Fall 2025

fall 2025

A TO ZZZZ’s The psychology behind sleep, and how to reap the most from your resting.

TASTE PERU MAYU’s enchanting Andean menu SPELLS TO-GO The world of Etsy witches STORYBOOK STREETWEAR Mythical looks, re-imagined

fall 2025

STORYBOOK STREETWEAR Mythical looks from around the world, re-imagined in style. Emulating legendary stories with just your closet’s catalogue

SPELLS TO-GO The world of Etsy witches A TO ZZZZZ’s A glimpse of sleep psychology TASTE PERU MAYU’s enchanting Andean menu

Spells To-Go

How Etsy witches made the Internet their spiritual marketplace

fall 2025 TASTE PERU MAYU ‘s enchanting Andean menu A TO ZZZZZ’s A glimpse of sleep psychology STORYBOOK STREETWEAR Mythical looks, re-imagined

fall 2025

TASTE PERU MAYU’s menu honors ancient Andean tradition with a showstopping menu

SPELLS TO-GO The world of Etsy witches A TO ZZZZZ’S A glimpse of sleep psychology STORYBOOK STREETWEAR Mythical looks, re-imagined

fall 2025

STORYBOOK STREETWEAR Mythical looks from around the world, re-imagined in style. Emulating legendary stories with just your closet’s catalogue

SPELLS TO-GO The world of Etsy witches A TO ZZZZZ’s A glimpse of sleep psychology TASTE PERU MAYU’s enchanting Andean menu

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distraction

www.distractionmagazine.com

Table of Contents The Guide 03 13

The “mob wife fashion” frenzy mixes classic elegance with unapologetic glamour. Read more on page 50.

04 Plant Care 06 Miami English 08 Having Fun at 21 10 Performing for the Female 10 Gaze

Happening

14 TikTok Music 16 Big Names on Campus 18 Overheard on Campus

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What The Fork

29

Mythical

39

Health & Wellness

47

Fashion

22 Taste Peru 25 Let AI Cook?

26 Keeping It Raw and Real 28 Us as Drinks

30 Urban Legends 32 Downfall of Disney 34 Spells To-Go 36 Written in the Stars

40 Artificially Skinny 42 Downward Dog 44 A to Zzzz’s 46 Sea Moss

48 Leaving No Crumbs 50 Mob Wife Fashion 53 Storybook Streetwear

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ABOUT US The magazine is produced four times per year, twice

a semester. City Graphics and Bellack Miami printed 2,000 copies of the magazine on 8.5 x 11 inch, 60-pound coated text paper 4/4. The entire magazine is printed four-color and perfect bound. Most text is nine-point Minion Pro with 9.8 points of leading set ragged with a combination of bold, medium and italic. All pages were designed using Adobe Creative Suite CC software InDesign with photographs and artwork handled in Photoshop and Illustrator. For additional information, visit distractionmagazine.com. Questions and comments can be sent to 1330 Miller Drive, Student Media Suite 202A, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, dropped into SSC Student Media Suite Suite 200 or emailed to distraction305@gmail.com. All articles, photographs and illustrations are copyrighted by the University of Miami.

photo_valentina gomez

WE LIKE YOU When it comes to contributors, we’re not picky.

Whether you’ve found your niche in a biology book, you’re notorious for doing “nothing” at the comm or business school or you’re halfway into your college career and still wave that “undeclared major” flag, we want to hear what you have to say. Distraction is an extracurricular/volunteer operation made for students, by students, and covers the full spectrum of student life here at The U. If you want to get involved or have any questions or concerns email us at distraction305@gmail.

photo_ava stroshane

T photo_julia campbell

photo_ethan dosa

Editor-in-Chief_Jay Moyer Executive Editor_Ariana Glaser Art Director_Charlotte DeAngelis Photography Director_Ethan Dosa Assistant Photo Director_Julia Campbell Executive Digital Editor_Amber Mason Digital Designer_Anna Mondschein Co-PR&Social Director_Morgan Black Co-PR&Social Director_Elizabeth Agurto Events Head_Devin Thompson The Guide Editor_Rosibel Mercedes WTF Editor_Ali Yessios Fashion Editor_Lucy Carlson-Pietraszek Happening Editor_Amanda Mohamad Treasurer_Kelsey Conrad Faculty Adviser_Randy Stano

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his fall, Distraction turned a new page. We said goodbye to the class of ‘25 — among them some of our MVP’s — and I found myself in the editor’s chair.

To our new and old readers, I want to introduce you to a new Distraction. This issue has been a time of shifts: stars aligning, planets retrograding, storms brewing and deadlines coming and passing…

The theme we chose was “mythical”. Myths are how we’ve always made sense of the things that don’t make sense. Maybe you don’t believe in magic, but don’t pretend you’re not intrigued by a day in the life of an Etsy witch. And maybe you’re not scared by local urban legends, until you try walking around the Biltmore hotel late at night.

From stories told around a bonfire to gossip overheard in the library, every day we’re presented with legends and myths. We have the choice to believe them, or remain skeptics. I hope that whatever choice you make, you get a kick out of reading these spellbinding stories. As always, thank you for staying distracted with us.

Mythically, Jay Moyer

THE GUIDE Welcome to the guide. While we can’t be your North Star or guardian angel, we can guide you through an epic 21st birthday party. Learn how to talk like a Miamian or how to become irresistible to women by pretending to read all the right books. Whatever you come searching for, we’re here to guide you. photo_ ava stroshane.

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The Guide To

Plants are more than just aesthetic greenery or pretty decorations to our homes — that is, if you purchase the real ones. Plants purify and provide more air, add pops of color to our personal coves, subtly boost our responsibilities and can generally revitalize the life in our living spaces. For college students living in a dorm or a new home, matching a plant to your lifestyle might be the right step toward adjusting. words_karly rae lieblong. photos_valentina gomez. design_joel wainberg.

Meet Your Leafy Match As if you’re adopting a new pet or finding your next semester fling, it is important that you and your plant are compatible. Evaluating each other’s environment and care level can help you in finding the perfect match.

The Snake Plant (Sansevieria)

Plants can often be divas, so make sure you pick one out with a personality you can tolerate. Corn plants, like this one, often need pruning and can’t stand their roots staying wet for too long.

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Care Level: Nearly immortal Water: Every 2-8 weeks, whenever the soil is completely dry Light: Low-light, shady conditions Benefits: Mother-in-law’s tongue — better known as the snake plant — is a beautifully edgy and resilient houseplant. With both its pointed, green-and-yellow blades and low-maintenance care, snake plants sweeten the deal by filtering common toxins from the air such as formaldehyde and benzene.

Consider snake plants if you’re looking for a plant that is both low-maintenance and effortlessly chic.

The Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Care Level: A little needy, but worth it Water: Weekly Light: Low to medium light conditions Benefits: Besides adding an elegant and graceful touch to your room, peace lilies are popular for their filtering and humidifying qualities. Releasing water vapor by transpira-

tion, peace lilies effectively alleviate allergens, dust, and airborne toxins that contribute to respiratory discomfort, dry skin, and irritated eyes. Get your bang for your buck with this pragmatic and gorgeous greenery!

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Care Level: Pairs well with plant killers Water: Every 1-2 weeks Light: Bright, indirect sunlight Benefits: Ironically nicknamed as “Devil’s Ivy”, this plant is actually quite the angel to care for. As a tropical plant, Pothos easily adapts to any structure, offering the opportunity for a lush hanging basket with its heart-shaped leaves or sprawling vines to climb a supportive structure. On top of looking gorgeous, pothos also supports air purification, filtering out common toxins and keeping your space fresh.

Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller) Care Level: Suspiciously low maintenance Water: Every 2-3 weeks Light: Bright, indirect sunlight Benefits: This handy succulent naturally grows in nutrient-poor soil and arid, dry conditions. Mimicking this environment can be easily achieved, only watering when the soil is completely dry. As a highly adaptable plant, it thrives on

neglect and even offers multiple medicinal values. Ignored your roommate’s advice to wear sunscreen? Mishap using your heated hair tools? Aloe’s sleek, spiky leaves store plenty of water and generate minerals and enzymes. Snip a leaf and apply the aloe’s cool gel for an affordably soothing, endless supply of first to second degree burn treatment or add it in your skin-prep moisturizing routine.

The Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Care Level: Beginner friendly Water: Weekly Light: Shady, indirect sunlight Benefits: Requiring minimal care, spider plants are ideal for beginners. Their light green-and-white striped leaves stretch into long slender arches, adding drama and poise to any space. Additionally, spider plants purify air and remove toxins such as formaldehyde and carbon monoxide. Give these green overachievers a spot in your dorm and they will reward you with fresh air and stylish charm.

Local Plant Shops

Luckily, Miami is full of diverse spots where you can snag your perfect match.

Here are a few shops where you can find the plant that’s ready to thrive in your dorm.

Galloway Farm Nursery

Expanding over two and a half acres, this family-owned business offers a variety of healthy interior plants. Bubbling koi ponds and sleek ceramic pieces adds to Galloway Farm Nursery’s earthy charm and can’t be missed.

Midtown Garden Center

Located between Wynwood and Midtown Miami, Midtown Garden Center provides an enriching experience to enhance their green haven. With an on-site juice bar selling refreshments and bowls, a florist arranging specialized bouquets, and the vibrant garden itself, Midtown Garden Center is the perfect urban oasis to treat yourself to.

MiMo Garden Center

This family-owned business is based in the historic Mimo district. Similar to their sister store, Midtown Garden Center, they invite customers to unwind and enjoy the visit.

Wander or rest beneath historical tree canopies, then refuel with a bite from the restaurant next door. Beginner plant owners will find this MiMo Garden Center’s atmosphere stressless and easy to enjoy.

Casaplanta Garden Center

A cheerful and affordable spot nestled in West Kendall, this quirky shop is filled with diverse delights and vibrant plants. Succulents, orchids and stylish indoor plants make this place a must-visit to spruce up your living space and give it some personality.

When picking flowers for the perfect bouquet, stick to a handful of harmonious colors. These stand out without clashing against the rest of your room.

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Miami English

Around 70% of Miami’s population speaks Spanish, with other common languages being Haitian Creole, French and Portuguese.

If you’re from out-of-town, you might have noticed a few things that make Miami a unique place. Miami English is one of those phenomena that many locals take pride in but many outsiders might not get. Whether you’ve heard about it through memes — like the “Sh*t Miami Girls Say” videos — or on the streets of Brickell, this guide will make you better versed in the language of the 305. words_jay moyer. illustrations_jay moyer. design_olivia diaz.

Setting the Record Straight While walking around Miami, you’re bound to hear a variety of accents and dialects from all over the world. Obviously, there’s more than one way to speak English in this city. But typically, when people say “Miami English,” they refer specifically to the growing Latin-American diaspora and the English that is largely influenced by Spanish.

Whether or not this is a whole new dialect is not set in stone. However, the subject is of great interest to many

linguists in the area.

“Miami English constitutes very firmly what we call in sociolinguistics a sociolect,” said Dr. Andrew Lynch, a sociolinguist and professor at the University of Miami.

“Subsumed under dialects, there are all kinds of sociolects, which would just be ways of speaking to characterize particular groups in society.”

Dr. Lynch explained that while some describe Miami English as a “new dialect,” the linguistic landscape of the city is rapidlychanging, making it hard to define with such certainty.

“Miami is a very recent phenomenon in sociolinguistic terms,” he said.

However you frame it, it’s clear that something interesting is happening throughout Miami. Spanish has been coming into contact with English for generations, and it’s leaving a big influence. This influence shows itself mainly in the form of calques.

When Languages Collide A calque is essentially a literal translation from one language into another. In places like Miami, where you have multiple languages

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The Guide

coexisting over time, these are bound to appear all over the place.

If you’ve ever heard someone say “get down from the car” or “throw a photo,” then you’re familiar with some common calques.

These are literal translations of their Spanish equivalents: “bajar del carro” and “tirar una foto,” respectively.

Some other Miami English calques are: “make a party,” “make the line,” and “get married with.” While these might not sound natural to people from elsewhere, they’re fairly common Miami-isms.

Calques are perfect examples of how phrases can be influenced by Spanish even when it isn’t obvious.

Elizabeth Agurto, a senior English and architecture major from Coral Gables, says the mix of English and Spanish is a big part of her social life. Growing up in a Peruvian family, she learned to speak Spanish at home and English in school, but the languages often mix in many areas of life.

“Sometimes the Spanish words will slip out every once in a while,” said Agurto. She described the phenomenon of codeswitching: the fluid exchange between two different languages or dialects in the same conversation, or even in the same sentence.

In this case, the codeswitching is what many Miamians call “Spanglish.”

“I used to use ‘pero like’ a lot,” Agurto says. Switching out the conjunction “but” with “pero like” is one of the most iconic Spanglish Miami-isms out there.

As someone who works with a mix of English and Spanish-speaking clientele, Agurto is used to code-switching in everyday life. She appreciates the multilingual community that gives Miami its unique identity. “Somehow we all make it work, and we make it our own little dialect,” she said.

Phrases to Know

Some Miami English is a little bit more subtle. The prevalence of “irregardless” in the place of “regardless” is a great example. You might hear someone say, “Irregardless of the rain, I’m going to the pool parties.”

People might tend to use other modifiers differently as well. While “super” is a word used in all varieties of English, it’s a bit more commonplace in Miami. That’s because in many varieties of Spanish, “súper” is used casually before adjectives to mean “very.” In Miami English, people often say “It’s super hot,” “I’m super tired” and “That restaurant in Merrick Park is super nice.”

The unique idioms and grammatical changes in Miami show how the contact between many languages and cultures can create an interesting result.

As Agurto put it, “We have this multicultural mosaic city.” Miami English is just one of many things that add to the mosaic. It’s just one of many things that give Miami its legendary identity.

Much of what we know as Miami English is influenced by Cuban, Colombian and Venezuelan Spanish.

Miami English Dictionary Dale (v.) - from Cuban Spanish, meaning everything from “let’s go” to “I agree.”

Super (adj.) - a modifier to be used every other sentence. E.g.

It’s super hot today!

Pero like (conj.) - a conjunction meaning “but like” Getty (n.) - something in between a hangout and a party Meat empanada (n.) - a beef empanada Bro, literally (adv.) - words to start any sentence with

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Having Fun at 21 Turning 21 in Miami isn’t just about ordering your first legal drink. It’s about unlocking a whole side of the city that was previously out of reach. Celebrating in the nightlife capital means you can get a mix of luxury and late nights. Your twenty-first birthday will be here before you know it, so here’s your guide to making it unforgettable.

Dear nearly 21-year-olds, ditch the vodka-cran and try the restaurant’s special martinis!

words_sara johnson. photo_julia campbell. design_lilya moriarty.

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The Guide

Weekday vs. Weekend Birthdays

One of the first things to consider is timing. A 21st celebration on a Tuesday looks completely different from a birthday on a Saturday night.

For a weekday birthday, you’ll want to shy away from an overly late night. In Coconut Grove, you can go to the rooftop bar Level 6 at sunset, just for cocktails or also for food to share for the table. This is perfect for taking as many birthday photos as you want with the Grove skyline and water in the back while having more flexibility with what time guests arrive and leave.

On the fancier side, dinner at the Grove’s Carbone Vino is cozy, intimate, dark and it feels like a little escape to Europe. Both places are calmer and do not turn into a lively stand-on-table Miami night. A Wednesday night dinner there with friends — followed by dessert and wine, of course — can be just as special as any big night out.

Weekends, however, you simply must go all out. If your birthday falls on a Friday or Saturday, host a pregame or start with dinner at a nice restaurant like Mila or the Faena.

If you want a restaurant that turns into a party, go to HaSaloon or Marion. Straight out of Saint-Tropez or Mykonos, at these restaurants you can have your cake brought out with sparklers while dancing on the table surrounded by your friends. Keep in mind lots of expensive restaurants in Miami will charge ~$5+ per slice to cut your cake. So if you decide to do a dinner, either do your cake at home, go all in with forks and let everyone devour the cake without cuttingor prepare for this extra cost. After your dinner, you can hop to Medium Cool, Mila or Faena Lounge to pregame, then around 1 a.m. head over to the nightclubs.

