Distraction Magazine Fall 2022

fall 2022

HOCUS

witchcraft and its origins

MAKE IT MINE

Turning thoughts into reality through manifestation

PUMP IT UP How to chase those quick gains, but in a healthy way

MAMMA MIA, HERE WE GO AGAIN Mediterranean styles in the states!

MAMMA MIA

Mediterranean styles in the states!

MAKE IT MINE Turning thoughts into reality through manifestation

HOCUS POCUS Modern witchcraft and its origins

PUMP IT UP How to chase those quick gains, but in a healthy way

MAKE IT MINE

Turning thoughts into reality through manifestation

HOCUS POCUS Modern witchcraft and its origins

MAMMA MIA, HERE WE GO AGAIN Mediterranean styles in the states!

PUMP IT UP How to chase those quick gains, but in a healthy way

magazine of the students of the university of miami fall 2022

IT UP

to chase those quick gains, but in a healthy way

MAKE IT MINE

Turning thoughts into reality through manifestation

HOCUS POCUS

Modern witchcraft and its origins

MAMMA MIA, HERE WE GO AGAIN Mediterranean styles in the states!

magazine of the students of the university of miami

the

PUT A FACE TO THE NAME!

Seniors it is your last chance to make your mark.

Book your Senior portrait now by scanning the QR code, or visiting our website, Ibisyearbook.com!

You can catch us taking portraits at the Whitten UC Lobby all the way through Homecoming.

Book now, your face is waiting ...

WHAT THE FORK

SECTION: BELIEVE IT (OR

& WELLNESS

FROM THE

Adrenaline is circulating through me as I type — campus is closing due to hurricane Ian in 17 minutes, and my team is hustling to put final touches on the first issue of the year. As a young staff, this issue has been a storm-surge of fresh ideas, inspired by those who came before us. We have been working tirelessly to finish, and tonight is the magical night. We came up with the special section, Believe it (or Not), to send some enchantment your way. The world is a heavy place, so let your mind wander through some out-of-this-world ideas: witchcraft, manifestation, and my personal favorite, astrology slander.

For the entirety of the issue, let our words put a spell on you.

XOXO,

When it comes to contributors, we’re not picky. Whether you’ve found your niche in a biology book, you’re notorious for doing “nothing” at the comm or business school or you’re halfway into your college career and still wave that “undeclared major” flag, we want to hear what you have to say. Distraction is an extracurricular/volunteer operation made for students, by students, and covers the full spectrum of student life here at The U. If you want to get involved or have any questions,

or

email us at distraction305@gmail.com.

THE GUIDE

: Welcome to your roadmap — a complete guide to cover your curiosities. Mark your calendars with hot-spots all UM students should know. Read a comprehensive list of birth control options in order of accessibility. And finally, ditch the TikTok advice with some direction on your situationships. THE GUIDE: Welcome to your roadmap –a complete guide to cover your curiosities. Mark your calendars with hot-spots all UM students should know. Read a comprehensive list of birth control options in order of accessibility. And finally, ditch the TikTok advice with some direction on your situationships. Whatever you’re

THE GUIDE: Welcome to your roadmap –a complete guide to cover your curiosities. Mark your calendars with hot-spots all UM students should know. Read a comprehensive list of birth control options in order of accessibility. And finally, ditch the TikTok advice with some direction on your situationships. Whatever you’re looking for, let us guide

THE GUIDE: Welcome to your roadmap –a complete guide to cover your curiosities. Mark your calendars with hot-spots all UM students should know. Read a comprehensive list of birth control options in order of accessibility. And finally, ditch the TikTok advice with some direction on your situationships. Whatever you’re looking for, let us guide you . THE GUIDE: Welcome to your roadmap –a complete guide to cover your curiosities. Mark your calendars with hotspots all UM students should know. Read a comprehensive list of birth control options in order of accessibility. And finally, ditch the TikTok advice with some direction on your situationships. THE GUIDE: Welcome to your roadmap

Sebastian’s SurvivalGuide: a week on campus

Whether you’re a new student at the University of Miami or a returning student looking for ways to spice up your week, there are plenty of opportunities to create exciting Miami memories. Coming from the expertise of a campus tour guide, here is your guide to an amazing week as a UM student.

words_jamie moses. design_isa márquez. illustrations_melanie bergunker & isa márquez

Monday

Since Monday is the first day of the academic week, it’s important to spend the day planning and eating well to start a good routine for the rest of the week. So, start the day off right with a nutritious breakfast or iced coffee on campus.

Located inside the law school, Einstein Bros Bagels has a wide selection of bagels and pastries to kickstart your week. You can also head over to the Archivist Cafe by Richter Library for the coffee-house aesthetic, or to Starbucks for a classic, reliable drink. Junior Sofía Palacios makes her own suggestion when ordering from Starbucks.

“Order ahead on GrubHub or the Starbucks app, because Mondays on campus are busy,” Palacios said. Be ready to wait in line during busy times, especially right after class lets out.

In between classes, sitting outside of the Shalala Student Center is a great place to catch up with friends or plan out your week. You can sit by the grassy steps, under a large palm tree or inside the building for a little AC. The law school courtyard is a great place to study, too.

If you’re hungry, the dining halls, market and food court are close by. There’s something for everyone, including a poke bowl from Sushi Maki or chicken and waffles from Daybreak. Fuel up to boost your brain power for a long week of classes.

Take it easy on Mondays because your week will ramp up quickly with assignments and plans.

To - Do

Important Dates

Tuesday

Happy Taco Tuesday! Today makes for a great day to grab some tacos from Tacology, Tacocraft, Tacos & Tattoos or Coyo Taco.

Tacocraft is a convenient option, located just five-minutes away from campus. This restaurant has pink neon lights and DJs that play trendy music, including – of course – “Pepas.” They have an array of tacos to choose from. Ahi tuna, crispy pork and braised chicken are just some of the many popular options.

Tacology is located on the top floor of the Brickell City Center, near the well-known bridge photo-op. This restaurant has a trendy setting and plenty of shops in the surrounding area. From shrimp tacos to milkshakes, this place will leave your taste buds bursting with delight.

Coyo Taco, a restaurant chain in South Florida, has plenty of taco options. With most of them coming in pairs, they are great to share with friends. Just a few weeks ago, they debuted a coco taco, which is a chocolate taco that is a great dessert choice. Coyo Taco is just a quick walk away, right across the street from campus.

If tacos aren’t your thing, Trivia Tuesdays at the Rathskeller might be. This is a great time to test your knowledge on all sorts of topics and to have some amazing food, organized and narrated by Hurricane Productions. Winners take home a $25 Rathskeller gift card, so if you enjoy being rewarded for your smarts with great food and drink, this is the event for you.

Wednesday

Just when the week starts to feel too long, the weekly farmer’s market can resurrect you from sadness.

Located between Richter Library and the Shalala Student Center, the farmer’s market takes place between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. every Wednesday, attracting students, faculty, and locals. You might even smell the food on your walk to class.

With dozens of vendors in attendance, there are many options to choose from, including açaí, poke bowls, smoothies, crêpe stations, Greek food, fresh fruit, bulgogi and more. The market is great for any occasion: meeting up with friends, chowing down, or a quick snack while going over a class presentation.

Thursday

Thursdays are jam-packed; though students are finishing up classes and work for the weekend, there is plenty of entertainment and excitement to make your workweek less stressful.

From 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., Patio Jams brings solo acts and bands to the Lakeside Patio for students and visitors to listen to. They play both original songs and classic covers.

Looking for some free merchandise? Hurricane Productions has you covered. They frequently host events on the patio, offering shirts, phone wallets, water bottles, free movie nights and more. They also host DJs, free smoothies or açaí bowls, and a variety of other events to make dayto-day life on campus extra special.

If you are looking for that typical college bar experience, you can head on over to Sandbar, a sports bar that turns into a nightclub ever Thursday night. Come prepared — it gets a little sweaty and messy. For a more refined experience, explore Coconut Grove, Brickell and other areas of Miami for a fun and classy dinner.

Friday

Friday calls for celebration: you finally made it through. Try out Salsa Craze in the StormSurge room on campus where they host free salsa lessons. Practice your dancing with some experts.

If you have a light Friday schedule, it could make for a great day to go to the beach. Thankfully we have an abundance of them.

goals

To - Do

Important Dates

Go to Matheson Hammock beach for a relaxing and nearby getaway. Try Key Biscayne for a serene escape. And of course, there’s South Beach for a vibrant and energetic atmosphere.

South Beach is also a fun spot to grab dinner and hit the clubs. Some great recommendations include Pink Taco, Joe’s Stone Crab or Gianni’s. These can match any vibe, from chill to formal. For historic meal, try the Versace Mansion.

Saturday

Wake up — it’s gameday. Saturdays at UM in the fall are notorious for football games and tailgates. Deck yourself out in orange and green and head over to a tailgate.

Tailgates often take place before the games on frat row, or you can head over to Hard Rock Stadium and set up a tent in the parking lot. Plenty of Miami locals go to the stadium and have a barbeque before games, and sometimes they give extra burgers, hot dogs, and other treats to students.

UM makes the trek to Hard Rock Stadium fairly simple. There are buses that leave from Lakeside’s Lobby A before the game, getting you to the stadium in about 35 minutes. These buses also start offering rides back to campus at the game’s halftime for an early getaway.

Category 5, our spirit and tradition organization, has a section that provides free merchandise and food. At games, Cat5 ramps up the spirit with the smoke cannons.

“As soon as ‘Pepas’ came blaring over the speakers at Hard Rock, it was my time to shine. I highly recommend everyone to take the chance to apply to do the smoke cannons,” said sophomore Emma Craig. “It’s such a great way to show your school spirit.”

Whether the ’Canes win or lose, you can continue your Saturday night out at a jazz restaurant such as Lagniappe with a charcuterie board, or try a new place in Brickell, Wynwood or South Beach. Eateries such as 1-800 Lucky and Wynwood Marketplace providing a smorgasbord of options.

Sunday

If you’re looking for a Sunday morning meal with a show, go to a drag brunch.

“Go to Palace Miami in South Beach, or R House in Wynwood. They offer shows with brunch for package deals depending on the time and day you attend – they are amazing,” said junior Kalliope Tsartis

From croissant sandwiches to flamingo platters, these spots give stellar presentation a whole new meaning. Make sure to bring a few extra dollars to tip the drag queens putting on a performance of a lifetime – they work hard.

For intimate spots to focus on friends and food while getting a great deal, try out American Social. It’s right along the water in Brickell and is a fun place to watch yachts pass by. For a more artsy setting, try Little Hen, a flowery spot with luxurious pancakes and decoration. It’s an ideal spot to improve your Instagram game.

After that … get ready to do it all over again. That’s the beauty of college: everyone can bounce back quickly. So have fun, stay safe, and Go Canes!

goals

To - Do

Important Dates

PROACTIVE PROTECTION

Recently the government has a lot to say about reproductive rights. And with the loss of Roe v. Wade, people are scrambling to find ways to take care of their bodies. Despite a hectic political climate, there are still plenty of things you can control to stay safe in these unpredictable times.

words_ ashley valencia, guiselle arciniega gomez & communitywire.miami. design_izzy dino. photo_daniella pinzon.

Nearly 40 years after Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court ruled that women have no constitutional right to abortion. Additionally, some states, including Florida, are adopting laws that further limit access to the procedure. Florida’s 15-week abortion ban, which republican gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law in July, means women can get an abortion only up to 15 weeks in the state, with few exceptions to save the life of the pregnant woman and fatal fetal abnormalities.

To further strengthen the right reversal, some pro-life advocates are now targeting the right to contraception use. They are urging conservative states to outlaw some birth control methods, such as emergency contraception, like Plan B, and intrauterine devices.

“Birth control is not controversial,” said Dr. Ian Jospeh Bishop, director of the Division of Family Planning and associate program director at the University of Miami. “It’s a basic health care that the vast majority of women will use at some point over the course of their lifetime. In fact, it is more important now than ever before to utilize a reliable form of contraceptive if you are sexually active.”

He added that contraceptive services in Florida have not been interrupted following the Supreme Court ruling, so not everything has been repealed.

When a graduate mechanical engineering student’s girlfriend missed her menstrual period for a couple of months, the couple “got kinda scared.”

The now-ex-girlfriend, who was using an IUD, ended up not being pregnant. While he was relieved that a baby was not on the way, the student

was ambivalent about becoming a father.

“I would take care of the child and step up,” said the student who asked not to be named for this article. “But it’s also like you’re tied to that person for life and have a kid with them, and I would not have a kid with just anybody.”

Recent surveys show college students are having sex, and, in many cases, with “just anybody.” According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 17 is the mean age people have vaginal sexual intercourse for the first time

Social scientists predict an average of six sexual partners in one’s lifetime.

Many students believe that birth control measures need to be in place to prevent unwanted pregnancies. States should not be dabbling in curbing contraceptives, said UM sophomore Gabriela Levy.

“I don’t know what I would do, honestly, if efforts are successful to limit birth control options,” Levy said. “I think I would go kind of crazy. Young kids would start thinking of other crazy ways to have abortions, which is really dangerous.”

Condom-mania

Other surveys indicate that students and young people engaging in casual sex relationships

use condoms for prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

And while masturbation, oral sex and anal intercourse rank higher on the student list of preferred sexual behaviors, according to a 2017 CDC report, penile-vaginal intercourse is the sex of choice for about 75 percent of college students.

Even though Planned Parenthood lists 18 birth control options on its website, some students begin condom habits during their college years, especially when they are not in committed relationships or having intercourse with a new partner.

Shi Khurama, a sophomore finance major who has been sexually active for about five years, said she is not ready to commit to a prescribed birth control plan, so condoms are a better fit for her.

Levy, 19, says she has been using condoms for two years: “If you’re smart and use a condom, you prevent STDs.”

Condoms, which Planned Parenthood ranks as 85 percent effective against pregnancy, are the only birth control option that also can help prevent STDs due to their physical barriers.

While many students use these quick forms of protection, they don’t use them consistently. Reasons vary from reduced sexual spontaneity, to one or both sexual partners not enjoying the feeling.

Contraception Continued

Some students said they might explore other forms of contraception if they knew more information, including where to get them. Many students aren’t aware that UM has contraception information, prescription and

procedure options. If Levy and Khurama were to switch to a regular birth control plan, both said they did not know about UM’s reproductive health services.

“We can easily make appointments or help them make appointments,” said Dr. Emilio Voltz, director of Student Health Service at UM. “So, we can certainly provide oral birth control pills, NuvaRing, Depo. That’s usually through the pharmacy so the patient would have to go get the prescription and then we can administer the medication here if they are interested.”

IUDs and hormonal birth control, including Nexplanon, are done through the department of OB-GYN, he said.

Hormonal birth control is a method that uses progesterone or estrogen, said Sarah Scully, the communications and marketing consultant of Planned Parenthood in South, East and North Florida.

“The FDA requires a prescription for the birth control implant, birth control patch, birth control pill, birth control shot, birth control vaginal ring, diaphragm and IUD,” Scully said. “These methods safely stop ovulation from occurring.”

Nexplanon, the “get-it-and-forget-it” birth control, is described by Planned Parenthood as a tiny, thin rod about the size of a matchstick that releases hormones into a woman’s body, preventing her from getting pregnant. The procedure, an incision in the arm, provides up to five years of protection.

“The most effective form of birth control is the contraceptive implant,” said Dr. Ian Joseph Bishop, director of family planning at UM and an assistant professor in clinical obstetrics and gynecology.

“It is more effective than sterilization and completely reversible,” Bishop added. “The healthcare provider will place it under the skin in your arm. Insertion is really fast and they’ll numb your arm, so it won’t hurt.”

Voltz said that having to make appointments can render good birth control options ineffective.

“It may sound simple, but obtaining a prescription is one of the main barriers preventing women from easy access to birth control,” Voltz said.

Some online services such as Favor, Simple Health and Nurx are making birth control access easier and will ship birth control in discreet packaging.

Voltz reminds students to remember the services provided by the Student Health Center right on campus.

“If students try to do it on their own, it can take a while to see an OB-GYN,” Voltz

There are a few new contraceptives on the market. One is a nonhormonal vaginal pH modulator gel that’s used an hour before sex.

Another is Annovera, a vaginal ring that can be used every month for a year, eliminating the need to use a new ring every month.

Slynd is a new progestin-only pill, for those who have a contraindication to estrogencontaining contraceptives.

said. “But if they access student health, we make phone calls and we do the groundwork to get them an appointment, and we can usually get them in, conservatively, within a week or less.”

Emergency birth control

Health care officials have noted that when accidental or unplanned pregnancies happen, people can panic in trying to find an easy way to access emergency birth control.

“Emergency contraception is a safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex,” Bishop said, adding that it does not cause any long-term side effects and will not affect a woman’s ability to get pregnant in the future.

Bishop also noted there are certain IUDs women can get within five days after unprotected sex, and they are known as the most effective type of emergency contraception.

“It works as well on Day 1 as on Day 5,” he said.

There are two options of oral emergency contraception, both known as a morningafter pill. Ellais, the most effective type of oral emergency contraception, requires a prescription from a nurse or doctor; the other is Plan B

“You can buy it over the counter without a prescription in most drugstores and pharmacies,” Bishop said. “This will work best when you take it within three days after unprotected sex. The sooner you take it, the more effective.”

