Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite
Just like vampires, bed bugs want to suck your blood, and they’re experiencing a surge on college campuses today. Across the country, these creepy-crawlers have moved into residence halls, where there is always a fresh supply of warm bodies and plenty of clutter to stay hidden. A 2010 study by the National Pest Management Association and the University of Kentucky in Lexington found calls to exterminators about these pests have risen by 81% over the past eight years. Their bites can cause your skin to redden, swell, and itch with irritation. Bed bugs are not only hard to get rid of, they like to travel as well. A student from a school with an infestation may carry bed bugs home or to another campus in luggage or other belongings. To find out more about how to identify and eliminate bed bugs, CLICK HERE.

Atten-hun! Boot Camp Training Keeps Going Strong
As the American College of Sports Medicine reported in its survey of fitness trends for 2011, boot camp training remains a wildly popular way for getting in shape. Blending aerobic and strength-based exercises, the approach takes participants back to basics with push-ups, jumping jacks, crunches, lifting weights, and more. To view a boot camp workout from the American Council on Exercise, CLICK HERE.

Rethink Your Drink: Lay Off the “Liquid Candy”
Many people who are trying to shed a few pounds don’t realize how many calories come packed in their beverages. Soda, which some nutritionists call “liquid candy” because of its high sugar content, can really add on the weight—a 20-ounce cola can contain 227 calories. And don’t let your morning coffee fool you—a latte can pack 265 calories. To find out about healthier drink options from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CLICK HERE.

Why Should You Consider a Cancer Screening?
Cancer is the number-one disease related cause of death for 15 to 40-year-olds. That’s why the nonprofit 15-40 Connection is encouraging young adults to make a commitment to seeing their doctor regularly for physical exams and become aware of any negative changes in their body so they can take immediate action. To find out more from 15-40.org, CLICK HERE.

FitnessU
Pressed for time but need to give your fitness a jolt? Here are some tips from students on how to get a great workout in 15 minutes:

• For cardio, a person can take a 10-minute run or jog and for the remaining five minutes they can do some crunches and squats in place building their core. Don't forget to stretch before and after. - Ketiwe, Binghamton University, New York
• Fifteen minutes of the treadmill will do a world of good for just about anyone. If you don't have access to a treadmill, then just jogging (even in place) is an excellent substitute. - Steele, University of Nebraska at Kearney
• Do five minutes of push-ups, five minutes of sit-ups, and five minutes of jumping rope. - Matt, University of Iowa, Iowa City
• Warm up for one minute, run for nine minutes, do two minutes straight of push-ups as fast as you can, then two minutes of sit-ups as fast as you can, and one minute of cool down. - Brett, Ohlone College, Fremont, California
• Alternate between strength and cardio. Do jumping jacks for two minutes, then sit-ups for two minutes, jump rope for two minutes, then lunges for two minutes, etc. Or just do burpees for 15 minutes. That's a great overall workout for cardio and strength, and it uses lots of different muscles. - Rachel, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
•  Swimming works the entire body. It’s a great way to tone! - Rebecca, Chapman University, Orange, California
•  For a beginner, do 10-20 push-ups and 20 sit-ups every morning; it'll get the body ready for the day. If you still have time, do torso/leg stretching and breathing exercises or yoga. - Jermaine, University of Memphis, Tennessee
• Doing the dance work out on Wii is a great way to exercise and have fun at the same time. - Kateryna, Oakton Community College, Des Plaines, Illinois
•  Jump rope or work out on an elliptical. Both are great cardio workouts. - Maria, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
• Run on the treadmill while holding three-pound weights [for about six minutes]. Jump rope for five minutes, do 50 crunches [about two minutes], plank for two minutes, wall sit for two minutes. - Imane, Mount Royal University, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
• Try the platypus walk. [Google for more information.] - Olena, University of Memphis, Tennessee

The UCookbook
Here are some favorite student recipes to make for a group:

Tuna Pasta
Boil 16 ounces of pasta (any shape—whole wheat is a healthier choice) until soft; strain and put into a large bowl. Open two cans of your favorite tuna, pour into the bowl with the pasta, and stir the tuna and pasta together. Put a relatively thin layer of mayo on top of the pasta (don’t mix in) and sprinkle with some white pepper and salt. Then stir mayo into the pasta, add some shredded carrots, and rip up some baby spinach leaves for a tasty tuna treat. You can also sprinkle cheese on top. Tastes great warm or cold and is a great leftover meal! - Jessica, University of South Florida, Tampa

Taco Salad
Try feeding friends with a taco salad. Heat a can of refried beans. Cook some ground beef until done. Put beans and ground beef on top of chopped iceberg lettuce. Top it all with Mexican cheese and fat-free ranch dressing. - Claire, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb

Pasta for All
For groups, I feel that pasta is the best way to go. But instead of dumping a ton of sauce in it, throw in some veggies (chopped spinach, onions, and green peppers) and protein (ground beef and Italian sausage). - Sherrell, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana

Majadra Lentils
Make this dish to serve six. Pick over and rinse 3/4 cups of brown, black, or green lentils, but not red. Simmer them in 2 cups of water, with a bay leaf, until they are soft but not mushy. Depending on the quality of the lentils, this might take 30-40 minutes. Do not add salt. Add more water if it looks like they’re drying out, but if they finish cooking and there’s water left over, just drain them and return them to the pot. Add salt to taste after the lentils are done. Remove the bay leaf.

Now slice 2 onions thinly. Put 2 tbsp butter or margarine, or butter/olive oil combined into a nonstick pan and caramelize the onions over the lowest possible flame, stirring once in a while. You want them very soft and golden, not brown and crisp. When the onions are done—anywhere from 15 to 35 minutes—add 1 tsp powdered cumin, ¼ tsp cinnamon, and a little salt and pepper.

Make basmati rice with two crushed garlic cloves mixed in. When rice is done, mix with lentils and onions. Serve with cilantro and yogurt as condiments. - Jacob, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts

Noodles With Pesto and Veggies
Boil enough penne noodles for your group. Three minutes before they are ready, throw in a frozen veggie pack of your choice. Drain and add pesto sauce. Add some cooked shrimp or chicken if you want. The dish is quick, healthy, and perfect for students. - Justin, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada