Borrow A Buddy

[newvibesupply-blog]

What Do Death, Failure, & Empathy Have In Common?

Blog IV:

In life, I have three things that remind me every single day why I should keep going and never stop. Although two of these three seem very morbid and sad, give me the chance to recognize why they may give you perspective on how beneficial facing these facts and not only accepting them, but embracing them could change your entire view of this crazy world we live in. The relationship between realizing that you are going to die one day, accepting the fact that failure is a part of life, and recognizing that the ability to be empathetic can be a turning point in life. Follow along and continue reading to learn more. Lets first dive into this whole crazy notion of some guy on the Internet writing a blog reminding me I am going to die one day. Although when you look at this fact of someone telling you that you will die one day on the surface seems very morbid and depressing. If you look a bit deeper into this concept, it will clear the smoke in your eyes as to why allowing yourself to fully realize and embrace this concept can be so beneficial and rewarding for you in the long run.

See, one thing that bothers me most about the majority of society is that we go through life as if there is no chance that today is our last day or almost as if we are guaranteed another life after this one. While I have mentioned this concept before, I never truly dug deep into why this is so important. However, similar to a previous blog, I am going to mention and acknowledge the fact that I in no circumstance or position want to challenge, involve, or make this a religious argument in any manner. Regardless of what you believe comes after life, whether that is a glorious golden gate or absolutely nothing, I do not care. Because for the sake of this concept, we can all agree that NONE of us are 100% certain that we know what comes. If we did then we also can agree there would be less arguments taking place around various religious beliefs. So, aside from our religious beliefs, we can all agree that nothing is promised or granted following the fact that we all die. Now this is where this concept becomes so relevant and applicable to your life, no matter who you are. As I mentioned earlier, the fact that so many people go through the motions day in and day out bother me. It is like we are robots doing the same thing every day because society told us that is what we should do until we die.

I challenge you, take a step back and do an evaluation of yourself. Are you truly happy? Is this life that you are living everything you would be doing if you truly grasped the concept that you are going to die one day and it is even possible that everything you have done may never matter? Leaving you with that, why would you do anything other than the things that make you and the people you care about happy? If there is one thing you take from this, PLEASE just realize that this is your one life that you know you will have. Take it by the horns and do things that make you happy and fulfilled in life.

Now that you took a minute to dive into that on a personal level, this brings us to our next topic that I want you to step back and realize. That is, you are going to fail. There is no way around it, no way to avoid it, and definitely no way to never let it happen to you. Failure is a pillar of life. Everyone does it, literally no exceptions. The beauty of failure is that it means something different to every single individual. Your parent’s definition of failure is not your friends definition or your definition or anyone else’s. Because we all have different definitions of how we count something as a failure or a learning lesson. Sometimes these lessons take some people a lot longer than others to realize. Regardless of how you define failure, that is not what I am worried about. The aspect of failing that I worry about is when failure becomes a fear of yours and hinders your ability to take risks and step outside of your comfort zone. So many of us fall victim to the thought or fear of failure hindering our ability to step out of our box and try something new or risky. Living this way will limit a lot of potential for success and possible happiness. While you of course have to be smart about the risks you take, you must be willing to accept risk and accept the possibility of failure to find true happiness. 

It will not always work out, that is guaranteed. However, that is also when it goes from simply being a failure, to being a learning lesson. If you try something new, take a risk, fail, at least you learned. You went out of your comfort zone, took that chance, and maybe it did not work out. Cool, you move on and keep pursuing new goals and aspirations and accept that you learned something from your past mistake. In no way should the possibility or the fear of failure be a crutch to the opportunity to try something new, take a chance, or do something that maybe would not normally be in your realm of experiences. It should be a challenge to test your mind, your intuition, and your ability to grow stronger as an individual. To bring it all together, I will leave you with this. You are going to fail, mistakes are going to happen and things are not going to always go as planned. That is a part of life, which is a part of growing as a human and learning your boundaries and from experience in life. However, please, do not ever let that possibility hinder you from trying something that has a lot of potential for success or provides the opportunity to learn and grow personally.  

The last, yet possibly most important aspect to recognize in both personal and professional relationships is that of empathy. To start off, empathy is defined as, “the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.” When you as an individual are truly able to empathize and feel the emotions and motivations of others that is when you can truly get ahead in life and the business world. People love the feeling of others feeling how they do. Whether that is sad, mad, angry, upset, or all the above, people want to know that someone else is feeling the way they are or we just end up feeling lonely. If you can empathize with someone in the business world, you can attract consumers and customers that otherwise would have been lost sales. Although so many people try to act “hard” in the business world, remember when I was one of the first to tell you that acting “hard” or “successful” is no longer the way to true success. Rather, people want to know that you know how they feel, tap in to their emotional side and make them feel as if you are on their team regardless of the situation. There is no losing when everyone feels as if you can relate to them.

In the business world specifically, this concept applies to both B2C and B2B. For B2B specifically, the business that you are dealing with wants to know that you have them in mind first. They want to feel as if you recognize their need to be successful and that you want to provide for that need to help them become a more successful company rather than them feeling as if you are helping them just for the monetary gain. This also goes for the B2C side, consumers want to know that the business has their best interest in mind to provide something that they need rather than the business is just trying to make money off of them. They want to know that the consumer is first in line of thoughtfulness to the business, rather than the monetary gain. In addition, empathy is what wins on the internal side of business. Employees want to know that upper management has their best interest in mind and wants to provide the best work experience and environment they can to make their employees happy. No employee wants to feel as if their management is just in business to hit their numbers and get their large salary and bonus at year end, rather they want to feel as if management has the long term success of the business and happiness of the employees and shareholders in mind.

To wrap it all up, to me there are only a few things that can lead to a life of true self-realization and happiness. First, recognize that this is your one shot you are guaranteed in life; don’t let it pass you by. Second, do not be hindered to try new things and take a chance by the possibility of failure. Last, be empathetic and put yourself in other people’s shoes. These three pillars will allow you to find happiness, live life to the fullest, and put life in perspective. 

[borrowabuddy-blog]

This was a very interesting post to read. I agree that we all go through life like robots, and no one pays much attention to why they are doing the same thing every day. I also like your point of failure being different to every person, and I like how you brought failure back to being a learning lesson. I thought your advice in your last paragraph was really good!

[clarisecocktails-blog]

Should the drinking age be lowered to 18?

           Do you think the legal drinking age should be lowered from twenty-one to eighteen? This has been under debate for many years. Since eighteen is the age that you legally become an adult in the United States, it is technically logical that one should also be allowed to drink. Eighteen year olds can purchase cigarettes, cold medicine, gamble with their money, and they can vote in government elections. So, should they also be allowed to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages?

Eighteen year olds are legally considered adults. The day you turn eighteen is the day the government legally recognizes you as an adult. You can vote in government elections and help decide the leaders of the United States of America. You can also enlist in the military and defend our country. You can also purchase cigarettes. One argument against lowering the legal drinking age is that it is harmful to the body at such a young age. However, is smoking cigarettes not as bad, or worse? Yet we make cigarettes legal and easily obtainable. It is easy for an eighteen year old to purchase cigarettes and smoke. Cigarettes are very bad for you. They cause your health to deteriorate and have been linked to causing cancer. So has alcohol. If we make cigarettes readily available and they are potentially worse for our health than alcohol, why would we not make alcohol readily available as well? Eighteen is the age that the government recognizes one as an adult, able to make important decisions regarding voting or joining the military. Why would we not treat these people as adults and give them access to all of the benefits that being an adult has to offer?

Other countries have a legal drinking age that is eighteen or below eighteen. The United States is one of the few countries where legal drinking age is as high as twenty-one. Many European countries, specifically Italy, have a legal drinking age of sixteen. These countries give out fewer underage drinking tickets and have less trouble with underage drinking in general than the United States. In the United States binge drinking is, sadly, a huge part of our culture. Kids as young as middle school age start binge drinking because it is perceived as a “cool” thing to do. In other countries around the world this is not the case. Because their legal drinking age is lower, people do not feel the need to binge drink in secret. They prefer to actually taste and enjoy the alcohol they are drinking. Drinking is not idolized in advertisements as it is in the United States. Students that travel abroad can sense the difference as well. I spoke to a friend that studied in Italy. She said that they would go out quite often on the weekends, and that the atmosphere was very different. In Italy you can drink wine when you are sixteen, and then you can legally consume hard liquor when you are eighteen. Most of the people at the clubs my friend went to were nineteen to twenty-three. There were not underage kids trying to sneak into bars with fake IDs. Because people can start drinking earlier, there is no reason to sneak in to clubs. No one has  to sneak drinking alcohol to feel cool.

Having the legal drinking age set to twenty-one can encourage underage drinking. The drinking culture in America is a large issue. This is extremely prevalent in college towns and on campus. College students do not turn twenty-one until their second to last or final semester in school. Many colleges have a culture that encourages binge drinking. For example, the University of La Crosse has Oktoberfest in the fall. Events like these encourage students to drink even if these students are not twenty-one. Underage people feel as though they have to participate, because if they do not they will miss out on something fun. During the Oktoberfest event, many underage drinking tickets are distributed by police, as well. Events like these are fun, but they encourage underage drinking and enforce the alcohol culture that we have in America. The fact that you do not turn twenty-one until your last semesters in college adds to this culture. People go downtown and to house parties when they are not supposed to, because you not only have fun but there is a sense of danger that goes along with it. Will we get caught? Will we get into this bar? Raising the legal drinking age would take away that sense of danger and take away some of the excitement of breaking the law while drinking underage.

Although many people believe that the legal drinking age should be lowered, there are many that disagree and some even think it should be raised. Those that think it should stay the same make the argument that eighteen year olds are not mature enough to make a reasonably logical decision, especially while under the influence. The brain is not fully developed until age twenty-five and allowing teenagers to drink would be aiding someone to stunt their development. Teenagers do stupid things and make dumb decisions, even without alcohol. With the legal drinking age set at twenty-one years old, teens still find a way to get alcohol. Whether they steal it from their parents or have a fake ID so that they can purchase some on their own, these are bad decisions. Teenagers have not fully developed the part of the brain that helps with good decision making. This means that under the influence of alcohol, not only do they not have a fully developed brain, but they also are more likely to make a bad decision that could haunt them for the rest of their lives.

