Erewhon Smoothies: More than a Drink–a Lifestyle

April 30, 2025 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

By Middle-School Blogger Elizabeth Greenwood

When most people think of smoothies, they don’t picture something glamorous, but Erewhon changed that. Erewhon is not any normal grocery store. Erewhon is an upscale grocery store; it is a health and wellness paradise. The shelves are stocked with all healthy and organic products–which is why their smoothies are so amazing. With their glowing colors, healthy ingredients, and celebrity collabs, these smoothies are more than something you drink–they’re an experience. Here is why I think Erewhon smoothies are not just drinks; they’re a lifestyle.

Walking into Erewhon is like stepping into a dream: minimalistic, colorful, and clean. The best part? The best part would be the Tonic Bar where the smoothies are made.The Tonic Bar is sleek and modern, with marble countertops where the ingredients are displayed. It almost looks like a cafe. Behind the counter is where the baristas work making the smoothies and other drinks. When first trying these smoothies, you question everything you’ve ever thought about blended fruit.

My first Erewhon smoothie was a defining moment, an experience that shifted my perception of what a smoothie could be–which for me, was enough to justify the price. Each smoothie can be anywhere from $18 to $23; it is definitely a splurge, but it is worth every penny. Let’s just say if coconut cream, sea moss, and organic almond butter had a fashion show, Erewhon smoothies would be the runway.

Everyone talks about their celebrity collaborations–-because let’s face it; Erewhon is the perfect place for them–but the truth is, all Erewhon smoothies make you feel like you just stepped out of a Pilates class.

Yes, they’re expensive. Yes, they’re just smoothies, but if you think about it, it’s a self-care ritual that can brighten your day. Erewhon smoothies are proof that health can be delicious and photogenic. Erewhon smoothies are made with healthy ingredients like sea moss and collagen, which are really good for your skin.

Erewhon smoothies are more than smoothies. They define happiness by turning something so simple into a whole experience. I believe that everyone should have a chance to try one at some point in their life. As long as Erewhon sells smoothies, I will buy them. Personally, my favorite smoothie is the Malibu Mango, which is made with mango, coconut cream, and almond milk. If I had to choose another one, I would choose the Hailey Bieber smoothie made with strawberries, hyaluronic acid, avocado, and dates.

The Best Advice in the World on How to Get a Good Night’s Sleep

February 29, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

By Sophomore Oliver Martinez

We’re approaching Quarter 4 and nearing the end of the school year. Classes are getting more difficult. There are more tests, and extracurricular activities are becoming more demanding–all of which can result in a struggle to get a good night’s sleep. So, here I have compiled some ways of getting a good night’s sleep in order to be rested and ready for school the next day. First, I’ve compiled some scientifically proven facts by reliable sources about restful sleep. Second, you get my own anecdotal advice on how I manage to get a good night’s sleep.

Scientifically Proven Facts

Don’t drink coffee at night.

As we all know, coffee is used to stay awake. So, it makes sense that if you’re going to sleep, do not drink coffee as it will keep you awake. According to sleepfoundation, “Caffeine promotes wakefulness by blocking adenosine, a sleep-inducing chemical.” Staff Writer Danielle Pacheco and Dr. Dustin Cotliar, Sleep Medicine Physician, also advise you to “avoid caffeine at least 8 hours before bedtime to ensure better sleep quality” (sleepfoundation).

No electronic devices at night.

So, according to cdc.gov, it is recommended that you “Remove electronic devices, such as TVs, computers, and smart phones, from the bedroom.” I don’t know if I really agree with this, it sounds kind of lame. But the reason why is because “Tempting as it might be to use your computer or phone before bed, studies have shown these devices can interfere with sleep by suppressing the production of melatonin, a natural hormone released in the evening to help you feel tired. . . . This leads to neurophysiologic arousals that increase feelings of alertness when you should be winding down instead” (sleepfoundation). Honestly, the use of technology helps me wind down faster, but I can’t go against the science, I guess.

Exercise.