Which one works for you?

Birth control can also do more than just prevent pregnancy.

Scully said in terms of effectiveness, IUDs tend to have the highest success rate, over 99 percent, in preventing pregnancy. But that should not be the sole determining factor in choosing birth control.

“The best birth control method is the one that best fits a person’s lifestyle, preferences and health needs,” Scully said.

“The good news is that we have many options for birth control. Knowing all the available options and finding the best fit with your healthcare provider is important,” said Bishop.

He added that when choosing the best contraceptive method, it is important to be honest and consider the following: “How would an unplanned pregnancy affect you? Will you remember to take a pill every day? Do you mind planning ahead for sex? Do you prefer something low maintenance with little room for user error? Are your periods regular or irregular?”

Confused about your options? We get it — there’s a lot. Here’s a list of some common choices to make things a bit clearer. When in doubt, consult your doctor about the best choice for you. Stay safe out there!

source_plannedparenthood.org

“

There are a few new contraceptive methods on the market,” said Bishop. One is a nonhormonal vaginal pH modulator gel that’s used an hour before sex. Another is Annovera, a vaginal ring that can be used every month for a year, eliminating the need to use a new ring every month. Slynd is a new progestin-only pill, for those who have a contraindication to estrogen-containing contraceptives. When in doubt, consult a doctor about your options.

Whether you’re a hopeless romantic or you just binge watch Love Island, you understand the idea of a situationship. These relationships can be hard to navigate . . . From friends with benefits, to a rebound from a devastating heartbreak — anything goes. So, if you find yourself navigating these uncharted waters, Distraction is here to help.

Every college campus is a hormone warzone, creating the ideal breeding ground for situationships. In their most basic form, situationships are just dragged-out flings. They’re nothing official and are often similar to a relationship. They just don’t have a label or the same level of commitment.

Sometimes, you’ll end up talking to someone you met at a party for a few weeks, have a little fun, and then act like nothing happened. Unfortunately, these two-week free

trial periods can quickly get complicated. Often, people don’t realize they’re in one until they’re in too deep.

So, with help from University of Miami students, we created categories to help you identify what might be going on in your situationship. Sometimes, you’ll end up talking to someone you met at a party for a few weeks, have a little fun, and then act like nothing happened. Unfortunately, these two-week free trial periods can quickly get complicated. Often, people don’t realize they’re in one until they’re in too deep.

words_sal puma. design_abby pak. illustration_lizzie kristal.

THE LINE-UP

THE FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS

We know it, we sometimes love it: good ole’ friends with benefits. This type of situationship can satisfy a hormonal college student’s desire for intimacy while keeping things casual. While it can come with a level of exclusivity, it tends to have no strings attached. For some, this sounds like a dream. But beware: a relationship built on physical desire can easily become sticky if one person wants to deepen the connection. Open communication is key, and if one person starts catching feelings, try reevaluating the relationship to keep it healthy.

THE QUICK FIX

This person might be your plus-one at parties and events, but most of these plans arise spontaneously. While it can feel great to have a consistent companion, it might just be because options one and two had other plans. It’s a one-sided relationship. One person has a roster of a possible dates, and the other is just an option waiting to on the sideline.

THE TEST RUN

These types of situationships are very confusing because of their experimental nature. This can be someone healing themselves after a devastating heartbreak, someone trying to explore a new part of their sexuality, or someone trying to figure out what they want. While some situationships don’t last long, the test run can be fostered into something serious.

THE LONGDISTANCE DILEMMA

Sometimes you really like someone but become separated due to college, work, or some other circumstance. It’s the “right person, wrong time” phenomenon that can cause many situationships. It’s very possible to make something out of this situationship, but you have to ask yourself: is keeping this Tamagotchi relationship alive worth your energy?

THE UNDECIDED

This situationship is the true romantic equivalent of couch surfing – always floating in an unknown. It occurs when one or both parties like each other but aren’t ready to settle down. It could be perfect if you’re trying to figure out where your heart lies, but frustrating if you’re the one stuck wanting more.

THE MISSING LABEL

A relationship without a title is what this entails: dinner dates, movie nights, and some casual sex here and there. You’re basically dating, but you have issues with commitment. The real label isn’t there yet. These can be fun, but when the holidays come and your family asks you about that special someone, this category can be awkward to explain.

As fun as it is to play couples’ counselor with situationships, there’s more to discuss than diagnosing them. In recent years, it seems like there has be an increase in these blurred-line relationships, and we investigated why. Because we don’t like to kiss and tell, we sent out an anonymous form to students who wanted to share their experiences.

After reading the responses, there was a clear answer as to why situationships have become more main-stream: commitment. Or more precisely, the lack thereof.

According to a study published in The Journal of Sex Research, “adults consider establishing an intimate partnership with another to be quite low on their list of priorities, and they frequently report too much commitment as the disadvantage of romantic relationships.”

This idea was reflected in responses from students.

One student told us that she had a fall-semester fling with a Tinder match. After a few dates, things seemed to be going well. When it came to putting a label on it, commitment became an issue.

“He refused to call me anything more than a friend, no matter how many times I tried to have the conversation,” said the student.

One night, when her match had to reschedule because he felt “sick,” she discovered that he was actually out with his ex-girlfriend. But the student couldn’t get upset because there was no definition on the boundaries.

Another student had no label on his and was fine with it. Later, he regretted it. He and another student talked and hooked-up, but they didn’t see the need to make it official. It was early in their freshmen year, and they didn’t want to settle down too quickly. But this came with negative consequences.

“I forced a situationship between us to reap the intimacy of a relationship without actually being held to the expectations of one,” said the student. “I feel really awful about it, and I will be avoiding all situationships in the future.”

Though the responses we read painted situationships in a negative light, lack of commitment isn’t necessarily a bad thing. No matter what kind of situationship you’re in, you should always do what makes you happy. But we do have one final piece of advice: communicate. Clear and open communication between involved parties in situationships can mean the difference between a healthy relationship and a heart-break trainwreck.

Life is short, so you may as well have fun with it— just try not to break too many hearts along the way. If you do, you might end up being the subject of a scorned songwriter’s next hit single.

Want more love guidance? Read more at distractionmag.com

HAPPENING tackles today’s hot topics and inspiring innovators. Take an inside look at where faith intersects with athleticism, the housing crisis that’s hitting Miami hard, and a UM student who’s starring in the spotlight. Drop your responsibilities and wander into an unexplored world beneath your fingertips.comprehensive list of birth control options in order of accessibility. And finally, ditch the TikTok advice with some direction on your situationships. Whatever you’re looking for, let us guide you. HAPPENING tackles today’s hot topics and inspiring innovators. Take an inside look at where faith intersects with athleticism, the housing crisis that’s hitting Miami hard, and a UM student who’s starring in the spotlight. Drop your responsibilities and wander into an unexplored world beneath your fingertips.comprehensive list of birth control options in order of accessibility. And finally, ditch the TikTok advice with some direction on your situationships. Whatever you’re looking for, let us guide you. HAPPENING tackles today’s hot topics and inspiring innovators. Take an inside look at where faith intersects with athleticism, the housing crisis that’s hitting Miami hard, and a UM student who’s starring in the spotlight. Drop your responsibilities and wander into an unexplored world beneath your fingertips.comprehensive list of birth control options in order of accessibility. And finally, ditch the TikTok advice with some direction on your situationships. Whatever you’re looking for, let us guide you. HAPPENING tackles today’s hot topics and inspiring innovators. Take an inside look at where faith intersects with athleticism, the housing

Love it or List itLove it or List it

The luxury of LifeTime’s apartments might just be the new norm for Coral Gables. Swanky apartment complexes seem to be popping up across the city — fantastic news for the well off. But renting rates have never been higher and these new developments don’t help. Miami’s housing crisis has hit Coral Gables hard, and affordable housing is in a great shortage. Local residents are forced to leave their homes and UM students are trapped between steep off-campus prices and limited on-campus options.

words_lizzie kristal. design_isa márquez. photo_ allie salvucci & nina d’agostini.

If you were to browse through a typical UM student’s social media feed, expect photos of luxurious penthouses in Brickell, massive beach mansions in Miami Beach, and contemporary apartments from Coconut Grove to Merrick Park. To the average lurker, this is an Instagram-worthy paradise! But let’s be real … living in these properties can be insanely expensive.

Despite the University of Miami having a beautiful urban campus, most students can’t afford UM’s high-rate housing. Now, Miami housing is more expensive than ever, including Coral Gables. How are people, especially students, supposed to survive Miami’s biggest housing crisis yet?

Miami has consistently been an expensive place to lease an apartment, especially as a

global hotspot. In October 2018, Miami’s median rent was $2,095 according to a report by Florida International University. This was the eighth-highest in the nation, not much less than New York. Since May 2021, average rents have risen about 50 percent, according to a Realtor.com report.

Stacker, a media company, compiled 50 of the most expensive zip codes in Florida from Zillow. Coral Gables is within the top 10, having a staggering home value of more than $1 million—272.4 percent above the typical home value in Florida.

Miami-Dade County declared its housing crisis a public emergency in late March 2022. Funding was set aside to secure housing for lower-income populations in the area; but, the solution only put a band-aid on it.

Though Miami’s housing rates hasn’t surpassed other metropolitan areas like Seattle, New York and Los Angeles, the median income is lower. Miami’s residents can’t afford the steep rates as well because of comparatively lower salaries, especially in lower-income communities. FIU’s Housing Report detailed that Miami’s situation was dire due to the difference. Majority of Miami’s workforce are in retail, food, and other ‘low-skill’ industries. This is the population that is struggling.

Additionally, Florida has become the great escape for those experiencing strict COVID-19 guidelines and high property. These out-of-state residents typically retain their high-paying careers and are able to afford rent, increasing Miami’s demand

for expensive housing, pushing longtime residents out.

Coral Gables is experiencing the same shortage of lower-income housing. Recently, MG Developers announced a new project in which it has acquired an entire city block northeast of UM’s campus. What was originally 13 small apartment buildings and 52 units will transform into a $50 million luxury townhome and condo development with 48 units. It’s called Gables Village. The project is inspired after George Merrick’s vision of Coral Gables, according to Diego Torrealba, Real Estate Development associate for MG Developers.

“Gables Village will embellish the city as it will offer four Glorietas inspired by the Glorietas of Seville, that will promote artful living to the neighborhood and residents,” said Torrealba. “In addition, the intention of the project is to support inspired living through bespoke spaces accomplished through a thoughtful architecture and design that incorporates a range of unit types.”

Gables Village is truly an aesthetic masterpiece. However, it deprives the working class of some of the only affordable Coral Gables. Elizabeth Peñas, a senior at FIU, lived in one of these units and was asked to leave along with other residents by July 1.

“We found out back in March [that we had to move out]… in the beginning it was sad because we decorated this place, we painted the walls, did murals on the walls, and we were expecting to at least stay there for a year,” said Peñas. “Our neighbors were cool. We were just so used to the place. It was home.”

Peñas was paying $700 to share a onebedroom with her friend, totaling $1,400 for the unit. Many residents in Peñas’ building lived there for over two decades, claiming their rent had not been raised since they moved in. Looking for affordable housing in Coral Gables and the Greater Miami area can be quite the headache, especially since most of the current housing are new developments. According to the FIU housing report, workforce-based housing isn’t being produced despite being in such high demand.

This is a disgusting reality for many UM students, whom, on top of paying for a hefty price for an education, are struggling to find a place to rest their heads. Jamie Karen, UM senior and resident at the THesis Hotel across from campus, experienced a massive rent increase. Living in a one-bedroom apartment, her rent was $2,900 last year. This year, rent jumped to $3,900, a whopping 34.5% increase.

“The price went up a ridiculous amount, so much that my parents asked me if I wanted to move out because it was so expensive. Luckily, I was fortunate enough to be able to say no,” said Karen.

Other off-campus housing in the area has increased its rates as well. Since oncampus housing is severely limited, this

leaves students, mostly upperclassmen, with only expensive options. Though on-campus housing is scarce, there are plans underway to expand capacity in resident buildings.

“Through a multi-year plan to modernize campus housing, the University will increase its on-campus residence hall bed availability,” said Jacqueline R. Menendez, vice president of University Communications. “The university has just begun the second phase of its housing plan. Centennial Village will provide 2,025 beds upon completion.” Centennial Village is expected to be completed by summer of 2024 and will house the future Class of 2028.

Menendez also emphasized UM’s commitment to keeping on campus housing affordable, despite the high demand and limited supply. Additionally, there will soon be a full-time staff member dedicated to helping students with off-campus housing.

Luckily, the mass increase in housing prices across the county are steadily flattening. But residents are stuck with the aftermath for the time being. Coral Gables remains a majority-luxurious city, especially with projects similar to those of MG Developers. For students, this means paying up, sharing living space, or moving far from campus. Homestead is another nearby option, and has more affordable prices than apartments on campus, but it also means a longer commute. No matter what, housing is never easy.

“It was a crazy increase. I don’t understand how students are supposed to be paying for that since a lot of people pay for their own rent,” said Karen.

Miami’s housing crisis can be daunting for students and native residents. Next time you’re walking

through the UM neighborhood, keep an eye out for the new, beautiful Spanish architecture — it’ll be eye-catching. Just don’t get too excited – it’ll be hard to swing on a student’s budget.

Coral Gables, home of the “U, is one of the most expensive areas to live in Florida, and it only gets worse from here.

The Floor Plan

Vox: Often, Vox holds giveaways on their Instagram. Sometimes just commenting on a post will automatically enter you into the giveaway. Most of the prizes include gift cards from Amazon, Taco Craft, Delta Airlines and more.

UV: Not only does the UV have its own convenience store for its residents, but they also offer a shuttle service directly to the heart of campus. There are also a lot of free food opportunities hosted by HRL.

Standard: The game room is a great place to blow off steam after a long day. With arcade games, ping pong, shuffleboard, air hockey, and more, there is something for everyone!

Stanford: Stanford Residential College was originally called the “960 Complex” because it could house 960 students when it opened in 1969.

Eaton: The oldest residential hall on campus, Eaton was first opened as an all-women building.

THesis: In collaboration with local businesses and restaurants like Mamey Miami, the hotel hosts events like live music, farmers markets, cooking classes, and even weekly fitness programs.

Lakeside: Lakeside is comprised of 25 interconnected connected buildings, where there is a grand courtyard, numerous study spots, recreational spaces for outdoor and indoor activities, and outdoor terraces. Lakeside even has a few retail stores on its’ first floor including a Smoothie King, a UPS store, and Daybreak, an all-day breakfast place.

Mahoney: Back in 1958, Mahoney was actually an all-men’s residence hall until the 1970s, where it was then changed to be a coed facility.

Sometimes finding a place to live for the upcoming year can be a little crazy. Buildings fill up quick, epecially on campus. Apartment complex names and dorm buildings all start to blend together. Pets and pools? Averages prices? Proximity to campus? We’ve got you covered. Here’s a compact roadmap to help you navigate the confusion. words_ella sadler. design_isa marquez & lizzie kristal.

TOO MANY CHOICES?

Zooming in to campus, here’s a look at some popular housing options. Check out their corresponding fun facts and average prices for rental. Keep in mind, these will soon change with the addition of Centennial Village in the place of Stanford and Hecht.

Price for a One Bedroom Off Campus

GYMS

Vox, Thesis, GP & Standard have a gym. All students get access to the Herbert Wellness Center until midnight on weekdays and 10 p.m. on weekends.

POOLS

Vox, Thesis, GP & Standard have a pool. The oncampus pool by Lakeside Village is open to all students.

PETS

When bringing a furry friend from home, Vox and Thesis allow pets.

STUDYING sources_UM housing, voxmiami.com, thestandardcoralgables.com, THesis hotel, gables.com

All of these options have study rooms available in addition to other study spots on campus!

Some of Haber’s most popular songs are Melatonin, Alive, Youth On Fire and her latest single, Wake N’ Bake

HABER ALLI

Alli Haber found her calling in music at age eleven, when most kids barely know their own passions. Born and raised in Newtown, Massachusetts—just fifteen minutes shy of Downtown Boston—Alli’s family was nothing but supportive of her ambitions. They took her to different venues to build her stage presence and get a head start in her blooming career. words_daniela calderon. design_emily collins. photo_ ashley roberts, miggs media & rutendo sanganza.

Now, Alli already has her foot in the door and is ready to conquer the world. Let’s have an exclusive deep dive into Alli’s double life pursuing music as a full-time college student.

What can you tell us about your journey to being an artist?

I was surrounded by music in my life ever since I was really little. I joined the choir at my school in kindergarten and continued on with that until eighth grade. I immediately fell in love with singing and when I was about 11, I began taking voice lessons. My parents started taking me to different open

with. I remember going through a tough time when I was around 13 and I listened to the song “Warrior” by Demi Lovato, for some reason something clicked with me that day that I had the ability to make people happy and feel less alone.

How would you describe your music?

I’m definitely in the process of crafting my music and my sound right now. I’ve been experimenting with different genres of pop, R&B, and some indie. I would say the music I’ve released so far is more mainstream pop but there are many other sides to my artistry that I am working on sharing with the world.