A study done by the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugsfound that even though people still drink while they are underage, the drinking age is saving lives. They discovered that after the drinking age was raised in 1984 due to the National Minimum Drinking age act of 1984, traffic infractions from underage drivers under the influence of alcohol decreased. The amount of fatal car accidents with one of the drivers blowing a positive blood alcohol content decreased from fifty-seven percent among drivers ages sixteen to twenty. This is compared to a thirty-nine percent decrease for those drivers ages twenty-one to twenty-four, and nine percent for those twenty-five and older. This decrease in driving accidents where one of the drivers is under the influence of alcohol is highly significant. With just raising the drinking age by three years, thousands of lives were saved from the perils of drunk driving. Since teenagers do not have a fully developed brain that allows them to make good decisions, such as not getting behind the wheel of a car while under the influence, the raised drinking age literally saves lives every day and night.

Alcohol is expensive; even if you buy the cheapest bottle of liquor, over a long period of time you can end up spending thousands of dollars on alcohol. Teenagers that would be spending lots of money on alcohol if the drinking age was lowered to eighteen, can now save their money for important things. Examples of these would be things like college or saving enough to move out of their parents’ home. Since turning twenty-one, I have realized that I spend a ridiculous amount of money on alcohol each month. I do not even want to know the total because it might put me into shock. Since eighteen year olds are not as mature as a twenty-one year old, they would most likely spend more money on alcohol and possibly spend money when they do not have it. This could potentially cause them to go into debt. When you are buying a three dollar rail drink you do not consider how they add up over time. When you get your final bill at the end of the night you always have to ask that question “Did I really need that last Vodka Cranberry mixer?”. Keeping the drinking age at twenty-one discourages eighteen year olds from purchasing alcohol and wasting money that they should save for more appropriate items.

The American culture that encourages binge drinking could potentially be detrimental to teenagers and young adults. Even though you are considered a legal adult at the age of eighteen, you are not mature enough to make fast and good decisions about your well-being. Teenagers are more concerned with what is cool than what is morally right at times. Lowering the drinking age to eighteen would just aid degenerate behavior among teenagers in America. There are, however, reasons to consider lowering it to eighteen. Even though they are not mature, they are still legally considered adults by the American government, and so therefore should have all the rights that an adult is entitled too. What do you think? Should the drinking age be lowered from twenty-one to eighteen? Should it remain at twenty-one? Or, should it be raised to an age older than twenty-one?

[borrowabuddy-blog]

This was a really good topic to write your post on, since it is something that is questioned very often! The facts you provided on the drinking age being higher and how it has saved lives is very interesting and something not many people address when having this debate. I also think you had a good point when it comes to money!

[borrowabuddy-blog]

The Silent Hero: Dogs

There are 500,000 service dogs in the United States that help people every day. These dogs help in lots of ways from being people’s eyes, to helping with PTSD. These amazing dogs help to make it possible for people with disabilities to overcome the daily struggles of their disability.

Service dogs can be trained in many different ways, and most are specialized to help with their specific handler’s disability. It takes a very special dog to be a service dog and while any dog can be one, Labs, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepard’s are the three most commonly seen breeds. Today, I am going to discuss the many amazing tasks that service dogs can be trained to do.

1.       Guide Dog

I start with guide dogs because I believe this is one of the first types of service dogs that a person thinks of when they hear “service dog”. A guide dog is a dog that helps lead a visually impaired person to navigate through their daily life. These dogs are exceptionally trained since they are working as their handler’s eyes.

The Training:

It is estimated that a guide dog would cost about $50,000 initially. Handler’s usually receive their dogs through a program. These programs take puppies in and train them for about 18 months. The dogs generally enter the program at 8-10 weeks old, and many programs use Labs.

The puppies are selected based on the temperament they exhibit. They must be confident and healthy. These puppies are then sent off to be raised until they are about 16-18-months-old. The person who does the initial training will work on all the basic commands and begin taking the puppy to different public places. The trainer will work on keeping the puppy calm in various situations and getting the dog accustomed to the many things they will encounter. Not all dogs will make it through this stage. Dogs that make it through are generally extremely calm and trainable.

The dog then goes on to formal training. They are matched with a trainer who will reinforce all the commands that the dog will need to know on a daily basis. The dogs who make it this far generally love their jobs, and if they do not they will be removed from the program. The dogs will learn lots of things in this stage, such as stopping at all curbs, avoiding obstacles that could hit their handler in the head, and being comfortable on every type of public transportation.

Once the dog is ready, they have to train the handler which can take anywhere from 4-6 weeks. It is very important that a handler and their dog are comfortable with each other and working well together. If not, it can become very dangerous.

The guide dog training never stops. Some handlers will choose to teach their guide dog more commands but ultimately life throws new things at us every day, so a dog has to be ready for anything just like a human does.

Training a guide dog takes a long time, and it is extremely important that it is done right. Guide dogs give visually impaired people a new sense of freedom, and a friend who is always at their side.

2.       Emergency Medical Response Dogs

Just like guide dogs, medical response dogs can provide their handler with a new sense of freedom. Medical response dogs can respond to various events such as seizures and diabetes related blood sugar fluctuations.

These dogs are able to detect small changes in a person which allows them to alert their handler prior to their handler having an episode. They can detect changes in their handler’s odor and their handler’s behavior. Having this warning allows the handler to get to a safe place if they are at risk of fainting or having a seizure. If the dog is alerting to blood sugar, this allows the handler to try to get their sugar up or down before something worse may happen.

Having a dog that is trained to do this provides the handler with a peace of mind. They are able to go into public and go about their daily lives without having to worry about when they may pass out or have a seizure. Many dogs are even trained to locate their handlers medicine, if the handler needs it. Emergency medial alert dogs can be trained to alert their handler in many ways. Some are trained to find certain people by name, and others are trained to press a button.

On a side note, retrieving is one of the most important skills that service dogs have to be able to perform. This is why many of the service dogs that we see are Golden Retrievers or Labs.

In my opinion, emergency medical alert dogs are incredible, and I think they show just how amazing animals can be. These dogs are picking up on subtle cues that even humans are missing, and because they are so in tune with us they are able to help us to get less injured.

3.       Emotional Support Animals

Emotional support animals are different than guide and medical alert dogs because they are not considered service dogs and therefore do not have the same rights. An emotional support animal has to be prescribed to a person by their licensed mental health professional.

With that being said, these dogs are still incredible. They help their handler to have less symptoms of their mental or emotional disability. They help provide their handler with comfort and companionship. Dogs have been proven to help a lot with stress and anxiety. Many studies have shown that simply petting a dog alleviates stress and increases levels of oxytocin which is a stress reducing hormone.

It is important to keep in mind that emotional support animals are not granted the same rights as a service dog, and people who own an emotional support animal should not take advantage of the system.

Emotional support animals are phenomenal tools to their owners and it is amazing to see the results on how much these animals can help us.

4.       Police and Military Dogs

Police dogs are different from the other dogs that we have talked about because they service our entire community rather than a specific handler. K9 units have become much more prominent in the United States in the past few decades. An average K9 costs about $20,000 total just to enter the force. Tons of training has to go into these dogs and they become a vital asset to the police force once they are trained.

K9 units can do everything from casing down a criminal to sniffing out drugs or bombs. These dogs are paired with a K9 unit handler who is trained to take care of the dog and who is in charge of handling the dog. The handlers have to be highly trained because they have to be aware of all of the dog’s commands.

Many airports utilize dogs in their security checks. This helps keep the general public safe, and keeps traffic moving. Dogs actually speed the TSA checks along a lot quicker than machines can. German Shepards are the most common type of dog seen in police work, but Beagles are also often used for sniffing out drugs or bombs.

Military dogs are some of the most resilient working dogs. These dogs are typically German Shepards, Belgian Malamutes, or Labrador Retrievers. Just like police dogs, these dogs can detect various weapons and drugs. Having a dog that can sniff out a bomb can help to save many lives and these military dogs have become extremely important.

A fully trained bomb detection dog can be worth well over $150,000! That’s a ton of money, but to the dogs and handlers these dogs are priceless. Like a service or police dog, the military dogs have a handler who they generally stick with. This allows a dog to form a bond with a person and helps them to feel more comfortable with all the new places they have to go.

Another amazing fact is that these dogs are 98% accurate! And all they demand is a small treat or game of tug after they do their job! Military dogs are brought along on tons of missions. They even will go parachuting with their handler!

Police and military dogs both go through tons of training and have to be prepared for any situation. These dogs help keep millions of people safe every day. But, at the end of the day they are dogs just like our household pets. When they retire their handler gets the first option to adopt them. Staying with their handler makes it easier for them to switch into retirement.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, there are tons of different types of service dogs who go through way more training than most people are even aware of. It takes a special dog to be able to perform the tasks that these dogs perform, and many dogs do not fit the program. Every day, dogs are out in the world helping to keep people safe in many different ways. In my opinion, dogs are definitely some of the silent heroes in our lives, do you agree? Would your dog have what it takes to be a service dog?

[vitabenedetta-blog]

Travel Eats

Good news! Traveling has been scientifically proven to increase happiness, decrease depression, and chill you the F out. While it is important to be grounded, traveling is a big part of finding out who you are and what environment fuels your inner fire. Plus, experiencing different cultures is invigorating AF. So for all of you that want to get out and explore the borders of this world, I have put together a travel eats guide to all the fabulous food from your home base and beyond. Enjoy! 

The Guide 

$: least expensive 

$$$: most expensive 

Apothik Food Truck $ 

La Crosse, WI 

Calling all Lax residents! Apothik Food Truck is a must try during the summer and fall seasons. The lovely humans behind the truck value: supporting local businesses and farmers while serving up delicious food! The menu changes each week to reflect seasonality and availability of different ingredients, so if you see something you like on the menu, make sure to get it while you can. You can find them at the Cameron’s Park farmer’s market, affordable and in walking distance for all you fellow college students.☺ 

My go-to: CHEESY MAC! 

