How To Look For A Job

I just read this article on LinkedIn (Don't Meet the Hiring Requirements? This Could Help...) and thought: #garbage. It doesn't help. It didn't me, anyway.

Tip, Tip, Step? Here's a tip: If you're going to make a list, be consistent.

Source: from cited link above

I've never found job-hunting suggestions like these to work. I'm an introvert and no one is interested in really helping you find a job (not that I necessarily blame them).

Below are some of my tips if you're on the hunt for that 'second home' [aka. home away from home, aka. next job].

• Work full-time when you're unemployed: Set your alarm, get up, and work. Because applying to jobs is work— a lot of it. But the harder your work, the faster you will get out of the seemingly never-ending, dreaded task itself. Likewise, though, take breaks and weekends. It's one thing to work hard but it's another to overwork and lose productivity.


• Set goals: Shoot to apply to X number of jobs per day or send X number of emails. The more you apply and contact people, the more likely people will know you are looking and available. Don't get overwhelmed by the number you have to send. Applying to jobs takes practice and some have more practice than others. Start at your level and slowly increase your count/quota every other day, or something like that.


• Apply in different ways: Personally, I think the best way is to try to figure out who the hiring manager is for the position you want. Email that person direct. I've heard snail mail is effective to because it's so old school and unexpected— I wouldn't know though because I've never tried it. Even though I said no one's really interested in helping you find a job, blast that you're looking anyway to your social networks because, hey, you never know&mash; maybe the stars will align. Google 'creative resumes'— there you'll find infographics, videos, etc— that's another way to stand out. Try to approach it with 'outside-the-box'-thinking. That's a personal bias but the idea is to help make you stand out using your skills to demonstrate your worth.


• Mix it up: Apply in all sorts of places— direct to hiring manager and/or recruiter, someone interesting at the company, company website, job boards, even recruiters. Yes, recruiters. There are spammers out there, for sure, but some of them can actually hook you up with a job you might end up liking.


• Don't just apply: don't spend all your time applying to jobs. Use the time to build skills and/or portfolios. That doesn't mean you have to spend money. Use the internet to teach yourself things, spend your time doing 'voluntary' work&mash; doing/creating things that could build your portfolio and demonstrate your strengths.


• Follow inspirational quote boards: Because being jobless with no income, having to spend your full-time energy on the act of looking for a job, and getting rejected sucks and can sorely get you down. Quote boards can help because even reading one positive thing a day can lift up your spirits.


• Don't give up, be persistent, believe in yourself: You will find a job. And it will be great. Be confident. You have a lot to offer. Write down a list of your strengths. Remind yourself of those things when unemployment seems never-ending. Hold your head up when you walk into an interview. Believe in yourself because if you do, it'll be a lot easier for the hiring manager to do, too.

Good luck! xo

Happy Healthy Juicy Job Hunting!

How To Get Kids To Eat Their Vegetables

I just read this story on Reuters Flavor-Pairing May Teach Kids To Like Vegetables. And, meh.

Here are my unsolicited tips (take it or leave it):

• Cook vegetables in a way that taste good: So good that YOU like eating them yourself, too, and actually do. Forget the vegetables for a second. Kids are heavily (primarily?) influenced by their role models, which includes you (the parent). Don't overanalyze how to get to them to eat vegetables. The problem might be that you might not be eating them either.


• Really show them your eating vegetable: Ok, so say you really do like eating vegetables and eat a decent portion no less. Kids have short attention spans and get easily distracted. You are a role model, yes, but they're not necessarily watching your every single move. Eat it out— plain and clear. Just like you have to create sentences for them to say to teach them how to speak, the same could go for eating vegetables. If your kid is not eating theyr vegetables, tell them how much you love eating yours. Verbally tell them you're doing it as you are doing it. Chew. Open your mouth and show them how you do it. Swallow. Smile. Verbally tell them how 'yummy' it is.


