Ways to spice up a salad while keeping the calorie content to a minimum
Skip the bacon bits and put down the Caesar dressing, salads can be chock-full of nutrients, vitamins and protein if prepared the right way. They are great low-calorie meal options for those craving something fresh and tasty that also contain many health benefits. Use some creative ingredients to mix in with the greens for a healthier, tastier salad.
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Raw foodists rave about the health benefits of going raw, but not all can stomach the idea of an uncooked meal. Love to eat uncooked fish, rare steak and drink unpasteurized milk? People who have no problem eating such foods may be better suited for the lifestyle than others. No matter the preference, raw food diets are becoming increasingly popular among people who are trying to live a healthy lifestyle. But, the raw food diet, also known as “rawism,” is more than just eating sushi or ordering a bloody steak.
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All year long, international beer aficionados wait for the world’s biggest outdoor festival and their chance to party with millions of others at Munich, Germany’s annual Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest has become one of the world’s biggest gatherings, attracting 6.2 million attendees in 2007 full of fun activities and depleting almost 7 million liters of beer.
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Sam “the Cooking Guy” Zien is an average Joe when it comes to cooking. He doesn’t use fancy ingredients or chef terminology. He has no ridiculously over-the-top recipes, and he even prefers burritos from a taco stand to dining at an expensive restaurant. Overall, Zien just cooks good food — with a sense of humor.
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Visitors were able to tickle their taste buds and satisfy their senses at the first annual Taste of North Park. Although North Park is still a growing community, it is trying to make a community of vibrant boutiques, art galleries and of course, restaurants. However, this historic San Diego community is finally getting the publicity it deserves with this new event.
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The philosophy of dining at a supper club is simple and different from most restaurants: customers grill their own steaks. Guests become their own cooks at these retro diners at the waist-high steel grills sitting at the center of the restaurant.
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This diet aims to cleanse the body with natural juices
Few things are more refreshing than starting the day with fresh-squeezed juice. After all, juice is rich with nutrients, flavorful fruits and enough energy to start a morning off right. But one’s attitude toward juice may change when having to drink it as a sole source of nutrition.
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Although a mysterious allure swirls around the alcoholic drink absinthe, most rumors about it are false. Some people argue bohemian artists and writers from the 19th century had described hallucinations and visions of a “green fairy” after drinking absinthe — these are also untrue.
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The job that regularly deals with drunk people, late nights, and bar fights
It’s good to know at least one job is benefiting from the economy: Bartending. As many San Diego State students can vouch, not having money won’t stop them from drinking. Whether looking for a part-time job to make some extra cash or just a fun way to meet new people, bartending is a reasonable option.
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Some people eat to live and some live to eat. But, when a bunch of food connoisseurs get together, it’s heaven on Earth. It may be a simple French onion soup, a hamburger or curry-salved pomfret; no matter what it is, for foodies, all food is great. Foodies, a new organization on campus, binds students together through their love for food. The group was formed last semester and is now recognized by San Diego State. Students don’t need to be a hospitality and tourism management major to join this group; it’s open to anyone with an interest in food.
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Sunday is undoubtedly my favorite day of the week. Although, I’m sure many would disagree with me. Now, I’m going to go out in left field and assume that most people like Friday or Saturday because these are the two nights when everyone brings out their “fun” to go schmooze around at some frat rager or shake their tail feathers to beats the DJ incessantly spins on the rooftop of Stingaree. And sure, that is all fine and dandy, but come now people. How can one resist the carefree aura that is known as “Sunday Funday?”
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The concept of fusion food is still relatively new and unusual for those accustomed to the sea of generic meals and chain eateries. It may seem like these types of restaurants are expensive because of their uniqueness; however, J. Wok defies these odds and provides satiating meals at a low cost.
