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The New Year’s Resolutions You Won’t Keep

It is that time of the year again. A time of new beginnings, new memories, new laughs, and, most importantly, new resolutions. With each new year comes a new set of promises we Hoyas make to ourselves to make this coming year even better than the last. The thing is, however, we know we probably will not keep them. Here are some New Year’s resolutions you probably made to yourself that you know won’t make it to 2018.

I am going to eat healthy and go to Yates every day.

You get home for Christmas break and weigh yourself for the first time since August. You subsequently endure the 5 Stages of Grief. You promise yourself to live a ~healthy lifestyle~ in the spring semester. Three weeks into January you find yourself sitting in front of a plate of chicken fingers on a Thursday with no recollection of the last time you made it to the gym but also with no ragrets.

“Ohana means family, and family means nobody gets left behind.”

I will not drink Natty Lite or Burnett’s. 

After spending some time at home and drinking some classy wine and craft beer with your family (if you are 21 of course) you decide you are just too good for Natty and Burnett’s. I mean, what are you, a peasant? But, when you return to the Hilltop and take a look at the balance in your bank account you remember that you are indeed a peasant and quickly return to everyone’s drink of choice–whatever is cheapest.

I will do the readings for all my classes.

You coasted through the fall semester without doing the majority of the readings for the majority of your classes convinced you were gonna ace the class only to find a not so pleasant surprise on your final grade report. You think, “I probably should have done all those readings,” and you promise yourself this semester will be different. That is until you have to read 300 pages for tomorrow and its 11 pm all you have accomplished is taking one buzzed quick to find out what character from The Office you are based on your zodiac sign.

I am going to spend less money. 

Last semester you spent a little more than you should have, but this semester that is going to change. Who needs to eat out when you have Leo’s? Who needs to Uber when you can walk? Who needs Corona when you can have Natty? Oh wait…you do.

In all honesty, 4E wishes you all the best with your New Year’s resolutions. Lord knows we all need it.

Photos/gifs: giphy.com

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Cups for Campus!

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Recently, a new Facebook page has been circulating around Georgetown student’s social media profiles.

Cups for Campus is a new organization founded on campus this semester that is already taking the campus by storm.

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The mission? Cups for Campus is trying to promote healthy campus lifestyles by preventing the spread of communicable diseases through disposable cups! This will be done by providing disposable cups to Georgetown students free of charge through Health Education Services.

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As college students, we are prone to using “red solo cups” on the regular, but we never really think about the consequences of these common school-wide items. By taking this into account and making sure to not share our glasses, we can help Georgetown be less vulnerable to a variety of diseases. And this is all free, what a win!

The “grand opening” of this service will be on March 20, AKA the Friday after Spring Break. In their words, just in time for a belated St. Patty’s party or post-Spring Break soiree!

If you want to learn more or maybe get involved, email [email protected] Also, follow them on Twitter!

Let’s raise a glass cup to that!

Photos/Gifs: facebook.com; https://drinkingmadeeasy.com/

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Come to Georgetown NOW!

Convince Your Friends“Ahhh you have to come to Georgetown!” – all Georgetown students to all admitted high school students, ever.

But what should you say next to convince this wide-eyed senior that coming here will literally be the best decision of his/her life? As admissions season rolls around, here are some pointers to get your younger friends to spend their next four years on the Hilltop:

summer-fitness-schedule1. You’ll stay healthy here Afraid of gaining the freshman 15? Worried your parents won’t recognize the balloon you’ve become when they see you on Thanksgiving? Never fear, Georgetown is here! Rated one of the healthiest campuses in the U.S., we have enough variety at Leo’s to keep you satisfied (at least until after the transfer deadline), including vegan and gluten free options. Wondering where all your friends ran off to at 4pm on Friday? Try the row of treadmills at Yates. The amount of peer pressure I’ve felt to exercise alone has somehow moved my normally completely sedentary body into semi-motion.

2. You’ll have a great basketball team to root for If you like basketball, this gives you bragging rights with all your friends. If you don’t, you do now. Hoya Saxa! Take them to a basketball game or show them pictures!

3. You’ll learn pretty much everything Georgetown has a pretty extensive core curriculum, which tends to scare students off. But think about the dinner conversations you will be prepared for after studying philosophy, history, theology and math/science (though this is optional for you SFS-ers). EBW-CroppedAs a future diplomat/banker/business-person/other standard post-Georgetown career, you will dazzle other important people with your ability to converse intelligently about … pretty much everything. Tell them all about that amazing gen ed class you took or bring them along to your intensive Arabic recitation.