Exercise naturally makes us tired. And, according to cdc.gov, getting “some exercise [. . . and] being physically active during the day can help you fall asleep more easily at night.” This suggestion makes a lot of sense. Sometimes I go play basketball with my friends, and when I come back, I’m so tired the first thing I do is go straight to bed and get a great night’s sleep. Getting exercise to help with sleep I 1000% agree with, and I would recommend.

My Own “Totally” Accurate Advice

Choose the perfect position to sleep.

The position in which you sleep is very important and most definitely affects how you wake up the next day. Here is a picture, for your reference, of the different sleeping positions:

There are endless possibilities for how you can sleep. I personally prefer #2. However, #1, 6, 15, and 16 are kind of lame but aren’t the worst. #3, 4, 5, 8, 12, and 14 will make you wake up with horrible back or neck pain. #13 just looks ridiculous. I wouldn’t want to sleep like #18 because I feel like I would die due to lack of oxygen. Anyway, the point is that you need to pick a good sleeping position to ensure a good night’s sleep.

DON’T go to sleep early….

I know this sounds like it doesn’t make sense, but whenever I go to sleep at like 8:30 p.m. and wake up the next morning at 7 a.m., I genuinely feel more tired than when I went to sleep the night before. I recommend going to sleep at 10:30 p.m. and waking up at 6:30-7:00 a.m. the next morning. It’s the perfect eight hours of sleep. I think the only occasion when it’s fine to sleep 10+ hours is when you’re sick.

Chug Water.

For my last piece of advice, I recommend you drink tons of water before going to bed. It may be a little dangerous in case you need to use the restroom, but honestly chugging water just makes me fall asleep faster. The reason why is that it refreshes you, and it also makes my throat not be dry which helps me breathe better, and that’s why it helps me fall asleep faster. Also, if you wake up in the middle of the night, drink more water. And, drink again when you wake up the next morning, too. Chugging water is risky but most definitely worth the healthy hydration in my opinion.

There it is, a compilation of advice from proven facts that you should most definitely use and my awesome advice that obviously works and definitely will help you have a better night’s sleep. Finals and APs are coming. You’ll need good nights of rest. Do you have any advice of your own? Let me know in the comments!

Things Jess is Bringing into 2024

February 27, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

By Senior Jess Billimore

While she’s not yet working for Consumer Reports, we’ve got our own Jess Billimore with ratings, reviews, and advice on products she’s tried. Here are a few she liked so much in 2023, she’s gonna keep using them right on through 2024.

The new year is well into its second month! Everybody’s talked about new things in the new year, but there were so many great products that I found last year. I don’t want to leave them behind. So, here are the items I discovered and loved in 2023 that I am definitely bringing into 2024 with me.

Starting off strong with the Owala water bottle–I got this as a Christmas gift, and I love it so much. Unlike many other water bottles I have tried, this is completely leak proof. It also keeps your water cold all day, which is great for school. Owala water bottles are super pretty and come in a huge variation of colors, so there is something for everyone.

Next we have a hair mask. Fino is a Japanese brand that I discovered on TikTok. I have tried several hair masks before, and this one really lives up to the hype. This mask makes your hair super soft and silky. I could see these results after just one use. Last year I damaged my hair with heat and frequent bleaching; incorporating this hair mask into my hair routine has helped massively, and I can see myself using this product for years to come.

Staying on the topic of hair moves me to my favorite curler ever, the Conair Curl Secret InfinitiPRO Curling Iron. I can’t express how much I love this. To begin, it’s so much more time efficient than a regular hair curler; I can finish my whole head within 10 minutes. I also no longer have to worry about burning myself as it has a protective guard and does all the work for you, so you don’t even need to know how to curl hair! I try to avoid using too much heat, which takes me to my final reason for loving this product, and that is the curls last for days!