5 Cheese Sauce, Diced Tasso Ham, Fresh Herbs, Crispy Crumble, Diced Bacon

CINCO DE TACO 

Chipotle Chicken, Chopped Kale, Roasted Hot Sauce, Lime Cilantro Crème, Pineapple Pico De Gallo, Melted Pepper Jack, Corn Tortilla 

The Mint $$ 

La Crosse, WI 

Oh you fancy huh? The aesthetics at The Mint are on point. Everything from the furniture, to the glassware, and to the food is practically flawless. Toto, I don’t think we are in La Crosse, WI anymore. This is truly an experience you do not want to miss out on. Teaming with The Root Note, The Mint is a farm to table restaurant serving up all the local goods right to your plate. If you are on a budget, I highly recommend taking advantage of Sunday Craft Cocktail night. The craft cocktails are only $5 and appetizers are on sale. 

My go-to: CHARCUTERIE/CHEESE 

Chef’s Daily Selections, Pickles, Mustard, Bread

A LITTLE ROSY

Letherbee Gin, Grapefruit Crema, Grapefruit, Rosemary Syrup, Peychaud’s Bitters 

NAKED AND FAMOUS  

Vida Mezcal, Yellow Chartreuse, Aperitivo Select, Lime 

Howie’s On La Crosse $ 

La Crosse, WI 

A La Crosse classic (most likely right outside your door step). Howie’s has great grub, drinks, games, staff, and an awesome patio. If you have not been I am honestly concerned. Oh, and do I even need to mention the bloody mary bar. YUM! Happy Hour is the perfect time to put down your schoolwork and head over for some student deals. I mean we are only students for four years, so we might as well soak up the discounts while we can. You are bound to run into some of your classmates working at Howie’s and most likely some of your professors throwing one back at the bar. There are enough TV’s at Howie’s that you will never miss a second of your favorite games. 

My go-to: THE ALL AMERICAN 

Cheddar Cheese, Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion, Garlic Mayo, Sweet Potato Fries 

STRAWBERRY MARGARITA 

Ecker’s Apple Farm $ 

La Crosse, WI 

Because what is better than a caramel apple tossed in M&M’s? Ecker’s Apple Farm is stunning to say the least. Plan on spending the afternoon. With a beer garden, live music, apple picking, yard games, and plenty of grub you are not going to want to leave. Their mission is to bring you unique, quality craft beers from around the country and serve them up cold while you take in the view of the beautiful farm. I’M DOWN. It is a fall destination in La Crosse. 

My go-to: M&M CARAMEL APPLE 

APPLE PIE AND ICE CREAM 

Black Coffee and Waffle Bar $$ 

Minneapolis, MN

Did someone say waffles? These waffles are like no other. They are seriously FUNKY and out of this world. The interior of Black Coffee and Waffle Bar provides an awesome space for students to chillax and enjoy a drink and a waffle. I mean, what could be finer? Every month they introduce a new specialty waffle. I promise, the drive is worth the overpriced waffle and the Instagram picture that comes with it! 

My go-to: STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE 

Cheesecake, Strawberries, Graham Crackers, Whipped Cream 

Hola Arepa $$ 

Saint Paul, MN 

Started from a food truck now we here. The vibes up in this joint will take you away on a Latin destination vacation. The specialty here: Venezuelan stuffed arepas! Arepas are made from cornmeal dough, formed into patties and cooked on a griddle. Then, they are stuffed with meats, veggies, cheeses, and topped with homemade salsas! Their mission is to make food from scratch with a whole lot of love. I recommend sitting on the patio in the sunshine! 

My go-to: FRIED BRUSSEL SPROUTS 

Tamarind Vinaigrette, Housemade Chorizo Sausage, Pepitas, Caramelized Onion Jam, Manchego, Radish 

CHIPOTLE CHICKEN AREPA 

Tomato, Sweet Corn Salsa, Citrus Onion, Radish, Arugula, Chipotle Aioli, Yuca Fries 

Pig Ate My Pizza $$ 

Robbinsdale, MN 

Besides like the cutest name for a pizza place ever, Pig Ate My Pizza was named one of the best pizza places in the US by Time and Food & Wine magazines! They are serving up rotating craft pizzas and over 16 local tap brews! The atmosphere is unexplainably awesome, so you will have to go check this one out yourself. Checkout their website for a little sneak peak (the marketing is phenomenal). 

My go-to: PIGGY PIE 

Deep Dish Meat Lovers! Brioche Crust, Pork Lovers Sausage, Pepperoni, Bacon Emulsion, Toasted Black Pepper Fennel, Oregano

Velvet Taco $ 

Chicago, IL

Let’s taco bout it people! In the heart of the windy city, Velvet Taco is a counter service setting, whipping up some of the most BOMB margaritas and tacos on this planet. With over twenty varieties of tacos, they will assure that you have never had a taco like this. At Velvet Taco, food is art. Let’s go, the flavors await. 

My go-to: FISH N’ CHIPS 

Curry Mayo, Malted French Fires, House Shred, Beer Battered Atlantic Cod, Pea Tendrils, Flour Tortilla 

BUFFALO CHICKEN 

Crisp Tenders, House Buffalo Sauce, Danish Bleu Cheese, Ranch Crema, Carrots, Micro Celery, Flour Tortilla 

Real Good Juice Co. $$$ 

Chicago, IL 

Itching for something a little healthier to cure your Sunday scaries? You have found the place. Real Good Juice Co. serves up good juices and smoothies that are organic and locally sourced. The juices are cold pressed which means they retain 100% of the enzymes, vitamins, and minerals. The company is a huge supporter of Chicago’s Old Town community and contributes a percentage of juice sales to local charities! They don’t stop at serving juice. They also sell bowls, a variety of toasts, salads, and shots. It’s a Win Win. 

My go-to: YUM YUM IN MY TUM TUM 

Banana, Cacao, Almond Butter, Almond Milk, Honey 

Firecakes Donuts $$

Chicago, IL

Hellzzz to the yeah! These donuts are on fire! Firecakes believes that everyone can use a sweet treat to get them through the day. With the craziest flavors, your taste buds will be wanting more. These donuts are fried in a large cast iron pot of oil over an open fire and sprinkled with all the sugar and goods one could ask for. They even have gluten free and vegan donuts! 

My go-to: DONUT ICE CREAM SANDWICH 

Summer House Santa Monica $$$ 

Chicago, IL 

An escape to the warmth and laid-back vibes of the West Coast. The atmosphere is beachy AF. They promise that no matter the season, no matter the weather, you will be transported to the warmth of California at Summer House. I felt like I was Serena van der Woodsen from Gossip Girl, no lie. If you have ever dreamed of your bridal shower, this is that dream. To be honest I barely paid attention to my meal, I was too caught up looking around at all the VIBES. 

My go-to: RICKY BOBBY 

Hank’s Vodka, Fresh Grapefruit Juice, Lime, Strawberry Air

San Giorgio Pizzeria $$ 

Milwaukee, WI 

Neapolitan pizza dough, made fresh in seconds, right before your eyes in a wood-fired oven! I have had a lot of pizza in my life, and this is by far my favorite. That is saying something people, you must go. The chef sits five feet in front of your table while throwing dough and firing up some incredible ZAA. Head Chef Gino Fazzari made this an unforgettable experience (he even bought my boyfriend and I special shots on the house). I would go back a million times. 

My go-to: MARIA CARMELLA 

San Marzano Tomato, Fresh Fior Di Latte Mozzarella, Prosciutto, Fresh Basil, Arugula, Extra Virgin Olive Oil 

Logan House Coffee Co. $ 

Denver, CO 

The vibes are too real people. This place is like an indoor farmer’s market. Make sure you give yourself enough time to really explore. The staff members are super DOPE and are jazzed about talking coffee with customers. 

My go-to: NUTELLA LATTE WITH ALMOND MILK 

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory $ 

Vail, CO 

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! You will never want to get ice cream elsewhere after trying Rocky Mountain. This is mainly because of the cones. Have you ever seen something so beautiful? In the heart of Vail Village you will feel like the cutest snow bunny with one of these cones in hand and the mountains right above your head. If you are a chocoholic you NEED to check this out. 

Blue Moose Pizza $$ 

Vail, CO 

Want to eat pizza while looking out at the Vail Village Slopes? Yeah, me too. This was some of the most exotic pizza I have ever had. Flavor overload in the best way possible. If you go during off-season you won’t even have to wait for a table. 

My go-to: AUTUMN PIZZA 

Sautéed Mushrooms, Truffle Oil, Parsley, Parmesan, Garlic, Olive Oil, Mozzarella, Goat Cheese 

Finale

Now that your taste buds are basically exploding, it is time to get out and explore. Gas up your vehicle, book that plane ticket and Airbnb and be on your way. The flavors await! If you try any of my suggestions make sure to tag #vitabenedetta and let me know about the fabulous foods. 

Until next time. What are some of your favorite travel eats? Comment below.

[borrowabuddy-blog]

I like how you structured this post! It was super easy and fun to read and has lots of good food suggestions. The food pictures also looked really good! I will have to try some of these places because they sound really good! I especially think the Ecker’s Apple Farm looks good, and I did not even know it existed.

[clarisecocktails-blog]

How to Save Money At The Bars

           Have you ever calculated how much money you spend on alcohol annually? I personally have not as I know the amount would be more than I would like. However, a study was done, and it found that amount the average college student spends is staggeringly high. It is estimated that college students spend over 5.5 billion dollars on alcohol per year. Per month the range varies from fifty dollars to six hundred dollars spent. Which would be a little over one thousand dollars per year. This would mean that by the end of your four years at college you have spent over four thousand dollars on alcohol alone. Thinking about how often I go downtown or enjoy a drink with dinner, that number makes me cringe. Many college students are broke but still want to go downtown and have a few drinks with their friends. Here are four easy ways to save money on alcohol while in college.