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Glazed Chicken What to get: 1 pound thin-cut chicken breast meat, available packaged in meat case of market Grill seasoning (recommended: Montreal Seasoning by McCormick) 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 2 turns of the pan 2 tablespoons minced ginger root 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 large red bell pepper, seeded and very thinly sliced 1 cup packaged shredded cabbage and carrot mix 3 scallions, chopped on an angle 1/2 cup plum sauce 2 cups basil leaves, loosely packed 1 tablespoon fish sauce 1/2 head iceberg lettuce, cut into half again 1/2 seedless cucumber, chopped What to do: Thinly slice the chicken into strips and sprinkle with grill seasoning.
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Pizza, beer and cookies all have something in common — and it’s not their lack of nutritional value. Gluten, found in most carb-loaded snacks, has lured many into what is called a “gluten-free diet,” in hopes to cure themselves of fat-causing cravings. But before gluten-free foods became popular, they made eating in a mandated food regimen a chore. For those suffering from celiac disease, gluten is detrimental and gluten-free dining is the only hope.
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Holidays and special events are one of the few chances for calorie splurges, at least for one night. Of course, these calorie “cash-in” nights are expected for Valentine’s Day chocolate binges and New Year’s Eve champagne sprees, but now, there is one more exception: San Diego Restaurant Week 2009.
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Soy can be found in products sold in super markets, beauty products and even in Starbucks coffees. Ever been in line at Starbucks and overheard someone order a “soy latte”? Surprisingly, these picky patrons are doing more than just extravagantly, over-customizing their java favorite — they’re actually infusing it with a multivitamin. Who knew with just a teaspoon’s amount of sweet soy milk, a cup of coffee can be converted into a healthy addition to a daily routine?
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The sweet combination of candied tortilla chips, chocolate, mango slices and kiwi purée sounds as though it would be a familiar after-dinner treat. While it may taste like a dessert, feasting eyes on this dish would cause many to think they were eating dinner. This eerie dessert looks exactly like nachos.
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Serving students for years, Sala Thai is here for the long haul
Tong Svangvitaya knows exactly how to ease students’ hunger pains. As a San Diego State senior majoring in sociology and Japanese and owner of Sala Thai, Svangvitaya makes it his goal to feed quality, delicious Thai food to students on a budget and in a hurry.
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There were dozens of pizzas to be eaten and the guests had no qualms about digging in. However, all of the pizzas were spotted with pepperoni, so Corrine DeRosa made no efforts to eat it because of her Jewish beliefs she has practiced for years.
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This new-wave fast food will have you driving through daily
Located on the edge of Hillcrest, across the street from the beautiful Balboa Park, Nature’s Express offers a fresh, healthy approach to fast food. Complete with a drive-thru, juice/smoothie bar and self-serve buffet, Nature’s Express provides a green cuisine of 100 percent vegan, cholesterol-free sumptuous specialties.
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On Aug. 9, a crowd stood on fifth avenue counting down for the silver anniversary of re-lighting the beloved and historic Hillcrest Sign. A multicolored stilt walker, known as the “Spirit of Hillcrest,” was met with a chorus of excited cheers and fireworks as he had the honor of lighting the sign.
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As college students, we all have a beloved indenture to alcohol. Whether it be Taaka, Ketel One, Patron or even the cheap plastic bottle you can pick up at the grocery store that proudly displays the label “Rum,” we all take pleasure in the time spent in the company of our favorite liquor.
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What does “going green” mean to you? It may mean buying a hybrid car, stocking up on reusable bags or even something as simple as choosing to walk instead of drive. But, going green is a natural, everyday ritual that you can do simply by eating the right foods.
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Sweat dripping down your forehead and sand between your toes — on Fourth of July, almost everyone in San Diego is out at the beach or the park, celebrating America’s independence with some good ol’ American barbecue.
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From ingesting chocolate-covered bacon strips to enjoying a gourmet dinner in the Turf Club, variety of food and beverages at the San Diego County Fair is an attraction in and of itself. The annual attraction has supplied visitors with an unwavering supply of sumptuous and shocking eatery events and newfangled, deep-fried foods for generations. Even if visitors may not be willing to test their iron stomachs, the fair has many appetizing things to enjoy for friends and family alike.
