Eat this, not that -- Healthy alternatives for unhealthy cravings

We all crave foods that we know are bad for us. For most of these foods and snacks, there are healthy and delicious alternatives. Here are some of my favorites--

If you’re craving: Potato chips

Try: Quaker rice cakes

                     


These lightly salted rice cakes contain 35 calories each, making it possible to eat two and still be under half the amount of calories found in a standard bag of potato chips. They’re gluten free and don’t contain any of the added preservatives that most chips do. You’ll get your salt fix without the harmful ingredients and extra calories that are found in potato chips.

If you're craving: Hot fudge sundae

Try: Frozen chocolate banana

                 

Frozen chocolate bananas are great because they satisfy both your craving for chocolate and for ice cream. The chocolate is enough without going overboard and the frozen banana tastes just like banana ice cream. You can make it replicate a sundae even more so my adding toppings like sprinkles or nuts.

If you're craving: A glass of soda

Try: A cup of green tea

       

         

Soda is one of the worst things you can put into your body if you’re trying to be healthy, due to the empty calories and high sugar content. Instead, go for all-natural green tea. If you substitute 1-2 cups of green tea for one can of soda, you'll save 50,000 calories over the span of a year. And if you don’t like hot tea, add some ice and you have yourself some iced tea to kick that soda craving.

If you're craving: Spinach dip

Try: Trader Joe's spinach & kale greek yogurt dip

 

This stuff is incredibly delicious. At 30 calories per serving, this dip contains half the calories and fat found in traditional spinach dip. Even though this is branded as “reduced guilt”, it packs a flavor punch with the greek yogurt and great texture with the addition of kale. This has quickly become one of my favorite dips!

If you're craving: A bagel

Try: Bagel thins

                                                         

If you know me, you know I’m an absolute bagel fanatic—so I was relieved to find these bagel thins. At 110 calories for each thin, that is around 1/3 less calories than your average bagel. Pair it with low fat cream cheese and you have the perfect answer to your bagel craving for less than 200 calories.

Happy snacking! :)

xoxo Erica

Current beauty favorites

Neutrogena make-up remover wipes

By far the best make-up remover wipes I've used-- I love these because they’re extremely gentle and soothing. I’ve used other make-up remover wipes in the past that have burned my face, but I’ve never had any issues with these. I can even use them on my eyes to get mascara off, without having to worry about any irritation.

Tresemme Keratin Smooth flat iron spray

This stuff is awesome! I use this right before I blow-dry, straighten or use any heat products on my hair and it makes my hair smooth and silky. It smells really good and wont leave any kind of residue in your hair. There will be times that I forget to use this and my hair won't be nearly as soft as when I do use this. I highly recommend this product to those who use heat products often.

Wet N Wild Megalast nail polish in 2% milk

I was on the hunt for the perfect nude nail polish when I stumbled across this. It’s a very subtle, pretty nude that resembles your actual nail color, while adding just a little depth to the nail. The thing I love most about these Wet N Wild Megalast polishes is the brush. It’s wide and flat, which make for a much easier application than most other polishes. At just $1.99, this product is a steal!

EOS lip balms in Strawberry kiwi and Grapefruit
I'm a little late on the EOS trend but I finally caved because I got a great deal on these and I ended up loving them! First off, I love the packaging and all the flavors they come in. They're super moisturizing and hydrating, without feeling too sticky on the lips.The strawberry kiwi (red) and grapefruit (pink) ones are my favorite because they smell amazing! 

Anastasia brow powder duo in Dark brown
Obsessed. With. This. Again, another product I caved to buy because I really did not want to shell out $18 for a brow powder. Let me tell you, it is worth every dollar. Once you find the right color and the right small angled brush to use, you're set. Depending on how much powder you use, you can go for either a subtle or prominent look. This powder will blend in perfectly with your brows, is easy to use, and will literally last the entire day. Definitely one of my all-time favorites!

Hoola by Benefit bronzer
This bronzer is great because it's not too orange or too brown-- so it's perfect for blending in with your natural color. It's completely matte which I love because I feel that bronzers with shimmer always end up looking messy on my face. This product will give you a natural glow, without making your face look dirty. It's extremely easy to blend, whether you use a little product or want to build it up.

Too Faced Better than Sex mascara

Seriously love this mascara! It is the only mascara I've found thus far that does a fantastic job at adding both length and volume, while keeping them natural looking and not spidery. I love the full brush because it makes it easier to apply. This mascara does not clump AT ALL and I haven't had any problems with smudging. I apply this when I'm getting ready in the morning and it keeps my lashes looking great until the end of the day.

xoxo Erica

Easy tips for losing weight

We all know that losing weight can be a long, grueling process but it’s about finding the right plan that works best for you. For me, these factors were key to my weight loss:

Keep track of what you eat.

