Saturday, December 31, 2011

My Personal Highlights of 2011

Happy (almost) New Year! I thought I'd share some of my favorite memories from 2011 on TeenSanity:)

January 2011-School Trip to Hawaii





April 2011- TeenSanity Prom Hair/Makeup Shoot




Summer 2011







December 2011-Roman comes to CT!



Wishing everyone a healthy, happy, and prosperous 2012! Watch out world the teenagers are going to do amazing things this year! 

My Affirmations for 2012

I can't believe the year is practically over! 2011 has been a year of growth for me. I've had to overcome social struggles, rise to challenges, and keep believing in myself. I am ready and energized for 2012, but I thought the best way to go into the new year is to write some affirmations. Last year I did an entire post dedicated to affirmations, so I thought I would revisit that and write some for the new year.

What are affirmations?
Affirmations are positive thoughts or declarations of things you wish to achieve.

How does writing an affirmation help?
Positive affirmations have the ability to "re-wire" your brain and give you a feeling of happiness or optimism. These emotions can help face any challenge throughout the day.

This sounds stupid and ridiculous, why I am I doing this?
These are the exact words that went through my head when I first started writing affirmations. I felt embarrassed that I was writing affirmations. I thought these are only for people that are depressed. I was totally wrong. Little did I know how optimistic and lighthearted I would feel after I wrote my affirmation.

How do I write an affirmation?
First ask yourself, "Where am I now?" Write the answer down!
Then ask yourself, "Where do I want to be?" Write the answer down!
The next question is "What do I need to change to get there?"or "What is stopping me from getting to where I want to be?"
The final question is "What's my next step?"
Then write your affirmation.

Some tips to help you write an affirmation...
-The best way to write an affirmation is in the present tense, so use, "I am..." rather than "I will be..."
-Write your affirmation in the positive state!


My affirmations for 2012:
I am able to handle any tough situation I might face with a smile and confidence. 
In times when things are unknown, I remember everything happens for a reason and I will be okay no matter what! 
I am ready to enjoy every moment of my life.


Wishing everyone a HEALTHY and HAPPY New Year! Much love, Tessa 

Thursday, December 29, 2011

My Post on LifePulp:)

The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists. 
~Japanese Proverb

For all those who are looking for daily inspiration, check out http://lifepulp.com/. I've just started really getting into it and I find I am smiling more during the day because I've found inspiration or someone has pulp'd one of my post. It's really a great community and I encourage everyone to participate:)

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

My Search for Green Superfoods...

I feel like I don't eat enough greens. I love fruits and some veggies, but getting in all the greens is hard for me. I am now motivated to get in more greens, so I am on the search for a superfoods green powder! To be honest, to go to the health food store and buy a package of powdered greens, it's expensive. So I am in the process of finding a brand I like and finding it at a wholesale price online! It's quite an adventure! Today I tried Amazing Grass's Green Superfood Drink Powder. I mixed it in my blender bottle with 300ml of coconut water. The coconut water made it taste a lot better. I am not sure if I would've been able to get it down with just water; I probably would've had to hold my nose. I do feel really energized and satisfied. I feel like I have the energy to get work done. This to me is the perfect after-school snack. A simple drink, with a profound after affect. I will keep you posted with my search for a superfoods powered drink.

Monday, December 26, 2011

"Healthy" Labels to Look Out for...

Sometimes those "healthy" labels aren't so healthy.  We've all seen the fat-free, gluten-free, sugar-free, and diet labels, but just because an item is labeled that, doesn't mean it's the best for us. I think when teens (especially teenage girls) see fat-free they purchase the product. But if the product isn't naturally fat-free (such as fruits and veggies), it's containing chemicals that's making the food fat-free. Currently researchers are investigating the theory that fat-substitutes may interfere with our body's ability to recognize and regulate how much food our body needs, thus causing us to eat more. I, personally, am a fan of gluten-free foods, but I do have to be cautious of the sugar, fat, protein, and other nutrients. I feel better when I eat gluten free, but certain gluten-free breads have up to 13 more times fat and 16 times more protein than regular bread. I do not drink any kind of soda, regular nor diet, and I recommend you do the same. Some might believe diet soda is better for you, but researchers at the University of Texas at San Antonio found that people who drank two or more diet sodas daily had a six times greater increase in their waist at the end of a ten year study than those who didn't drink diet soda. Be cautious of those "healthy" labels!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

And...Another Quote!

I really find it hard to not share fantastic quotes. I mean, who doesn't want to hear a phrase that puts a smile on your face? My favorite type of quote is one that helps me to re-evaluate a mindset or a way of life. Especially when they help me to change a mindset that I've been stuck in. I believe quotes/phrases have the power to do so. There are some things/moments in life, when you just want to say, "This sucks!" Whether it's a test in school or a problem with a friend, most of us will be in a bad mood. It's the feeling that everything is wrong in the world and nothing is going your way. Roman Price shared a quote that I believe changes that attitude. So, when your in a negative mindset, please read this quote:

"The only disability in life is a bad attitude"~Scott Hamilton

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Coconut Water-The Natural Sports Drink!

I've got a new food/drink obsession and it's coconut water! I love coconut as a natural sports drink because it contains all five electrolytes your body needs to rehydrate. It also is low in calories, contains no fat or cholesterol. Coconut water as fifteen times more potassium than any other sports drink. Coconut water benefits athletic performance in the following ways:

-Helps your body rehydrate
-Helps your body retain fluid
-Keeps your body temperature down
-Prevents cramping
-Prevents headaches

Why have all those sugar-packed, unhealthy sports drinks? When you can enjoy all natural, electrolyte packed coconut water:) My personal favorite coconut water brand is Vita Coco!

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Foods to BOOST Your Immune System

Towards the middle of the school year, I can feel my immune system becoming more and more run down. It gets to the point where sometimes I feel it would be better just to walk around in a haz-mat suit. Schools are like a breeding ground for germs and all kinds of awesome viruses. I find teens like too share our germs with each other and we don't even realize we're doing it! But our lives depend on us functioning as best we can. If we maintain a diverse a diet rich in fruits, veggies, whole grains and lean proteins, that's our best defense. But there are specific foods we can include in our diet to help boost our immune system. So here's the list:

-Yogurt: contains probiotics, healthy bacteria that keeps our stomach and intestinal tract free of germs
-Oats & Barley: contains beta-glucan, that has antioxidant capabilities
-Garlic: contains allicin, which fights infection and bacteria
-Tea: green and black tea contain an amino acid, L-theanine, which is an immune booster
-Sweet Potatoes: contains beta carotene, which the body turns into vitamin A, thus helping our skin fight against bacteria and viruses
-Mushrooms: increases the production and activity of white blood cells
-Red Bell Peppers: good source of phyto-chemicals, beta carotene, and vitamin C
-Pumpkin: packed with beta carotene

Keep these foods in mind, when your looking to stay healthy and fight those germs! 

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Life Lessons

I've had a pretty incredible couple of days-I got to spend time with an inspiration of mine, Roman Price, and his friends, Jonathan and Jesse. In just two days, Roman taught me more about life than some people learn during their entire lives. I like to say, "Life is a learning process, not just sitting in a classroom." I believe you have to go after your teachers in life; your mentors, people who make you want to be better. Read about them, learn all there is to know about them, and if you desire contact them. Being a teenager, I find it's great to have a mentor who supports you and can offer you advice, that you'll receive because you respect them. One of my favorite things about my mentor is that he practices what he preaches. Every conversation with him also leaves me with more knowledge than I had before. Roman taught me to take care of myself and by doing that, I take care of others. He also taught me to keep life simple. And he's always taught me to befriend failure, and learn from setbacks (which are actually steps forward because I think you get more out of them). I believe everyone comes into your life for a reason and Roman is in my life to educate me on life:)

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Exercise and Our Brain

I am reading the book Spark-The Revolutionary New Science OF Exercise And The Brain by John J. Ratey. The book discusses how exercise builds your brain and how exercise helps overcome stress, anxiety, depression, attention deficit, and addiction. I highly recommend it! It's really helped me to understand why exercise has such a positive affect on my life and especially my brain. Regular aerobic activity activity relaxes the body, so it's able to handle more stress before a more serious response including heart rate and stress hormones kick in. Exercise raises the trigger point of the physical, more serious reaction. While we are exercising, in our brain we are securing the structure of our nerve cells by activating genes to produce specific proteins that protect our cells. Cool, right? Not only are we building muscle, when we exercise, but building our brain!

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Found this on LifePulp:)

Looking for some inspiration? You've got to check out LifePulp. I found a post by Roman Price that I especially enjoyed and just had to share it on TeenSanity. So here it is:


"Life has a simple formula. The sum of all your choices equal the outcome.

For example, 

You can choose to get up after life knocks you down.
You can choose to better yourself or stay idle. 
You can choose to think positive or negative at all times.

You have more choices then you'll ever realize. 

Life is the sum of all your choices, this simple formula could predict your future. You just have to understand it."

For more inspiration visit LifePulp: http://lifepulp.com/

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Oh Stress!

I think stress can be a large part of being a teenager; especially between school, work, and a social life. Today I was feeling so overwhelmed with work that I didn't know where to began. I just sat for a good twenty minutes staring at my work and feeling more angst as time was wasted just sitting, doing nothing. One of my awesome teachers', Patrick, noticed my angst mood and encouraged me to get up and move or change my attention. At first I did not want to. I felt that would waste more of my time by doing something else. I came to the realization that I could either sit and stress about all the work I have to do or I can be proactive and try to clear my head with a quick walk. I decided that the walk was in my best interest to help handle my overwhelming emotions. Half-way through the walk with Patrick, I had a clearer head and I was able to realize a method that could help me deal with my work load. It was amazing how a five minute walk could clear my head and bring down my stress level tremendously! If your feeling stressed, I recommend a quick walk around the block or even a workout; it will do wonders for your mental health!

Friday, November 25, 2011

The Basics of Acai

I've been incorporating more acai into my daily diet. I love to start my day with an acai bowl, especially on the days I do a 5:30am workout. There's no better way to refuel than with some acai! Acai is a fruit found on the tops of palm trees along the banks of the Amazon. Acai has an abundant source of antioxidants, amino acids, and omega essential fatty acids. The antioxidant levels of the acai berry are higher than levels found in gogi berries, pomegranates, and blueberries. These high antioxidant levels help fight off free radicals. The combination of antioxidants, amino acids, and omega essential fatty acids help boost your metabolism and suppress appetite. The high fiber found in the fruit helps keep you feeling fuller longer. Pretty awesome, right? A study conducted by the University of Florida showed that the acai caused a "self-destruct" reaction in Leukemia cells. The best way to get all the benefits of acai is to eat it fresh and whole. If you don't live in an area where this is possible (like I do), I recommend the Sambazon acai products, especially their frozen acai puree. Be careful of the many acai scams out there!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Gratitude:)

Since Thanksgiving is tomorrow, I thought I'd talk about gratitude. I believe recognizing what we are thankful for improves the quality of our lives. When I realize all the good things I am blessed to have in my life, I don't sweat the small stuff, I become more humble, and I smile more. Without gratitude, every little mistake and failure would feel monumental. Focusing on the negative, does nothing good for you. Don't believe me? Make a list of all the bad things in your life; how do you feel after that? Then make a list of all the good things in your life (and if you say you can't, you're lying and denying yourself the opportunity to feel happy and blessed). After making a your 'good things' list, how do you feel? I hope this little exercise helps you to realize the power of the feeling of gratitude. Randy Pausch has a great quote about gratitude, it goes like this:

“Showing gratitude is one of the simplest yet most powerful things humans can do for each other.” 

Sunday, November 20, 2011

I Love My Snacks!

Those midmorning and afternoon snacks are what keep me going throughout the day. Without them I would be hungry and unable to focus and get work done! There's nothing worse than being hungry and having to complete a bunch of work or just make it through a class. So here are some yummy ideas for when your feeling hungry:
-Siggi's 0% milk fat yogurt (these yogurts are sweetened with agave nectar and are delicious)
-Serving size of carrots and a tablespoon of hummus or a mini-whole wheat pita pocket and a tablespoon of hummus (carrots and garlic hummus are one of my favorite combos)
-1/4 cup of almonds and raisins (another favorite combo)
-A glass of cocoa cashew milk (this can be found at Whole Foods)
-Celery, peanut butter, and raisins (otherwise known as "ants on a log")
-Apples and peanut butter (personally, self ground peanut butter is the best kind around)

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Healthy Hot Cocoa

During these winter months, I feel we tend to try to warm up with a hot drink! But sometimes these hot drinks aren't the healthiest. Between the whole milk and the syrups put in these drinks, it's seems better to stay cold than to warm up! However, you have options that are just as delicious and healthy! Green tea sweetened with honey is always yummy. But I've come up with my own version of hot chocolate (and yes it involves almond milk). You can make a delicious cup of hot chocolate with a cup of unsweetened almond milk and two tablespoons of organic hot cocoa! The only cool thing about this warm drink is it's only 110 calories, 11 grams of sugar, and 3.5g of fat! Drink up!

