Imagine Dragons- Radioactive

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis- Can’t Hold Us

Rihanna- Where Have You Been

Icona Pop- I Love It

Major Lazer- Watch Out

www.womenshealthmag.com

Of course, the genres overlap quite a bit, but I used my best judgement.  Go ahead, download, listen, and get pumped!  After your workout, be sure to replenish your nutrients by taking your tunes over to Bleecker’s Finest Deli with your student ID and Campus Clipper coupon for a special discount.

Disclaimer:  Coupons valid before expiration date and while supplies last.

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Joey Silver, University of Delaware. Check out my Twitter!

Follow the Campus Clipper on Twitter and Like us on Facebook!

Interested in more deals for students? Sign up for our bi-weekly newsletter to get the latest in student discounts and promotions  and follow our Tumblrand Pinterest. For savings on-the-go, download our printable coupon e-book!

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What to Wear to Work Out (and an excellent college discount!)

Thursday, June 27th, 2013

You’ve decided to hit the gym, motivated and eager, but you lack the appropriate attire.  Your closet is absent of footwear and gear for working out.  If you want to go to the gym, act the part, feel the part, dress the part.

Ladies first.  Please do not be like my mother when she goes to the gym.  She applies make up, puts on jewelry, and does her hair before heading to the gym.  She might as well don her wedding gown.  The gym is not a fashion show; you go there to work out and sweat.  Long hair should be tied back, so it doesn’t get in the way.  Earrings, other piercings, necklaces, bracelets, and any other jewelry should be left at home.  Jewelry distracts you from achieving a fuller workout, and can get caught on something and break.  For your top, a t-shirt will do.  You can also find women wearing tight-fit nylon tops, tank tops, and sports bras.  For bottoms, sport shorts, sweatpants, or yoga pants are typical.

Gentleman.  For the top, a t-shirt or sleeveless shirt is appropriate.  For the bottom, you usually see sport shorts or sweatpants.  Again, avoid wearing jewelry, and for guys with long hair, tie it back or wear a headband.

www.greatmalesurvey.com

Some gyms have rules about attire.  Sometimes, sleeveless shirts are not permitted.  Oftentimes, sandals and other types of footwear are not allowed.  Stop by Zacky’s in Manhattan with your student ID and a coupon from the Campus Clipper for a special discount on shoes and clothes.  Sometimes, I wear my glasses to the gym, but they become a hassle and I must constantly push them up on my nose the more I sweat.  Try wearing contacts if you have the same issue.  If you’re lifting very heavy weights, be safe and use a weightlifting belt and gloves.  Your style is important, but your safety comes first.
Disclaimer:  Coupons valid before expiration date and while supplies last.

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Joey Silver, University of Delaware. Check out my Twitter!

Follow the Campus Clipper on Twitter and Like us on Facebook!

Interested in more deals for students? Sign up for our bi-weekly newsletter to get the latest in student discounts and promotions  and follow our Tumblrand Pinterest. For savings on-the-go, download our printable coupon e-book!

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Lifting Weights: The Importance of Proper Form (and a cool college discount!)

Tuesday, June 25th, 2013

Although you can break a sweat during a workout without even touching a weight, this post covers the importance of proper form when lifting weights.  Often, students start lifting weights for the first time in college, but this can be valuable information for experienced lifters or first-timers.

When I was a college freshman, I frequented the gym.  I was a self-proclaimed gym veteran.  Each week, the weights on my bar were increasing.  The more weight I lifted, the better I felt about myself.  At my university, the gym offered a free personal trainer, and being as confident as I was, I knew I could improve with tweaks to my diet and workout regimen.  So, I decided to schedule an appointment with a trainer.  We began our session, but I learned that my lifting technique was way off.  He showed me the proper form for each exercise, forcing me to drop down my weight dramatically.  I was crushed that I had to start all over again, and my self-esteem dropped.  For weeks I felt like a failure every time I went to the gym, but eventually I was able to improve towards the level I previously operated. This time with proper form, the results were evident.  I cannot stress enough how important it is to lift with correct technique.