4. You’ll do cool things with your free time So it may or may not impress you that Georgetown has over 200 clubs and student organizations. What should impress you is the way these clubs and student organizations manifest themselves as part of your life at school. It isn’t just that you play frisbee, or work for The Hoya or participate in debate. It’s that these things are as much a part of your life as school, friends and family are. These people become your family and these activities become places of fun, learning, and relaxation. How you ask? This is the magic of Georgetown. Take them to the waterfront, on the metro, to the Eastern Market or to some great speaker.

Photos: Georgetown University, Sports Illustrated, Georgetown Law, Wikipedia

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Go Loco for Local: A Guide to the GU Farmers’ Market

When people think of Wednesdays, they usually think “hump day” or new episodes of their favorite show (Modern Family Wednesdays?) Personally, I think about fresh fruit, Indian food and “people watching” (read as: stalking). One of the best parts about Georgetown in the fall is the weekly farmers market. However, there are some Hoyas that don’t venture to this amazing institution. Maybe they’re scared or maybe they’re just hiding in their Lau 4 cubicles – been there, done that. Do not worry, it is okay, you have time to change your ways! For those willing to give it a try here are my tips to make the most of your farmers market experience:

Perfect Produce The GU Farmers Market offers a bunch of options when it comes to buying produce, but Ashton Farms is my favorite option. They accept credit cards, which is always a plus since no one ever has cash, and they also have a wide variety of fresh West Virginia grown fruits. The workers are also some of the nicest people I have met, be sure to befriend them and get the inside scoop on which apples are the best! Haven’t gotten your paycheck yet? Spent all your money on coffee and bagels? No worries, they offer free samples outside of their stand!

Lunch-tastic The market offers food that is not Leo’s, so take advantage of it! It might be a little pricey (depending on what you get) but trust me it is worth it. One of my favorite lunch places is Indigo Indian. Last year I waited in 40 degree weather for one of their famous indirolls! They make fresh Indian food that is easy to eat on the go or in class! However, make sure you get there at a time when everyone is not trying to get lunch … unless you like lines and waiting, because who am I to stop you.

Bring the money Many of the popular stations do accept major credit cards, but some don’t! Don’t waste your trip just because you aren’t prepared. Also, if you have cash with you it will prevent you from buying everything in sight. Your wallet and future purchases will thank you.

Grab and Go A large majority of the goods at the farmers market are not usable right away, therefore sometimes you need to think ahead. Plan out those weekend dinners and snacks before you go, you will thank me later when you are enjoying your pastries and perfectly ripened fruit.

Fun in the Healy Sun There is a reason why the farmers market takes place during the best times of the year: spring and fall! Instead of running inside with your goodies post-shopping spree, hang out on the lawn. Enjoy the sunshine and do some people watching (this is one of the best places for it). All Georgetown students deserve a break every once and awhile, enjoy it!

I’ll see you at the market, I’ll be the one with the bags on bags on bags. I’m usually pretty strong-willed, but farmers markets are my weakness.

The Georgetown University Farmers Market takes place every Wednesday from 12-5pm on Copley Lawn (you can’t miss it!)

Photo: Georgetown University Farmers Market

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How to Beat the Flu (Before it Happens)

Sneeze PicIt’s that time again, Hoyas: BeWell Week. So if your life is anywhere near as ironic as mine tends to be, you’re either deathly ill or you’re about to become so in the coming days. And, chances are, you’re about to get hit with that bizarre throatache-turned-flu that’s been hitting campus harder than these gymnasts hit the mat.

While 4E has given you tips and tricks before for beating illnesses, we’ve never really told you how to prevent them. So, before you catch the strange bug that’s going around, follow some of these pointers to keep yourself in tip top shape:

1. Don’t touch the railings I know, the Hilltop is covered in stairs. And I know, that means the Hilltop is covered in railings, too. But I beg you, please do not touch them. Handrails are homes to all sorts of viruses, bacteria and germs (E. coli and mucus are quite common… Yuck!) Just work your legs a bit harder than usual and don’t grab those railings.

2. Carry wet-wipes and/or a container of Purell This goes along with good ol’ #1 (see above). If you aren’t going to touch anything, then it might get a wee bit difficult opening doors, walking up stairs and going to the ATM. A little bit of sanitizer can go a long way, people.

3. Beat your illness before it starts I made a quick trip to Vittles today to give you the scoop on preventative medication.

