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CAMPUS COMMONS
JOURNEYS THROUGH THE SAN DIEGO ZOO CHIMPS, ELEPHANTS, AND FAMILY SMILES
There’s nothing better than getting outside when the sun is shining and the weather feels nice and breezy. You can take a leisurely stroll through a park with your spouse, drive down to the beach, or take the whole family on an adventure. One place I’ve always loved visiting is the zoo, and since Visit the Zoo Day is on Dec. 27, I thought it was the perfect time to share some of my memories from my favorite zoo. When my kids were young, we decided to bring them to the San Diego Zoo, one of the world’s largest and most well-known zoos. It was such an exciting time, and the kids were the perfect age. They could walk when they had the energy, and we could carry or push them in the stroller once they started to slow down. The first time we visited the zoo my mom, Nana, went with us and led the way to each exhibit. The memories from that first visit to the San Diego Zoo stayed with us for a while, but they were fading. We were in San Diego for a family vacation a couple years ago and I asked the kids what they wanted to do, expecting them to say they wanted to go to the ocean or
do something we hadn’t done before. Instead, they suggested we go to the zoo again, which I didn’t even offer because I didn’t think it appealed to them at their current ages. I am so glad we went that day; it was a wonderful trip down memory lane. We were all pointing out things that we remembered the last time we were there with Nana. She’s no longer with us, but looking back at those memories always makes me smile. There’s something special about the zoo that makes it unlike any other attraction. I love learning about the animals and seeing them in a somewhat natural environment. Unless you visit Africa or the Amazon, you’ll likely never get closer to these animals (and you probably wouldn’t want to anyway if you saw them in the wild). You can watch them on TV, but it’s nothing like seeing them in person. Watching the chimps interact as a family and realizing just how big elephants and giraffes can grow always leaves me awestruck.
so ginormous that it’s ridiculous! We love to watch the chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans pick bugs off each other. The lions, tiger and bears never get old. There are so many amazing exhibits to see, but the one I tend to stay away from is the reptile house. I can handle the smell and the cramped conditions, but I do not like snakes whatsoever. Just seeing them slither makes the hair on my neck stand up. And it doesn’t matter if it’s a 12-foot python or a baby garter snake; I’m going to react the same regardless! The Sacramento Zoo is nice, but it’s so tiny compared to the San Diego Zoo. It’s a fun place to spend a couple of hours with little ones, but if you’re looking for something that will keep the family entertained all day, no zoo will match the San Diego Zoo. I’ve had so many good memories there, and I know I’ll continue to make more as the years pass!
Whenever I get to the zoo, my favorite stop is to see the elephants. They’re just
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DECK THE HALLS WITH HANDMADE CARDS
3 Easy Ideas You Can Make With Kids!
Sending Christmas cards is a great way to tell people you’re thinking of them during the holiday season. However, like everything lately, buying enough Christmas cards for your loved ones is expensive. Store-bought cards can also feel too stiff and formal for our friends and family.
it horizontally across the card near the bottom. Then, build upward using gradually smaller pieces of tape to make a triangle — and that’s it! You’ve successfully created a washi tape tree! You can also draw a tree stump under the longest strip or a star on top.
HANDPRINT CARDS This Christmas card variation is a favorite for kids to make and family members to receive. Have your
That’s why you should consider making Christmas cards this holiday season! It is more cost-effective and a great way to give your cards a personal touch that lets friends and family know you care. The best
child place their hand on the blank card stock and trace their hand with a pencil. Then, cut out the shape of their hand using scissors. Finally, with the cut-out hand facing down (fingers to the ground), have your child decorate it as if it were a tree, drawing ornaments, lights, candy canes, or other decorations. PIPE CLEANER CARDS For this card, you need green pipe cleaners and gold stars (like the ones you’d earn in school). Simply twist a pipe cleaner into a tree shape using a zig-zag pattern to form the widest branches at the bottom to the smallest boughs at the top. Glue the pipe cleaner to the card. Finish with a gold star as a tree topper!
part is that making holiday cards doesn’t have to be laborious or stressful — it’s quick, easy, and fun! Don’t believe us? Check out these three easy Christmas cards you and your family can make at home. Each card idea is built upon plain white cards! WASHI TAPE CARDS All you need for this card is a roll of washi tape with any design you wish. Simply cut strips of the washi tape, starting with a longer piece (about 2—3 inches), and place
Take the Stress Out of Life CHANGES THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE Stress is something almost everyone deals with daily. We can experience stress in the workplace, at home, and even when driving to and from the store. At times, it can feel like there’s almost no escape, causing us to hide until the stress fades away. While it might be difficult to reduce stress during hectic and chaotic moments, there are some strategies you can implement to make each day feel a little less stressful. CREATE HEALTHY ROUTINES As humans, we are creatures of habit. However, many habits and routines we develop over the years are detrimental to our well-being. If you’re feeling overly stressed, it’s time to identify the habits that are doing more harm than good and make some adjustments. Some simpler changes include trying to go to bed and waking up at the same time every day, planning out your days beforehand so there are no surprises, and creating goals for each day and reflecting on your progress before going to sleep. DISCONNECT We live in a world inhabited by over 8 billion people, which means there will always be something negative happening somewhere on our planet. And guess what? The media loves to focus on the negatives. If you watch
the news every day and are starting to feel overwhelmed, turn off the TV. The same goes for social media. When you spend all of your time on these platforms, it’s easy to fall into the comparison trap, wondering why someone has more than you. Disconnecting from social media and the news for even a few days can bring you a profound sense of peace. EXERCISE If you want to feel the stress melt away from your mind, find some time to exercise. Going to the gym after work is a great way to sweat away your worries and refresh your mind. Exercising will release endorphins and improve sleep quality, allowing you to tackle upcoming challenges without concern.
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DO MY EXERCISE SHOES REALLY MATTER?
If you’re not a marathon runner, gym rat, or weekend warrior, you may wonder if it really matters what shoes you wear
correlate with your preferred exercise style will prevent injuries to your feet and ankles while making each workout much more enjoyable.
when you exercise. Although your shoes might not make you run faster or lift heavier weights, they can protect you from serious injuries. It’s not uncommon for people to get overwhelmed after walking into a sporting goods store to buy new shoes. There are shoes in every color and style imaginable, so how do you know which option is best for you? It depends on what type of exercise you plan to use them for. Those who walk or hike should get lightweight boots with plenty of support. Runners should look for shoes with shock absorbers to take some of the stress off their knees. Tennis and basketball players should wear shoes designed for their particular sport. Getting a pair of proper-fitting shoes that
When looking for new shoes, the most important thing you should consider is how they fit. You don’t want shoes that are too small or large, as they’ll cause blisters and increase your risk for injury. All shoes fit differently, even if they’re in your normal size, so it’s best to go to your local shoe store and try them on first. Additionally, it’s best to try shoes on in the evening or after a workout to ensure your shoes will stay comfortable as your feet expand during exercise. Try shoes on with the same socks you wear when you exercise, and tie the laces tight to ensure your heel does not slide. The right shoes can make a huge difference in your workout, so do your research, take time to try on shoes, and buy the footwear that fits your needs!
TAKE A BREAK
Tasty Holiday Chocolate Mousse
Add even more cheer to the holidays with this decadent chocolate mousse.
INGREDIENTS • 10 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped • 4 tbsp butter • 4 large eggs, separated
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar • 1/2 cup heavy cream
DIRECTIONS 1. In a medium heatproof bowl, add chocolate and butter. Set the bowl over a saucepan of barely simmering water and stir until chocolate and butter are melted and blended, then remove from heat and let cool slightly. 2. In a medium bowl, beat egg yolks until thick. Then gradually add melted chocolate mixture, stirring until blended. 3. In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until foamy. Then gradually add sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. 4. In another bowl, beat cream until stiff peaks form; fold egg whites and then cream into the chocolate mixture. 5. Pour into individual serving dishes and chill for 3 hours or until set.
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INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
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Nostalgic Adventures at the San Diego Zoo
From Your Heart to Theirs: Handcrafted Christmas Cards for Loved Ones Strategies to Bring You Closer to a Stress-Free Life Your Guide to Choosing the Right Exercise Footwear
Tasty Holiday Chocolate Mousse
Why Your Muscles Shake During a Tough Workout
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Imagine you’re running through a basic exercise routine. You feel good, so you push yourself harder than usual — and your muscles suddenly start shaking! Every athlete has experienced that moment of panic when tremors hit. But have you ever wondered why your muscles shake? The answer is more complicated than you might think. Shaking muscles can mean at least three things: You’re underprepared for your workout, pushing yourself too hard, or breaking new ground and building muscle! To figure out which option explains your scenario, ask yourself these questions: 1. DID I DRINK PLENTY OF WATER TODAY AND GET AT LEAST SEVEN HOURS OF SLEEP LAST NIGHT? If not, your muscles could be shaky because of dehydration or fatigue. 2. AM I DOING A NEW EXERCISE? If you’ve never done a jump squat or bench pressed 200 pounds, you’ll probably feel shaky the first time you try a full set. That’s because your body is adjusting to the new motions at a cellular level. Simply put, when you start a workout, your muscle fibers tell your muscle cells whether to contract or relax — and those fibers can get tired of doing their job. When one fiber becomes fatigued, your body adjusts to rely on another. Trying something new (essentially, asking
your fibers to give new directions) can confuse your body and delay the tradeoff, making your muscles shake.
3. AM I PUSHING
MYSELF HARDER THAN I EVER HAVE BEFORE? When you amp up the
intensity of your workout, your body will often do more muscle fiber “tradeoffs” than usual because you’re demanding more output. When too many tradeoffs happen at once, that can make your muscles shake.
Muscle tremors aren’t always a bad sign. If you’re trying a new exercise or pushing for improvement, they’re part of the learning process! However, if you’re struggling with exhaustion or dehydration, or you think you’re overworking yourself, shaking can be a red flag. Consider reducing the intensity of your workout or taking a rest day. When in doubt, discuss the issue with a physical therapist, especially if you’re recovering from an injury.
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