Goodbye Class, Hello Spring Break!

Now that Spring Break is finally here what are you going to do with a whole week off? I mean no early morning math class or after school volleyball practice...just you and one full week to relax. Not sure what to do during your Spring Break? Have plans, but have no means of transportation? Well Brownstone’s here to save the day! *Cue Music! Dun-Duh-Duh!* Here’s a variety of things you can do to make the most out of your Spring Break.

• Visit Family and Friends: Ever have those moments when you’re talking to your long lost cousins, aunts, and uncles and the first thing you say is, “Long time no see?” Well why not go visit them during your time off? It doesn’t hurt to meet up with your family, share memories and have a few laughs. At the end of the day you’ll most likely feel refreshed!


• Revamp the Wardrobe: Give a little and get a little! Clean your closet out. We all have pieces that we just don’t wear anymore. As much as we love them, they just don’t seem to get out your closet. It’s probably best to give it away to someone who may actually need it. Trust me after you have a freer closet you may even see your closet better and be able to think of better outfits! Trust me, it works. After giving to goodwill, look around! Thrift stores tend to have the most classic pieces. You can go to your local Goodwill if you want to simply get them off your hands. My favorite thrift store is Buffalo Exchange! At Buffalo, you have the opportunity to trade, buy, or sell clothes. I love Buffalo so much because, unlike most thrift stores, they sort through what they believe is stylish and what isn’t so hot. This makes life a lot easier when looking through the clothes.


• Read: So we all have those books that we start reading, then we get busy, then the book gets set down, THEN the book gets dusty. Why not pick it up and start off where you left off? Reading is great just because of the places it can take you. You can literally live a life through characters. Most times when you read, lessons can be learned and you may even be encouraged to do something new. If you want to pick a new book up, I would definitely recommend The Storyteller’s Beads by Jane Kurtz.
  
• Go Outside: There is so much to see in the world. It's not to late to start off with your community, city, county, or state. Go to the beach, the mountain, maybe a cavern. Have a picnic! Be a tourist for once. Get a group of friends and go into the wilderness—camping ;)—whatever it is just see nature. If you aren’t so into sleeping with nature, there’s a cool place where you can do pottery called Color Me Mine! Go swimming with friends or even to an amusement park! Try out the new rollercoaster’s at Magic Mountain, or take a trip over to Disneyland! If you think long enough, you’ll realize there is so much to do! Nature is absolutely beautiful; so don’t confine yourself inside these man-made wood, metal, or brick buildings!


• Volunteer: Far too often, individuals are so self-centered that they forget that life is much worse for people in other parts of the world, even in other parts of our cities. Go to a soup kitchen and feed the homeless. You can even visit the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank in order to find out different days when they hold their volunteer events. Go to your nearby nursing home and just spend time with those residents. Often times, they do get lonely. Simply playing bingo could really brighten their day. Maybe even visit your elementary school! Visit your favorite teacher from school and just kick it! Help her with her students and show them that they can be whatever they want to be!
  
  Between the Los Angeles Metro system, parents, siblings, and friends who drive, I’m sure you can find a way to these place without a problem.

Maybe you aren’t able to take an exotic trip to a foreign place and be a real tourist, but that shouldn’t stop you from seeing the beauty of your city! If you take nothing else from this, just remember not to confine yourself in your room watching TV and sleeping for 7 straight days. If you get your girls, sit down, and plan your whole week, you’ll be set for a packed spring break that’s probably a lot cheaper than any trip and a lot more fun since you know your city so well. Spring Break is a break from the stress, a break from school, and time to relax and chill. Make sure you take time out for yourself and do what makes you happy! Happy Spring Break!

--Rebecca Matey
Brownstone Intern

“Attention Wal-Mart Customers: All Black People Leave the Store Now…"

You heard it right! These words came out of a 16-year-old boy’s mouth on March 16that a local Wal-Mart in Washington Township, NJ. He grabbed a courtesy phone, made a racist slur, and was arrested for harassment and bias intimidation before being released to his parents. Needless to say, his remark was the source of a huge uproar in the store. Management hopped on the phone to assure disgruntled customers that "We have updated our intercom system at this store to prevent this from happening again. We again apologize to all of our customers and associates who had to listen to something so offensive." (CBS, 2010) However, it seems as though customers are still holding Wal-Mart management accountable for the racist view announced in their store. Click here to view full article.