For so long, I’ve always heard people saying not to count calories. So, I never did…until the day I met with a personal trainer who told me exactly how many calories I should be consuming every day in order to reach my goal weight. I downloaded MyFitnessPal to start keeping track of what I ate and it was the best decision I've ever made. MyFitnessPal is an app that allows you to enter all of your meals for the day. It calculates the calories to each food, in addition to fat content, protein, carbohydrates, etc. You never really know what you’re eating until you actually see it broken down in front of you! This app was the only way I could possibly keep track of it all and if I hadn't, I would've been eating way more than I was should have been.

Work out at least 3 days a week.

I've always found it unrealistic to say I’m going to work out 4-5 times a week—because in theory, it’s never going to happen with my schedule. You want to set a realistic goal for yourself, which for me was 3 days, but may be more for some people. I've found that I’m able to maintain my weight by working out 3 days a week, while still having the time to do the other things I want to do. For those that have an insanely busy schedule, working out 3 days a week is still possible. It doesn't have to mean going to the gym—if you’re short on time, you can improvise by running around the block or doing wall sits, push-ups, or other exercises at home.

Don’t deprive yourself.

If you constantly deprive yourself, you’ll feel nothing but dissatisfaction.  I always tell myself that if I ate healthy for the entire day, I can splurge on that ice cream sandwich for dessert. If you’re eating completely clean 3/4 of the time, that remaining 1/4 where you have a bag of chips or a cookie won’t hurt! Losing weight is 70% diet and 30% exercise, but I've never been an advocate of starving yourself or depriving yourself of what you really want.  However, cheats like this should be in moderation. I’m not saying to go after that ice cream every single day of the week, but 1-2 times a week won’t hurt.

Cut out soda and sugary juices.

Yes, I am an advocate for eating a cookie once in a while but put down that glass of coke! Soda and juice are filled with empty calories and added sugars. It should never be something that’s part of your daily diet—rather a treat every now and then when you’re out at a party or event. Instead, replace these drinks with water. You should aim to drink 6-8 cups of water a day. Or, if you’re in the mood for something else besides water—try unsweetened tea. It’s close enough to juice, but without all of the unnecessary sugar and fat content.

Don’t skip breakfast.

It’s no myth when people say breakfast is the most important meal of the day—there really is some truth to that! Breakfast is the meal that breaks the fast your body goes into every night when you go to sleep so it is crucial to eat within the first hour or two after you wake up. If you’re looking to lose weight, skipping breakfast may actually lead to eating more calories later on in the day due to being hungry. Eating breakfast also helps to lower your metabolism and amp up your concentration level and energy for the day.

Involve the people around you.

When you’re trying to lose weight, it always helps to have the people around you on board with your plan. It’s always easier when you have a support system and people that know the goal you're trying to meet. You can have a girls night in and pick a healthy recipe to suggest to make for dinner or invite someone to go along to the gym with you. It’s always easier (and more fun) when you have people around you that are involved and supportive in your plan.

Like I said, losing weight is different for everyone and the process depends on the person. A healthy diet and exercise are key and it's up to you to find what suits you best. My advice is to never be too strict or hard on yourself—it can sometimes take a while, but the end result will always be worth it. Good luck!

xoxo Erica

Top 5 US music festivals to attend this summer

1- Mysteryland USA

May 22-25 Bethel Woods, NY

      Originating in the Netherlands, this festival made a big splash when it made its US debut in May 2014, at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. Home to Woodstock in 1969, the site hosted thousands of people from around the world for a weekend filled of camping, music and art. The festival is back this year with curators from top venues such as Verboten and Webster Hall and old favorites like The Boat and The Sound of Q-Dance. If the music isn’t enough, this year’s activities will include yoga, giant connect four, hamster ball soccer, a 20’ inflatable slide, spiritual workshops and more.

2- Electric Forest

June 25-28 Rothbury, Michigan

This year’s Electric Forest sold out in record timing—just one day after the final line-up was revealed. The festival aims to bring together music, art and community for a magical experience and this will be its fifth year coming back to Michigan. This year’s headliners include Skrillex, Bassnectar, Kaskade and Big Gigantic. Activities include yoga, hula hooping, a water park and golf. It comes as no surprise that Electric Forest was named one of the “20 legendary world festivals to see in your lifetime.”

3- EDC Las Vegas

June 19-21 Las Vegas, Nevada

EDC, originally held in Southern California in 1997, is known as the festival of all festivals. Held at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in June 2011, it became known as one of the biggest festivals in the US, bringing in over 230,000 during the 3-day weekend. The festival is known for its carnival-like attractions such as rides, go-go dancers, clowns and lighted artwork. EDC is now hosted at venues in California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and Puerto Rico. In 2014, a documentary of EDC called “Under the Electric Sky” premiered at Sundance Film Festival.

4- Bonnaroo 

June 11-14 Manchester, Tennessee

The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival first hit the scene in 2002, inspired from other festivals of the 90’s such as Coachella and Glastonbury. Named by Rolling Stone as one of the “50 Moments That Changed Rock & Roll", Bonnaroo comes back this year to Great Stage Park in Manchester. The various stages boast different genres such as indie rock, classic rock, electro, jazz and hip-hop and memorable past acts include Elton John, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kanye West and Paul McCartney. The festival also includes activity tents with silent discos and different bar/club type venues.

5- TomorrowWorld 

September 25-27 Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia

TomorrowWorld might just be one of the most extravagant festivals to hit the US. Modeled after the famous TommorowLand in Belgium, this festival first came to Georgia in 2013 and brought in over 140,000 people. The concept of TomorrowWorld is a fairy-tale land coming to reality, with grand stages crafted after the theme. The camping ground is called “DreamVille” and activities include bass body workouts, speed dating, twister and bocce. TomorrowWorld was nominated for “Best Music Event” at the International Dance Music Awards in 2013.

Festival experience is unlike any other experience. Hope you choose to attend one of these special events this year!

xoxo Erica

Affordable DIY Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for Him

February 14th is slowly approaching and for some, it's just another day but for others (like me) it's that day to share with your special someone. But let's be real here-- nobody wants to break the bank when shopping for gifts! I've compiled a list of simple and affordable DIY gifts that both your guy and your pocket will love.

1) '52 things I love about you' card deck

Supplies: Deck of cards, hole puncher, two mini binder rings, marker

Punch two holes through each card on one side and bind together with either the rings. On each card, write down one thing you love about your significant other. You can add pictures, inside jokes, whatever you want -- get creative with it!








2)  Man bouquet

Supplies: Flower pot, wooden skewers, tape, styrofoam, stuffing for the pot, gifts (ie. mini liquor bottles, lottery scratch-off cards, candy)

Stick the styrofoam in the pot and cover it with stuffing so it won't be seen. Tape each little gift to a wooden skewer and stick in the pot. Arrange them in a scattered order to make it look like a bouquet. Again, feel free to get creative depending on your guy's taste and what he'll like!






3) Chocolate covered strawberries


Supplies: Semi-sweet chocolate, strawberries, wax paper, baking sheet

Chop chocolate into little pieces and wash/dry the strawberries. Place the chocolate in a glass bowl and microwave on 30-second intervals. (Stir in between, until it becomes smooth). Dip each strawberry in the chocolate, holding by the stem, and place on baking sheet lined with wax paper. Refrigerate strawberries for at least 30 mins-1 hour, until chocolate is firm.



4) Coupon book


Supplies: Coupons, hole puncher, ribbon

Make the coupons by either finding a template online or creating them yourself. Some fun ideas include "Breakfast in bed", "Movie night in", "Massage", etc. Decorate however you'd like and punch holes in each coupon. Finish by making a cover page and tying all together with ribbon.



5) 'Made with love' cookies

Supplies: Mason jar, ribbon, hole puncher, "Made with love" sign, cookie mix

Choose what cookies you'll be making and bake as instructed. Create a small sign the length of the jar that says "Made with love". Punch a hole through the sign and insert ribbon. Wrap ribbon around the top perimeter of the jar and tie a bow through the sign.







Happy Valentine's Day!

xoxo Erica

10 Realities of Life After College

1) Dollar beer night no longer appeals to you-- you'll splurge on that $7 gin and tonic.

Drinking $1 Rolling Rocks in college were pretty standard, but you're no longer a broke student so you can feel free to order something at the bar that you enjoy the taste of.

2) You have to look presentable—your everyday style can no longer consist solely of yoga pants and hoodies.



No more rolling out of bed and going to class in whatever you wore to sleep that night. You actually have to give yourself time in the morning to get ready for the day.

3) You actually have a bedtime.

You can no longer go to sleep whenever you want-- unless you don't mind being completely out of it the next morning for work. Odds are, you'll be so tired you wouldn't even be able to stay up if you tried.

4) Midnight is no longer the time that you leave the house to go out—it’s the time you leave the bar to come back home.

Remember the nights you used to pregame until midnight and only then leave to go to the bar? Not anymore. You're out by 12 and in bed by 12:30.

5) Your five-drink maximum has turned into a two-drink maximum… maybe one depending on the night.



Gone are the days of high tolerance. You're no longer a freshman who can throw back shots of Svedka, you're lucky if you make it past two vodka cranberries.

6) Ramen and Kraft mac & cheese no longer constitute as real meals.



Basically your dinners in college consisted of anything cheap and easy to make. But now is probably the time to start including balanced meals in your diet-- although, one bowl of mac and cheese every once in a while won't hurt.

7) Naps are no longer a thing and they probably never will be again.

You mean I have to work a 9-5 with no nap time in between!? In college, you could actually space out your classes and account for nap time....doesn't work like that in the real world.

8) Student loans.

When you were in college, loans were merely something you didn't have to worry about at the moment. Now, they're a monthly payment.

9)  Everyone around you is getting married and having babies.

Apparently this is the time to start getting engaged and pregnant? I missed that memo-- too soon, way too soon.

10) You don’t know where you’re going but you’re ready to sit back and enjoy the ride.

Now is the time to get out there and experience the real world. See new places, be spontaneous and follow your dreams. Be serious about your future, but have some fun while you're at it too.

xoxo Erica

New beauty find!

I'm always looking for the best beauty deals, so you can imagine my excitement when I found a whole store full of them. Called Harmon Face Values, it's a cross between an Ulta and a CVS (FYI, they also accept Bed Bath & Beyond coupons!) Most of their prices are relatively cheaper than most drugstores-- think Maybelline mascaras for $5.99 and Neutrogena makeup remover wipes for $4.99. I noticed a few of the non-drug store brands like NYX and Real Techniques were relatively the same price you'll find anywhere, but I guarantee you'll scoop up some good deals here.

Here's what I picked up today:

A ray of holiday sunshine set of 3 EOS lip balms in Pink Grapefruit, Strawberry Kiwi and Orange Blossom: $5.88

Maybelline Color Tattoo pure pigment in Buff & Tuff: $3.76

Milani baked blush in Rose D'Oro: $7.29

ELF small stipple brush: $3.00

Wet n Wild Megalast nail color in Haze of Love: $1.79

Real Techniques blush brush: $8.89

I'm excited to try out my new goodies and can't wait for my next visit here!

xoxo Erica

Life After College—Why You Shouldn't Settle

It has been exactly eight months and 15 days since I've graduated college. It’s safe to say that the next chapter of my life has started and I’m on my way to seeing how the rest of the book will be written. Getting here wasn't easy though, but it took some believing in myself and never settling for less than what I know I deserve.

When you’re in college, everything just kind of passes by you and you’re along for the ride. Sure, you have to get good grades and have (or at least try to have) good social standings—but is there really anything else to be concerned about? Life is about what brand of vodka you’re going to be drinking that weekend or gaining the courage to talk to that cute guy in your statistics class.

Then, you graduate and your entire life turns upside down. You’re expected to find a job and enter the real world. You’re not just a student anymore, you’re a young professional.

Two weeks before graduating, I thought I was set. I had come home during the weekend to interview for a position at a marketing/fundraising company in NYC. About 5 days after my interview, I got a call (on Cinco de Mayo, en route to our favorite Spanish restaurant to drink margaritas) saying I got the job. I was absolutely ecstatic. Everything is falling into place, I thought—Sayonara to all who doubted me, I got a real job!

Fast forward two weeks and I come to work on the first day to find out that it was actually a door-to-door sales job. No way, I thought, I absolutely did not go to college for four years to walk around every day knocking on peoples’ doors begging for their money. I didn't want to sound like that stuck-up girl who thinks I deserve a place in Corporate America just one day after graduating college, but I absolutely was not going to settle for something less than what I know I can get.

So, I quit.

The next few months were spent job hunting-- a long, grueling process most people must face some time or another in their life. It seemed as though I was getting offers from all the jobs I didn't want and rejections from all the positions I actually had a passion for. I came close to accepting a sales position at a gym, when my friend reached out to me with an open receptionist position at the pediatrician’s office she worked at.

I took it right away.

Of course, it wasn't something in my career path or even close to the field I wanted experience in, but at this point I really just needed one thing—money.  Life is a little rough when you have no source of income. I enjoyed working there—the people were great and my boss loved me. But, I knew I wasn't going to give up on finding something better. About five months into working, my boyfriend and I went on vacation to Punta Cana. I had no idea everything would change from the moment I got back.

When our plane landed, I noticed two new voice mails pop up on my phone that I hadn't received when we were on the island. They ended up both being from a recruiter at a top publishing company I had applied to a month earlier, asking me to come in for an interview.

I called him back, doubting that he would even still want me to come in considering my tardiness with returning his calls. Much to my dismay, we scheduled an interview for the next day! I spent the entire night prepping, thinking that this was my opportunity, remaining positive despite all of my past rejections. It could actually be real this time, I thought.

Two days later, I got the job.

As of today, I have been working for the past month as a Marketing Assistant in one of the top publishing companies. It has been one of the most rewarding experiences that I am so absolutely grateful for. It took some months of digging, but I finally found the job that was right for me.

I may have been just a recent college graduate with almost no credible work experience, but they saw something in me they didn't see in anyone else. And that is why you never settle for less. Because if you can see your full potential, then the whole world should be able to see it too.

xoxo Erica