30 Healthy Habits to Start Before 30

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, aka sponsored links that help keep Haley Marie Blog alive. But don't worry - all of the opinions in this article are still my own!

Hello, beautiful! Happy December 1st - which, coincidentally, is also the first day of Blogmas 2017. 

In case you haven't heard of Blogmas, it's when bloggers post every day from December 1 - December 25 as a way of counting down to Christmas. I participated in it last year when my blog was first starting out, and a year later, I'm excited to say I'll be participating in it again!

That being said, one thing I want to do differently this year is writing posts about more than just Christmas. I also want to keep going with my usual content about beauty, health and happiness in college all at the same time.

So, the post I'm bringing you today is all about the 30 healthy habits you need to start before you turn 30. As I've probably mentioned a million times already, I've been having a bit of a crisis knowing I'm about to turn 20 this summer. To cope, I'm trying to learn as much as I can about all the healthy habits I should start in my 20s - and today, I'm sharing all those secrets with you. And here they are! :)

1. Drink half your body weight in water. First thing's first: I'm 99.99% sure that, if you're anything like the rest of us, you're definitely not drinking enough water. Experts recommend you drink half your body weight in ounces of water every day to stay healthy and hydrated - for example, if you weigh 140 pounds, you should aim for 70 ounces of water every day. (That's a little bit more than the 8-cups-a-day standard.)
2. Make your bed in the morning. This is a habit I definitely need help on! However, I'm a big believer that making your bed signals to your body that it's time to wake up. Not to mention that a neat and tidy life = a neat and tidy mind. So, tomorrow morning, I challenge you to make your bed (or at the very least, straighten out your comforter a bit) before heading off to work or class. I guarantee you'll feel the positive effects almost instantly!
3. Evaluate your finances every week. While this may not have to do with your physical health, your financial health is super important! After all, having healthy finances lifts a tremendous weight off your shoulders. So, even if you know you have a lot of debt on your shoulders, it's important to take the time to sit down with a cup of tea (or glass of wine) once a week and go through all your bills, bank statements and credit card accounts. Though it might be a bit painful at first, doing this will help you get your finances on track faster than you could imagine.
4. Practice safe sex. Hopefully, if you became sexually active before age 20, you've already adopted this habit - but it's never too late to start! To me, "safe sex" doesn't just mean using birth control - it also means protecting yourself from STIs by using barrier methods (like condoms and dental dams) when you engage in sexual activity. Additionally, you should be screened every year for STIs like gonorrhea, especially if you're sexually active with multiple partners and don't use barrier methods religiously.
5. Get screened for breast cancer. Learning to perform a breast self-exam is a skill every woman should have by eighteen - or, at the latest, in her twenties! Even though you're at low risk for breast cancer at this age, getting to know what your breasts normally feel like will help you identify potential problems more easily down the road. Additionally, if you have a history of breast cancer in your family, you might want to head to your local breast center and have a test for the BRCA gene. If you have it, your risk for developing breast cancer before age 70 is about 55-65% - so, you might want to consider your options such as mastectomy and breast reconstruction. Talk to your doctor for more info and, most importantly, be proactive about your breast health! 
6. Know how to pour a standard drink. If your college is anything like mine, you probably had to take an e-course on alcohol before coming to university. When I took it, I learned the importance of knowing what a standard drink is. A standard drink contains approximately 14 grams of pure alcohol, and looks completely different depending on what you're drinking. For example, one shot is a standard drink of hard liquor - but a can of beer or half-a-glass of wine are also considered "standard." To drink as safely as possible, you shouldn't exceed more than one standard drink per hour...but since, as we all know, sh*t still happens, the bottom line is this: just know what you're drinking and how much! (And don't be the friend who's known for over-pouring.)
7. Take a multivitamin. It might seem simple, but many Americans are deficient in important vitamins and minerals. For example, most of us are at least a little deficient in Vitamin D. Not to mention, if you're thinking about having kids, you definitely want to start taking a supplement containing folic acid. Most standard daily women's vitamins contain at least 100% of your daily value of these and other important nutrients, so as long as you're taking something, you're probably good.
8. Eat intuitively. Intuitive eating, aka "normal eating," is the complete opposite of crash dieting or binge-eating. Instead of following a rigorous or uncontrollable eating pattern, you simply follow two simple rules: eat when you're hungry and stop when you're full. It's that simple! And the best parts? No foods are "bad" or "off-limits" when it comes to normal eating. So, enjoy a little bit of everything in moderation and quit those fad diets, girl. You deserve it!
9. Start getting Pap smears at 21. Guidelines say you should visit a gynecologist as soon as you become sexually active - but you won't get a Pap smear until 21, and you don't need to go every year unless your Pap smear comes back abnormal. So, get your first Pap smear at 21 and ask your doctor's advice on when you should schedule your next appointment. For a healthy young college girl, you probably won't need to get another for the next three years or so - but better safe than sorry! 
10. Throw away your scale. That's right - throw it away! Weighing yourself is an unrealistic evaluation of how much weight you've lost or gained. As a woman, your weight fluctuates with everything from what you ate to what day of your menstrual cycle it is. So, toss the scale and worry about how your clothes fit and how you feel instead - your mental health is worth so much more than that Victoria's Secret body, anyways.
11. See a therapist at least once. Though this might be a bit controversial, I think everyone should visit a therapist at least once for a mental health check-in. After all, you go to your doctor, your dentist, your eye doctor and your gyno all for preventative visits - but most people don't even bother to visit a therapist unless something's wrong. The better strategy, in my opinion, is to see a professional at least once to discuss any potential concerns. That way, should you ever find that something serious arises, you'll already have a relationship with a professional who can help.
12. Pay yourself first. By that, I mean save at least $20 from every paycheck before you even address your other expenditures. This technique is known as "paying yourself first" and will help you prepare for financial emergencies - so even if you're in debt, you won't have to fear for what might happen if you lose your job or default on your student loans.
13. Stop seeing your pediatrician. Ladies, there's no reason to keep seeing that doctor you've been visiting since you were in diapers once you hit eighteen. Your family might still see you as a little girl, but the fact of the matter is that you're never going to feel comfortable discussing uncomfortable (but important!) health topics like birth control and breast exams with a doc who's known you since you still wore your hair in pigtails.
14. Invest in a good resume and business cards. These two investments are simple and cheap, yet make a world of difference when it comes to impressing interviewers! Even if you're not in the market for a new job right now, you should still keep these things up-to-date - after all, you never know what's going to happen or when inspiration might strike.
15. Master at least three healthy dinner recipes. You don't need to be a gourmet chef to keep yourself trim and well-fed - but as an adult, you should at least have a few go-to recipes for at-home dinner dates, work potlucks and visits from the 'rents. (And knowing how to make boxed macaroni and cheese doesn't count!)
16. Get six to eight hours of sleep every night. No exceptions! Your body might be able to handle all those late-night study sessions in college, but by the time you hit 25 and have a real job, there's really no reason to stay up past midnight on a weekday - period.
17. See the dermatologist. Skin going haywire in your 20s? It might be time to swallow your pride and schedule a visit with a dermatologist. After all, why waste any more money on experimenting with expensive lotions and potions that could go either way when the dermatologist could tell you exactly what's going to work for that adult acne? 
18. Learn to read a nutrition label. Even if you can't cook from scratch every night, you should at least know what you're putting into your body when you unwrap that Panera sandwich (or package of gas station Pop-Tarts). Here's a handy guide to deciphering what all those numbers and percentages really mean.
19. Wear sunscreen. Cloudy or sunny, rain or shine, your skin is depending on you for its protection from those harmful UV rays - so what better time to start wearing sunscreen than in your 20s, before most of the damage has set in?
20. Break up with emotional vampires. If you haven't heard of emotional vampires, now's the time to learn to recognize them - and then run like the plague. An emotional vampire is one of those friends, boyfriends or family members who sucks the life out of you and leaves you feeling empty and negative every time you see them. So, if you've got a friend who's constantly complaining or an aunt who makes you feel like crap, cut off all contact ASAP. You're an adult; you can do that now!
21. Stop going to bed with makeup on. There's no simple trick to getting clear skin that works for everyone - but there's one clear predictor of bad skin, and that's going to bed with a full face of makeup on. Always stock up on makeup wipes so that you can still wash off that grimy foundation before falling into bed, even on the latest of drunken nights.
22. Set long- and short-term goals. One of the most important things you can do for your mental and physical health, in my opinion, is to always be working toward something. So, whether your goal is to run a marathon or a 5K, to travel to Paris, Texas or Paris, France, don't be afraid to get honest with yourself about your deepest desires. Chasing after your dreams will make you so much happier than anything else ever will! 
23. Start a 401(k). Um, what? If you're still in college like I am, this doesn't exactly apply - but pay attention, because after graduation, this is advice you'll want to follow! Take advantage of your work's 401(k) program as soon as you land your first job, because the earlier you start saving, the more you'll be able to save. Even though you might not get to reap the benefits of this money right away, I promise you won't regret it down the line.
24. Use anti-aging skincare products. Using anti-aging products might make you feel old, but think of them as preventative measures! Once the wrinkles are already there, all those acids and serums won't be able to do much to prevent something that's already started - but when you're still young, you can do much more to delay and even prevent the onset of those unsightly wrinkles. My advice? Act now and thank yourself later, rather than switching up your skincare when it's already too late!
25. Ditch sugary drinks. I love Starbucks and Coke as much as the next girl, but if you wan't to stay #foreveryoung, you should keep your intake of sugary drinks as low as humanly possible. While one tall latte or one can of soda a week, in the long term, your thrice-daily Starbucks habit probably isn't helping you much in the long term. Better to start sipping on coffee with almond milk in your 20s, before the addiction gets that much worse...
26. Learn to say no. Nothing is a better predictor of stress, in my opinion, than being a yes man! If you don't want to go out with your friends because you'd much rather stay in with a glass of wine and a good book, make like Nancy Reagan and just say no. Good friends will understand - or better yet, they'll offer to join you. But piling on commitment after commitment in the hopes of protecting everyone else's feelings just means you're sacrificing your own.
27. Get a pet - or borrow one. Having a furry friend is great for your mental health, especially if you live alone or suffer from chronic stress! Petting bunnies and turtles alike has been proven to soothe the nervous system - regardless of whether or not you love animals. So, even if you don't have a pet of your own, take up volunteering at a local shelter or petsitting for your friends to take advantage of the anxiety-reducing effects of puppy love.
28. Get spiritual - whatever that means to you. Whether it's going to church, reading a book of worship or getting in touch with your witchy side, spirituality (note: not religion!) of any form enriches everyone's lives. Regardless of whether or not you believe in a higher power, simply acknowledging those mysterious forces in the Universe can help you depersonalize your problems and cope with the difficulties in life.
29. Buy less, buy well. Adopting an attitude of minimalism over consumerism will make your mind and finances both healthier in the long run. It's a simple formula: less stuff cluttering your room = less stuff cluttering your mind. Plus, the less you buy, the better quality items you can afford to buy and the longer they'll last you for. Interested in learning more? For a great introduction to minimalism, I highly recommend the book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo.
30. Eat fermented foods. Last but not least, pay attention to your gut! Your gut health is closely linked to the rest of your body - and even your mind - so eating foods rich in probiotics (such as yogurt, kombucha and sauerkraut) will improve your overall health in the long-run.