1.    Focus on Deals

Many have deals that involve a dollar off drinks or buy one get one half off tap beers. In downtown, La Crosse most college bars have a happy hour where all drinks are half off. Some bars have even gone so far to have dollar everything deals. This is where literally every drink at the bar is only a dollar. Deals like these really help broke college students still have fun while also being conservative with their money. Many bars and restaurants have drinks that you can get in either a large or a small glass. The large glasses are usually twice the size but only one dollar more expensive. It is fiscally responsible to get the larger drink. If you are going to have more than one small drink you might as well pay less and get the same amount with the larger drink. Certain bars will also sell pitchers for the price of one large rail drink. This is another amazing deal that will be delicious and also keep you from going over your budget. Grocery stores will have sales that will decrease the price of alcohol. Pay attention to these. They are usually deals on really nice and sometimes fairly expensive alcohol. With this deal, you have the luxury of expensive alcohol for the price of cheap liquor. All of these deals are great because you get the fun of going to a bar and drinking without breaking the bank.

2.    Buy the Cheaper Bottle of Liquor

Let us be honest. No one likes drinking cheap liquor but sometimes our budgets do not allow us to buy the good, expensive bottles. Just because you cannot afford to buy premium alcohol does not mean you have to buy the bottom of the barrel, cheapest you can find bottle. A medium priced to low priced bottle is not too expensive and is also not a bad bottle of liquor either. If you are buying beer or wine coolers, pay attention to the price and how many are in the pack. Sometimes a six pack is only a dollar or two cheaper than a ten or twelve pack. If this is the case buy the twelve pack because chances are you will eventually want more than six. They last and do not need to be consumed all in one night. If you only plan on drinking wine coolers or beer, they have tall 25 to 32 ounce cans. I have seen these for as cheap as two dollars. They last only one night but they are cheap and just as good as a six pack.

If you do not want to buy a medium priced bottle for better tasting alcohol, I recently discovered a new trick. Buy a cheap bottle of vodka, for example, Fleishman’s. Then buy a water filter. Pour the cheap vodka into the water filter. This will filter out the vodka giving a better taste. This is why more expensive alcohol tastes better, because it is filtered more. This will create the illusion of better tasting vodka while paying very little for it. The water filter might be expensive initially but overtime you will get your money back from buying the cheapest bottle of vodka versus a better tasting more expensive bottle. Another way to mask the taste of cheap liquor would be to buy a non-alcoholic beverage to mix it with. Depending on the ratio of alcohol to mixer, your beverage will taste better and you will not get the after taste that comes with drinking it straight.

3.    Pay with Cash and Do Not Start A Tab

Many people get caught downtown at a bar with no cash on them. This creates another problem: Bar minimums. Some bars require you to pay in cash for a bill under ten dollars. If this happens and you only have a credit or debit card on you, you then have to go to an ATM machine and make a withdrawal. Usually there is at least a three dollar charge for a withdrawal. This is just a waste of money. If you do not want to make that withdrawal but still have no cash, then you have to open up a tab. This becomes dangerous because it can feel like you are not paying for the drinks you get but then you get the bill at the end of the night and it is much more than you were anticipating spending. Bringing a specific amount of cash downtown and spend only that much. This is a smart way to not go over your budget. Leave your debit or credit card at home. Even having it with you downtown opens up the possibility to get food at the end of the night that you probably do not need and will regret eating in the morning. Bring only cash and all of these extra charges can be avoided completely.

4.    Pregame the Bars

Pregame is a term most college students use. It means to have some drinks before going out to the bars therefore, you are a little tipsy before getting there. One obvious way to save money at the bars is to have some drinks before them. This way you are in charge of how much you drink, how strong your drinks are, and how much you spent on the alcohol. If you pregame the bars, then you are less likely to spend a lot of money at them because you are already drunk. I suggest to start pregraming at the earliest an hour and a half before you go. This way you are close to the time you are leaving to go downtown and you will still have your buzz by the time you leave. Rail mixed drinks are usually three dollars and if you tip your bartender, which you should, they are more expensive than that. Other bars that are not specifically meant for college kids are more expensive. If you are just going out for one drink, I would not suggest pregraming as you should get at least one drink at the bar you are at as courtesy of the bartender. Having a pregame reduces the amount you spend at the bar by a lot depending on how much you drink beforehand. It is a smart way to save some money at the bars while still going out and having a good time.

5.    Do Not Go Out to The Bar Every Night

The most obvious way to save money at the bars is to not go to them every night. Some college students will go the bars three or four nights a week. This can really break the bank and cause you to go over your budget for the week, especially if no deals are going on. Staying in for the night completely eliminates the cost of going out and keeps the money in your pocket. You are not buying drink after drink or getting unnecessary food at two in the morning. I would suggest minimizing going out to one or two nights a week max. This way you still get to go out and have fun at the bars while not spending as much money as before. If you do not go to the bars all weekend you potentially save a lot of money for groceries, rent and other important expenses. If you would still like to go out more than once or twice a week, the other four suggestions will help you save money while going out.

All of these suggestions will help you save money while still having a good time with your friends. Living by these five points will help you improve on creating a plan to help save your money throughout college and life in general. Going to the bars and getting a drink is part of the American culture but it does not have to break the bank and cause you to go over budget. We all like to have fun after a hectic day or week at work. Why not try to save some money while doing it?

[borrowabuddy-blog]

This was a really interesting article and you have lots of great tips! I like tip number 3 about leaving your debit or credit card at home! I think your point of focusing on deals is also a good one. You mentioned lots of good deals that many people could benefit from partaking in.

[borrowabuddy-blog]

Labs, Golden Retrievers,        Yorkies…Oh My!      Which Dog is Best For Me?

Big, small, hairy, hypoallergenic, high energy, loud, quiet….the list goes on and on. There are loads of dog breeds to choose from. There are currently 187 recognized breeds by the American Kennel Club, but there are tons of mixed breeds too. So, how is anyone supposed to choose what breed of dog to get? This post will touch base on some dog breeds and what types of lifestyles they would be best suited for.

In my life I have had two dogs. One was a Schnauzer mutt that we purchased for $50 out of the back of a pickup truck and the other, my current dog, is a Schnauzer-Yorkie mix who was a lot more than $50. Both of my dogs weighed less than 20 pounds, and both have made great family dogs. My Schnauzer-Yorkie has lived with 5 kids. When we purchased her our ages ranged from 13 to 3 years old. Typically, small dogs are not recommended for households with young children. While I believe this is a good rule of thumb, I also believe that if the children are properly supervised and the dog has the right temperament it all works out ok. The first breeds that I will touch base on are breeds that many people view as family dogs.

1.      Lab and Golden Retriever

The Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever, two of the most well-known dog breeds. These are commonly the go to family dogs. They are known for being incredibly gentle and good with children.

This past year, a new challenge started based on how gentle a Golden Retriever is. This was the egg challenge, where an owner would place an egg in a dog’s mouth and the dog would not crack it. Later on, it was proven that any dog was capable of this, not just Golden Retrievers. I believe that this viral challenge proves how highly society thinks of Golden Retrievers.

Golden Retrievers and Labs are also in lots of movies which depict them as a family dog. In addition to being great family dogs, they are also good hunting dogs. Retrievers are active but also like to cuddle with their owners. They do shed a lot, so this is something to keep in mind if you are considering one. Labs and Goldens both come in lots of color variations. Labs generally come in black, yellow, or chocolate. Although, there are variations to this such as fox red or silver. Goldens also come in a few color variations. These include: cream, golden, dark golden, and light golden. Goldens tend to live up to 12 years, and Labs live up to 14 years. Labs get up to 71 pounds and Goldens get up to 75 pounds. Furthermore, both of these dog breeds are easy to train and generally get along well with other animals. They are often referred to as good dogs for first time owners.

So, are these the right dogs for you?

Yes- If you are looking for a larger, active family dog with color variations who would be simple to train and love all people then this is the dog for you.

No- If you do not want to deal with shedding, a lot of slobber, high energy, and a shorter life span then this is not the dog for you.

On a side note, if you really like these breeds but do not want to deal with shedding a doodle might be perfect for you! This is a Golden or a Lab mixed with a Poodle. This allows for less shedding, but still makes for a great family dog!

2.      Yorkshire Terrier

As I mentioned earlier, my dog is half Yorkie. My family’s joke is that this is the difficult half. I have a friend who has two Yorkies, and another friend with one. The common theme we all agree on is that they are very stubborn. They are terriers; therefore, they love rodents and love to chase them. A lot of them do not do well when alone for extended periods of time, but there are ways to train them, so they do not develop separation anxiety. They are one of the few smaller dog breeds that is recommended for a first-time dog owner, and they adapt well to apartment living. Yorkies do not do well in extreme weather conditions. My own dog will choose to not go outside if it is raining or extremely cold. Yorkies are also not the best family dog, as they are not a huge fan of other dogs or strangers.

For being a small dog, they still require a lot of exercise. They are a high energy dog and need to be walked daily or they get stir crazy. They also are extremely playful. They enjoy a game of fetch or tug of war as much as a big dog does.

Yorkies stay around four to six pounds and shed very minimally. They can come in a few different colors. These include: black and tan, blue and tan, black and gold, blue and gold. Ultimately, their colors do not vary too much, and Yorkies pretty much have the same common look about them. A huge downside is that they tend to be extremely yappy and suffer from small dog syndrome.

Is a Yorkie the right breed for you?

Yes- If you want a small, non-shedding dog who still is very active then this is the dog for you.

No- If you are not a fan of yapping, have small children, want more color variations, or do not have much time for an active dog then this is not the breed for you.

3.      Beagle

Beagles are one of those dog breeds that everyone just knows. They are used as police dogs and they have starred in many movies. They are smaller in size and weigh up to 22 pounds. They are known for being excellent family dogs. Beagles are amazing with kids, other dogs, and strangers. Generally, they show very little aggression towards anything in their life.

Beagles can be difficult to train due to their stubbornness. The combination of their own intelligence and high prey drive does not help when attempting to train them. Just like a Yorkie, Beagles tend to be extremely vocal. Despite being difficult to train they do make decent dogs for first time dog owners, and they do adapt well to apartment living. Beagles do not do well when left alone, and they do not tolerate cold weather well.

