There Are Two Sides To Every Green Juice

My generation amuses me greatly. As a borderline (I say borderline because my friends and I just turned 20, but I think we identify more with Millennials than our younger counterparts) Millennial, I encounter so many different opinions on life every day. They range from Trump supporters (gag), Bernie supporters (not feelin' the "bern"), people who refuse to wear deodorant, and people who I went to high school with that are having kids (I can't sustain the life of a few flowers, how do you do it?).

My favorite idea, though, is the new phase of "going green." Yes, I am a strong supporter for eating organic and non-GMO, but I think it's funny seeing Millennials preaching about their healthy, yoga filled, infused water bottle life on social media, and then downing a bottle of Grey Goose every Friday and Saturday night. We refuse to drink soda with our kale salad for lunch, but it's no big deal to have a vodka sprite or a few Corona's on our weekends downtown. Why? I'm not saying I'm not guilty of any of this, but I do wonder what makes this acceptable. I am a victim of drinking green juices during the week, but you can catch me with a Stella Artois in my hand at happy hour. I won't eat McDonald's for lunch on a Tuesday, but I'll eat half a Papa Johns large pizza after a night out. We're all victim to this double life, but why? Does the healthy weekly lifestyle balance out the toxins we ingest on the weekend? I sadly don't think it works that way, as much as I'd like to think it does. Our generation refuses to order a coke with their dinner, yet single handedly drinks their own bottle of champagne while out on the town. I'm not ridiculing, I just find it amusing. We try to convince people to eat organic and non-GMO foods, but what we decide to do on the weekends suddenly doesn't apply to that rule.

I think social media plays a huge role in this funny hypocrisy that we've all grown to love. Take me, for example. I posted a picture of my delicious fruit bowl, but didn't include the slice of pizza I ate a few hours before. Everyone wants to appear "trendy" online and wants everyone to know about their Saturday morning yoga class *namaste*, but not about their Sunday morning struggle to reach the Gatorade bottle on their night stand after a fun night. This just further proves my point that people only post what they want you to see. Social media is not real, nor will it ever be.

The next time you're feeling down because Jenny posted a picture of her avocado toast on wheat bread, just know she probably had chocolate chip pancakes on the side. Continue your healthy habits; they aren't detrimental to you at all. Always choose brown foods over white foods, and make sure you eat enough fruits and vegetables. Just don't try to be something you're not. And yes, the majority of the time, there really are two sides to every green juice snap chat your bff sends you.

Your favorite quinoa (and extra-cheese pizza) loving writer,

NG

20 Things I've Learned By 20

With my twentieth birthday just a few days away, I've been reflecting on the past twenty years of my *awesome* self being on this Earth. Although the lessons and values I have learned are countless, here are a few that I think are worth sharing. 

1. Don't wish bad things upon anyone. God (or whoever you believe in, or karma) is always watching, and when you wish that your little sister's princess hairbrush would break, yours will fall out of your hands a few minutes later and crack in half.

2. Always eat breakfast. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day and it is with reason. Try adding some food to your typical coffee and I promise you'll notice your day a tad bit better. Oatmeal and some fruit is always a great option, or a fresh fruit smoothie.

3. Be there for people when you say you will be. It doesn't matter if you haven't spoken to someone in months, if they need you, be their shoulder to lean on. 

4. Listen to your mom. It sucks, but unfortunately, she is usually right. 

5. Do not trust easily. As much as I want to believe that everyone is good in the world, many are not. Be careful who you trust (it's 2016... we can screenshot things). It's sad, but people don't always have your best interest at heart. 

6. Don't hold grudges. They aren't worth it, and they're probably giving you premature wrinkles. 

7. Three friends are better than ten. And before I leave it at that, make sure to cut out extra fat from your social circle. Giant squads are so 2013 (unless you're Taylor Swift... there's always an exception).

8. As much as you don't want to admit it, you will eventually turn into your mother. All those annoying habits of hers you make fun of? They'll sneak their way into your daily routines before you know it. 

9. Stay away from Bacardi Hurricane. 

10. If you wouldn't want your daughter/son doing something, don't do it. 

11. Love easily. Tear down the brick wall you have been building up and allow the right person to grow alongside you. It may take some time and it may be different for everyone. Just always open your heart. 

12. You aren't going to know what you want to do for the rest of your life when you walk down the stage and receive your high school diploma. It takes time, and that's okay. 

13. Save your money for things you want to spend them on. And I suggest these things be experiences. Want to sky dive? Have you always wanted to go to a certain music festival? Want to go on a trip with your best friends? Save. It feels good to be able to spend the money you earned on an experience rather than a material thing. You may think nice things make you happy, but in the end it's the vacations, concerts, and adventurous experiences that will fulfill your happiness. 

14. Disney World is always fun.

15. Never pass up an opportunity to see a play. 

16. Take advantage of family vacations, because you will soon be a poor college graduate who can barely afford a stay-cation on the beach. 

17. Take pictures. I can't stress how important having those memories will be to you when you're older. 

18. A wine night in can be just as fun (or more fun) than a wild night at a club. The club will always be there, but the genuine conversations you will have with whomever you're staying in with won't always come around. 

19. Work hard. Not only in school, but in everything you do. In work, your relationship, your friendships, and when you try and make a Pinterest meal. Always work hard and don't take the easy way out. It pays off in the end. 

20. No matter how badly you think you've messed up, and no matter how bad of a mistake you think you have made, those who truly love you and care about you will always be there for you. Through thick and thin, through the ups and downs, unconditional love will never betray you. My parents have shown me that and I hope to one day show that to someone. 

Like I said, I'm only turning 20. I have waaay more things to learn ahead of me, and I'm exited to do so. I'm looking forward to making this a year for growth, happiness, and prosperity alongside the people who mean the most to me. And I'm going to start that by eating pounds of cake and other treats throughout my birthday weekend (because a day isn't enough). 

Blessings, 

Birthday Princess NG