What would you do if you were shopping in your favorite superstore and heard these words? I think I would be shocked, angry, annoyed and I too would have a few questions for Wal-Mart management. Unauthorized personnel should never be able to get their hands on a loud speaker to make announcements to customers, let alone offensive and racist announcements. It definitely makes me wonder about the types of employees at Wal-Mart who are hired to operate stores….especially in a bad economy where there are plenty more potential employees who, if hired, would never allow an incident such as this to occur. So thanks Wal-Mart for making a technical fix for a social issue.

I think everybody in their own way would like to blame Wal-Mart for being an enabler to this racist thought, but it must be said…racism is not going anywhere. Yes, shame on Wal-Mart, but the 16-year-old boy only said what thousands still think about black people. Progress is always in work, but I don’t think racism will ever die. It will only become more and more discrete and institutionalized, but it will always exist. Incidents like this one in New Jersey are only reminders to us to never forget the world we are up against.

See what others had to say…


--Kyle Holland
Brownstone Team

Brownstone Women's Spotlight: A Profile of Dr. Kari Williams

My interview with Dr. Kari Williams was refreshing and eye-opening. Have you ever heard the term “it’s a small world?” Well after getting some background information from her, I realized we went to the same college and graduated a year apart! To top that, we even had the same major of Mass Communications. Dr. Kari currently owns two healthy hair care studios in Beverly Hills, Mahogany Hair Revolution and Mahogany Too. Dr. Kari is a doctor of Trichology which is the study hair and scalp disorders. She has a Bachelors in Mass Communications from the University of California, Berkeley, a Masters in Nutrition from the International Institute of Trichology and received her Doctorate from the Elam Center of Psychology.

Martine Rouzan (MR): How long has Mahogany Hair Revolution been open?

Dr. Kari (DK): Mahogany Hair Revolution has been open about 3 years and my second shop, Mahogany Too has been open about 2 years. They are located in the same courtyard. Mahogany Hair Revolution specializes in natural hair services, while Mahogany Too is a more full service salon that can do weaves, straightening, etc.

MR: What inspired you to open?

DK: I've been doing hair my whole life. With my collegiate background, I didn't really see myself working in someone else's salon. It has always been my goal to own my own salon, and when my mom passed away that gave me the push I needed. I love doing hair!

MR: So this must have always been your dream, or did you have different goals when you were growing up?

DK: Because of my academic success, I didn't think doing hair was really a career option for me. I majored in Mass Communications while at UC Berkeley and saw myself focusing more on advertising and marketing as a career. However, in my second year I realized I needed to step out of the box and chase my dream.

MR: What do you enjoy most about your career?

DK: I'm doing what I love and getting paid for it. If I'm at home watching something I like on television, I can come into work, turn it back on and enjoy the program with my clients. All my clients are pleasant and sometimes it feels like I'm hanging out out all day. The hours are long and that makes me tired, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I interact with a lot of great people.

MR: What are your future plans?

DK: I want to be the name people think of when it comes to natural hair care. With my background and the training I offer, I hope to become the leader in natural hair care. Eventually I would like to open shops in other parts of the country and even globally. I am also considering a product line; however I am building great relationships with a lot of vendors. I may use these relationships to partner up on future projects and shows revolving around natural hair care.

MR: What woman inspired you the most?

DK: Definitely my mom. She played a huge influence on where I am today. My mom wore her hair natural my whole life and encouraged me to do the same. She wore her hair in a short natural and then locks. She would always say as Black women we are told we don't have "wash & wear hair," but I do! I went through my phase of wanting my hair straightened, but never put any chemicals in my hair. My mom taught me to appreciate the texture of my hair and by 10th grade I stopped pressing my hair. I got teased at school in the beginning, but after a while people grew to like it and expected natural looks from me. I have been natural since 2000. My mom was really supportive of me opening Mahogany Hair Revolution. While everyone was questioning my decision, her support was a breath of fresh air.

MR: What advice can you give to our Brownstone readers?

DR: I want young girls to understand that hair plays a big role in self esteem. Images we see in the media project standards of beauty, but I encourage them to look first at where you are and discover your own beauty.

MR: What products do you stand by?

DK: The list could go on and on, but some of the products I really like are Carol's Daughter, Curls and Kinky-Curly.

MR: Thank you for your time Dr. Kari!

For more information about Dr. Kari and Mahogany Hair Revolution go to
http://www.mahoganyrevolution.com/.