Beagles are very high energy and require a lot of vigorous activity to keep them from becoming destructive. They love to play and will play with their owner 24/7 if they are allowed to. Beagles come in a few color variations. These include: lemon and white, tri-color, chocolate tri, white and chocolate, red and white, and orange and white. They do shed, but not too much. Overall, Beagles are one of the top family dogs.

Is a Beagle the right dog for you?

Yes- If you want a small sized but still active and great family dog then a Beagle is perfect for you.  

No- If you want a quiet dog who is simple to train then a Beagle is not for you.

4.      Mutts

The final “breed” I am going to discuss is a mutt. Mutts are any combination of recognized breeds. Mutts range from “Designer Dogs” to just plain mutts. Designer Dogs include breeds such as Teddy Bears (Bichon Frise X Shih Tzu), Maltipoo (Maltese X Poodle), Mini Goldendoodle (Miniature Poodle X Golden Retriever), and so on. The list could go on forever. Plain old mutts are dogs that you see that have been dumped at a shelter or stray dogs that have bred amongst themselves. These mutts could have a whole mix of things in them. I have a friend whose dog is a mutt and he is a Chihuahua, Boxer, Lab mix. This is not a combination that normally would be sought after, but he is still a wonderful dog.

Mutts tend to be great dogs. They can be all sorts of sizes. Some shed, and some may not. You just never know what you will get with a mutt. Many people gravitate towards mutts because they are what is primarily seen in an animal shelter. Unlike a purebred, there are no breed norms to a mutt because they can be any combination under the sun. Believe it or not, not having breed norms is a selling point to many people.

Not having a single breed is a selling point because it allows a dog to get the best of a combination of breeds. Take a Goldendoodle for example, these dogs are technically mutts. When they first became popular people paid a lot of money and were on waitlists to be able to own one. People are in love with the Golden Retriever attitude combined with the Poodle brain and the little to no shedding. Goldendoodle owners will tell you that their mutt is truly the best of both worlds.

Shelter dogs are also highly thought of. Many people like the fact that they are rescuing a dog who may have otherwise been put down. Our family vet has told us that he finds rescued animals to be nicer. He believes this is because the animal appreciates the life they have after the shelter. Whether this is true or not, shelter dogs do make wonderful pets. A person can pick out the size they want, the color they want, the activity level they want, and the age they want just by simply walking into a shelter. Shelter dogs also tend to be cheaper than purchasing a dog from a reputable breeder, and they are always up to date with their vaccinations and any other medical care they may have required.

Is a mutt the right dog for you?

Yes- I personally believe that mutts, especially shelter dogs, are great for any family and it is nice to give a dog a chance.

No- If you want a specific breed then this is not the dog for you.

These are only five types of dogs. There are many more dog breeds that I did not even touch base on. Before purchasing a dog, make sure you do your research, so you and your dog can live a long and happy life together. What is your favorite dog breed?

[myheadquarters-blog1]

...to which house do you go?

This week’s blog post tackles the four major options of where to live after you graduate. Further analysis and personal experiences described throughout this entry may enhance your thoughts on what to do once you receive your diploma.

After my first blog post, “Over the river and through the…”(https://bit.ly/2ILbfYe), it daunted on me that some people may not realize the numerous options they have after college. I thought I would touch base on the most realistic options for after you graduate. After brainstorming and researching, I came up with these 4 viable options on where to live:

1. With your parents 2. To a new city 3. Stay remote near your college town 4. Abroad

Okay, so let’s start with the first option: living with your parents. As most of you already know, talk about a HUGE money saver. This by far is the biggest plus to this option. Definitely not the most appealing option on the list, but could very well be the smartest. Although no kid truly wants to live with their parents after they graduate, living with them to save up money to afford a place of your own may be your best option.

This is a good idea if you are still applying for jobs and are unsure of where your career will take you. You are able to look and interview without signing a permanent lease that may not be close to your job. Take this option as an idea for your final safety net—the last time your parents will truly hold your hand.

This being said, adjusting to a non-independent lifestyle is going to be the biggest challenge. We all know that our parents love us, but boy do they drive us crazy! Can you handle 6 months living with them before you figure things out? I do not recommend trying, as these other options can outweigh the cons of this one.

So maybe moving back home does not necessarily give you a sense a joy, so you want to try to move to a new city. Most college students already make the transition of moving away from where they grow up when they attend their first year of college. That makes this option less stressful and maybe makes you more willing to spread your wings even further.

You and your friends could gravitate towards the same place, or maybe a significant other has this influence on you as well. This option is extremely exciting, but also very expensive! Consider spending your last year of college saving up to move come graduation.

If you get a new job offer in a new city and that is the only thing holding you back from taking in, my advice is to just go for it. If you don’t try you will never know if you don’t like it. You can always move back! We are at the age in our lives where these opportunities to relocate do not always come up. Just think, when you start having kids, and get settled, it is harder to pick up everything and just move. Take the opportunity while you are young and independent to try something different.

Money can be an issue, as moving and relocating makes you more financially independent, and bills and other expenses will start adding up. Like I said, start saving up your money, maybe even investing a little bit (I love the app Acorns—it has been a really valuable tool to save up and invest!).

Ultimately this is a good option if the job market in the location you are moving to is HOT. With the recent economy boost, the job market is the hottest it has every been—having the most jobs available of all time. So if you graduate come December (like me!) or May, you are in a perfect position for relocation.

Make sure that this location is relevant to your interests, the weather is accustoming to your needs, and your parents are still willing to help you out just a little. Build up your savings and take a change with this option, you’d be surprised where it takes you.

Maybe the idea of leaving the place you now call home, your college town, would just be way too hard for you to do. Depending on where you went to college, this idea may seem to make total sense. You fell in love with this new area, all your friends are here and maybe settling in this city as well. You definitely won’t be the only one who sticks around after graduation.

While this option is good, don’t just choose it because it is the easy way out. Say you graduate in December, and have a lease for your apartment or house that goes until June. Do you just stay? The answer is no. Be sure to stay if you have a valid reason, or truly want to start your career life there. You may have gotten a job opportunity from an internship you have had there since your sophomore year. In that case, it would be a great opportunity to keep growing within a company and city you are familiar with.

If you aren’t sure where to go next, and maybe don’t have the motives to just pick up and move everything to start a new life, this may be the option for you. You can stick around for a year or two, but keep in mind that your body and mind will soon outgrow that college life party stage. Being surrounded by people who have your old habits may come annoying, or at least it would to me.

If you’re like me, the thing making you want to stay is not necessarily something, but someone. Recently finding my other half, the thought of having to move far away from my boyfriend after I graduate a semester earlier than him, puts a hole in my heart. Currently living apart from him during the summer as we both pursue internships on opposite sides of the state, is already hard enough. Do I stay for the semester and just work and apply to jobs? We will see, but no matter what, follow your heart!

Okay, so maybe all these options sound okay but nothing is jumping out at you, it sounds like you are ready for the next kind of adventure. Going abroad might then be the option for you. If your like me, your recent study abroad experience has made you crave more adventure.

Post-graduation is a great time to travel and see the world. This can also be a great thing to put on resumes, and to talk about in your interviews. Employers love to here about how you are more culturally diverse and just lessons that you learned in general from seeing another country or place.

Don’t just keep travelling on your mind, as now that you have your degree, it can be much easier to work in a foreign country. Maybe you want to put your second language skills to the test and work in a country that can you can benefit from in that way. However, there are many other options for work in English-speaking countries as well. Find a job that has some sort of relation to you or what you want to end up doing. What if you’re not sure of what you want to do? Going abroad and trying different jobs, or even just immersing yourself in different cultures can totally influence what you may want to do with your degree.

It wasn’t until I studied abroad in Spain during the summer going into my third year of college that I realized I wanted to work with housing design in some sort of way. The architecture and the delicate detail in every inch of that country inspired me to look for an internship that I can put my creative mind, along with my Marketing skills to the test. Landing an internship with Kohler Company as a trade and design service intern exceeded any expectation I had in getting into this field.

This option of going abroad, might be the one for you. If you are unsure of the job you want, and you have travel funds, then go. My advice is to just travel with a friend or someone who is in the similar position as you. This can make this less scary and more exciting.

You are given these ultimate four options (although there are probably many more that I am just forgetting), how are you going to choose? This goes back to my first blog post, the most important thing you can do is research. Look up your different options, read different blogs (and mine of course), to get inspiration for what to do next.

No matter what, do what your heart is telling you to do. Now is the time in your life where you are able to make mistakes, and maybe poor decisions. The thing is, sometimes you don’t know the outcome of a decision until you actually make it and go out and do it. Take this opportunity of being young and free to put yourself out there! I promise you won’t regret it.

What option will you choose?

[borrowabuddy-blog]

I really liked reading through your post! I think this is a topic that is always on a lot of people’s minds. I agree that moving back in with parents is a good way to save money, but not an ideal living situation. I think your tip of not staying in your college town just because of a lease is also a good tip. I also thought that you touching base on doing things now while you’re young is great advice and very true!

[clarisecocktails-blog]

Big Beer or Craft Beer?

Beer is a large part of the American Culture. The music industry and advertisements paint a picture of having an ice-cold beer after a long day at work or drinking one outside on a hot day by the beach. Almost always, friends are around and everyone is having a good time. Many people drink beer at bars, at home, or at a friend’s house. But is the beer they are drinking actually good? Or, is it possible have they never had a good beer? Big beer companies like Miller-Coors and Budweiser are destroying the craft beer industry. Most people will swear by one particular kind of beer. My mom swears she loves Bud Light. However, I would bet money that if I did an experiment with her and blocked the labels of the beer before she drank it, she would not be able to taste the difference. Experiments like this have been done before with random people and they have found those exact results. Beer from the Big Beer companies essentially all taste the same.

           Some people got fed up with drinking watered down beer so they started brewing their own. This started the craft beer industry. They started brewing beer the right way and adding more hops, spices and their own ingredients to make a variety of delicious beers. This has directed a huge hit to Big Beer’s sales. Miller and Coors have teamed up to create Miller-Coors and Budweiser has started undermining craft brewers. Budweiser has started purchasing craft breweries in order to stay on top. They keep a close eye on craft breweries that will not give in and sell. With these companies, Budweiser does something that could be seen as spiteful. If a craft brewer releases a new flavor of beer, such as an apple ale, and that drink is doing well in the market, they will release their own apple ale. It will be cheaper than the craft beer and they also will not put as much time and effort in the ale to make it taste good. Therefore, people will buy Bud’s apple ale because it is cheaper and they recognize the name. They will then not like it and then not want to try the craft beer’s ale. This deters craft breweries from making their own unique concoctions.