Now, for one that surprised me, and that is the Hooga Red Light Therapy Wand. I had heard a lot of good things about red light therapy in general. I didn’t know if it was legit, but I did some of my own research and it totally is: “Red light therapy (RLT) is a treatment that uses low wavelength red light to reportedly improve your skin’s appearance, such as reducing wrinkles, scars, redness and acne. It’s also touted to treat other medical conditions (my.clevelandclinic.org). You may be wondering, how does this work? As we age, our skin produces less collagen and what red light therapy does is penetrate deep into the skin, stimulating the cells that produce that collagen. Then, this new collagen moves up to your skin’s surface, reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Now, a full-on red-light facemask is quite expensive, potentially a future investment for me. For now I just have the wand. I’ve had it for about two months, and I’m already seeing some of the benefits, such as brighter skin and reduced redness. This really has elevated my self-care routine. I would recommend the Hooga Red Light Therapy Wand.

Finally, the Miss Dior perfume! I know you are probably thinking, really, a perfume? But, this would have to be my all-time favorite scent. I love it so much and try to save it for special occasions, which could be a reason I like it as I associate it with good memories. As for the scent, it’s very fresh, floral, and light. I get so many compliments whenever I wear it!

That’s all for today! What would you most like to try?

Four Ways to get your Fuzzy Friends to Favor You

September 7, 2023 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

Let’s use “relationship” as a verb, as in how to “ski,” or how to “cook pasta.” Here at thebirdonfire.org, we considered “how to relationship”: how to be the best we can with our loved ones, how to be healthy, giving, and strategic. We have relationships with our spouses, our boyfriends, our girlfriends, our siblings, our parents, and our bff’s. We have relationships with our furry loved ones–or, as Oliver says, our fuzzy loved ones. Oliver considers how to have healthy relationships with our dogs.

By Sophomore Oliver Martinez

Having a good relationship with your dog can be hard work. However, there is a reason why dogs are called “man’s best friend.” I have a Basset Hound and a Dachshund–Muñeca and Heidi respectively. I’ve had Muñeca the Basset Hound for three years. Heidi has been with me for ten years. Here are four things that have helped me get along well with my dogs.

Tip #1: Spend time with your dog.

This one may be obvious, but to have a good relationship with your dog, you have to spend time with it. Some ways to do so include: Take your dog on a walk; teach it some tricks; play catch with it. Dogs love when you spend time with them. It makes them feel safe and happy. According to rover.com, “The hormone oxytocin, or ‘the love chemical,’ is released in dogs’ brains during positive social interactions.” It would be wise to spend time with your dog as they enjoy it and start to like you more.

Regularly, Oliver takes his dogs Muñeca and Heidi for walks. He recommends you do the same.

Tip #2: Buy your dog gifts.

Buying your dog a gift every once in a while can feel really nice. Both the doggo and you enjoy these types of moments. Whether it’s a new toy like a chewy squeaky toy or a new bed, dogs like the attention and appreciate you even more.

According to Dr. Ellen Langer, a professor of psychology from Harvard, “When you give a gift to your dog, it’s sort of pure. You just assume the dog is going to like it, you feel relaxed, the dog senses that you’re relaxed, and the interaction is loving.” When the dog perceives that you are relaxed, it relaxes, too. So, maybe it’s time to go buy a gift for your pet–for both your sake and the sake of your dog.

Oliver bought his Basset Hound Muñeca a blue plastic Dodgers cap when she was still a baby. Oliver recommends you present your dogs with the occasional gift.

Tip #3: Reward your dog with treats.

Dogs love being rewarded. And, they also love treats. When your dog is being obedient, why not give it a treat? There are many different types of foods to give your dog. I usually give my dog vegetables, like carrots or celery. I also give my dog salmon bite treats. These dog treats are not only healthy, but dogs genuinely like eating them. According to Reader’s Digest (rd.com), the salmon bites “contain Alaskan salmon oil”; they “improve dog’s skin and coat and can reduce itchiness and chronic licking” and are “easily digestible”–all of which are big pros for your dog’s health.

Apart from that, treats help you train your dog to obey your commands. My dogs get carrots when they “Sit” successfully.

Frequently, Oliver rewards his dogs with treats for good behavior. Here, Muñeca gets a carrot for putting herself to bed.