www.thewellnessnetwork.co.uk

Back squats, also known simply as squats, are one of three big lifts for increasing strength.  Squats target the muscles of your thighs (quadriceps and hamstrings), gluts, lower back, and core.  Basically, with a straight bar resting low on the back of your neck, you squat down, and stand up.  Sounds easy, but there’s a lot to keep in mind.  Feet should be about shoulder-length apart and turned outward very slightly.  Your back should be curved inward or straight, so that your chest sticks out forward, and your rear protrudes backward.  This stance takes some getting used to.  When you’re ready to squat, bend at the hips first, then at the knees.  Try not to let your knees go past your toes (if you were to draw a vertical line down from your knees).  Keep your back in the same curved or straight position, and your hamstrings/quadriceps parallel to the floor. Then stand straight up, pushing off the balls of your feet.

www.personalpowertraining.net

Flat bench press is another big exercise; it targets the pectoral (chest) region and the triceps.  When lying on the bench, be sure that your feet are planted firmly on the floor, and your knees are bent at a 90-degree angle.  Your back should also have some curve in it.  Grab the bar a bit wider than shoulder length and lift.  Once the bar is lifted off the rack, bring your shoulder blades together; this puts the emphasis on your chest.  Bring the bar down to the middle of your chest.  Different people say different things about how far down to bring the bar, but I prefer to bring the bar to my chest so it touches but doesn’t bounce off.  Others prefer to bring it down until their arms are bent at a 90-degree angle.  Both are effective techniques.

Deadlift is the third big exercise, and it primarily targets the hamstrings, glutes, and lower back.  With the bar on the floor, the middle of your feet should be directly under the bar, shoulder-length apart, pointing straight.  Bend down to grab the bar right outside your legs.  Your shins should touch the bar.  There are a few different grips for this lift, but I prefer both hands in front of the bar when the weight is low.  Straighten your back, stand up, and thrust your hips upwards and forwards.  Keep your shoulders back so your chest protrudes throughout the whole lift.  When ascending, you want to drag the bar up your shins and over your knees to the upright position.  Bring the bar back down close to your body and drop the

www.thedeadlift.com

weight.  Often, you will see people bounce the bar off the floor and go right into the next repetition.  I see this as cheating.  It’s called a deadlift, so the bar should start in a “dead” position for each repetition.

Form will make or break these lifts.  One thing to keep in mind is your breathing pattern.  Make sure you inhale before the lift, and then exhale when you ascend.  Without proper form, you can seriously injure yourself on these lifts.  Protect your body, and make sure your form is correct.  Never be afraid to ask for help, if you have a question.  Always have someone spotting you or have crash racks in case the weight is too heavy.  After your workout, it is important to replenish nutrients, so go to Cafetasia for a hearty meal.  Go to www.campusclipper.org for college discounts.

 

Disclaimer: Coupons valid before expiration date and while supplies last.

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Joey Silver, University of Delaware. Check out my Twitter!

Follow the Campus Clipper on Twitter and Like us on Facebook!

Interested in more deals for students? Sign up for our bi-weekly newsletter to get the latest in student discounts and promotions  and follow our Tumblrand Pinterest. For savings on-the-go, download our printable coupon e-book!

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3 Motivating Reasons to Hit the Gym (and a delicious college discount!)

Thursday, June 20th, 2013

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You want to go to the gym, but you always have an excuse.  “It’s too hot outside.  I’m too tired.  I’ll go tomorrow.”  You need a motivation booster.  Going to the gym has numerous physical and psychological benefits; it will improve your quality of life.

In the past decade, obesity among college students has grown tremendously.  Phillip B. Sparling, a professor of Applied Physiology at Georgia Tech, says, “Food is everywhere, and it is generally inexpensive, flavorful, large-portioned, and high-calorie. In addition, we rely on energy-saving devices and technology throughout the day, and most of our waking hours are spent sitting.”  Making healthy food choices is one of the hardest parts of being a student.  Going to the gym can be a great way to combat our unhealthy eating habits.  Alternatively, drop by Fresh & Co. with your student ID and a coupon from Campus Clipper for 10% off your order.

Sparling mentions energy-saving devices and technology as a cause for obesity in college students.  Small changes, like walking up the stairs instead of taking the escalator or elevator, make a difference.  Additionally, sitting at your desk or in the library all day is detrimental.  Get up and stroll around Washington Square Park or a park in your area.

Working out provides far more benefits than burning fat to battle obesity.  Physical activity increases oxygen and blood flow in the body.  It improves stamina and flexibility, and prevents lung and heart diseases.  Unfortunately, these things do not happen overnight.  You need to invest time in this process, and you will gradually see results.