           Big Beer still dominates the market. Budweiser makes up forty-six and a half percent of the United States market and Miller-Coors make up about twenty-seven percent of the market share. Craft beer, wine and spirits make up the last twenty-six and a half percent of the market in the United States. Slowly and steadily craft beer’s market share is rising. Consumers are starting to realize that beer does not have to taste watered down. I once heard someone say “I never believe people when they tell me they do not like beer. I just think they have not found the right kind yet.” I think this is something that craft brewers have taken advantage of. Many people say they are not fans of beer or would rather drink anything but beer. Putting a fruity twist on a light beer is a good way for craft breweries to put their twist on beer while pleasing everyone. Big beer companies have started doing this as well. Budweiser created the Lime-a-rita, a twist on a classic margarita. They have expanded that to include many more flavors as well. They have priced these inexpensively, and made them easily accessible to consumers. This is another example of big beer companies undermining the craft beer industry.

           When people try the flavored beer that the big beer companies make and end up not liking them, they will not try the craft brewer’s product that is also the same flavor. Craft brewers take time to their products taste amazing. They put in hours and hours of work to ensure that the beverages they put out are top notch and are tasty. This causes their prices to be higher than those of big beer companies like Miller-Coors and Budweiser. Consumers that are on a budget will not go out of their way to buy craft beer. This is a huge hit to the craft beer industry. College students that cannot afford to buy good, pricey beer are not going to purchase their product. Most of my friends that drink beer drink Pabst Blue Ribbon or Natural Light. I personally think that these beers taste like garbage water. I understand why my friends buy it though. It is very cheap. Sometimes a thirty pack is less than fifteen dollars. Craft beer is more expensive at restaurants as well. A glass of Bud light might only cost three dollars where as a glass of downtown brown ale from the Pearl Street Brewery might be more like seven dollars. The difference in taste is worth the more expensive price.

           Big beer companies also control the distribution channels in most places. Beer is distributed by a three-tier system. This essentially means that craft brewers rely on distributors to distribute their products to local grocery stores, gas stations, bars and liquor stores. Distributors are usually employed by big beer companies. Therefore, they have the option on whether they want to or do not want to carry the craft beer on their trucks. Craft breweries do not have the ability to distribute their products themselves because it is illegal in most parts of the United States. If a distributor does not want to carry their products they are essentially out of luck and need to think of another way to get their products to the consumers. Big beer companies not only share a majority of the market but they control most of the distribution as well. This creates tension within the beer industry.

With craft beer on the rise, craft breweries have started offering fun extra things that entice the consumer to start drinking their products. Craft breweries often give tours of their facilities open to the public. I, myself, have toured the Turtle Stack Brewery. It is a local and newer craft brewery located in downtown La Crosse. It just opened its doors a few years ago and already has seen a rise in demand for their products. Because they are a smaller brewery, they are having a hard time keeping up with their demand. Their beer is featured on several local restaurants menus. They sell to these restaurants by the barrel and are responsible for their own distribution. They said that many of these restaurants often demand several barrels a year. Since the Turtle Stack Brewery is small they struggle with keeping up on the demand of their different beers. They are selective with the restaurants they provide their products too. Most of their consumers come in to the brewery and purchase their beer in the store. La Crosse is a town that is centered around drinking so having two local craft breweries, Turtle Stack and Pearl Street Brewery, adds to the aesthetic of the large town. The Pearl Street Brewery is another local La Crosse brewery. They are larger and have been around for many years. Their most popular beer is the Downtown Brown Pale Ale.

Many consumers avoid craft beer because they believe it is all hops and IPA is the only kind available. This is not true. Crafter brewers add hops to their drinks to add flavor that big beer companies do not have because they are so watered down. There are many craft beers that are light and similar, yet better, than the big beer company’s drinks. New Glarus Spotted Cow is the perfect example of this. It is a light beer and it tastes so much better than a regular bud light or Miller-Coors. Not all craft beers are hoppy and heavy. Some people really like the taste of IPA beer drinks. For me they are too heavy and little sour. I prefer light beer that has a sort of fruity finish to it like the Summer Shandy from Leinenkugel. Craft beers have a variety of flavors and a range of light to heavy beers. Many people have not tried craft beer because they stick to what they know. However, stepping out of your comfort zone could open up a whole new world of beer to you.

Craft breweries not only bring an original take on beer into a community, they also enrich the community. They host tours and special events that bring townsfolk together to celebrate everything we all love, beer and alcohol. If you are still on the fence of whether or not to try craft beers, do it. Go to a local brewery, take a tour and try a glass of beer. It will change your mind and views on the beer industry. Big beer companies will continue to try and destroy craft breweries but I believe that in ten to twenty years, craft beer will have almost as large of a market share as Budweiser and Miller-Coors. If you have learned or decided anything from reading this, remember this, support craft beer and breweries!

[borrowabuddy-blog]

This was a super interesting post to read and I learned a ton! It makes sense that it is difficult for craft beers to survive with the big beer companies around. I like how you provided your own opinion and supported it. I think this made your post a lot more relatable. Overall, I really enjoyed reading your post!

[borrowabuddy-blog]

Can an Old Dog Learn New Tricks?

There’s an old saying, that I am sure we have all heard of, that states, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” I personally do not believe this to be one bit true. I currently own a 9-year-old Schnauzer-Yorkie mix named Katy. I got her the summer before I went into seventh grade and I was thrilled to have a cute tiny puppy, but I had no idea the amount of work a puppy actually is. Katy was extremely stubborn and hard to house train. I remember being annoyed with her because she couldn’t learn how to lay down and my old dog had been so well behaved and so easy to train. At 9-years-old Katy now has so many tricks that I forget some and can easily learn a new trick in a day. She does everything from closing doors to playing dead to walking on three legs. In this post I am going to discuss some of my favorite tricks, and some simple tricks that any dog can learn.

1.      Leave It

I think everyone knows to teach their dog to sit and lay down. But, I think leave it is a super important command. It is beneficial for a dog to know in case food is dropped and you don’t want your dog to get it, or if there is something gross outside. It also helps redirect your dog’s attention to you. This trick can be easily taught. Begin with putting a treat in front of your dog and telling them to leave it. When they listen reward them with a different treat than what is in front of them. Very rarely will I allow my dog to eat the treat in front of her, even though the treat I am giving her is exactly the same.

It is also a good idea to practice the leave it command at a distance. My dog will stop dead in her tracks on the way to get something because she knows if she leaves whatever she’s going towards and comes to me instead she will probably get a treat (not so much now that she is older, but when she was younger she did consistently). To make leave it into a neater trick that you can show to people is simple. Once your dog is really good at the command practice leaving the room. This can lead to you being able to walk all through your house, or even out of your house without your dog touching whatever is in front of them.

2.      Shake, High Five, Wave

All of these tricks go hand in hand (or paw in paw). A lot of people know how to teach their dog to shake. This is done simply by holding a treat in front of your dog and asking them to sit. Then wait until they touch your hand with their paw. Once they touch say “shake” and give them the treat. This can easily translate into high five. Once your dog has mastered shake simply lift your hand higher in the air, so they have to pick their paw up higher. I try to make sure my dog’s paw goes up to her head. Again, once your dog makes contact say, “high five” and give them the treat. Once your dog has mastered high five start to lift your hand to the high five position, but don’t allow them to make contact with your hand. When they lift their paw say “wave” and give the treat. Slowly remove your hand from the high five position and they will quickly realize you just want their paws to go up. These make for cute tricks that your dog will easily be able to do for anyone. They also lead to you having control over your dog’s front legs which helps lead into the next tricks.

3.      Closing a Door, Paws up

Closing a door is a super easy trick to teach, and it is very helpful when you are carrying stuff. Since my dog is about 11 pounds she mostly helps close kitchen cabinets or the fridge. To teach her this trick I started with bringing her towards a cabinet and asking her for her paw. She would then hit the cabinet with her paw. Each time she did this I would say “close it” and give her a treat. Once she was comfortable I added in “all the way” for the few times she might not get the cabinet closed all the way. I can now open tons of different cabinet doors in my kitchen and she will go down the line closing them.

Having this control over her paws also allowed me to teach her paws up. This is when I ask her to put her two front paws on any object. This can be anything from a skateboard to a basketball (as you can see below). Anytime I introduce a new object I make sure to reward her with treats as she is extremely food motivated.

4.      Roll over, Stay, Play dead (aka “Bang”)

These are two of my favorite tricks of hers. These two take a little more time and patience. As I mentioned above, I am extremely fortunate (and unfortunate) to have a dog that is food motivated. She will do anything for food. This made teaching her to roll over super simple. I would just ask her to lay down and then move the treat to her right. This would coax her into having her body roll over. It took a day or two of asking her to do this and having her be comfortable for her to do this. Now that she is good at it she will roll over multiple times in a row.

To teach “bang” I made sure Katy was very good at her stay command. I taught her to stay by having her sit in one spot and bringing her back to that spot every time she moved. I would gradually make the length of time she had to stay longer. Having the stay command well developed makes teaching bang easy. Simply ask your dog to roll over and once they go onto their side say “stay”. Many dogs will catch onto this very fast, especially if a belly rub and treat is involved. When you command your dog to stay you can also use a hand gun. Once they understand the hand gun you can switch to saying “bang”. This makes for a cute trick to show your friends and family.

On a side note, I personally believe in teaching my dog a hand command and a vocal command. My dog is able to do every trick either way. This really forces her to focus on me especially since she anticipates tricks. My dog also gets extremely excited and vocal when learning tricks so being able to do them without me talking helps to keep her calm.