Mynt is a smaller, student-heavy club where you’re almost guaranteed to see familiar faces. It’s darker and has a ceiling full of colorful lights, and it’s great for bouncing from table to table. If you’re ready to dance on an elevated surface till 4 a.m., come here.

LIV is packed with performers, celebrities and an international crowd — it’s the true Miami experience. Check their Instagram to see who is performing, and if you’re lucky, you might just celebrate with a performance from a popular artist.

Don’t sleep on E11EVEN. In fact, don’t sleep at all: E11EVEN is where you’ll spend feral, sleepless nights with aerial dancers and famous DJs. Also note: Regatta in the Grove is finally open to you. On Fridays, it’s filled with students catching up and drinking before going out. While it’s not the liveliest spot for a 21st, it becomes a regular Friday tradition now that you’re of age.

Birthday on the Water

Rent beach chairs at West South Beach, order cocktails or some fries and celebrate with some swimming. Bring your cake, put on your favorite bikini, birthday crown and enjoy a more intimate celebration. For a full

day celebration, have a birthday boat day.

Rent a boat with friends, stock up on drinks and seltzers, and celebrate with a day of swimming and dancing to music.

If you want to save some money on your celebration but still enjoy the water and sun, you can bring beach towels, pick up some sandwiches, fruit and drinks and have a picnic on the beach to celebrate. You can decide if you want this to be a smaller, more intimate celebration or a bigger one.

Themed Birthday

To spice up your birthday, add a theme.

You can host a pregame and decorate your space. You could do a “tini bit older” theme and dress in olive colors while sipping martinis. You can commit to these themes by painting a banner, buying balloons and matching your cake to this theme. The opportunities for themes are endless and make for great photo opportunities. You can make it whimsical and make a mermaid theme decorated with fun colors, stars and blue lights to set the scene for your birthday.

Everyone can come dressed close to your theme, or it can just be for decorations. You can add a theme to any birthday celebration you decide on!

At Home Dinner

Host a dinner at home with your friends!

Whether you order in or cook, you can decorate with balloons, champagne glasses, candles or go all out with a theme. This is the perfect way to enjoy quality time with friends, have everything be exactly to your wants and have full creativity in decorations and music.

Turning 21 in Miami is a milestone.

Whether you’re standing on tables, dancing on a boat or having an intimate dinner, the city offers endless ways to mark the occasion.

What makes the night unforgettable is the people you celebrate with and the memories you’ll make.

Smart Safety Tips As fun as your 21st will be, it’s important to celebrate safely.

Know your limits.

It can be easy to get carried away in the birthday activities.

Whether it be hours spent on a boat or in the club, make sure you know when to stop drinking.

Stick with your friends Make sure no one from the group is ever left alone.

Uber and Lyft.

Don't take risks with driving.

Using these apps also makes it so easy to jump from place to place while you're out.

Eat and hydrate!

Charge your phone Keep it at 100% before you head out or bring a portable charger. Lots of photos and videos will be taken, and you don’t want to be left with a drained phone.

Visit UM’s Sandler Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Education for any questions or concerns about staying safe with your alcohol habits.

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g n i m r perfoor f the female gaze We know, we know — you’re not like other guys. But how can we really know if you’re not shoving your matcha and first-edition copy of ‘A Handmaid’s Tale’ in our faces? Distraction Magazine has assembled the ultimate starter pack for performative men. words_ariana glaser. photo_julia campbell. design_charlotte deangelis.

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T

he Performative Male Epidemic is at its peak. Some women hate them, but some men love to be them. Everywhere you turn, there’s a Hinge prompt complaining about how terrible menstrual cramps are or a curated Spotify playlist filled to the brim with alternative deep cuts. Aspiring performative men, we’ve got your all-inclusive starter pack to ensure the women you aim to impress know you’re not like other guys.

The Clothes

Most guys wear old t-shirts and athletic shorts, but remember: you’re not “most guys.” A staple solid tee shirt and dark gray dad jeans are a great start, but you can go bigger. Add a black belt with a silver buckle, and make sure you hook your AirPods case through your belt loop so passersby know you listen to music — more on that later.

If you’ve got room to hook a Labubu as well, even better! Next, you have a couple of choices for footwear, but we highly recommend either loafers or platform ankle boots.

Wear enough rings that your knuckles are just barely visible and paint your nails black.

Any color is overkill, but black is just right.

Remember your goal is to look a little gay but not too gay.

“Little women” and “Catcher in the Rye” are essentials on every performative male’s reading list.

The Hobbies

To be a performative man, you don’t need to have passions. In fact, it’s better that you don’t. All you need to do is pretend to be passionate about a couple of things: Being well-read is nonnegotiable. Reading in a public space with one leg crossed over the other is a surefire way to get women’s attention. Modern-day feminist literature, 1800s classics and self-help books are your best friends — bonus points if you can then steal and incorporate big words that you don’t understand into casual conversation.

Where you work is also crucial: Distraction recommends a record store or thrift shop. Plus, you’ll get discounts on must-have flannels or records! It’s a win-win!

If you cannot find a job, you can also go the unemployed route, and if someone asks why you don’t have a job, say you’re protesting the wage gap. Bonus points if you DJ. Other hobbies that aren’t really hobbies: Get a cat. Raise house plants. Watch movies pre-21st century and maintain an active Letterboxd account. Drink matcha. Most importantly, play guitar a la Ken in the “Barbie” beach scene. Every woman loves when a man plays them a terrible country song under the stars.

The Music

If you’re walking around campus without earbuds in, you’re doing something wrong.

But of course, you can’t listen to just any music. Be prepared in case you’re lucky enough to be stopped and asked what you’re listening to. You should aim for your playlist to be that of a 13-year-old bisexual alternative girl. We know you’ve already got Clairo and Lana Del Rey locked in, but consider adding some other very underground artists: Taylor Swift, Phoebe Bridgers and — if you really want to drive the point home — Chappell Roan.

Did you know the 19th amendment is best memorized when sipping lavender coffee?

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The Feminism

Being an over-the-top feminist should be your top priority. Make your presence known at prochoice rallies. You don’t need to go to more than one, nor do you need to go for more than five minutes. Just borrow someone’s poster and take a ton of pictures to overload your social media with.

If you’re on Hinge, skip the typical fish-holding profile pictures and instead include prompts that declare how horrified you were when you found out women get periods.

Perhaps most importantly: Equal opportunity. You’re a hopeless romantic who prioritizes making every woman feel special, so make sure you’re never snapping less than 30 girls at a time.

You’re already doing great, sweetie.

You’re basically six feet tall, and your reading glasses that you definitely don’t need make you look oh so sophisticated. But with these add-ons, you’re sure to get laid — I mean be a productive member of society! That’s your goal, isn’t it?

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HAPPENING Here you’ll find today’s hot topics. And yes, library gossip is absolutely a hot topic to us. Take a break from your TikTok scrolling to read up on TikTok music. Find out the stories behind iconic campus buildings without having to Google a thing. If it’s happening, Distraction is covering it. photo_ ava stroshane.

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TIK TOK MUSIC

Thanks to TikTok, a 15-second clip can take a song from forgotten to famous. Even with Gen Z’s short attention span, 15 seconds is all it takes for a user to fall in love with a song — and for an artist to make their streaming residual money. g.

But are virality and success synonber ain w l e ymous in today’s music industry? s_jo tion a r t lus And does writing with a TikTok r. il lase an g Even if you haven’t listened to all of Sabrina a lm ian audience in mind diminish Carpenter’s new album, “Man’s Best Friend,” most _ar ra wol s d wor gn_ sa likely you’ve heard at least 15 seconds of the top i s authenticity? e d songs by scrolling through TikTok. There are

Behind many tiktok trends today, there may be a record label paying influencers to turn a song into a hit.

edits of “The Summer I Turned Pretty” heartthrob Conrad Fisher set to “Tears,” sorority house walkthroughs set to “House Tour” and almost everyone you know has attempted the “Manchild” line dance.

Music fanatics used to have to turn on the radio or go to a record store to find their new favorite artists. With the rise of streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, music discovery was suddenly right at listeners’ fingertips. Users took advantage of the apps’ personalized playlists and friends’ recommendations to expand their musical palettes. Now with TikTok, they can simply scroll through their “For You Page” and find hundreds of snippets of new music within seconds.

