Eats and Treats: No Bake Peanut Butter and Chocolate Bites

For the past year I’ve had the pleasure of interning for Raintees, a eco-friendly fashion brand that gives back to the world and to the community one tree at a time! I’ve learned a lot about blogging and pitching ideas- so I thought that I would share one of my post recent Raintees blogs on this site as well!

So check it out!

Next time you’re craving something sweet drop the candy bar and whip out your chef hat. With this no bake, easy to follow recipe you’re sweet tooth will be satisfied in no time!

For these peanut butter and chocolate bites you will need the following ingredients:

Oats: ½ Cup-

Try Bob’s Red Mill  Organic Rolled Oats. These oats are freshly milled and are a great source of fiber!

Chocolate Chips: 4 Tablespoons-

Try  Sunspice Organic 42% Cacao Chips. These chocolate chips are made with organic chocolate, organic sugar, and organic vanilla! They’re also fertilizer and pesticide free, so you know you’re going to eat well!

Coconut Shavings: 2 Tablespoons-

Try Wilderness Family Naturals’ Coconut Flakes. These raw, dehydrated  flakes are full of flavor and will add a punch of coconut goodness to your treat.

Organic Peanut Butter: 4 Tablespoons-

Try Nature’s Promise Organic Crunchy Peanut Butter and  check out Real Simple’s list for the best natural peanut butter.

Once, you have all the necessary items get ready to whip up some treats by following these easy steps:

1)   Place oats, chocolate, and peanut butter into 1 bowl and mix vigorously

2)   Once fully mixed, scoop out 9 even balls and place on parchment paper

1. Sprinkle coconut shavings on each ball

3)   Place in the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes

4)   Sit, relax, pour yourself a cup of milk and enjoy these organic, arguably healthier treats

 

Mix your oats, peanut butter, and chocolate bits!

 

Scoop out spoon size bites and let them chill for 10 minutes.

Now, if peanut butter isn’t your thing, you can easily swap it out for almond, cashew, or sunflower seed butter! You can also mix it up and trey either sweetened or unsweetened coconut shavings. No matter which way you make them, you’ll be able to enjoy these healthy no-bake balls in less than 15 minutes!

According to Womens’ Health chocolate, especially dark benefits you in more ways then one so check out their article on the 9 Health Benefits of Chocolate . Also, if you’re an athlete and want a little recovery boost, swap out your regular milk for a glass of the chocolate variety- check out this Fitness Magazine article to learn more! Happy “baking!”

HIIT Workout: Feelin’ the Burn + Other Thoughts on Boutique Fitness

As a runner I never really felt the need to check out boutique fitness classes or experiment with different kinds of training. If I could find a track of a trail I was good to go (with some weight lifting here and there). Because I no longer run competitively – unfortunately my highschool glory days are over- I’ve started branching out…with mixed results.

My first foray into the boutique fitness scene was with SoulCycle. Luckily all men and women in Columbia Greek life have free access to select SoulCycle classes for 1 entire month during the academic year, so for me it was a no brainer to get a group of uninitiated cyclers to sweat it out on the bike.

SoulCycle was everything I had expected: the heat was cranked up (which I was thankful for because it was mid February at this point), the room was dark, the trainer enthusiastically encouraged us to “REALLY PUSH IT,” and by the end of it I had the felt the burn. So, all in all it was a good experience- I worked out, hung out with friends, and didn’t have to run in the bitter cold that day.

After enjoying a couple rounds at SoulCycle, I was hooked on experimenting with different kinds of training. Right before going back to school I was able to experience my first HIIT group fitness class thanks to Chelsea Collective, a fabulous lifestyle/fitness boutique located in Tysons Corner, and Crunch Fitness!

Chelsea Collective is a new lifestyle/fitness boutique located in Tysons’ Corner!

As a HIIT first timer I had no idea what to expect out of this class… but I knew that I would feel the burn at the end of the 1-hour session! Thanks to the energetic trainers and the DJ who supplied all the fast paced music my mother and I managed to make it through the multiple intervals of squats, push-ups, jumping jacks, and mountain climbers.

At the end of the sweat session the lovely people at Chelsea Collective also provided the group with tasty Chia Bars from Health Warrior and a half pint of South Block Juice Co’s “Glow” juice. Mom and I immediately sipped on the “Glow”  and tested out the Acai Berry and Coconut bars because we had foolishly forgone breakfast before the work out…never again will I forget to eat – you have to eat calories to burn ‘em! Once we came home we also snacked on protein packed peanut butter bites (the recipe will be up soon, so check it out!)