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Vibin' Jewelry...literally

Recently, I've discovered 'VibesUp' energy jewelry. Your probably thinking, "WTF is energy jewelry?" Well that's a good question; energy jewelry is pretty amazing. The Law of Attraction states that like attracts like. In every emotion and feeling there is energy and vibrations. Every thought we have when combined with emotion, vibrates out into the universe and affects what we attract back into our life. Crazy, right?! For me, it can be very hard to be focusing on love and positive energy every second, of every day. Luckily 'VibesUp' jewelry and product does just that-they help keep our vibrations attracting good throughout the day, even when we are not thinking about it. 'VibesUp' jewelry combines essential oils, gemstones, and liquid crystal coding. The liquid crystal coding amplifies the energy from the gemstone like a natural good energy battery. I personally can feel the positive energy surrounding me when I am wearing my 'VibesUp' jewelry, it really works. I might be more sensitive to this considering my dad is doctor of energy medicine. If you want to surround yourself with positive energy all day long, go get some vibin' jewelry! 'VibesUp' website is http://vibesup.com/

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Today's Topic: Stress

I apologize for not posting in over a week! This has never happened before! My power was down for six days and my internet was gone for seven. Luckily now everything is working and I can continue blogging. Today I wanted to discuss stress because honestly I've been feeling stressed and overwhelmed. I took on a new job as the business manager of Boss Jams Records, besides working after school, driver's ed, and building my own company. The usual feeling of stress is when everything seems to be "too much" and we are overwhelmed. Stress causes our blood pressure to rise, breathing becomes more rapid, digestive system slows down, heart rate rises, immune system goes down, muscles become tense, and we lose sleep. Stress causes our body to react in negative ways. Yesterday, I sent an email to Roman Price and he must've sensed my stress in the tone of my email. Roman responded with the best advice for dealing with stress, "Don't stress over the process. Enjoy it. Your best work comes out when you're having fun!" Immediately when I read that email, I took a deep breathe and realized stress is not helping my body or the work I am putting out. Instead of looking at all the work I have to do and seeing them as tasks, I have to remember to just enjoy what I am doing. When I am relaxed and enjoying my work, the quality of my life and work improves! Everyone needs to take Roman's advice and enjoy the journey of life, instead of stressing over it!

Thursday, October 27, 2011

I Love My Quotes!

Oh how I love my quotes! They keep me grounded when I my head honestly feels like exploding. Today's quote I found helps me realize the importance of opportunities. I found it thanks to Roman Price and LifePulp. Currently I feel very overwhelmed; I have lots going on and it feels like not enough time in the day. I am blessed to be given so many opportunities and be surrounded by amazing people, but sometimes it feels like too much. Today's quote helps me to recognize how important it is to take a hold of all my  opportunities. Sometimes I don't always recognize how many opportunities I am given or how special it is to have an opportunity. This quote reminds me also reminds me to enjoy every aspect of life and especially every opportunity!

‎"Life is like a flowing river full of opportunities. It's up to you whether you stand with a bucket or a spoon." Author Unknown



Friday, October 21, 2011

Happy FIRST Birthday, TeenSanity!

One year ago, today, I started TeenSanity with no intentions. I honestly created the blog to prove to my high school director, Mr. Quirk, that I could have a better blog than him. At the time, I was officially hooked on a healthy lifestyle. I tried all types of unhealthy living; from the junk food eater who never exercised to the girl who barely ate anything and exercised more than her body could handle. I've tried it all! I truly believe a positive lifestyle is the only way to enjoy our lives, especially as a teen. We enable everything it takes to do something incredible with our lives, but I believe we need to harness the tools to do so. When I am eating my best and working out at my hardest, my mind doesn't limit what I can handle. I can be under large amounts of stress, but when I am eating healthy, exercising, and trying to maintain a healthy mindset; I can do anything. From day one, that's been my goal for TeenSanity readers, to realize how great our lives can be at such a young age!

During this past year of TeenSanity, I've gotten to blog about some awesome places, people, health food, exercises, and much more! I've gotten to play with the creator of Original Play, Dr. Fred Donaldson, and take (almost) a private workshop with him. Then share the power of positive touch and play on TeenSanity. I've been inspired and empowered by my teacher, Miss Casey, to create my own vision board and blog about it. Miss Casey has also taught me all I know about affirmations and thus giving me the tools to share here! Through my journey on TeenSanity, I've recognized the importance of exploration and what it means to truly explore. I believe when we don't explore and get out of our element, we can get caught up in the negative, instead of seeing all the good things we have. I've gotten to travel to Hawaii and taste the most incredible bowls at BASIK Acai. The owners, Derek and Jamie, have been so kind to let me share the awesomeness of BASIK and the power of 'real food'. I've had hair and makeup artist, Holly and Joe, make getting ready for prom less stressful with tutorials! Most recently, I've been blessed to have gotten the chance to interview a super-hero, Roman Price, also the founder of LifePulp. Roman has this unique ability to really showcase how simple it is to enjoy our lives. He's taught me many valuable life lessons and also shared with me the incredible, 'Last Lecture' by Randy Pausch. And these are just a few of the awesome topics I've shared on TeenSanity!

I want to thank everyone who takes the time to read my blog. It truly means the world to me! I give this blog everything I have and work really hard to try to make it a success! I really, truly, hope I've been able to inspire teens to live a healthy lifestyle! I will continue to give this blog my all and help make a positive impact on as many teens as I can!

To learn more about...
Original Play http://www.originalplay.com/
BASIK Acai http://www.basikacai.com/
LifePulp http://www.lifepulp.com/
Randy Pausch's 'Last Lecture' http://www.cmu.edu/randyslecture/

Today, my awesome mom surprised me with this balloon to celebrate TeenSanity's first birthday! 