5.      Limp

This trick brings me back to the saying I stated at the beginning of “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” As I mentioned, Katy has more tricks than I can even remember most of the time. I tried to teach her to limp a long time ago when she was about three-years-old. I tried in many different ways and I worked hard on it. Much to my disappointment she never was able to grasp what I wanted. It led me to being very frustrated. Two years ago, I had some free time and my younger brother asked me why she never learned the trick. So, I decided to revisit teaching her in a completely new way.

She was seven years old, and I was attending college, so I only saw her every now and then. I began with teaching her the command “leg”. I would position her in front of me and I would lift of her leg with my finger. We worked on this a lot until she could comfortably hold her leg by herself for five to ten seconds.

Then I added in one step. I would ask her for her “leg” and put my finger underneath to remind her to keep it up and then I would have a treat in front of her face and move it slightly forward. She, of course, wanted to follow the treat and would take a step. It took a long time to get her to take one step without putting any weight on my finger. Once she could do one step I added in a second.

Two years later, at nine-years-old she can take five steps and start further away from me. This is my favorite trick that she can do, and it was the most rewarding. It forces you to really spend time with your dog each day to help them have the muscle memory to perform the trick. Your dog also has to trust you because walking on three legs is not a normal feeling to them. Overall, this is definitely the most rewarding trick that my dog knows, and I believe it is one of the most impressive tricks a dog can learn. So, I say, an old dog CAN learn new tricks, what do you think?  

[bizmiss1-blog]

Why ‘BizMiss’?

Well, first, let me tell you a bit more about myself. I’m a junior in college double majoring in marketing and psychology. I started college with the desire to be a psychiatrist, but quickly changed my mind when I realized the enormity of strain that came with the job. As I was entering college, I felt lost. Psychology was so interesting, but I did not want to have a traditional psychology career. I had planned on psychiatry my whole life… so now what? Through taking a variety of classes my freshman year, I realized that not only were the business classes understandable for me, they were also interesting. For a freshman in college, classes that are interesting do not come around very often, so I decided to investigate further.

I came to realize that business was not just pushy salespeople manipulating you or an accountant sitting at a desk all day. There was this thing called marketing which I found intriguing. Marketing and psychology go hand in hand, probably why I was so interested in it. To target the right group of people that you wish to market to, you need to know your audience and what makes them the ‘right group’. But what I love most about marketing is the switch from knowing what your consumers want to buy to why they want to buy it. This psychological aspect is extremely interesting to me and is what pushes me as a marketer.

In the past few years, I have gotten involved professionally as much as possible. Through joining the American Marketing Association, Delta Sigma Pi, the Sales Team, and having an advertising/branding internship, I want to absorb as much as I can about the business world before I am projectile launched into it in T-11 months (wow, ain’t that a scary fact). I’ve loved every second of the clubs that I am a part of. They all give me a different perspective to the business world that I would not have gotten otherwise.

Lately, I have been getting more interested in advertising and branding, which is what my internship is in. I would love to learn how to use Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Canva, and other design platforms in classes, but there are only a few courses at the school I attend that discuss these platforms. Through my internship I have gotten more familiar with other platforms, which has been giving me real world experience of what my possible career after college would be. Although I’m graduating soon, I am allowing myself time to figure out what’s best for me and what I truly enjoy doing.

So now that you know a bit more about me, let me tell you why I chose to create BizMiss. First of all, it’s a play on words. Come on, everyone loves a good play on words. But in all seriousness, I created BizMiss because I truly enjoy dressing professionally and helping my friends pick out what they should wear. I have so many business clothes (seriously, it’s ridiculous) because I rationalize my clothing purchases as my investing in the future since I will be needing these clothes once I start my career.

The clubs that I am a part of often require business casual or business professional dress, so I have gotten used to slipping on heels and a blazer for a long school day. Although sometimes it can be annoying to have to look nice when my friends are sitting comfortably next to me in leggings and a baggy t-shirt, generally I like getting dressed up.

My internship also requires business casual dress in the office. I feel as though it promotes a sense of knowledge and professionalism that would not be achieved if any kind of dress was allowed in the office. When I wear business clothing, I am more confident in myself and what I’m saying because I look the part of a professional. Our boss, the CEO of the small company I intern at, always chooses to wear a suit. No matter the day, even if we’re just at the office, he wears a full suit. His decision to wear a suit reflects his power and confidence in the office. Although it’s just clothing, I feel as though I respect him more since he is dressed more professionally than I am.

Maybe there’s something to be said there. If you think about it, whether it’s business clothes or sweats, why do some clothing gain us more respect that other clothing? I wonder if it has to do with the material it is made out of. Sweats are comfortable, soft, and easy to move around in while business clothing like blazers and slacks are tightly wound with a higher thread count. Perhaps since business clothes are more uncomfortable, the people that would wear them are seen as more serious and are automatically given more authority?

Or maybe it is because of how expensive it is to create business clothes. Because they are typically made with higher quality fabric, it could be a status symbol to wear these clothes. For example, if you wear Lululemon apparel, which is extremely expensive athletic clothing, you automatically are viewed with more prestige than someone without name-brand athletic clothing. Perhaps people in business clothes are similarly viewed with prestige because of the clothes’ generally higher price tag. But, I digress.

My love for clothing stemmed when I was in high school. I always enjoyed fashion and keeping up with different clothing trends. Of course, like the typical high schooler, I was nervous to stand out too much, so I would never wear the fashionable clothes that were too ‘out there’. However, I did experiment with clothing and would often wear clothing that my friends would never wear.

Now that I am in college and could care less what others think of my clothing, I am free to experiment and wear whatever clothes that I enjoy. I used to do this mostly with everyday clothes, but as of the past year I have branched out and begun to wear business clothes that is fashionable, but not always normal. Personally, I like looking different than everyone else because it sets me apart and (hopefully!) is another way to make me memorable to others.

Last year I spent the first 3 weeks of summer in Italy for a psychology study abroad trip. It was my second time in Europe but was the trip that I cherished the most. My first trip to Europe, I was too young to appreciate everything around me, especially the fashion. Last year I was in complete awe at the sophistication and boundaries pushed with clothing in Italy. I found my new favorite store, Zara, there. This is one of the major stores that most Italian woman visit to find everyday clothes. However, since the fashion in the United States is much different, most of the clothing at Zara is perfect for business clothes. Italy taught me to appreciate ‘wacky’ patterns and flared sleeves in a way that I never thought that I would before.

Not only do I want to use this blog to promote different business clothes, but I also want to give insights and tips to my readers. I am lucky that the clubs that I am in do a fabulous job of preparing us for what to wear in the business world and what is and isn’t acceptable to wear. However, I know that many students that are going into the business world did not get the same opportunities and help that I did. My goal is to arm my readers with the insight to know what is acceptable to wear to each type of career they may encounter.

What took me the longest time to understand was the difference between business casual and business professional clothing since most business clothes can either be dressed up or down to reflect the specific look you are trying to achieve. I personally enjoy dressing business casual more so than business professional as there is more room to experiment and more options to try. However, business professional clothing is what makes me feel the most confident and professional. Overall, there are pros and cons to each type of dress.

You might be thinking, this girl is just a college kid, why should I listen to her? I’m sure that I could learn just as much from you as you might from me. From what I’ve learned in my experience, the business world is constantly growing and changing so why not use each other to gain a bit more knowledge into the field that we are all going into? I would love to hear your feedback and thoughts in the comments so let’s make this interactive and fun for the both of us!

If you decide to keep up with my blog, I would like to thank you in advance for taking the time out of your probably hectic life to read my tips and tricks on business dress and etiquette. I was extremely grateful for all of the knowledge that I gained from my clubs and internship and hope that you get a little something out of reading my blog as well. Ladies, let’s take this leap and dive into the BizMiss world together.

[borrowabuddy-blog]

I really enjoyed reading your post and I am excited to read your future posts! I think it can be confusing knowing the difference between business casual and professional especially since every company views it differently.  It also seems like more companies are switching to business casual and dressing business professional just for certain events or meetings.

[clarisecocktails-blog]

Fair or Unfair Charges?

For a private event at an elegant restaurant, bar, or hotel should it clearly state what the total liquor minimum cost will be after taxes and gratuities before a patron agrees to a certain amount? I have run into this issue quite a bit at work. Just a little background on where I work, I am currently employed at the Maxwell Mansion in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. It was the first mansion built in Lake Geneva by Dr. Maxwell. It is a beautiful old, Victorian mansion that was built back in 1856. The upstairs has been converted into a swanky, Victorian hotel with six rooms. The Lower level was converted in a bar and lounge area. The basement, way back in the 1920’s, was a speakeasy. A few years ago, the basement was converted back into a speakeasy that is open to the public on the weekends. Only if they know the password though! Many people come from out of state to stay and have a drink at this beautiful historic mansion. Because of the renovations made, many different kinds of special events can be held at the mansion. The summer is definitely the busiest time for these events. The mansion is located right across the street from Geneva Lake, in Southeastern Wisconsin. The upstairs bar is full on the weekends and the speakeasy is packed to the brim. On occasion, during the summer, there will be special events. These events include weddings, receptions, birthday parties, bridal showers, etc. All of these events are orchestrated and run by the event coordinator. She makes sure that every last detail down to the most miniscule thing you could think of is planned for and anticipated.

The most important part of these events is the bar. How many people are attending that will be drinking? How much are they going to spend on alcohol? Is it a cash bar or a hosted bar? All of these questions are answered well before the event is scheduled to occur. One of the items that is negotiated with the event coordinator is the bar minimum. The bar minimum is a guaranteed amount of money that will be spent on alcohol and other beverages during the event. For example, if the patron knows that their group is going to drink a lot that night the customer will set their bar minimum to be higher than someone who thinks their group will not be imbibing a lot. For example, say the bar minimum for an event is one thousand five hundred dollars. The patron would then be asked to pay that before the event as a deposit and guarantee that amount will be spent at the bar. If that specific amount is not met, then the customer will have to pay the difference. However, most people forget to add the sales taxes and service charge to the bar minimum when negotiating the total amount. If the consumer with the bar minimum of one thousand five hundred dollars reaches that, they will actually be spending around two thousand dollars because of those added fees. That is over five hundred dollars more than they were anticipating! If they had not budgeted for this extra amount, they still would have to pay it. This brings me to my initial question: Should a bar minimum include service taxes and gratuity in the price or should it be factored in after the minimum amount is met?

