How important is BREAKFAST?

Everyone has heard the saying, "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day", but what is so special about the meal?

When you go to sleep your metabolism seeks its lowest possible speed for the day. Even once you wake up, your metabolism remains sluggish until you refuel your body. With a slower rate of metabolism, less calories are burned. By eating when you first wake up in the morning, your metabolism will get right back in gear and start burning calories. If your first meal of the day starts around lunchtime, your body hasn't burned as many calories as it could in the morning.

Statistics from BBC News have shown significant more successful weight loss from populations who do eat breakfast every morning. Breakfast also decreases risk of diabetes and high cholesterol. "Breakfast-goers" were 1/3 less likely to become obese in their lifetime. They also showed to maintain a more healthy diet throughout the day including a less calorically dense diet.

Now the next question is "What should I eat for breakfast?"

Well, as college students we neither have the time nor the access to cook a full plate breakfast of eggs, bacon, toast, etc. I would also stay away from the Hot Spots breakfast buffet! However, there are still many options available to us for breakfast. As for me, I have become obsessed with Special K protein bars and a piece of fruit. It gives me the carbs I need to start the day along with some additional protein for my workouts! Besides meal bars, cereal is and will forever be a decent breakfast option. The best cereals being ones made with whole grains and with a limited amount of sugar and fat. Carbs aren't going to hurt you too much at the early time in the day. One other favorite breakfast option of mine up here is the beloved PB&J sandwich. Once again the (whole grain, fiber full) bread gives me the carbs to stay energized as well as fiber to keep me full and the peanut butter is an excellent source of protein!

In my opinion, breakfast is not an option. I cannot remember the last time I didn't eat breakfast and I plan to continue eating the delicious meal for many many years to come!

The Ups and Downs of Horseback Riding

I have been riding horses for almost seven years and have competed for five of them. When I first started riding it was merely a fun thing to do once a week. As I became more and more interested in the sport in became a 2-3 times a week event. Eventually, I purchased my own horse, and with my birthday pony came an everyday responsibility.

Horseback riding it far from just fun and games. It has its perks but it also has its downfalls....

Good workout: When "actively" riding a horse, primarily in a lesson, you can burn anywhere from 200 calories to 500 calories per hour. Beside a good cardio workout, horse equipment isn't light. Saddles weigh anywhere from 15-50 pounds and considering the fact that a horse's back is typically eye level with you, thats a pretty good weight lifting excercise! Riding at a competitive level requires core, arm, and leg strength.... core strength to jump, arm strength for the young horses that "gotta go go go", and leg strength for the stubborn ones!

Enjoyable, Something different: Horses are very interesting and sincere creatures. They are quite amusing to watch out in pasture as well as while being ridden under saddle. There are so many avenues of riding to do such as jumping, dressage, rodeo, trick riding, etc. One day of riding might include a few jumps while the next day may include a ride up the mountain. I enjoy riding for its variety and for its uniqueness. It could be an acquired love for the sport I have but I just can't seem to get enough of it!

Falling happens: So, the saying goes “You can’t call yourself a cow[girl] until you’ve fallen off ten times.” Well, I am definitely a cowgirl then! Luckily for me, my falls have never been too detrimental. Once you get used to the feel of dirt being pounded into your side, you start to just get a laugh out of it. Now I am not saying that it is something I enjoy doing or even ever want to do again but horses are unpredictable creatures and it’s a fact that I will continue to fall off every so often. As a rider, you have to accept the fact that horses are bigger than you and that you have limited control over them. No rider has absolute control over their horse, it’s simply impossible.

Money, money, money: Horse back riding may not be the most expensive sport out there but it can sure be close by. The financial cost of riding depends completely on the rider's committment to the sport. My parents were not about to buy me a horse the first time I came back from my lesson asking for one. However, due to liability and cost of equipment lessons aren't cheap. Riding equipment can be quite costly too when it's time to get a saddle, etc. It's not untill you purchase a horse that a significant dent goes into your wallet. Horses are extremely expensive. Not only is the initial payment of the animal costly but upkeep of the horse after purchase adds up as well. Horses require multi-annual doctor visits, dentist appointments, new shoes, boarding, etc.

Sometimes I think my parents just wish they kept me at the dance studio away from the mud, smell, money, and quick obsession horses tend to create with people. However, their money didn't go to waste and they know that. I have recieved over 100 ribbons in my competing years as well as a state title. Now, I train other peoples horses for a very nice amount of money and maybe one day will be able to reimburse my parents for all those checks written!

My brother, My hero

It was almost six years ago when I found myself on Thomas Rd in Phoenix, Arizona running beside my 17 year old brother along with about a hundred other famiy and friends, as well as the relay officials. It was almost seven years ago I submitted an essay to the Salt Lake City 2002 Olympic counsel recommending my brother to carry the Olympic torch as it passes through Arizona.

When I decided to write such an essay the words almost came effortlessly. There were so many things to say about my brother. If I can remember correctly the theme of my essay was my brother, Kyle, being my hero. I spoke of his many "set backs" as a child being hospitalized many times but always staying strong. The last thing my brother wanted was to see his family sad. I explained how I found my brother to be an absoultely extraordinary guy who wanted to make sure everyone around him was as joyful as he was. I spoke of my brother as truly being thankful to be alive, "healthy", and happy. To this day I would most likely write the exact same essay however probably with bigger words and less grammatical errors.

Once my brother recieved his letter of nomination (about 6 months prior to race day) the process began. There were multiple newspaper articles, relay meetings, and "torch fittings" that had to occur as well as notifying all the family and friends of the good news. Throughout the whole process, my brother continued to be genuinely thankful for such opportunities and always gave the reporter his signature thumbs up! It was an early February morning when we arrived at the grocery store parking lot with about 10 other relay participants all with their own story. As the race came closer Kyle was taken to his section of the race. I remember so vividly the moment when the torch was passed from the previous racer to my brother and off my brother went moving those wheels as fast as he could for that quarter of a mile. The smile on his face was undescribable. My joy overwhelmed me as my mom's did as well. The family, in tears of joy, as Kyle passed the flame to the next racer with a high-5 and thumbs up!

Such an event will be engraved in my mind forever. I am so extremely proud of my brother. So extremely grateful to have such an exceptional man in my life. Self pity isn't in my brother's vocabulary. However, such words as courage and perserverence are. Kyle considers life to be full of adventures. No matter how big or small, Kyle faces them head on.