• Eat together: Kids love doing things together. As you wrap up the above bullet point, verbally suggest, 'let's eat it together!'. As they pick up their vegetable(s), cheers your forks (or hands). Make it fun and something to celebrate. Because isn't it something to celebrate? :>


• Let it go and try again... later... and again and again: If all that doesn't work, let it go. Don't force your kid to do something s/he doesn't want to (if it isn't absolutely necessary). Kids are smart and they remember. A) It's not worth the struggle or energy. B) It might leave them with negative associations. C) As the article mentions, it does take several times of offering/tasting before kids will like a food. The number of times it takes varies and can be great [ie. up to 20 times?] but I definitely learned that one in grad school after getting it wrong on a quiz— it's stuck with me ever since. Thanks, Ellyn Satyr. But when the vegetable is available, always offer it to your kid, rather than say, 'O, s/he doesn't like it.' By doing that, you're only reinforcing that belief.


• Offer variety, offer daily: Do you love every single food that exists? Probably not. Your kids won't either. But the odds of your child not liking every vegetable is silly. Try to figure out different textures and cooking methods of a wide-variety of vegetables— they're bound to like something. Also offer vegetables daily. Be sure to make vegetables a given. Keep dinners, for example, consistent, like carb (rice, bread, pasta), protein (chicken, beef, pork, beans), and vegetable.


• Be mindful of kids' development, cook appropriately: Be sure to cook or serve vegetables that are somewhat easy (or just easy) for them to chew and swallow. Cook leafy greens soft and cut it up into kid-bite-sized pieces. Peel off the outer layer of broccoli stalks. Yes, by doing so you are losing some fiber and nutrients but this, I think, is more effective than dousing the vegetable(s) in cream cheese, for example, which has an even more canceling/negative effect. Serving vegetables by themselves, I believe, will get kids to like them for 'who' they are vs. masking them in over-poweringly flavored costumes/dress.




• Take it with a grain of salt: The cohort of the study— that is, the number of people participating in the study— amassed to 29 kids. Twenty-nine. That's not very many kids whatsoever. What other factors could have twisted the results? How did the kids feel about the vegetables by the time they reached adulthood? What culture/environment do these kids/families live in and are they applicable to everyone outside that bubble? These are the questions you should be asking yourself when deciding on the strength of the study and whether you want to apply the results to your own behavior.

I take pics of what I eat. For ideas on meals and portioning, check out my Instagram @mdesenna!

Have some tips of your own? Share them in the Comments below, we'd love to hear! :>

Happy Healthy Juicy Kids Eating Vegetables!

How To Get A Better Night's Sleep With Young Kids

Did you know insufficient sleep can make you fat, stupid, and dead? Fast Company briefly explains why and suggests that you 'train in the subtle arts of getting to bed the right way.'

These suggestions are helpful but fail to address a subset of the adult population and root cause of their lack of sleep— parents with young kids.

If you're a parent, sometimes it's them not you, for why you aren't catching enough zzz's. Good news is the same tenets are applicable to THEM in the same context as well. Here's how and what you can do.

• Exercise - Fortunately, the gym is not a requisite for this. For both kids and adults, 'intense activity necessitates intense rest'. While your kids might not be jogging the tread mill, once kids know how to walk, they're running in no time and fast, wherever there's space and opportunity. Keep your kids active and bring them to places where they can run around, jump, and climb to burn off some energy for a better night's rest. Parks are an affordable suggestion but if it's winter, too cold, or raining, take them, perhaps, to a nearby mall with a play area. It's just as affordable as the park (ahem, free) and they can have the opportunity to socially interact with other kids as well.


• Bedtime - If you need 7 hours of sleep, subtract 7 from the time you need to be up and make sure you're in bed by then, the article suggests for adults. For kids, however, set their bedtime around the same time every night. Obviously, their sleep time won't be exact every night (just like us, they're not robots :>) but their bodies will get used to the routine and hour when you're consistent.


• Allow time - It's funny, you're not doing anything when you're sleeping, yet it takes a decent amount of effort to get there— using the bathroom, brushing teeth, changing into pajamas, to name a few— that you might actually avoid going to bed because of the process. With kids, the hassle is sometimes (often times) even greater because they're even more outrightly reluctant to do those very things. Add 10 minutes to all that, too, for bedtime stories. Like yourself, give your kids a sufficient amount of time to do the things they need to do before bed. Add extra time, if you can, for reluctancy. This is when that time-subtracting exercise might come in handy. That is, (Time to start getting ready for bed) = (Time you want them in bed) - [(Time it takes you to do all the things they need to do) + (5-minutes for reluctant fuss time)].


