Part of my back to school series, I first wanted to share my favorite items you to keep in your college pantry.  This is not your average college grocery list, aka it does NOT consist of products like Easy Mac or Oreos (although both are delicious!) but instead healthy selections that will win you over.

Near the end of my freshman year, I learned how important it was to take care of your diet.  Resorting to take out, carbonated drinks and late night snacking did nothing in my favor.  The 'Freshman 15' myth did not seem like it would phase me, but I was wrong.  From the pounds I packed on to various acne breakouts I have since than been more conscious about what I am eating.  

College is definitely a challenging atmosphere if you want to eat healthy.  Parents aren't around to tell you what and when to eat and the copious amounts of free food that is on campus is borderline disgusting.  

While I do not have my own kitchen pantry at college since I am living on campus this year, I do have a place in my dorm room where I store all my food.  However your dorm storage pans out, I use a sealed container, like this one, to house my items.  The container keeps everything fresh and and prevents any bugs from getting into my food (because it's college and you can never be too safe!).  Typically, I keep my container nestled underneath my bed or stacked on top of my wardrobe.

Every college student needs to do a grocery run once in a while and I hope you can incorporate some of these snacks into your healthy diet.  They're tasty, convenient and very affordable!

Pretzel Crisps

These light, crispy pretzels are perfect.  Low in calories and zero trans or saturated fat, they're an easy snack to take on the go or can easily be paired with a dip.  They come in a variety of flavors so you'll be able to choose one that will suit your taste buds.

BROOKESIDE Chocolate Covered Açai Berries

I swear by these.  BROOKESIDE sells many chocolate covered snacks that are made with nuts and fruit.  Sometimes in the mid mornings, if I am ever craving something I have a few of these.  Smooth and creamy, the chewy inside is made from a blend of real berry juice, blueberry juice and other fruit juices.

Sabre Hummus

Hummus is very versatile.  Whether you use it as a spread, dip or eat it plain it's an item you will be adding to your shopping list every time.  I enjoy eating it with carrots, celery or even pretzel crisps.  Sabre also sells many types of hummus giving you plenty of options to pick from.

KIND Bars

Perhaps they're not the most affordable snack BUT definitely worth the cost.  They're better than your average granola bar because they're full of nutrients and made with ingredients you can actually see!  Why should this matter?  Because this proves their bars are not as processed in comparison to other brands.

Blue Diamond Lightly Salted Almonds

This past year, these became one of my favorite snacks.  Almonds are known as a "power food."  They have all sorts of health benefits such as lowering your cholesterol and reducing your risk of heart disease, a heart attack and diabetes.  They also have a lot of magnesium which can provide a good source of energy.  The average service is about 24 almonds which is plenty because these can fill you up!

Mini Babybel Light White Cheese Wheels

"Aren't those the things moms would pack in your school lunch?"
YES they are and have made quite a comeback.  With having 50% less the fat than their normal cheese, they give you protein and are the perfect travel size.

Minute Ready Rice
Maybe its not everyone's first choice snack, but it is for me.  No water needed, this rice cup can easily be heated up for 60 seconds and then it's all ready to go.  They offer white or brown rice to choose from and it's low in calories.  Again, something light to fill you up if you're in a rush or want to pass on the dining hall.  I add bit a soy sauce to mine to give it some flavor.

Fruit And Vegetables

One of the most disappointing parts about college is the lack of fresh fruit.  Apples, red peppers, bananas or whatever you like stored in your fridge is a great idea!  If your college fridge also have a freezer section, trying frozen grapes.  They're delicious to eat especially during the beginning of the school year when it's still hot outside.

What are your favorite college snacks?

x.
C

As previously discussed in my blog, I have been keeping busy this summer with my internship.  In fact. it inspired me to create my blog in order to learn more about my job in digital marketing.  Last week I received an email from the Human Resources manager in charge of my internship program, explaining that we must give a presentation on the summer projects we've accomplished thus far in front of our intern colleagues, mentors and a few members on the executive board for next Tuesday.

With the deadline quickly approaching, I thought it would be a good time to share my advice on public speaking.  To many, I seem like a quiet and shy person.  My introverted personality is noticeable, however, my close friends and family know I love talking- one the reasons why I even started a blog!

When I was younger, giving presentations in class was always nerve racking.  I would be super anxious and worried about making a mistake or embarrassing myself.  It was troubling to talk because I was incredibly shaky which led me to really struggle in finding my voice.

I believe that finding your voice is one of the most important things you can do when doing public speaking.  While a script or note cards can be helpful, it's establishing that confidence that will really propel your overall presentation.

Here are my tricks of the trade that have helped me when crafting a speech or presentation, and maybe they can be of use for you too.  I devised my tips into questions to make things easier.  That way if you're ever lost, you can ask yourself these:

1) What's Your Story?
Storytelling is an easy way to get started.  Everyone loves a good story.  It captures the audience's attention and helpful when weaving main points into your talk.  Brainstorming a story can even aid in helping you begin to create your speech or presentation.  You will not only be inspiring yourself, but others as well.

2)  What's Your Plan?
Once you come up with an idea, now you have to plan it.  Any story must have a beginning, middle and end.  Think about what you need to do get from point A to point B.  List out the information or key points you want to address and then identify where you want to place them in your speech.  Ever since elementary school, I have stuck with the "3" main points rule in my speeches.  I think exceeding 5 main points can sometimes become confusing, so keeping into a minimum will help you effectively communicate your message.

3)  Who's Your Audience?
It's good to distinguish the group of people you will be talking to.  Obviously depending on the group, you will be using different vocabulary or etiquette.  Whomever you speak to, remember to be professional when the occasion arises or more casual during other occasions.  There's always a time and place.  Determining your audience will set the tone for the rest of your speech.

4)  How Many Times Did You Practice?
Because practice makes perfect, right?  I am horrible at this.  What makes me push off practicing is that I justify to myself that by spending hours of planning and preparing my speech, I know my speech so well that I do not need to rehearse it at all.  Wrong.  You can never practice too much.  Practice will build that base for confidence and calm any nerves you may have.  Instead of practicing in front of a friend, record yourself!  Critiquing yourself is how you will better understand your presentation skills and you will be able to see which specific parts you need to work on.

5)  What Are You Wearing?
Presentation is everything.  Let me repeat that, presentation is everything.  It is sad to realize but our society is very shallow- where we judge someone based off their appearance.  Going back to your audience, this will also determine what you should wear for your speech.  For a professional presentation, black slacks or a classic pencil skirt with a button up is a great overall look.  If the atmosphere is laid back, wearing a wrap dress is a nice option.  Keep your footwear conservative by pairing your outfit with black or nude flats.  There is nothing more disastrous if you show up in a bandage skirt or too high of heels.

6)  Did You Breathe?
It's funny how often we can forget to do this during public speaking.  Taking pauses and deep breathing in your speech will make you slow down and feel relaxed.  If you need to, collect yourself for a minute and begin your speech again.  We all need to find own voice, and there could not be a better time to do it than in that moment.

These tips are small, but all relate to finding that confidence or voice you need the next time you need to do public speaking.

x.
C

The term "personal brand" is such a new concept but very necessary in order to succeed in today's work force.  Those who are close to me know that I am a huge advocate when it comes to personal branding.  From updating my resumé to building my digital portfolio- these type of things make my heart do a little dance in my chest.


One of the big reasons I enjoy public relations and marketing so much is the branding part of the field.  The intention of portraying a company or organization's message and identity through posters, logos, website content, events, news articles and other outlets is so interesting to me.  And personal branding is all the more worth while.

I am far from an expert when it comes to personal branding- but I have definitely have had my taste of it.  This past year, I came to the realization that many of us tend to shy away from opportunities that help grow our careers because we are either:

A) Unmotivated
B) Scared
C) Do not know what they want to do
D) All of the above

 Even though I love planning, I know that having everything figured out isn't for everyone.  Deciding what you want to do for the rest of your life is daunting, but not something we should be afraid of.  What I do know to be true, is that we will hold a number of job positions until we finally reach our dream career.  So, what do we do in the meantime?  Build a personal brand!  A personal brand is an excellent way to showcase your skills, strengths and interests to those around you.  By creating a strong, personal brand, it will make networking even easier.  You will be able to connect with individuals on a deeper level who can help turn your dream career into something more possible.