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

New Favorite Workout Equipment: Dip Bar

I was beyond excited when I came home from school to see a package on my door step containing my dip bar! I do bodyweight workouts using practically no equipment just an interval timer, yoga mat, and sometimes a jump rope. Now with my dip station I can do hanging knee raises, reverse push ups, triceps dips, and much more! Of course, I've got to build up more strength, especially with the triceps dips, but I loved the reverse push ups. New workout equipment always encourages me to push harder and gain more strength. The dip bar is great because it's affordable, portable, and doesn't take up much space! Today during my workout I did 200 different kinds of burpees, sometimes incorporating my dip station. Burpees are great because they don't require any equipment, can tone your body within weeks, you can do they anywhere, they are designed to work most muscles in our bodies, enhance weight loss, and increase endurance. The steps to doing a burpee is simple, but the exercise is hard:

-Squat to the ground and place your hands on the floor
-Adjust your bodyweight to your hands, and kick your feet back to the floor into plank position
-Complete a proper push up, make sure your back is straight, hips are squared, and your elbows are at a complete 90 degree angle
-Retract your feet and go back into squat position
-The jump straight up, as high as you can
-Repeat this as many times as you like

Today I did burpees then a knee raises on my dip station! If you want a dip bar, I ordered mine from 'Ultimate Body Press"!

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Apples! Apples! Apples!

By the title of the blog post you can tell I really like apples! During the fall, I tend to eat at least two servings of apples a day (just a bit obsessed). Whole Foods has a great organic cinnamon applesauce. Whenever my friends see me pull out my container filled with applesauce, they are asking me for a taste, it's just so delicious. Yes applesauce is still cool, even if your a teenager. Since it's fall and I am surrounded by apple orchards I tend to have apples and organic self-grind peanut butter as my afternoon snack. It's a heavenly combination! Apples not only taste amazing, they are really good for us. They are packed with phytonutrients, an organic component of plants, known for promoting health. They contain no saturated fats or cholesterol, but are rich in fiber, which helps prevent absorption of dietary LDL cholesterol in the gut. Since apples are rich in phytonutrients, they help protect our body from the effects of free radicals. In addition, apples are a good source of B-complex vitamins, which help as cofactors for enzymes in the metabolism. There's a reason for the saying, "an apple a day, keeps the doctor away."

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

I Tweet!

For all those who have a twitter or just want to see what I am doing on a day-to-day basis, check out my twitter account @TessaZimmerman or http://twitter.com/#!/TessaZimmerman! Soon I'll be working on a bit of a science experiment (let's just say it's related to what's in our food)-can't wait to share it later this week or sometime next week!

Monday, October 10, 2011

Super Foods Found in Supermarkets

'Super Foods', sounds similar to 'super hero', right? Well that's because 'super foods' are like the super heros of food! They contain higher than usual amounts of disease fighting nutrients that promote good health. Super foods are often low in calories. They are considered to be a nutrient dense food because they have high nutrient to calorie ratio. Super foods are known to have high amounts of either omega-3, fatty acids, phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals. We can find super foods in our supermarkets! Blueberries are considered a super food because they have very high amounts of antioxidants which help protect our cells from damaging toxins. Walnuts are another super food (this was a surprise to me). They are loaded with monounsaturated fats and an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. Walnuts also are a good source of protein and fiber. It's best to consume raw, unsaturated walnuts. Tomatoes are another superfood! They contain lycopene, a super antioxidant that may help protect against various forms of cancer. Dark greens, broccoli, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, yogurt, salmon, tea, dark chocolate, cherries, and strawberries are all super foods! When your at the grocery store and considering super foods, especially in fresh produce, keep in mind the colors of your food. Different colors are for different nutrients, so buying an array of colors, is like purchasing an array of nutrients!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Randy Pausch's Last Lecture

This past Sunday I finally got a chance to watch Randy Pausch's 'Last Lecture'! Randy Pausch was a professor at Carnegie Mellon University. In September 2006, Pausch learned he had pancreatic cancer and by August 2007 he was given a terminal diagnosis. On September 18, 2007, he gave a truly remarkable lecture called "The Last Lecture: Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams"at Carnegie Mellon. I can thank Roman Price for sharing this with me! After watching this lecture, I was speechless-I beyond loved it, if that's even possible. This lecture is filled with the tools to create a mindset that will ultimately help you to succeed and achieve your childhood dreams! There were so many wonderful quotes; I kept having to rewind it and write them down! I will just share one quote from the lecture, "If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself, and the dreams will come to you." Pretty amazing, right? Here's the link to the most amazing lecture ever: Randy Pausch's Last Lecture

Friday, September 30, 2011

Can't Get Enough Quotes!

I apologize for not posting since my interview, but I've been battling Lyme disease. Today was the first day I could somewhat function, but it leaves me feeling exhausted! Yesterday Roman Price shared another remarkable quote via LifePulp, and I couldn't resist posting it on TeenSanity. This quote is taken from one of my favorite childhood movies. To me, this quote portrays the exact mindset we need to have in life. If we don't believe in ourselves, who will? As teenagers, we need to not let people tell us what we can't do, but turn that into determination to do whatever we set our mind to. The minute we let negative thoughts invade our mind and detour us from our goals, we've lost our ability to reach that goal. So many people have told me I will never accomplish anything, but now every time I hear that, it makes me even more determined to reach my goals. I know that if I believe in myself and have the courage to go after my goals, I've got a pretty good shot at reaching them! Every moment you have the slightest doubt in yourself, please read this:

"The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it." Peter Pan

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Interview with a Superhero!

Yes the title is correct-I interviewed a superhero and his name is Roman Price! Roman is the founder of LifePulp (http://www.lifepulp.com/), an inspirational social network. I was lucky enough to hear Roman speak at the Teen Business Summit and from that moment, I knew I wanted to interview him for TeenSanity. Roman has the uncanny ability to see the positive in the world and help others recognize it too! Often in life, I can feel overwhelmed, stressed, and just feel like the world is crashing down. However, Roman's wisdom always has the power to open my eyes and recognize all the good things I am blessed to have in my life. There can seem like there are so many challenges in our life, but Roman's recognizes obstacles and failures in a way that has truly changed my perspective on life.  In this interview, Roman and I cover topics from drugs and alcohol to opportunities to the power of our minds to the importance of exercise and healthy eating! Please take the time out of your day to watch this-Roman's wisdom truly has the power to make a profound impact on your life like he has done on mine! The link to the video is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OOqM3FFyNw If you are ever in need of some inspiration, follow Roman on twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/RomanPrice or like him on facebook, https://www.facebook.com/soup.erhero. I believe Roman is a world changer with his wisdom and incredible outlook on life, and you will too after watching this interview!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Time for Some Dr. Suess

Today I felt like it was the perfect day for a quote! And I thought the best person to quote from today is Dr. Suess! Before I share some wisdom, I'll give a bit of context! As a teenager, sometimes I think it can feel like we are all on this path that's just one-way; to get through high school. I think we often get caught up in high school- the drama, grades, driving, and getting ready for college. Maybe some of us might feel like to accomplish anything we have to wait to graduate college. Or maybe we just don't see what else is out there beyond high school. From this quote I hope you will take away that you are in control of your life, even if your just in high school. We can do anything we aspire to do-now! I hate when people say,"Well your just a teenager." Yes we are teens, but it doesn't mean our age should stop us from carving out our own path! If anything, we should let our young, creative brains run wild and use our imagine to develop something our world needs! What I am trying to say is don't let high school rule you, start leaving footprints on this planet now!

"You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.
You're on your own.
And you know what you know.
You are the guy who'll decide where to go."
~Dr. Seuss

Sunday, September 18, 2011

What's the Difference? Conventional vs. Organic Farming

Recently I've become more fascinated with the food industry and especially the health effects of conventional farming vs. organic. Organic food is produced using ecological conscious practices without the use of synthetic chemicals, genetically engineered materials, sewage sludge or irradiation. Conventional farmers apply fertilizers to promote plant growth. Organic farmers, however, apply natural fertilizers such as manure or compost, to feed soil and plants! Conventional methods include spraying insecticides to reduce pests and diseases and using chemical herbicides to manage weeds. Runoff from these conventional farms washes into rivers, lakes, and streams thus contaminating our waterways and destroying many habitats. These pesticides are toxins to our health and link to respiratory problems, neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, cancer and reproductive problems. Organic farmers use beneficial insects and birds, mating disruption, or traps to reduce pests and disease. They also rotate crops, till, hand weed, or mulch to manage weeds. Conventional farms give animals antibiotics growth hormones and medications to prevent disease and spur growth then we put this into our bodies...I think it's gross! Conventional farms usually do not let the animals outside, instead they are enclosed in a space too small to fit all of them. Organic farms give animals organic feed and allow them access to the outdoors. They use preventative measures such as rotational grazing, a balanced diet, and clean housing to help minimize disease. Next time you are at the grocery store, take time to think about the food you want to put in your body and it's effect on the environment!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Those OVERWHELMING Back To School Feelings...

Oh going back to school-it's exciting and can be very stressful! It's really hard to go from waking up whenever you feel like it, to having to get in the school door before the first bell! Not to mention getting use to taking tests and having homework, again, while balancing a social life, or applying to college, or taking drivers education, or maybe working after school? So how can we balance our lives without losing our mind? I know after I get home from work and school, I just want to do my homework and go to sleep. I go to bed early and I make time for my workouts by getting up an hour early to exercise and shower. I then make sure to pack enough food to keep me energized throughout the day. What's in my lunchbox? I bring a 'Siggi's' yogurt, salad loaded with tomatoes, avocado and peppers, a baked chicken breast, and for when I work after school I pack an apple with peanut butter. I eat each item every few hours to keep my metabolism going! I have learned what my body needs to stay full and keep me energized. I start off my day with a protein shake, and if I still feeling hungry I have a serving size of 'Udi's' granola. Not only do I have to keep my body happy, but my mind. So when I am feeling stressed out and thinking about all the work I have to do, I re-evaluate what I have to do. I decide what can wait and what I need to complete. I remind myself that it is not the end of the world if I can't get everything done; instead I focus on one thing at a time. And for daily inspiration I check Roman Price's twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/RomanPrice) for some awesome motivational and inspirational quotes! My current favorite quote by Roman that helps me maintain my sanity is, "Courage is being scared to death of what's around the corner, but looking anyway."You can be courageous and survive this school year-just make sure you balance all aspects of your life!

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Food Inc.

Personally, I have a big interest in the food industry especially when companies develop abundant and inexpensive sources of food including factory farming and genetic engineering. I am the only student in my AP BioChemistry class, therefore I have been lucky enough to choose this as a focal point. So to start off my class this year, my teacher and I watched Food Inc. This incredible movie exposes America's industrialized and it's effect on our environment, health, and worker's rights. Focusing on finding organic and local food, diabetes, obesity, factory farming, pesticides, environmental impact, cloning, and food borne illness. There are a couple of things that stood out and really made an impact on me (so far I am only half way through it). Such as some of our most important foods have been fundamentally altered, and genetically engineered meat and produce have unfortunately invaded our homes. And in January 2008, the FDA approved the sale of meat and milk cloned! Factory Farming is another super gross part of the food industry. Almost 10 billion animals are raised and killed in the US annually. Nearly all of them are raised  on factory farms under disgusting conditions! I would share more, but I don't want to give it all away! Go watch Food Inc. or visit their website: http://www.foodincmovie.com/index.php I AM STARVING FOR A CHANGE, SO GO GET HUNGRY FOR A CHANGE WITH ME:)

Friday, September 9, 2011

The Nine Qualities of Well Being

I sorry I have not posted in a bit-I am honestly exhausted emotionally and physically from the transition back into school! Yesterday at school, I was handed a packet on Original Play, Empowerment, and Mindfulness! In the packet was the Nine Qualities of Well Being and I thought I would share this with you all!
1. Body Regulation
2. Insight: sense of selves, awareness of self
3. Attuned communication with others. Sense of "feeling felt" by another
4. Empathy: (builds on #2 and 3) see from the stance of another's mind
5. Emotional regulation/balance
6. Fear modulation: ability to calm and soothe
7. Response flexibility: pause before we act
8. Intuition: wisdom of the body, heart feeling, and gut feeling
9. Morality: considering larger picture, thinking and acting for the larger group

Monday, September 5, 2011

Something to Keep in Mind...