Tip #4: Respect your dog.

This one may be the most important one of them all. Respecting your dog is very important. It’s like the popular phrase “treat others like you want to be treated.” Dogs are clever animals, and they understand when you show them respect; in turn, they’ll show you respect as well. It is important that we take care of our animals because we accepted responsibility for them when we adopted them. Their well being depends on us. So, let’s make our best effort to respect our dog and show them our love. Talk nicely to your dog–no raising your voice. Pet your dog. In play or training, don’t be physical to the extent that you could hurt your dog.

Having a good relationship with your dog certainly isn’t easy, but is definitely worth it. I’ve been using these tips with my dogs since we got them, and it has worked out pretty well. Try these tips out, and let us know in the comments if they worked!

The Largest Health Crisis in the History of the World

April 6, 2023 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

Luke is serious. While the rest of us explored food from around the world–British biscuits, New York’s French restaurants, sushi, Luke considered the health of our relationship with the food we eat.

By Upper-School Blogger Luke Sonderman

“Obesity is the leading cause of death in the United States,” declares The Big Think (bigthink.com). Obesity contributes to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, and gallbladder disease (cdc.gov). In a day and age where acknowledging the dangers of obesity creates labels such as “fatphobic” and “fat shaming,” the rate of obesity exponentially and tragically increases (bluezones.com).

What is obesity?

According to the World Health Organization, obesity is defined as “abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health” (who.int). Obesity is measured through the Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is measured by taking a person’s body weight in kilograms, and dividing it by their height squared (cdc.gov). According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), people with a BMI of 30 or more are considered obese (cdc.gov ).

Weight gain is “caused [by] extra calories . . . being stored in the body as fat” (nhs.uk). This being said, the most effective way to lose weight for people with a fast or slow metabolism is eating less food and exercising more, says Harvard Medical School (harvard.edu). With a caloric deficit and more calories burned, weight can be lost and a normal BMI can be maintained (nhlbi.nih.gov). However, sources like England’s National Health Service says the causes and solutions can be complicated by the particulars of diet, exercise, genetics, and underlying medical conditions (nhs.uk).

Dangers of Obesity

As of 2020, 41.9% of Americans are obese (cdc.gov). There is a difference between being overweight and obese. On the BMI scale, one must be between 25-30 BMI to be overweight, and 30+ to be obese (who.int). Being overweight simply means that someone weighs more than what is medically recommended for their weight and to get back to their recommended weight it is recommended that they reduce their food intake (as advised by their physician) and exercise more (diffen.com). Obesity is actually a disease which comes with the major health risks mentioned above. Recently, we saw 50.2 percent of hospitalized Covid patients suffered from obesity (beckershospitalreview.com).

2.8 million people die every year because of obesity (who.int 2021). That is more deaths than four and a half US Civil Wars (nps.gov). According to the World Health Organization, 46% of abdominal obesity in the world could be caused by fast food (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). In the United States on any given day, ⅓ of adults eat fast food (cdc.gov). According to Harvard University, some common causes of obesity are “the ready availability of food at all hours of the day and in places that once did not sell food, such as gas stations, pharmacies, and office supply stores; a dramatic decrease in physical activity during work, domestic activities, and leisure time, especially among children; increased time spent watching television, using computers, and performing other sedentary activities; the influx of highly processed foods, fast food, and sugar-sweetened beverages, along with the ubiquitous marketing campaigns that promote them” (harvard.edu).

How does culture in the United States influence the growth of obesity?

According to Dr. Nancy Trout, “[O]ur American culture promotes obesity. Environmental influences steer us to choose unhealthy foods and eat portion sizes that are far too large” (advancingkids.org). Recent “Robert Wood Johnson State of Childhood Obesity data shows that 19.3% of children between the ages of 2-19 in the United States have obesity” (advancingkids.org). Dr. Trout goes on to say that staples of many of her child patients include “hot ranch Cheetos or Doritos, Oreos, sugary cereals such as Frosted Flakes or Fruit Loops, Lunchables, Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, . . . pizza, . . . sweetened iced teas, juices, sports drinks, sodas and chocolate milk” and even says that since the Covid-19 pandemic, many child patients reported that they are “not engaging in any physical activity” (advancingkids.org). Unlike other countries, in the United States, high fructose corn syrup is used in many products such as Heinz Ketchup, Quaker Oatmeal, and soda (ronproject.com). Obesity is affecting children, adults, and senior citizens.