Phew- did you make through my rambling?  Well then, now it's time to dive into ten tips I came up with that will help you create your own, genuine personal brand!

Define Your Brand
How would your best friend describe you in three words?  Ever heard of this question?  Take out a piece of paper and write down as many adjectives and words that describe you!  This is a great exercise for future job interviews and a good way to to first begin building your personal brand.  My number tip when doing this is to be original.  Authenticity is very important and allows you to show your true self to others.

Establish Your Long Term Career Goals
I love goal setting.  Mapping out your goals, temporary or long term, is helpful to keep you on track and never lose sight of what you want to accomplish.  I advise in constructing a sheet which lists your current goals and goals in 1, 5 and 10 years.  Some may be asking themselves, what's the point?  The point is, by writing down your goals they will become more instilled in your brain making everything you do worth it.  It will also urge you in take advantage of opportunities that will help accomplish your goals.  Especially in a career sense, planning out those phases to reach your ultimate "dream job" will make the process less overwhelming.

Know Your Strengths & Weaknesses
While we love to rave about our strengths, we also have our weaknesses.  I came across the Myers Briggs personality test from a blog I read and recently took it.  Turns out I am a ESNJ ('the consul') and it was scary how accurate their description of my personality was.  There's a section that reviews your strengths and weaknesses which is convenient; but reviews it in a way on how you can improve or better interact with others despite your weaknesses  Knowing your strengths and weaknesses will put into perspective your options and limitations in the job or real world.  In addition, there's also a career path section which is equally interesting to look at!

Craft Your Elevator Speech

In an Entrepreneurship class I took, this is one of the first activities we have to do in order to introduce ourselves to our peers.  We had 5 minutes to go over the basics such as where we're from, major, work experience, future goals, etc.  You are in fact "pitching" yourself to others which sounds intimating, but narrowing down your elevator speech will make you that much more confident about yourself.  I recommend not writing your speech word for word because it will come off as too rehearsed, but jotting down notes will make it easier to remember certain things the next time you need to "pitch" yourself.

Develop A Strong Social Media Presence
I researched online that 93% of job recruiters will look at a candidate's social profiles.  In addition to keeping your social profiles relevant, it's vital that you also keep it clean.  I believe anyone should go through their social profiles once (maybe even twice) a year to clear out any inappropriate content.  What defines inappropriate content?  Anything that you wouldn't want to your parents or grandparents to see is a better way to put it.  There are several websites now a days that will help you clean up your social media; I recently discovered Rep'nUp but there are a ton of websites that will help you too.  It's free, will go through your profiles and will mark any inappropriate content they found.  Regardless if you're private or public on social media, I highly encourage you go through and audit your posts.

Create A Blog Or Website
Another way to stand out is to create a blog or website.  Think of this as your own digital resumé or portfolio where any one can view your accomplishments, background info and more.  This makes you look so much more professional, and having those skills in website design can attract a lot of recruiters.  WordPress, Weebly or Wix are excellent sites to house your information however, if a website is not manageable for your lifestyle- instead create an About.me page.  It is a single page that gives details about yourself, professional experience- basically your elevator speech but the next time recruiters research you, this extra feature will definitely set you apart from other candidates.

Design A KILLER Resumé
Regardless of the field you're going into- it is always very important to design a good resumé.  My main resumé writing tips are to never have misspellings or grammatical errors, include experience relevant to the job you're interested in and never crowd your content.  Currently, I am in the process of creating 2 resumés (yes, 2!).  One is more creative with design and shows my personality, while the other is a standard black and white version.  Some companies' culture is very different from others- so matching your resumé to fit that is crucial.  Have a friend look over your resumé once you're finished; a second pair of eyes always comes in handy.

Network, Network, Network!
Believe it or not, you're networking all the time.  Every person you meet, you can build some type of connection with- even with a simple "hello."  Something young professionals tend to forget when networking is that people want to help them succeed in their careers.  Joining a young professionals organization or scheduling informational interviews are a few ways to step up your networking game (other than attending networking events).

Be Original
This is straightforward.  Follow your dreams, make them a reality and be true to who you are (as cliché as that may sound).

