family etiquette

I grew up with four sisters and one brother, and it was absolutely ridiculous. Kevin, Kara, Kelsey, Kylie, Kassidy, and Kendall. It's pretty confusing with all the K's, and I'm about 80 percent sure my dad still does not know all of our names.

I suppose the fact that we had to set the table for eight every night meant that the budget was a bit tight. We had to share EVERYTHING. I distinctly remember going through the McDonald's driveway for dinner at least twice a week. My mom would order all of us our own burger and fries, and ONE drink. What, Mom? ONE DRINK? That solitary 20 oz. Coke circulated through our massive red van from kid to kid until each of us were sucking on ice cubes. Everyone would try to take the biggest gulp of soda possible, in an attempt to maximize fluid intake. "STOP HOGGING IT, IDIOT!" was a common verbal exchange. But without fail, if you had the last sip, no matter how small that last sip was, YOU were accused of "drinking all of it". Good times.

Anyone who has ever had the pleasure of joining us for a family dinner knows that they better eat their food fast, because once the five minute mark is up, your plate is fair game. We're not afraid to jack your corn on the cob when you're not looking. Consider yourself warned, America.

A fine example of our family etiquette occurred last Christmas when I brought my boyfriend down to Texas with me. He asked my 14-year-old sister to please pass the chicken. She picked it up with her bare hands and dropped it on his plate. Somehow, he is still dating me.

I've become accustomed to the crazy my family unleashes on a daily basis, and I wouldn't change it for the world. Expect much more to come on this subject... I got a lifetime of embarrassment to release.

Food/ diets/ calories

I'd like to start by saying I LOVE FOOD. Seriously. LOVE. IT. In fact, a Krispy Kreme donut or Chipotle burrito can instantly transform me from Grumpy Gus to Mary freakin' Sunshine. I can eat as much (or more) as any guy I know, and I enjoy all kinds of food. No discrimination here.

However, I am a diver. That means that I spend over two hours a day half-naked in front of an entire aquatic complex. Kara + Dairy Queen Blizzard + bathing suit = not great. Get the math? Therefore, I have to be at least semi-conscious of what I'm putting in my body. It is a temple, after all :)

I'm not talking about calorie counting or obsessing over every morsel of food that enters my mouth. Unlike most Hollywood floozies, I couldn't live like that. What I'm suggesting is that people who are trying to lose or maintain weight simply need to just be aware of their eating habits. I've come up with a few tips that have helped me get back into shape after gaining the sophomore 10 (thanks to tailgate food, drunk pizza, and peanut butter covered EVERYTHING.)

1. Are you ACTUALLY hungry? Chances are you're just thirsty. Drink a glass of water before you reach for the Doritos.
2. Walk everywhere. It's fun, and you save gas money! I have those Reebok EZ tone butt shaping shoes, and I love them. Shape that junk in yo trunk.
3. Nowadays, everything has a healthier alternative. I would suggest Jimmy Dean's Breakfast Delights. Delicious egg white, turkey sausage, and lowfat cheese on a whole wheat english muffin. And instead of buying ice cream by the gallon, go to Red Mango. It's absolutely amazing frozen yogurt. I plan to write a post entirely focussed on Red Mango because I am so obsessed with it.
3. If you're going to eat out, go to a place that lists the calories on the menu (such as Subway or Panera Bread), or look up the nutritional facts before you leave the house. Almost every website has their menu and nutritional info posted, so check it out. You'd be amazed at how many salads have over 700 calories. WHOOPS.
4. EAT! Eat a lot! Every three hours, to be exact. Have about 3 snacks a day, and three small, healthy meals. This way you won't get hungry and binge.
5. Everyone says to cut out soda, but I just can't. Sorry, I thoroughly enjoy Coke. Limit your intake, though. Once or twice a week? Totally doable.
6. Ok let's be honest: There's no HEALTHY way you're going to lose weight if you drink all the time. Believe me you, I know it's hard (I'm in college, after all) but there's still a way to have fun at parties or over the weekend without getting hammered. If you're going to drink, try every other weekend. And don't drunk eat!!!!!
7. Eat dinner early. I eat dinner at 5:30 and have an apple or something light around 7:30. That way I go to bed feeling full but not stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey.
8. When you want to eat but you don't NEED to, but in a piece of gum. MAGIC TRICK!
9. Eat dessert. I eat dessert every night. Just don't eat the entire cake, a modest piece will do.

So there it is. Remember, when you look better, you feel better! Have an other tips? Feel free to comment!

Until next time....

oh hey.

Well, I must admit, I am losing my blogging virginity as we speak. I never quite understood the point of spilling your thoughts to an unknown cyber audience, but hey, here I am on my couch with a blanket and a bag of white cheddar popcorn, going to town.

With that being said, I'd like to introduce myself... Hi! I'm Kara! I am a senior in college studying Public Relations & Advertising with a minor in Spanish. I am 'from' TEXAS and I love TEXAS. In fact, I say TEXAS just how I spell it... full caps. Lots of fun. TEXAS TEXAS TEXAS. Unfortunately for me, I go to school in the midwest so I miss my beloved state terribly. But worry not, I will make my triumphant return to the South after graduation, even if that means I am jobless and living under a bridge (God forbid). But at least it will be warm...

Very importantly, I am a collegiate diver. No, not scuba diving, cliff diving, or swimming. D-I-V-ING. Like, off springboards and platforms. "Do you do the flippy things?" asks unnamed confused person. "Yes, unnamed confused person, I do!" (You wouldn't believe how many times I get that question). I love diving with all of my heart yet I hate it with a fiery passion. This crazy sport and I have a very intricate, complex relationship that I will surely be telling you all about in future posts. Getttt exciteddddd :)

Welp, time to wrap up post numero uno (see, Spanish minor). It's been fun, planet Earth.

Stay tuned.