Attention, Please!

TikTok’s entire brand is built around brief videos that inform or entertain fast, and its knowledge of Gen Z’s infamously brief attention span may be part of the reason it’s helping so many artists thrive.

“The attention span of consumers nowadays is shorter,” said Professor Guillermo Page, an assistant director of the Frost School of Music’s

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Happening

music business and entertainment industries program. “You need to grab their attention within three to five seconds.”

When listening to a song on Spotify, you’re listening to it from the beginning to the end, whereas oftentimes on TikTok you’re hearing a meticulously chosen snippet that could be at any point in the song. Artists and record labels alike work to find the song’s most scandalous line or catchiest hook, and that’s the section they choose for TikTok to promote. The hope is that when listeners hear that snippet, they’ll be intrigued and then they’ll stream the whole song.

Mason Jerome, a first-year student studying studio music and jazz, took note of this tactic, and he felt it was oftentimes a sort of trick.

“Usually, there’s that one catchy part, and I’m very disappointed when I go back and listen, and it’s kind of just a bad song outside of that,” said Jerome, who writes his own music but does his best to stray from what is popular on TikTok. In Jerome’s mind, pop music in particular feels more inauthentic nowadays. He explained how in some respects music feels less like an art form and more like a “media.”

“For authentic songwriters and people who are genuinely interested in the craft of … producing beautiful music,” said Jerome, “[TikTok] has ruined a lot of people’s perception of what writing music and songs really is.”

Finding Their Groove

First-year musical theatre major Alex Kee disagrees.

While he thinks there may have been a time where TikTok music all blurred together, he believes most artists have now begun to find their own individual voices and simply use social media to promote.

“I think there are people who legitimately write for TikTok … but I feel like that’s a very small minority,” said Kee. “A lot of times the advertisement or promotion of that can come across as a little inauthentic, but I don’t think the music itself has become more inauthentic necessarily.”

Whether artist authenticity is at stake is anyone’s argument, but TikTok’s impact on the music industry is undeniable. A self-named “driver of music discovery and artist success,” TikTok’s latest music report shared that 84% of songs that entered the Billboard Global 200 in 2024 went viral on the social media platform first.

Kee knows firsthand the ripple effect a viral clip can have on an artist’s career. His friend Isaak Wesley Isbell, who goes by the stage name The American Dawn, achieved stardom with the breakout success of “Her” which, as of September 2025, has been used in 379,100 TikTok videos and has nearly 90 million Spotify streams.

“He posted nature videos with the [song] under it,” Kee said. “People caught on and started doing covers

of the song and filming their own little videos with the sound underneath it.”

Those “little videos” were far more influential than anyone could have imagined — they led The American Dawn to a monthly paycheck of approximately $30,000.

Kee pointed to the notoriously meager sums most streaming platforms offer artists in terms of revenue. On average, Spotify pays artists $0.003 per stream, while TikTok pays artists $0.03 for each video that uses their song. That might not seem like a lot, but in cases where a song goes as viral as “Her” did, it makes all the difference.

“Platforms like TikTok and a lot of these other social media [platforms] are actually making money for artists, and they’re giving them publicity,” said Kee. “They’re doing so much more for artists than a lot of these streaming apps are.”

Staying on Top

But as powerful a tool as TikTok can be to jumpstart a musician’s career, Professor Page warns that in his experience, it takes more than a viral snippet to “define a hit or an artist’s career.” “[A 15-second clip] could be a spark,” said Professor Page, “but there’s got to be some substance underneath for it to really flourish.”

While he admitted that TikTok is “the place to be” for emerging artists, a single “spark” won’t lead to a sustainable career. Frequent follow-up posting and subsequent creation is just as necessary as the first taste of virality.

All this to say, Professor Page sees record labels constantly prioritizing social media campaigns over traditional promotional strategies. Artists and Repertoire (A&R) representatives prioritize direct connection between artists and fans, and TikTok acts as the “perfect vehicle.”

As a result, Professor Page underscores the importance of a social media following when seeking representation. Without it, you won’t even get in the door.

“Nowadays, record labels very rarely develop an artist from scratch,” said Professor Page. “Among other things, they’re going to look at your social media footprint, and they’re going to say, ‘Okay, how many people are following you? How many people are engaging in your posts?’”

In other words, a viral clip can open doors — but virality alone doesn’t equate to success in the music industry. TikTok is a vessel, but artists must drive the ship. The musicians that come into TikTok with substance will be the ones to elicit sustainability.

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BIG NAMES ON CAMP

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Merrick, Dooly, Frost and Richter are names we hear every day here at the University of Miami. These names are slapped onto the buildings that might be where you suffer through your 8 a.m.’s, but they are more than just classrooms and study spots. Each one carries the legacy of Miami’s founders, visionaries and philanthropists who shaped both the “U” and the city around it. From George to Otto, the names on your syllabus are the same names that built Miami’s story. words_sofia cole. photo_ethan dosa. design_joel wainberg.

MERRICK On Feb. 4, 1926, the cornerstone of The Solomon G. Merrick Building was laid, making it the first building of the University of Miami. This building holds not only classes for the School of Education and Human Development, the College of Arts and Sciences and the Miami Herbert Business School; it also holds a name with a rich history, connecting UM and the founding of Coral Gables.

After George Merrick, the founder of Coral Gables, donated around 160 acres of land and $5 million to jumpstart the University of Miami, he decided to name the first major building after his father, Solomon G. Merrick. The Merricks were central to making Coral Gables what it is today, bringing to life their vision of Mediterranean-style architecture and UM. George Merrick, Photo courtesy of University of Miami Archives.

DOOLY

After WWII, the first permanent academic building on UM’s Coral Gables campus was built. Originally called the “Memorial Classroom Building,” each classroom was intended to be dedicated to various University benefactors.

Oscar E. Dooly was a University of Miami board trustee from 1944 until 1970, serving as chair of the board for seven years.

The building’s central lecture hall was later converted into the Bill Cosford Cinema, a movie theater free for students and campus favorite for indie films and festivals. Even the design was ahead of its time, with angled classrooms built to avoid being blinded by the early morning Florida sun.

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FROST

Fast forward to today, and no name resonates across Miami’s cultural map quite like Frost. Dr. Phillip Frost, a physician-turnedentrepreneur, and his wife Patricia, a devoted philanthropist, have made their mark on everything from science to the arts. At UM, their name crowns the Frost School of Music, one of the nation’s most respected programs, and the Frost Institute for Chemistry and Molecular Science, home to UM’s award-winning research program.

But the Frost legacy doesn’t stop there – it extends to Miami’s Frost Museum of Science and Florida International University’s Frost Art Museum, all tied to the couple’s generosity. Their influence has made the city of Miami not just a beach vacation or party center, but a hub for innovation and culture.

RICHTER

Lost on campus? Chances are you have used the tallest building at UMLost on campus? Chances are you have used the tallest building at UM, the Otto G. Richter Library, as your guiding landmark. In 1926, UM started its library with only 250 donated books and a dream, going decades without a dedicated building.

By the 1950s, this lack of a library was seen as a “stigma” for the university.

But in 1959, UM received an $8.7 million gift from Otto G. Richter, a businessman and philanthropist. This gift finally funded the construction of a full-scale library — the 192,000-square-foot building we see today. The library houses the Cuban Heritage Collection, the largest archive of Cuban diaspora materials outside of Cuba.

SHALALA

The Donna E. Shalala Student Center has the honor of not only being connected to Starbucks, but being named after an awardee of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Nelson Mandela Award for Health and Human Rights.

Donna E. Shalala served as the President of the University of Miami from 2001 to 2015, transforming UM into a respected research institution. Under her leadership, UM launched two Momentum fundraising campaigns that brought in over $3 billion for scholarships, research, and facilities, reshaping the university’s role in higher education.

Shalala’s impact goes far beyond Coral Gables; she served as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Bill Clinton for eight years, becoming the longest-serving HHS secretary in U.S. history. She also represented South Florida in Congress from 2019 to 2021 and previously led the Clinton Foundation, where she oversaw global health and development initiatives.

HERBERT

Only two buildings on our campus are named after a love story: the Patti & Allan Herbert Wellness Center and Business School.

Patti McBride and Allan Herbert first met in 1954 on the University of Miami’s Coral Gables Campus, where they were both business students.