So, are you ready to launch your personal brand?

*Disclaimer:  Sorry for the length- I felt compelled to write this after a "networking" event I attended during my internship which emphasized networking from within that specific company.  Networking to me means expanding your opportunities in and outside the career world.  NEVER believe you're limited- you can always break down those walls one way or another.

x.
C

I cannot express (even this blog post) how much I love Heinen's!  Between Giant Eagle, Walmart, Wegmans (shoutout to Buffalo/Rochester), I will forever be a Heinen's shopper.  When I was younger, there was a store about 10 minutes from my house.  After school or during the weekends, my mom would drag me grocery shopping since then, the rest is history.


The family - owned company has total of twenty four stores; eighteen in Ohio and four in Illinois.  Now some may be thinking, what makes Heinen's better than other grocery stores?  The secret is in their food.  From produce to baked goods, they all around have the best quality products that you can't find anywhere else in the area.  Heinen's is definitely a Cleveland thing- but maybe that's also what makes it so special?

While they have a variety of everything in their store, some of my favorites are from their own brand!  Found exclusively at Heinen's, obviously not everyone can try them BUT however I highly recommend if you ever do visit Cleveland, go to their downtown location!

Last year, Heinen's opened a store in the heart of the city where the old, historic Cleveland Trust Rotunda building was.  I visited this past spring and trust me, it's even more beautiful than the pictures.  They restored the architecture to add character to their store and it's amazing.  The downtown location features a cafe, coffee espresso bar, and so much more!  While it may not be very practical to drive into the city to buy some groceries, it's definitely worth the visit if you just happen to be downtown.

Even though it was hard to choose, I came up with my 10 purchase worthy Heinen's products.  If you are ever there the next time, I dare you to treat yourself to these!

Broccoli Delight Salad
Don't want to sacrifice taste for healthiness?  With this side dish, you win both.  Let me explain, I absolutely hate broccoli.  You will rarely never find me eating this by choice.  If it came with a meal I ordered from a restaurant, I may try a piece but other than that I would ask if anyone else wanted it.  Listed under their "Salads We Love" category, Heinen's has outdone themselves.  This broccoli salad contains cranberries, crumbled bacon, red onion, and roasted walnuts tossed in mayonnaise, vinegar and sugar.  It's such an unexpected combination, but worth every bite.

Sushi
As mentioned, Heinen's is all about quality and their sushi is always fresh and ready every day.  An easy, quick bite to eat if you're in a hurry!

Jarlsberg Cheese Spread
If you want an o'er d'oeuvre for a party or easy snack, this spread is amazing.  This dip seriously addictive- once you have one taste, you will want to eat the entire cup of this.  It's rich, tasty and perfect to pair with crackers.  Made with red onion, mayonnaise, and garlic powder I dare you to try to NOT eat this is one sitting.

Chicken Romano
This my absolute favorite prepared meal from Heinen's.  It's one of their best selling items- and for good reason!  The chicken's breading is crisp, delicious and can easily be cooked in a skillet or the oven.  For even the pickiest eaters, they won't be able to deny this zesty dish!

Herb & Garlic Water Crackers
Speaking of crackers, these would be excellent with the Jarlsberg cheese spread!  These crackers are a good snack to solve your cravings.  They're light, crisp and healthy enough if you stick to their serving size.

Salmon Burgers
Have you ever heard of salmon burgers?  It wasn't until this summer that I didn't.  I was shopping with my mom at Heinen's when we trying to decide on a meal one evening.  In their seafood section, we came across these and I have been in love since.  They come in several versions; for example some burgers have chunks of shrimp or basil and tomato.  Put a twist on an American classic and have a barbecue with these!

Sesame Sugar Snap Peas
I am also not normally taken by snap peas, but their bitter taste is balanced with the sweet sesame seeds and oil.  They can be served cold or hot for either lunch or dinner.

Pillow Cookies
I bought these cookies on a whim and they are out of this world.  They are brownie filled cookies that are so soft with a caramel outside, it's hard to just eat only one of these.

Efferve Sparkling Lemonade
Those who know me are aware that I love drinking lemonade!  This lemonade can certainly quench your thirst and comes in a variety of flavors such as raspberry, mango, lime and many more.  If you want to spice up a party- this is a special treat!

