Take A {H i K e}

A few weeks ago, I went hiking with two of my best friends in da whole world! We are always looking for new places to hike so when we heard of this trail that was literally in our backyard, of course we went to check it out!

(I also found out that my phone could take panoramic pictures, so that was exciting...)

I had such a fun day hiking with my girls! The scenery was gorgeoussss. I wish that I had time to hike this weekend. I have a super busy weekend and a huge midterm on Tuesday! Next weekend hopefully ;) 

xox 

F R U I T & V E G G I E S: reading into the sticker

I was recently enlightened by my cute, health-nutty best friend Kelli, on what those little fruit and vegetable stickers can tell you. Who knew that that annoying little sticker, that I sometimes accidentally eat, could contain any valuable info besides telling the checker how much to charge me for?! Not I. These stickers contain a PLU code that do more than just help in the check out line at the grocery store. They tell you how the fruit was grown! From reading into the PLU code, you can tell if the fruit was genetically modified, grown organically, or produced with pesticides or fertilizers. Pretty nifty, right?! 

• If there are only four numbers in the code, it means that the fruit was grown conventionally, with the use of pesticides. The actual numbers in this code just tell you what kind of fruit it is. For example, the banana PLU number is #4011 and an apple might have #3293.

• If there are five numbers in the PLU number and the code starts with the number "8", then the fruit or vegetable was genetically modified. A genetically modified banana code would be #84011.

• If there are five numbers in the code and the code starts with the number "9", the fruit was grown organically meaning that there were no pesticides or fertilizers used and it was not genetically modified. An organic banana PLU code would be #94011.

So there ya have it! An easy (but tiny) way to find out what is really goin' on with the food that you're putting into your precious body! 

Linking up with: Random Wednesday, Halfway There Blog Hop,

Easy Popcorn

Popcorn is my favorite food. If I could, I would eat it for every. single. meal. 

The best is when my dad makes it homemade on the stove. However, that takes effort and cleaning...and who really wants to clean? Microwave popcorn is subpar...at best. I mean what is that yellow hydrogenated oily goo even made of? I know it tastes good, but it can't be good for you. Not to mention it's so expensive! So, what's a popcorn lover to do? Find a much simpler, cheaper, healthier and all around better solution, of course!


Here's how a frugal college student with only a microwave to cook with does it:

Take a plain brown paper bag and fill it with about 1/4 cups of regular popcorn kernels. 

Then, fold the paper bag at the top twice to keep the kernels from flyin' all over the place. 

Put it in the microwave for about 1 and 1/2 to 2 minutes (if the kernels stop popping every 1 or 2 seconds, then take it out earlier!)

Sometimes I just eat it plain, other times I put a little salt and butter in the bag and shake it up. If you're feeling a little crazy, then you can add other things like cinnamon and sugar, parmesan cheese, pepper, anything, really. 

And there ya have it, a snack that's perfect at home or on the go!