Nadia

Elizabeth Taylor once said, “The problem with people who have no vices is that generally you can be pretty sure they’re going to have some pretty annoying virtues.”

A life without a little irresponsibility is hardly worth living. After all, what’s the benefit of living longer if those extra years aren’t enjoyable?

It’s hard to go a day without reading about something that you’re doing that is slowly killing you. Diet soda, for example is now believed to be worse for your waistline than regular.

Every once in a while fate seems to fall on our side, however, and a study comes out validating our secret desires. That bottle of wine you polished off will do wonders for your heart’s health. Too lazy to hit the gym today? You’re just taking a rest day to allow your muscles to recover. Can’t kick the caffeine habit? You are just trying to prevent Alzheimer’s Disease.

Some of these studies might need to be taken with a grain of salt (not too much though or you’ll wreck your blood pressure) but reading them has a way of relieving the feeling of perpetual guilt that the media tends to instill upon us.

Check out this list of 14 vices that are actually somewhat virtuous and hopefully your day will improve! : http://

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Written 2/12/2012

I have finally reached my 24th year… It has not been easy, I have outlived my big brother, the one who was, in my mind, invincible. I am older than he was when he died almost three years ago.

In this year I will live a life that would make him proud. I will emulate the traits that made him irreplaceable: everyone’s best friend, an adventurer, compassionate, un-effected by petty drama, fearless, forgiving, accepting. self confidant, brave, calm, honest, filled with vigor passion and enthusiasm.

Every week I will break out of m shell, ignore the voice inside of me, telling me that it can’t be done and see the world for the both of us. I will laugh in the face of insecurity and self-doubt and understand that I am worth it. I will be confident enough to venture out alone, knowing that I am enough. That I can be be my own companion, that some adventures are best experienced alone, with all senses primed.

I will experience the outdoors, take advantage of the beautiful state in which I choose to live. Explore its wonders, challenge my inner strength. Explore and grow.

I will do the things we planned on doing together, snow shoe, climb a 14er, cross country ski… knowing that even though he was not able to accompany me, that he is there inside of me, in the person that he shaped my to be. I will be proud of myself, physically, emotionally and intellectually, knowing that I have used my strengths to their fullest potential. Pushing myself towards greatness, and eliminating the potential for regret.

I will nurture the relationships he started. Cherish the friendships I have made through him. Enjoy each day with with the beautiful people in my life and ensure that each relationship is not taken for granted. I will do my best to make everyone aware of just how spectacular they are, as well as how much I love them.

I will live this year as if it were my last, taking advantage of every opportunity with which I am faced, knowing that we are not promised tomorrow. I will live a life that would make him proud. Take advantage of my health, the beautiful state of Colorado and the beautiful people I have met along the way.

I will take on this year for the both of us, ensuring not a single regret will be had. For I alone have had the privilege of living this 24th year.

Coffee and cosmetics: Can caffeine improve your appearance? 

It tastes delicious and can get you moving in the morning, new research has even revealed that a daily cup of joe can be good for your health. Now studies indicate that it may even improve your appearance.

Green coffee extract and other caffeinederivatives are popping up on the ingredient lists of face cream and beauty products fordepartment and drug-store brands alike. Their claims: to firm skin, reduce celulite, reduce wrinkles and minimize sun damage. Is it just a fad, or can slathering coffee on your skin improve your looks? … [continue]  

As the Denver Coffee Examiner I wrote a review of one of the best coffee shops in Denver.  

The Income Gap

Women have come a long way since petitioning for the right to vote. We now have the freedom to work alongside men in any occupation of our choosing. The current generation of females is the most educated America has seen to date.  Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony and Dorothy Day would be so proud, but we aren’t there yet.


In 2011 women made up 49.3% of the work force, a sizeable jump from 1981’s 42%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This increase reflects lifestyle changes, possibly more than the progression of gender equality. Other statistics, however,  reveal, that even in this modern time, in the land of the free, women and men are still not treated equally.  

A report by the American Council on Education states that for 2010 graduates, the college enrollment rate was 74% for young women and 62.8% for young men. Similarly, women outnumbered men in graduate school enrolment by 9%. The drop out rate is also reportedly higher among male students.

This means that in 2014 and beyond, there will be a greater number of women holding degrees than men.