The tastiest of workout fuel. South Block Juice Co’s “Glow” and Health Warriors Acai Berry Chia Bar.

For more on HIIT workouts check the out Shape’s article on its benefits and then give Popsugar’s 20 minute workout a try!

Places/Restaurants: Saint-Germain-des-Prés

After I mastered the landscape of the Boulevard du Montparnasse/Jardin de Luxembourg area, I decided to walk down the Rue de Rennes and explore the chic Sain-Gemrain-des- Prés area.

For those who love to shop higher brands (without having to shuffle through a giant department store) this is the place for you- here you will find Louis Vuitton, Comptoir des Cottonniers, The Kooples, and many more! For foodies this area should also be on your go to because you can wine and dine on some delicious steak frites at Le Relais de l’Entrecôte or sip on a café au lait at either Les Deux Magots or Café de Flore. Both of these cafés are right next to each other and were popular meeting places for various famous writers, philosophers, and artists. Les Deux Magots, in particular, was a meeting place for Simone de Beauvoir, Jean Paul Sartre, Ernest Hemingway and many more and lead me

Because I love food I naturally visited this area various times to treat myself. My personal favorite was Les Deux Magots (they are well known for their signature chocolat chaud­) – while at this café I people watched and was able to enjoy its historical reputation. Unfortunately, one of my most awkward study abroad moments happened at this café…..by chance my friend and I had taken a table next to an American couple who struggled to communicate with the wait staff. After helping them order and chatting here and there, the man came to say goodbye and gave me an extended handshake accompanied with a very confused look on his face.

As it turns out he had asked me for my name and I (who was more focused on my chocoalt chaud) had not heard and simply said: “okay, have a great rest of your trip!”…this resulted in very weird eye contact and an even more awkward goodbye…and I couldn’t even blame the language barrier for this misunderstanding (buy hey, odds are that I ever encounter this person again?).

Museums: Musée d’Art Moderne (Palais de Tokyo)+ Le Grand Palais

After I had completed my touristic rounds at the Louvre, my next stop was the Musée d’Art Moderne that is located in the 16^th arrondissement. While I’m not a super fan of 20^th and 21st century art (I’m more of a renaissance kind of girl) I did appreciate several of the works that the museum houses.

Luckily, one of my friends in art program walked through the exhibits and shared with me some fun facts which made the museum outing more entertaining….if it wasn’t for her I would have just walked around, slightly puzzled at many of the pieces.

       A piece by Robert Delaunay.

Robert Delaunay, a French artist who cofounded the Orphism art movement, is prominently featured in the gallery and created some of my personal favorites. His pieces are known for their strong colors and geometric shapes (in his case discs) and definitely add a pop of color to the walls of the musée. After roaming around several of the other exhibits, I soon found myself smack in the middle of Paris Mens Fashionweek….it just so happened that a designer who held her runway show in the Palais de Tokyo decided to move her after party to the Musée d’Art Moderne next door. Soon my friend and I were immersed in a group of darkly clothed, heavily made up fashion aficionados (our Jansport backpacks did not make the best dressed cut). Even though we weren’t part of the group we at least enjoyed admiring the runway attendees’ unique style and managed to sneak into the background of an official picture or two!

After finishing up at the Musée d’Art Moderne, I set my sights on Le Grand Palais and specifically on the Jean Paul Gaultier fashion exhibit, which ran through April to August. This exhibit was unlike any other I had experienced because the clothes were featured on mannequins that “spoke” and “interacted” with the museumgoers. The mannequins truly came to life thanks to technology and the specific way the exhibit projected animated expressions on the mannequins’ faces.

Additionally at some points it felt like the museum had turned into a nightclub (the strobe light was going, music was blasting, and videos were playing). This different vibe definitely fit with the style and personality of Jean Paul Gaultier- he is well known for his punk-rock styling, corsets, and dramatic creations.

So, all in all these museums had some great exhibits and were worth the trip! Unfortunately the JPG exhibit is no longer running in the Grand Palais, but be sure to check out their site for the latest showcases.

Museums: The Louvre (some fun facts + how to plan your visit)

The Louvre is arguably one of Paris’ most iconic museums – its architecture is filled with rich history and its halls are full of hundreds of thousands works of arts and massive amounts of tourists.