What is your creative process like?

My creative process is always different. Sometimes I’ll have some lyrics, or a cool title written in my notes and get inspired to create melodies based off of that. Sometimes I start with a beat and build a song off of that. It really changes every time and I think that’s how I’m able to experiment with my music so much.

Which artists/ songwriters do you look up to?

Some of Haber’s most popular songs are Melatonin, Alive, Youth On Fire and her latest single, Wake N’ Bake.

mics where I would go and perform some songs. I started writing my own songs when I was 13 and released my first original at 14. From there I found a manager who began finding opportunities for me such as the boys of summer tour which I went on in 2019 and this past summer 2022.

When did you decide you wanted to pursue a career in the music industry?

I honestly always knew that I wanted a career in the music industry. There was never a doubt in my mind, even at the age of 11.

What is your most memorable milestone so far?

Every year the city of Boston puts on this huge New Year’s Eve show called First Night. By the end of the night, there have been 50 thousand people who have shown up. I got the opportunity to perform there last year with my band from Boston. We had a 45 minute set at around 9:30 p.m. with about 20 thousand people in the audience. The show honestly felt magical. The vibes were so good, we played a lot of fun songs that everyone knew it was just a big celebration.

Who or what inspired you to make music?

I think I always had an urge inside of me to make music. I loved the songs that made me feel like I wasn’t alone in this world. Those are the ones with lyrics that I really connected

This is always a tough question for me because there are so many artists that I look up to. When I first discovered Billie Eilish I was immediately intrigued — her lyrics are unique and her melodies and music are so interesting. There is nothing like it. I love artists like that. The vibe that Bazzi has is something I’ve always tried to incorporate in my music. His melodies just flow so well.

How would you describe being on stage? Being on stage is euphoric. It’s definitely my favorite part out of all of this. I love connecting with my audience—sharing a piece of me. I feel like when I am on stage, I’m my most raw and vulnerable self which is an electric feeling that is really indescribable.

What are some things no one knows about the music industry that you could share? There is so much time and effort put behind every release. I’ve had some songs that I made and only released a year later. There is a whole team of people out there working on marketing, contracts, artwork, etc. in order for the release to go smoothly.

What does a day in your life look like?

On a weekday I wake up and go to my classes which end around 3 p.m. Then I usually

go home and take a nap because I’m always exhausted after that. I do my homework and after that I try to go to the studio. A bunch of my friends from Frost all get together at my good friend Leland’s house who is an amazing producer. From there we hangout, create stuff, just see what happens and let it flow naturally. I also try to take at least an hour a day to work on my social media which can get hard to be consistent with especially when I have a lot of work.

What is the best advice you’ve been given and that you would give to someone about being a musician?

The best advice I’ve received is that I have to be 100 percent authentic to who I am with everything that I do. People are so quick to hate and judge but I’ve learned that it’s impossible to please everyone and as long as I am staying true to myself then I’ll be happy.

What’s next for you and your music career?

Right now, I’m working super hard on new music. I’m hoping to release in EP in the near-ish future with new sounds and a new side of me.

What is your favorite song that you’ve made and why?

My favorite song I’ve released is probably my song Melatonin. I just really like the flow and the energy that it has. But that being said, my unreleased songs are probably my favorite that I’ve made so I’m very excited share them.

“I ALWAYS KNEW I WANTED A CAREER IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY. THERE WAS NEVER A DOUBT IN MY MIND, EVEN AT THE AGE OF ELEVEN.”

Alli Haber performing in Minneapolis.

WORK HARD

HARD

Turning to their holy texts instead of their playbooks, some athletes at University of Miami look to their faith for strength on the field. No matter the amount of practice and drills, athletes can still feel worried about their performance in the big game. Encouragement from teammates and coaches might be reassuring, but for some that’s not enough. Religion takes an undeniably large role in some athletes’ lives, whether it be on the field or off.

words_ wyatt kopelman, brandi troup & communitywire.miami. design_ matt jimenez. photo_ wyatt kopelman & brandi troup.

The Miami Hurricanes arguably have been associated with an irreverent, not-so-saintly image on and off the field — long heralded as the “bad boys” of college football – the famed “convicts” of the 1988 “Catholics vs. Convicts” game with Notre Dame.

Not so easily discerned, however, are the spiritual vibe and faithful presence that bring many Hurricane quarterbacks, tight-ends and receivers to their knees at every game. From pre-game prayer huddles in the end zone to silent group prayers on the 50yard line and impromptu post-game prayers on the sidelines, the powerful realms of religion and sports merge for many players and coaching staff.

“I pray before every game,” said defensive back Gilbert Frierson. “I pray when I’m on the field; I pray that I make it off the field and pray for others around.”

Frierson is among many other UM student-athletes, from football to track & field, who avow religion as an important component of why and how they play.

23-year-old sprinter Adam Khriss said he reads the Quran, the Muslim holy book, to prepare his mind and body for his track meets.

“I became more calm, more focused about my races,” said Khriss after he began connecting more with his religion when he was 19. As instructed by the Quran, he has given up non-secular music, alcohol, drugs, and sexual intimacy.

“I’ve come to a point in my life where I don’t care what people think,” said Khriss. “I should be more worried about what God thinks than what others think,” he said.

While there are no typical prayer rituals for Muslim athletes prior to a game or during the athletic season, Khriss prays five times a day, reciting verses from the Quran. The five daily prayers include Fajr (sunrise prayer), Dhuhr or Zuhr (noon prayer), Asr (afternoon prayer), Maghrib (sunset

prayer) and Isha (night prayer).

“Prayers are more important than anything in life,” Khriss said.

Prayer is also a foundation of UM’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes, an active group of student-athletes who meet weekly for Bible study, counseling, and socializing.

With a membership of about 50 students, the FCA includes Christian athletes of all denominations, said Mike Blanc, the group’s director and football team chaplain. Members from several UM teams, including baseball, women’s basketball, track and field, swim and dive, and soccer are represented this year. The group also attracts a variety of students who are not athletes, Blanc said.

Senior Melissa Dagenais, goalkeeper on the women’s soccer team, joined FCA her junior year. She grew up Catholic in her hometown of Saint-Hubert, Quebec, Canada, and found it easy to connect with Blanc.

“He’s helped me so much throughout my Christian journey,” she said of Blanc. “We connect well, and he’s given me very good advice and even in soccer.”

She said it’s her faith sustaining her wellbeing and relationship, even when the team loses.

“For me, it just gives much comfort knowing that not everything is in my hands,” Dagenais said. “So as long as I do what I can, as long as I give my best on the field, the outcome is going to be what it is.”

Tight-end Will Mallory, also an FCA member, said he appreciates that faith and religion can be celebrated together at UM.

“We’re around a place that welcomes that,” said Mallory, a fifthyear senior who knew the presence and power of prayer even as a high school athlete.

“We would always pray before games and after games,” said Mallory, who attended Providence High School in Jacksonville, Florida. “No matter

what it was, win or lose, we would always come together to give thanks.”

Mallory praises Blanc for bringing fulfillment to the student-athletes’ lives.

“He does a great job with us in giving us opportunities to come together, to be a part of that brotherhood,” Mallory said.

Blanc’s influence extends beyond the dimensions of a field or film room. The former four-year defensive tackle at Auburn said he grew up in Pompano Beach, Florida, in a family fraught with disorder and conflict and a community marred by crime. Blanc watched his oldest brother, Dave, go to jail. However, despite the harrowing experience, Dave helped steer Blanc in a better direction.

Then the two attended church while Blanc was in the seventh grade.

“I was like the worst kid in the whole family,” Blanc said. “Dave, looking at his younger brother, was like, ‘Man, Mike, would you try this church with me?’”

Hearing a pastor’s confident words in Jesus’ affection for him, as Blanc remembered, was mind-blowing.

Now, Blanc shares his wisdom with UM’s studentathletes.

“They come to me and say, ‘Pastor Mike, could you pray for me?’ I have this really unique opportunity of just pouring into them; helping them, talking to them,” Blanc said. “Many of our talks with guys are honestly not even just about faith, but just about life, helping them

Gilbert Frierson Defensive Back

“

I PRAY WHEN I’M ON THE FIELD; I PRAY THAT I MAKE IT OFF THE FIELD AND PRAY FOR OTHERS AROUND.

them to get through difficult situations, whether it’s a mom or dad, or relative that’s sick.”

Blanc said the FCA, a national organization that formed in 1954 for coaches and athletes on the professional, college, high school, junior high and youth level, began at UM sometime in the early 2000s and was in place in 2001, when the Hurricanes won a national football title. Even before the group formalized, players were able to pursue their faith and athletics under coach Howard Schnellenberger, credited for putting the Hurricanes in the national spotlight, Blanc said. For a while, FCA was not as active back then as it is now, but the organization was revived when Blanc joined UM in 2016.

Beyond its communal gatherings, counseling and prayer huddles, FCA routinely ends each semester with a baptism, Blanc said. Fourteen student-athletes were baptized in the spring.

“When I first got to the University of Miami, I got baptized by the team pastor, Pastor Mike, and that helped change me a lot,” Frierson said.

Long before playing his first snap as a Hurricane, Frierson grew up loving football in Coconut Grove. He graduated from Coral Gables High School in 2018 and still competes for the Hurricanes in his fifth year as he pursues a graduate degree.

And he won’t see those snaps without praying about five times per game, he said.

Frierson successfully majored in sociology, walking across the stage in May 2021. He completed his degree in seven semesters, attending additional classes in the summer alongside teammates who elect an expedited academic plan.

Football, he said, can be challenging. “And sometimes, it can be stressful, and things cannot be going right on the field, so you have to keep praying and praying and believing in God,” Frierson said.

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) has campus ministries all over the United States. For more information on joining, check out their profile on Engage.

WILL MALLORY

NON-CHRISTIAN FAITH IN SPORTS

Although the NCAA reports that the majority, about 75 percent, of stu dent-athletes identify with a Christian religion, it’s not just Christian athletes who thanks God for the big win at the end of game or race.

Tolerance in the United States for non-Christian faiths increasingly has gained a foothold in Ame rican society, but athletes say they have had to fight some battles when reli gious beliefs and practices sometimes conflict with religious holidays, days of worship and even clothing restrictions.

There have been some victories.

At the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo, it was re ported that Muslims finally had access to prayer rooms in the athletic village and to a mobile mosque, which includes Arabic signage and outdoor water taps for pre-worship cleaning.

Ibtihaj Muhammad, a member of the U.S. fencing team, is the first Muslim

American woman to wear a headscarf (hijab) while competing for the United States in the Olympics. She and her teammates won bronze in the women’s team Sabre competition in fencing at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Several renowned Mus lim professional athletes, including Mike Tyson, Sha quille O’Neal, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, helped pave the way for acceptance.

Muhammad Ali, a for mer three-time heavywei ght title winner, converted to Islam upon receiving the Nation of Islam’s discipli nes in 1964. Ali’s conver sion to Islam was viewed to be controversial and led to several issues, including public scrutiny, refusal of serving in the Vietnam War, and a stripping of his heavyweight title.

But Ali did not stand alone in drawing atten tion to his non-Christian religious beliefs.

Sandy Koufax, a stan dout Jewish pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, chose religion over sport in Game One of the 1965 World Series against the Minnesota Twins.

With Yom Kippur — the “holiest” day of the Jewish year — falling on the game’s scheduling, Koufax decided not to play, instead in observance at a Minneapolis synagogue.

GILBERT FRIERSON

“A man is entitled his own belief and I believe I should not work on Yom Kippur,” Koufax said.

Koufax became the youngest player inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1976 and is praised as one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history.

“Faith can help raise the score on game day and in life’s outcomes,” said Imam Abdul Hamid Samra, chaplain of UM’s Muslim ministry.

“Faith gives you more strength, gives you more confidence in yourself and because you trust in a big power, so this is some thing to always help you be successful in anything including sport,” Samra said. “No matter what, all religion should add so mething good, something positive, including students playing a sport.”

Originally from Damas cus, Syria, Samra migrated to the United States in 1986, and has been a UM professor in Electrical En gineering for 11 years. He became UM’s first Muslim chaplain in 1988 after Mus lim students lobbied for the position.

“Our Islamic faith encourage sports a lot and it had been said in our faith that when you have a sound body, you have a sound mind,” Samra said.

WHAT THE FORK is a foodie’s paradise, stuffed with mouth-watering recipes and hiddengem restaurants. Explore a fitness influencer’s innovative protein dessert recipes, how to eat for your eyes, a modern Mediterranean goldmine, and more. We are serving up the latest dishes, so grab a plate and dig in. goldmine, and more. We are serving up the latest dishes, so grab a plate and dig in. WHAT THE FORK is a foodie’s paradise, stuffed with mouth-watering recipes and hidden-gem restaurants. Explore a fitness influencer’s innovative protein dessert recipes, how to eat for your eyes, a modern Mediterranean goldmine, and more. We are serving up the latest dishes, so grab a plate and dig in. goldmine, and more. We are serving up the latest dishes, so grab a plate and dig in. WHAT THE FORK is a foodie’s paradise, stuffed with mouth-watering recipes and hidden-gem restaurants. Explore a fitness influencer’s innovative protein dessert recipes, how to eat for your eyes, a modern Mediterranean goldmine, and more. We are serving up the latest dishes, so grab a plate and dig in. goldmine, and more. We are serving up the latest dishes, so grab a plate and dig in. WHAT THE FORK is a foodie’s

paradise, stuffed with mouth-watering recipes and hidden-gem restaurants. Explore a fitness influencer’s innovative protein dessert recipes, how to eat for your eyes, a modern Mediterranean goldmine, and more. We are serving up the latest dishes, so grab a plate and dig in. goldmine, and more. We are serving up the latest dishes, so grab a plate and dig in. paradise, stuffed with mouth-watering recipes and hidden-gem restaurants. Explore a fitness influencer’s innovative protein dessert recipes, how to eat for your eyes, a modern Mediterra

popcorn

PICKS

Movies have dominated the media for decades. Though social media apps promote quick content, movies have a classic attraction. With their longer format, movies tell an array of stories. Between comedy, horror, action and romance, there’s something for everyone. To get a taste of these different genres, the staff of Distraction compiled a list of our favorite movies. So, if you have some time and want to unwind from fast-paced life, check out some of these iconic and underrated films!

words_sal puma. design_ isa márquez. illustrations_rachel farinas

ELVIS (2022)

Director: Baz Luhrmann

This new biopic has hit the movie scene by storm. It follows the life of Elvis Presley and his ride to fame, narrated from the perspective of his manager, Colonel Tom Parker. It also has a stellar soundtrack, sporting covers from popular artists such as Doja Cat, Måneskin, and even Eminem.

PULP FICTION (1994)

Director: Quentin Tarantino

This movie makes an appearance in any film fanatic’s collection.

Though we admit that it’s a “basic” favorite, it’s well deserved. It connects four seemingly unrelated story lines together, creating some funny incidents between the characters. And it has a stacked cast of stars who really make this movie as good as the hype.

ABOUT TIME (2013)

Director: Richard Curtis

While looking like a comedy movie on its surface, this movie puts a fun twist on a seemingly predictable plot. The main character, Tim, discovers that all the men in his family have the bizarre ability to time travel. For an odd premise, the movie has a great

message about enjoying the present for what it is, and really makes it a hidden cinematic gem.

MINARI (2020)

Director: Lee Isaac Chung

This movie follows a Korean family that has recently moved to an Arkansas farm in pursuit of their “American Dream.”

This slow-paced story highlights the resilience and perseverance of family—a message that anyone can relate to, no matter their background.

HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS: (2003)

Director: Donald Petrie

This romcom movie follows a classic movie trope from the 2000s: a bet made between friends. The movie follows the stories of two characters with wildly different goals. Ben, who makes a bet that he could get any girl to fall in love with him in 10 days, and Andie, who is trying to write an article on how to get a man to leave her in 10 days. As you can expect, hilarity ensues as both their plans wildly backfire.

SOME HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Before Sunrise, Dear John, Endless Love, Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift, Scarface, The Dark Knight, The Great Gatsby, The Wizards of Waverly Place Movie, Woman at War.

LIV IN’ it

We don’t call it the “freshman 15” for nothing — it can feel impossible to stay active and eat healthily when going to college. Meanwhile, some people go to the other extreme, spending nearly every waking moment at the gym and avoiding anything that even resembles sugar. What if we told you that someone found the middle-ground? UM fitness influencer Liv Carbonero teaches hundreds of thousands of people how to stay healthy while still satisfying their sweet tooth.

words_matt jiménez. design & photo_isa márquez.

Eating cookies and going to the gym every day don’t usually go hand in hand, but one UM fitness influencer does exactly that — and it works!

Liv Carbonero, a senior majoring in marketing and minoring in Spanish, dedicates her time to sharing her passion with the world: having her cake and eating it, too.

Known on FitTok as @fitfoodieliving, Carbonero splits her time between her three favorite activities: going to the gym, working as an online coach and creating sweet new recipes. Originally, she was a gymnast who attended virtual school. Then, she got injured, forcing her to return to traditional school. This prompted her to find new hobbies. She started going to the gym every day to fill the athletic void and got into baking.

Carbonero recalls how she almost fell into an eating disorder during this time in her life.