After graduating, both Patti and Allan emerged as prominent figures in business and philanthropy within the Miami community. Allan Herbert carved out an impressive career in the insurance industry, while Patti Herbert made a name for herself in real estate at the Grubb and Ellis commercial real estate firm. In 2019, the UM School of Business’ name was altered to recognize a monumental $100 million pledge from University of Miami alumni Patti and Allan Herbert, marking the largest individual contribution in the University’s history. Nearly 20 years ago, the Fate Bridge, across Lake Osceola, was born from Patti Herbert’s wish to honor her husband Allan on their 42nd wedding anniversary.

Otto g. Richter, Photo courtesy of University of Miami Archives.

Next time you rush past these buildings on your way to class, remember that their names aren’t just plaques on the wall; they’re stories of visionaries, leaders, and dreamers who helped shape both UM and Miami itself. From love stories to legacies of philanthropy, each name carries with it a piece of history that continues to influence the campus we call home today.

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OVERHEARD

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C S AM PU S CA MP

No one could survive college without one essential. No, it’s not coffee or energy drinks​:​ it’s gossip. As humans we can’t help it. It’s ​our natural instinct to want to know what’s going on, whether we realize it or not. And when you go to a school like the University of Miami, full of people from all different walks of life now mixed into a big city, the gossip is like no other. words_ lucy carlson-pietraszek. photo_valentina gomez. design_anna mondschein.

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Library Talk

There is no better place to learn about who’s dating who or about the crazy fight that went on at last night’s frat party than the library. It’s no secret that plenty of debriefs happen when groups gather in the library to “study” but never seem to get any work done.

If you just so happen to turn your headphones off and pay attention, you might just hear some crazy confessions. Here are some that other students have overheard: “Ya you can use my vape but it’s tres leches. It’s like my sweet treat when I want to kill myself.”

“They’re not pregnant, but they’re trying.

Oh god, he’s going to be the worst father.”

“She was fully wrapped around the pole and they were aggressively trying to pry her off of it.”

“Nah the TA is super chill. I asked them what they thought the answer was and they were like, ‘uhhh I think it’s B,’ and then I got a 100% on the exam.”

Corner Deli Canoodling

Maybe don’t go as far as to eavesdrop, but sitting near someone having a loud conversation never hurt anyone. Well, it might not hurt you at least. An anonymous source says one week at the Corner Deli in UM’s Shalala Student Center, they overheard a frat guy say how he gave a girl a lap dance and then “ended up staying the night because the dance was too good.” However, next week the same guy came into Corner Deli with, you guessed it, his long distance long term girlfriend he introduced to people. A week later, the next week the frat guy was heard speaking yet again about the “lap dance girl” and how much he enjoyed hooking up with her. So be careful when you’re cheating on your longterm girlfriend in public. Cheaters, beware of where you discuss your infidelity: You might just so happen to be standing next to the same person in the Corner Deli line three weeks in a row.

Money, Money, Money

No one is surprised that some people at UM have money—have you seen that $90K tuition?—. It’s the way that students talk about their experiences in public that can be shocking. On the first floor of the Richter Library, a student said, “I have really rich Mexican friends and I went out with them. One of them was telling everyone ‘my dad could buy this club.’” Another student overheard a conversation while walking to class in Dooly, in which a student explained, “My mom bought me a Louis Vuitton but I don’t want it. I don’t want to have to be decked out in Louis all the time.” It’s not always about material things though. Sometimes it’s the experiences that may seem to be mundane to them, but would be once in a lifetime opportunity to most. For instance, just outside of the library, a student overheard a girl say “I was thinking of going to California because Kylie Jenner’s ex invited me to visit him and is going to pay for all of it.” Speaking of the Kardashians, another girl confessed to her friend inside the library: “I’m working in the paddock at the event.

Everyone wanted to work there because it’s going to be like some Kardashians, Timothee Chálamet and other famous people.”

Nine Lives

Multiple people have confessed to overhearing about the supposed “cat murderer.” back in 2023 after multiple of UM’s campus stray cats were found dead. If you haven’t heard, or just aren’t on Yik Yak, let me be the one to break the news:. People had been whispering saying that the stray cats you see around campus were slowly turning up dead…and it didn’t seem like it was from natural causes. Soon word spread and everyone was gossiping about how there was possibly a student who was responsible for all these “murders.” No one knows if this is true, exaggerated, or just plain gossip. That’s all part of the fun though, never truly knowing how much of a story is real.

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Am I Hearing That Right?

Sometimes you quite literally hear something. It may not be gossip, but it sure is gossip worthy. A student studying in the stacks tower of the library said they “heard two people actively having sex [in there].” Although they didn’t see them, based on the sounds, there was no mistaking what they were getting up to.

Next time you have a free moment, walk around campus and try to catch the most interesting tidbits you can. You never know what you can learn about someone by just listening and being aware of your surroundings.

Listening to strangers’ conversations is a safe, easy and free hobby.

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WHAT THE FORK Take a seat and dig in. What The Fork is for the foodies.

Discover Peruvian food like no other, infused with ancient history and ritual at MAYU. Find out how well ChatGPT can cook, and whether or not a raw diet is right for you. Bon apetit! photo_ ava stroshane.

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Near the Miami River, MAYU brings the Incan sky river down to earth, blending Quechua names, bold Peruvian flavors, and myth-inspired cocktails into an immersive experience. “Mayu,” meaning “river” in Quechua, originates from the Urubamba River in Peru. In Incan culture, it was considered a celestial river connecting Earth to the Milky Way, often called “the river of stars.” At MAYU, Peruvian Andean heritage becomes a living myth. Guests leave the urban bustle behind to enter a world where every dish whispers to the mountains and every sip honors the Andean sky. words_liz agurto. photo_ethan dosa. design_ava lacalamita & charlotte deangelis.

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The hand-washing ritual not only washes away impurities, but refreshes your energy and sets the stage for your meal.

More Than a Meal

Dinner at MAYU is discovery. From the moment you enter, the hostess greets you with a warm “Haykuykuy!” meaning “Welcome, come in!” in Quechua. Guests can then cleanse their energy in an ancestral hand-wash ritual: aromatic, oil-infused water is poured from a gold pitcher over a bowl of wildflowers. This ritual mirrors the “cleansing process for textiles, using natural roots and essential oils, before being made into Quipus or clothing,” Nicole Astete, owner of Mayu and COO of Aromas del Peru restaurant brand, shares as the journey has just begun.

“No other restaurant does this. I’ve never gone to a restaurant and participated in a ritual! It felt like I was part of history,” states first year law student, Martin Victoria, who visited the restaurant in August.

Behind the cocktail bar, bartenders in Peruvian balaclava masks, waq’ollo in Quechua, move with careful precision, turning mixology into ritual. These masks are inspired by the Qoyllur Riti Festival, a sacred annual pilgrimage in the Peruvian Andes.

“When you see the waq’ollo masks behind the bar, you can really see the storytelling take place in the restaurant,” Martin Victoria states.

One such story unfolds in the Trees and Bees cocktail, where beeswax-washed Woodford Reserve Bourbon and honey create velvety richness, deepened by palo santo smoke. In Peru, palo santo, or “holy wood,” has long been burned in ceremonies and offerings to Pachamama, its sacred smoke believed to purify and connect the physical and spiritual realms. Each sip becomes its own act of devotion.

different food categories alongside their Quechua translations. Appetizers become Haywanakuy, Main Courses are Chacra & Mama Qucha, and Dessert is Misk’i mikhuna.

Presenting dishes in ancestral names turns dining into a conversation with history. “I think it’s cool how Mayu incorporates ancient Andean language in their menu. I never expected to learn so much in one visit,” notes Victoria.

From Coast to Andes

Beyond Quechua, Mayu emphasizes authentic Peruvian ingredients to showcase cultural richness. “I import ingredients from across Peru and work with vendors to really highlight the sazón,” Astete explains. Salazar notes that Mayu preserves Andean traditions

by introducing staples like purple corn, central to Andean culture, and allowing nonPeruvians to appreciate their significance.

