Category Archives: Beauty & Health

Forget the stereotypical spring cleaning. Let’s face it, your closet won’t stay organized for long anyway. This spring, take some time out to cleanse what’s truly important: YOU!

1. Ladies, shave your legs

Shaving below the knee can only count as fully shaving your legs for so long. A thorough leg shave never disappoints and often feels like a clean slate for your body. Indulge yourself in a long shower and get those legs feeling silky smooth. 

2. Rest

We all want it, but never get enough of it. Allow yourself to take a 30 minute nap during the day, or force yourself to go to sleep an hour earlier than you typically would. Your body will thank you for it, and you may be surprised at your change in energy levels. Getting enough rest is often more a matter of self-discipline, so be tough on yourself and make it happen. Continue reading →

Bikini season is right around the corner (dun dun dunnn) and with spring break quickly approaching, many of us feel the unnecessary pressure to modify our eating habits – or even worse, cease eating at all.

We are all aware the serious consequences that come from neglecting a balanced diet – we’re not going to preach that to you. But what if we told you a balanced diet really does mean balanced; that there is room for sweets – in moderation.

In December 2013, Shape magazine reported that the all-or-nothing mentality when it comes to dieting is proven not to work. If we try to eliminate all sweets, we run the risk of over-indulging when we eventually give in.

Think outside the box to satisfy that sweet tooth. Craving a cookie? Avoid buying a box of Oreos. Instead, purchase a single cookie from a bakery like Panera or Irving’s. That way when it’s done, it’s done. Continue reading →

It’s known that most boys aren’t the biggest experts in makeup and fashion. But it is true that boys aren’t completely clueless when it comes to these two topics. So how much do they really know? Valley hit the streets and picked the brains of some boys, and then gave them a grade in makeup and fashion knowledge.

Jacob Kline, Freshman

Product #1: L’oreal’s True Match Foundation

Jacob seemed to know this product right away, as he proudly stated “it’s to cover up. After you wash your face you put it on to keep the powdery stuff on.” Impressive, one point for you Jacob.

Product #2: Lorac’s Double Feature Highlighter and Concealer

With no label to look at, Jacob dubbed this product a “Tri-tool Eye Tool!” He said it was a nude lipstick with eye shadow primer as the Highlighter. In all honesty, it was impressive enough that he knew what eye shadow primer was. Eventually, Jacob decided it was a blemish coverer. We’ll give you a point just for your creativity.

Product # 3: Eyelash Curler

Without hesitation, Jacob knew this one.

Product #4: False Eyelashes

“It’s an eyelash thing.” Close enough, we’ll give that to you too.

After makeup, I asked Jacob what he thought of two fashion pieces: an avant garde Philip Treacy for Alexander McQueen hat (shown without the model) and a headpiece.

Alexander McQueen Hat: Completely confused, Jacob said this was probably a humidifier or better yet Lord of the Ring’s Eye of Sauron. Close, but wrong answer.

Alexander McQueen Headpiece: “This looks like something I would shoot while hunting…” Fair enough.

Grade: 4/6
Proficiency level: Middle School Girl

Centryll Scott, Freshman

Product #1: L’oreal’s True Match Foundation

“Looks like some foundation or something to fix up a zit. Truth be told, I don’t even know what this is. You put a lot of stuff on your face.”

Product #2: Lorac’s Double Feature Highlighter and Concealer

“Is this lipstick? This is no lipstick… Double feature lipstick?! Yeah, I don’t know what this is. This isn’t lipstick… I hope you’re using this smartly and well. Yeah, good job.”

Product # 3: Eyelash Curler

“This, I’ve used before, and it’s to pluck your eyelashes.” Completely horrified at the thought of “plucking your eyelashes,” we asked for more details. Centryll clarified saying “It’s to lengthen your eyelashes.” Glad we cleared that up.

Product #4: False Eyelashes

“Are these fake lashes? Do they even sell fake lashes? Oh my god, they sell fake lashes! Oh my god, do you glue these on?!” Cue Centryll’s disturbed facial expression.

Alexander McQueen Hat: “A fake looking fireplace… and there’s the grill, and the red stuff could be flames.” Upon realizing it was a clothing item, Centryll changed his answer saying it was a torso piece, but confused he stated “But no one’s neck is that small…”

We changed the headpiece to a famous Alexander McQueen Coat and we got an amusing response:

“That looks like a really expensive snuggie, like straight cashmere.”