I start my first day of junior year in just a couple of days and for this school year I wanted to go in with a quote. Something to keep in mind, throughout the year that will help ground me. Right now my biggest personal struggle is always wanting to be at the finish line before I have even started the race. For me, I need to practice not rushing to the end, and instead, enjoying the journey. I am starting a business as a teenager and it's so hard for me to just be present and enjoy each little step to getting it off the ground. If I could, I want my business to be up and running and successful tomorrow, but that's not realistic nor would I get to experience the hard work that it takes to put it together. So to help remind me that I am always moving forward, even when I might not feel like it, I chose the following quote:

"I may not be there yet, but I'm closer than I was yesterday."  ~Author Unknown

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Officially Kombucha Obsessed

I apologize for not posting in awhile due to the hurricane; I did not have access to the Internet! But I am back and so excited to share just another food obsession! For some reason this August I have just gone food crazy. Anyways my new obsession is Kombucha, a tea-based beverage known for it's health benefits.  Kombucha has been consumed for more than 2,000 years globally. The culture contains a symbiosis of acetic acid bacteria and one or more yeasts. The bacterial component of the Kombucha culture usually contains many species, but almost always has Gluconacetobacter xylinus which ferments the alcohol produced by the yeast into acetic acid. This then increases the acidity, but limits the alcohol content. I found there are some Kombucha for only 21 and older due to the alcohol content. (That's a just a bit of knowledge on the culture for you!) I am a big believer in Kombucha's power. Another big believer- German doctor Raudolph Sklenar is known for using Kombucha to treat cancer (and other diseases in early stages) with remarkable results! Kombucha is known to for the following; loaded with healthy bacteria, balance our internal pH, detoxify our liver (thus boosting our mood), increase metabolism, reduce blood pressure, rebuild connective tissue, prevent cancer, relieve headaches and migraines and much, much, more! It's also super easy to make, here's a recipe one reader suggested: http://www.kombuchakamp.com/kombucha-recipe! With all these benefits, how can you not be obsessed with Kombucha?

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Something to Befriend...

Monday-Wednesday I attended the Teen Business Summit! I gathered more knowledge and courage in just three days then some might gather in a few years. One of the speakers', Roman Price founder of LifePulp, presentation was on overcoming obstacles and believing in ourselves. In today's post I wanted to share just two words of his fantastic letter that really empowered me and I hope does the same for you-"Befriend Failure." In my journey this has been one of the hardest things for me to accept. Luckily I now I realize that everything happens for a reason and just because I failed at something doesn't mean I won't succeed in life; I always end up learning from my mistakes. However when I was younger I felt I had to be the perfect student and nothing less. My teachers borrowed my notes to use as their own (fueling my perfection need) and I studied constantly; I was afraid of failure. If I didn't get the grade I wanted, I would fall apart. My mother tried to use reverse psychology and celebrated (by singing and dancing) when I felt I wasn't perfect and failed. This just left me wanting to be even more perfect, so I wouldn't get to hear her sing(I love you, mom). For years, I felt this way and those were the hardest and most painful years of my life. Finally, when I started to turn my life around and felt more grounded as a person, was I able to make friends with failure. I felt more grounded when I ate right and exercised daily. Balancing my life, allowed me to handle more fails emotionally. Now failure and I are best friends. We have gotten to know each other very well! I am able to laugh and learn from my mistakes, instead of wallow in them. I can honestly say that I am so happy in my life and feel so much more light-hearted, now that I've befriended failure.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Body Awareness

What's awareness? To me, awareness is having the knowledge of a cause and effect. Some may say awareness is just knowledge, but for me, when I am aware, I am noticing specifically all of the causes and effects. Being aware and observant has led me to understand my body and mind. My body-awareness stemmed from having such drastic changes in my mind, body, and physical appearance when I started to eat healthy and exercise. Once I became aware of the bigger picture of health food and physical activity, I began to notice little details. I began to tune into my body and notice how I felt when I ate certain foods. There I realized eating dairy made me more anxious. I was able to observe how I felt before and after I ate dairy. It's almost like experimenting. You can hypothesize that you will feel one way, but then in your observations you might realize you are completely wrong. Through listening to how my body felt and my emotions, I began to learn how I functioned best. I learned that I was in a better mindset and more energized when I exercised. Through exercising, I began to find what workouts had the most positive affects on my body. I learned that for me interval training is the best because it's non-stop and my mind is completely focused on the workout and not off in the clouds. Try to be aware of what makes you feel good and what makes you feel miserable. Now junk food may make you feel mentally satisfied, your body may equate eating terrible to being therapeutic during a rough time. But if you can notice your emotions and body image when you don't eat healthy, you'll become more aware of your body. I hope that you will be willing to see the affects of food and physical activity on your body. All I am asking is for you to be an observer and experiment with different foods and physical activity. Find what works best for you!

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Lovin' the Sprouted Grains

Every so often I change food obsessions, currently it's sprouted grains. The health benefits of any grain depends on how it is eaten. Refined processed grains are rid of most of their valuable nutrients, as the brain and germ are removed. Eating refined grains has many negative health effects such as obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, and many more. Grains and seeds were originally always sprouted, but to preserve the grain longer now most are processed. When grains are germinated, their nutritional content changes, as they are usually not cooked, they hold onto their natural plant enzyme. Besides retaining the enzymes, sprouted grains also retain the nutrients that otherwise would have been destroyed by cooking.When wheat is cooked it can cause allergic reactions. But when wheat is sprouted, it's starch is converted into simple sugars, so many wheat intolerant people can eat sprouted wheat bread without any problems. Personally, I think all sprouted grain products are much more flavorful then processed wheat. Whole Food's has a delicious frozen sprouted grain bread that when toasted is great for sandwiches!

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

New Snack Obsession

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile! I feel like my schedule is slowly spinning out of control, but I am enjoying being super busy. I am also making sure I don't stress myself out with lack of downtime, but so far so good! This week I am working at my school's preschool/daycare. Sometimes I am there for nine hours or just three and then I have to do other business related things. With my schedule packed, I have to maintain my sanity by fueling every few hours, otherwise I will crash. So my favorite snack to munch on when I am looking after my four year olds is sugar snap peas. This snack has all sorts of goodness! Sugar snap peas are low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium. It's a good source of riboflavin, vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. These peas are a very good source of dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, thiamin, folate, iron, and manganese. Vitamin C found in sugar snap peas protect DNA structures from damage and improve your immune system. To select the best peas make sure they are firm, bright green, and free from blemishes. I love snacking on these in the afternoon. They're crunchy, delicious, and good for you. My four year olds love when I break open the pod and see the little peas in side and I love the nutritional benefits. Go get snacking on some sugar snap peas!