Conclusion

It has become apparent that the Obesity Crisis in the United States is being fueled by American Culture. Physical well being needs to be taught in schools, and parents need to be held accountable for what they feed their children. If people don’t know how to combat the problem, then how are we as a nation supposed to fight the epidemic? We, as a nation, need to educate ourselves on the dangers of being obese and how to maintain a healthy body weight.

MERCURY SEASPIRACY

March 23, 2023 by szachik@pvs.org 2 Comments

By Junior Levi Kassinove

Hey, you. Yeah, you! Put that tuna sandwich down, or tuna sushi, or…whatever you’re eating that includes fish and listen up. There’s an astounding amount of mercury in your seafood. The amount of mercury in bluefin tuna, the fish commonly used in tuna sushi, is around 1 part per million (mercuryfactsandfish.org). To give you an idea of how high that concentration is, the FDA recommends that adults do not eat more than 6-8 ounces of albacore per week. A can of tuna typically holds 3-5 ounces. Albacore, which already contains a relatively high amount of mercury, has 1⁄3 of the mercury concentration of bluefin tuna (edf.org). So, you essentially cannot eat more than ⅓ of a can of bluefin tuna per week. Maybe that isn’t that difficult for you. Maybe you don’t like fish. But, if you often indulge in tuna, you’re probably getting more and more frightened with every line you read. And, I don’t have good news for you.

Effects of Mercury Poisoning

Let’s say you’re reading this article after you’ve had a nice dinner at a sushi restaurant. You’re not adventurous, so you stayed away from the monkfish liver, the live jumbo shrimp, and the squid balls. You played it safe and went to town on the tuna nigiri. Well, here are the effects of the neurotoxin you just ingested, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

-Numb or “pins and needles” sensations

-Cognitive impairment

-Impairment of speech

-Loss of peripheral vision

-Loss of muscle coordination

-Seizures (my.clevelandclinic.org)

-Multiple organ failure (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

-Death

How did tuna become infested with so much mercury in the first place? Why is your tuna nigiri laced with thermometer juice? The answer lies in the food chain. There is a low level of mercury present in our waters, so many microorganisms contain a small amount of it. The bluefin tuna, being a large fish, is far up on the food chain. A small fish eats tons of microorganisms, gaining their mercury. A larger fish eats many of those small fish, and the level of mercury grows exponentially as you go farther up the food chain. This is why sharks contain the highest concentration of mercury out of all seafood (sharkconservation.org.au).

The Takeaway

The pescatarians are obviously trying to kill us all! Eat more steak. Eat more plants. But, as we say in Wagyuland, fish is best eaten in moderation.

Being a cow is actually healthy

March 23, 2023 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

By Junior Luke Sonderman

Cows eat grass. Do you eat grass? You heard me correctly: I asked if you eat grass. Most people would probably say, No, I don’t eat grass! But, if you want to regulate your blood sugar, slow the growth of cancer, lose weight, and eat healthier, then you should be like a cow and add wheatgrass to your diet.

What is wheatgrass?

“Wheatgrass is the young grass of the wheat plant, Triticum Aestivum”(webmd). It is grown as a microgreen (to learn about how microgreens are grown visit my microgreens article on thebirdonfire.org). Wheatgrass has many proven health benefits. You may see wheatgrass sold at farmers markets and used as an ingredient in juices and juice-cleanses. Here’s what wheatgrass can do for you.

