SC O PE Winter Hair Tips AMAS Review
ebola update
The scoop on YikYak
How to stay fit during the holidays
PoetryCorner
Fashionisto/a of the month Volume III, Issue II
Obama Immigration Reform By Sharvelle Bullock, Public Relations Chair On Nov. 23, President Obama unveiled his plans for the Immigration system in the U.S. The plan will allow for 5 million undocumented immigrants to apply to stay in the U.S without being deported. This does not necessarily certify their citizenship but that they will be able to get a work permit and social security number as well as travel back and forth to their home country. The plan requires immigrants to pay taxes, learn English and undergo background checks. Those with criminal records are denied immediately. Undocumented immigrants will have to prove that they have been in the U.S for at least 5 years. The plan also allows for immigrant workers that are highly skilled in technology to be sponsored by technology companies. The initiative will not go into effect for another 6 months but until then, there will be stricter border patrols and crack downs in companies and businesses that hire illegal immigrants. Any immigrant in violation of the any of the requirements will be lose all privileges immediately and deported.
#JusticeForMikeBrown By Maya Glover, Secretary
It’s been a little over 3 months since Mike Brown was shot down by police officer Darren Wilson, and the people of Ferguson are still not happy. Darren Wilson was put on paid leave and has yet to go to trial for his crime. With multiple riots, protest, and sit-ins, the Ferguson people have been letting the police know and any one else who will listen, they will not tolerate this type of injustice. In recent news, Ferguson businesses have begun boarding up the windows of their establishments in anticipation of an intense riot following the decision of the grand jury on whether Wilson will be indicted or not. Many people feel that the precautions are unnecessary as the Ferguson people have carried out majority of their protests peacefully, and the violent outbreaks have been few. Focusing back on the Brown family, Lesley McSpadden and Michael Brown Sr., Brown’s parents, traveled to Geneva, Switzerland on Tuesday to convince the United Nations Against Torture to recommend the immediate arrest of Wilson and to “[let] the world know what’s going on in Ferguson” (Cnn.com) (even though we’ve seen on twitter the support Ferguson citizens have gotten from all over the world). And lastly, a police report has surfaced that claims that McSpadden, Mike Brown’s mother, has lead an attack on Pearlie Gordon and her team as they were selling “Justice For Mike Brown” paraphernalia in a parking lot. According to the report “McSpadden approached the tent and told Gordon “you can’t sell this shit.” Gordon then told 34-year-old McSpadden that unless she could prove that she had a patent on her son’s name, the stand was going to keep selling the t-shirts. Then Brown’s grandmother, Desuirea Harris, allegedly said, “you don’t know my grandson like that. I’m gonna tear this shit down,” and reportedly began pulling down t-shirts and other hanging items. The assailants took $1,500 worth of merchandise from the tent and a suitcase that contained at least $400, Gordon told police. One of the people working the tent was taken to the hospital for injuries sustained in the attack, according to the police report.” No charges have been filled. As the Ferguson people stand their ground, refusing to let this get brushed under the rug, it is our job as observers to not let their efforts go unnoticed. Some one mentioned that the Montgomery Bus Boycott lasted 365 days and Ferguson lost its media fire within a month. We have to keep spreading the word about Ferguson because it’s not just about Mike Brown and it’s not just about a town… it’s about citizens. UPDATE: Officer Darren Wilson was not indicted for the fatal shooting of Mike Brown. He is also reportedly leaving the Ferguson police force.
Importance of
VOting
By Yewumi Awolola
DEAR WHITE PEOPLE By
Maya Glover, Secretary
Arguably, one of the most anticipated movies this season has been Dear White People. The first time Dear White People came to my attention was last year when the writer and director of the film, Justin Simien, released a trailer that gained a large following as well launched an indiegogo campaign to get the funds to move the project into the next stage of production. Simien gained such support for his film that, according to Indiegogo, he was able to surpass his goal of $25,000 and raised more than $40,000. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Then a theatrical release on October 17th in selected theaters. The film follows four black students at an Ivy League college and is “a satire about being a Black face in a white place” (Dear-white-people.tumblr.com). The main conflict comes when a white frat on campus decides do throw an “African-American” themed party. Each character goes through their struggle with defining their blackness on campus and how they do or don’t fit in.
The highly anticipated theatrical version released in big cities like Atlanta, New York and Chicago. Supposedly it released everywhere else shortly afterward but one of the few places that was not graced with Dear White People’s presence was Bloomington-Normal. There can be many speculations as to why, one of them being that Dear White People is not a movie that the Bloomington-Normal population wants to see, but none the less, the movie has gotten overall great reviews (91% from Rotten Tomatoes, 79% from Metacritic, and 6.6/10 from IMDb). I will be among the many people waiting for Dear White People to become available to them, whether it be at a theater at home over the break or online and I can’t wait to see what the hype is all about.
Yik Yak
By JaVone Willingham
Yik Yak is a new social media platform that
informs you of things happening on campus
is spreading like wildfire on campuses
that you wouldn’t know otherwise. For
everywhere, including Illinois State. It is an
example, if you are a senior, you wouldn’t
app that allows you to say whatever you feel
know about Watterson flooding; however,
anonymously. It reminds people of an
Yik Yak will tell you because all the
anonymous twitter. The app tracks your
freshmen were sure to yak about it all day. It
location then allows the yaks to be seen
keeps you aware of what is happening on
depending on where you are. The radius
campus and can tell you about potential
covers all of ISU’s campus and a little bit
professors.
into Bloomington. You are able to comment on a post, or up vote or down vote a post. Once a person gets to -5 down votes, the post is deleted. If your post is significant enough and gets an abundant amount of up votes, it has a chance to make it onto “The
However, with every upside to Yik Yak, there are many downfalls as well. On occasion, there are “race wars” where racist yaks are put up. It gives people an outlet to insult people anonymously as well as troll their post.
Best Yaks” page. Yik Yak can be fun but it can also be The app has all the things you would think an anonymous app would have: sex, complaints, racism and news. Yik Yak
negative. It teaches you that once a person becomes anonymous, their true feelings come out
“Big Gay Conference” in the works for ISU Submission by Junior, Visual Communication major Tracy Conoboy
A committee of dedicated Illinois State University students won a bid almost two years ago to host the Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Ally College Conference (MBLGTACC) and have been planning its ISU debut for February 13-15, 2015 since then. The Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Ally College Conference (also known as the “Big Gay Conference”) is more than just a mouthful of words. It is the largest LGBTQIA college conference in the nation, with over two thousand attendees each year. The conference will include educational workshops held in Schroeder Hall and entertainment events held in the Bone Student Center. Executive Director of Development and Entertainment Robert Alberts, an ISU senior, is in charge of overseeing the board of directors and booking keynote speakers and entertainers. “These past few months, we’ve been finishing up speaker's contracts, grading workshop proposals, developing safety and security plans, ordering t-shirts and bags and developing sponsorship connections with major businesses,” said Alberts. The first keynote speaker announced is Laverne Cox, a transgender activist who plays Sophia Burset, an incarcerated African American woman, on the Netflix series Orange is the New Black. She is the first trans woman of color to have a leading role on mainstream television. “In choosing our speakers and workshops, we wanted to make sure that we addressed the hugely diverse community that represents all of the LGBTQIA community,” said Alberts. “We realize that we need to do our best to address relevant issues that impact our community." The committee’s goals line up well with the theme they chose for the conference: Narrating a New Normal. The word “normal” is a play on the town’s name and focuses on the average person’s ability to help make a change. “What we define our theme as is focusing on the individual contributions to the larger movement of the LGBTQIA rights movement. Our goal is to focus on individual contributions and place more focus on the common person.” Alberts has been working on planning this conference for almost two years. The process began as just an idea between him and two other students and stemmed from that. “Andy, Tyler and I spent 13 hours one night and put together the entire bid proposal. I don't think I've ever dedicated that much time to one single project.” They presented the bid proposal in February 2013 at Michigan State University and won against Purdue University by only two votes. “It was something none of us prepared for,” said Alberts. “I think the hardest part was the questions.” MBLGTACC brings students and staff from not just the Midwest, but across the United States. It is an opportunity to showcase ISU and encourages those interested to come learn about LGBTQIA issues. “It allows students and faculty to network and present to others from across the US and share their ideas. It also allows them to hear some of the most famous LGBTQIA activists that are creating huge impact in their fields, as well as encourages others to create change as well.” The deadline for conference registration is January 2, 2015. For more information, visit mblgtacc2015.org.
RSOs
igmas Keeping It 100 By Toni Daniels, Staff Reporter Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. celebrated their annual weekend Nov. 13 through Nov. 16. President of the Epsilon Chi chapter here at ISU, Robert Campbell stressed the importance of this year’s theme, “Keep It One Hundred”. “The theme was chosen because 2014 marks the celebration of our centennial (100 years) anniversary of the fraternity being founded,” said Campbell. The Sigmas certainly “kept it one hundred” with all the events they had during the jam-packed weekend. On Nov. 13, the Sigmas hosted an alcohol-free bowling party at the Bowling and Billiards Center. The Sigmas wanted to keep this a dry event because they wanted to remind the campus that alcohol is not needed to have a good time. They also wanted to give the people who are not familiar with them an avenue to get to know them as well. Pizza was also offered at the free event.
The next day, the Sigmas fought through the freezing temperatures and performed some of their most popular strolls and steps for the campus in Schroeder Plaza. In return, the Sigmas asked students to donate nonperishable food items, clothes and spare change to donate to the McLean County homeless shelters. Later that night, the boys in blue partnered with fellow RSOs F.L.A.M.E and Gamma Phi Omega Sorority, Inc for an event entitled “Keeping it One Hundred”. The purpose of this event was to bring awareness to the campus about sexual consent. During the event, students engaged in multiple activities that taught student about the importance of sexual consent and highlighted the dos and don’ts when engaging in sexual activities. There was also a representative from Student Counseling Services present to answer any questions that students had.
That Saturday, the Sigmas participated in Black Student Union’s annual event “Fall Fest”, which presented a day of community service at the Baby Fold. During the service, students worked with many underprivileged kids in the area and provided many fall activities for the children to be involved in such as arts and crafts, cookie decorating and caramel apple making. Sigma weekend came to a close on Sunday, Nov 16 and was hosted by their pageant girls, the 2015 Miss Black ISU contestants. They hosted a movie night where they showed the classic movie “Space Jam” starring Michael Jordan and sold concessions as a fundraiser for their pageant. To find out more about the EX chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., follow them on Instagram and Twitter @ISU_SIGMAS.
RSO Spotlight:
F.L.A.M.E.
Feminist Led Activist Movement to Empower By Tyrianna Jones, Editor The Feminist Lead Activist Movement to Empower, commonly known as F.L.A.M.E., does exactly what its name says. This RSO is heavily involved every semester in order to spread awareness on women’s issues that are usually silenced including rape, unequal pay, and body image. F.L.A.M.E. also encourages its members to have a voice when it comes to woman empowerment and becoming leaders. “Personally, F.L.A.M.E. has given me confidence and has deepened my understanding of feminist issues and expanded my interests,” said Stephanie Machotka, member of the F.L.A.M.E. Action Team.
participants for this event back in October as they chanted and marched to spread awareness. F.L.A.M.E. does many important things for the women on ISU’s campus and continues to inspire them to speak out and embrace their inner feminist. To find out more about F.L.A.M.E., search and Like ISU.FLAME on Facebook.
F.L.A.M.E. has put on many events for ISU students in order to inspire and promote change. Their most popular event is The Vagina Monologues, which is a discussion/show that focuses on sexual violence and just embracing the female anatomy. There is also a “Vagina Fair” held before the show where participants can purchase merchandise and all proceeds are donated to organizations like the YWCA and CDV Neville House. Another event, Take Back the Night, is national program that sheds light on sexual abuse and domestic violence. F.L.A.M.E. brought together over 100
“Take Back the Night” Photo Courtesy of https://www.facebook.com/ISU.FLAME/
BALAS, A cross-cultural collaboration By Kayla Williams, Staff Reporter
On Nov. 17, Black Student Union (BSU) and the Association of Latin American Students (ALAS) joined forces for “BALAS”, a dance collaboration between both Black and Latino cultures. Attendees were welcomed by head members of both student organizations to what they described as “a night of bringing two cultures together through the power of dance.” During the event, attendees learned a large variety of dance moves including the electric slide, the Bachata, Chicago stepping, the Merengue, and the Soul Train Line, just to name a few. It was a lot of hot and sweaty fun and it allowed guests to meet, socialize and dance with students they did not know prior to the event. “Events like this are so important on campus,” said BSU Programming Chair, Shacora Hawkins. “It promotes diversity around campus by combining different cultures together and doing something that everyone from all ethnicities can enjoy.” Dance is universal and it offers something that people from all around the world can relate to. The “BALAS” event was a perfect representation of what diversity really is.
Get the Scoop with…
By Shajee’ah Ali-Walker, CAEC Coordinator
Outta The Ordinary, better known as OTO, is a band of aspiring, musically talented freshmen here at ISU. Business marketing major Justin Pickett (drummer), marketing major Joshua Johnson (singer/rapper), business administration major Caleb Hall (singer/songwriter/guitarist/keyboard player) and professional business management major Donavon Roby (rapper) make up the harmonious quartet. I had the pleasure of sitting down and learning more about the band’s key players. Scope: So how did you guys start?
Tony Royster, and George ‘Spanky’ McGurdy
Caleb: Well Josh and I met at preview. After meeting him, we found that we both had interest in music. When we got back to school, we met up and began hanging out. One day we went downstairs (of HewettManchester) into the practice room and got locked in for two hours. We wrote two songs that night. Because of this, we decided we wanted a band. I remembered I met Justin and he told me he played drums so I invited him to a practice. I met John (the pianist/trombonist) when I was in the practice room and that’s how he joined the band. Donavon came along when Josh and I were having a jam session. He did a freestyle and boom!
Caleb: My writing influences are Earth Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and Sly & the Family Stones
Scope: What music artists inspire the group and who do you all compare your musical style to?
Scope: Looking into the future, what’s next for OTO?
OTO: our music is an old school/new school mash up. We don’t have a specific genre or label.
Donavan: we would like to continue our music career as a popular indy (independent) band with our own creative style.
Donovan: I look up to Drake, J. Cole, Public Enemy, and Nas.
Scope: How can people find your music?
Josh: I look up to Vic Mensa, and Childish Gambino
OTO: Instagram- @otomusic and the link to our Facebook page is in the bio. YouTube – search “OTO Music”
Justin: I look up to Earth, Wind & Fire, my brothers, and drummers such as Chris Coleman, Cory Henry,
Scope: What opportunities do you see being a band on a college campus? Josh: We are very humble but our goal is to be known. Donovan: We’re open to playing anywhere; we will take any opportunity given to us. We are a group who wants to play for anyone who wants to listen
By Shaunda Brooks, Editor-in-Chief As I tuned into ABC-7 Sunday evening, my eyes danced on the screen like a deer caught in headlights. Guilty pleasures kicked in as I patiently waited for the next three hours of my life to be wasted by off-key singing, poor dancing and misconstrued votes for our ‘favorite’ American artists. Specifically noted as “one of the biggest entertainment nights in American television”, the 42nd annual American Music Awards offered something contrary to that of U.S. proportions… Bloody hell? The highly anticipated award ceremony, poorly hosted by rapper Pitbull, was dominated by international superstardom. Sam Smith (England), Charlie XCX (England…) and One Direction (also from England) were just a few of the artists that stole the spotlight from American acts from the amount of awards received to the much better performances. Not only did England have a major representation at the show, Australia was also in the building loud and proud with Iggy Azalea surprisingly slaying the competition in the categories of “Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album” and “Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist”. I mean she only beat out lyrical genius Drake and hip-hop pioneer Eminem… in both categories. Guess she is ‘fancy’ after all.
The issue wasn’t that international stars won the top awards because ultimately the talent is clearly there. The problem existed in that their accomplishments were pretty much the only ones presented during the live broadcast of the show. Awards that were won by American artists such as “Single of the Year”, “Favorite Soul/R&B Female (and Male) Artist” and shockingly “Favorite Country Album” weren’t shown until the rolling credits after the event concluded. Even performances by the global musicians outshined that of our country’s attempts. Everything from astounding vocals offered by Jessie J and Sam Smith to the creative themes as displayed by Charlie XCX and Mr. Worldwide himself, Pitbull was embarrassingly better. The only impressive showcase of ‘American’ talent was from America’s sweetheart Taylor Swift, who served as the opening act. The fact that American artists didn’t get the glory during a show dedicated to celebrating American talents is a reflection on the current state of pop music. The trailblazers that existed a few years back ultimately ran out of gas or just aren’t producing hits in a timely fashion to be recognized. In times like these, we selfishly utilize the skills of international artists and dub them as our own. Whether you refer to it as the modern day ‘British Invasion’ or ‘New Wave’ movement, it is certain that red, white and blue takes a different form as the representation of pop music in America and apparently leads to total domination at our awards shows.
Fashionista
&
Fashionisto By Sharvelle Bullock Public Relations Chair
Nykky Lanuza Senior, Sociology Major
Rommeal Lear
Describe your style. Loud. Flamboyant. Colorful. Hipster. My style reflects my personality. I don’t conform to what everyone else is wearing and doing or what they think is normal. Who are some of your style Icons? Lady Gaga obviously. Also, Miley Cyrus. Freddy Mercury, the lead singer of the band Queen. I really look up to them because they taught me that it doesn’t matter what people think about or say about you, you really have to wear what’s you’re comfortable in. If you show a little skin, show a little skin. You’re just comfortable; that’s life. How do you come about your various style ideas? Shopping wise, I go to a lot thrift stores. I don’t really like to pay a lot for clothes and I really like vintage clothing and old pieces, and I think it’s pretty easy to make old clothes brand new. If it’s not a thrift store, it’s TJ Maxx or Forever 21. If you could give any fashion advice what would it be? Wear what’s comfortable to you. Wear your personality. People’s standards should not constrict you in what you wear. You should want to wear whatever you want to. It is definitely a lesson that most people don’t learn until they are older or in high school when they feel like they have to fit in to a certain group of people. It took me a while to realize that if you’re happy the people around you will be happy.
Junior, Public Relations Major Describe your style. Unique. Thrifty. Different. Interchangeable. I dress with a purpose. Whether it’s for success, to strike up a conversation, or to just be comfortable. I like wearing clothes that reflect my goals for that day. When I get dressed, my mind set is, what can I piece together that will strike up a conversation? I like when people compliment or inquire about my style.
How do you come about your various style ideas? I am a very thrifty person. I like to go thrift shopping. People assume that what the clothes I wear costs a lot of money, but really they don’t. I just try to mix and match different pieces and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. I am the type of person that chooses quality over quantity. I like being the person in the room with a particular piece that no one else owns. If you could give any fashion advice what would it be? Be different. Make a name for yourself. Don’t try to dress how society views you, or wants you to dress. Society puts people into categories and holds them to these simple and basic standards; like guys wearing Gucci belts or these expensive designer shoes. The brand isn’t what’s important. It’s important to feel confident. Be yourself. Never doubt yourself, it may not be fashionable or “in” to someone of a different mindset but there will always be someone out there that shares your sense of style.
The Art
Of Thrifting
By Sharvelle Bullock, Public Relations Chair
Go thrift shopping! At least that’s what artist Macklemore suggests, in the 2012 hit, “Thrift Shop”. For those who may not know about this popular trend, a thrift shop is a store full of possibilities. Thrift stores are the homes of new and gently used second hand clothing and everyday items. Since most of the items are second hand, they are usually housed at really affordable prices. “Being a college student, thrift shopping is definitely my go to ideal of shopping” says senior, Kate Lemke, Sociology major. A warning for all of you first time ‘thrifters’ out there: Thrift shopping is an art form and does a bit of time to perfect. It is not the same as shopping at a typical retail store (i.e Macy’s, Target, or Express). It will take time. Be patient. “My biggest advice is to go months before the season, especially for sweaters and crew necks”, said sophomore Jack Higgins. Thrift shops do offer more than clothing. They are also known for selling books, furniture, and jewelry. Since there are so many items housed in thrift stores it can be a bit overwhelming and confusing. Here are few tips to help ease the process and make your experience more enjoyable: • Make a list of what you are looking for: since the prices are so inexpensive it is really easy to get distracted and buy more than what you need.
• Plan to go to more than one store: Every thrift shop is different. Since the items are donated to the store they will not contain the same items from store-to-store or week-to-week.
• Check the quality of the items: It is a second hand store, which means
that someone owned the clothes before you. Make sure that there are no stains, tears, or broken zippers. Even though they are inexpensive no one wants to feel like they wasted money on a bad quality item.
• Have fun: Thrift shopping is an experience. You will find really great items,
along with really bad ones that just aren’t your style. Keep an open mind. The clothing part of it may not be your thing but you may find a really interesting book or an old movie that you’ve always wanted to see. Try it out and test the waters.
Protect your Natural Hair from Old Man Winter By Arthesia Cartlidge, Treasurer
Winter is coming and for those of us with natural hair, that means it’s all about protecting our lovely tresses. Most people with natural hair are often overwhelmed by how they are supposed to keep their hair protected during the windy days of winter. One of the best ways of protecting your hair is keeping it moisturized. Moisturizing can come different for many naturals; I myself find it the most difficult part of being natural. Some people find that their hair doesn’t need to be moisturized that often because their hair naturally retains moisture longer. Other naturals that suffer from dry hair notice that their hair thrives on moisture and without it becomes dull and brittle. The hard part is that not every product works for everyone. It is the job of every natural to find out what product works best, which means a lot of trial and error. I know from experience, that job might sound horrible but just trust me when I say your hair will love you for it. It may sound expensive trying a lot of different products but it’s not. Remember just because it has an expensive name brand doesn’t mean it’s the best product. Now while moisturizing your hair is important, it’s not the only thing you should be doing to protect your hair. Sometimes during the winter months, the best thing you can do for your hair is keep those ends sealed and that’s where protective styles come into play. Protective styles are ones that don’t consist of most, if not all, of the hair being worn loose. Protective styles require that ends, which are the most fragile part of the hair, are tucked away and sealed with some type of moisturizer. Protective styles include Box Braids, Senegalese Twists, Marley Twists, Faux Locs and variety of different “Up Dos”. (Flip to the next page to see some oils you can use to help moisturize those curls)
Moisturizing Oils
WHAT IT DOES: Restores moisture to dry or damaged hair, enhance hair.
WORKS BEST FOR: Thirsty curls of all types.
Shea Butter
Avocado Oil
WHAT IT DOES: Tames and clumps curls, reduces frizz. WORKS BEST FOR: Dry, thick textures.
WHAT IT DOES: Heals dry or damaged hair, enhance shine. Helps define and clumps hair. WORKS BEST FOR: All curl types, especially thick textures.
Jojoba Extract
Celebrity Style dget u B A On By Brenee’ Coleman, Social Media
Ladies and Gents… It’s that time of the year again! As the season changes, fashion trends change as well. Like myself, I tend to get my fashion ideas from the latest celebrities like Beyonce, Rihanna, Lady Gaga and more. The only difference between my fashion and their fashion, are the prices. As a college student, most of the fashion ideas we come up with are based from celebrity wardrobes. But why spend thousands of dollars for simple attire like skirts and tankswhen you can get a similar look at cheaper value?
$34, ASOS.com $6, Riverisland.com
$13, Gojane.com
$36, NELLY.com
$27, Forever21.com
$13, CharlotteRusse.com $15, Esty.com
$34, ASOS.com
A lot of students on campus admit to sewing together old items and making them “hip” and “trendy” again. Other students mentioned online bargain shopping to get celebrity look at affordable prices. Some websites include GoJane.com and Urban Outfitters, just to name a few. Students also confirmed shopping at their local thrift stores like the Goodwill, Plato’s Closet or Clothes Mentor. All and All, find whatever resources you can put together and make them bring out your style but also make sure it’s in your budget, especially around the holiday season when saving money is crucial.
By: Tyrianna Jones, Editor
" Nearly 30 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes.” This is a statistic from the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the number for people who are at risk of developing diabetes is more than twice that number. Diabetes, as defined by the ADA, causes blood glucose, or sugar, levels to rise higher than normal in one’s body. Another name for this illness is hyperglycemia which means high blood sugar. Type 1 diabetes was formerly referred to as juvenile diabetes because children and young adults were usually the ones diagnosed. However, only 5% of all people with diabetes have type 1. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease. My mother, Tracie Crume, shared her experience of nursing my grandmother through her diagnosis: “I routinely had to check her blood levels to make sure they weren’t too high before and after each meal. I had to give her daily shots of insulin. The insulin helped bring it down. When she got sick with cancer, her blood sugars kept going low and giving her a shot of insulin could have sent her into what is called hypoglycemia. At that point I had to give her something sweet, so I kept candy around or cake frosting. Twice she went into hypoglycemia and I called the ambulance and they gave her some glucose to bring her levels up. I had to buy testing strips for getting blood and finger prickers. We had a device called an accuchecker in which I used to insert the testing strip after pricking her finger to get the blood and read her levels to let me know if I should give a shot, candy or do nothing.” So what can be done to prevent diabetes and cure those who are already diagnosed? For those who are at risk, exercise and healthy eating are the two most important factors. Many people will go into pre-diabetes before being diagnosed, but taking a walk for 30 minutes, five days a week could make a difference. Once diagnosed, it is important to stay in touch with a doctor and take the right medication. November is Diabetes Awareness Month and many organizations worked together to educate those who never put much thought into the illness. From walks to rallies, people have come up with a number of ways to prevent diabetes. A campaign called America Gets Cooking to Stop Diabetes is inspiring others to live a healthy lifestyle. Type 2 diabetes is 100% preventable and living with it does not have to be tedious nor is it the end.
n I y a St
Shape
k a e r B Over
2014 By: Destini Rose King, Staff Reporter Sometimes when we go home for thanksgiving and Christmas break most of us tend to gain a lot of weight and also lose track of our diets. The delicious macaroni, turkey, greens, and dressing is very good, but you don’t want to end up being overweight or getting heart problems. I would like to share with you some tips on how you can maintain your weight and dieting over Thanksgiving and Christmas break.
1
Getting a full amount of rest
What people don’t know is that if you are eating unhealthy and don’t have a good amount of rest that can cause you to gain weight. The average amount of rest that you need to stay healthy is eight to ten hours of sleep. Thanksgiving is the holiday when we tend to eat the most, so if you are over eating and don’t get a full amount of rest you are actually putting extra weight on your body.
Try some stress relievers
2
It’s hard to celebrate thanksgiving break with finals being right around the corner. It’s also hard to enjoy Christmas Break after you had so much stress about finals. Stress is also one of the leading causes of weight gain. To prevent yourself from gaining weight over the holidays, try some stress relievers. Most people eat a lot when they are stressed and also don’t get enough sleep. With that being said, you don’t want to gain a lot of weight and be unhealthy. Stress relievers can help you enjoy your break and also help your body stay in shape.
3
Going to the gym
It might be fun spending time with your family and being off from work. Yes, the feeling of relaxation is nice. But going to the gym and working out during the holidays is another way that you can stay fit. The most important thing you want to work on while you are in the gym is your cardio. After eating large amounts of food you want to make sure that you are maintaining your heart rate. If you don’t want to go to the gym, simply doing some jumping jacks or running in place in your home is also fine. Just make sure, that during the holidays working out is one of your top choices to staying fit.
Watch how much you eat
4
Over eating can cause cardiovascular diseases. People usually eat after they are already full during the holidays just because the food is “so good”. But if you over eat you are also putting your body at risk for diabetes. The best way to watch how much you eat is take small portions of food and make sure you don’t put too much on your plate. Here is a list of apps you can download that will help you watch your weight: • BMI Calculator • Diet Assistant – Weight Loss • Ideal Weight • Calorie Counter & Diet Tracker by MyFitnessPal • Lose It! • Weight Watchers Mobile
Well, now that I have given you tips on how to stay fit during the holidays it is your job to decide whether or not you want to apply these rules to yourself so that you can stay healthy and fit. For more information, please refer to the websites listed below. http://www.prevention.com/weight-loss/weight-loss-tips/how-avoid-overeating-during-holidays http://www.drtytus.com/physical-effects-of-overeating.html http://breakingmuscle.com/nutrition/how-to-stay-healthy-and-lean-during-the-holidays
Holdiday Recip ies Low Fat Turkey Recipe
By Toni Daniels, Staff Reporter Ingredients • 1 12-14-pound turkey, fresh or frozen (thawed) • 1 medium onion, peeled and quartered • 1 lemon, halved • 2 tbsp olive oil • 6 large sprigs rosemary • 6 large sprigs sage • 6 large sprigs thyme • 1 tsp salt • Freshly ground black pepper Directions Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Remove giblets and neck from inside the turkey and reserve to make stock if you wish. Rinse turkey inside and out with cold water. Pat dry with kitchen paper. Place onion, half a lemon and 4 sprigs of each herb inside the bird's cavity. Secure legs with kitchen string. Place turkey breast side up on roasting rack in pan. Squeeze lemon half into a small bowl. Brush bird with lemon juice and olive oil, and add salt and pepper. Place in oven and roast for 15 minutes at 425 degrees for an initial blast of heat. Reduce heat to 325 degrees. Baste turkey frequently with pan juices plus lemon and oil, and roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh reaches 180 degrees - about 3 to 3 3/4 hours. Remove turkey from oven and let stand for 15 minutes. Transfer to a warm platter and garnish with remaining herbs. Serves 12.
Health & Nutrition
Healthy Holiday Recipe By: Tyrianna Jones, Editor Want to enjoy your holiday dinner without having to burn it off in the gym the next day? Here’s a healthy recipe for the holidays courtesy of the blog site Lil’ Luna. These Caramel Apple Nachos are a quick and fun twist to holiday desserts. It only takes about 10 minutes to prepare and is something both adults and children can enjoy. Ingredients • 3-4 gala apples • 3-4 granny smith apples • 1/2 package Kraft Caramels (unwrapped) (or Ice Cream Caramel Topping) • 1 TB water • white chocolate (vanilla) candy coating • mini chocolate chips • Heath toffee bits Instructions 1. Place heath bits and mini chips into separate bowls. It's important to have these all ready so they can be sprinkled on as soon as the caramel and white chocolate are on. 2. Cut a ziploc bag at the corner. This will be for the white chocolate for you to drizzle on. 3. Cut your apples right before working on candy coating and caramel so they do not brown. Place on your prepared dish. 4. Unwrap caramels and place in small pot with 1 TB water. Heat on low-medium temp until melted. (Or if you opt to use Ice Cream Caramel Topping skip this step). 5. At the same time, melt white chocolate by placing candy coating in a small pot on low heat and stirring constantly until melted and smooth. Place in ziploc bag with cut corner as soon as it's done. 6. Drizzle white chocolate and caramel on as soon as they are melted and smooth. Sprinkle toppings (toffee bits and mini chips) on immediately. 7. Serve immediately.
Health & Nutrition
Take a
Chill Pill From Finals
By Kia Hill, Staff Reporter
It’s that time of the semester again: finals! We all dread them and wish they didn’t exist but we can’t blow them off. To help with those stressful finals and even the tiring weeks that follow, here are some ways to de-stress:
1. Try a few deep-breathing techniques. They might seem awkward at first, but they’re super effective. 2. Ease the muscle tension you can get from sitting hunched over textbooks by doing a few minutes of easy stretching. 3. Take a bath, a nice soothing bath might be just what you need. Lighting a few candles can help with stress as well. This helps you unwind and clear your head. 4. Try setting a Schedule, a simple study schedule can make everything seem easier. If you are just winging your study time, it’s a lot easier to get distracted because you don’t have anything that is telling you to move onto the next course of work. 5. Taking a break to listen to a few of your favorite songs can be a quick pick me up. 6. Engage your senses by lighting a scented candle. Use soothing scents (lavender, coconut, vanilla, jasmine) or invigorating smells (ginger, rosemary, sandalwood, peppermint) to re-energize. 7. Indulge in a small piece of chocolate or candy. Slowly savoring the taste can help you relax and it's a good excuse for some chocolate. 8. And most importantly sleep: Even though sleep can seem impossible with how much work has to be done, be sure to get a good 6-8 hours. Not getting enough sleep can make you more anxious and emotionally all over the place.
Poetry Corner… Unicellular Uni One standing alone Yes this is a beautiful start But why must one part from the ark? Ark meaning community Like you and I Them and us Build a covenant See the universal trust Link a bank we must become unified rank What’s with the exclusion? Not much for arguing but will discuss for a solution A pure conclusion So lets find a foundation Begin construction So let me give you a reintroduction This is unicellular One community, One Organism Simply Surging Sleep on it, move forward Peace & Love -L.O.G.I.C. The Griot
Many Changes As the season changes from summer to fall, we feel the wind getting heavier and watch as the leaves fall The sky becomes darker earlier in the evening We wait it out and say goodbye to the summer leaving And just like the many changes of fall, We’re forever evolving through it all And just like when the leaves fall from the trees and sit Let the negativity begin to fall from your life as you see it Replace the old with the new as the situation permits It’ a new season, get ready for it! And just as the wind tosses the leaves around Life takes a hit or miss and toss us all around So don’t be afraid to accept a little or big change along the way Accept it no matter how life blows it your way!
- Jasia Young