The Midsemester Revival

Spring Break is over and you are back to having a test and a project due every week. Congratulations. For a lucky few, you are only a few weeks from being done with the rest of your education! By now, I'm sure you all have calculated exactly what grades you need to get on the remainder of your assignments to pass all of your classes to walk in May. I'm so jealous. 

I've officially hit the point where I don't care about random assignments so long as I maintain my grades enough to make it into Law School (my newest post-grade plan - god help me). I have reached out to some of my friends in order to find some advice on getting back on track (and over the midsemester slump).

One guy friend suggested that exercise is the best way to regain focus. Endorphins aren't just to make people happy so they don't commit homicide (please tell me you got the reference). 

Eating well was another suggestion. Fish is relatively easy to cook and with a side of broccoli or spinach and pasta you have a perfect meal! 

One of my sisters suggested that I get some sunshine! I have to admit that this is probably the best suggestion I got for me. I thrive after a little bit of sun and I love reading outside!

If all else fails, take a break and grab a cup of tea and a good book to settle into proper procrastination mode. Sometimes taking a little bit of time for yourself is the best way to clear your mind. 

I hope you can get over your Midsemester Slump and please send your suggestions my way! I can use all the help I can get! 

YIPS

Sonia 

The Happy and Healthy Series: Eating Healthy on a Budget

It’s hard to get into healthy habits especially in college but it doesn’t have to be! From motivation to making it budget friendly. Here at Sisterhood Redefined, we want to help! Each month you’ll get a post about how to be healthy in a college environment from eating to working out to managing negative stress.

This month is all about eating healthy on a college budget!

The first thing I notice myself spending money on while I’m on campus is snacks. Snacks that are really not good for me. You also lose a lot of money buying a coke and a bag of chips out of a vending machine. Carry a water bottle with you onto campus so you can refill it in free water fountains when you are thirsty. I usually drink a cup of coffee on my way to campus so I put it in a tumbler with a straw that way I can refill that with water! The next thing is avoiding vending machine snacks. Eating before you come on to campus is the easiest way to not spend a dollar on a bag of chips. Second bring snacks from home if you will need something else to eat! Carrot sticks or Honey Nut Cheerios are easy snacks that will be ok if you have them in your bag all morning. If you have to buy food from on campus, grab a side salad or a side of veggies at one of the on campus restaurants –this way you are eating more filling and all around better for you things and are only spending a dollar or two more.  

The next thing to work on is your grocery lists! Note that I said list. The biggest cause of overspending is not following a list and just picking up what you decide that you want at the time. Preplan your meals at the beginning of the week and look through your pantry to see what you already have. Sandwiches (while unexciting) are easy, healthy and customizable depending on what you have in your pantry. Eggs are another healthy and quick meal.

As far as meal ideas go, check out our Pinterest board, recipes! We have tons of ideas for what is doable in a college apartment and on a college budget for one people or for a party!

If you have any requests for what to see in this series, email sisterhoodredefined@gmail.com! I hope you have a happy and healthy month!  


Author's Note: This article was written by Sonia. She just forgot to upload it from her own account! 

It's A Marshmallow World

One of my favorite ways to waste time over the holidays is by making all sorts of holiday treats! Here is one of my absolute favorite holiday goodies - perfect with a cup of hot chocolate while cuddled up by the fire with someone special!

This is the simplest thing in the world to make and you can easily adapt it. Heat some chocolate bark in the microwave and roll your marshmallows in them on sticks or even pretzels or candy canes. Decorate them with white chocolate designs, sprinkles or crushed peppermint. These are the perfect treat to take to any party you attend or to wrap up with some homemade hot cocoa for a last minute gift. 

5 Things to Look Forward to Over Thanksgiving Break

I don't know about you but this week before Thanksgiving feels like the longest week of the semester. Some would argue that the week before the end of the semester is worse but honestly, we have finals so I don't think it even compares to this week where you don't feel productive at all.

One thing that almost always helps me get through long days or long weeks are things to look forward to! Here are the top 5 things (though there are countless more) that I am looking forward to next week.

1. Seeing my family. I haven't been home since the beginning of August and let me tell you that it is so incredibly rough. I have plans to shop with my sister, catch up on favorite TV shows with my dad and my mom and I are hair salon bound the day I get home.

2. Catching up with old friends. My two closest friends go to a different school and while we try to see each other during the semester, somehow our schedules never seem to align. I use my week home for Thanksgiving to spend time with people I love. 

3. Going shopping on Black Friday. For those of you that don't know, the shopping in Statesboro is essentially obsolete. I can't wait to take advantage of my mall back home to find a dress or two for winter date nights and a few comfy power outfits for finals.

4. Eating all the incredible food. It's Thanksgiving. Enough said. 

5. Saying no to school work. Now unfortunately, I will have to do a little bit of studying for finals but I am looking forward to vegging out instead of blistering my fingers in the library. Hello Netflix, here I come. 

5 Delicious Halloween Treats

I don't know about you, but for me Halloween is one of those times where I put my diet aside and indulge in a month of creepy and spooky treats. I love spending time in the kitchen creating neat and fun treats to share with all of my friends on Halloween and they love me for doing so! I have compiled a list of the top treats I plan to make this year for Halloween, but I would also love to know what you plan on creating! (share below in the comments!)

• Pumpkin Pretzels 

Chocolate covered anything is my favorite and these pretzels are no exception! Plus they look adorable and will definitely be a hit with your friends. 

• Halloween Muddy Buddy

I never, never, never turn down the opportunity to eat Muddy Buddy (or puppy chow as we call it in the South)! Though I have never attempted to make it, this recipe seems to be easy enough for me to follow along! 

• Gooey Monster Eye Cookies

I am a sucker for monsters! My freshman year roommate has a huge obsession with Mike from Monsters Inc. so everything I see something slightly resembling Mike, I have to share it with her! I think these cookies are perfect for all the monster lovers out there! 

• Witch Hat Cupcakes

Coming from the girl that has an entire Pinterest board dedicated to cupcakes, believe me when I say these are the cutest things ever! I am nearly 100% positive that when I attempt to make these, they will look nothing like the above picture but I will definitely be giving it my best shot!

• Rice Krispie Pumpkin Balls

I can not get over how simple and easy these pumpkin balls are to make! My mouth is literally watering at the thought of chowing down on one of these lovely little snacks and I am positive that all my friends will enjoy them for Halloween as well!

Be sure to click on the pictures to go to the recipe for each of these treats! Have you decided what you plan to create for Halloween this year? I am dying to hear your ideas so be sure to share them below!