-- Martine Rouzan
Brownstone Team

Doodling: The Latest Crime to Hit the Streets

Have you ever caught yourself zoning out in class? Your teacher is deep in the middle of a lecture. You see his or her mouth moving, but for some reason the words just aren't making it to your ears. Instead you find the masterpiece you've been doodling on your notebook for the past half hour to be of more importance. Maybe you have the artistic jean and you're drawing the next Picasso or maybe you're writing how much you hate the class you're in over and over again. For whatever reason, you start to doodle on your desk. It's light in pencil, but still clear enough to be seen by others. What would you do if you got caught and were arrested for doodling on school property?

Last month, Alexa Gonzalez (12 years old) was arrested for doodling on her desk at school. Yup, you read that right ARRESTED for DOODLING. I know you're probably thinking when did doodling become a crime? According to CNN.com, Alexa was "frisked and hauled away to a police station" after doodling “I love my friends Abby and Faith” on her desk. She was suspended and a family court judge sentenced her to community service.

A bit extreme? Do you think Alexa deserved to be arrested for doodling on her desk? Did the punishment fit the crime? Let us know what you think!

--Tymika Morrison
Brownstone Team

Put Some SPRING into Your Step

Spring is finally here and with the influx of warmer weather many people look for ways to revitalize their lives. How can you bring some spring into your life? Well, we've found easy ways to punch it up a bit, from your room to your physique. Spring is the reason of renewal and for you, the perfect season to be FAB!

Start with your room, think it could use some extra pizzazz? Why not start with a creative DIY artwork project.

Buds of Joy: Put your own twist on a personal flower arrangement in a vase. Go to your local craft store or discount store and purchase a basic glass vase and ribbon. Cut the ribbon to the length that circles the whole vase and tape or glue down. You can use one piece of ribbon or many, just make sure the colors compliment the flowers. Crystals and rocks can be put in the bottom of the vase before you fill it with water and arrange the flowers as you wish. Once in your room this is sure to be a welcoming sight and reminder of the beauty of spring.

Spring is also the time to start getting your body ready for summer swimsuits. Beginning a workout regimen now can give you an extra energy and get you bikini ready.

The Booty Booster: This is a simple exercise that can be done for 15 minutes a day and will tone and tighten your legs, thighs and keep you bootylicious. Stand with your back against the wall and your arms extended forward so that they are parallel with the ground. Slowly lower yourself keeping your back against the wall and your arms extended until your legs bend as if you are sitting in a chair. Hold this position for 30 seconds. Slowly raise yourself up, again keeping your back against the wall. Repeat for 10-15 minutes.

Now, I shouldn't leave you without a way to bring spring into your cuisine. I love this time of year because of all the wonderful fruit that is available and because I can cook light, fresh meals. Not the heavy stews and chili I cook during the winter. Here's one of my favorite recipes for Cha-Cha Chicken Pesto Pizza, a fresh twist on a classic.

Cha-Cha Chicken Pesto Pizza

• 1/2 cup pesto basil sauce
  
• 1 (12 inch) pre-baked pizza crust


• 2 cups cooked chicken breast strips
  
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
Spread pesto sauce over the pizza crust. Arrange chicken pieces and sprinkle with cheese. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until cheese is melted and lightly browned at the edges.

Spring is a wonderful season to start something new and have a fresh outlook on life. Robin Williams stated it best when he said, "Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's Party!'" So get out there and put some spring in your step and watch what fantastic things follow.

--Amelia Jones
Brownstone Intern

There's An App For That!

Welcome back to the Brownstone 2.0 Tech Corner! How many of you own something by Apple? If you answered yes, then consider yourself one of the privileged. I didn't get my first Apple product (an iPod shuffle) until I was 21 and that was only because it came free with my phone. In the past five years, Apple has managed to create the hottest line of tech products. From the iPod to the iMac, Apple has turned what was once considered geek into chic. But consider yourself extremely lucky, if you're one of the few (especially as a teenager) to own the grand-daddy of all Apple products, the iPhone. The iPhone is the superwoman of all smart phones. It's able to leap tall buildings in a single bound...lol. But no worries if you don't have one because Apple was kind enough to create a trusty sidekick, the iPod Touch, to complement its counterpart. Although, the iPod Touch lacks the phone and camera feature of the iPhone, to me it's still just as great and cheaper, which is an argument that you can make to your parents if you haven't been able to jump on the Apple bandwagon yet ;)

But the coolest thing by far about the iPhone/iPod Touch are the millions of apps available. And those famous commercials weren't lying when they said "There's an app for that!" In fact, there is an app for just about anything that you can think of. Homework, learning a language, shopping...you name it and I bet there's an app for it. Looking for new apps? Check out some of the hottests apps for teens:

Education

1. My Homework (FREE) - This app helps keep track of homework, classes, project and tests. Teens can use this to keep record of their own assignments.