Slow the Growth of Cancer Cells

Wheatgrass has dozens of proven health benefits: one being slowing the growth of cancer cells. In a study conducted at the Sinhgad Dental College and Hospital on the effect of wheatgrass on Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC)–one of the most common forms of cancer, Professor Sangeeta Jayant Palaskar along with colleagues concluded that “the aqueous extract of wheatgrass has an inhibitory effect on the oral cancer cell line proliferation” (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). Wheatgrass is known to increase oxygen levels in the blood, and since cancer cells grow best in oxygen deprived blood, wheatgrass will slow the growth of cancer cells by up to 65%, according to Dr. Alice Williams at the Origym Centre of Excellence (express.co.uk/life-style/health).

Lose Weight

A study conducted in 2015 by Doctor Gil Bar-Sela and colleagues at the Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa showed that there may be promising evidence that wheatgrass can increase metabolism aiding in weight loss (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). Studies have also shown that ingesting wheatgrass daily can reduce hunger and help patients maintain a healthy caloric deficit to safely lose weight (prevention.com/food-nutrition).

Regulate Blood Sugar and Diabetes

According to the Journal of Herbal Medicine and Toxicology, “[W]heatgrass is very effective in enhancing the levels of lipids and glucose, which in turn helps in controlling diabetes” (24mantra.com/blogs/health). According to a study at Pondicherry University, India, wheatgrass can increase the capacity in which insulin can bind to its receptors, increasing the efficiency of insulin in type II diabetes patients (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).

Contribute to a Healthy Diet

Wheatgrass contains phytochemicals which help boost the immune system (health.clevelandclinic.org). Wheatgrass can also assist the gut in breaking down food because of its enzymes (webmd.com). Wheatgrass also contains Vitamin A, C, E, K, B, and Calcium, Iron, and Magnesium (webmd.com).

Summary

In conclusion, there is no reason that you shouldn’t take wheatgrass!* It improves your gut health, slows the progression of cancer, aids type II diabetics, and helps you lose weight! It is a super potion.

*Do adhere to medical guidelines if you have allergies.

Solitudes of which are dreadful

November 17, 2022 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

By Middle-School Blogger Penny Andreas

PVS Bloggers went in search of a compelling photograph. They were asked to tell the story behind the photograph. To answer, Why does this photograph pull you in? Penny pulled this photo because it made her afraid. To me, it looks like a scary scene out of Severance. For Penny, it’s a jumping-off place from which to discuss phobias.
Blog Advisor Zachik

Photo Source: Luanna Strawbridge at Pixy.org

Imagine yourself walking in this empty hallway. Does anything seem wrong or scary? This photograph, to most people, seems as though this is a regular hallway, with a regular ceiling, and a regular set of walls. For myself, and some other people in the world, this is absolutely terrifying. Though this might sound ridiculous, this is an actual fear, or “phobia.” This is called “Autophobia.” Autophobia is the fear of being alone, or in solitude. And, no, this is not about relationships. It is about literally being alone in any situation, and being afraid. However, people have even reported having autophobia attacks in crowds, though it is rare.

What is a phobia?

A phobia is pretty simple, and this word dates back to ancient Greece. “Phobia” comes from the Greek word “Phobos,” which is a Greek god that summons human fear. So, it’s pretty self explanatory; a phobia is what you simply fear. Want to read more about phobias? See what Healthline has to say:

https://www.healthline.com/health/phobia-simple-specific

How to figure out your phobias and find anecdotes

First, there are so many phobias in this world–from the fear of long words, (Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia) to the fear of holes (Trypophobia), or even something super common such as Claustrophobia, the fear of tight spaces.

To deal with your phobias, the first thing I would personally do is just walk around town, or around your house. If you come across something that scares you, or makes you freeze up, and makes it hard to breathe, try to find out what that object is. Keep in mind this could literally be anything: spider, a bird, a tight space, a cliff. Once you know the source of the disturbance, I suggest researching things to help when you are scared. One thing that helps me with my autophobia is simply staying close to something I love: such as my family, my dogs, or even a heavy blanket to comfort me. Of course, do whatever comforts you the most, and what makes you feel a little less scared.