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This quaint, colorful Mexican restaurant in South Park offers quality, authentic Mexican food that doesn’t compare to those generic places such as Taco Bell or Chevys. El Camino: Super Cocina Mexicana is worth the visit when searching for an appetizing meal to satiate taste buds.
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Sushi is becoming more popular among health-conscious San Diegans. It seems there is a new sushi restaurant opening on every corner with many hungry customers indulging freely in portions of raw fish. Low-calorie, rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and filled with fresh vegetables, it’s no wonder why we take advantage of trying each new sushi restaurant that opens. Still, there’s one looming issue for sushi lovers: mercury content.
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When it comes to technology, I am utterly aware that my 9-year-old cousin would be better suited to install my DVD player than I would. I also fully accept that I will never have the aptitude or patience to solve even one side of a Rubik’s Cube. But ask me the best place for an ice-cold draft beer and a little slice of cheesy pizza heaven and I am your Yoda — let me teach you the ways.
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Less than a half hour away from San Diego State, Tijuana has always been a great place for San Diegans to enjoy low prices, fun shopping and Mexican culture all in one day.
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San Diego is known for its great weather, beaches and tourist attractions, but did you know that “America’s Finest City” is also known for its avocados? According to the California Avocado Commission, San Diego County produces about 60 percent of all of California’s avocados and is widely regarded as the avocado capital of the U.S.
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With basketball gearing down for the year, baseball season shifting into full swing and the sweet taste of football on the horizon, it’s more than obvious that Americans share a devout kinship with the world of sports. However, it is easy to see through the myriad themed restaurants and bars how many entrepreneurs have learned to take sporting affinities and turn them around into lucrative business ventures. After all, don’t all sporting events go hand in hand with mass consumption of alcohol and food? I think it’s more than safe to say they do.
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Being a girl, I hate to admit this, but my craving for pizza is unmatchable. Not to mention my affinity for cheeseburgers and french fries is comparable to the men I have encountered who can independently drown a 30-rack in less than 30 minutes. Oh, but try as I may and try as I might, my fervor for the savory sweetness of food is unparalleled to the way I am utterly attracted to palatable alcoholic beverages.
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David Dadon is an Aztec in his own right. Although he never attended San Diego State, with three of his five children currently attending SDSU and one of them an Aztec football alumnus, Dadon has a connection to the campus.
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Being a girl, I hate to admit this, but my craving for pizza is unmatchable. Not to mention my affinity for cheeseburgers and french fries is comparable to the men I have encountered who can independently drown a 30-rack in less than 30 minutes. Oh, but try as I may and try as I might, my fervor for the savory sweetness of food is unparalleled to the way I am utterly attracted to palatable alcoholic beverages.
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As Dr. Ted Loftness, an internist in Litchfield, Minn. put it, “Nothing is so overrated as sex, and so underrated as a good bowel movement.” That’s right: bowel movement. Sure, no one likes to talk about it butno one likes to not experience it either.
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Lance Owen trusts his taste buds. A 1993 San Diego State business graduate, Owen is the part owner of Kensington Vine, a dainty wine lounge nestled on the corner of a tiny strip mall on Adams Avenue.
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Have you ever reached for a box of cookies planning to eat just two and before you know it the box is empty? Sometimes, our mindless cravings get the best of us, and it can cause healthy food decisions to take the backseat. But with Spring Break approaching, conservative winter clothes won’t be your buffer to hide the effects of those unhealthy indulgences.
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As easy as it is to cruise into one of the many fast-food lines on campus to obtain one of those $5 meat, bun and cheese combos, the many neighborhoods of San Diego have so much more to offer for the burger enthusiast. You just have to know to look in the right places.
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Shrimp Scampi What to get: 2 pounds of shrimp 8 tablespoons of butter 4 large cloves of garlic 4 tablespoons of dry vermouth 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil 2 tablespoons of fresh or dried parsely 2 teaspoons of flour Dash of lemon juice (1/2 of a lemon) 1 pound of linguine (or your favorite pasta of choice) Salt and pepper to taste What to do: Cook linguine according to package directions.