2. STAT Prep ($1.99) - There are a lot of great SAT prep iPhone apps, this one is by Watermelon Express and is pretty cheap.

3. FREE Spanish Tutor - Is your Spanish no bueno? Get this app to help study and turn that C into an A!

Fun

1. Slidz Playlist Pro ($1.99) - This app allows users to create slideshows with photos, music and swirling visualizations. When you are listening to music on your iPhone, you will now be able to watch a slideshow that you created. You can easily import pictures from Flickr and your Facebook account.

2. TeenPROM ($.99) - With prom just around the corner this app is a must have! You can view the latest prom dresses and hairstyles to find the perfect look for the big night.

3. Facebook (FREE) - Hooked on Facebook? Get the app to update your friends on everything while you're on the go.

Games

1. MASHiT ($.99) - Created for and by teen/tween girls. Inspired by the popular fortune-telling M.A.S.H. game, it includes 25 entertaining and colorful "girly" games. This simple to use app is funny and imaginative and great for groups of girls to play together.

2. Truth or Dare (FREE) - Everyone loves a good game of truth or dare. Check this app and play with your friends after school.

3. TapTapRevenge 3 ($1.99) - If you're a fan of Guitar Hero, then you'll enjoy TapTapRevenge! This game gets players to tap their fingers to the beat of their favorite songs from KE$HA and the Black Eyed Peas.

Find more apps, click here. Tell us what your favorite app is!

--Tymika Morrison
Brownstone Team

Accepted or Rejected

The process of getting into college can be an exciting, draining, and emotional roller coaster. I think the most challenging part of it all is that in the end, you don’t have control over the final decision. You can present the best grades, the most competitive test scores, the most compelling personal statement and still not get into your top pick college or university. Or, one day you might come home and see the "big envelope" that tells you your best wasn't enough. Either way, its important to remain confident and keep your options open.

I am very please to inform you of your acceptance into XXX as a freshman for Fall 2010…"

Congratulations!!! Throw yourself a party, call all your friends and relatives because you should be proud of yourself for getting into college, especially if you are the first in your family to go. This is the time to celebrate because soon enough you’ll be pulling all nighters, working on campus and competing with the best of the best. The best thing you can do for yourself is to get prepared for one of the most transitional points in your life. There’s a lot to think about: dorm life, being away from your family, finding support and resources, maintaining a good academic standing, gaining weight….there’s a lot. So do what you can ahead of time.

Don’t stop after the first sentence of the acceptance letter. Remember to:

- Look for important deadlines
- Discuss financial options with your family
- Visit the campus and meet new people

"I regret to inform you that we are unable to off you admission into XXX as a freshman for Fall 2010. We had many qualified applicants this year…"

If you see these words, brace yourself because your plan B just might have to become your plan A after all. The worst thing you could do in this situation is beat yourself up over something you had little control over. This is the time when you need to be confident in your skills and trust that although the school you wanted to attend just rejected you, you’re still smart, unique and a perfect fit for somebody’s school…even if you don’t know what that school is yet.

To me, getting rejected from college is a test to see whether or not you’ll accept the rejection and move on, or if you’ll really fight to get in. Yup, that’s right, you can argue the schools decision to deny you acceptance. Every school has a formal appeals process for this, so take advantage if you are certain that they’ve made a mistake. This may not be the most common thing to do, but judging by the first sentence in that rejection letter, you have nothing to lose. I know several people, including myself, who appealed, got accepted, and who are now college graduates of great universities.

What’s special about getting accepted into or rejected from your first choice college is that once you make your transition, you’ll be in the position to help others who will experience the same exciting, draining and emotional roller coaster.

-- Kyle Holland
Brownstone Team

Chocolate: The Beautiful Flavors of Brown Skin!

Oh how I love chocolate! Have you even gotten a box of chocolates for Valentine's Day or just because and noticed that each individual chocolate can be a different shade of brown? You may even notice that no two pieces of chocolate are alike! Each and everyone are a different size, shape and color. As you begin to explore and devour each yummy piece of candy, you notice that they not only look different but they taste different too. You want to stop...you really, really do, but you can't because each piece has its own unique flavor and is just as good as the last one. Some of you may think that I am solely talking about chocolate, but what I am really talking about are the different shades, tones and hues of beautiful black women and girls. I am basically speaking about YOU!