Friday, August 12, 2011

My Dad Puts the World in SYNC

It's my dad's birthday, so I thought my post for today should be about how my dad makes the world healthier. My dad is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine and a master practitioner of Qigong. Simply said, he puts people "in sync". What is sync and why does it make you healthier, you ask? Sync is when everything works together in perfect harmony. It's the body's natural, optimal state! Sync is an energy healing and performance enhancement technique developed by my father. It's really quit brilliant (and I am not just saying that). I have watched athletes of all ages perform better when my dad teaches them to synchronize themselves'. I have witnessed a golfer, my own age, hit the golf ball twenty-yards further when my dad taught him the technique. When you are in sync, you are simply healthier because your body is effortless, everything is working together! Happy Birthday, Daddy! I love you loads and hope you have a wonderful day!

To learn more about my dad or to schedule an appointment, check out his website: http://www.jeffreyczimmerman.com/

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

What's for dinner?

I often am the one cooks dinner because I am so cautious as to what I put in my body. I am able to prepare dinner the healthiest way (which sometimes takes longer). It's also good because then my entire family is eating well, too. Today I made pasta primavera super healthy. I recently found Ezekiel Sprouted Grain Pasta. Sprouted grains are the best because sprouting is the only way to release all of the vital nutrients in whole grains. Not to mention it's got nine gram of protein, seven grams of fiber, and zero grams of sugar (per serving). You can find this awesome pasta in Stop and Shop and Whole Foods. I mixed this pasta with zucchini, squash, broccoli, and tomatoes from the local farmers market. Add a bit of olive oil, garlic, black pepper, and parmesan cheese. This is a great dinner for the entire family! Make your parents proud and cook dinner!
This picture is a bit blurry, but this was what I made for dinner! 

Friday, August 5, 2011

Gotta Love a Good, Long Walk

Sorry I haven't posted in a bit; I am currently posting from the Hilton lobby at Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C. (only spot with wifi in this massive hotel). I am on a little girls break for the weekend. Today we walked like there was no tomorrow (and now my legs and butt are suffering). Walking is a low-impact workout that surprisingly was tiring after a good few hours in the heat. Some benefits of walking include: lowers bad cholesterol, raises good cholesterol, lowers blood pressure, reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes, manages your weight, improves mood, and helps you stay strong and fit! All these benefits is the result from routine brisk walking. A long brisk walk was a nice break from my interval/bodyweight workouts and runs with Kayla. My body is 'thanking me' right now and yours could be too-just walk! Walking is a 'gateway exercise' to more intense workouts (in my opinion)! We also went paddle boating and that surprisingly was a butt workout. The harder my feet paddled, my butt sure felt it. You'll be surprised at how many activities can give you a bit of a workout! Below are some pictures of my trip (taken on my iPhone):

I just loved those paddle boats!

 At the World War Two memorial and the monument!


Washington National Cathedral 

Everyone knows who this is...

My sister, Olivia, and I enjoying our walk! 

Monday, August 1, 2011

Quote Dork

Yes, I consider myself to be a quote dork! I can't help but love quotes, especially when I find ones that make me smile. I also like to start each month on a quote (or maybe few-it's so hard to choose). I like the quote to set the mood of the month. Lately. I am becoming an E.E. Cummings's fan. So I have two quotes by him that I absolutely in love with, that I couldn't choose between the two. My first choice is, "The earth laughs in flowers." I really can't explain why I love this quote so much, but it just makes me smile. I think the more beautiful the flower, the harder the earth laughed. My second quote is, "It takes courage to grow up and be who you really are." Currently, I am working on something that I love, but is very nerve-racking because it's who I am. I think the hardest thing in the world is to own who you are and just be yourself. I have gotten to a point now, where I can't be nothing but myself. If I wasn't who I am, I would be even more lost and nervous. I think once you are able to accept yourself and live by your standards; your world just expands in ways you thought weren't possible. The reason I chose this quote was because I wanted to acknowledge how hard it is to just be who you are, but hopefully I am able to encourage you guys to be courageous!
I love it when the earth laughs:)

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Interview with Jack Lui, cofounder of the Teen Business Summit

Once I heard about the Teen Business Summit, I had to learn more. Sometimes I find it hard to be a teen entrepreneur. I usually get told to focus on my education and wait. But what if my ideas can't wait? My business needs to be started now, not put on hold. Luckily my parents are supportive and I have a business advisor, who is remarkable. But now I have the opportunity to ask the questions that apply to just teen entrepreneurs at the Teen Business Summit! I want to thank, Jack Liu, for taking the time to answer my questions concerning the summit. Below is my interview with Jack; where you will find more information on this incredible summit:


How did you come up with the idea?
I first want to thank you, Tessa for this opportunity.

I can't take any credit for the idea.  It was all my business partner, Paul's doing.  He had just come back from SXSW (South By South Wes) and told me he learned so much.  He thought it was such a great time for entrepreneurs.  At the same time, I was thinking of ways to reach more teen entrepreneurs in the world.  And then he said "What if we did a global conference for teens, done entirely online.  That would be HOT".  It was so crazy and ambitious enough that I thought yeah that could work.  At the time, it was just me so I had to think about whether I could pull it off.  

A few days later, I read this post on Quora on how the tech community can be improved in DC.  Someone I knew responded saying organizations need to do something remarkable.  I had read Seth Godin's book, Purple Cow a month earlier and I remember his definition of remarkable.  It was "something so good that someone had to make a remark about it".  I knew that if anyone was going to spearhead the movement of teen entrepreneurship, it was going to be us.  To us, we were thinking of how we can change the world through entrepreneurship.  