The next two motivational reasons to work out go hand-in-hand.  Look better, feel better.  Our bodies are malleable; we can sculpt them, making them solid and chiseled, or perhaps soft and rotund.  You have the power to change the way your body looks.  Of course, we all have genetic limitations, but for the most part, we can control our bodies.

Think of the gym as your workshop.  Each exercise affects your body and causes change.  This gives you a lot of power when it comes to shaping your body.  But, like Uncle Ben shared in Spider-Man, “With great power comes great responsibility.”  We hold responsibility for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and staying physically fit.  Give your body the respect it deserves.

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Once you attain the body image you aspire to, your self-esteem and confidence will increase.  Insecurities that you may have had about your body will vanish, and you will accomplish more.  I know from personal experience that after a workout, I feel good about the way I look, and it shows.

NOW is the time to be proactive about your physical fitness.  Your body is a temple, and should be treated as such.  Be responsible and take care of your body.  By going to the gym and staying active, you can lead a healthy lifestyle, look the way you want, feel good about it, and have a more positive outlook on life.

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Joey Silver, University of Delaware. Check out my Twitter!

Follow the Campus Clipper on Twitter and Like us on Facebook!

Interested in more deals for students? Sign up for our bi-weekly newsletter to get the latest in student discounts and promotions  and follow our Tumblrand Pinterest. For savings on-the-go, download our printable coupon e-book!

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Why Work Out? Utilize College Discounts While You Can!

Tuesday, June 18th, 2013

According to the Harvard School of Public Health, college students should get at least one hour of physical activity per day.  But for many students, working out feels like an impossible task. Between classes, schoolwork, extracurricular activities, social life, love life, and sleep, it seems that there is simply not enough time in the day.

alumni.nyu.edu

However, making time to work out can benefit all students. Physical activity boosts productivity and clears the mind, gives positive energy and instills confidence to take on challenges. It also makes you feel good about yourself, boosting self-esteem, a serious concern for many college students.

A good workout is about balance, no matter your gender. Walking into a college gym, you usually find the women on the treadmills and elliptical machines, while the men lift weights. Oftentimes, men think that they need to lift weights and chug protein shakes in order to stay fit, while women tend to steer clear of the weight room because they fear looking like female bodybuilders. These beliefs are workout myths. Reaching a body type of a bodybuilder is unlikely without intense workouts, extreme dieting, and heavy supplementation. Weight-lifting can boost metabolism, improve posture, and build muscle, which helps burn fat faster; therefore, it can benefit both men and women. However, weight-lifting is not essential to staying fit. Alternative forms of exercise like biking and running benefit the heart and rest of the body in ways that weight-lifting does not.

But you don’t need to become a “gym rat” or a “fitness freak” to stay healthy and fit. There is a myriad of quick and easy ways to work out during your college years. Students can stay fit without even going to the gym through activities like bike rides, yoga, Zumba, swimming, team sports, parkour, or jogging outside with a friend. For those not sure where to start, Tao Yoga, Sacred Sounds Yoga, and Moksha Yoga in New York City are excellent for beginners and yoga masters alike.

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The hardest part is finding the motivation to go out and get moving. It is crucial to get into the habit of working out consistently while in college because once you have a full-time job and a family to support, the motivation is more likely to disappear.

Don’t get accustomed to a lethargic lifestyle, because it only gets harder to change. Go now, while you don’t need to pay for a gym membership. If a trip to the gym consumes too much time, complete a body weight workout in your dorm room or apartment. All it takes is 60 minutes a day to get on the right path.

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Joey Silver, University of Delaware. Check out my Twitter!

Follow the Campus Clipper on Twitter and Like us on Facebook!

Interested in more deals for students? Sign up for our bi-weekly newsletter to get the latest in student discounts and promotions  and follow our Tumblrand Pinterest. For savings on-the-go, download our printable coupon e-book!

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Staying Awake Without Caffeine

Friday, June 29th, 2012

When I was in high school I used to drink a triple shot espresso every morning with at least 5 tablespoons of sugar. That would hold me over in a caffeine and sugar induced high of jitters and wide eyed intensity until lunch time when I’d have a caffeinated cola or another cup of coffee. By the time I got home I’d have a cappuccino until that wore off and I fell asleep and woke up; repeating the cycle. I was a full fledged caffeine addict. When I got to college on the days where my 9:00 AM cross campus class got in the way of my beauty rest, I’d do the same thing. I’d eventually crash around 5:00 PM, falling asleep, and waking up at midnight completely refreshed, because that’s practical and what normal people do. Since then my sleeping habits have only gotten worse and unfortunately I seem to be the most alert and awake when everyone else is asleep. I find this to be a problem common among my friends. Between now and graduation I won’t have anything that resembles a normal sleeping pattern, and if I do it’s only for a few days before I’m up till sunrise watching an America’s Next Top Model marathon and hating myself.

James Franco asleep in class, he's just like the rest of us!

While caffeine has helped me, as fate would have it, caffeine also makes me incredibly ill. Anything in the line of dairy, caffeine, energy drinks or red meat will incapacitate me for a few hours. I try to avoid them as much as I can, and only give in when no other options present themselves. My sporadic and unreliable sleep schedule means that I’ll often get cravings for caffeine and it takes everything in me to not run into a Starbucks and order a grande black coffee with an espresso shot, especially on days when I haven’t slept much. I used to suffer through the caffeine cramps and stomach aches, believing that I was choosing the lesser of two evils.

Molecular structure of B12

It wasn’t until I was complaining to my cousin about my dietary woes that I finally found a fix. His advice was to simply take vitamin B12 every morning with my breakfast and I’d stay awake and alert for the entire day. I took his word for it; he manages to wake up every morning at 6:00 AM for a jog, no matter what he did the night before. I stared down the light pink pill, hoping for the best. As the day carried on I felt awake, but without the on edge tenseness and stomach pain that caffeine gave me. I felt calm and naturally awake, like I would feel after a full night’s sleep.

The body cannot naturally produce B vitamins, so we get them usually from the milk or meat of animals who can, making B12 deficiency a problem amongst vegans. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause permanent damage to nervous tissue and can present itself as anemia, lethargy, and depression. Foods richest in B12 include liver, cheese, beef, and whole milk- foods that I consciously avoid. B12 promotes metabolism and helps the body extract energy from proteins and fats.  B12 works with melatonin levels in the body to keep you awake in the day and get you to sleep at night, so after a few days taking the vitamin you should notice an improvement in your sleeping schedule.

Catherine, Hudson County Community College, Read my blog and follow me on Twitter

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Interested in more deals for students? Sign up for our bi-weekly newsletter to get the latest in student discounts and promotions and follow our Tumblr and Pinterest. For savings on-the-go, download our printable coupon e-book

 

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A Short History of Chocolate

Wednesday, June 13th, 2012

Chocolate: it’s sweet, it’s brown, it’s everywhere and in almost everything- chocolate covered bacon anyone? But what we’ve come to known today as a staple of the confectionery shop has its roots in much more bitter and slightly bloody beginnings.

Chocolate comes from the cacao seeds which grow directly on the trunk of the cacao tree, native to tropical regions of Latin America. Chocolate has it’s root in the Aztec word “xocoatl,” meaning bitter water, it is the name given to the very bitter drink brewed from cacao seeds. The drink was bitter and spicy, a sharp contrast to the milky and sweet chocolate we consume today. The Latin name for the cacao tree, Theobroma cacao, means food of the gods. Mayans believed the cacao tree was discovered by the gods and given to humans. Aztecs believed Quetzacoatal discovered cacao in a mountain with other plant foods. Aztec Emperor Montezuma is alleged to have consumed 50 cups of xocoatl a day. Both Mayans and Aztecs considered cacao drink divine and used it for sacred rituals of birth, marriage, and death.  Cacao was only drunk by men and considered toxic to women and children (Theobromines in chocolate indeed make it toxic to animals). Aztec sacrifice victims were given a gourd of cacao, with a splash of the blood of previous victims, to cheer up victims who were too depressed to participate in the customary ritual dance before death (I find this only slightly comparable to my 4AM tear stained Lady Godiva indulgences as I weep silently about the one who got away). This makes sense considering that chocolate has been found to affect serotonin levels in the brain. Alcohol fermented from the pulp of the cacao tree was consumed as early as 1400 BCE. So valued was cacao, that seeds from the tree were used as currency in Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican civilizations, and in the America Revolutionary war it was used as part of soldier rations.