“I have a very obsessive personality,” said Carbonero. “So I got very into the gym and got a little too much into

own recipes and sharing them online. Now, she boasts 184,000 followers on Instagram and another 395,000 on Tiktok. Carbonero states that she uses the same base for most of her recipes, but modifies the rest based on flavor. Just like the rest of us, she’s had her fair share of baking fails, but Carbonero embraces them as part of the learning process.

After graduation this spring, Carbonero hopes to continue working as an online coach, grow her presence on Instagram, open her own restaurant featuring her recipes and, most of all, continue inspiring others.

So, are you hungry yet? Luckily, Carbonero shared some of her favorite recipes with us to pass along to you. So sit back, relax and let us share some of her delicious knowledge with you.

Are you trying to cook healthier but having trouble figuring out the macros of your recipes? Good news! When asked how she gets the nutritional information for her recipes, she said she uses the recipe section of MyFitnessPal, which calculates it automatically. “Anyone can do it,” Liv assures.

• Pecan Waffles

Ingredients:

• Liv’s Crumbl Cookie (3 servings):

Ingredients: - 1/4 cup Greek yogurt - 1/3 cup monkfruit - 1 egg - 1 teaspoon vanilla - 1/4 cup crushed Graham crackers (2 sheets) sub with 1/4 cup flour - 3 tablespoons coconut flour - 1 scoop 1st Phorm Level-1 Protein in Vanilla Ice Cream - 1/2 teaspoons baking soda - pinch salt

For the Frosting: - 3/4 cup Greek yogurt - 2 tablespoons fat-free cream cheese - 1/3 scoop Level-1 Protein in Vanilla Ice Cream - 1/4 cup powdered monkfruit - juice and zest from 1/2 lemon (optional) - 3 tablespoons sugar free raspberry jam

Preheat oven to 350 Fº

Mix wet (yogurt, sweetener, egg, lemon juice, zest and extract) with dry (flour, coconut flour, protein, baking soda and salt)

Using ice cream scoop, scoop dough into balls

Bake for about 10 min or until set

Mix frosting ingredients

Put frosting in piping bag if you’re extra like me and top cookies with frosting

These are served chilled cals 210, fat 4g carb 19g protein 25g

• Birthday Cake Cookie Dough Recipe:

Ingredients: - 3/8 cup 0% Greek yogurt - 1/2 cup monkfruit - 2–3 tablespoons milk - 1 teaspoon cake batter extract - 1 scoop 1stphorm Level-1 protein in Vanilla Ice Cream - 1/4 cup oat flour - 2 tablespoon coconut flour - 1/2 teaspoons baking soda - pinch salt - sprinkles (optional)

Mix all ingredients together - cals 365, fat 7g carb 37g protein 40g

- 1/4 cup pumpkin purée - 3 tablespoons egg whites (sub a flax egg) - 1 tablespoon sweetener - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract - 2 tablespoon milk - 2/3 scoop 1st Phorm Level-1 Protein in Pumpkin Spice Latte -1/4 cup cassava flour (sub oat, all purpose, GF, whole wheat, almond) -1/2 teaspoon pumpkin spice or cinnamon -1/2 teaspoon baking soda -pinch salt

For the Toppings: - 1/4 cup 0% fat Greek yogurt, dash stevia and pumpkin spice - 1 tablespoon almond butter - sprinkle of crushed pecans - sugar-free syrup

1. Preheat waffle iron to med-high heat

2. Mix the pumpkin, egg whites, sweetener, vanilla and milk

3. Whisk dry (protein, flour, baking soda, salt and spice)

4. Combine and pour into waffle iron

5. Cool until golden and crispy

6. Top, if desired - waffles: cals 250, fat 1.5g carb 43.5g protein 24g - waffles with toppings: cals 400, fat 12g carb 47g protein 35.5g

“Studies show that dieting increases likelihood of depression, decreased self-trust, decreased metabolism, increased weight, preoccupation with food and body, guilt from eating certain foods, and even social withdrawal,” said Gollup.

Snack

LOOKIN’ LIKE A

Raspberry juice and lavendar tea are a bright and vibrant way to hydrate. All it takes is a little elbow grease to make these refreshers at home.

Food that’s pleasing to the eye is pleasing to the soul. Instead of focusing on diet fads, turn your attention to making eating an enjoyable, stress-free part of your life. Intuitive eating and a healthy relationship with food both play a role in making mealtime delightful. A first step to being happy with the food you eat is to make it beautiful. So, add an edible flower and some bright colors to your next bowl.

words & photo_nina d’agostini. design_drew morris.

Food has become a taboo subject to some. With fad diets like the South Beach Diet and the Macrobiotic diet, it’s very likely that you or someone you know diets to look a certain way or reach a particular goal. As the diet industry continues to boom, it can become difficult to figure out how to nourish both your body and mind. Turns out, the secret lies not in what you eat, but how you feel about what you eat.

Food plays a significant role in our lives. According to the American Time Use Survey done by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average citizen spends 1.14 hours eating each weekday and 1.30 hours eating each weekend.

While food is used as fuel in our day-today lives, the act of sitting around a table with those we love while digging into a beautiful meal nourishes more than just our physical bodies. But diet culture has warped the way we perceive food and, for many, food has become tangled in a web of labels and rules.

“When people are pursuing health and ‘clean eating,’ they are developing a lot of disordered behaviors,” said Samantha Gollup, an anti-diet nutritional therapist. “People become obsessed; they start tomiss out on social engagements because of their restriction.”

In a society obsessed with aesthetics, it can often feel like there is an intense pressure to sacrifice things we enjoy for the sake of “looking good.” Lauren Dorman, a registered dietician and certified diabetes educator for nearly 20 years, believes that the combination of diet and wellness culture has created an environment where

unhealthy and restrictive eating behaviors are normalized. Rather than deriving pleasure from the foods we eat, people have developed increased feelings of stress, guilt and shame around certain foods because they don’t fit within their diet.

“The diet industry is very good at convincing us that something is wrong with our bodies, targeting our insecurities so we will buy products,” said Dorman.

With the boom of social media and influencer culture, there is always a new diet or beauty standard to be followed. It has the ability to push forward diet culture, and that can cause people to eat fewer calories than the body requires for activity. This can result in negative consequences for the body.

A pamphlet created by the National Eating Disorders Association in 2005 states that people who diet often experience negative side effects such as “loss of muscular strength and endurance,” “dehydration and electrolyte imbalances,” and “fainting, weakness and slowed heart rates.”

So how do we break the cycle? Is there a way to look and feel our best without engaging in diet culture? The answer can be found when you start eating for pleasure.

Eating for pleasure doesn’t mean a jar of Nutella for breakfast washed down with Coke. Instead, it means honoring your body’s needs and forming a healthy relationship with food. This practice goes is called intuitive eating.

According intuativeeating.org, “Intuitive eating is a self-care eating framework, which integrates instinct, emotion and rational thought.” It was created in 1995 by dieticians Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch and relies on 10 key principles to help people make decisions to keep their bodies healthy while making them happy.

“The stress and pressure of planning out what I eat or following something exactly would make me lose my appetite; I never felt fulfilled when I was trying to follow a meal plan,” said Freshman Sidney Cocimano. “When I just listen to myself, it erases some guilt I used to have when I was eating. I’m listening to my body — it’s a happy medium and I feel more fulfilled.”

Intuitive eating opens the door for us to eat what we love in the way that makes us feel best. For many, food is rooted deeply in culture, celebrations and history, and consuming good-looking and good-tasting foods quite literally makes us happy.

The good news is that it’s possible to escape the bubble of diet culture and have a healthy relationship with food. Cooking meals that have lots of color, a variety of spices and a beautiful presentation can make a huge difference in our eating experience. Food served with care and preparation can make it easier to eat mindfully and make cooking less stressful.

While there is no nutritional benefit from the beauty of a dish, there is a psychological one. When trying to heal your relationship with food you want to feel good about what you are putting in your body. A little garnish on your salmon or a lemon wedge on the glass of your water can make any meal feel like its fit for royalty.

Breaking free from diet culture and the food rules that come with it can help people begin to live their lives again. A simple change in habit can make all the difference, and listening to your body, practicing balance in eating and exercising for fun instead of figure will help heal your body and your relationship with food.

Sweet chili salmon is a great way to get your protein in while eating with your eyes. Salmon is packed with Omega-3s, a vital element to boosting brain power.

TIPS&TRICKS

TO MAKE YOUR FOOD MORE BEAUTIFUL

1EAT THE FOODS YOU ENJOY

- No food should be seen as off-limits or bad

- Instead, choose foods that taste good to you and make you feel your best - See each meal as an opportunity to nourish your body and soul

2PRACTICE EATING MINDFULLY

- Take your time eating to savor each bite and notice the foods taste, textures and aromas

- Pay attention to how the food you’re consuming makes you feel

- Limit distractions while you eat so that you can be more in tune with your body during mealtimes

3ADD COLOR TO YOUR PLATE

- This makes a beautiful dish and adds a boost of nutrients

- Add citrus slices to salads

- Cook purple cauliflower for a nutritious and beautiful dose of fiber, antioxidants and protection against disease

4GARNISH WITH PURPOSE

- Try adding some edible flowers to your dishes such as roses, marigolds, daylilies, lavender or sweet violets

- Use fresh plants, herbs and spices for a richer flavor (mint, rosemary, basil and ginger root)

Sugar cookies with edible flowers are simple to whip up. Any cookie recipe will work for these beauties.

TACOS & TATTOOS

Craving a bowl but don’t want to wait in a long line at the Corner Deli? Have a hankering for a quesadilla but the Rat is closed? Look no further to University of Miami’s newest dining option Tacos & Tattoos. Located where Lime once stood, this taqueria brings similar food but with a few culinary twists. words_sal puma. design_isa márquez. photo_daniella pinzón.

If you haven’t already noticed, The Whitten University Center has a new addition to its dining options. Replacing Lime, Tacos and Tattoos made a splash in the UM community with the opening of its fourth location in Miami.

Having a similar menu to Lime, this new on-campus restaurant provides an outlet for students’ Mexican food cravings. According to their website, Tacos and Tattoos mixes “abuela’s traditional recipes” with different types of culinary styles around the globe.

Its menu structure provides students with many different options to choose from. When you go, you’re given your choice meat, toppings, and sauce for your bowl, burrito, or taco. These options make every bowl customizable for each patron.

“It’s like Chipotle, but on campus, and takes dining dollars,” said sophomore Mary Roberts.

Tacos and Tattoos also has a few interesting side dishes including truffle elote and queso frito bites, which are perfect for a quick snack or as an appetizer for a bigger meal. If you’re craving something sweet, this restaurant delivers with fried Oreos and Jarritos.

The addition of this dining-option has been well received by students, and sophomore Olivia Campmany was impressed by the ingredients used at the restaurant.

“You can tell everything [they use] is fresh, it’s so nice!” said Campmany.

One of the most interesting aspects of this eatery for some is the overall vibe. While the UM location is a smaller than the others, Tacos and Tattoos on campus brought big energy to the space. From the music blasting on the speakers to the decor on the shelves around the restaurant, a wave of beautiful cultural color coats every inch of the space.

Tacos and Tattoos has a more hip and local feel, and according to their website, it is aiming to be “la taqueria del barrio,” or the “the neighborhood taqueria.” The owners’ thematic vision was to channel the style of a taco truck parked outside of a tattoo shop, as described on the website. Thus, the mystery of their brand name is solved.

Freshman Billy Joinville describes the space of tacos and tattoos as being laid back.

“Good music, dim lights,” said Joinville. “The vibe is lowkey chill.”

These vibes may hit you upon entry, chill indie hits with various works of art and urban photography immersing you in the space. The

restaurant also has lower tables surrounded with beanbags to make the place feel casual.

Something that differentiates this dining facility from others on campus is their merchandise. Though this may seem odd for a taqueria on campus, the artsy branding of Tacos and Tattoos makes it work. It provides a selection of hoodies, hats, and tote bags to choose from, even boasting some items in orange and green to appeal to ‘Canes.

Upon visiting, we recommend trying the sweet plantains. Freshman Jack O’Boyle recommends these sweet treats, and Joinville seconds that choice. Freshmen Matthew Thomas also loves the spicy mayo, a staple sauce to tie the whole bowl together.

“The pickled onions slap,” said Campmany.

In a city like Miami, there are many cultures to explore through cuisine. Tacos

This bowl is coated in aoli sauces, a popular choice for students. The restaurant is family owned, pulling cooking techniques from “abuela.”

and Tattoos brings a genuine Mexican option to the campus of UM, allowing students to get a taste of the area around them without ever having to leave campus. And if the food isn’t your style, they do offer tattoos. Although, they wash off after a day…so maybe just stick to the burrito bowls.

Tacos & Tattoos covers their walls in art from local artisits. This is the same for all of their locations.

SPREAD HUMMUS, NOT HA T E

The holy-grail of spreads, hummus is a quick-fix for your dip cravings. With a signature taste that will make your mouth water, this staple spread can be found in stores across the world. In this ode to hummus, you’ll discover the debate surrounding its origins and how eating its four ingredients fuel your body and soul. So, whether you’re new to hummus or already a fan, stay tuned for all things legume.

Hummus has plenty of flavors to choose from, including roasted red pepper (above), olive (left), and classic garlic (right). Most grocery stores carry these options, with brands like Athenos, Tribe, Yorgo’s and Cedars (and you can’t go wrong with some Trader Joe’s, either)!

words_molly mackenzie. design_valeria barbaglio. photo_daniella pinzon.

Pita chips can be a great dipping option. You can also sub for veggies (our favorite choice is carrot). For a party mode, prepare a veggie tray.

While the earliest mention of hummus dates to Egypt in the thirteenth century, the origins of hummus are still debated. Chickpeas were — and still are — very abundant in the Middle East and are an important part of the local diet. In Arab, the word “hummus” literally means chickpea. But because long-lasting trade between Greeks and Arabs allowed for the exchange of foods, Greece also claims hummus as their creation.

While the origin of hummus is unclear, its popularity around the world is not. The first recipe for hummus was published in the cookbook “Kitab Wasf al-Atima al-Mutada.” The recipe incorporated vinegar, but no lemon or garlic. The hummus that we eat today has four staple ingredients: chickpeas, tahini, garlic and lemon.

Modern-day hummus isn’t the same hummus made centuries ago. The recipes were more reliant on what ingredients were available at the time, but things have changed. Agriculture has evolved to provide access to more diverse ingredients.

There are many different ways to enjoy hummus, but most common way to eat it is as a dip. Hummus is served at restaurants as an appetizer, usually with pita bread or crunchy vegetables.

When at home or with friends, it can also be a delicious dip for any kind of snack. From pretzels to apple slices, the list of food to dip in hummus is seemingly endless.

“Hummus is one of my go-to snacks,” said Junior Bella Clark. “My favorite way to eat it is by dipping pita chips and pretzels.”

Hummus as a dip is so popular that large companies like Trader Joe’s

have developed a wide variety of different flavored options. These bold hummus flavors found in stores include combinations such as roasted red pepper, black bean, roasted garlic and spinach and artichoke. There are even sweet evolutions, such as chocolate. Pair that with your favorite dessert for a twist on pudding or frosting.

Hummus is a common garnish on meals as well, pairing well with falafel, chicken, eggplant and fish. These dishes also usually include tomatoes, parsley, coriander and other seasonings and textures.

The delicious chickpea concoction also serves as a healthy alternative for certain sauces and condiments. Or it can just be a fun way to switch it up. Common examples can include replacing marinara sauce on pizza and having hummus on sandwiches instead of mayonnaise.

In addition to dipping vegetables, people often drizzle hummus over roasted vegetables. This is done by thinning out the hummus with oil and water. You can even blend hummus with lemon juice, olive oil and paprika, giving it the perfect consistency for a salad dressing.

Aside from being delicious, hummus has plenty of nutrients and various health benefits.

“Whenever I want to snack on veggies I eat them with hummus,” said Sophomore, Nicole Maddox. “Hummus enhances the flavor of vegetables and it is actually good for you.”

Packed with protein, fiber and vitamins, it’s no wonder that hummus is well-loved and consumed in many different ways. For example, two tablespoons of Sabra Classic Hummus deliver two grams of plant protein and one gram of dietary fiber per 70-calorie serving. So, when you’re snacking at 2 a.m. on a Tuesday after a long night of studying, you can munch with peace of mind.

Miami has a number of Mediterranean restaurants to choose from that serve dishes featuring hummus. Dimitrios Mediterranean Cuisine, located in the Brickell area, offers two hummus dip appetizers. The first flavor is

roasted chickpea and the second is “hummus with meat,” which is pretty self-explanatory.

In Miami Beach, the Greek restaurant Santorini by Georgios offers many different dipping platters including hummus. These dishes feature vegetables, beans, pita bread, falafel and even stuffed grape leaves.

At another Mediterranean spot called Motek Café, you can order items such as the “Hummus Mushroom,” which is served with caramelized onions and s’chug, a Yemeni hot sauce. If you’re not into mushrooms, don’t worry. Try the sabich eggplant and egg if the combination of pickles, eggs and hummus piques your interest.

