Beyond the Surface

Bye, Bye Thanksgiving! Hello Christmas!  Baking: A Holiday Tradition Now that Thanksgiving is over with, Christmas is here! I don’t know about you, but I’ve already started thinking about what makes this season so special! For me, one of the highlights has always been baking. Every year, my dad and I have a tradition of spending time in the kitchen making sweet treats and other baked goods. Who doesn’t love the smell of cookies or freshly baked bread around the holidays?! Introverts, Welcome! Now, I’ll admit, I’m an introvert. Big social gatherings aren’t really my thing, and that might sound a little weird to some. But that’s the beauty of baking—it’s a way to connect with people you care about without the pressure of being in a crowd. It’s quiet, creative, and honestly, a lot of fun. I’ve also realized that I’m more of a giver than a receiver. It’s just how I am—and baking gives me the perfect way to share something meaningful with the people I care about.  Why From Scratch ...

  Hooked on Memes, Tricked by Trends: My Media Nightmare Growing Up With Limited Media Have you ever stopped to think about how much media shapes your day? My perception of media has changed way more than I realized. I didn’t grow up with social media, so I never paid much attention to it. People always said, “Don’t get social media, it’s bad for your mental health.” And honestly? They weren’t wrong. But at the time, I brushed it off. Now that I’m older, especially in college, I see how powerful media really is and how it sneaks into every part of our lives. Am I the only one that experiences this? I know some college students may relate because not everyone grew up with social media. I am one of the  minority.  Social media shapes communities—for better and worse. It messes with self-esteem, personal identity, and how we compare ourselves to others. Everyone’s sharing their best photos, best moments, best lives… and here we are, comparing ourselves to the highlights. It...

 Eat Smarter, Not Harder Something Needed to Change I used to drag my feet all day, wondering why I always felt so tired. Coffee gave me a quick boost, but it never really lasted. By mid-afternoon, I would crash completely, and it started to feel normal, even though it shouldn’t have been. Eventually, I started paying more attention to my daily consumption and realized something needed to change in the way I ate. I didn’t want to move through life constantly exhausted. So I started tracking small patterns and noticing how certain foods made me feel. That alone opened my eyes to how much my choices impacted my energy. Being Healthy isn't about Restrictions Eating well isn’t about following a strict diet or giving up the foods we all love. It’s about making smarter choices that give my body the fuel it actually needs. When I swap my sugary snacks for fruit or have a balanced breakfast instead of skipping—like I used to back in high school—I notice a huge difference. Eating healthier...