Flowers
If you know me, I love plants; flowers to succulents I do not discriminate and Heinen's definitely has the brightest, most colorful ones I can find in the area!

Are you a Heinen's junkie like me?

x.
C

I am the type of person who LOVES giving gifts.  It could be a teacher, neighbor, friend- I enjoy surprising people with something whether it be planned out or impromptu.  Luckily, my gift giving skills will be put to good use with my dad's birthday coming up next week.

While I hate this term, some may call me "daddy's little girl."  It's evident that I have a close relationship with dad therefore my gift (or gifts) preparation for him is usually done in a timely manner.  My dad is also turning 70 this year which makes it extra special this year!  But with my busy summer schedule as of late, it's been tougher to prioritize my personal tasks outside of work.

It's a little over one week till his birthday which means the clock is slowly ticking.  Even with the given time frame, knowing me I tend to forget about certain things but hopefully this blog post will help get me in the mindset for shopping for my dad- and maybe for you too!

In anticipation, I pulled together some ideas for gifts any dad (especially mine) would love.

TGIF!  Can we please ask ourselves again how is it already July?

I have to pinch myself sometimes- the idea of returning to college in the fall is bittersweet.  While staying at home is relaxing, I miss being on a schedule.  There are moments this summer where I often do not know what to do with myself.  Being productive and keeping busy is what I thrive off of, and I cannot wait to embrace the campus culture once again.

As I had mentioned before, this summer I have a full time summer internship; that means, Monday thru Friday I am dressed in business casual wear.  From blazers, slacks to heels you name it, most likely I've worn it.  It's always such a relief when I can come home after a long day and finally change.

So far, I've been surviving the summer heat like everyone else.  Since I was kid, summers in Ohio could be described in three words:  muggy, sunny and hot.  This year, it had been predicted that the temperatures would be above average than normal, making it even hotter and stickier.  Ever find yourself wearing the same uniform everyday?  I do.  I have discovered that this is my typical everyday (after hours) wear.



Racerback Tank // Striped Shorts (similar) // Necklace // Tote // Sandals

These soft shorts are my favorite summer staple right now; I found them last year and ever since I have been a fan.  The loose fit makes it easy to breathe- perfect for when the humidity is usually at its highest.  They are also a cute alternative to Nike running shorts- an item I used to always resort to in the past!

Following the comfort trend, I have been gravitating towards these tanks from Free People.  The flowy silhouette is flattering on any body shape, but especially helps when it's a scorcher outside due to the relaxed cut.  They come in variety of versatile and fun colors as well, which I recommend you stock up on.

During the weekends, I live for simple pieces.  This pairing has quickly become my summer uniform, where I don't have to sacrifice style for comfort.  Whether it's going to the pool or shopping at the grocery store, this outfit combo has worked for my lifestyle.  And speaking of school- this is a great ensemble to throw on when classes begin again too!

Are you surviving the summer heat?

x.
C

I am still shocked by the number of restaurants in CLE.  As a young professional, convenience is everything.  While I do enjoy cooking and discovering new recipes, I don't mind dining out every once in a while.  And living in Cleveland, the options here are plentiful.  In fact, last year Cleveland was ranked 7th in the nation on Time.com's "Best Foodie Cities" list.

As my love continues to grow for this city, so does my appetite and I'm excited to start sharing with you all my favorite restaurants, exclusively found in Cleveland!  To begin this new tasty chapter in my life, I thought I'd begin with a place that caught me very off guard.  Looking back, I cannot believe how much I LOVED it there.

Welcome to Choolah Indian BBQ.  Located off of I-270 on Chagrin Boulevard across for PF Chang's, it is a hidden foodie gem.  This spicy Indian grill is one of kind from its unique dishes to low prices.  If ethnic food isn't always your forte, think again.  Choolah sticks to the traditional, ancient clay cooking methods but is committed to good health and keeping the integrity of Indian cuisine.

