Amarilis Medrano

More by Amarilis Medrano

Heather Scott, Purple Plant Smoothies

4/23/2012

If you haven't tried one of the three amazing smoothies in the Market Cafe, you are missing out on what our USF alumni has blended! Be sure to check out Heather Scott's website and Facebook and try one of her smoothies the next time you're in the caf. (We recommend adding some kale or spinach, you can't even taste it!)

What inspired you to start Purple Plant Smoothies? 
I saw a trend where busy people on the go were having a hard time finding healthy food options. Being able to eat greens regularly, too, is one of those things that is tough for a busy person.

I'm truly passionate about helping to educate people about good health, and smoothies are the way I've chosen to do it! I also started Purple Plant Smoothies as way to support local farming communities as well, given that these are the people who make our delicious, fresh produce available. :)

What sets you apart from other smoothie companies? 
I take a lot of pride in providing a high quality, truly pure and healthy food item to people that tastes great! We never put any added sugars in our drinks, we offer kales and spinach in our smoothies and the fruit we use is seasonal and purchased from local farmers within days of when we serve our smoothies.

Jake Slane

4/1/2012

School Year: 2008
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Current City: Santa Monica, California
Major: Communication (Graduated Summa Cum Laude)
Activities and Societies: Alpha Sigma Nu, Lambda Pi Eta

Don't we all wish we can land the dream job right out of college? Well meet Jake Slane, the man who has done is all. He indeed is among the lucky few who are off to a very successful start from the moment they graduate. Jake has been fortunate enough to land the job as a publicist for LOGO, VH1 and MTV networks.

Before getting his big break, Jake worked as an intern for Fleishman-Hillard, a world leading strategic communication firm, from May to September 2006. Here he was part of a team that was responsible for brainstorming client pitches, billing clients and responding to media inquiries. After that, Jake became a freelance publicity coordinator for Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards in 2006, 2007 and 2008. In June 2008, he landed his current position as publicist for VH1, MTV and LOGO. It is through his hard work and dedication that he has reached such high success. He is further living proof that hard work pays off.

Your Guide to Luscious, Healthy Locks

3/1/2012


With springtime around the corner, it’s time to let your hair down and get ready for some fun in the sun. To get your hair in top shape for the season, it is important to make sure that your hair is healthy. If you are struggling with oily, frizzy, dry, damaged hair or even dandruff, here are some helpful tips to get your hair back to its original, beautiful state.
 
For Those With Dry Hair:
If you are having trouble getting rid of dry hair, you must lay off the heat for a while. Using curling and straightening irons will only dry out your hair even more. Staying away from them for a while will give your hair a break from further damage. Instead of blow-drying your hair, let it air dry. It would also be very helpful to not wash your hair very often. Instead, choose to wash it every other day or at least consider using less shampoo when doing so. Shampooing your hair less will help relieve dry hair. Look for shampoos and conditioners that contain humectants, which attract moisture to hair and make sure they are low in pH. As a final recommendation, if you plan to sunbathe or spend a lot of time outdoors, use a conditioner that contains sunscreen.
 
Oily Hair:

7 Fun Things to do On Valentine’s Day

2/12/2012

It's that time of the year again, when couples bond over a candlelit dinner or gift the traditional box of chocolates and flowers, while singles reach over for the bucket of ice cream and the TV remote, finding the occasion quite depressing. For couples, Valentine’s Day is one of the greatest days as they try to figure out cute ways to tell their partners how much they love them or how much they appreciate them. For singles, it is just another reminder of their lone relationship status. It is a day they choose to ignore and just hope to get through.
 
Despite what your relationship status might be, Valentine’s Day should be a day of celebration not a moping fest. Many times we forget that Valentine’s day is more than just about lovers, it is also a day to show your appreciation for family and friends. It is a day of love in all its forms. As an aid to get you into the V-day spirit, here are some fun ideas for what you can do with either your friends or your boyfriend/girlfriend.
 
Stay in and Get Your Iron Chef On
As expected during this holiday, restaurants are bound to be crowded and busy. Avoid all the chaos by staying in and cooking dinner as a couple or if single, grab a group of friends and make it a dinner party. For dessert, bake some Valentine’s Day inspired treats. Add to the fun by having everyone dress up in evening attire. It is bound to be a lovely night with your loved ones.
 
V-day Themed Movie Night

How to Get Back into the College Groove

1/27/2012

With the end of the holiday season and a lengthy winter break behind us, it’s now time to focus on the new semester. After weeks of spending time at home, catching up on guilty pleasure TV shows, sleeping in and having plenty of spare time, heading back to college may seem like the last thing you want to do.
 Although it appears to be a somewhat dreadful experience, getting back into college mode does not have to be as difficult or awful as you might think. In fact, a new semester of college means a fresh start full of endless opportunities to meet new people and broaden your horizons. To ensure that you make the best out of this new semester, follow these helpful tips.
 
New Year, New Semester, New Classes
This is it! This is the semester to finally enjoy your classes! If you were stuck taking dull core classes during the fall, try taking some courses that sound appealing this semester. There is no better way to learn than when you are actually interested in the subject.
 
Stay Organized: Keep an Agenda
Make sure that every task is completed by writing down all the homework assignments, projects, papers and errands that have to get done for the week. Planning ahead helps you schedule your day by providing a way to manage your time wisely. You’ll feel so accomplished after everything has been done. So remember, time management is essential for a stress-free week!
 
Get those Muscles Working!