Hummus is a versatile spread — enjoy it plain or packed with seasoning and flavor, drizzled over vegetables or in between the layers of a sandwich. It has traveled through centuries and to all parts of the world. As such a prominent Mediterranean dish, hummus can be purchased and consumed at a variety of nearby restaurants and markets, so next time you’re grabbing a snack dip, skip the guac and give hummus a try!

Are ? How Superstitious

“Knock on wood!”

Opening an umbrella indoors

You just had strict parents

No whistling

Saying “Macbeth” in a theatre is a bad luck

“Fingers crossed!”

Theatre kid

no

You’re Italian

Not superstitious at all, boring

Must enter and exit through the rightmost door

“Step on a crack, break your mother’s back!”

literally 9 years old

Lucky pennies

just desperately want good luck

The most superstitious person I’ve met; are you okay?

Mirrors, Pennies, and “Macbeth” — oh my! Superstitions have been around since the dawn of time in all different types of cultures. They are little beliefs that are passed on from generation to generation and get to a point where you don’t even know why you do it, but you just do. Wondering where you fall? Take this quiz! You might be more superstitious than you think… words_sal puma. photo_sharron lou.design_isa márquez.

SPECIAL SECTION

: Slip into otherworldly exploration with this issue’s special section. Whether you believe it or not, we’re handing you the chance to escape the stringent boundaries of reality. From modern-day witchcraft to slandering astrology, this is your safe-haven to delve into your beliefs. We’re manifesting that this section opens your eyes to some mystical perspectives. beliefs. We’re manifesting that this section opens your eyes to some mystical perspectives.

SPECIAL SECTION: Slip into otherworldly exploration with this issue’s special section. Whether you believe it or not, we’re handing you the chance to escape the stringent boundaries of reality. From modern-day witchcraft to slandering astrology, this is your safe-haven to delve into your beliefs. We’re manifesting that this section opens your eyes to some mystical perspectives. beliefs. We’re manifesting that this section opens your eyes to some mystical perspectives.

SPECIAL SECTION: Slip into otherworldly exploration with this issue’s special section. Whether you believe it or not, we’re handing you the chance to escape the stringent boundaries of reality. From modern-day witchcraft to slandering astrology, this is your safe-haven to delve into your beliefs. We’re manifesting that this section opens your eyes to some mystical perspectives. beliefs. We’re manifesting that this section opens your eyes to some mystical perspectives.

SPECIAL SECTION: Slip into otherworldly exploration with this issue’s special section. Whether you believe it or not, we’re handing you the chance to escape the stringent boundaries of reality. From modern-day witchcraft to slandering astrology, this is your safe-haven to delve into your beliefs. We’re manifesting that this section opens your eyes to some mystical perspectives.

Hocus

With the popularity of mainstream media like “Wizards of Waverly Place,” “Harry Potter” and “Hocus Pocus,” it’s safe to say that almost everyone can recognize witchcraft. In the twenty-first century, there are entire websites and communities on social media platforms dedicated to the practice of witchcraft, but this wasn’t always the case. Recently, witchcraft has become more prominent in day-to-day life, and its presence has a lot of people, including us here at Distraction, curious about where it came from and what it’s all about.

Pocus in a nutshell.

If you’ve never encountered witchcraft in the real world, we know exactly what you’re thinking: what exactly is witchcraft?

Listen, trying to explain witchcraft in short-form style is like trying to summarize quantum physics in two sentences. It is extremely complex, and there isn’t just one way to define it. Its expansive nature makes trying to boil it down difficult.

But we’re not Confusion, we’re Distraction, so we are going to walk you through the basics, the history, and the mystical complexity of the practice.

First, witchcraft is a magical and often spiritual practice, making use of rituals to connect to the spirit world or the divine.

Rituals can vary from person to person, but they are always designed to help connect with this higher energy or to manifest a desired outcome. In witchcraft, the desired outcome is either a spiritual connection or a greater understanding of the art or science of magic.

Witchcraft is also heavily rooted in nature and natural cycles. Much of its practice involves the seasons, phases of the moon, the four elements and other natural phenomena.

Again, we’re not speaking for everybody.

There are many different branches of witchcraft rooted in different cultures, and there is no one central authority that dictates exactly how everybody needs to practice.

Witchcraft in the US. is very individualized, and it’s impossible to speak for everyone when boiling it down to the essentials.

where it came from.

Believe it or not, the practice of magic and spirituality can be traced all the way back to Mesopotamia. But the modern witchcraft we know is most closely related to the Wicca religion. The “Witches of the Past and Present” issue of History magazine states that Wicca is “a form of neo-paganism, part of a larger attempt to return to pre-Christian rituals and beliefs.”

Wicca can be linked to retired British civil servant, Gerald Gardner, who developed the most widely known version of Wicca in the early twentieth century. Until this point, witchcraft was rarely openly practiced, but the Fraudulent Mediums Act of 1951 made the open practice of witchcraft harder to persecute in Britain, opening the door for Wicca to flourish and spread.

In 2022, witchcraft takes on many different forms, and not all people who practice witchcraft identify as Wiccan. Many witches draw from other forms of witchcraft besides Wicca. So, while most people who practice draw on some Wiccan practices and ideas, the two are not synonymous.

words_nicole facchina. design_ jennifer vega. illustrations_nicole facchina

Witchcraft is self-empowering, and its eclectic and solitary nature allows for someone to practice in however they feel connected.

“These beliefs resonate with people because this is a religion that allows a lot of individual expression,” said Dr. Helen Berger, an affiliated scholar at the Women’s Studies Research Center of Brandeis University and author of four books about contemporary paganism. “They’re things that you could do in a group or alone, and most witches or Wiccans are solitary and only join with others sometimes. I think this has been particularly appealing during covid: here you have a spirituality that you can connect to the universe and to the Otherworld and to nature while being alone.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone spent a lot of time alone. Around this time, most people also spent more time on the internet, and communities like Witchtok on TikTok took off.

WitchTok created a community for practicing witches to share content and allowed for people who are not as familiar with witchcraft to discover new ideas and become curious about the craft.

However, the lockdown, alone-time and social media were not the only causes for the recent boom of witchcraft. COVID-19 and

TikTok did not exist when witchcraft in the U.S. first increased in popularity in the 1990s, so what else contributed to this movement?

Dr. Berger described that the answer can be found in mainstream media.

“One of the factors was all of the positive TV shows about witches;” said Dr. Berger, “It didn’t cause people to become witches, that would be wrong. But what it did do is it got people googling.”

In the 1990s, shows like “Charmed” and “The Craft” got people researching the practice. As technology advanced, more and more people did their own research on the internet. Not everyone who became curious about witchcraft began to practice, but the influence of media got enough people interested to cause a boom.

The influence of media today continues to play a vital role as social media platforms and the revitalization of positive portrayals of witchcraft in media continue to get people curious about the craft.

“You write this article, students in the University of Miami read it, and they get curious and at this point in life, everybody googles,” said Dr. Berger. “The media is part of it.”

spirituality.

While the practice of witchcraft can vary slightly from person to person, one thing is certain: witchcraft is deeply rooted in spirituality.

“With me, it’s a very spiritual practice,” said Gwendolyn Pohlmann, a junior at UM who identifies as someone who practices modern witchcraft without official association to Wicca. “The practice of witchcraft is all about your intention, and to have a good intention you really do want to have some spiritual connection to what you’re doing — that’s the point of it.”

Spirituality in witchcraft manifests itself in rituals which are used to connect with the divine. The word “divine” is loosely used here — not all people who practice witchcraft believe in a higher power. Instead, they believe in a spirit or energy connected with the earth or cosmos. This spirit world is generally referred to as the Otherworld.

“The most important parts of witchcraft and Wicca are having a direct experience of the divine or the Otherworld,” said Dr. Berger. “Some witches are atheist. There is no god, but there is a spirit world or power or matrix or something that they’re feeding into or connecting with.”

the recent boom and individuality.

a bit about practice.

“To create the sacred space, I have offerings that represent each of the four elements and an offering to the divine masculine and divine feminine,” said Pohlmann. “There are a lot of different ways that the elements are noted in modern witchcraft. Most herbs are associated with some type of element and some crystals are associated with elements.”

Witchcraft is very connected to the earth and the elements. The four elements — water, earth, fire and air — all have their own attributes, and these properties help give insight into the different objects associated with a given element.

Cleansing, an essential ritual in witchcraft, is the action of removing negative or stale energy from an object. One way is by using one of the elements. The elements themselves have the ability to cleanse objects. Once cleansing has taken place, a separate ritual called “charging” gives back positive energy to the object or space.

The moon is also very important to witchcraft, and its phases determine the timing of rituals. For example, the new moon is a time for new beginnings, gathering thoughts, setting intentions and personal planning.

Additionally, people who practice witchcraft also use other tools to seek guidance, including Tarot cards. While not all witches use Tarot cards, many do and feel that they become connected to the otherworld while reading.

Noelle Grant, a junior at UM who practices witchcraft and works with Tarot, states that there are two kinds of experiences for the Tarot reader during readings.

“One, you’re a channel from the metaphysical to the physical, taking information that is not present on this physical plain from the ‘other,’” said Grant. “That one is very innate, very effortless. You are very detached from your own bias and emotions, completely enveloped in everything that belongs to somebody else as if you were that person.”

“Two, the channel is clogged. At this time, it’s not the time to give away energy. It’s the time to heal, recharge or give it back to yourself.”

Tarot cards are a form of divination, which in essence means that they are a tool used to connect with the divine or Otherworld. A Tarot card deck is made up of 72 cards and includes 22 major arcana cards and 56 minor arcana cards. There are 22 major arcana cards, representing a journey to from inexperience to wisdom. The remaining cards are minor arcana divided into four suits: wands, cups, swords and pentacles. In that order, the minor arcana cards represent the path of creation and manifestation.

This is not by any stretch all of what goes into witchcraft. It is complex and requires a lot of research and study by those who practice. Entire books have been written on the subject, and it would impossible to summarize everything that goes into it here.

If you feel a strong connection to anything you’ve heard here, or even if you’re just curious, you can always

acknowledgements

While we didn’t touch on it, we feel that it’s important to bring attention to the persecution of witchcraft that resulted in mass loss of life around the world. The reality of the Scottish, Salem, German and other Witch Trials is dark, and the men and women lost during these events aren’t just faces in a textbook. They were real people. While witchcraft is more openly accepted in some countries, there are other countries where witchcraft is still persecuted. It’s important to acknowledge this and to pay respect to people who have lost their lives.

Extroverts gossip far more frequently than introverts according to a study conducted by University of California Riverside. They also found that the only time women gossip more than men is while sharing neutral, informational gossip.

DISTRACTION

To some, gossip is its own form of currency. You never know when a casual social event will turn into an exhibition of shared secrets. Let’s be real — if you go to the University of Miami, you’ve probably overheard some campus gossip. But why do we engage in gossip culture? Is it just a fun way to pass the time, or is the urge to gossip imbedded in our DNA? words_nicole facchina. design_drew morris. photo_sharron lou.

What do pool parties, catching up with your bestie, Richter Library study sessions with friends and “Gossip Girl” all have in common? If you said gossip, give yourself a gold star.

Though we might feel guilty about it, there’s no denying that gossip is a critical part of our daily lives. It’s everywhere — from frat parties to Dooley classrooms. Gossip lurks around every corner.

“People love to talk to each other and it’s what entertains us most,” said junior Alek Lape.“To know about what’s going on in everyone’s personal lives must have a mysterious inspiration behind it.”

According to the research paper “Research on Gossip: Taxonomy, Methods, and Future Directions,” “To function efficiently in a complex social environment, humans require information about those around them.”

Social environments don’t get much more complex than college. In college, everybody is trying to figure themselves out. For most, it’s the first time being away from home for an extended period of time. This freedom has many advantages, but comes with the disadvantage of being completely disoriented while trying to navigate the social culture of a new environment. So, to get the scoop on what’s going on, people tend to engage in gossip culture.

But what exactly is gossip? Dr. Simon Howard, professor of psychology at the University of Miami, provided an answer.

“In Psychology, people think of gossip as information that’s

being transmitted primarily by other people that’s negative and that person is not present,” Howard said. “If there’s a person that’s being talked about, and they are not a part of the conversation … then that is gossip.”

Gossip is all fun and games until you’re on the receiving end. Knowing people talk about you behind your back can have a lot of negative effects, including anxiety.

“Growing up in a place where I knew I wasn’t going to have any privacy and everyone was going to have an opinion definitely made me a little anxious,” said sophomore Avery Seibert. “It made me much more aware of whom I keep close and those I choose to confide in.”

If not ourselves, most of us know people who have been negatively impacted by gossip. It hurts to be talked about behind your back. So, if gossip is inherently harmful, why do we do it? The reason we gossip can be tied back to the idea of navigating complex social environments.

“It can be a way to learn information about other people,” said Howard. “There are so many people that we can’t always be watching or know what they are doing, so now we’re communicating about other people through gossip.”

In 2019, researchers at the University of California Riverside conducted a study to track frequency of gossip using Electronically Activated Recorders. The study gathered sound bites from daily conversations of 467 participants. These sound bites were then

labeled “gossip” if the conversation involved discussion about someone who was not present. The study concluded that 14 percent of these daily conversations were gossip.

Now, this isn’t surprising news — it’s clear that people love to gossip. But what is surprising is that the study reported that almost 75 percent of gossip was neutral. Neutral gossip doesn’t take positive or negative stances. For example, someone moving apartments would be neutral gossip.

If three-fourths of gossip is neutral gossip, then is gossip really the enemy? Or is it just how society engages in gossip?

“Gossip is a behavior that we engage in that we subconsciously think will make us more likable to the other person,” said sophomore Ally Gallagher. “We perceive this behavior as prosocial because I think gossip is used to create a common enemy, which is neatly advantageous to us. We think

and that’s never going to change. But while you can’t control if other people gossip, you can control how you choose to engage in gossip culture.

“The best thing you can do is to make people aware that its gossip and its temporary and that it’s an opinion,” said junior Arielle Rohan. “It’s in the listener’s responsibility to not really take it in because people are going to talk regardless.”

If you engage in gossip culture, be conscious of what you’re saying and be kind to the people that aren’t around. A bit of kindness behind closed doors goes a long way because one day, you might be the topic of conversation.

XOXO, Distraction.

See those five stars in a weird curve that are supposed to look like a ram? Allegedly, this tells an Aries their entire personality. Yeah, not so convincing. Astrology has been around for centuries but, these days, people seem to use it as a way to explain personality traits that are, to put it nicely, less-than-ideal. We know that it has its place when it comes to self-awareness and historical beliefs, but Astrology has exploded into a web of ignorance. So sit back and relax with your Capricorn mug, candle and necklace — you’re in for an aggressive rant.

words_lizzie kristal. design_abby pak.

OPINION

Are all your relationships falling apart because Mercury is in retrograde? No, you’re just a bad friend. Did that situationship not work out because you’re a Pisces and they’re a Leo? No, you’re just toxic. Are you unnecessarily abrasive because you’re a Scorpio? No, you just have anger management issues. Welcome to your guide on why astrology sucks (and when it doesn’t).

Modern astrology has gone too far, especially in pop culture and on social media. While outlandish, it can be very entertaining — up until the point where you start blindly believing it.

People come up with bizarre things to associate with astrology. For example, just scroll through Buzzfeed and find a quiz: “If You Tell Me Your ‘Stranger Things’ Opinions Then I Will Guess Your Zodiac Sign, No Problem.” So just because you’re in love with Steve Harrington it means you’re a Libra? No. He’s just hot.

Zodiac signs don’t predict personality — biology and environmental factors predict personality. Even if the signs did accurately describe personality, the attributes are so broad that anyone can fit under any sign. Libras love maintaining balance and harmony in the world, but very few people would choose chaos over peace. Sagittariuses need to do what they want and when they want, but isn’t that just called free will? The list goes on and on.

Even better, when someone into astrology attempts to predict your sign, they’ll almost always get it wrong. Second guess? Also wrong. When you finally tell them, they’ll say, “Oh my gosh, I totally see it!” Okay, and … ? You can make a zodiac sign fit anyone because of how general the traits are (even when factoring in moon and rising).

Also, astrology should not be a scapegoat for any issue. Your sign is not an excuse to be a bad person. That’s just denial about a deeply-rooted psychological issue. It’s also not a reason to be sad, angry or emotionally unstable. Maybe try turning to a therapist instead of the stars for some guidance.

Are you avoiding all romantic entanglements with Pisces men? Or have one friend that hates Gemini men and another who’s having issues with a Libra man? Have you ever considered it might just be men? The patriarchy and sexism that’s entangled in every aspect of life is likely more to blame than what the stars looked like when your ex was born.

Whether we believe it or not, astrology is here to stay. So, since we have to deal with it on every dating app and social media platform, we may as well look at

some of the positives it brings.

Not only is astrology just as entertaining as “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” but it also improves your self-awareness. When analyzing your own sign, it gives you the chance to take a step back and look at your own personality. Where do these descriptions fit? Where do they not? Astrology can give you some insight into your positive traits and, more importantly, areas for self-improvement.

Astrology is also something outside of ourselves to look at. Similar to some aspects of religion, astrology can give you a sense of purpose and hope. It can be nice to feel some cosmic energy around you, especially in times of stress. Be careful with this one though — not everything should be taken literally (like horoscopes).