Like many African American families, my family comes in many different shades of brown. My mom is what some may call butterscotch and my baby sister is more of a rich ebony. As long as I can remember my parents reinforced the fact that all shades of black were beautiful and that I was a pretty chocolate girl. As a matter of fact, all of my barbies were of color. I had Asian, Latina, Pacific Islander and tons of African American barbies. For the most part I loved and truly embraced my skin and no one could get me to think any different. This statement is still true today.

Now I'm not going to front. At times I would let outside influences such as the media or mean kids at school get into my head, but I never let it get the best of me. With the help of my parents, I realized that my color comes from a mixture of things, just like the chocolates in a box of candy. Each individual piece is different because one may have more cream while the other may have more cocoa or caramel. These individual ingredients go into each piece of chocolate to make them special and unique in their own way. My beautiful dark skin is basically a melting pot of everything and everyone that ultimately led to the makings of me.

African Americans have a rich and deep history in America. It is because of this history we all come in so many tones and shades. Some of us have red undertones, while some may have more golden or purple undertones. When you stand in a room full of black people, you notice that each and everyone of us has a unique shade and that it in itself is beautiful. Regardless of what you may hear or what you may see on TV, you must always remember and truly understand that black is simply beautiful.

As mentioned above, darker skin is unique and beautiful but it also has its benefits. African Americans ten to have a high concentration of melanin in their skin in comparison to other races. Melanin is a skin pigment or substance that gives the skin its color. Melanin often acts as a barrier or "sunscreen" and protects the skin from ultraviolet light, basically the sun. Now don't get it twisted! Just because we have higher concentrations of melanin in our skin does not mean that we don't need sunscreen...WE DO! SPF 30 is suggested and if you can get in your daily facial moisturizer that's even better! Another great benefit of melanin is that it tends to make our skin age slower.

As a brown skin girl, I know that we have our good and bad days. Some may look at Rihanna and wish they had her caramel macchiato skin. Others may look at Kelly Rowland and want to stay outside all day in efforts to get her mocha brown tone. Just remember that you are unique and beautiful just the way you are. True beauty comes from within and most importantly remember that brown skin girls are like a box of chocolates...you never know what you're gonna get!

P.S. Here are some of my favorite songs that celebrate the brown skin girls!

1. Chris Brown featuring Sean Paul "Brown Skin Girl"

2. Black Star (Talib Kweli and Mos Def) "Brown Skin Lady"

3. Les Nubians "Makeda"

--Aleceia Kidd
Guest Blogger

Breathe In, Breathe Out: Exercise to Get Your Mind Right

So it’s March, the weather is warming up and swimsuit season is right around the corner. Unfortunately for most, including myself, that New Year’s resolution to stay in the gym three times a week, remains unmet. What some fail to realize, however, is that physical health is not only for the body, but positively affects mental health as well. It’s well known that with exercise, the body produces endorphins that act as a natural drug for the body. This is the reason why you get an energy burst and you feel a lot happier after working out. And with all of the mental stress and craziness that’s a part of our everyday lives, getting adequate exercise is even more important.

Many celebrities are known for endorsing particular exercise fads, and the fact that they can afford the best personal trainers makes their body proportions seem even more unrealistically attainable. Even pregnant celebrities have special ‘mommy’ workouts that promise to keep their bodies trim during those 9 months of excused weight gain. It just doesn’t seem fair that even with all of the work and stress the average person (you and me) endures, it’s almost impossible to get the body we want.

All of this can change however, if you take a new perspective on exercise and physical health. Instead of focusing on how many crunches will get you a 6 pack, instead center your energy on achieving a level of physical activity that will allow your mind to relax, and therefore function the most efficiently. One of the most common ways to achieve mental clarity is through yoga and meditation. Russell Simmons - clothing designer (Phat Farm), co-founder of Def Jam Records, Editor-in-Chief of GlobalGrind.com - is a perfect example of someone who does it all, but remains spiritually centered and mentally controlled. He is a passionate advocate of Transcendental Meditation and yoga, constantly preaching of its healing qualities for the inner self. In a recent blog post on GlobalGrind.com, Simmons explains the beneficial qualities of Transcendental Meditation for achieving mental health. “…When students practice Transcendental Meditation, their whole brain functions in a far more “coherent” manner. That means the left and right sides (hemispheres) of the brain, and the front and back of the brain, which are often disconnected, communicate much better during TM practice. In the technical language of the researchers, there were also higher “alpha” brain waves (which means greater inner wakefulness), along with smaller “beta” and “gamma” waves (which means deeper inner relaxation),” (GlobalGrind.com). The rest of the article comments on learning practices in the classroom, and how the focus should be on educating students about how to learn better rather than encouraging mindless memorization.