So, exactly what is Choolah?  According to their website, in ancient northern Indian, gathering around a community oven called "sanja chulha" to reconnect with family and friends is an essential part of life.  With this belief, Choolah took their fresh take on the experience and created their own hub for this,

Their menu offers an array of items from sandwiches, salads, rice bowls (with your choice of protein) and more!  For my first visit, I got a traditional meal, known as their BBQ meal.  I picked chicken as my meat with Naan bread and Tikka Masala sauce.  The entire plate cost under $10 and was perfectly portioned so I was not too full.

Here are some snapshots of their restaurant from inside, how fun does this look?  I love the modern layout and the colors they use makes the space feel warm and spacious.  Did I also mention they have their own automatic hand washing stations?

For their full menu, click here and those who are craving Choolaah that are NOT in the Cleveland area- do not worry.  They are planning to take their delicious cuisine worldwide soon!

I find it very difficult to be sitting at my desk and staring at a computer screen all day.  During my job, there is a definite lack in social interaction.  Corporate life can be exciting, but also tiring.  The company I work for has a massive campus holding more than 350 employees and it's easy to get lost- whether that be in the crowd or in the many buildings that are here.


Being the only intern in my department, it's a bit harder to become enthralled with the work I'm given.  There's a number of tedious tasks I complete on a day to day basis and mustering the energy to finish it all can become exhausting.

But as I sit as my desk, wondering how I can improve on this- it occurred to me that I could take this common problem to a blog post which is exactly what I'm doing as we speak!

Before we recoup and relax during this extended holiday weekend I wanted to share some of my tips to help you get through a day in the office.  Having more energy can do wonders for you.  It will improve your productivity and overall attitude.  If you ever start to feel drained while working, hopefully these tips can help perk up your day!

Stretch And Go For A Walk
Take advantage of when you have to get up from your desk and go somewhere.  Moving around definitely helps my mind readjust and lessen tension in my arms or neck from sitting.  If you have the opportunity, I recommend even walking outside.  Getting some fresh air and sunshine can make a big difference, and everyone deserves a change of scenery once in a while.

Organize And Decorate Your Desk
I once saw the phrase "tidy desk, tidy mind" somewhere and I could not agree more with it.  Having a work space that's clean and neat will help you focus more on finishing the tasks you need to complete.  Pictures, plants and posters can brighten your area, making it feel less boring and more like a second home.

Listen To Upbeat Music
While some prefer working in silence, I love listening to a fun Spotify playlist to set the vibe for my work environment.  It helps me get into a groove, and the fast paced music makes me more efficient and productive.

Manage Your To-Do List
You can become burnt out if you continue to work on the same task for more than a couple hours.  Instead, it's good to time yourself for certain items on your to-do list and spreading them out during the day.  I always make a list before I begin anything at work.  Having my schedule at a glance, I then prioritize on what projects need to be completed immediately or gradually.  By prioritizing, you'll feel less overwhelmed and more willing to take control of your work, instead letting it control you.

Limit Your Screen Time During Your Break
We all love catching up with friends and family during our breaks, but sometimes it's okay to put the phone down.  From staring at your computer to then staring at your phone, there isn't much of a difference.  Read a book or converse with your co workers instead, this will be a well-deserved break for your eyes.

Snack Throughout The Day
Believe it or not, snacking is actually good for you.  It curbs cravings, limits hunger and you're less likely to overeat during regular meals.  If you find yourself yawning, it could be because you're hungry, not tired.  Trail mix, KIND bars and popcorn are a few energy boosting snacks to name.  Another easy, healthy snack is almonds.  They provide magnesium which allows us to produce more energy.  For the best energy snacks, focus on the products high in protein and fiber.  These will definitely give you that extra kick you need to keep going.

Take Frequent Computer Breaks
It's recommended you take two 10 minute breaks throughout the day in addition to your traditional break.  It's shown that you should take mini breaks when you're working as well.  For every 15 minutes you look at your screen, look away briefly to a distant scene.  This will allow for the muscles of your eyes to relax therefore becoming less strained.  Looking at a screen can become almost hypnotic and doing these simple exercises will ease the pain of that.

Stay Hydrated
It's important to drink up during the summer, but it's even more important to drink consistently during a work day.  By drinking more water it can reduce and prevent dehydration which can lead to fatigue.  Water is the fuel your body needs to be more alert and energized.



Are YOU ready to take back your work day next week?

x.
C