From the Andes to the coast, the menu pays homage to Peru’s diverse culinary heritage. Ceviche, bright with citrus and spice, reflects the coastal flavors that have long defined the nation’s cuisine. Papa a la Huancaína, silky potatoes in ají amarillo sauce, celebrates Andean creativity with native ingredients including Peru’s 4,000 native potato varieties. The iconic Lomo Saltado, stir-fried beef with soy, onions, and tomatoes, embodies the fusion of Andean tradition and Chinese influence. At Mayu, each dish is a celebration of Peru’s living history.

Mayu’s desserts capture the sweet spirit of Peru. For a taste of tradition, Picarones,

The waq’ollo masks are a colorful part of peruvian history, traditionally worn during festivals.

Eating in Quechua

At Mayu, each plate is a storybook, each cocktail a myth retold. The menu is laced with Quechua, the language of the Inca Empire. Before your first bite, you’re already tasting history. “Peruvian cuisine is a living symbol of our history,” claims Hiromi Salazar, a Peruvian student at UMiami who visited Mayu with her family. “It reminds me of family gatherings. Food always brings people together,” she adds.

Throughout the menu, guests encounter

Rocoto miso cod blends bold Japanese and Peruvian flavors.

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crispy rings of sweet potato and zapallo drizzled with spiced syrup, bring Peruvian street food to Miami. The Suspiro Limeño, a national favorite, blends dulce de leche, oporto meringue, and maracuyá sorbet into a sweet sigh to end the meal.“It’s impossible to pick a favorite dessert with so many flavors, but if I had to, it would be picarones for its sweet, crispy-yet-soft texture,” Victoria claims.

Where Mythology Meets Mixology

The cocktail list at Mayu invokes the five elements—earth, water, wind, fire, and spirit—echoing Incan cosmology and the reverence for Pachamama, Mother Earth.

“My mission is to connect with small Amazonian vendors and distillers. I run the U.S.’s second-largest pisco bar, featuring over 80 types of pisco, including 110-yearold bottles and Amazonian gin,” says Astete. Each cocktail is crafted to honor the elements, evoke a deep connection to nature, and invite guests to explore Pachamama’s sacred energy.

Earth is introduced with Pachamama’s Terra: black Peruvian corn whiskey layered with chancaca and suau, brightened by pineapple and Licor 43. A tajín-rimmed glass adds fire, while smoked star anise lingers like incense, making each sip a ritual.

Next is Fire. Amarú’s Inferno blends chicha morada, Amazonian gin, and Pisco

100. Fiery rocoto syrup ignites the palate, softened by passion fruit, and a crown of sparkling cava finishes the ritual.

Wind follows. Ventisca de los Andes, or “blizzard of the Andes,” blends fermented kiwi, Agave de los Andes, and Grand Marnier with orange, lemon, and pineapple juices. Elderflower liqueur drifts like a cool mountain breeze, making each sip crisp and untamed.

Water takes form in Mayu’s Sky River, where cucumber, mint, lime, and orange bitters blend with Italicus, Green Chartreuse, agave, and Gin’ca for a drink as fluid as a river. Astete’s favorite drink adds gold edible stars to the layers of color so when stirred, it resembles the Milky Way. Finished with a pearl and seashell on a floating ice cube, Sky River becomes a celestial vision.

Finally, Spirit is embodied in Mayu’s boldest cocktail, Alpaca, featuring alpaca fat– washed Hibiki Harmony Japanese whiskey infused with Jojo Tea, balanced with miso and ginger, and finished with a touch of milk.

“Mayu is the only U.S. restaurant serving alpaca, which in Peru is sacred and reserved for ceremonies, so it’s very experimental in Miami,” says Astete. Daring yet refined, the cocktail honors the sacred bond between nature and soul, inviting guests to taste the element that completes the circle.

month we host master Pisco lessons, teaching people about pisco and how to craft cocktails.” These events invite the community to dive even deeper into Peruvian culture, one cocktail at a time.

By weaving mythology into each meal, MAYU does more than feed—it teaches.

“You eat three times a day and what you eat, leaves. The only thing that remains is the memory of something being imparted to you,” says owner Nicole Astete. From cleansing rituals to elemental cocktails and vibrant dishes, every detail connects guests with Andean stories and traditions.

As Salazar notes, “authenticity preserves culture,” and at MAYU, Quechua words and native ingredients turn dining into a journey. Amid Brickell’s towering high-rises, MAYU reminds us that food is more than sustenance—it is storytelling, ritual, and a vivid celebration of heritage in Miami’s multicultural mosaic.

The Closing Chapter For the cocktail enthusiasts at the University of Miami, Astete adds, “Every

El Pato del Dios de Sipan takes its name from an ancient Peruvian ruler.

Bold flavors and even bolder aesthetics make each plate feel like a work of art.

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AICOOK?

LET

Artificial intelligence has moved far beyond the classroom: it’s now stepping into the kitchen. From curating step-by-step recipes to generating ingredient lists for those recipes or even lists based on what is already in your fridge, AI is positioning itself as the modern chef. This technology promises convenience and creativity for those days you have absolutely no idea what to cook. However, are these recipes going to satisfy your cravings, or fall flat? words_alexandra yessios. design_charlotte deangelis & leah bahamonde.

W

e’ve all heard how artificial intelligence is being used to help with homework, writing essays and generating artwork. The kitchen, on the other hand, has traditionally been a space for creativity, intuition and community. Yet here we are, asking a chatbot for dinner ideas instead of our loved ones.

Putting AI to the Test

To discover whether AI has earned its chef ’s hat, I decided to give ChatGPT full control over a dinner recipe for two. My only requirements were that it had to be simple enough for a weeknight meal but polished enough that I would feel good serving it to someone else.

The suggestion that it gave me was “Creamy Garlic Chicken with Rice.”

ChatGPT’s Recipe Here’s the list of ingredients ChatGPT calls for: - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts - 1 cup uncooked jasmine or basmati rice - 2 cups chicken broth (or water) - 2 tbsp olive oil or butter - 3 cloves garlic, minced - ½ cup heavy cream (or half & half) - ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese - Salt & pepper, to taste - Optional: fresh parsley for garnish And here’s the step-by-step guide provided

by ChatGPT: 1. Cook the rice - In a small pot, add rice and broth - Bring to a boil, reduce to low, cover,

and cook for ~15 minutes until tender.

2. Cook the chicken - While rice cooks, season chicken with salt & pepper.

- Heat olive oil/butter in a skillet over medium heat.

- Cook chicken ~6–7 minutes per side, until golden brown and fully cooked.

Remove from the skillet and set aside.

3. Make the creamy garlic sauce - In the same skillet, add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.

- Stir in cream and Parmesan, letting it simmer for ~3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.

- Return chicken to the skillet and coat with sauce.

4. Serve - Plate chicken with rice. Spoon extra sauce on top.

- Garnish with parsley if desired

Flavor Check

Shopping for the ingredients was very straightforward. I was able to quickly buy everything that I didn’t already have at home, which made the process easy from the start.

Taste-wise, the results were impressive.

The chicken was juicy, and the sauce had that classic garlicky parmesan flavor that you would expect from more well-known comfort food. At the same time, the flavors leaned more heavy. I found myself craving something lighter or fresher to balance out the intensity.

I ended up cooking extra chicken and decided to make more sauce to go with it. That’s when I noticed that the sauce thickened a lot as it sat, making it less saucy and harder to “spoon extra sauce on top” as the recipe had suggested. It was still very

tasty, but it required a little improvisation to keep it from turning clumpy.

Something that was very new to me as a cook was making rice in chicken broth rather than seasoned water. This was something I thoroughly enjoyed, as it gave the rice a unique flavor that paired very well with the chicken’s flavors. This is definitely something that I am going to take with me moving forward.

Overall, the dish was satisfying and flavorful, but it underscored the fact that AI can give you a good framework. It doesn’t anticipate the small adjustments that humans can naturally make during the process.

Beyond the Dish

There is still something exciting about the potential of AI. Imagine coming home after a long day, opening your fridge and letting AI transform the loose ends into a cohesive, delicious meal. No wasted food, mindless Googling or stress.

For beginner chefs, AI can serve as a training wheel, providing the confidence needed in the kitchen until you are ready to cook on your own. For experienced chefs, AI could act as an idea machine, suggesting combinations you might not think of when you are uninspired.