Despite an increase in both education and employment, the income gap remains. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 1979 women earned 62% as much as men. Today the income gap varies by age group with women ages 45-54 earning just 73.6% as much as men. The gap is smaller for younger generations with women ages 20-24 earning 92.3% as much as men.

This gap also varies by occupation, the worst industry being Financial Industries, in which, women earn 70 cents on the dollar when compared to men’s salaries. Other industries have smaller wage discrepancies, such as, hospitality at 84 cents to the dollar and construction at a nearly equal 92 cents.

Even women with Doctoral degrees earn on average $2,044 fewer dollars per month than men of the same educational status.

When will women be paid as much as men for doing the same job?

While the income gap has narrowed in the past few decades, the fact that gender discrimination is so readily and statistically apparent today, is inexcusable.

As time progresses, when women outnumber men in higher level positions, as they do in today’s universities, will equality ensue? If and when most corporation’s CEOs are women and those women are in charge of setting wages, will the income gap disappear?  For our daughter’s sakes, let’s hope so.

Photo from TCU Library.

I did a whole bunch of research to defend my coffee habit. (Photo: Getty Images)

Caffeine has been called America’s favorite drug and with good reason. Over half the population drinks coffee, America’s favorite caffienated beverage, daily. With all of that brewing, the question remains, is your morning cup of coffee bad for your health?

Here are the facts: [continue] 

#1-Ten Things We Could Learn From Children.

Adventurousness. The world is our oyster, yet some how we tend to get stuck in a rut.  Introduce a child to an empty house, or piece of land, and she will take off running. She is excited to see what new experience are in store. As adults, rather than exuberance, new places induce apprehension. If we change our mindset, we could see that unfamiliar territory  presents us with opportunities not burden.

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#2- Ten Things We Could Learn From Children 

Optimism. There is something about a child’s sunny disposition that is nothing short of enviable. Maybe it’s naiveté, after all, they have yet to be jaded by the daunting issues of maturity. Instead they maintain the hope that each year gets better, if being 5 was fantastic, age 6 has got to top it right?

The worst thing a person can do for themselves is dread the future. Good things happen to happy people. In the end, despite the pitfalls, life does keep getting better, if you let it.

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#3- Ten Things We Could Learn From Children 

Laughter. We laugh to be polite, or to seem witty, out of obligation, or even arrogance, but how often do we let go and really, truly laugh? That awkward loud, snorty or breathy laugh that takes you into silent mode for a few seconds and leaves you gasping for air. A belly laugh. The type that comes from sheer joy and disregards other people’s judgement. A child-like, uninhibited display of complete bliss. We would all be happier people if we did that more. 

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#4- Ten Things We Could Learn From Children

Trust. Betrayal is inevitable. As we grow older, we face broken promises and disappointment, we learn that people aren’t always who they seem and that not everyone is true to their word. As years go by, it seems that many of us become jaded, to avoid being hurt, we distrust others until proven otherwise. While caution is important (that’s why we tell our children to not talk to strangers) the world would be a friendlier place if we had a little more faith in one another, if we waited until someone gives us a reason to doubt them and saw new acquaintances as friends not enemies (This would be easier if we were all a bit more honest but that’s another post). 

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#5- Ten Things We Could Learn From Children 

Creativity. Pablo Picasso said, “All children are born artists, the problem is to remain an artist when we grow up.” Somewhere after the coloring books, play dough and the home-room doodles, we forget what it is to express ourselves.  Artistic ability is a gift in which some of us are much more adapt. Regardless of skill, however, there is something about being creative that is freeing. Take a pottery class, make a collage or do something to free you mind of structure deadlines and monotony.   

Harlequin by Pablo Picasso 

(Photo Credit)

#6- Ten Things We Could Learn From Children 

Energy. Kids do an awful lot of running, whether it’s at recess, towards the ice cream truck or from the bogeyman. They are always moving, dancing, jumping, squirming, fidgeting, rolling, sliding, skipping, swinging and so on. Kids are happy and full of energy partly because they are constantly in motion. We all know that an active body is a healthy body, and let’s face it, they only way to become “out-of-shape,” is through inactivity. In order to get fit, you need to get moving. Even though a child’s inability to sit still might be a problem during class, kids are usually happy people, and couldn’t we all use a bit more happiness? 

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