Snacking Healthier with Four925

Last week, on the day of the snowstorm, I just could not shake the craving of something salty. Thankfully by the late afternoon the snow stopped blowing and I decided to go to my last class of the day. On the way home I stopped at my favourite convenience store which caters to the student demographic, carrying more organic, fair trade and healthy options for snacks as well as groceries. After getting my maple bacon Kettle Chips (not the healthiest choice) home, I devoured them while watching Downton Abbey and proceeded to feel disgustingly boated, all night long. Usually when I go grocery shopping I will buy a chocolate bar and for my daily snack, break off one row and have that. It sometimes works when I'm at school all day or running around being busy, but when I'm at home sat in front my laptop, I neeeeed something to keep my hands busy. I realized that night that I wanted to change how I snacked.

Skate Canada Nationals 2015

One of my new year's resolutions was to spend more time watching figure skating. While I complained and complained about CBC's coverage, what better way to make sure I don't miss any of the action by going to one of events myself. The first time I ever visited Kingston, Skate Canada International, a Grand Prix event, was being held and I got to see one of favourite skaters Javier Fernandez live (this is of course prior to him being a regular medalist). This year Kingston was hosting Canadian Nationals and I thought what a better way to end my time in Kingston by going to see it.

Present You vs. Future You

It may surprise you to know that I didn't need to style this photo. In fact everything cluttering my desk is only for one course. I'm not even a messy person but sometimes the work piles up a little to high. This pile also lead to a revelation this weekend that I need to really consider what makes me happy in the short term and what makes me happy in the long run.

New Year, New Me

(photo from stylecaster)

Warning: this post contains the biggest blogger new years cliche. I'm not the type of person to make new years resolutions because they just don't always work. I'm sure each of us has tons of reasons from they're hard to come up with, hard t follow through, hard to start etc. For those of you making them (or any goals) I wanted to recommend an app I used to use and wanted to get back into called Everest, but it no longer exists according to their website. Essentially it breaks down your goals into things that you can do on a monthly, weekly, daily basis to reach your goals. E.g. if you want to be tidier a daily goal could be to wipe down the kitchen counters or make your bed and a weekly goal could be to vacuum or clean the bathroom. The app then lets you check off the things you've completed. I'm sure there are other apps out there and this wouldn't even be difficult to replicate using an agenda.

This year is incridibly important to me as it marks the end of my institutional education and the beginning of the the rest of my life: learning from experience and learning as a professional. Here are my goals for 2015 and what I hope to continue and change going into the new year.

Exam Trilogy #2: How To "Shut Down" At Night

The second post in my Exam Trilogy is about "shutting down" at night. One of the most difficult things about exams is trying to get some R&R. Sometimes I lie in bed all night imaging the next day and organizing my thoughts and then when my alarm goes off at seven, I haven't had enough sleep to get up and accomplish my mental list. Getting a good night's sleep is important for brain-functioning and being able to relax is important for your mental health when you spend all your waking hours worrying about making dean's list. And if you're one of those people who prefer all-nighters you might want to read this.