All things considered, it’s safe to say that a recipe by AI is worth trying. This is true especially if you prioritize convenience and success. However, it won’t replace cookbooks, chefs or the excitement of being in the kitchen.

Cooking is about more than following steps. It is about love, creativity and the memories and meaning we connect to meals.

While AI can provide structure, it cannot replace the personal stories behind a family recipe or the uniqueness that comes with it.

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All college students trying to survive the fall flu should opt to eat their tomatoes raw rather than cooked to achieve maximum Vitamin C absorption.

keeping it raw & real Consuming raw foods is nothing new. The raw diet fad, however, is relatively recent.

Raw diet enthusiasts encourage the consumption of uncooked and unprocessed foods.

Proponents claim that this diet is better for you, but there’s been back and forth between health experts as to whether this claim holds true. words_rosibel mercedes. photo_ ava stroshane. design_charlotte deangelis.

I

f when embodying your authentic caveperson lifestyle you get a little hungry, consider this your cheat-sheet for eating raw. Staples of the raw diet include: fresh fruits and raw vegetables, nuts and seeds, raw grains or legumes, dry fish and meats, alternative milks and fermented foods.

There are certain foods which one should avoid consuming raw, including flour, potatoes, milk, kidney beans and poultry.

This list isn’t exhaustive. You should research any foods you are unsure about before consuming them raw.

Advocates of raw diets claim that raw food is more nutritious than cooked food, but it depends.

According to Healthline.com, studies have shown that cooking vegetables actually increases the availability of certain antioxidants — like beta-carotene, which the

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body converts to Vitamin A. On the contrary, for many vegetables this can also lead to the destruction of certain enzymes. There is little to no science backing the idea that enzymes in vegetables are beneficial to the human body since it already produces its own enzymes for food digestion.

There are certain foods which are arguably “healthier” when consumed raw. When eaten raw, broccoli, cabbage, onions, watercress and garlic, to name a few, offer considerable amounts of beneficial compounds that help prevent disease in the body. Still, there are also foods like asparagus, tomatoes, carrots and potatoes that are actually healthier for our bodies when consumed cooked.

Surf and Turf

For meat and fish, the same give-and-take situation applies. In general, the availability of certain nutrients depends on the method of

cooking, the duration of the cooking process and the amount of water used. Whenever you are preparing to consume raw meat or fish you should ensure it is of the highest quality possible, extremely fresh and kept refrigerated for as long as possible before consumption. It also helps to source these from reputable markets or butchers who understand these will be consumed raw.

For fish, cooking can either increase or decrease the presence of harmful chemicals and compounds. It all depends on several factors, including how long the fish has been cooked for. Be aware that raw meat, fish and poultry may contain harmful bacteria, and that cooking is oftentimes necessary to ensure the meal is safe for consumption.

Best Practices for Preparing Raw Foods

In order to minimize the risk associated with eating raw, follow these tips: 1. Be sure to separate raw meat, poultry, seafood and eggs from other foods in your grocery bags and in your refrigerator.

2. Use separate cutting boards for fresh produce and for raw meat, poultry and seafood.

3. Never place cooked food on a plate that previously held raw meat, poultry, seafood or eggs.

Now that you’re an expert in raw eating, put your skills to the test with these iconic raw dishes:

The Perfection of the Simple Ceviche

Recipe by Chef Javier Wong, the “Godfather of Ceviche”, NYT Ingredients: - 1pound skinless fluke fillets - 1⅓ cups red onion sliced paper-thin - ⅓ cup fresh lime juice - ¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste - Black pepper, to taste - 1 habanero chili, seeded and finely minced Preparation: 1. Toss onions, chili, and lime juice in a bowl. Let sit for a couple of minutes.

Cut fish in 1-inch chunks. Place in the bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Plate and serve at once.

2. There are many variations of ceviche, but this one has been fine-tuned by Wong for years. As is custom in Peruvian culture, make enough for a group and enjoy it together.

Sushi Bowl: College Student Edition

The most important part of the sushi bowl is the rice. Nail this base, then you can incorporate any fish or toppings you’d like.

For this recipe, we will be adding spicy tuna.

Did you know?

Raw vegetables provide higher levels of vitamin C and fiber, boost immunity and can improve skin health.

Ingredients: - 1 cup cooked warm sushi rice - 1 can tuna (in water, drained) or about 4 oz raw sushi-grade tuna, chopped - 2 tbsp mayo (preferably Kewpie) - 1–2 tsp Sriracha (adjust for spice level) - 1 tsp soy sauce - Nori sheets - Optional toppings: sliced cucumber, avocado, sesame seeds, green onions Preparation: 1. Mix the tuna, mayo, Sriracha, and soy sauce together in a bowl until creamy.

Add a touch of lemon juice for more

dimensional flavors.

2. In a separate bowl lay a base of cooked rice in a serving bowl. Spoon your tuna mix on top, and arrange your optional toppings and nori strips around it.

3. Drizzle on extra Sriracha or soy sauce for flavor.

4. Enjoy!

Eating raw fish and meat is vital to preserving the culinary cultures of many regions of the world, and there are safety practices which can lower the risk of parasitic and bacterial infections. Just proceed with caution, before continuing to eat your beloved raw dishes. Imagine the feeling of making your own at-home sushi bowl or serving your friends your own ceviche!

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Staff Picks: Us As Drinks Forget horoscopes and palm readings.

The most tried and true way to know your innermost self is what you order at the bar. These drinks represent us on every level. photo_valentina gomez. illustration_jay moyer. design_charlotte deangelis.

MOJITO

JAY MOYER

AMANDA MOHAMAD

“The mojito. A go-to drink for a good time. Bartenders hate to see me coming.”

“The fact that someone was smart enough to create an espresso martini — a drink that gets you both drunk and caffeinated is why I know I was born in the right generation.”

JULIA CAMPBELL

LIZ AGURTO

Editor-in-Chief

white rum. fresh mint. leaves. simple syrup. fresh lime juice. club soda.

Happening Editor

ESPRESSO MARTINI vodka. coffee liqueur. freshly brewed espresso or cold brew concentrate. simple syrup.

BAY BREEZE vodka. cranberry juice. pineapple juice.

OLD FASHIONED whiskey. sugar. angostura bitters. orange twist.

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Assistant Photo Director

PR & Social Media Co-Director

“I chose the bay breeze because it’s fun, adventurous and sweet. I feel like it gives off an easygoing vibe, and I think it’s perfect for the warm weather, which I love.”

“Like an old fashioned, I’m classic at heart, sophisticated, timeless and bold with flavor.

I might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I’m always the choice for those with taste.”

MYTHICAL Our special section covers all things in between true and legendary. Read up on Miami’s own urban legends. Get to know an Internet witch who makes a living off of spells, charms and readings. Find out why tales as old as time get remade, reimagined and spun off, and what Disney fans have to say about it. This section is for anyone who likes a good story. So suspend your disbelief, and dive in. photo_ ava stroshane.

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Miami’s urban legends — from the Phantom of the Biltmore Hotel to river ghosts and even aliens at Bayside — blend glamour, chaos and mystery into the city’s cultural history. Whether you believe them or not, the stories say a lot about Miami itself. words_alex roszkowski. design_rylee titoni.

MIAMI URBAN LEGENDS The City That Haunts Itself

Miami is a city that wears its mysteries proudly. Its streets, waters and shopping centers carry stories that blur the line between fact and folklore. Ghosts of gangsters, spirits on the river and strange lights in the sky all take root here, showing off Miami’s mix of glamour, chaos and constant reinvention. These aren’t just eerie stories told in hushed voices; they’re legends that shape how Miami remembers itself.

The River Remembers

Just a few miles away, the Miami River carries its own spectral tales. Long before skyscrapers lined its banks, the Miami River was central to trade, smuggling and survival. With so many wrecks, drownings and disputes, it’s no surprise the waters are rumored to be restless. Fishermen talk of phantom footsteps pacing the banks at night. Others say they’ve seen shadows that don’t belong to boats or birds, sliding across the water.

The river ghosts don’t have names like Fatty Walsh.

Instead, they reflect Miami’s layered past: the indigenous peoples who depended on the river, the smugglers who used it to move contraband and the workers who lost their lives there. The river’s legends are less about spectacle and more about memory —fluid, shifting and impossible to hold.