Grade: 2/6
Proficiency Level: The Denver Bronco’s Super Bowl Play

Matt McLean, Freshman

Product #1: L’oreal’s True Match Foundation

Matt knew this one perfectly. One for one!

Product #2: Lorac’s Double Feature Highlighter and Concealer

Pointing at the concealer, Matt said “[The concealer] is for your lips so foundation won’t get on your tongue. [The highlighter] is for your eyelids… or your ears… because you don’t want your ears to look red.”

Product # 3: Eyelash Curler

“Now, that looks like some sort of torture machine… I’m pretty sure it’s for when you want to put on fake eyelashes or if you want to straighten your eyelashes. I would never trust this by me.” We then told him the possibility of ripping out your eyelashes with this product. Cue another disturbed face. We’ll give you that point for even touching the “torture machine.”

Product #4: False Eyelashes

“Fake eyelashes.”

Alexander McQueen Hat: “Like a hat. Or not a hat…yeah like a hat.”

Alexander McQueen Dress: “That looks like a fur coat… or a dress… Kind of looks like a rock though.” We would say a very fashionable rock.

Grade 5/6
Proficiency Level: A Macy’s makeup counter lady

Photo Credit:
Alexander McQueen Coat: Metropolitan Museum Blog
Alexander McQueen Hat: Vogue.co.uk
Alexander Headpiece: Metropolitan Museum Blog

In the spirit of St. Patty’s Day and all of the green things we’re sure to be eating and drinking—green pizza and beer anyone? Valley presents to you a healthier option: the Green Machine smoothie. With protein and two servings of vegetables and fruits all combined into one easy package, this is the easy, healthy alternative to the usual State Patty’s routine.

What You’ll Need:

1 Frozen Banana—peel before freezing!
1 Apple of choice (I used Honeycrisp)
1 Handful Spinach
1 Handful Baby Kale
1 Spoonful Peanut Butter (or other nut/seed butter of preference)
Water to thin

How To Make It:

1. Start by adding your spoonful of peanut butter to the blender, then add about a half a cup of water. Blend to make an easy equivalent to nut milk.

2. Chop the apple into medium chunks, add to the blender. Blend.

3. Cut up the banana into medium chunks. Blend.

4. Add the handfuls of spinach and kale. Blend until there are no more visible pieces of leaf.

5. If this is too thick for you, add water to thin.

6. Enjoy!

Note: This recipe is very customizable. If you want to use a different type of fruit, pretty much any fruit will taste good with this smoothie. You can’t taste the vegetables because of the nut butter and the banana, and if you wanted to add chia seeds, hemp hearts, oats, protein powder, or nut milk instead of water, that’s up to you and your taste buds!

Photos by Corinne Fierro

I wouldn’t consider myself a vegetarian, but sometimes I go through vegetarian phases. Or, I simply have no meat products left in my fridge and money’s tight. However, I still think it’s important to consume an adequate amount of protein with each meal. Therefore, I came up with an amazingly filling, healthy and delicious vegetarian breakfast sandwich.

Ingredients you’ll need:

Two slices of bread for the sandwich (I used a croissant)
Condiments for the bread (I used Grey Poupon Dijon Mustard)
Spinach Leaves
Veggie Burger (I used Dr. Praeger’s California Veggie Burgers)
One egg and butter for frying
One slice of cheese (I used Munster)
Avocado

What to do:

1. Slice your bread and toast if necessary.

2. Spread the condiments on bread.

3. Lay the spinach leaves on top of the bread slices.

4. Fry the egg on a skillet using butter, or a butter substitute, until it is cooked enough without solidifying the yolk.

5. Heat the veggie burger in a microwave for one minute and 30 seconds. Flip the veggie burger and lay the slice of cheese on top. Heat the two for another one minute.

6. Add the veggie burger with the cheese to one side of bread. Slice the avocado and add to your sandwich.

7. Remove the fried egg from skillet with a spatula and lay it on top of the avocado.

8. Place the final piece of bread with the spinach on top of your egg to close your sandwich. Cut in half, watch the egg yolk drip out and enjoy!

Photos by Anna Marmorstein