At the end of the day, astrology isn’t the enemy, but it’s definitely misused. Allow it to provide you with an opportunity to work on self-identity and self-improvement, but don’t let it override your entire existence.

If you take one thing away from this: hold yourself accountable instead of blaming it on a third party. And remember, just because he’s a Leo doesn’t mean he loves you.

Astrophobic

Make it Mine

Manifesting is the practice of creating your ideal reality by wishing good things into your life. Just sitting around and focusing your mentality can transform your reality. Sounds too good to be true, right? Not exactly – there’s evidence to suggest that shifting your mindset is all you need to transform your life.

“Belief can turn anything into reality; you have to believe with reason. In fact, Law of Attraction and manifestation is a universal principle that I practice. We all practice manifestation whether we’re conscious of it,” said Thomas.

words_virginia suardi. design_daniella pinzon. photo_sharron lou.

Manifestation is a new wellness craze that took over TikTok, but it’s not just a trend. It might conjure up images of crystals, Tarot cards, and new-age spirituality, but the idea of manifesting has been around for much longer.

First appearing thousands of years ago in Buddhism, manifestation has deep roots in the religious world. The Law of Attraction, the idea of directly manifesting something into your life through your beliefs, was first pioneered by nineteenth-century “New Thought” philosophers like Helena Blavatsky, Thomas Troward and Ralph Waldo Emerson. More recently, the 2006 bestselling book “The Secret” has become the Bible for modern manifestation gurus.

But what exactly is manifesting?

Essentially, manifesting is a selfhelp practice that focuses on using positive thoughts and feelings to achieve a certain outcome. Popular methods of manifesting include journaling, meditation, vision boards and other tactics to channel intentions. The core belief behind manifestation is that thoughts and feelings have a direct impact on the physical world.

Sophomore April Thomas was first introduced to manifesting by reading “The Secret” at the same time as her mother, turning them both into manifestation junkies. Now, manifesting plays a massive role in her daily life.

“Belief can turn anything into reality,” Thomas said. “I manifest every day. Through what I see, what I read, my actions, my thoughts… We all practice manifestation whether we’re conscious of it or not.”

But does manifesting work? Is it really possible to create a physical, real change just by shifting the way you think about life?

While there isn’t direct scientific research backing manifestation, certain psychological concepts support this practice. The “self-fulfilling prophecy” is the phenomenon where an initial expectation of your own behavior causes you to behave in that prophesied way. Believing that you’ll behave one way in a situation will cause you to behave that way, manifesting that outcome.

But manifestation is a two-way street. Professor of mindfulness in law at the University of Miami, Dr. Scott Rogers, discusses the power of focusing on an objective with intention.

“Placing attention on matters that are affirming, positive, and

supportive can, in turn, lead to the generation of affirming feeling states,” said Rogers. “Doing so helps establish the conditions to move meaningfully toward a desired goal.”

Lifestyle coach Pleasance Silicki believes that manifestation is not as simple as just sitting down, wishing for something, and receiving it within seconds.

“[It’s] a lifelong energy, attention, and intention practice,” Silicki said. In other words — it’s a long-term mindset adjustment.

This long-term adjustment of thought can be achieved in many different ways, but Thomas manifests by changing her thought process. When she reframes her thoughts in an affirmative light, she believes she is inviting positive change into her life.

“Instead of thinking, ‘Ugh, I hate everyone,’ think, ‘I can’t wait for better people to enter my life,’” said Thomas.

By reframing her thoughts in an affirmative light, she believes she is inviting positive change into her life.

Rogers also emphasized the importance of mindfulness when it comes to creating tangible changes in the physical world.

“The practice of mindfulness can help us become more skilled at noticing when our mind wanders away from a thought, intention, or desired outcome,” Rogers said. “The more mindful we are amid these moments, the more likely we are to stay on track, think about important subjects and aspirations, and perhaps bring about desired outcomes.”

So how can we use this to our advantage? Silicki recommends taking time for journaling, meditating, walking, yoga and creative practices to create positive mental space to focus on aspirations and desires.

“Focus and control your thoughts on what you want,” said Thomas. “Instead of focusing on what is not benefiting you or the goal, change what you think to focus on what is leading you towards what you want.”

This also means monitoring the media you’re consuming, the people you’re around and the messages that make up your environment. Are these elements supportive of your goals, your dreams and your ideal self?

So go ahead: create that Pinterest board, listen to that guided meditation and indulge yourself in your fantasies. There’s nothing wrong with a little daydreaming — and, who knows, your wildest dreams may become reality.

When asked about how students could incorporate manifestation into their daily lives, Professor Rogers brought up, “STOP, an acronym to Stop (or pause), to Take a breath, Observe the breath and then Proceed.” It can be used anywhere from waiting in line at the corner deli or before you start an exam. Just a quick moment to set your mind straight.

Jinkies!

They say that when the borders between the living and the dead thin, the supernatural can extend into our world and manifest. These freaky occurrences can shake people up and usually tend to stick with them. We talked to some students who believe they’ve had a run in with the supernatural before and asked them what they saw. And boy did we get some stories…

“I moved into my childhood home when I was five. It was like a huge, brand new gated community, and it was built right by a thick mangrove forest. After two years of living there and settling in, I started seeing this little girl who was around my age. She was brunette and would always wear this tiny, pink, old-fashioned dress. I only ever saw her on the staircase. I used to talk to her about my day and my toys, but she never talked back. I stopped seeing her when we moved, but we ended up moving from that house because my parents kept seeing the little girl on the stairs, too!”

-Marcela Torres, senior

design_valeria barbaglio. photo_nina d’agostini.

“So, when I was a toddler, I was sleeping with my mom on the couch. I was in between her arms fac ing the back of the couch while her back was facing the room. There was a glass coffee table in the center of the living room. My mom distinctly remembers beginning to roll over to the point where I could have fallen out of her arms and hit the table when a hand pushed her back down to the other side. If she hadn’t turned back, I don’t know what could have happened to me. My mom believes it could have been the ghost of her grandmother protecting both of us from getting hurt.”

-Bella Reiser, sophomore

“I was home alone with my brother and we were just in our rooms relaxing and then I heard these slow but loud footsteps walk through my hallway and then stop once they got to my room. I think it’s my brother on the other side of my door so I said, ‘hello’ and there was no response. Dead silent — it wasn’t him. It was something else. I called my brother to go into the hallway and to turn on the light. I never told him what I experienced.”

-Sophia Victoria, senior

“When I was a kid, we used to live in this old house from the ’50s and we had this playroom. In there I had my Thomas the Train playset I had as a kid and, basically, in that playroom, stuff would get moved around all the time without me touching it. I told my mom about this — she was very spiritual — and when she walked in there, she could immediately tell that something was wrong and told me I can’t go in there without her being in there, too. And then she would force herself to sit there with me when I would play with my trains.”

-Andrew McCleskey, sophomore

“In 2020, Jerry Herman’s estate bequeathed his portrait to the theater on campus which is named after him. One night during rehearsal, I walked by to check it out, tried to take a Snapchat and felt a chill. I looked at the photo and saw his eyes were glowing in it. I immediately deleted the photo, apologized to Jerry, and now every time I come into the theater, I say hi to him. Later that week, my ghost theory was confirmed when I shared this story with my voice teacher and heard lots of banging on the wall next door. I ran out of the studio only to see that no one else was in the department and the only possible cause of the sound was Jerry.”

-Scarlet Diaz, junior

:

Take a #hotgirlwalk with us through Health & Wellness, a place to nurture your mind and body. Shrink your stress with our at-home spa day. Take your hot-girl walks to the next level through the Everglades trails. And don’t get fooled by diet culture’s version of gut health. Keep flipping for more hints on health. Take a #hotgirlwalk with us through Health & Wellness, a place to nurture your mind and body. Shrink your stress with our at-home spa day. Take your hot-girl walks to the next level through the Everglades trails. And don’t get fooled by diet culture’s version of gut health. Keep flipping for more hints on health. Take a #hotgirlwalk with us through Health & Wellness, a place to nurture your mind and body. Shrink your stress with our at-home spa day. Take your hot-girl walks to the next level through the Everglades trails. And don’t get fooled by diet culture’s version of gut health. Keep flipping for more hints on health. Take a #hotgirlwalk with us through Health & Wellness, a place to nurture your mind and body. Shrink your stress with our at-home spa day. Take your hot-girl walks to the next level through the Everglades trails. And don’t get fooled by diet culture’s version of gut health. Keep flipping for more hints on health. Take a #hotgirlwalk with us through Health & Wellness, a place to nurture your mind and body. Shrink your stress with our at-home spa day. Take your hot-girl walks to the next level through the Everglades trails. And don’t get fooled by diet culture’s version of gut health. Keep flipping for more hints on health. Take a #hotgirlwalk with us through Health & Wellness, a place to nurture your mind and body. Shrink your stress with our at-home.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

GOING WITH YOUR GUT

Use our code DISTRACTION22 for 20% off this greens powder! Sound familiar? Greens powder and other “gut-healing” products are being pushed across social media. Usually, they begin with an influencer showing a flat stomach or six-pack abs, crediting the product with their weight loss. Don’t fall into that trap – it’s just camouflaged diet culture. These marketing tactics are only meant to get you to swipe your credit card. Gut health is real, but a green powder isn’t going to magically heal your gut. words_lizzie kristal. design_rachel farinas. illustrations_rachel farinas.

While popular in the early 2000s, “diet pills” or “diet plans” that promised instant weight loss have mostly fallen out of public favor. Nowadays, “diet” has become a taboo word, and the adverse effects of appetite suppressants have been widely studied. But diet culture didn’t disappear with diet pills — it just reinvented itself, disguised behind terminology like “reset,” “cleanse” or “lifestyle.”

According to Bethany Motley, a registered dietitian and nutritionist, diets usually follow a few patterns.

“The way I define diets is any eating plan or protocol that restricts certain foods, food types/groups, or the timing of eating,” said Motley.

This new diet culture appears frequently on TikTok due to the collective obsession with gut health. Gut health is a term for the health of your digestive system’s microbiome –

which depends on a balance of “good” and “bad” bacteria and yeast. Wanting to improve your gut health is harmless, but as usual, influencers have turned it into a cash grab.

TikTok is swarming with creators advertising greens powders, supplements, and teas which they claim has helped them “heal their gut.” Unfortunately, these influencers usually promote videos with harmful before-and-after shots that show a bloated tummy as the “before” shot and a flat tummy as the “after” shot. This isn’t honest advice on how to improve gut health; it’s product promotion that preys on society’s idealization of thinner bodies.

“Social media allows for the rapid and widespread dissemination of information and images related to fitness and nutrition trends,” said Alyson Marquez, University of Miami Dining Registered Dietician. “Social media ‘likes’ are driven by the

aesthetic appeal, which applies more pressure to individuals to chase after unrealistic body types.”

It’s easy for social media users to fall prey to these marketing tactics.

“A lot of my friends use the greens powder to help with bloating because they saw a video about it. Some of them also cut out dairy or red meat for the same reasons,” sophomore Zoie Tirona said.

Influencers also claim that elimination diets, which involve temporarily cutting out dairy and red meat, improved their gut health. Digestive issues like food sensitivities and Irritable Bowel Syndrome are real, but they’re being twisted to fit into dieting agendas and marketing strategies. For some, elimination diets aren’t necessary. In fact, they can actually be unhealthy, and these so called “cleanses” are often used to justify disordered eating.

“Restrictive eating is a recipe for

digestive issues. Irregular eating causes irregular digestion, whether from calorie restriction, the undereating/overeating cycle, or binge eating,” Motley said. “Adequate, consistent eating is usually the first step to achieving better digestive health.”

When elimination diets are used correctly, they’re meant to be a temporary tool to be used until foods are digestible again. However, many influencer-promoted elimination diets aim to permanently knock out a food group, which is neither sustainable nor beneficial for the average person.

Additionally, strict eating regimens like elimination diets or cleanses often cause stress, due to their restrictive nature. Stress is a leading cause of digestive issues, according to Harvard Health Publishing, which means that these diets are completely counterproductive.

So how do you know when advice is honest or a total scam?

“If a plan or product is

improve the health of your gut’s microbiome is to get lots of fiber from plantbased foods, eat fermented foods, exercise, manage stress and get good sleep. Additionally, limit alcohol, sugar, artificial sweeteners and processed foods. For more complex concerns, consult a gastroenterologist for tailored gut health advice, not the For-You Page.

“My recommendation is to focus on the larger picture. Don’t get caught up in any one message or trend,” said Marquez. “Embrace a balance of wellbeing that doesn’t go into any extreme practices.”

If you’re trying to heal your gut, lose weight, or improve your health, try to ignore the media noise. Focus on meeting your nutritional and mental health needs than your waistline goal – and keep in mind that every health craze is exactly that: a craze.

So if you are on a journey to heal your gut, don’t worry too much about the details. And make sure to

RED FLAGS IN SOCIAL MEDIA TO SPOT DIET CULTURE

“It worked for me, so it’ll work for you.”

This statement is incredibly false. Every human body is different for the better. Unfortunately, that means one-size does not fit all. Genetics and lifestyle habits vary greatly, effecting an outcome more than diet ever could.

Instead of directly copying an influencer’s habit, take it with a few grains of salt. Maybe incorporate a few ideas from an influencer, but make sure it fits your lifestyle. There are plenty of good recipes and habits on social media, but it can be hard to sift through. When in doubt, always do your own research.

Body Checking in a Video

If an influencer wants to provide quality, educational information, then the video likely won’t start with a clip of their own body. Body checking, in this scenario, is when someone shows a clip of their body, usually perfectly posed, before going into the video. Sometimes it’ll be a video titled “what I eat in a day,” a workout or nutrition advice. In a sense, body checking is an influencer’s attempt to provide credibility.

Instead of falling for this trap, look into an influencer’s true credibility. Are they a registered dietician, nutritionist, certified personal trainer, etc.? Learn about someone’s background before taking advice from any video on your FYP.

“Use my code for 20% off.”

How to actually improvegut health:

- Eat fibrous, plant-based foods - Eat fermented foods- Exercise regularly- Get quality sleep- Manage stress- Limit artificial sweetener, sugar,alcohol, and processed foods

RUN. Any video that is selling a product is usually a blaring alarm. Right now, greens and reds powders are dominating the market and fooling too many people. If you’ve purchased them, we don’t blame you — they’re convincing.

In reality, you’ll likely get more health benefits from whole, fibrous vegetables alone than by adding a powder into your routine. Marketing tactics are extremely different than honest advice. Most of the time, health isn’t achieved via supplemental products that are highly processed. Instead, save your money and try a more holistic approach to health.

source_bethany motley, registered dietician & nutritionist

#hotgirlwalk

If you’re a girl on Tik Tok, you’ve probably been initiated into Hot Girl culture. As Hot Girl Summer comes to an end, University of Miami students head back to school and revamp their daily routine. To maintain the Hot Girl persona throughout fall, this article will help you master the Hot Girl Walk, an exercise regime that includes matching sets, positive affirmations and a killer podcast.

words_cat mcgrath. design & illustrations_isa márquez

Walk into the Herbert Wellness Center at any given time and you’ll likely conclude that the University of Miami is a fitness-obsessed school. Overrun with gym bros and stairmaster soldiers, it’s not the most welcoming environment for students looking for a low-pressure, low-impact workout. Enter the Hot Girl Walk: a viral TikTok craze that has revamped the very concept of cardio.

On TikTok, the hashtag #hotgirlwalk currently holds over 451.7 million views. The videos under the hashtag show thousands of women documenting their daily walks down to every detail: their outfit of the day, their normal route, and what they ate beforehand. But what exactly are these TikTokers up to, and what separates a Hot Girl Walk from just a plain old walk?

Elle Australia published that the Hot Girl Walk was invented by @exactlyliketheothergirls, a TikToker named Mia Lind.

According to Elle, Mia’s essential components of a Hot Girl Walk include walking four miles, listening to an inspirational podcast or playlist, and reflecting on what you’re grateful for, your goals and, of course, your hotness.

But Hot Girl Walks don’t have to be one-size-fits-all. Here in Miami, data analyst and former resident Gabriela Ayala took the TikTok concept and brought it to life. By extending a

virtual invitation via TikTok post to any woman in Miami, she asked if anyone wanted to join her on her weekly walks.

“The first time 20 girls showed up,” said Ayala. “The second time like 50, then like 80, then it’s been 100 plus ever since.”

The 30-year-old started the group as a wholesome way to make friends in a city that is best known for lessthan wholesome things.

“It was really nice to see that other people felt the same way,” said Ayala. “That they wanted to make girlfriends.”

@Hotgirlwalkmiami now has over 2,000 followers on Instagram and hosts a weekly Hot Girl Walk every Saturday morning at 9 a.m. at various locations around the city. Ayala recently moved to Manchester, UK, where she launched @hotgirlwalkmanchester to keep “Hot Girl Walking” in her new routine.

Ayala said that besides making new friends, what makes a Hot Girl Walk special is using that time to clear your mind and to reflect on yourself. Ayala added that she uses them to contemplate how she can be the best version of herself.

Senior Allie Rosen enjoys social time on her Hot Girl Walks too, but usually via phone call.