Dino Diet

October 20, 2022 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

By Junior Luke Sonderman

As our final health post, we return again to the issue of diet. Luke . . . has some concerns regarding an all-meat diet.

Hate to break it to all the vegans, but humans are supposed to eat meat. Now, if you want to hear my opinion on veganism you can read my blog article I wrote last year (“The Most Unhealthy Diet That Is Spreading Fast“). I’m here now to talk about the polar opposite of veganism: Carnivorism.

What is a carnivore diet?

A carnivore diet is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. It is a diet that consists of only animal products and excludes all vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, and all other non-animal foods (health.clevelandclinic.org). To someone who loves meat, this diet may sound like heaven. But, there are lots of downsides to this diet (just like there are downsides to the vegan diet).

Upsides to the carnivore diet

This diet consists of lots of protein and fat, but near zero carbs.

Low carb diets are actually very popular when it comes to weight loss, but to be honest low-carb diets are just diets for people too lazy to hit the gym, jump on a Peloton, or just knock out some push ups every morning. The body transforms carbs into glucose (sugars) which can be used as energy. The thing is if you don’t use that energy (go to that spin class, do that hot yoga, hit the gym, go for a run)… then that glucose becomes fat.

The reason all of that doesn’t apply to this diet is because with the massive protein and fat diet, you can get ridiculously shredded from the amount of protein you are consuming while having energy from the fats. With no carbs, when you work out, the theory is you will keep a low body fat percentage and increase muscle mass.

Downsides to the carnivore diet

To keep things plain and simple, this diet is considerably as deadly as Trump’s McDonald’s diet which consists of McDonald’s Egg McMuffins for breakfast, meatloaf sandwiches for lunch, and a McDonald’s order of two Big Macs, two Filet-O-Fish sandwiches for dinner (theculturetrip.com). But seriously, the amount of saturated fat in this diet is absolutely ridiculous. Lots of saturated fat equals a high cholesterol which will lead to heart disease. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Eating too much protein can also cause kidney issues, which is yet another reason why this diet can KILL YOU.

Beat the Heat

October 19, 2022 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

By Junior Indy Behr

In our quest to keep Firebirds healthy, we at thebirdonfire.org have discussed diet, eye care, and sleep habits. As the hottest months in the desert fade, we still experience 90-degree days. Indy has some tips for keeping cool.

It’s October, so it is measurably cooler. Most mornings now, I walk outside, and I am surprised by the cooler temperatures and the subtle breezes. “Is fall actually here?” I think to myself. But then, by noon, it ends up being 90 degrees. I tend to prefer cooler temperatures because if you’re cold, all you need is a sweater, some mittens, and perhaps some longer socks to get comfortable. However, when it’s hot, it is much harder to beat the heat. There are some ways to avoid overheating, however. Here are a few!

Stay Hydrated

Junior Audrey Guess keeps water close even when testing in English.

As some of you may know, sweating is designed to cool your body. If you are dehydrated, you will not sweat as much, and as a result, you will have trouble cooling down. Drink up. Room temperature or chilled–the objective is to keep water in your body. This is one of the best ways to cool down during excessive heat.

Sunscreen

When we are experiencing extreme heat, we are at a higher risk of sun damage, so sunscreen is a must. The added benefit of applying and reapplying spray sunscreens is a short-term cooling effect that is very nice when it’s very hot out.

Spend Your Mornings Outdoors

Though the afternoons are still very hot, the mornings have started to become mild and pleasant. As a result of this, I have been trying to spend more time outdoors in the morning to take advantage of these few hours of cooler temperatures. It has been hovering around the mid 70s in the mornings lately, and this is pretty much the only time to catch good temperatures while the sun is up. I already am somewhat of a morning person, so this is personally my favorite pick for beating the heat. This is definitely my favorite time to enjoy a cup of coffee in my backyard before heading to school.

So, now you know a few ways to stay cool in the afternoon until fall really kicks in. Stay hydrated; wear sunscreen; and take a walk in the morning while we’re still in these last few weeks of heat!