Before becoming a world-class museum, the Louvre was originally known as a 12^th century fortress/palace. Thanks to l’Assemblée nationale, the palace officially became a museum and first opened its exhibits (which only featured a few hundred pieces) in August of 1793. Today, the museum houses around 34,000 pieces and offers numerous exhibits and galleries (so get ready to roam around!).

Not only is the museum’s artwork celebrated, but it’s mixture of modern and old architecture is also internationally recognized. The traditional, palatial architecture is juxtaposed with I.M Pei’s glass Pyramid, which was inaugurated in 1989. Since its creation, the Pyramid has served as the focal point for many tourists’ photo-ops- so, watch out for that selfie stick and the masses of posing people while you make your way towards the museum!

Once inside the museum- it can be a bit overwhelming….there are numerous tour groups, many galleries, and too many great pieces of art to cram into one day . So, I would recommend taking multiple trips to the Louvre if you have time and especially if you are a student (you can get in for free!)…. So, take my advice and visit the Louvre from 9am-6pm on Monday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday or stop by any time from 9am-9:45pm on Wednesday and Friday  . If you happen to be in Paris in between the months of October and March you can have free admission to the museum on the first Sunday of each month!

“Self-Portraits: Me (bottom right), Mona, and Close Friends”
Represents: the typical crowd that surrounds the Mona Lisa…arm yourself with a selfie stick to get the best snap.

Because I had the time, and the fairly flexible class schedule, I chose to take the“multiple trip” route and dedicated each visit to different pieces of art. During my first round I naturally waded through the hordes of people to see the Mona Lisa, marveled at the Winged Victory of Samothrace, and took my time to walk through the Egyptian Antiquities section. During my later Louvre rounds I was able to visit the Arts de l’Islam (which was officially opened in 2012) and stop by one of the many cafés located in and around the museum.

Breaking up The Louvre into bits and pieces during my various visits made the experience much more enjoyable because I was able to discover a new artist of masterpiece each time. I also sampled plenty of chocolat chaud and also enjoyed the Tuileries gardens next door. So, next time you have the chance, take it slow at The Louvre, or if you’re on a tight schedule check out your favorites and know that missing out on a piece or two is just another excuse to go on holiday and re-visit Paris!

Places: 6th Arrondissement (Boulevard du Montparnasse/ Jardin du Luxembourg)

Over the course of the summer I became very well acquainted with the 6^th arrondissement, in particular with the lovely stretch known as the Boulevard du Montparnasse. In between my French film and literature classes I had the opportunity to explore this area each day because Reid Hall, Columbia’s Parisian campus, is conveniently located off Montparnasse.

The Boulevard du Montparnasse is a lively area- it is filled with restaurants, cafes, tourists and plenty of locals. While on the boulevard you can stop at the famous Relais de l’Entrecôte (a fabulous steak house who’s most famous location is in Saint-Germain-des-Prés), hit the shops, and catch a film of to at one of the many UGC locations. If staying in a dark movie theater isn’t your thing- it wasn’t mine either at the peak of summer- you can easily follow the boulevard’s side streets to the Jardin du Luxembourg

The Jardin du Luxembourg is an area known for its vast greens, iconic
landscaping, large fountains, and vast amounts of pickiners and sunbathers. At the Jardin du Luxembourg there is from for everyone: kids can enjoy the playgrounds, tourists can snap pictures of the fountain and the palace, readers can enjoy their texts while reclining in green chairs, and friends can enjoy a croissant or two- if you’re a runner you can rack up miles along the many loops.

So, bring a blanket, a book, maybe a glass of wine and stop by the Jardin du Luxembourg! Or, if it’s a museum day, head off to the Louvre, the Musée d’Art Moderne, the Musée d’Orsay, le Grand and le Petit Palais. Stay tuned for posts on these museums and many more!

For more on le Jardin du Luxembourg check out this article on Fodor’s Travel.

Shopping in Paris: Galeries Lafayette and Printemps

Galeries Lafayette : http://www.galerieslafayette.com 

            Galeries Lafayette is a French department store chain that is well known for its luxurious selection of men and women’s fashion. At Galeries Lafayette you can find everything from the latest designer accessories and lingerie, to unique offerings for your home and kitchen.

Glass dome hand-crafted by Jacques Gruber in 1912.

In addition to being known for its chic style and clientele, Galeries Lafayette, in particular its flagship store, is also celebrated for its unique architecture. The flagship store, which is located at 40 boulevard Haussmann (in the 9^th arrondissement), is famous for its glass and steel dome and for its colorful balconies. This glass dome was unveiled in 1912 and to this day attracts oohs and ahhs from everyone who walks through the door because the handiwork of master glassmaker Jacques Gruber permits light to show the splendor of the store.

Because shopping (and getting through throngs of summer tourists) can be tiresome, Galeries Lafayette offers a wide selection of cafes and restaurants that you can sink your teeth into as you conduct your retail therapy. At Galeries Lafayette you can get your Starbucks fix, enjoy a treat at Le Pain Quotidien, and take a sip of Angelina’s rich and creamy gourmet hot chocolate (as someone who loves to drink hot chocolate even in the hottest moment – thank you heat wave – it’s a must).

After you’re done with your shopping and eating you can even take a trip to the Galeries Lafayette salon and get your nails done. On a hot summer day having all of these goodies in one place : one trip and you’re done- say bye bye to the long walks and sweltering subway system.

Printemps: http://www.printemps.com

Once you’re done at Galeries Lafayette, the natural thing to do is to walk across the block to check out Printemps (another luxury department store). At Printemps you can find a selection of high end fashion, jewelry, accessories for both men and women.

When I went to Printemps it was in the midst of its 150^th anniversary and in prime shopping season (its best to save up and wait for the government mandated 6 week of sale period in the winter and fall…but more on that in another entry). Because of the 150^th anniversary celebration and because of the summer timing, Printemps was packed with regulars eager to find their next signature perfume and with tourist (like me) who were mainly in it to have a treat at their maison du chocolat.

In addition to the in-store café, Printemps also had a series of gourmet candy and cuisine carts conveniently located in the shade underneath their decorated outdoor shades. After perusing Printemps selections of Chanel, YSL, Comptoir des cottoniers, and much more- it is necessary to take a bite of their caramelized popcorn and treat yourself to one of the “genuine American” hotdogs.

Although the hotdogs were tempting (at this point it had been months since I had eaten a burger – all in the effort of truly experiencing French cuisine, right?), I chose to go for the croque- monsieur, a grilled ham and cheese sandwich that is a traditional staple of French cafés and bars.

So, whether you’re in it for the food or in it for the shopping (or even people watching?), the flaghsips of both Galeries Lafayette and Printemps are the place to go in the 9^th arrondissement. Take an hour or two to explore and when you’re done you can easily hop on the metro and go to your next destination!

Places: 17th Arrondissement (Place de Clichy)

Over the course of my program, I got to know the ins and outs of the 17^th arrondissement very, very well. My host family (a sister duo) happened to live within walking distance of the lively and tourist friendly Place de Clichy.

In this lively hub, you can find everything from a quaint patisserie, boutique

Croissant: Check
Chocolat Chaud: Check

shopping, and even a fast food resto or two. One of my personal favorites was Le Petit Poucet (http://www.lepetitpoucetparis.com), a cage with excellent people-watching outdoor seating and frappes that rival those of Starbucks.

The Place de Clichy, also happens to be a stones throw away from the Moulin Rouge, so it is easy to catch a show and then hop on the Metro (line 13) to your next destination in the city. Gare Saint Lazare is also nearby and there you will find two of les grands magasins : Galeries Lafayette and Printemps…but more on that in a different post.

 

Summer 2015: Paris/Madrid

Two Words: Study Abroad

Generally speaking, when eager, wide-eyed college students think of the words “study abroad,” they conjure up images of romantic European landscapes, elegantly dressed men and women, plates full of exquisite cuisine, and a years worth of memories in the making (which, in some cases, are fueled by the more favorable legal drinking age).

While it is true that the aforementioned elements play a role in many study abroad experiences, they don’t account for every single moment abroad. I recently spent the summer studying in Paris and can attest to this statement. While abroad, I of course admired the architecture, envied the latest European fashion trends, sampled the delicious croissants, and enjoyed an evening or two at the Champ de Mars. However, I also went off the beaten study abroad path and made unique (arguably less cliché) memories as I strived to integrate myself into the Parisian community.

Thanks to my academic program, my lovely host family, and the wonderful friends I made during that two-month period, I was able to make the most of my time in Paris and through my (Manhattan) Island Notes share my memories and a piece of advice or two with you!