When Spanish invaders landed in Latin America, cacao was one of the drinks served to conquistadors. The Spanish hated the brew, calling it a “bitter drink for pigs,” and it only became popular in Spain when sugar cane or honey was added. Thus began what we have come to know as chocolate. The cacao seeds were dried, roasted, shelled, ground, and then liquefied to make chocolate liqueur (it contains no actual alcohol). In 1828 a Dutch chemist made powdered chocolate by removing the fat from chocolate liqueur, producing cocoa butter, and treating the nonfat mixture with alkaline salts to alleviate the bitter taste, and was later known as “Dutch” chocolate. Previously, chocolate was considered a drink rather than a solid food. The first chocolate bar was sold by Fry’s chocolate factory located in Bristol England in 1847. Later, Cadbury and Nestle pioneered milk chocolate into what we know today.

While milk chocolate is high in fats and sugars, dark chocolate has been proven to have medicinal benefits. Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants that benefit the body.  According to an article in the Journal of American Medical Association, polyphenol rich dark chocolate was shown to improve blood pressure in those with mild high blood pressure. However the milk in white and milk chocolate may interfere with the body’s absorption of antioxidants. When it comes to health, the darker the chocolate the better. However, this isn’t an open invitation to gorge on Hershey’s Extra Dark. The benefits come with a significant caloric price. As with most things, all is well in moderation.

 

Whether you’re treating yourself after a long day, getting a gift for someone, or trying to cheer yourself up before ritual sacrifice, chocolate is the way to go.

 

Pick up some hot chocolate or coffee at The Bean.

Catherine, Hudson County Community College, Read my blog and follow me on Twitter

Click here to download the Campus Clipper iTunes App!

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Interested in more deals for students? Sign up for our bi-weekly newsletter to get the latest in student discounts and promotions and follow our Tumblr and Pinterest. For savings on-the-go, download our printable coupon e-book

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Sofrito: Add Flavor to Your Food

Friday, June 1st, 2012

On the shelves of refrigerators in Latino homes lies a glass jar, filled with an aromatic sometimes green, sometimes brown, sometimes dark orange-red, but always packed with highly concentrated flavor mix- softiro. Sofrito is a seasoning sauce blend of peppers, garlic, onions, tomatoes, cilantro, salt, and other herbs and spices. Quantity of ingredients varies from recipe to recipe. Instead of using salt and separate seasonings, many foods from Latin America are flavored with sofrito alone. Sofrito is great for soups, steaks, chicken, eggs, or any dish you want to enhance with robust Latin flavor. Because it’s so densely concentrated with flavor, after making a jar, sometimes all you’ll need is a dash of sofrito to season a dish. Sofrito exists in Mediterranean, Portuguese, Filipino, and Caribbean cuisine as well.

Homemade sofrito usually doesn’t use exact measurements, as most culinary escapades in la cocina, ingredients are eye-balled and taste tested rather than carefully measured and trusted. Due to the variety in preparation and ingredients that differ sometimes from person to person, there are probably millions of unique sofrito recipes in the world. As well as being made from scratch, sofrito can be store bought for the lazy and kitchen clumsy. A popular store brought variety is Goya’s sofrito; however it’s also filled with preservatives and lacks fresh ingredients. Sofrito is incredibly easy to make, but if you’re still wary about making it at home and don’t want Goya’s preservative sofrito, try Chulita’s Famous Sofrito. Chulita’s Famous uses fresh all natural ingredients and comes in Sofrito Verde or Sofrito Con Spices variety. They can be purchased in gourmet grocery stores in New York City. For a full list: click here.

Now if you really want to get hands on with sofrito, here’s a simple recipe straight from my kitchen to yours:

Ingredients:

  • 3 Green peppers
  • 2 Red peppers
  • 2 Garden fresh tomatoes
  • 2 onions
  • 1 head of garlic
  • 1 bunch of cilantro

Peel and chop all the ingredients and mix them in a blender or food processor. The consistency should be somewhat smooth: not liquefied and not too chunky. Add sea salt, parika, and cumin to taste. Store in the refrigerator in a glass jar.

After you’ve made your sofrito, grab some tacos from Pinché Taqueria and add some sofrito to them for an even more delicious meal.

 

Catherine, Hudson County Community College, Read my blog

Click here to download the Campus Clipper iTunes App!

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