“That’s usually when I catch up with people,” said Rosen.

The 20-year-old walks 10 thousand steps each day, but “any distance counts as a Hot Girl Walk,” said Rosen. For her, Hot Girl Walking is “a time to focus on [herself],” and enjoy some sunshine.”

LISTENING RECOMMENDATIONS

- H3 PODCAST: Pop-culture comedy podcast hosted on YouTube

- EXACTLYLIKETHEOTHERGIRLS PLAYLIST: Music playlist on Spotify that consists solely of songs that will make you feel like your hottest self

- STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW PODCAST: Educational podcast that details random things you would like to know about

- GIRLS GOTTA EAT: Top-rated comedy podcast hosted by two women that talk about everything relating to sex, relationships and dating

Ultimately, Hot Girl Walks are not about how far you walk or how long you walk for, but about how good you feel in the moment. They’re a convenient, cheap, and customizable way to work out while practicing mindfulness or to enjoy some downtime.

“I like to wear cute printed sets but sometimes I won’t. I’ll just wear random athletic clothes. My advice is to obviously wear something you feel good in. It makes the walk better,” said Rosen.

PUMP IT UP

You can’t get jacked overnight, but you can temporarily grow your muscles. This phenomenon, familiar to all gym-rats, is called a pump. It’s the closest you can get to instant muscle growth, but it does require some physical activity.

A “pump” is scientifically referred to as transient hypertrophy, literally meaning temporary muscle growth. After completing resistance training on a specific muscle group, that muscle will feel “pumped.” Not only does the muscle feel physically tighter and fuller, but it also looks bigger. This is because the muscle gets filled with fluid and blood, noticeably increasing the size of the muscle.

Anthony Tanzola, a natural bodybuilder and second place finisher in Men’s Physique at the OCB Jersey Natural Open, describes why he loves the feeling so much.

“The pump you see is your future self without a pump,” said Tanzola. “And then you’re chasing that, and it keeps climbing and climbing. And you’ll never get there. But it’s a goal.”

So what’s going on physiologically that makes this possible? According to Brian Biagioli, a graduate program director for Applied Physiology, the muscle requires more nutrients which triggers the pump.

“If you take muscle tissue and activate it, it has a dramatically increased metabolic requirement,” said Biagioli. “To get more nutrients and to remove the byproducts of the exercise, you increase blood flow, so it swells the tissue. Let’s say you do 10 sets of bicep curls, your biceps will be visibly bigger and can be measured at a greater size.”

When your muscles are under stress, they undergo glycogenolysis to create energy. This process creates many byproducts that your blood must clear out. The blood vessels dilate to allow more blood flow through the muscles, creating the pump effect.

Don’t get too excited though — this is just a temporary sensation. Wesley Smith, chair of the undergraduate exercise physiology program,

explains that seeking out intense pumps can actually be harmful.

“Blood flow to a muscle, if you increase it drastically, tends to lead to more atrophy [muscle loss] of the muscle,” said Smith. “So even though acutely you get more blood flow to the muscle, you tend to see a greater loss of amino acids from the muscle and it causes more atrophy.”

Need a quick confidence boost before the next pool party? There’s always time to get in a quick pump — an almost-instant, noticeable level of growth in your muscle. Pumps happen after resistance training, so drop and give us 20! You can also enhance the effects of a pump by knocking back some water, or loading up on some carbs. No matter how many gym sessions you skipped out on this week, you can redeem yourself with a nasty pump.

words_lizzie kristal. design_valeria barbaglio. photo_daniella pinzón.

Some pump fanatics take nitric oxide supplements to enhance their pump, but this is extremely dangerous. Nitric oxide acts as a vasodilator, or a substance that increases the blood flow to muscle.

“[It’s] not a good idea to supplement with nitric oxide because it’s not going to build your muscle tissue,” said Smith. “It could be a potent carcinogen and it could also, over time, desensitize you to a very important substance that dilates your arteries and give [you] a greater risk of heart attack or stroke.”

Now that the risky business is out of the way, here’s how to get the most efficient pump in the safest way possible. Make sure to drink plenty of water, because this will increase your blood volume. Tanzola also suggested slightly upping sodium intake before a workout to increase fluid circulation. And of course, you have to train with resistance.

“It winds up being time under tension on the muscle tissue,” said Biagioli. “So, if you wanted your arms to look bigger, you would do supersets, bicep and tricep exercises because this would allow the muscle to relax for a period of time while its antagonist muscle is doing work. So you can go back and forth to accomplish the most amount in the shortest period of time.”

Biagioli also suggested doing circuit-style training on the same muscle group to produce a top-notch pump. This means completing a certain number of exercises back-to-back, resting, and repeating.

So, before the next tailgate, be sure to chug your water, salt your breakfast and crank out those push-ups. That juicy pump is all yours.

If you don’t know any resistance-training exercises, you’ll be surprised they’re more straight-forward than you think. For your legs, you can do squats or lunges, and for your arms, stick to the gym class classics: push-ups and pull-ups. You can do either with weights to add a little more resistance, or can instead choose to do more reps at bodyweight.

zen’d out

For students, self-care is often an afterthought when juggling classes, jobs, and extracurriculars. Expensive spa treatments, yoga classes and beach club memberships aren’t always an option when living on a college budget. But have no fear: enjoying some quality “me-time” only involves a few key elements. Keep it simple and inexpensive with these tips and tricks

words_virginia saurdi. design_roberta macedo. photo_nina d’agostini.

Relaxation doesn’t have to be complicated — try a warm bath. Throw in extras that are available to you like bath bombs, salts, flowers, or essential oils. Don’t forget reading materials of choice.

When tourists visit Miami, they usually come with one thing in mind: to relax and let loose. With palm trees, turquoise water, great food and stunning views, the city seems like a paradise for people seeking respite from their stressful lives.

As college students, however, our dayto-day lives don’t always involve sipping on margaritas by the beach, and we often have a tighter budget than most visitors.

Sophomore Skyler Mahoney said that finding time for self-care doesn’t always come naturally, especially with a busy schedule.

“You definitely have to make time for it if you’re taking difficult classes,” said Mahoney. “I have to go to bed a little later just so I can get my homework done and still have time to calm myself down and relax.”

Valerie York-Zimmerman, certified mindfulness teacher and founder of Miami Mindfulness, also struggles sometimes with planning “me-time.”

“I am able to take time once I have decided something is valuable and worthwhile doing,” said York-Zimmerman. “When I first began meditating, I scheduled meditation appointments in my calendar just as I scheduled business appointments.”

But once you’ve created a slot in your schedule for some self-care, where do you start? Yes, you could always book a manipedi appointment or go to a pilates class, but what if your funds are running a little low? Or what if you just want to stay home?

Yoga instructor Jennifer Byer wants students to understand that self-care doesn’t have to break the bank.

“A lot of times people think self-care is a luxury, like going to get your nails done or going to get a massage, and all of that costs money,” Byer said. “It doesn’t have to cost money, and it’s not a luxury.”

Aromatherapy is a science-backed component that helps make the perfect pampering session. Scented lotions, candles and essential oils can be used to give your spa day another dimension of relaxation. Try using lavender, bergamot, sandalwood and chamomile, which are all revered by aromatherapists for their relaxing aromas.

For some, a bubble bath is an essential part of any spa day. There’s something so “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” about reclining in a mountain of bubbles. Temperature wise, it’s best to stick to warm water while winding down, as colder temperatures can spike your adrenaline levels and make it harder to relax.

Additionally, giving yourself a facial massage with your favorite skincare products and a jade roller is a great way to loosen up facial muscles and prevent stress lines.

To really take it up a notch, incorporate some music. Try listening to manifestation frequencies or ocean sounds, which can be found with a simple Spotify search. If you prefer lyrics, ambient house, soft rock, and old torch songs can also help elevate your vibe. But really, whatever genre that’s comforting for you will do the trick. Slow

R&B, soft indie, and classical music are all appropriate genres for your spa day.

Relaxation doesn’t have to be all healthy and serious though. Byer said the key to being truly mindful isn’t being perfectionistic about any specific element, but rather to ask yourself: what does your body need right now? Does it need a rest? Does it need a bath? Does it need some chocolate ice cream?

Basically, you do you. If your idea of taking a break is opening a tub of Ben and Jerry’s or sipping on a glass of rosé, then go right ahead — we won’t stop you.

You can also take this time to journal, meditate, watch your favorite show, paint your nails, call a friend — whatever soothes you the most.

There is no “correct” way to have a spa-day, and its completely open to interpretation. Mahoney loves to combine her me-time with quality social interactions by calling a family member or playing with her roommate’s dog. York –Zimmerman recommends “being willing to experiment with different formulas, exploring your own experiences, and studying the results for yourself,” when searching for the perfect wellness routine.

Any amount of time devoted to self-care is enough to make a difference, but York – Zimmerman says that even 20 or 30 minutes of some form of meditative practice helps her college clients “clear their foggy minds” and feel more energized throughout the day.

“If you’re just ‘go go go’ all the time, you don’t have time to sit and absorb what you’re learning at school or reading in a book. You don’t have time to process it,” said Byer. “I have realized that I’m no good to anybody if I don’t take care of myself.”

With midterm season quickly approaching, it’s more important than ever to find a sliver of time for yourself to kick back.

“If you have five minutes to scroll on TikTok, you have five minutes to just sit there and appreciate everything,” said Mahoney. “You need to start somewhere!”

Even if it’s just taking a hot shower, lighting some incense, or playing your favorite record, try taking a moment to indulge your senses in some much needed relief. Trust us, you’ll thank yourself later.

DIYEditor Virginia Suardi whipped up these spa day recipes out of basic ingredients that are perfect in a pinch!

Avocado hair mask: This hair mask recipe is great for shine, moisture, and damage repair. Bonus: you can also use it as a face mask – just omit the coconut oil to prevent pore clogging!

Ingredients:

• 1 avocado • 1 tbsp coconut oil • 2 tbsp honey Blend ingredients until smooth. Apply to damp hair from roots to ends, and leave in for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water and shampoo & condition as normal.

Brown sugar body scrub: This sugar scrub is amazing for exfoliation, boosting blood circulation, and providing a stunning glow. (And it smells amazing!)

Ingredients: • 1 cup brown sugar • 1/2 cup coconut oil • 1/4 cup honey

Mix ingredients thoroughly. Use on wet skin, avoiding sensitive areas. Follow up by moisturizing with sweet almond oil, vitamin E oil, or your favorite body lotion.

Matcha face mask:

Yes, you read that right: you can use matcha as a face mask! This mask is great for controlling oil production and promoting clear skin.

Southern Florida used to be all marsh, and Lake Okeechobee was the heart of freshwater flow. The rainfall, combined with the flowing lake water, created a freshwater habitat where the water was constantly flowing and replacing itself. That is why a more accurate name to describe the Everglades would be a ‘a river of grass’ rather than a swamp.

Into The Glades

Color created by DISTRACTION

Going to college in a vibrant city has its perks, but it can be nice to take a break from the constant hustle and bustle of Miami. Enter the Everglades: whether you’re after a guided tour, a sunset bike ride, an alligator sighting or a break from Blackboard, head to The Everglades to spend an afternoon in Miami’s backyard.

What exactly is this place?

The Everglades is the flowing ecosystem of marshy grasses that stretches across the width of South Florida. Once called the “forever glades” because of its expansive grassy landscape, this scenic environment extends from Orlando to the Florida Keys. While its existence precedes the Florida that we know today, much of the original “river of grass” was consumed by concrete during construction as the state’s population grew.

It took many years for this area to become protected, but according to nps.gov, “over time, many people saw the importance of protecting such a unique and beautiful ecosystem.” In 1947, 1.5 million acres of the Everglades was finally named an official National Park.

Why should you visit?

In a fast-paced city full of attractions, the trek out to the Everglades can seem like a hassle. So why make the trip?

“Give us a chance,” said Rudy Beotegui, Park Ranger and Community Outreach Coordinator at Everglades National Park. “Especially if you’re a local, this is your backyard.”

The Everglades paint South Florida in a unique light. Beotegui said how important a connection with nature is for residents of a city crammed with high rises and glitzy nightclubs.

“It’s important for us to learn our history and roots of the area to gain an appreciation for what was here before we changed it,” said Beotegui.

Homestead resident Adam, who chose not to share his last name, visits The Everglades three times a week with his wife Joanne to find peace away from the city.

“You come out here and it’s like stress relief, like therapy,” said Adam. “I realized how special this place is. I definitely feel calmer when I leave.”

The Everglades can provide peace away from the 305, and in a world where it feels like we’re constantly on the move. A day-trip out into nature can be exactly what you need to slow down.

Where should you start?

All Everglades trails are self-guided with informational signs along the way, but if you want more from your excursion, be sure to take part in the free tours given by the park rangers.

The programs are led twice daily, yearround at the Anginga trail. Meet at the Royal Palm visitor center at 10:30 a.m. for a guided

walk or at 1:30 p.m. for a sit-down talk, no registration needed.

The Anhinga trail at Royal Palm is a half mile boardwalk that yields the highest chances of seeing wildlife, including alligators and many other freshwater species.

More adventurous visitors should head to Shark Valley for a bike ride, a beautiful view and potential alligator crossings. The bike trail is a 15-mile loop, with the observation deck at mile six. You can choose to bike the entire loop, or head back upon hitting observation deck.

Sophomore Ford Kern found the Everglades Shark Valley bike trail while researching places in Florida to go biking with his friends. Since then, he’s returned for numerous visits to observe wildlife and find some peace and quiet.

“The observation deck is very cool,” said Kern. “There’s a spiral staircase to get up and you can see for miles and miles because of how flat the everglades are.”

Entrance Fee

The daily entrance fee for Everglades National Park is $30 per vehicle, and it can be used at all entrances into the park for seven consecutive days after purchase. Everglades aficionados might also consider paying for the yearly pass, which is only $55.

Be sure to accept the complimentary park map from the ticket attendant, as phone service may be spotty once you’re deep in the park.

How to read the map

The red icons on the park map highlight different habitats that each offer short selfguided trails. Longer trails are highlighted with black dashed lines. All trails are either boardwalks or paved paths, visitor friendly and very easy to walk, no gear needed.

What should I bring?

The Everglades isn’t Mount Everest— all of the trails are man-made paths or boardwalks, so don’t worry about breaking the bank on fancy hiking gear before you go.

The two most important things to bring on your excursion are water and bug spray. On top of that, it’s always important to have a fully charged phone and a map of the area in case you get lost. We recommend bringing a buddy on your adventure, but if you’re going to hike solo, tell your friends or roommates where you’re going to make sure you stay safe.

“It’s very obvious that there are different environments in Florida and the Everglades is another level of that. It’s interesting for me to see all the different types of plants and rare species in the swampy environment,” said Kern.

words_alexandria sharifi. design_matt jiménez. photo_ john alex correa.

World-renowned memory and brain coach Jim Kwik warned of the negative side effects of too much screen time.

Imagine — it’s the end of a long week, and you get that dreaded

is really rewiring their brain,” Kwik said. Additionally, Kwik said the exorbitant dopamine release that occurs in the brain while interacting with social media is “training [you] to be distracted all the time.” Medical Director of Behavioral Health at Included Health Dr. Nikole Benders-Hadi also stressed the danger of phone use in the morning.

“The information overload that hits you before you’re fully awake interferes with your ability to prioritize tasks,” Said Dr. Bend ers-Hadi.

0.It’s hard not to feel guilty or embarrassed upon seeing that you spent the equivalent of a full-time job mindlessly scrolling. You could’ve been reading a book, learning a new language, or cooking a meal.

So here’s a novel idea, put the phone down, touch some grass, and embrace disconnection.

words, photo & design_daniella pinzón.

Routine this golden age of the internet where our devices are lifelines to school, work, and our social lives, is it possible to avoid the conse quences of excessive online stimulation? While it might be impossible to forever discard our bad phone habits, developing some key habits can help regulate our time spent on and off our screens. Benders-Hadi recommends beginning your day with mindfulness and meditation. This could include journaling, creating a tolist, reading or listening to music, and enjoying a satisfying breakfast. Kwik also suggested keeping last hour of your day phone to leave time for reflection and relaxation before bed. Some students have already cracked the code on fighting the irresistible appeal of frequent phone usage. Junior Gabriel Torres ex plained that he has his phone set to a black and white display setting so he can regulate how his brain is processing social media content.

“Every single color on your phone is there for a reason,”said Torres. He believes that brands may exploit color psychology to market products more effectively to stakeholders. Thus, eliminating that visual factor from his phone allows him to feel “more inten tional about what I consume online,” he said.

Wake up, pick up the phone. Eat, Pick up the phone. Exercise, pick up the phone. Nowadays, it feels like these handheld devices are a necessary companion for every real-life activity, no matter how mundane. Though these five-inch devices look innocent enough, their influence is more destructive than you think.

code on fighting the irresistible appeal of frequent phone usage. Junior Gabriel Torres explained that he has his phone set to a black and white display setting that doesn’t show color so he can regulate how his brain is processing social media content.

Alternatives to Technology Film

mentioned by Dr. Benders-Hadi, cutting down on morning screen time is another key component in training ourselves to resist spending more time online. Junior Sofia Perez-Baux is a supporter of that stamens as she has “recently tried to not use [her] phone as much in the morning.” Instead, she uses that time to go outside, water her plants, and enjoy some sunlight.