Share your thoughts on Haley Marie Blog's first year! Click here to take my reader's survey and enter to win a $25 Starbucks gift card. 

How to Decorate Your College Apartment on a Budget

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, aka paid-for link-backs that help keep Haley Marie Blog alive. But don't worry: all of the opinions in this post are still my own!

Hello, beautiful! This semester, I moved into my first-ever apartment - which, if I'm being honest, was one of the most intimidating experiences of my life.

For the first time, I've had to worry about things like washing dishes, cleaning the bathroom and mopping floors, yes. But, more importantly, I've also had the difficulty of wanting to make a sterile college apartment feel like home. I wanted to know that when me and Arielle welcomed our friends into our space, they would know the apartment was ours - and that when we came home at the end of a long night, we would feel like we were coming home.

Decor is one of the simplest (and cheapest) ways to make an apartment feel like home without renovating, repainting or otherwise spending tons of money. Here, I'll be sharing some of my top tips for decorating an apartment without breaking the bank! (Hint: I'll be mentioning the Target Dollar Spot a lot.)

Get an apartment you can afford.

First thing's first: if you want to be able to afford to decorate your apartment, you need to rent an apartment that's within your means. Thankfully, apartment housing is available on-campus at my university, so I didn't have to shell out the money for rent. 

At least in the city, where I live, the price of rent skyrockets as soon as you venture beyond college borders. So, whenever possible, I would definitely recommend on-campus housing as a more affordable alternative to renting an off-campus apartment! Otherwise, check out this handy rent calculator to find out what you can afford to pay - and stick to your budget. No excuses!

Compare prices.

My first word of advice? Don't jump the gun on apartment decor - especially when it comes to making big purchases like furniture. You'll want to compare prices between many major retailers before you spring for that lamp, couch or ottoman! 

One of my top tips? Check furniture.com, a site that compiles sales on high-quality furniture to offer you the lowest prices available. Unexpectedly, sites like Amazon are also a wonderful place to get deals on furniture that would otherwise cost you a pretty penny indeed.

Shop the Dollar Store.

The Dollar Store might not seem like the chicest place to shop for apartment decor, but it's actually an awesome option - especially for storage staples like food storage, baskets and bins. Another great purchase to make at the Dollar Store? Picture frames, which would otherwise run for upwards of $10.00 a pop.

Even if the options they have at the Dollar Store aren't always the cutest ones around, you can always upgrade a cheap Dollar Store piece into something beautiful. For example, I bought food storage bins at my local Dollar Store and upgraded them with cursive labels printed off my laptop. It cost me no more than $10 in total, and is both a pretty and functional way to keep my pantry organized.

Stick to a color scheme.

The simplest way by far to make a college apartment look classy AF is to stick to one unified color scheme throughout the entire place. One or two main colors, plus one or two accent colors, makes for a darn gorgeous apartment (not to mention a sane decorator). 

Personally, I prefer lighter color schemes since they bring energy and joy to the room. In less woo-woo terms, lighter colors = more light throughout the space = less artificial light from harsh fluorescent lamps and fewer headaches for Haley. So, everything in my apartment falls into some shade of pink, white or teal, which I love since it makes my space cohesive and gives me a guideline for purchasing new pieces in the future. 

Above all else, however, I recommend choosing colors that make YOU happy, not ones that please someone on the Internet. Period ;) 

Do it yourself.

I'm the crafty type, so it should come as little surprise to anyone who knows me well that I'm a huge advocate of DIY apartment decor. Not only does DIY decor often save you money on the more expensive Anthropologie version, but it also adds a personal touch of your own unique flair to your living space, which is always a positive.

With a hammer and nails, you'd be surprised with what you can throw together without shelling out more than $30-50. Need shelving? There's a DIY for that. Bookcase? There's a DIY for that. Bench seating? There's - you guessed it - a DIY for that, too! Are you sensing a theme here yet or....?

What's your favorite tip for decorating on a budget? LMK @haleymarieblog or in the comments below!

How to Host the Ultimate Friendsgiving Party in College

Hello, beautiful! It's the season of gratitude, and Thanksgiving is almost upon us. If you've already found yourself counting down the moments 'til pie and Macy's (me, too!), then you understand what an exciting time this holiday is.

To me, Thanksgiving is such a special holiday because it's completely dedicated to family. In college, I'm lucky enough to get to come home for Thanksgiving every year, since I live just 45 minutes away from home. However, not everyone is as lucky! Some people may not be able to afford a flight home, or don't have homes to go home to due to hardship or alienation.

In these cases we have to make do and celebrate Thanksgiving with the families we've chosen for ourselves - aka our friends! Which is exactly where the concept of Friendsgiving comes into play. Whether you can't make it home for Thanksgiving this year or want a special event dedicated solely to thanking your wonderful friends, hosting a Friendsgiving feast is the perfect way to honor the special friends in your life who have become your family.

Since party planning is a personal passion of mine, I'll be walking you through every step of planning the ultimate Friendsgiving celebration. From food to friends to decor, here's everything you need to know about hosting the perfect party.

Food

Source: This Silly Girl's Kitchen

First thing's first: the foundation of any Friendsgiving celebration, just like the real deal, is all about the food. And when it comes to celebrating any college feast, you're gonna wanna keep it sweet, simple and cheap! So, here are my recommendations for some easy recipes to wow your friends on a college budget:

• Enjoy those tasty Thanksgiving flavors without roasting a whole bird with these cranberry turkey pinwheels from This Silly Girl's Kitchen.
• For your veggie friends, cook up the ultimate comfort food: this creamy mac 'n' cheese recipe from That Which Nourishes.
• Now, for the event you know they've all been waiting for...dessert! These easy pumpkin pie bites from Sugar Apron will channel all your favorite fall flavors without breaking the bank.
• And, of course, what Thanksgiving college bash would be complete without nuptials? Toast to Friendsgiving with these festive apple cider jelly shots from Pinterest.

Decor

Source: Lovely Indeed

Decorating for Thanksgiving on a college budget is tricky, but I promise it can be done! You could always hit up the Target Dollar Spot and blow your entire paycheck - but here's a more budget-friendly way to get the job done (because let's face it: no one gets out of Target without spending $100+):

• For a cozy living room, all you need is a rustic throw blanket and throw pillows from Amazon. Altogether, you can get one or two of each for $50 - and a thankful spread your friends won't forget. 
• Set the table with a boho-chic table runner for just $14, and print these free Thanksgiving utensil pouches for a handmade touch that won't cost you a single cent. Bonus: don't forget whose cup is whose with these free drink labels, too! 
• Want pumpkins that look straight out of Pinterest? All you need is white paint and a copper Sharpie to DIY herringbone pumpkins that look like they came from an Anthropologie catalog.
• Gotta get the 'gram, even on Friendsgiving...set the scene with a cute banner like this "Let's Get Basted" one or this "Thankful AF" one, both from Etsy.

Games

Source: Oh Happy Day

That's right: party games aren't just for children anymore. I promise your friends will love these Thanksgiving activities just as much as they love digging into the turkey and stuffing! 

• For a cute DIY way to give thanks, create this thankful jar from Or So She Says. All you need to do is spray paint some rocks and let your guests write what they're thankful for in Sharpie. Simple and oh-so sophisticated! 
• Don't argue over who gets to break the wishbone - create these easy clay DIY ones to set your table with from Oh Happy Day.
• Tic-tac-toe isn't just for kids! You and your friends can still get a kick out of this life-sized fall version of your favorite childhood game. Get the how-to (featuring pumpkins!) from It's Overflowing.
• Last but not least, there's always one old standby that never fails to get the party going, aka everyone's favorite card game. Pick up a set of Cards Against Humanity for $25 for never-ending laughs this Friendsgiving! 

What's your favorite Thanksgiving tradition for celebrating with friends? LMK in the comments below or @haleymarieblog on social media!

10 Cute Outfits You Can Put Together in 10 Minutes or Less

Hello, beautiful! We all know that feeling: you wake up to the sound of silence, aka your missed alarm, and realize you have 15 minutes until your first class starts.

In those moments, the thought of getting dressed can quickly lead you into struggle city. Some days, you might accidentally spend 20 minutes putting on a cute outfit - others, you might say "f**k it" and put on your baggiest sweats.

Regardless of your personal style, I happen to think that it's important to dress decently for your college classes. Dressing well shows your professors that you're a serious student who's here not just to pass, but to exceed with flying colors.

Whether you like it or not, your clothes say a lot about you - even when your messy bun and stained sweatshirt are a product of waking up thirty minutes too late. So, it's important for every college girl to have a few 10-minute outfits prepared ahead of time, so she knows exactly what to throw on in the event of a last-minute fashion emergency.

These 10 foolproof fashion combinations will teach you exactly how to get ready in 10 minutes or less, while still looking collected AF. Stockpile these essential items in your closet and you'll never be late again, promise!

For a "no pants" kind of day...

Meet the sweater dress, a classier way to walk around unrestrained by the confines of jeans.

For those venti PSL days...

Soak up the last seconds of fall in your biggest blanket scarf and brownest leather boots.

For days when you can't deal with your profs...

Channel that angst into a nineties-inspired look your two-year-old self would be proud of.

For the class-to-gym-to-class days...

Who says you need to change? Thanks to the athleisure trend, you'll survive with naught but a stick of ladies' deodorant.

For the presentation you remembered literally 10 seconds ago...

This formula is your friend. 

For when your crush is in your 8am lecture...

You've only got one outfit with him: make it count! 

For when "10 minutes" is more like "1 minute"...

Now you got 99 problems but an outfit ain't one. 

For when the effort just isn't worth it...

At least wear jeans...

For the internship you almost forgot you had...

Prepare to be asked "Is this your first day on the job?" even if it's your 100th.

For the ultimate bad hair day...

Hide your hair under a hat and distract them with denim-on-denim.

For when you just can't even...

Fashion says leggings are pants. I'm taking fashion's word for it.

What's your go-to outfit whenever you're running late? LMK in the comments below or @haleymarieblog on social media!

8 Apps You Need to Be an A+ Student

Hello, beautiful! Ever since I came to college, grades have been a huge deal to me. I mean, don't get me wrong - they're a big deal to pretty much everyone - but I personally have a lot riding on my GPA.

My scholarship depends on me keeping up a solid average of As and Bs every semester, which is precisely why, when I started to flunk homework assignments in economics, I started to wonder what I could possibly do to improve my grades.

Prior to this point, I've had a GPA of 3.5 for the past two semesters and haven't felt the need to worry about my overall GPA. I'm the kind of girl who works harder when she does badly, pours her heart into each and every writing assignment and has developed carefully-crafted study techniques that work perfectly for her.

So, needless to say, I didn't know what to do when all the strategies I exhausted thus far stopped working - besides get a tutor, of course. Yet even though getting an economics tutor has definitely helped me understand some of the key concepts better, I still haven't been able to figure out why my grades keep deflating so much over the course of the semester. I knew there must be something more I could do to improve my grades that I hadn't quite thought of just yet.

Eventually, I did what I always do in times of struggle: I went to the app store! And, since you're here right now, you might be able to guess that I found some good stuff. While I won't say these apps have cured my struggles in economics, I will say that they've improved my study strategies and renewed my motivation and dedication to my grades.

So, if you're someone who's looking to get a higher GPA this semester, wants to motivate herself to study more or is bored of the same-old strategies that worked for you all through high school, here are the eight apps you NEED to download now to help you become a straight-A student!

My Study Life

Arielle, my roommate, turned me onto the My Study Life app for web and mobile. This is my first semester using it, and I've got to say that I've already noticed a huge difference in my organization and ability to stay on top of assignments. My Study Life is basically a planning app to keep track of your class schedule, assignments and exams. You get notifications every time you have an exam or assignment due, and you can even track your progress as you work on assignments in real-time.

Why it deserves an A+

Every straight-A student I've met has one thing in common: they're all super organized and disciplined! If you want an A+ in any class, you can't just let assignments slip by you - not even the little ones. And, unlike high school, professors no longer warn you about upcoming due dates in college, so being able to keep track of them is key to handing in your assignments on time. My Study Life is the best method I've found that's perfectly geared toward college students when it comes to keeping track of due dates and assignments. Trust me: you'll never write another paper in 24 hours again (unless it's a conscious choice - which, let's face it, happens sometimes in college). 

Socratic

When I discovered Socratic in the App Store, my jaw practically hit the floor. Socratic is one of the smartest apps on the market today. All you have to do is scan your homework questions and Socratic will automatically locate relevant information on the web - such as formulas, definitions, etc. - to help you out. I like it because it doesn't give me the answers themselves, so I don't feel like I'm cheating; however, it does help me better understand how to solve the questions for myself, so by the time my exam rolls around, I'll be ready to roll.


Why it deserves an A+


When you're struggling in a specific class, you might reach out to a tutor; however, since that tutor is also a college student, they're probably not available every time you need them. That's where Socratic comes in: Socratic provides helpful homework advice comparable to a tutoring session that you can use when tutoring is impossible/inconvenient for you.

Evernote

I used to always write my notes by hand before college. Now, while I still have a paper notebook for each class (I just can't let go, can I?), I'm slowly getting used to the idea of having my laptop open in class - which is why I love Evernote. Evernote is a cool notetaking app that allows you to create virtual "notebooks" that you can either share with your friends for collaboration, or keep private for your own reference. You can create a notebook for anything you need, whether for something super specific like "History of the Middle East" or as simple as "Random Thoughts."

Why it deserves an A+

Evernote allows you as much flexibility as you want or need when it comes to taking notes. One plus I've found to digital notetaking is the ability to share notes with friends, so you can both be collaborating on the same notes during the same class and pool your collective knowledge. Another upside? You can easily delete errors without the clutter of scratching them out in red pen. Say hello to organization and kiss ugly cat-scratches goodbye! 

Todoist

I've flip-flopped between many to-do list apps over the years, but Todoist is a classic that I can't let go. Todoist lets you organize your to-dos into "projects," aka sublists that prevent, for example, your weekly shopping list from getting buried in a list of books you want to read next. Todoist also allows you to organize your to-dos by due date, collecting all of the tasks you need to finish today in one list and your to-dos in the next seven days in another.

Why it deserves an A+

I love that Todoist takes a streamlined approach to the typical to-do list. If I didn't use Todoist and instead stuck with my typical paper to-do list, my list would naturally be miles long and practically unreadable. Todoist helps me feel more organized, and keeps me on top of important due dates so I don't miss them. It's basically like carrying a personal assistant around in my pocket! What's not to love about that? (Oh, and did I mention that it's FREE?!)

Grammarly

Grammarly is a must-have browser extension for any college student - because no matter your major, we could all stand to have better writing. (I might be biased being a Communications major and all, but I'd be willing to bet that 95% of your professors would agree with me on this one.) No matter what site you're on, Grammarly underlines your errors in red, be they grammatical or spelling-related.  Especially as a blogger, I know Grammarly has helped me notice some of my own tendencies (*cough overusing commas cough*) and correct them to become a better writer! 

Why it deserves an A+

Your grammar is part of your first impression, both on your professors and on your future employers. In fact, many employers (including ones from Harvard) have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to silly grammar mistakes. Downloading Grammarly not only helps you correct these mistakes when they happen, but also notice your personal patterns and learn to self-correct. 

Self Control

If you use a Mac, Self Control is the perfect productivity app for regaining control of your time spent on the Internet. Whenever you're working on something and don't want to be distracted by the temptations of Pinterest, Facebook or Netflix, you can open Self Control and set a timed "blacklist" of sites to block your access to. While it might seem a bit extreme to completely cut off your access to such sites, I promise it will completely transform your productivity when you're working on assignments that require the Web! 

Why it deserves an A+

Focusing is half the battle when it comes to getting good grades in college. When your attention is divided between multiple tasks, you're likely to put less effort into an assignmnt and even make careless errors in grammar, math and more. Personally, I think you're better off disciplining yourself for a short period of time than you will be if you have to force yourself to crack down due to unproductivity - in other words, you'd much rather block your access to Netflix binging for an hour than have to write an entire paper in five. 

Google Calendar

@ college students who have tried to survive without Google Calendar: I hate to be the one to break it to ya, but you're wrong. Google Calendar has honestly saved my life on so many occasions, whether because I would have been late, overbooked myself or forgotten about a due date for an assignment or blog post. My favorite feature of Google Calendar is that you are able to make multiple calendars for yourself, so you can easily separate tasks by personal/school/blog/etc. and even by course. If you're a busy gal like me, I promise Google Calendar will make it WAY easier to manage the simplest things in life! 

Why it deserves an A+

In college, time management is half the battle when it comes to getting stellar grades. Using Google Calendar allows me to plan out my entire day from start to finish, makes scheduling appointments with professors easier and even lets me block out time to study and accomplish basic life tasks, like laundry or dishes, when I'm feeling overwhelmed. Plus, I love that you can set certain tasks as recurring until a certain date, making it easy to enter your classes for an entire semester without the hassle of doing them one-by-one.

Plan

Plan is an amazing extension for Google Calendar that allows you to write a to-do list and schedule those tasks into your preexisting schedule for the day. To use Plan, you need to enable Google Calendar so you can see the basic outline of your schedule. Then, all you have to do is enter and drag tasks over to block out chunks of time to work on each one individually. This works perfectly for anything from laundry to lunchtime for ensuring you get everything done that you need to accomplish  during your day. 

Why it deserves an A+

As a blogger, balancing work and studying is always a challenge for me. Since I love to blog, I find it easy to work on those tasks, but need a little bit more of a push when it comes to studying and required readings. The click-and-drag system of Plan lets me easily divide my time between blogging and studying, so I can still get good grades while balancing the things I love to do. If you're someone who's busy with a side hustle or extra-curriculars, Plan is the time management system you NEED to get everything done without so much as a sigh!

What apps do you use to help you get good grades? LMK @haleymarieblog or in the comments below!

Important Vitamins Every Fit Girl Should Know About (SPONSORED)

Hello, beautiful! I partnered up with the company care/of to bring you this amazing collab about one of my favorite things in the world: vitamins, of course!

Call me nerdy, but I LOVE reading up on different vitamins, minerals and supplements and the positive effects they can have on your body. So, naturally, when I learned about care/of's personalized approach to vitamins, I just HAD to get my hands on a subscription.

care/of takes an individualized approach to vitamins and minerals by offering a quiz to determine what vitamins, minerals and other supplements might benefit you and your lifestyle. It takes every aspect of your life into consideration, from what state you live in, to whether or not you eat fish, to how much alcohol you drink, and then offers its personalized recommendations in the form of a "pack."

When you subscribe to care/of, you then get mailed thirty of those individual "packs," aka a month's supply. care/of makes taking your vitamins simple because instead of opening four bottles in the morning and carefully counting out the right dose, care/of does the hard work for you - all you have to do is tear open the pack and swallow!

Between my specialized diets (from vegetarian, to vegan, and now pescatarian) and various health concerns, I've learned a lot about vitamins over the years and what they can do for you. Some people, like one of my favorite YouTubers, Nikki Phillippi, even believe that vitamins can rescue you from serious illness when all else fails. I'm not sure how far my faith in vitamins goes exactly, but I do think they're an important addition to (note: NOT replacement for!) a healthy diet.

care/of's personalized vitamin quiz also taught me a lot about vitamins and their various properties. For example, I learned about the important role of vitamin D in our bodies - and how difficult it can be to get it when you live above the equator. After I learned that, I did some more research and found out some shocking statistics. Did you know that at least 10% of people living in the U.S. suffer from vitamin D deficiency (according to Google)? I certainly didn't!

If you're interested in fitness and health even a little bit, vitamins should be on your mind. Whether you're a hardcore vitamin enthusiast or just getting started, I hope you'll learn something new from the information I've compiled about vitamins. But first, let me tell you about my personalized packets from care/of and what I take every day to keep my body healthy and strong...

What's in my pack...

Every morning when I tear open a packet of care/of vitamins, six pills tumble out for me to take. Those pills supply me with the vitamins I need to make up for deficiencies, strengthen my bones and overall just take care of my body in a positive, healthy way! 

So, what's in one of my morning vitamin packs from care/of? I'm going to tell you, of course, but first a word of caution: since care/of focuses on an individualized approach to vitamins, my pack will most likely look different from yours. It's in no way a medicalized recommendation for what you should or have to take to be healthy and happy - your body is your body, and only you (and your doctor, who you should always consult before taking a new supplement) know it best!

That being said, each one of my care/of packs contains each of the following:

1. Three capsules of calcium. Calcium is important for everyone, but especially important for women, since our risk of osteoporosis is higher than the risk for men. I take calcium because I don't eat much dairy, even since quitting being vegan, and our body doesn't absorb plant-based sources of calcium as well as it absorbs the calcium from animal products.
2. One capsule of vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is one of those pesky vitamins you can only get from eating meat and dairy - and since I don't eat meat and don't love eating dairy, I don't always get the amount of B12 I need to stay healthy and happy.
3. One capsule of iron. Often, when women don't eat meat, they don't get enough iron in their diets - especially since iron is another vitamin that isn't absorbed as well from plants as it is from meat. Since I'm pescatarian, I take an iron supplement instead of digging into a steak to keep my levels where they need to be. NOTE: please consult your doctor before taking iron supplements, since you can overdose if you're not careful! 
4. One capsule of probiotics. There's lots of emerging research to support the importance of this gut-healthy bacteria in our immune system. However, as a woman, let me just say that it's especially important to keep that healthy bacteria in balance! I started taking probiotics two years ago, when I had my first yeast infection (of many) - and ever since then, I truly believe that probiotics have helped both my digestion and my vaginal flora function at their best.

While everyone's vitamin regimen is different (and uniquely personal to them), this is simply what I like to take to look and feel my best. 

The Top 10 Vitamins (and Minerals) for College Girls

Now that we've talked about what's in my personal pack, I'm going to share with you the benefits of ten major vitamins that all college girls should know about. When I say you should "know about" a vitamin, I don't necessarily mean that you should take it as a vitamin supplement - but you should at least understand its importance in your diet and take care to ensure you're getting enough of it in your life.

1. Vitamin B. Technically, there's many varieties of Vitamin B - but they're all equally important to keeping your body working its strongest (not its hardest). Vitamin B performs many essential functions for women, but I'd especially like to point out that it keeps your energy up and your hormones in check, warding off hormonal mood swings and mental health changes like depression.
2. Vitamin D. Vitamin D was your parents' perennial favorite excuse for getting you to go outside as a kid - and for good reason. 42% of Americans are deficient in this crucial vitamin, meaning they don't reap its bone-strengthening, osteoporosis-fighting properties. 
3. Calcium. Bad news, ladies: as early as your twenties, you'll start losing bone density. And that yogurt you're eating right now? It's not enough calcium to get you through, despite what all those Got Milk? commercials led you to believe in your childhood. So, do your bones a favor and start popping those little white pills, please! (With a doc's permission, of course.)
4. Iron. While iron is an important component of your blood, be careful with this mineral, since there's such a thing as "too much of a good thing" when it comes to iron. Chances are, if you have heavy periods or don't eat meat, you could stand to get some extra iron in your diet. Otherwise, skip this supplement and keep on doin' you, boo!
5. Folic acid. Technically, folic acid is a type of B-vitamin - but I'm treating it separately to stress its importance for young women! Folic acid prevents 70% of birth defects, meaning it's super important to start stocking up while you're still young and sprightly. While many bread products are fortified with folic acid nowadays, it's still not a bad idea to choose a multivitamin containing folic acid if you're someone who likes a multi.
6. Omega-3 fatty acids. You've heard a lot about omega-3s in the news lately (hint: it was probably in an article about avocados), but why do you need to eat omega-3s? Well, despite their importance, your body can't make omega-3s on its own, so it needs a dietary source of this fat instead. There's plenty of omega-3 fats in foods like fish, but if you'd rather keep Swimmy in a tank than cook him for dinner, companies like care/of also produce supplements...they even sell a vegan substitute for the traditional fish oil! 
7. Magnesium. If you care about your body at all, make sure you're getting enough magnesium in your diet! If not, you might be at higher risk for painful inflammation and risky health concerns like heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis.
8. Probiotics. Probiotics are quickly emerging as a new vitamin trend, but they've always been an important supplement for women to take at any age. The healthy bacteria in a probiotic wards off unpleasant health conditions like yeast infections, urinary tract infections and constipation. As Dr. Shel, MD, writes on his blog, "When you have a healthy gut, not only is your digestive system in order, but your immune system is stronger, too." Not to mention that the gut, as your body's number one producer of serotonin, is closely linked to mental health as well! 
9. Biotin. Want shinier hair and stronger nails? Thank biotin, aka vitamin H, for that supermodel glow you see on magazine covers: biotin improves your body's infrastructure of keratin, the protein that makes up your hair and nails. Many women nowadays are taking biotin in the hopes of growing longer hair faster, but I happen to think the health benefits alone are reason enough! 
10. Antioxidants. Protect your skin, heart, eyes and brain by stocking up on antioxidants - aka vitamins A, C and E. These vitamins eliminate harmful free radicals to reduce the effects of aging and ward off disease. So, three cheers for these three antioxidants! 

Want your first month of vitamins at half price? Use the code HM50 at takecareof.com! 

15 Fall Gym Bag Essentials (SPONSORED)

Hello, beautiful! It's fall, y'all - which means it's time to talk about my autumn beauty and fitness essentials.

This idea sort of sprung off my original one, which was to do an update on my What's In My Purse? post from January 2017. Ultimately, I decided to make this more health and fitness-based because the health brand NatraCure kindly reached out and provided me with a free product from their line, which you'll see below!

NatraCure is a great company if you're someone who's athletic or interested in working out. Personally, I'm a runner, and I was looking for something to help me rehab a recent injury in my left ankle - which is how I wound up receiving their Flexi-Kold Pack (a #2 seller on Amazon!). But more on that later, ladies ;) For now, here are my top 15 gym bag essentials that every girl needs this fall to leave the gym with that healthy glow:

1. Water Bottle

Seriously guys - hydration is SO important to maintaining a healthy, happy body! Drinking water is important all year round, but especially in the fall and winter months, when the cold weather can dry out your skin, chap your lips and leave your organs feeling parched.

2. Wet Brush

The Wet Brush is hands-down the best hairbrush I've ever tried. My hair is naturally wavy and, as a result, often tangly and unruly - especially after working out. Nothing works out those kinks after my post-run shower better than a Wet Brush, which is specially designed to be used on wet hair - without the breakage that other brushes might cause.

3. Dry Shampoo

My favorite fitness meme says "I think my hair is 90% dry shampoo at this point" - because it's so true! When you're running straight from a sweat sesh to class or work, dry shampoo is your best friend for absorbing excess oils from your dirty mane. I got the one photographed above from Bed Head by TIGI for free at the Her Campus College Fashion Week event in Boston, but my all-time favorite dry shampoo is the Batiste Cherry Dry Shampoo. Not only does it work great, but it smells good enough to eat!

4. Sea Salt Spray

If your hair gets a little dull and limp after a workout, you're not alone. My hair often needs a pick-me-up from being pulled back in a tight ponytail or messy bun. So, to add texture back into my messy, lifeless hair, I turn to the Beach Babe Sea Salt Spray by Not Your Mother's hair products. This product smells great, works great and creates flirty mermaid waves like no other I've tried.

5. NaturaCure Flexi-Cold Ice Pack*

* Disclaimer: I received this product for free from NaturaCure in exchange for an honest review! 

As I mentioned before, NaturaCure reached out to me to ask if I would be interested in a free product, and I, of course, said yes, both because of my interest in fitness and my need to rehabilitate my sprained ankle. Their representative recommended the Flexi-Cold pack, both because it's a number two seller on Amazon and because it can easily be conformed to wrap around various body parts. My biggest surprise when I received the Flexi-Cold pack in the mail was how big it actually was! Unlike the others I'd been using before, this pack was large enough to wrap around my entire sprained ankle, as well as the injured calf muscles. Plus, its thick fabric covering ensures that the ice pack is never too cold for my bare skin.

6. Self-Tanner

This one might seem like a pretty strange addition to your gym bag, but hear me out: a gradual self-tanner highlights all the hard work you do in the gym by slimming you and contouring your bod. Since I'm about as tan as an ice cube, I like the Jergens Natural Skin moisturizer, which tans gradually with daily application. I love it because it's super natural-looking and pretty much streak-proof, so self-tanner newbies like me literally can't go wrong.

7. Tone It Up Booty Band

Bored of your typical butt workout? I definitely recommend trying Tone It Up's booty bands! Using these along with their online workouts (like this one or this one) will totally kill your glutes next Leg Day. This light-resistance one was provided free in my TIU tour bag, but the ones on Toneitup.com range all the way to heavy and cost just $12 for a set of three! 

8. Baseball Cap

I like to joke that there's two types of girls at the gym: headband girls and baseball cap girls. I happen to fall into the latter category: I can't go out on a run, or to one of my mom's kickboxing classes if I'm not wearing a ball cap to hide my sweaty hairdo. This one also came from the Tone It Up tour, but if you don't already have one, you can usually find pretty cute and cheap ones in the Dollar Spot at Target.

9. Athletic Tape

My advice for any kind of injury is to take it slow, tape your affected body part during physical activity and always ice it immediately after. When you have an injury or a problem body part (such as a "bad knee"), athletic tape is an absolute must for any kind of physical activity. In the case of my ankle, taping it relieves some of the excess pressure from my joints so I don't feel as much pain after exercising. You can pick up a roll of cheap, cute athletic tape at any pharmacy or sports store - I got mine for around $6.00 at my local CVS. 

10. Ribbon Hair Ties

I'm the queen of losing my hair ties, so I carry extra ones with me wherever I go. The ribbon hair ties are my favorites because they straddle the line between normal hair ties, which always get tangled in my hair, and scrunchies, which always slide out of my hair. And besides, you can't deny it: they're completely adorable!

11. Gym Bag

I LOVE this bag that I got with my VIP ticket to the Tone It Up tour - in fact, I love it so much that I use it all day long! But that's the great thing about the perfect gym bag: it's roomy enough, and cute enough, that it can do double-duty with both your favorite outfit and your comfiest sweats. 

12. Nike Free Runs

My Nike Frees are the best workout shoes I've ever owned. They're comfy, light and breathable, so your feet aren't drowning in sweat by the end of a tough workout - yet they're still stylish and versatile enough to take you from the gym to class. And on that note, a quick athleisure style tip: If you're in a rush from the gym to another destination, bring a flannel along in your bag to toss over your gym clothes for a look that's straight out of Cosmo!

13. Hand-Weights

Even if the gym has weights, it can never hurt to own your own set of light 3-5 lb hand-weights, whether for towing along to the gym (so you don't have to compete for the weights you want on busy days) or for doing at-home workouts on your own. Click here, here or here to test out a few of my favorite strength workouts using lightweight hand-weights - they'll have you feelin' the burn in no time! 

14. Journal

As with any of your goals in life, you're more likely to achieve your dream body if you write down measurable, actionable steps to get there. Many fitness pros suggest journaling your workouts and your meals to help you stay accountable - and I would add that it's especially important during the fall and winter months of holiday temptation! For example, keeping a fitness journal definitely makes me less likely to binge eat mini Kit-Kats on Halloween. You can also consider the mind aspect of your overall health and write down any thoughts you might have about your body as you're working out; whether those feelings be negative or positive, I tend to think it's always healthier to get it all out. 

15. All-Natural Hygiene Products

Let's face it: if you're a person who menstruates, you wouldn't want to be surprised by your period at the gym only to find you didn't have a pad or tampon on you. Personally, I opt for all-natural, chemical-free tampons because I think a healthy lifestyle works inside as well as out. There are lots of brands and subscription services on the market nowadays for healthier hygiene products, but my hands-down personal favorite is L. It's the cheapest subscription service for this type of product that I've ever found, and they make it incredibly easy to modify, skip or cancel your orders. 

Want more fitness advice from me, Haley Marie? Click here to join my 14-Day College Body Challenge, a whole body health and fitness program designed exclusively for college women.

For just $15 ($25 regularly priced; $10 off with my promo code HALEYMARIE18), you'll get:

• 14 exclusive daily workouts!
• my 25-page nutrition guide based on the most current U.S. guidelines
• your #HMBCBC fitness test to track your progress
• my never-before-told story of orthorexia

Click here to sample your first College Body workout 100% FREE! 

10 Makeup Palettes You Need from Sephora

Hello, beautiful! Another beauty post is overdue here on Haley Marie Blog, so I thought I would take my favorite hobby as of lately - aka putting things into my Sephora cart and never buying them - and let it inspire me.

IDK about you, but makeup palettes are some of my favorite things to look at on Instagram, Pinterest, Amazon and beyond. There's simply something so beautiful about a pristine, untouched palette that hasn't been touched by brushes yet - and as much as I love drugstore makeup, let's face it: sometimes you just have to splurge for Sephora.

These are the ten makeup palettes I'm currently coveting from Sephora and why I love them so much. This post makes great inspiration for your next impulse buy, an attainable goal to save up for or even making your Christmas wishlist (because you can never be too early, am I right or amirite?). So, let's talk about everything I've been loving lately and why you, too, should be crushing on these cult-classic palettes!

1. Tartelette Tease

If you love the Tartelette palette but can't really see yourself using all five million and one shades that come with it, the Tartelette Tease palette is the one for you! This eyeshadow palette comes with six neutral shades ranging from Crush (a glittery golden-bronze) all the way to BFF (a matte, almost mauve brown). Another plus? At $23.00, the Tartelette Tease palette is almost $40.00 cheaper than the original Tartelette. So, I would definitely advise putting this budget-friendly shadow set on your to-do list this fall! 

2. Anastasia Glow Kit

Anastasia is a cult-classic brand for their amazing brow products, but did you know their range extends far beyond brow powders, pencils and gels? The Anastasia Glow Kit comes with four shimmery shades of bronzing and highlighting powders, so you can contour your face without losing your natural sheen. Get it at Sephora for $40.00 for a glow that will last all night long! 

3. Becca Ombre Nudes Eye Palette 

For someone like me who prefers a natural eye look, the Becca Ombre Nudes palette is pretty much shadow #goals. With this palette, you get five shades of matte, natural-looking shadows ranging from a light peachy tan to a rich chocolate brown. It's the perfect eyeshadow palette for someone who wants to experiment with the "no makeup" makeup look, or a safe bet for someone who wouldn't normally wear eyeshadow but wants to try it. And, bonus, this palette can even double for contouring or filling in your brows - the description says so! 

4. Kat Von D Shade + Light Eye Contour Palette

This palette by Kat Von D is perfect for the makeup commitment-phobe who doesn't want to commit to just one look! With matte shadow colors ranging from deep black to ballerina pink, you'll find a shade to suit every mood in the Shade + Light palette. Even so, this palette is still great for someone who wants to experiment with bolder looks without leaving her comfort zone, since - with the exception of black and reddish-brown - all the colors remain fairly neutral.

5. Too Faced Brow Envy Kit

If you're anything like me, you're probably attached to your brows - like, to the point when you're terrified to wax or pluck them for fear of over-plucking. In that case, the Too Faced Brow Envy Kit is a great palette for you! This kit is the complete guide to filling in your brows, so you can finally get those Cara Delevigne-esque arches you've been dreaming of. Not only do you get two different shades of brow powder, but you also get setting wax, highlighter (for your browbone) as well as mini styling tools like tweezers and a spooly brush. So, if you've ever dreamed of tweezing and filling in your brows on the go, here's the palette you've been waiting for!

6. Stila Convertible Color Lip & Cheek Palette

Finally, a blush palette that can do double-duty! In my opinion, great lip color palettes are way too few and far between - so naturally, I was super excited to discover this convertible lip & cheek palette from Stila. I mean, who wouldn't want to make the most of their products by letting them do double-duty?! This palette comes in two different shades: the first, Sunrise Splendor, which comes with five glossy pinkish tones; the second, Sunset Serenade, a collection of more orange and brown tones. If you're a fan of cream blush and a bold lip, I highly recommend this palette as a wonderful way to multitask when you're doing your makeup! 

7. Smashbox Drawn In, Decked Out Shadow + Highlighting Palette Set

This set from Smashbox comes with not one, not two, but three incredible palettes ready to do all your hard contouring and highlighting work for you! Between the three, you get three highlight shades and 16 shadows, so you'll never have a dull moment with this set. Plus, all of Smashbox's products are cruelty-free and free of parabens and sulfates, so you can feel good about your beauty choices - even if that purple eyeshadow wasn't the best idea for broad daylight.

8. Stila Perfect Me, Perfect Hue Eye & Cheek Palette

No matter your skintone, Stila has the eye & cheek palette for you - its Perfect Me, Perfect Hue palette comes in four shades ranging from fair to deep, with customized shades perfect for your beautiful skin. With five matte and shimmery shadows and two blush colors, this palette will carry you from day to night in no time. Since it's so compact and chock-filled with useful products, I highly recommend this product for travel or study abroad to maximize your packing potential!

9. Urban Decay Naked Skin Shapeshifter

The Urban Decay Naked Skin Shapeshifter palette delivers exactly what it promises: versatility! The palette has two sides comprising of creams and powders. Each can perform triple-duty by color-correcting, contouring and highlighting, giving this product a huge bang for your buck. Personally, Naked is one of my favorite makeup lines of all-time (if not THE favorite), so I can't wait to get my hands off this skin-tastic palette from U.D.! 

10. Milk Makeup Shadow Quad

Last but not least, I couldn't help but feature one of Sephora's latest newcomers, Milk Makeup. Milk just got imported to Sephora from its home in NYC - but I can't help but be reminded of the K-beauty trend when I look at their clean, graphic packaging and simple products. Anyways, this shadow quad comes in two different tones: Day Goals, a palette of shimmery and nude neutrals, and Night Goals, a silver and mauve-themed palette that's perfect for a night out on the town. Even though it only has four pots per palette, I highly recommend Milk's Shadow Quad for a compact, minimalist take on the traditional shadow palette. 

Which palette can you not wait to try? LMK @haleymarieblog or in the comments below!

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What To Buy at Trader Joe's on a College Budget

Hello, beautiful! I wanted to write this post for many reasons. Firstly, I've been really struggling with my grocery budget lately, and secondly, I recently made a huge switch in my diet that I wanted to share with you all.

After six months of being vegan and seven years of being vegetarian, I'm transitioning into a pescatarian diet. I made this decision upon realizing that, because I'm sensitive to dairy (the main reason why I went vegan), I can safely eat dairy in a healthy way by taking lactose supplements like Lactaid. I also wanted to supplement my diet with a lean source of protein and omega 3s that I wasn't getting as a vegan - and for me, fish seemed like the most ethical way to incorporate this into my diet. To me, a pescatarian diet is a lot more mentally healthy as well, because it means I feel much less restricted than I did on the vegan diet.

In short, being vegan doesn't work for everyone for a number of reasons. Personally, I went vegan for ethical reasons, reasons that are still very close to my heart - but purely in the interest of my long-term health, I decided to transition away from it and into a different, more relaxed style of eating.

So, since I've recently become pescetarian, the way I grocery shop has become a bit different. Overall, I'm still primarily plant-based and like to rely on plant-based sources of protein; however, I'm now eating the occasional fish (once a day or less often, depending on my mood) and some sources of dairy, like Greek yogurt (if I'm feeling healthy) or a slice of pizza (if I'm not!).

Trader Joe's is my favorite place to grocery shop as a college student - and no, I wasn't sponsored to say that - because it's the most budget-friendly health foods store near BU's campus. It's a great place to buy staples like fish, frozen veggies and yogurt, which brings me to this week's blog post!

That's why today, I'm planning on highlighting some of my favorite items to buy at Trader Joe's (both specialty and non-specialty groceries) for both my wallet and my diet. Without further ado, here are some of my classic faves from good old TJs (as me and Ryan like to call it).

Tilapia

Okay, so one staple I've recently discovered on a vegan diet is tilapia. Seafood fiends often recommend this white fish to people who've either never tried fish before or don't like it (I was the latter before I became pescetarian) because it's very mild in taste and has a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. It's also a super versatile fish that's great for things like tacos - and at Trader Joe's, its prices are basically unbeatable, weighing in at around $6.00 for two large filets (for me personally, this comes out to about four servings). Now that's what I call a "catch"!  

Organic Fruit Wraps

Fruit Roll-up fans, this one's for you! Trader Joe's sells a much healthier version of my personal childhood fave for - wait for it - just 49 cents per wrap. The ingredients? Organic fruit purees and juice, with zero added sugar. And that's literally it! Not to mention, they taste amazing and come in a whole rainbow of different flavors, from mixed berries to apple and cherry. If I had to list a con, my only complaint would be that I could literally eat twelve of these at once if I wanted to.

Whole Grain Blend

One of my favorite things to buy from Trader Joe's for a quick meal is their frozen whole grain and vegetables blend. I don't know what spices they use in their recipe, but whatever it is smells and tastes amazing - plus, it's 100% dairy-free and great for your body! All you have to do is empty the bag into a large microwave-safe bowl and heat for about three minutes. Top it with a serving of tilapia, salmon or even grilled chicken, for all you meat-eaters out there, and a squeeze of lemon and you'll have yourself a cheap, speedy, healthy dinner that will fill you up for hours.

Pasta Arribiatta 

I'm not going to blindly pretend that Trader Joe's Pasta Arribiatta is the best thing in the world for me, but I will say that it's one of the most delicious things I've ever tasted before in my life. Before this pasta came into my life, I had never experienced the delectable delicacy that is spicy red sauce. Now that I know it exists, I simply can't go back to boring old marinara again. I dare you to try it for yourself and see if you can. (If so, lend me your secrets, because I've really got to stop eating so much of this frozen white pasta...)

Pumpkin Os

Trader Joe's pumpkin foods are a well-known seasonal spectacle for those who frequent the store. Though this may be an unpopular opinion, I happen to think that their Pumpkin Os cereal is by far the best pumpkin-themed product they offer - in fact, it's the one I count down to every year when fall comes around! For what it's worth, they're at least decently healthy, seeing as they're made with whole grain brown rice. However, what really counts when it comes to Pumpkin Os is the taste: diving into a crunchy bite of this tasty cereal just feels like biting into the sweet taste of fall to me!

Organic Produce

Okay, okay - this is pretty broad. However, it's hard to narrow down just one or two of my favorite fruits and vegetables when TJ's offers fantastic prices on just about everything! Trader Joe's produce is especially great to buy if you're someone who cares about buying organic whenever possible. As a college student who cares about buying organic, it's hard to find organic prices I can actually afford. I love that Trader Joe's makes buying (and eating, more importantly) organic fruits and veggies easy on my budget, so I can enjoy the healthy foods I love without worrying about the price.

Almond Milk

Trader Joe's shelf-stable almond milk is exactly the same taste and quality you would buy from name brands at the regular grocery store, if not better - plus, it's a huge staple in my diet! I like to buy the unsweetened variety to minimize the amount of sugar in my diet. I also typically like the vanilla kind, simply because I usually use almond milk purely in sweeter (rather than more savory) dishes, like my morning coffee or my breakfast cereal. 

Vegan Mozzarella

That's right: just because I'm pescetarian now doesn't mean I've completely reverted to my old ways! Since dairy still bothers my stomach, I'm trying to minimize the amount I'm consuming, even as a pescetarian. However, I'll let you in on a little secret: when it comes to the Trader Joe's Vegan Mozzarella Cheeze, I actually prefer the taste of the vegan version over traditional mozzarella! That's one major reason why I will always go back to this product. It's light, it's melty and it doesn't have that offensive over-nooched taste that so many vegan products seem to have. So, whether you're vegan or not, I cannot recommend this product highly enough! 

Almond Butter

At home, my mom always keeps a jar of Trader Joe's creamy almond butter in our fridge. As someone who doesn't eat meat and only just recently started eating fish, I like to rely on nut butters as a major source of protein, since they're one of the tastiest things you can possibly eat (in my oh-so-humble opinion, haha). While I love the taste of natural peanut butter, Trader Joe's peanut butter doesn't quite cut it in my opinion; it's a little more liquidy-slash-melty than what I'm normally used to...yet when it comes to their almond butter, OH. MY. GOSH. I could rave for hours about how much I live for their creamy natural almond butter! I'll eat it almost any way imaginable, whether that's spreading it on apples, spooning it on my morning oats or even baking it into some vegan blondies.

Quinoa

Quinoa is a superfood that's great for your health and perfect for subbing into recipes that call for white pasta or white rice. Unfortunately, quinoa's usully on the pricier side - we're looking at $8+ a bag, at least in the inner Boston area. Thankfully, Trader Joe's is the cheapest place I've found so far to buy quinoa. For just $6, you can get a fairly large bag of tri-color quinoa that lasts me several months at a time (though, admittedly, I don't eat quinoa all that often). So, cook up some Trader Joe's quinoa to top your next salad, use in a tasty take on stir fry or even top with fruit and cinnamon for a sweet breakfast dish! 

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

I don't get something sweet every time I go to Trader Joe's...haha, just kidding. I almost had you fooled, didn't I? But in all seriousness, Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups are one of my favorite sweet treats for when I've got a craving for chocolate. The outer layer of dark chocolate is so rich it melts in your mouth, and the salty-sweetness of the creamy peanut butter center...mmm! It gets my mouth watering just writing about it...

Frosted Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Another one of TJ's seasonal delicacies, the frosted pumpkin spice cookies are one of my all-time favorite vices at Trader Joe's - or anywhere, for that matter. These are basically the frosted animal cookies we all knew and loved in our childhood, with a spicy fall twist. The sharpness of the cinnamon and nutmeg blends so well with the sweet, creamy frosting for a treat I literally can't resist. Go ahead, try not to eat the whole box in one sitting...I dare you!

Two-Buck Chuck

Technically, I don't actually buy this product, since I'm not 21 just yet. However, I wanted to point it out because it's a great item to purchase on a college budget if you are of legal drinking age! Wines can get pretty expensive, especially if you're someone who likes to enjoy a glass on a nightly basis to help you de-stress (and get those antioxidants in, at least when it comes to heart-healthy red wine!) - and believe it or not, Trader Joe's so-called "Two-Buck Chuck" wines actually get great reviews. For just $2 or $3, that's an entertaining expense you can definitely afford no matter how tight your budget.

What's your favorite pumpkin item at Trader Joe's right now? LMK @haleymarieblog or in the comments below!

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