• Unplug - For adults, the internet and tv might keep us wired and awake, so they suggest getting unplugged for bedtime. For your kids, avoid the same that will get them wired, including consuming sugary items and jumping on the bed. Turning off the lights, speaking softer, and creating a peaceful, nighttime environment can also help.


• Ritual and routine - We are creatures of habit— both us and our kids— and the more often we do the same thing, the easier it is for us to do it and even without thinking. Create a routine for your kids by doing the same thing day in and day out for them to know what to expect. Hopefully, that way, their reluctance is minimized because they are empowered by knowing exactly what to do. Also, give them time to dance. Some or most of us, don't just plop into bed and fall asleep right away. We fix our pillows, adjust the blanket, and find a comfortable position to fall asleep. Kids are no different. You might put them in bed but give them a little time to say good night to their stuffed friends (if they sleep with them), ask the questions their curious minds need answered, and settle in before shutting eye.


• Dinner! - This wasn't included on Fast Company's list of suggestions but is really important for both kids and adults. Never go to bed hungry. While you may be able to fall asleep, your body, young or old, will wake you up if it's too hungry. Believe it or not, your body still needs energy even when it's sleeping like a log. Achieve this by eating a good dinner. Take time to actually sit down and eat together. Encourage healthy eating habits and nutrition, including engaging in conversation.

There's more to add to this list but this a good start. What helps YOUR little ones sleep better?

Share your tips in the Comments below, we'd love to hear! :>

Happy Healthy Juicy Better Night's Rest, Parents and Kids Included!

Clean Eating-Out Idea With Small Children!

Eating out with small children isn't always the cleanest— their little hands get everywhere and public tables are exactly the cleanest. One solution is to get those one-time-use disposable placemats but I find those to be terribly expensive, so here's my eco- and wallet-friendly solution.

If you have other ideas or parent tips, please share them in the comments section, we'd love to hear!

Enjoy and thanks for watching!

Don't Let Your Health Fall with the Mercury

Just because bikini season is almost over, doesn't mean you should let your body and health fall with the mercury.

Why wait until New Years to make a resolution? Any reason to get healthy is a good one and this changing of seasons is as good as any and couldn't have come at a better time— that is, now!


Some tips & ideas to help you plan for the upcoming months..

Eat your veggies: Fall harvest reaps some of the best & heartiest vegetables that are packed with flavor & nutrients like broccoli, brussel sprouts, and winter squash [which is actually harvested in the fall but called such because it lasts throughout the winter].

Be picky: In the orchards, that is. Apple-, pear-, and pumpkin-picking is a great way to spend time outdoors with the family, friends, and even lovers. For the latter, instead of doing the typical dinner-and-a-movie date-night thing, make it outdoorsy-with-dessert [dessert optional, if it's going well, wink]— apple pie, pear crisp, pumpkin parfait.. the warmth of the oven and aroma of cinnamon will surely make it a cozy night to remember..

Watch the pigments change: As the ones in your skin begin to pale, at least enjoy the green ones in leaves doing the same, which reveal the bold reds, yellows, and oranges. Pick up a camera, go for a walk, shoot, and share. Nature makes it easy in helping you find a non-food-related, active hobby that'll transform you into a fit artist without much effort.



Discover a new activity: Bored of the same workout routine? The new season brings with it new active opportunities, like hiking, tennis, soccer, and football. Find a partner or form a group— it'll help you build strong bonds with others and muscles while you're at it.



Look on the bright side [even though it is going to be darker]: Daylight has already begun shortening, but perhaps this'll help you get to bed earlier for a more and much needed shut-eye. Many people don't get enough sleep at night, which leads to crankiness, less productivity, and dark circles under the eyes. Ditch the concealer and hit the sack— like milk, as they say, it does a body good.


Get together with friends: You probably haven't seen some friends in a while as summer is when most go away on vacation. Make time to gather with friends you haven't seen in a while. You'll probably have things to catch up on and you can easily laugh your way to good health.


Happy Healthy Juicy Rise to Juicy Healthy, Fall of the Un-!

Busting Up Shop... or perhaps your chops instead.

Office Space— the classic yet iconic flick nerds love.

For many (..of those who sport the sock-sandal ensemble?.. oops), this is considered the best movie scene ever..



Well, it turns out this smashing deed isn't just for geeks, the big screen, or men even.

A shopping mall in China has "opened a special store for [WOMEN ONLY] to break all kinds of things to relieve pressure and bad mood for a minute in Shenyang", according to People's Daily.

The store is partitioned by room theme, so women can choose to vent in a bedroom or living room— a kitchen is supposedly on its way.

Though the concept is pretty ingenius and absolutely hilarious, it's questionable whether dealing with frustration like this is productive. ..Might these behaviors eventually present themselves in real life?

Some healthy alternatives, or at least until we get one of these shops ourselves, you might consider these activities instead:

• Pound pavement: Running or jogging work your body from head to toe, and if you do it long&hard enough, you're sure not to have energy to be angry thereafter.
  
• Splash water: It's summer, man [&wo-]. If you need to vent, that's really all you do when you're under the deep blue.
  
• Paddle water: If you don't want to actually get in it, try a canoe or kayak instead.
  
• Hit the gym: If you really can't handle the great outdoors, get your heart pumping, body sweaty, and squeeze the negative energy out of you any which way you can, non-violently, that is. That's really the key to any great workout.

Happy Healthy Juicy Anger [&Fitness] Management!

Surviving the [Big] Apple Crisp..

The weather people must’ve had a field day today with a lovely high of 103degF breaking the 101degF record way back in 1999.

Props to those whose day at work [outside] was more hellish than usual.

Tomorrow, we should get a few degrees of relief with the ‘feel like’ temps dropping from 110 to 105degF, but still, to get through the day, here are..

19 things to help keep you cool:

1. Cold water: Genius, I know.. Cool yourself down from the inside out by drinking this refreshing beverage, which is all-natural, zero in calories, and great for your digestive system, kidneys, and skin. Optional: Jazz up a glass with a twist of lemon.

2. Iced Tea: To kick that cup of water up a notch, sip on some unsweetened iced tea as an occasional alternative. Skip the justabuck Sweet Tea at McEee Dee's— a small has about as much sugar as a can of soda.
3. Frozen water: Spare your teeth, don't bite or chew it. Sucking makes it last longer anyway.
4. Fake sweat: Wet your skin. Think about it like an assisted cooling system, which sweating actually is.
5. Wet towel: This works same way as above-mentioned but theoretically lasts longer, as the water doesn't evaporate as quick.

6. Ice vest: If you want to get really fancy, not to be confused with stylish, click the vest. -->
7. Ice cream: This seems like a no-brainer, but actually, ice cream can make you thirsty. So, drink extra water if your stomach churns for it. And go easy on your arteries: choose lighter versions.
8. Paper fan: Remember those handmade 'crafts' you made in elementary school? [Not talking those that fly..] Take a sheet of [scrap] paper, fold it up like an accordion; fold and hold one end, and voila: an eco-friendly wind maker.
9. Bra & ultra-short shorts: Ladies, at home, bare [maximally] all, strut your stuff, and build your body love.
10. Swimming pool: It's free! And great for your heart [& knees]! And fun! ..Rah!

11. Frozen berries, soft bananas, ice, water: Brrrrr.. Banana Berry Smoothie.
12. Water-based and cold foods: Hydrate and cool down fruit, salad, gazpacho!, cold leftovers..
13. -OH with fruit: Corona with lime, Blue Moon with orange, Sangria with frozen grapes, if you must.
14. Curtains&blinds: It's good if your house is green but a greenhouse it does not have to swelteringly be [nor is it more eco-friendly].
15. Parasols&trees: [para=against, sol=sun; um=..? ..well, umbrellas work too]. SPF is one way to protect your skin from intense beating rays; even better, avoid exposure altogether.
16. Wash your face more often: Sweat that's dried on your skin is sticky and uncomfortable and clogs your pores. Second showers also help if it's that bad.
17. Tepid showers: It's tempting to take a cold shower to cool off, but once the water stops running, the heat'll feel even more unbearable.

18. Think cool: Mind over matter. And try not to complain too much, it's unbecoming and can heat up those around you, and maybe yourself, even more.
19. Keep the artificial air high: Like the cold shower thing, setting your a/c to arctic temps sets you up for even greater discomfort when you step out; plus, if it breaks down, then.. uhh, well, time to start folding some paper..

Happy Healthy Juicy Coolness!