If I could I would run seven days a week, every single week. However, I have to be realistic and accept that some days I do not have time to lace on my runners and hit the road.

So, on days when I do not have time to run, I have started to do little exercises in my room in the morning or at night before going to bed. It’s not much, but it’s more than nothing.

For this week and next I am doing 10 push ups, 20 jumping jacks, 30 sit-ups and lifting my little 5-pound dumbbells.

If you don’t have any free weights, I think it’s a great first investment on your road to physical fitness. In Eau Claire you can pick up one 5-pound weight for $4.99 at Sears or a set for less than $10, it’s far less than a pair of running shoes, weights store easily and double as door stoppers if nothing else.

Then you’re ready to go! Greatist.com, a health website I highly recommend, has a great article, “30 Dumbbell Exercises Missing From Your Routine,” which I have been consulting to guide my routine.

I recommend checking it out and picking a few of the exercises each day to tackle. Like I said, it may not be much, but a coach once told me “a short run is better than no run,” I apply that theory here.

Don’t take a day completely off just because you can’t get outside to go for a run, or to the gym for a longer workout. For the next two weeks I am going to make a point to lift my dumbbells everyday and I encourage you to give it a try too and let me know what you’re doing to spice up your routine.

Happy endorphin grabbing, y’all!

— Courtney Kueppers, Editor in Chief

In one fateful Thanksgiving episode of “Friends,” Ross Geller puts the emotions of American eaters into words. Upon finding out Monica made Brussels sprouts, Ross says, “That’s worse than no food.”

Raise your hand if Brussels sprouts disgust you or scare you. I will admit, a few months ago, I would have been raising my hand along with you. Brussels sprouts get a bad rap, stemming from endless scenes of disgruntled TV families feeding grandma’s little green buds to the dog lurking beneath the table. But let me tell you, Ross was wrong.

If you steam your Brussels sprouts, you’re going to have a bad time. Steaming sprouts is a death sentence to them. Making your sprouts mushy and sad is not a fair base by which to judge. Unfortunately, these soggy sprouts are what people seem to base their opinions on.

However, I have found the key to delicious sprouts. The answer? Baking them.

Try this next time you feel like giving the little green wonder a second chance – a.k.a. ASAP. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. While preheating, slice a cup (or two) of sprouts in half and toss them in a tablespoon of olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Place the sprouts on a tinfoil-lined baking sheet face up, so the cut faces up. This allows them to caramelize and trust me, the flavor is infinitely better and the plate is so much prettier – and let’s be honest, a pretty plate counts. Bake for 20 minutes.

Time for the secret ingredient: honey. Once your sprouts are done cooking, remove them from the pan and place them in a bowl. Then, toss them in a tablespoon-sized drizzle of sweet, golden goodness. Any argument about “bitter, boring Brussels sprouts” is now totally invalid.

— Kristina Bornholtz, Managing Editor

I’m learning that time management is less about making room in your schedule and more about maximizing the time you already have.

Last time, I pitched the idea of making a no pressure list of things you want to do this semester. I recently added a few things like “try something new” and “go to a concert,” but as I did so, my inner planner kicked into gear.

I started to try to find time to fit these things in my schedule, searching the Internet for concerts I like to attend and new things to try. After a while, I realized I was completely missing the point. The list isn’t about checking off boxes, it’s about options.

Take a moment and either look at or write out your schedule. Do you see the spaces of free time you have? I encourage you to take a week and write down what you do during your free time.

I did this for a week and discovered where all my “missing” free time went. I frequently pushed aside homework to spend hours bouncing between websites. I wasn’t searching for things, I was just wasting time.

Just because you aren’t doing work, does not mean you are not being productive. So what do you do with free time to be more emotionally healthy? Start small.

Try actually doing something you pinned on Pinterest instead of spending time searching the site. Go for a walk with someone instead of just hanging out in your room with them. Do something with a reward of some kind. If you do a craft, you’ll have something to show for it. When you’re done with your walk, you’ll feel the endorphins.

Getting away from bad habits is hard enough in its own right; whatever you choose, make it something you want to do.

— Anna Mateffy, Photo & Multimedia Editor