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The chrome exterior and film roll wrapped around the building is enough to attract any curious mind. Right in the middle of Kearney Mesa’s industrial district, you can’t help but notice that this building stands out from the rest.
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Etiquette applies to more than just manners; right amount of tip also matters
Obnoxious children, snappy adults and overzealous customers can make waiting on tables a challenge for psychology sophomore Stephanie Nicolai.
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What to get: 12 ounces of chilled coconut milk 1 1/2 cups of water 1/2 cup + 2 t. of sugar 1/2 cup + 2 t. of cornstarch What do do: Combine all ingredients in saucepan and stir over medium heat until thickened. Lower heat and cook for 10 minutes, stirring constantly to avoid lumping or burning.
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Where Pacific Beach slowly starts to taper off into a more upscale La Jolla, on the north end of La Jolla Blvd, sits London’s West End Pub. Stuffed into a nook of heavily blue-tinted front windows and neon beer signs, The West End, as referred to by locals, is a dirty gem in comparison to the typical Pacific Beach scene.
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A bite of Indian food is like an explosion of warmth and flavor across the palate. It can bring forth strong sensual delights and may promote uncontrollable urges to lie on silk pillows, listen to sitar-infused music while watching wispy clouds of smoke billow through the dimly and sumptuously lit room.
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Local Beauty Bar and Lestat’s are cozy and vintage joints
As you search for new and interesting places around San Diego, there are two places that are very unique compared to other bars and coffee houses in the area: Beauty Bar and Lestat’s Coffee House.
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Forget those holiday feasts and try some healthier food options
After a joyful holiday season and a much deserved Winter Break, most of us will be coming back to San Diego State with more than just suitcases of new gifts. Thanks to a grandparents’ seasonal recipe and mom or dad’s homemade cooking, most of us will be coming back with a few added pounds. A great way to start off the new year and the new school semester is to use your back to school grocery trip to buy healthy food options.
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The holiday season is here. This, coupled with the upcoming finals week, can equal stress times infinity, and it’s quite easy to turn to food for comfort. In an effort to amend our eating habits, we’ll start with a healthy breakfast at home, but eventually return to our old ways, ending the day with a calorie-loaded meal. I’ve decided to journal my food intake for one day to track what I eat and see whether or not my eating is powered by my need to energize or is based mostly on how I feel at that moment.
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It’s a tough choice between a chain restaurant such as Panda Express for pre-packaged California Rolls or a unique and hidden fresh sushi joint run by a Japanese family.
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The popular tastes of iconic Parisian cafés come to life in Hillcrest
French flavors and flair combine into an unforgettable experience at the quaint Mille Feuille. Friends, families and couples regularly plan trips to the restaurant where indulgence is encouraged with sweet specialties such as chocolates, patisseries and afternoon tea. It is the pleasant sugar fix many people look for after a week of work headaches and sleep deprived study sessions.
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Various Web sites help amateur cooks speed up the process
Remember the good old days when you came home from school and there was a nice warm plate waiting on the table? Unfortunately, this has changed from an everyday occurrence to the rare visits you take home where mom is able to cook up a feast for you. While those days are long gone, many resources exist for students who want to learn how to make a meal that does not include ramen noodles as the main ingredient.
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Avoid the stress of breaking eating habits with the help of alternative meal options
As we approach the end of November, despite the apparent lack of seasons in San Diego, there is a definite switch in mentality as fall has finally settled in. The weather is crisp, people don coats and scarves, and there is an air of seriousness as everyone buckles down to prepare for finals.
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Contemporary decor and age-old taste are coupled in new North Park restaurant
Executive Chef Matt Gordon of Urban Solace has a lot going on in his head: It’s where his creative process happens.