In another Global Grind post entitled “Why I Meditate,” Simmons claims “I have been a mediator for about 12 years. It has given me energy, strength, health, wisdom, and access to my own inner stillness, inner silence, inner bliss. It is my connection to myself; it is my connection to the universe.” What we can take and apply to our personal lives from Simmons’ experiences with meditation is that all we need to do is take a few moments to breathe. We need to use our bodies to physically engage in total relaxation and the result will be peace of mind. In these especially stressful times, where it seems to take double the work to achieve half as much, keep in mind that you DO have control over your mental health. There may be times when you don’t feel like going to the gym or taking a 20-minute jog because you’re stressed about everything else in the world you have to do. Understand however, that it’s during this time when you are the most stressed and your mind can’t focus that you need the physical stimulation. Taking care your physical body is taking care of your mind.

--Brittany Allen
Brownstone Intern

Dieting Deliciously

Ever hear the phrase, “You gotta eat healthy,” or “Girl, you need to watch what you eat?” Some people may even tell you straight up, “You need to go on a diet!" Funny how these same people, who think they’re trying to help you, fail to feed you with words that actually help. From a person like me who LOVES food, trust me when I say, it’s more helpful to know how to lose weight or how to monitor your food intake. Many people think that the trick to weight management is to completely remove your favorite fast food meals from your diet. While this may be true to a certain extent, I would say that the real trick is learning how to enjoy healthy versions of your favorite junk food meals.

Breakfast

Krispy Kreme, McDonald’s, cafeteria coffee cake…and the list goes on. I’ve had it all and I can’t lie, donuts and sausage biscuits are good. But the feeling isn’t worth it when your health is at stake and your skinny jeans won’t zip up. We’ve all been there! So here is a healthy breakfast alternative that are tasty, satisfying and keep you looking and feeling good, good, good.


Apple Sauce Sour Cream Cake

These are super easy to make and are much better for you than regular coffee cake. The recipe includes apple sauce, rather than oil, to keep the cake moist and yummy. This is one of my favorite Weight Watchers recipes.

Lunch

Its lunchtime and your stomach needs a grease fix. Half your friends decide on pizza and the other half go to the vending machines. All you know is you shouldn’t have either. I agree, it sucks to be in this position. But, look at the bright side. At least you get to eat something different. Why crave the same pizza that's been there and will be there until you graduate? You can spare a slice.

How about a salad? I know it sounds gross compared to what you really want, but come on…even McDonald’s has salads. The cool thing about salads is that you can load them with a lot of healthy surprises. Start off with a bed of lettuce and add black beans (which are a great source of fiber), tomatoes, corn, bell pepper and your favorite light salad dressing. Then go ahead and add a serving size of chicken, ground turkey, or any lean meat of your choice, and you’re good to go. Soon enough, those pizza cravings will turn into these yummy salad cravings. And watch, you’ll be surprised at how long this meal keeps you satisfied. So you can forget about stopping by the vending machine before you hop on the bus to go home.

Dinner

Here’s the fun thing about learning to monitor your food. Instead of eating fast food for breakfast and giving in to that tempting pizza, you get to indulge a bit. It's dinner time and you wanna feel nice and full before you start the television festivities. A burger and fries sounds like it’ll do the trick, but only if you make it the right way. Take it layer by layer.

Instead of a regular hamburger bun, find a whole grain or whole wheat bun. Then instead of using a ground beef patty, opt for ground turkey. Everybody knows turkey meat requires a bit more seasoning so be prepared and get your favorite spices together. If you like mayonnaise, get acquainted with Smart Balance mayonnaise substitute. It tastes like regular mayo, but it doesn’t have all the fat. Now that you’ve got the burger basics down, add lettuce, tomatoes, ketchup, avocado, pickles, etc. Just by finding alternates for the bread meat and mayo, you’re able to enjoy a great turkey burger without all the fat. See more healthy burger recipes.

