How To Order At Chipotle In 3 Easy Steps

I know what you're thinking- "Just get in line and order...duh." And yes, technically, I guess you could do that. But, you'd probably just do it wrong and waste your time, energy, and money. There are a few easy steps to ensure you get the most out of what you're paying for. Here they are:

1. Mentally prepare to wait in an extremely long line.
I've never, ever, been to Chipotle and not had to wait in line. Right when they open, ten minutes before closing, and any time in between, there is going to be a line. If you have the mobile app (I do), you could order ahead, but I feel like they kiiiinda rip you off. Them not having to look you in the eye as you order tends to lead to a shortage on the ingredients. So just don't go to Chipotle if you're in any kind of rush. Not worth the stress/anxiety.... fine maybe it is.

2. Order a bowl. Always. 
You like tacos? Order a bowl. You're a burrito kind of person? Order a bowl. Unless you're weird and you get quesadillas at Chipotle (sorry not sorry), always order a bowl. By ordering a bowl, you get double the amount of food than you do in a burrito- and like, a thousand times more food than if you order tacos. Also ask for it "to-go"- even if you're eating it there. The lids are useful for mixing up your fabulous creation of goodness. Get your bowl, fill it up with all the yummy ingredients you want, and ask for your burrito/taco tortillas on the side. They're free. That way, you can make two full burritos (one for now- one for when you get home from going out), as many tacos as you want, and still have some delish bowl left to your enjoyment. Side note: make sure you get enough sour cream so your bowl kind of turns into a dip. This will be handy in the next step.

3. Get chips.
It's not a waste of money. Chipotle chips are soooo good and they go perfectly with your food. It's also awesome to dip them in your bowl, or guac if you're into that. And yes, Chipotle employees, we know the guac is extra.

Now that I've given you my advice on how to order at Chipotle, I hope you take it to heart. I know a lot of you already do this, so maybe share this with your parents. They don't seem to understand. I just feel bad for people who don't get bowls. What's your deal anyway? Happy eating- I'm going to go into my food coma right about now.

Chipotle Lover & Advocate,

NG

An Open Letter To My Best Friends

Before I get into anything, I want to start by saying that I have the best friends in the entire world. You guys are amazing and I'd probably be a different girl today without you. Being that you're all together back home and I'm currently roaming the sidewalks of school, I thought this would be a great time to thank you guys.

Thank you for being my friends with open arms as soon as we started high school. For helping me with Bio homework freshman year, AP World homework sophomore year, AP Environmental Science homework junior year, and Calc homework senior year. For being not only good influences academically, but all around. My rebel ways might have gotten the best of me without you. Thank you for covering for me on multiple occasions, in school and out. For warning me when there was a cellphone check in high school.

Thank you for being loyal Instagram likers. Thank you for not judging me (as much as you should) when I take a thousand selfies. For dealing with NG when we go out on Friday nights. For loving NG and her conceited personality. Thank you for driving me to McDonald's or Taco Bell after a night out. Those calories are better with you guys by my side. For always being down to hang out at my place or get ice cream when there's nothing to do.

Thank you for always being honest with me, even if it was difficult. Thank you for being there for me when I needed you most. Thank you for sticking with me these past five years, no matter what happened. For making the best out of all the shitty situations we've experienced. For finding a way to make me laugh when I cry, even if it's by insulting me. For holding my hair in certain situations (we've all been there). For dealing with me complain about boys almost every day of my life. And most importantly, for always letting me third-wheel when I was home alone with nothing to do. 

Although I'll see you soon, I wanted to take a few minutes out of my day to let you know I appreciate you with every piece of my heart and soul- even if I seem annoyed by you. I love you all tons, and thank you for being fabulous. I can't wait to see what life has in store for us.

WP 4 ever,

NG

It's Time For Change #FedUp

I don't even know where to begin. If you know me (my mom used to get annoyed, she's used to it now), you know that I've been a big supporter of eating non-GMO foods for about three years now (thanks to my junior year AP Environmental Science teacher). We've all seen the movies- Fast Food Nation, Food Inc., Super-Size Me, etc. These movies really affected how I felt about inorganic meat and fast food, but unfortunately, it isn't as easy as it seems to make a change. 

This past week, I came across a documentary on Netflix called Fed Up. Unlike the other films, this one is focused on childhood obesity in America. My jaw was dropped throughout the entire movie. Of course I knew obesity was a huge epidemic across the country, and of course I knew Type II diabetes was becoming more and more prevalent among kids. It was just so shocking to learn the harsh truth that although it seems as if our government wants to help us out, they really don't care. Yes, some political figures, such as Michelle Obama, have started to advocate for healthy eating, but that isn't enough. As long as unhealthy foods are being produced, sold, and consumed, they're making tons of money (duh). 

Sugar is a GIANT issue within American eating habits. As most of us know, sugar is absorbed so quickly in our bodies that our livers and pancreases have no other option but to release insulin and turn all that excess glucose into fat- for storage purposes. One can of soda contains over 100% of the daily allowance of sugar. HOW are we allowing this into our bodies as if it's water? Another fact that shocked me was that although a product is "reduced fat" and contains fewer calories, it still contains the same amount of sugar as the non reduced fat product. Processed foods contain so much added sugar that it seems as if there is no escaping it. Studies show that in the near future, 95% of Americans will be overweight or obese. I don't know about you, but those percentages don't sound too enticing. 

We need to stop buying foods with added sugar and begin to eat healthily. Not for one month. Diets don't work. We need to eat healthy every day- forever. There's no getting around it. Instead of eating granola bars which contain so much high fructose corn syrup (sugar), we can eat natural nuts with bits of dark chocolate. Instead of regular pasta, eat whole-grain pasta (I promise it tastes the same). Cut out soda from your diet. Studies show that soda and sugary beverages (sports drinks, juices) are as addictive as cocaine. People have the same withdrawal symptoms when taken off coke (the drug) as when cut off from coke (the soda). Same name... creeeepy. Coincidence? I think not...ok maybe.

I also want to send a message to all the people who are fortunate enough to eat whatever the heck they want and still rock a six pack (shout out to my best friend). Doctors have found that although you are skinny on the outside, you might as well be obese by the way your insides look. Obesity isn't at the hand of the individual and we have to stop blaming them. A person could watch how many calories they intake and exercise every day, and still not lose any weight. It isn't about calories- it's about what is inside every piece of food we consume. Like the film mentions, imagine if soda cans had a label on them like cigarettes do, warning you about the extremely detrimental effects about drinking it. It really puts things into perspective. 

I know this was a long post, and I really hope you took the time to read it. There's so much more information that I feel everyone should know that I couldn't include on here or it would be considered a research paper. If you aren't convinced that we need change by this, take two hours of your day to watch Fed Up on Netflix. We can't wait for the next person to make a change- we have to do it ourselves. If every individual person decides to make this positive change in their life, it will turn into hundreds, and then thousands. 

I'm fed up, are you?

NG