Many people that work in the food and beverage industry are aware of the auto-gratuity of large parties and events on food and beverages served. However, many people do not take this into account when they are budgeting for their wedding or a different large, important event. A few weekends ago I worked a wedding that the bride’s mother had planned. She had a bar minimum of one thousand dollars. At the end of the wedding she received the final bill for the bar. The total bar sales had exceeded the bar minimum by five hundred dollars. The bartender also added the sales tax and a service charge which is the same thing as auto-gratuity. The final bill turned out to be a little over double than what she expected. She had the money to pay for it, but it made me wonder. Was she told that these extra fees were going to be added to the final bill or had it just been expected that she already knew about them?

I spoke to the event coordinator that is in charge of handling the bar minimums and negotiating the dollar amount for each of them. In the original rental agreement that everyone is sent, when inquiring about special events and catering options, it clearly states in large bold letters that the agreed minimum at the bar does not include added taxes and a service charge. The event coordinator said that she also makes this abundantly clear in her consultations with customers. She mentioned that the only people that usually object to the taxes and service charge are those that are also in the food and beverage industry. One wedding that she hosted a while ago was extremely aware of the auto-gratuity. They had a one thousand dollar bar minimum and wanted to be alerted immediately when the tab was around eight hundred dollars. Once it reached that amount they would switch over to a cash bar. This way they would reach their bar minimum with the final bill and it would include the sales tax and service charge. This is fiscally responsible, but it can also come across as cheap or lower class. I know that the Maxwell Mansion includes that sales tax and service charge automatically because in the past they had run into problems of patrons not tipping the bartenders and servers. On a bill as high as a thousand dollars, people would often be skimpy with the tip. This service charge at the end ensures that the bartenders and servers are getting the amount of money they deserve for working that event and crafting beautiful, delicious cocktails.

Places like the Maxwell Mansion cater to a more sophisticated crowd. The cocktails are complex, innovative and a little more on the expensive side. The bartenders are constantly creating new drinks and thinking of new ways to show off their mixing talents. Recently they have started using a smoking gun on certain cocktails. This brings out the smoky flavor of bourbon and other rye based liquors. The drinks that are created are not your average, run of the mill rail mixed drinks that you would find at any local bar. At these events, there is no discount on these kinds of drinks. There can be a specialty drink made in honor of the event which is usually a sangria of some sort. The specialty drinks are usually cheaper than a regular cocktail at the bar. Bottom-line, if you are hosting a private event there, such as a wedding, it should come as no surprise that there is a service charge added to the final bill. The atmosphere, the bar and the mansions itself is a unique place to have your special day. It is an expensive place to rent out with an entire full house buyout priced at eight thousand dollars. The Bar is advertised as not only as a bar, but as an experience.

Overall I can understand why people think that having a bar minimum and not including the taxes and service charges in there can seem like a sneaky way for a business to get more money from you. The taxes that are added on vary by state and they are usually just a miniscule amount and are required by the state law. The service charge is just a guarantee to the bartenders that they will get paid for the service they provided. Especially if it is a whole property buy out and they will not get patrons walking in just for a cocktail. Essentially, most of their income from that particular night is going to come from the service charge at the event. Event patrons need to be aware that a bar minimum is just the amount of money spent on alcohol during the event and does not include the extra charges. This should be stated clearly in the rental contract before moving forward with planning any event. Fancy, delicious cocktails are expensive and sometime complicated to make. The bartenders should get their gratuity for a job well done.

I think you could even argue that a server or bartender should automatically get a twenty percent tip on all bills. They sometimes make less than five dollars an hour, and since most of their salary depends on tips, they deserve the money made through the service charges. This is a progressive opinion that I am thinking some people might disagree with. However, with the added service charges, servers and bartenders are happier to be working. That ultimately creates a better experience for the consumer.

[borrowabuddy-blog]

This was really interesting and not something I have ever thought about. I agree with you that it would be nice if people in the service industry automatically made 20% especially since there are many people who do not even believe in tipping. I think this would especially make sense when they are putting on an event that is so valuable to the consumer such as a wedding.

[borrowabuddy-blog]

How to Have Fun with Your Dog

Dogs come in all shapes in sizes and they all have very different personalities. According to the ASPCA, 44% of all households in the United States owns a dog. This means that there are 78 million dogs owned in the United States alone! That sure is a lot of dogs! People get a dog for all sorts of reasons whether it be a farm or guard dog or just a cuddly lap dog. Every type of dog serves a purpose in someone’s life.

One huge way that dogs help us is that they help to relieve a lot of stress. Simply petting a dog can make someone feel a lot better. This is why they are used as therapy animals so often. Many dogs every day are brought to nursing homes and hospitals just to put a smile on the patients faces. Throughout this post I am going to give you a few simple tips on fun activities that you can do with your dog (or any dog) to put a smile on your face, relieve some stress, and to allow your dog to have a little fun!

1.      Walk Your Dog

The first activity is simple. This would just be taking your dog for a walk. I do not know a single dog that does not enjoy going for a walk, and it is great exercise for the owner too. It is an easy task to accommodate into most people’s lives because you do not need anything except a leash, good walking shoes, a poop bag (always pick up the poop), and your dog. You can walk for as long or short of a distance as you would like to and there are even apps that allow a person to track their route that they walk with their dog. These apps will allow you to track if you take one route a lot more than others. This could help an owner to find ways to mix up their path if they begin to get bored of where they are walking. Walking is also a great option for someone who may have an older dog that cannot go too far but likes to get out of the house. Additonally, walking is a good option for dogs who may not listen well off leash or may not like other dogs. Walking allows the handler to have control over the dog without putting other people or animals at risk.

Getting involved in local dog walks is also an enjoyable option. A lot of humane societies will have fundraiser walks that allow people to bring their animals. This is fun because it allows you to meet other dogs and dog enthusiasts and they can meet you and your dog. It is important to make sure your dog likes other dogs before attending an event with other dogs around.

Some ambitious people also choose to go running with their dog. This is a great way to tire a dog out, and many dogs really enjoy this. In most communities there are many different running and walking paths, so you can easily change up where you are going with your dog, so it does not get too boring.

2.      Dog Park

Taking a dog to the dog park is an enjoyable time for both the owner and the dog. It is good for the dogs because it is generally a fenced in area and the dog is free to run wherever they want. It also allows the owner to see and meet many new and very cute dogs. The dog park allows the dog to meet new dogs and play with them. This will tire out your dog quickly which is a goal that many busy people have. It also allows you to not have to do less work than you would if you were walking or running with your dog. Many dog parks offer benches which is especially great for people who may not be able to walk too far. Additionally, the dog parks offer paths throughout the fenced in area, and other unfenced in parts of the park that you can take your dog to explore.

So, you decided you want to go to a dog park? There are a few tips you should know. Most dog parks are split into a small and large dog section to prevent injuries to dogs. It is always a good idea to bring water for your dog. Make sure you bring a lot because as soon as you put it down every dog will drink it. It is also important to keep an eye on your dog at all times. This allows you to quickly pick up any poop, or step in if your dog looks like it might get in a fight. Make sure your dog is tolerant of lots of different dogs because as soon as you walk into a dog park, dogs will swarm your dog. Most importantly enjoy your time and pet lots dogs!

3.      Swimming

This might not be the best option for all dogs, but for a dog that loves to swim it is perfect! Swimming tires them out quickly and they love doing it. Many people opt to bring a ball or a toy that floats along so that they can play fetch with their dog. If your dog is anything like mine who hates water and sinks, then you might want to bring a life jacket or opt to not take your dog swimming. It is important to check that wherever you are taking your dog to swim is dog friendly, and that your dog listens well when called if it is off leash in an unsecured area. It is also important to make sure you are away from any boats because you do not want your dog to get hit.

There are also different dog schools that you can join that do a water dogs program. This allows the dog to practice swimming in a safe environment. The trainers helps to build the dogs confidence to help prevent accidents. Some dog owners even compete their dog in a competition called dock jumping. This is where a dog has to jump as far as it can off a dock to catch a toy. The dog that jumps the farthest wins. The dogs that compete in this really love fetch and water, so if your dog loves fetch and water they might make a good dock dog!

An activity related to swimming that does not involve a wet smelly dog, is taking your dog kayaking with you. Many people train their dogs to sit in a kayak and they take them all over with them. This does not get your dog as much exercise, but it does provide an owner with companionship. It is important to make sure your dog calmly stays in the kayak because otherwise they could flip the both of you into the water. Then you would both be wet and smelly.

4.      Watch a Movie

This forth option, my personal favorite, is what I call the lazy option. This is just sitting down on a couch and calling your dog over and petting them. Grab your favorite blanket, turn on your favorite TV show, grab a snack, and call your dog over. Dogs love being pet and will be happy with the attention you are giving them especially if you have been gone most of the day. Keep in mind most dogs really appreciate a belly rub! Watching a movie or TV is a great option if an owner is tired and has had a long day. Most people watch TV at some point during the night, so this is a good way to unwind while giving you pet attention. Many people make this into a routine. I know my dog always knows when it is the end of the night and she goes to her normal spot on the couch and waits for a belly rub. She is happy when anyone gives her one for any amount of time. Petting a dog also helps to relieve stress so having a routine like this will force you to sit down and take a break from the craziness of our lives.

There are tons of activities and ways to be involved with your dog and these are just a few. Dogs do not care what they are doing with their owners. They are just happy to receive attention. Most people work away from home during the day, so taking the time to spend an hour doing a physical activity is good to keep your pet from going stir crazy. It is also good for the owner to get outside and be active, especially if they have been sitting at a desk job all day. Furthermore, petting a dog relieves a lot of stress. We know today that people are more stressed than ever before, so anything we can do to help combat this is worth it.

Our dogs look forward to us coming home all day. They live to spend time with us. They are happy when we are, and they know when we are sad. Simple activities such as the ones I discussed do not take a lot of effort on our part but make our dogs days so much better. What is your favorite activity to do with your dog or pet?