Every burger needs fries…and yours does too! Of course there’s a trick for this junk food favorite. Ever heard of sweet potatoes fries? They’re really good and probably the best substitute, especially if French fries are your weak spot. Enjoy Ellie Krieger’s sweet potato fries recipe.

See how making choices can pay off. You can still have your favorite foods, just with a new twist. Experiment, get in the kitchen and start making a difference with how you look and feel.

Bon appétit!

Kyle Holland
Brownstone Team

Bring the Party Home: Tips for Planning Your Own Themed Dinner Party

Ever just dress up and have absolutely nowhere to go? Or have one of those boring nights when you have so much energy but nowhere to release it? Instead of going to a party, bring the party to you! With Mardi Gras just passing, why not have a Mardi Gras dinner party? You could make dinner with some of your bestest friends. Maybe even make it coed and invite a few guys over (including the one you’ve had your eye on lately). At first, this may sound super expensive, but you could make this a nice healthy dinner for a lot less than you think! Give yourself a budget and then get the creative ideas flowing to make it look like a million bucks!

Setting the Table
With Mardi Gras colors being green, purple and gold, you could buy a few beads and masks to decorate the table and even buy plates, cups, and cutlery to create the color scheme. If you wanted to get fancy, you could even make place cards for each guest, conveniently arranging who sits where at the dinner table *wink wink.*

Create the Menu

As we know, obesity is a major issue in America, so be careful that you choose food that is healthy yet tasty and can be eaten by all of your guests. Some of them may be vegetarian while others may be complete meat lovers. With that said lets try and aim to have a healthy but hearty dinner to cater to all your guests!

• Punch: Make a fruit punch with your favorite fruits. If you like, add ginger ale to give it that extra kick.


• Appetizer: Fruits & veggies are always nice. You could even pick ones that go with the color scheme. Make sure they are cut them in small enough portions that can feed the room. You can also try Creole chicken skewers! Its not as hard as it sounds, we promise. All you need are chicken tenders and Creole seasoning! Thaw the chicken, insert the skewers, season the chicken, and bake ‘em!


• Main Course: This is where you can get creative! If you don’t know how to cook Cajun food, you can cook your own main course, as long as its tasty. Or you can look up a ton of recipes and pick the one that sounds most appetizing or easiest. The best thing you should probably do is try to make the meal once before the party so you get a feel of what you’re doing. *Hint: If your family won’t eat it, neither will your friends!


• Dessert: You could go many directions with this. Since this is a party and not just a dinner, you could bake cookies and have your guest decorate them. All you need is white icing and colored icing for the faces. Make this a competition and the person with the best cookie-mask gets a price (maybe more beads).

Remember, this was a party thrown for you and your friends to have fun so be sure to Have Fun! Don’t become the sergeant at arms and command everyone to do things. Plans change very fast so be sure to have a back up plan, so don't get upset if your friends aren’t in the mood to decorate the cookies. Let them eat and break out some Taboo or Monopoly instead. The main goal is to make sure your guests have a fabulous time!

Here are a list of popular foods eaten at Mardi Gras and a few sites to get topnotch recipes!

• Gumbo


• Jambalaya
  
• Crawfish Etouffee
  
• Yam Biscuits


• Mardi Gras King Cake


• Beignets

Sites:

• Mardi Gras Official Website


• Creole Recipes


• Cajun Recipes


• Mardi Gras Recipes
  

--Rebecca Matey
Brownstone Intern

Change You Can Believe

Change begins with you, from your first thoughts in your waking hours, to how you interact with others each day. Maybe you’ve been having trouble getting your assignments finished in a timely manner, or perhaps you need to find a way to get more productivity out of your day-to-day activities. First, know that you can’t begin to succeed at life until you begin the process of self-empowerment. We’ve included some ideas for steps you can take to realize a more triumphant you.

Positive thinking is the first step. Remember that you are your #1 shareholder and positive energy begins with what you initially put out. Have you ever thought about saying mantras as you brush your teeth in the morning? It helps! Start telling yourself tips to help get you through your day, for instance, if you’re a procrastinator, tell yourself, “ Hey, I’m going to accomplish everything on my to-do list today.” Positive self talk, as many call it, is essential for empowerment. If this technique doesn’t work for you, how about finding some inspirational quotes and writing them in a folder to remind yourself during the day.

One such quote is, “Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me" - Carol Burnett. I have this written in my planner to challenge myself and to empower myself.

Next on your roadmap to empowerment is goal setting. It is important to keep a log of your short-term goals, as well as, your long-term goals to help you stay focused. Your day-to-day actions will have more purpose when they directly relate to a goal. Mindtools.com has great planning worksheets to help you set you goals down on paper, they also have time management tips to help get you on track in that department as well. Also, it is important to allow yourself some flexibility. These goals are not meant to be set in stone but rather to serve as guides.

The final step is to praise yourself for a job well done. Oftentimes we go through rough patches when we feel underappreciated or when we’ve spread ourselves too thinly. However, it is important to offer praise and to reward yourself when you have reached and achieved a goal. Praise will help to reinforce that you are on the right path and that success is around the corner.

Empowerment is not an easy task, and certainly not something that happens overnight. It takes practice, commitment and drive to really push yourself to achieve. Use these steps and watch how self-empowerment can affect change and work for you.

--Amelia Jones
Brownstone Intern

The Civil Rights Movement isn’t Over – Even After 40 Years

On the morning of February 24, 2010, my roommates and I piled into a car at 8 a.m. and made our way down to San Diego. Our final destination was the University of California, San Diego and our mission was to rally with their students in support of their outrage surrounding a recent party.

A couple of weeks before, one of the fraternities at UCSD decided to throw a party to celebrate Black History Month. These particular students had a specific manner in which they chose to celebrate. Unfortunately for the Black community, and eventually the entire student body at large, the members of the fraternity ‘celebrated’ by hosting the “Compton Cookout.” Most people may have not heard of this event, mainly because of its focused press coverage in Southern California, but it has produced adverse effects on the national reputation of UCSD. At the Compton Cookout, which was held off-campus, guests were encouraged to maintain a “black attitude,” which was in fact, characterized by most of the negative stereotypes attributed to the Black community, including, but not limited to: eating watermelon, drinking 40’s and ‘dat purple drank’, Kool-Aid, talking loudly, wearing jerseys and chains, having bad weaves and short, nappy hair, etc.

In particular, the party’s depiction of a Black female is what I found the most offensive. Female attendees were encouraged to embody the ‘ghetto chick,’ gold teeth, cheap weaves, Baby Phat clothing and all. It’s amazing to me how in 2010, after having a Black president and First Lady who have been nothing but an utmost respectable representation of the Black community, that we still have this kind of ignorance in such a ‘diverse’ place as San Diego. “What’s even more offensive is that some people still don’t see a problem with what happened,” says Avia Wilkerson, a Neuroscience major from USC.

In response to the fraternity’s actions, University officials initially claimed that it would not take action, as it was “a learning experience” for the niversity, according to a KTLA news report (KTLA.com). After infuriated students banded together in solidarity against the lack of response, the University was forced to take action, in which case, it then scheduled a “teach-in.” The teach-in was meant to educate the campus community on the importance of diversity, in an effort to provide contextual reasoning for why an event like the Compton Cookout is distasteful and blatantly disrespectful.

My friends and I were making the 2-hour drive to support these students, and rally with them against what seemed like an administration that never had their best interest at heart. UCSD’s African American population is only 1.3% of their entire population, and it was this, students argued, that perpetuated the ignorant mentalities of the predominantly White community at large. One student claimed that the environment at UCSD was very hostile, and deciding to attend the university was the biggest mistake of his life.

“This inconceivably blatant mockery of an entire community who has fought so hard to gain freedom and equality in this country breaks my heart,” sympathizes Gabrielle Lopez, a USC sophomore. This event is definitely not an isolated one, and the fact that students have felt so discouraged for so long without any action from the administration emphasizes the importance of intracampus communication.

If nothing else, the UCSD Rally was inspiring and would have made our original Civil Rights heroes proud of the legacy they have left behind. Marching around campus chanting “Real Pain, Real Action”, and walking out of the administration-organized teach-in gave me a strong sense of unity and power with the UCSD students. It also reminded me that as a student, I have the ability, but more importantly, the responsibility to create change within my campus community. If the administration fails to satisfy the students in their lack of diversity, we must speak up and be the change we wish to see.

A closed mouth never gets fed.

All in all, I learned so many lessons that afternoon at UCSD – the most important one being fight for what you believe in because if you don’t, no one will. Ignorance should never be tolerated and it’s every individual’s responsibility to promote cultural intelligence.

To get more information about the Compton Cookout and see the actual Facebook event page, please visit "http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-compton-cookout,0,2673438.story" to view the KTLA News report.

--Brittany Allen

Brownstone Intern