Why are you doing this now? What in the world has inspired you to start something like this?
I wished I had been a teen entrepreneur.  I miss out so much now that I been an entrepreneur for a few years.  And it's not all about business- there's so much more.  All the life skills you learn while being in business for yourself you just can't learn in the corporate world.  We were both really inspired to see some of the things the teens in Teen Business Forum were doing.  There's one teen, Ryan from the UK who had more eBay feedback than my parents who were full-time eBay sellers.  Then there was a teen, Lukas telling us that since he joined the community, he had started reading all kinds of business books.  The one he was reading at the time was the 4-Hour Work Week.  His dad was so impressed by him that he said, "Son, can I read it after you?"  Keep in mind he was only 15 at the time.  There are adults who still haven't read that book and don't understand how time and money go together.  The same person now is outsourcing things.  At 15!  

We looked at the community and thought if they are doing these things now, how much more when they are older.  And that's where we come in.  We have a real opportunity to build up successful and ethical entrepreneurs that will change the world.  We also know there are a lot more teens out there who don't know they are entrepreneurs yet.  But once they get the bug, they're in.

Why is the summit targeted for teenagers?
Very simply, because teens are going to be the next generation.  Our vision was to be able to impact the world through entrepreneurship realizing our dream that successful and ethical entrepreneurs will make the world better.  So to be able to influence the people who will make an impact, we want to provide it for the next generation.  

However, anyone can benefit from the summit.  We just saw some figures on the age demographic of the people attending.  We have people as young as 16 and as old as 52.  I think these people "get it".  They get that a powerhouse lineup of speakers we lined up for the summit just doesn't happen.  

Why did you choose your particular speakers?
In the beginning, we started with people we knew.  We had been doing interviews for many months prior.  And through those interviews, we were able to get to know them.  Some of them had the same vision we did- that youth entrepreneurship was the future.  And many of them were teen entrepreneurs themselves who are now very successful.  One example of that is Matt Mickiewicz who founded Sitepoint, 99Designs, and Flippa.  We thought his experience would give a lot of teens excitement to see what they would be like 10 years from now.

The speakers we chose feel into 3 categories- veteran, young, and teen.  The veteran entrepreneurs are going to talk about big issue topics like how to win over your customers, job economy, getting media attention.  The young entrepreneurs are ones who have previously been entrepreneurs in their teens and are now very successful.  And then the teen entrepreneurs have businesses that current teens can start right away.  It provides a very very practical answer to "how do I get started?".

What are your hopes for the Teen Business Summit? What impact are you trying to make?
That every teen watching will know what's possible, be inspired, and get a business up and running.  Indirectly, I think we will change the way how conferences will be done in the future.  We are the first ones to host a conference entirely online, live, and free.

Here is a new video we put together:

The link to the website is: http://www.teenbusinesssummit.com/

Monday, July 25, 2011

Yum...Kale Chips!

Today, Kayla and I ran our best time ever! We have been working so hard to get better at running and it's really starting to show! After my fantastic run, I went home and was on a mission to make kale chips. Yesterday, my dad was at a farmer's market and a man was selling kale chips. He claimed that he had the best kale chips. My father mentioned that I was making kale chips and the man immediately said mine would never be as good. Well, this is not the first someone has turned me down in life and said I would never be able to do something. This has now happened to me so many times in life, it now encourages me to just prove them wrong! So, today, I washed the kale. Then tossed it with olive oil, garlic powder, parmesan cheese, a dash of salt and black pepper. First I baked them for 15 minutes at 350 degrees and they completely burned. So I then made a second, smaller batch and baked them for 5-7ish minutes and they came out perfect! My mom and I could hardly stop eating them!

Friday, July 22, 2011

Quote and a Pair of Shoes

"Be the change you want to see in the world."-Mahatma Gandhi

This is my favorite quote of all time. I try my best to live by this quote, particularly "Be the change..". There are so many things in the world that we could follow along, but what if they are not right? What if they are not morally sound? Or just plain crazy? Just because everyone else is doing it, doesn't mean you have to. Be the change, be what you see the world needs. Take a risk and do something positive for the world and yourself. There are so many things in life that I can follow along with and go the route that people have chosen for me. Or I can take a risk, and make a change, and show people there are other things. Even though, taking risks are scarier and more uncertain, there is so much more of reward. Don't just see the change, BE THE CHANGE!

For my birthday, all I wanted was custom running shoes and I got the opportunity to pick a few words for my shoes. And so that I can always be reminded, I chose "Be the change"!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Healthy Summer Snacks

Snacking is important, especially throughout these hot summer days. If I don't eat snacks, I become extremely cranky and you don't want to be around me. So I always carry a snack with me when I am out and when I am home I set times when I am going to snack. Sometimes I work so hard that I forget to eat, which is not a good thing. Snacking is not eating an entire meal, it's simply giving your body just enough fuel to keep going throughout the day. During the summer when it's really hot, frozen grapes are an amazing snack. The perfect cool down-light, sweet, and cold! Yogurt parfaits are good too, but you have to make sure it's not made with flavored yogurt because that is packed with sugar. It's best with plain yogurt, berries, and topped with a bit of granola (I love Udi's gluten-free granola)! Kale chips are a great alternative to the regular potato chip. You can do tons of different variations on the kale chip, but it's simply kale (washed, dried, and torn into little pieces without the stem) tossed with olive oil, sprinkled with a small amount of salt, and baked on a cookie sheet for 15 minutes at 350 degrees. You could add garlic and sprinkle it with a little parmesan cheese for a different variation. Enjoy your summer snacks:)

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Come Join Me on July 30th and Celebrate National Dance Day

As you know, I love being active and dance has always a great alternative to my workouts. That's why I am encouraging everyone to celebrate and take part in National Dance Day on July 30th. For those of who live in the Fairfield county area, come join me at the Easton Community Center gazebo, where my school's arts program, Students C.R.E.A.T.E, will be be testing the theory-The  Macarena Project – Can You Dance to it?”. It's important to recognize and support health and wellness, so please come dance with me!Here is the information and I hope you can make it:)



Save the date!
Saturday, July 30
In conjunction with National Dance Day
Students’ C.R.E.A.T.E. invite you to:
Can you dance to it?
“The Macarena Project”
ECC Gazebo 1-3:30 pm
Come help us show the nation Easton can dance!

Event will be taped and submitted to the National dance day and “so you think you can dance” websites

Students’ C.R.E.A.T.E. (Coalition for the Reinforcing of Enrichment for Adolescents through Exploration) is a group of present and past ECDS high school students dedicated to the creative arts.
For more information: