Kent State Interns

       My birthday is coming up! I’m turning 24 years old on November 12th, so I still have a good 2 weeks, but I like to celebrate early! Obviously, I’ve already started planning all the usual birthday events: nice dinner spot, night out with friends, maybe a weekend activity with some family. There was one aspect I loved the most: planning my birthday cake. When I was growing up, it was a big deal to pick out your birthday cake. It was so exciting because there are so many options, flavors, and even brands/places to choose from. Some years we even switched it up and got a pie! At the end of the day, celebrating my day with a sweet treat was the most important part, regardless of the style and flavor (however, ice cream cake is superior).      I recently thought back to a “cake” I had one year when I was maybe 12 years old. Instead of a cake we used banana bread, but we still frosted it and everything. It was a chocolate chip and walnut banana bread t...

  My all-time favorite memories from college happen to occur every Tuesday at 8 pm. Let me set the scene for you. It is a cold fall evening, the leaves have fallen, and darkness covers the sky by 6 pm. Imagine the couch overflowing with fluffy blankets and pillows. There are candles scattered around the room, filling the air with sweet scents of fall. You see a group of college students running from the kitchen to the living room carrying endless plates, bowls, cups, and platters filled with food. You can smell a sweet and savory aroma drift from the kitchen, traveling through the house. Laughter and giggling, full of anticipation, echo off the walls. The atmosphere is the personified version of coziness. You may be asking yourself what causes this chaos every Tuesday night at 8 ? Dancing with the Stars. Each week, the Dancing with the Stars cast competes in the ballroom for the mirror ball trophy. They showcase both Latin and traditional styles of ballroom dance, ranging from the...

       As we all know Ohio poses weather that is not necessarily consistent or favorable. With that being said, it's easier to be more prone to infection especially around the upcoming winter months. With constantly changing weather, it is hard to regulate how our body reacts to these changes. As it gets colder, immunity is an important thing to keep in mind. Our diet has major effects on immunity and how we function as human beings. What we eat directly affects what state our immune system is in and how it may interact with viruses and infection. Theres a lot that goes into building immunity. Not only does adding a variety of nutritionally dense foods into our diet help, but it can also provide good stability of strengthening our bodies in other ways as well like improving our defense mechanisms and reinforcing other metabolic processes.      There are specific foods that can encourage underlying components in immunity and how they influence positive ...

                                                                                                                          As the weather gets cooler and the leaves start to change various shades of yellow, orange, and brown, we start to see skeletons, witches, spiders, bats, and pumpkins decorating streets and homes. However, not all these decorations are just for show, some make tasty dishes for a nice fall treat.   Pumpkins, although the most popular, are just one variety of winter squash. Winter squash are uniquely beautiful, showcasing a vibrant array of colors ranging from yellow to orange to deep green, and come in all kinds of shapes, some smooth and round, while ot...

  Starting the day with a root vegetable at breakfast might sound unappealing but can be tastier than you think with these sweet potato breakfast cookies! I found this recipe last fall and have made them many times for family and friends who love them- many of them not liking sweet potatoes before. This recipe is free of any processed sugar, gluten-free, and can be vegan by replacing the eggs.  Sweet potatoes have a natural sweetness that pairs with just about anything. They are nutrient dense and provide many health benefits including improved digestion, immunity boost, reduced inflammation, and aiding in weight management. Paired with oats in this recipe makes the benefits even greater- and you can eat them for breakfast! Pair with eggs, Greek yogurt, or protein of your choice for a balanced breakfast to start your day.  The Benefits of Oats and Sweet Potatoes   Heart Health:  Soluble fiber in sweet potatoes lowers cholesterol levels Beta-glucan, the soluble f...

You wake up on a Sunday morning in October where the leaves are falling and the air is crisp. What can be better than that? I know. A football Sunday. Growing up my family would wake up on Sundays filled with excitement to watch the Pittsburgh Steelers play. The fun part was not watching the Steelers win and being around friends and family. It was being able to eat all of the yummy food my mom and I made.    Now how rude would I be if I did not share one of my favorite, healthy football snacks that does not make me feel guilty eating. Sweet Potato Nachos! Not only are sweet potatoes perfect for the October weather but, they also are filled with fiber and many vitamins! The best part of this recipe is that you can put whatever toppings you want on it and make it personal! Here is my favorite way to make them for your next football Sunday with your friends, family or even just yourself! Feel free to play around with it, add, swap, or skip ingredients to fit your taste. That is ...