One-A-Day Vitamins: $11.19 for a mega bottle.
Airborne immune booster: $9.29.
Emergen-C immune pack: $8.25.
Not getting devastatingly ill while the rest of Georgetown does: not priceless, but pretty darn close.

4. Eat well Neither The Hoya nor The Fourth Edition advocate stealing an orange or two from Leo’s, but I personally do, especially if it means beating the common college cold. Stick to those fruits and veggies; they naturally pack a punch to any of those pesky viruses that are circulating. Also, get some electrolytes in your system and use a healthy diet to keep your immune system in peak condition.

5. Get some (more) sleep I’m not trying to make a joke. Really. Though it’s really difficult to find any time to sleep while trying to balance the million and five things you’re juggling as a Hoya, getting 8-9 hours will save you a lot of grief in the future. Do it now, or you’re going to be doing it in a few days… just with a 102-degree fever.

Now, get Purell-ling, stop touching, start sleeping and prevent those illnesses, Hoyas!

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Too Fit To Quit

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Did you work out today? Eat healthy? Drink lots of water? Get proper sleep? Believe it or not, Hoyas, the answer is probably yes. That is, if you’re in the D.C.-Metro Area.

According to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), Washington, D.C. ranks second on their Annual Fitness Index (AFI) of the 50 top U.S. metropolitan areas.

The index measures levels of chronic disease, preventative health behaviors, health care access, community resources and policies that encourage active, healthy lifestyles. This year, D.C. was awarded 77.7 out of 100 possible points on the AFI rankings. First place went to the Minneapolis-St.Paul metropolitan area, who scored a 78.2 overall.

The ACSM data showing D.C.’s health-concious lifestyle is nothing new. This is the second year in a row that D.C. has come in second place overall on the AFI. (Last year, D.C. scored a 75.8 – once again inched out by Minneapolis-St. Paul, which scored a 76.4.)

According to an ACSM press release regarding this year’s Index:

Washington ranked first on personal health indicators related to health behaviors, chronic health conditions and health care access. The area ranked third on community/environmental indicators associated to the built environment, recreational facilities, park-related expenditures, physical education requirements and primary health care providers.

The ACSM aims to improve urban quality of life across the U.S. through initiatives like the annual AFI. For this year’s survey, the group worked alongside the Indiana University School of Family Medicine and a panel of 26 health and physical activity experts to compile data from numerous sources, including the U.S. Center for Disease Control, the U.S. Census and Prevention’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

For more information about Washington’s health statistics, this year’s AFI and more, check out this page.

And until next year, stay healthy, Hoyas.

Photo: Sari Frankel/The Hoya

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Leo’s Gourmet: Healthy Breakfast

by Martin Hussey

College students tend to make some unhealthy decisions. At this stage in our life we can absorb most of these poor dietary choices. Had too much to drink last night? Your metabolism can handle it so quickly that you only feel the effects for a few hours. Chicken Finger Thursday? No big deal for these 18-23 year-old digestive systems. Missed Yates for a couple of weeks? Odds are you haven’t put on any noticeable weight. As young people, we can usually get away with unhealthy choices. But, sooner or later, our poor health decisions will catch up to us.

But the unhealthy effects of a poor breakfast — or the lack of a breakfast — can negatively impact your health (and your day). And with the wonderful selection of sugary cereals, greasy meats and starchy bagels at Leo’s it can be difficult to make yourself a healthy and nutritious breakfast. Luckily, we’ve got you covered for the ideal balanced breakfast to get you started on your day, while still fitting into your meal plan.

Step 1: Yogurt parfait Grab some yogurt — no more than a couple of spoonfulls (Leo’s yogurt is more fattening than the more trendy Chobani variety). Head over to the cereal station and add in some Raisin Bran, Special K with Red Berries, Heart-to-Heart, or Chex (Avoid the sweeter cereals, and instead sweeten with honey.) Top off with slices of melon or banana.

Step 2: Breakfast sandwich Get an egg white at the omelet station. Grab one slice of wheat bread and toast it. Sparingly add hot sauce to the top.

Step 3: Fruit Grab a grapefruit half – resist the urge to add sugar!

Step 4: Wake-up beverage As a caffeine-free guy, I don’t necessarily understand the urge to wake up with a piping hot cup of coffee. But for those of you who need the jolt of piping hot caffeine, avoid adding too much sugar or creamer. If anything, keep the coffee additive to a bit of skim milk. If you really can’t stand the taste of coffee, switch to tea.

See if you can switch up your Leo’s routine and start your day off just a bit healthier than usual.