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One Web site is helping restaurant enthusiasts beat reservation queues
Waiting for the next available seat at your favorite restaurant for two hours may not be your idea of the perfect night out. Waiting will no longer be an issue when you plan ahead and make reservations at a local trendy restaurant of your choice through the Web site www.opentable.com.
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The San Diego Food Bank is gearing up for upcoming holidays with local help
Food security is defined as the availability of food and the access that one has to it. If one lives in hunger or fear of starvation, they are considered to be food insecure. Many are aware that poverty and hunger are global epidemics. But what about local hunger?
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San Diego is undoubtedly known for its great weather and endless summers. The fact that summer is over means absolutely nothing. Unlike Ohio, Pennsylvania or New York, residents of San Diego are still wearing Rainbows and board shorts, lying out by the pool and soaking in the succulent rays.
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The noise is pounding in your ear, you look around at all your friends singing as loud as they can, “Stacks on deck/Patron on ice/and we could pop bottles all night/and baby you could have whatever you like.” Surrounding a small black coffee table in front of you, you and your friends look down at 10 small shot glasses lined up like a miniature army waiting to be consumed.
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The infamous words are upon us, “Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat!”
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The alluring smell of kettle corn and foreign dishes might be the reason why many flock to farmers markets all over San Diego, but these specialty markets offer so much more than food. People attend farmers markets for the great deals, fresh produce and specialty goods.
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It’s almost that time of year to slip on that little white dress or put on those tight leather pants: Flaunt your confidence in a Marilyn Monroe mini and don’t be shy to shake those hips Elvis Presley-style.
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Truly, blurting the rhyme, “Trick or treat, smell my feet; give me something good to eat!” does have a prerogative. At this time of the year, almost everyone’s stomach will be craving for the candy goodies, the nutty chocolates, artificial treats that have a mysterious taste, the sweetness of a caramel apple and all the other sugary treasures. But most of all, the sight of a golden glowing pumpkin will be the big treasure.
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When most people think of cheese, they reminisce about the numerous birthday parties spent at Chuck E. Cheese and childhood lunches consisting of macaroni and cheese. What most people do not think of however, are the healthy facts about cheese.
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On the outside, Heaven Sent Desserts may look like any other upscale dessert and coffeehouse, but it is the story woven into every detail of Heaven Sent that makes it unique.
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“Kosher Boy,” the remix of “Crank That (Soulja Boy),” is just one of many examples of the growing popularity of Judaism’s unique principles. Kosher is basically a Jewish law that sets standards on food (and even objects) in order to make it “fit, proper or correct.”
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You can argue against it as much as you’d like, but the truth is, much of the fraternity system uses alcohol as a way of socializing. Sometimes, this takes the form of massive parties with copious amounts of booze. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, you need to get out more on Thursday nights.
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It's easy to fall into the same routine every day: school, work, studying and sleep. Sometimes the one thing you need as a San Diego State student is change - particularly a change that includes caffeine. These four, diverse coffeehouses give you options, whether you want a hip, downtown setting or prefer to end the night with a glass of wine after reading.
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Editor's note: Names in this article have been changed by the request of individuals interviewed. On campus there is a variety of fast-food restaurants that students can visit. There are meals for the health-conscious, for the not-so-health-conscious, for the snackers and for the thirsty. Meal plans are a way of paying for food at the beginning of the semester and not having to worry about money for on-campus meals on a day-by-day basis. Meal plans work in the form of a card that holds a balance allowing you to have a specific amount of money to spend per day on food and drinks. The use of this card is required every day because the meals that are not bought are lost at the end of the day.
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Triple-shot espressos, sugary energy drinks and calorie-loaded candy bars aren’t the only way to wake up. Students are on a constant hunt for the ultimate energy boost, but relying on teeth-staining and heart-racing unhealthy sources of caffeine is not the solution.
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So close to Mexico, it's no wonder San Diego has mouthwatering fish tacos
Chicago may have the best deep-dish pizzas and Philadelphia might be known for its cheese steaks; however, San Diego is fortunate to be home to delicious, sauce-laden fish tacos.
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