World-renowned memory and brain coach Jim Kwik warned of the negative side effects of too much screen time.

“It is really rewiring their brain,” Kwik said. Additionally, the exorbitant dopamine release that occurs in the brain while interacting with social media is “training [you] to be distracted all the time,” Kwik said.

“Every single color on your phone is there for a reason,”said Torres. He believes that brands may exploit color psychology to market their products more effectively to stakeholders. Thus, eliminating that visual factor from his phone allows him to feel “more intentional about what I consume online,” he said.

This popular analog device is surely coming back. Finding one at a local shop such as Bellows Film Lab or Cardinal Film Lab can be a great come up at $50+ a piece. Be in the present moment and with film, you’ll feel more intentional about what you’re capturing without taking 300+ photos.

Creative Hobbies

Medical Director of Behavioral Health at Included Health, Dr. Nikole Benders-Hadi, also stressed the danger of using your phone in the morning.

Dopamine Fix

“The information overload that hits you before you’re fully awake interferes with your ability to prioritize tasks,” Benders-Hadi said.

As mentioned by Benders-Hadi, cutting down on morning screen time is another key component in training ourselves to resist spending more time online. Junior Sofia Perez-Baux is a supporter of that stamen.

Freshman Alexandra Carrillo uses the Apple Do Not Disturb feature to her advantage, blocking any notifications from popping up screen and preventing pesky distractions . She also makes sure to take time to read books or hang out with friends, and spend as much time away from both screens and classwork as possible. school starts to pick up, increased time spent on screens may look inevitable for most students. However, try and save your free for disconnecting from your phone and use those precious moments to connect with yourself, others, and the outside world. who knows, in time, maybe that weekly “Screen Time” notification will start to look a little less scary. Wake up, Pick up the phone. Eat, Pick up the phone. Exercise, Pick up the phone. Nowadays, it feels like these handheld devices are a necessary companion every real-life activity, no matter how mundane. Though these 5-inch devices look innocent enough, influence is more destructive than you think.

“[I’ve] recently tried to not use [her] phone as much in the morning.” Instead, she uses that time to go outside, water her plants, and enjoy some sunlight.

Painting, drawing, doodling can help with releasing stress. Try not take it too seriously and let your brain be the director of your creation. Whether it be on canvas or a piece of paper, squiggly lines or hearts around your name, it can help distract you for a bit.

Journaling

In this golden age of the internet where our devices are lifelines to school, work, and our social lives, is it possible to avoid the consequences of excessive online stimulation? While it might be impossible to forever discard our bad phone habits, developing some good ones can correct for them, helping regulate our time spent on and off our screens.

Freshman Alexandra Carrillo uses the Apple “do not disturb” feature to her advantage, blocking any notifications from popping up on screen and preventing pesky distractions . She also makes sure to take time to read books or hang out with friends, and spend as much time away from both screens and classwork as possible.

Pick up an empty notebook and jot down your feelings and goals. Make it easy for yourself and try to have a pen and paper handy for all your eureka moments.

World-renowned memory and brain coach Jim Kwik warned of the negative side effects of too much screen time. is really rewiring their brain,” Kwik said. Additionally, Kwik said the exorbitant dopamine release that occurs in the brain while interacting with social media is “training [you] to be distracted all the time.” Medical Director of Behavioral Health at Included Health Dr. Nikole Benders-Hadi also stressed the danger of phone use in the morning.

Benders-Hadi recommends beginning your day with mindfulness and meditation. This could include journaling, creating a to-do list, reading or listening to music, and enjoying a satisfying breakfast. Kwik also suggested keeping the last hour of your day phone free to leave time for reflection and relaxation before bed.

As school starts to pick up, increased time spent on screens may look inevitable for most students. However, try and save your free time for disconnecting from your phone and use those precious moments to connect with yourself, others, and the outside world. And who knows, in time, maybe that weekly “screen time” number will start to look a little less scary.

“The information overload that hits you before you’re fully awake interferes with your ability to prioritize tasks,” Said Dr. Bend ers-Hadi.

Routine this golden age of the internet where our devices are lifelines to school, work, and our social lives, is it possible to avoid the conse quences of excessive online stimulation? While it might be impossible to forever discard our bad phone habits, developing some key habits can help regulate our time spent on and off our screens. Benders-Hadi recommends beginning your day with mindfulness and meditation. This could include journaling, creating a tolist, reading or listening to music, and enjoying a satisfying breakfast. Kwik also suggested keeping last hour of your day phone

Some students have already cracked the

This section plunges into the cultural and societal significance of today’s trends. Learn the art of accessorizing with accent pieces, explore the euro-trend bloke core and channel your inner Mamma-Mia with our Mediterranean shoot. Our FASHION section is showcasing the best in style, perfect for those looking to make a statement. This section plunges into the cultural and societal significance of today’s trends. Learn the art of accessorizing with accent pieces, explore the euro-trend bloke core and channel your inner Mamma-Mia with our Mediterranean shoot. Our FASHION section is showcasing the best in style, perfect for those looking to make a statement. This section plunges into the cultural and societal significance of today’s trends. Learn the art of accessorizing with accent pieces, explore the euro-trend bloke core and channel your inner Mamma-Mia with our Mediterranean shoot. Our FASHION section is showcasing the best in style, perfect for those looking to make a statement. This section plunges into the cultural and societal significance of today’s trends. Learn the art of accessorizing with accent pieces, explore the euro-trend bloke core and channel your inner Mamma-Mia with our Mediterranean shoot. Our FASHION section is showcasing the best in style, perfect for those looking to make a statement. This section plunges into the cultural and societal significance of today’s trends. Learn the art of accessorizing with accent pieces, explore the euro-trend bloke core and channel your inner Mamma-Mia with our Mediterranean shoot. Our FASHION section is showcasing the best in style, perfect for those looking to make a statement.

FASHION

BLOKE CORE

Of all the fashion trends out there, bloke core might sound like one of the weirdest. To understand this trend, you first need to know what a bloke even is and how it originated. Get your game on and buckle up, because you’re about to learn a little something about our friends across the pond. words_andrius espinoza. design_isa marquez. photo_nina d’agostini.

First of all, what the bloody hell is a bloke? It’s British slang, equivalent to our “bro.” Blokes are common, simple men. “Bloke core” is a term coined by TikTok user @brandonlhuntly, eventually turning into a hashtag viewed 45.7 million times: #blokecore.

The style isn’t too hard to grasp — if you have a soccer jersey, you’re already halfway there. Style the jersey with sneakers and boot cuffed jeans or other bottoms of choice. And voilà! You just mastered bloke core.

Some jerseys are more valued than others, though. Thrifting is a great way to collect an impressive collection of rare jerseys for good teams. In the comments under a video from user @andrqws, viewers admire a white Mexican jersey with a unique design. Another viewer is searching the racks for a 2002 Brazil Thierry Henry jersey and an R9 Madrid jersey.

TikTok has managed to make a variety of styles trend. For example, cottage core hands its credit to the social media app. Bloke core is no different — the craze likely wouldn’t be trending without TikTok.

The style is a fusion of soccer stadium style and some recent collections on the catwalk. According to NSS Sports, the style incorporates concepts from Wales Bonner for Adidas, Gucci’s collaboration with German brands and other high-fashion snapshots. Though seemingly simple, bloke core’s roots run much deeper than a last-minute closet choice.

Throughout the 1970s and ’80s, brands like Nike, Fila, Puma, Sergio Tacchini and more paved the way for bloke core. These brands provided accessible, athletic fashion to both men and women. Their audience was referred to as “casuals,” a term that preceded bloke core.

Casuals had low investments in the world of fashion, not caring to put major effort into their wardrobe choices. These athletic brands geared toward casuals created a space where it was acceptable and normal for young, working-class men to have an active interest in fashion. In many ways, it was the first time there was any hype around sportswear

The principle behind bloke core is that it serves as a vehicle to subvert the expectations of men’s fashion: it’s antifashion. The catwalk

can be overcomplicated with expensive styles. Bloke core reverses that: practically anyone can achieve the look and still be trendy. Blokes are too cool to care what they throw on, hence the simplicity.

Soccer is a vital part of bloke core. Europeans love their football, and for good reason. Pubs have undeniable influence on culture, making its appearance in fashion now. With the Fifa World Cup approaching

in November, now is the perfect time to incorporate the jerseys into your staples.

Fear not, this trend isn’t limited to Europeans or the British. Its following has expanded worldwide, even appearing in places like Japan and Argentina. Whether you consider yourself a bloke or not, you can join the hype. Founder Brandon Huntley described it as the “hottest trend of 2022.” It’s not too late to hop on the bandwagon. So, when you’re feeling run-down, throw on your favorite pair of baggy jeans and jersey and call the frumpiness fashion.

What’s more bloke core than soccer? Sorry, we meant football. Adidas pieces, team jerseys, sneakers and sportswear scream bloke. This style brings out the British for a day, fair warning though it is tough to refrain from the accent.

Dressing up jerseys may seem like a jarring concept, but we’re to tell you to be fashionable is to be shocking. Adding glasses, jewelry or a statement bag will turn this casual concept into a trendy street style fit.

MAMMA MIA!

HERE WE GO AGAIN

MY, MY HOW CAN I RESIST YOU

European summer may have fleeted, but the influence of Mediterranean style is here to stay. Light, linen, and loose clothes make the heat of South Florida bearable. There is nothing like a euroelegant, classy aesthetic to mix up the flashy Miami club scene. Coastal colors and light layers are all it takes to look like you’ve been spending your time on the Adriatic Sea. This breezy fashion is easily attainable and here to stay.

words_grier calagione. design_lizzie kristal. photo_sharron lou.

Patterns: Mediterranean style consists of mostly muted and earthy colors, and the best way to break up a sometimes-dull outfit is with a pattern. A unique headscarf or a lightweight button-up with a funky design brings vibrance to an otherwise lackluster outfit.

MAMMA MIA, DOES IT SHOW AGAIN?

White on White:

White on white is the color combo that defines this trend. The monochromatic fit creates an angelic effect that screams European summer. Add a few accessories and you have an effortlessly puttogether outfit.

MY, MY

Texture: There’s no better way to make an outfit your own than accessorizing. Adding a patterned hat, a bold knit, some sunglasses, or funky earrings can elevate a look to the next level.

JUST HOWMUCH I’VE MISSED YOU

Don’t trip! A chunky heel not only adds power to your step, but a fun flare to any fit. Platforms are the new sneakers, dress them up or down to totally change your vibe.

Bigger is better when it comes to statement pieces in 2022. Take maximalism to your wardrobe and step out in whatever wild pieces speak to your soul. From feathers, to sequins, to head-to-toe metallics, this season’s trends offer ample opportunity to take any outfit to the next level.

If you bought into the capsule wardrobe trend, a bold bag is the perfect way to amp-up your average look. Think bold colors, crystals, fuzzy fabrics, denim, and lots of texture to turn a classic fit into a loud statement.

Rhinestones are no longer just for sorority bid days and Euphoria cast members. Rhinestone purses have hit the scene in several fashion houses this summer. Prada’s Swarovski emblazoned 2005 Re-Edition bag was so popular that the brand introduced a new line of crystal covered bags this summer in soft yellow, green, silver, and periwinkle. Additionally, Balenciaga’s revamped Le Cagole bag featuring a heartshaped mirror blew up this summer, with the rhinestone version quickly selling out after influencers sported the bag in all sizes and color combinations.

Another fun way to accessorize is by following the new curvy bag trend. If investing

WERK

in a new handbag seems daunting, the monthly subscription service Vivrelle has you covered. This company will rent you a handbag, and the purchase of a membership in any of their three tiers will give you access to diamonds, jewelry and handbags from Chanel to Hermès. It’s a sustainable way to try before you buy — or experience a new bag without any strings attached.

Feeling stressed about finding the perfect statement piece for your next night out? Look for your favorite base pieces in a bold material. An easy way to make a statement is by checking out the texture, fabric, feel and look of clothing. Vogue branded tulle, metallic and fluffy fabric as must-tries for this season. Models at New York Fashion Week walked in everything from Carrie Bradshaw-esque tutus

to metallic western boots and netted veils.

As we all know, trends come and go, so buying a statement piece based on what you like rather than what is trending is always a great option.

“Fashion trends are so quick nowadays,” said junior Kelly Zirbel. “One trend I really did not like was furry bags, especially furry animal print bags. I tend to like statement pieces that can be as timeless as possible, so the intense Y2K vibe was not for me.”

Nicole Chirinos, a Miami resident with her own fashion company @RoseLivelyCo, has found some ways to play into

the quick fashion trends while also making sure the piece can be re-worn.

“One of my examples would be to look for a statement piece that would have a print that isn’t as spot on to what the trend is at the moment,” said Chirinos. “For example, for a while, zebra prints were trending. If I bought an article of clothing that had that print, it would go out of style soon. So to ensure that won’t happen, I would look for a piece that has a more abstract version of the print.”

Thrift shopping is also a great way to find statement pieces. Try Depop for affordable new looks — there, you can find anything from low rise Y2K jeans to 1940s silk camisoles.

“Vintage stores are an affordable, sustainable place to start,” Zirbel said. “But if you want to invest a bit more, I love secondhand designer stores.”

Sophomore Gabriela Abramovitz layers jewelry to complete her outfits, and

Our accessory of the year award goes to gloves! A classy way to dress up in an otherwise casual fit, take the gloves out of your costume box and onto the streets. Another perk? Texting becomes impossible! Wear them to stop yourself from that inevitable messy ex-text on a night out.

she is rarely seen without chunky earrings or layered necklaces.

“I never want to see the tattoo choker again” said Abramovitz. “A pair of jeans and a t-shirt is super boring but add some chunky sneakers and a pair of over-thetop sunglasses and you have an eye-catching outfit. Or a bunch of dainty pieces of jewelry layered on top of each other go a super long way.”

“I would recommend an outfit or a skirt, pants, or bottom, that have a unique silhouette to them,” Chirinos said.

A statement piece is the perfect way to show who you are and literally wear your heart on your sleeve. Brendon Brownstein, a freelance stylist who also does work for Alchemist, loves his over-the-shoulder gifted Alchemist bag with a giant octopus on it. But

despite what may be trending, Brownstein explains that fashion looks best when people wear it for themselves, not just to make a statement.

“Alot of things look good,” said Brownstein. “Because if you think it looks good then I do, too.”

He further explained that simply wearing something to look like you’re making a statement is different from actually making one. All in all, own your look. Three quarters of having the perfect statement piece is wearing it with confidence.

“I dress pretty unisex and genderless with a quarter to half of my wardrobe being women’s clothing,” said Brownstein. “As you get older, you gain this confidence in who you are,

what you like and what you don’t like. Especially down here in South Florida, image is a lot.”

So whether you’re into rhinestone bags or chunky jewelry, own your accent pieces. If you love what you’re wearing, wear it with confidence and make a bold statement with your pieces.

Bold silhouettes, colors, patterns and screen-prints turn boring fits into head turning statements. The best places to find a crazy piece? Check resale websites like eBay to get good scores on funky pieces. This bustier bag was a $20 Depop steal!

A THRONE FIT

For a ‘Cane

, or even yelling, you have to make a tough call quickly.

out there

fighting the good fight, we here at Distraction have made a quick list of the best unfinished business.

words_sal puma. design_matt jiménez.

The Shalala student center is a sleeper agent, and it has what are arguably some of the best bathrooms on campus. Shalala’s location makes it a central building on campus, so it’s not a far walk in case of emergency. On its third floor, tucked in the back of a long hallway, sits an oasis. Plus, since it is frequently used for events from student organizations and faculty, the building is cleaned frequently. We recommend making the obscure third floor Shalala bathroom a prime spot for whatever sticky situation you

of taking a chance on the elevator.

The Stacks

During midterm and final seasons, it’s a common practice to post up in one location, only moving for the essentials. Unfortunately, when all the Starbucks and RedBull catches up to you, you may only have a split second to find that magical bathroom close to your study space. So, if you’re somebody with an angry stomach and the urge to maintain a 4.0 GPA, the stacks offer all you seek. Not only are the Stacks a great place for a quiet study, but their bathrooms are unisex and single stall, so you have the place to yourself.

Unless you’re a student of physics or someone with a LOT of free time to roam around campus, you might not be familiar with the Knight Physics building. This building is on the edge of campus near the arboretum, and due to its hidden nature, it’s pretty empty. So, if you find yourself needing a bathroom on this part of campus, wanting to spend some alone time on the porcelain throne, this is a great option.

Lakeside Public Bathrooms

Did you know that Lakeside Village has a few public bathrooms scattered about? Neither do a lot of other people but that’s what makes them great! They have them in between the UPS store and the indoor rock-climbing, and behind Daybreak. Perfect for a quick and peaceful pitstop when you’re walking across campus.

Are you a time traveler?

I see you in our future

Join our award-winning staff. We’re always accepting writers, designers, photographers, videographers, PR pros and business-savvy sales reps. However you’d like to get in the swing of things, we have room for you. Send an email to distraction305@gmail.com for more information. Anyone is welcome to contribute!