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The Biltmore’s Haunted Glamour

When people think of Miami hauntings, the Biltmore Hotel almost always comes first. Built in 1926, it was the grand jewel of Coral Gables, often drawing gangsters, politicians, movie stars and soldiers through its halls.

Yet behind the Mediterranean Revival arches and glittering chandeliers, the stories still linger.

The Biltmore is more than a haunted hotel — it’s a stage where Miami’s past and present collide, wrapped in velvet and whispers. The most famous ghost is Thomas “Fatty” Walsh, a mobster shot in a gambling dispute on the 13th floor. Guests swear they smell cigar smoke or see elevators stall on his floor for no reason.

Alongside him drifts the Lady in White, who is said to have fallen from the tower, leaving the faint scent of gardenias in her wake. And then there are phantom soldiers from the hotel’s time as a veteran affairs hospital, reminding visitors that history here was often marked by violence and loss.

“I stayed there when I was moving in, and I swear I saw the 13th floor button light up even though I pressed the lobby,” said Grace Guliemo, a freshman at the University of Miami. “I was like, ‘Nope, Fatty, not today.’”

Coral Castle’s Impossible Walls

Down in Homestead sits Coral Castle, a massive structure carved from coral rock by Edward Leedskalnin during the mid-20th century. Nobody ever saw him work, and since the blocks weigh tons, theories of supernatural powers, secret knowledge of magnetism or even alien technology came about.

Whether it’s science or sorcery, Coral Castle stands as one of Miami’s strangest mysteries.

Aliens Over Bayside

For years, tourists and locals have whispered about strange lights over Biscayne Bay. Some describe glowing orbs hovering in formation, while others talk about flashes darting across the water faster than any aircraft should. Are they alien visitors, military experiments or just another Miami attraction designed to keep people talking?

Unlike the heavy ghosts of hotels and rivers, the Bayside aliens feel almost playful — an urban legend that fits with Miami’s taste for dramatics. Whether you scoff or believe, the Bayside sightings show how Miami embraces not just history, but also imagination.

“I’ve never seen the lights myself, but I like the idea that people look up at the sky in the middle of all that noise and shopping,” said UM student Alana Jaffe. “It’s kind of poetic that mystery shows up where you least expect it.”

Why The Legends Stick

Some of the biltmore’s most famous guests include Judy Garland, Bing Crosby, and Franklin D. Roosevelt

Lights flicker, floors creak and reflections play tricks on the eyes. These urban legends may be nothing more than myth, but they still play a vital part in Miami’s culture. They keep history alive in a way textbooks can’t, turning facts into myths, and myths into shared identity. Tourists flock to ghost tours, locals swap stories and the city itself becomes a stage for mystery.

Miami doesn’t just tell ghost stories — it performs them. Whether it’s Fatty Walsh still haunting the 13th floor, shadows slipping across the river at night or lights dancing over Bayside, the legends say as much about the living who tell them as they do about the dead or the unknown. Maybe the real haunting isn’t in the spirits or the aliens at all. Maybe it’s in the way Miami insists on believing.

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Throughout the last decade, Disney has set a precedent for reboots and live-action remakes, feeding off of nostalgia marketing. But at what cost? Is this stripping from the company’s originality and creativity?

Whether you’re a Disney Adult or just a casual consumer, it’s not hard to realize the multi-billion dollar company is undergoing an identity crisis. What started as a bright idea for nostalgia marketing in a changing society has turned into a plummeting scheme, marking an uncertain future for Disney. words_joseph sollitto. illustration_sovannreach po. design_bells bosell & charlotte deangelis.

The percentage of Disney films released that are remakes or sequels was expected to peak at 67% in 2025.

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Rewind or Reimagine?

The year is 2015. The live-action “Cinderella” remake featuring Lily James is on its way to theatres, and fans of all ages are on their toes waiting for this huge theatrical release. Disney is pouring money into its strategic marketing campaign, working towards a classic and modern blend in its promotion of the film. From glass-slippers at JCPenny to a “Modern Princess Collection” at the Home Shopping Network, they made sure to hit all the marks in driving revenue and public interest.

And it worked: “Cinderella” grossed over $543.5 million in box office revenue, earning high critic ratings and an Oscar nomination.

With the film, Disney made it clear that they have a deliberate plan to feed off of Hollywood’s obsession with familiarity and nostalgia. Could this, therefore, mark the film as a turning point in Disney’s shift from prioritizing art to marketing?

Jt Moriarty, a first-year student majoring

in data science and AI, shared his thoughts on Disney’s films over the course of the last 10 years. “​​As a child, I was fascinated by the idea of classical stories coming to life. But now, anytime I’m at the movies and see a trailer for Disney’s next live-action remake, I cringe,” Moriarty said. “They clearly lost themselves at some point – it’s gotten to be too much.”

Quantity Over Quantity Disney’s reboot strategy, from a professional and economic standpoint, can be seen as a gold mine. They saw what people wanted and gave it to them, therefore increasing consumer satisfaction and revenue.

Where this all went wrong, however, was when Disney found themselves in a pothole, unable to produce any new stories that have remained notable and been successful. Why bother spending so much time and craft into making new movies, when old franchises are waiting to be restored?

Disney has answered that question for themselves, indicating that they simply do not feel it is worth the creative risk.

Dr. Pete Johnson, a visiting assistant professor in the cinematic arts department, shared his insight on pre-existing intellectual property.

“Remakes and reboots have long been a way to counteract the inherent uncertainty of media production,” said Dr. Johnson. “A preexisting idea or popular piece of intellectual property will, according to this logic, more likely be a ‘hit.’”

This logic is supported by Disney’s recent lineup of films: “The Jungle Book (2016),” “Beauty and the Beast (2017),” “Aladdin (2019),” “The Lion King (2019),” “Pinocchio (2022)” and now 2025 with “Lilo & Stitch” all popping out one after another. After each film, it becomes more obvious that there is diminished quality and passion in newer films.

“Pinocchio,” re-imagined in 2022, for instance, received a 27% Rotten Tomatoes critic score.

This was one of the lowest

scoring films in Disney history, also failing to reach commercial success due to its failed model of only streaming on Disney+.

Yusif Mamedov, a first-year student double-majoring in motion pictures and public relations shared his feelings on the film. “‘Pinocchio’ was the perfect example of Disney trying to pour out new films without any meaning behind them,” said Mamedov.

“Coming out of the pandemic, it was a weak attempt to drag out their remake model, and it failed.”

Safe to say, “Pinocchio” was a wooden performance on Disney’s part.

The Price of Nostalgia Live-action remakes are not all Disney has been guilty of. A plethora of sequels, prequels and spin-offs of franchises — that have already run their course — have been rolled out over the last few years. These often explore secondary characters irrelevant to the main storylines of the original media, or bring in new generations of characters in a related setting.

“High School Musical: The Musical: The Series,” for example, brought a new generation of characters to East High, creating a musical based off of the original film. The quirky, mockumentary-style in which the show is written was aimed to appeal to millennials and older members of Gen Z, who grew up indulging in the

“High School Musical” franchise. Although successful, the show dragged on for four seasons, even after losing Olivia Rodrigo.

Vivien Hudec, a first-year student majoring in advertising, said, “I stopped watching after [Olivia Rodrigo] left the cast; it felt like they struggled in continuing the story without [her character].”

Clearly, Disney is milking out every last bit they can from decades-old franchises, and it is not working for them. And yes, “High School Musical” is almost 20 years old. Yes, you are old.

A Glimmer of Originality?

Despite Disney’s self-sabotaging avalanche of spin-offs and live-action mayhem, there are signs of their creative spark being reclaimed. Recent animated films like “Encanto” and “Elemental” have touched audiences in a way only few can. “Encanto” features a vibrant story, drawing attention to Latino culture, bringing diversity and leaving a mark in the box office. Meanwhile, “Elemental” brought out emotional storytelling and creativity throughout Pixar that has not been seen to such an extent in decades.

Disney’s future remains uncertain, but it is still in their hands. Only they can decide whether they want to craft new narratives that audiences have been yearning for, or if they would rather continue recycling nostalgia.

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On Etsy, spiritual experts can build their own brand and platform, attracting the right kind of energy to their shops.

Spells To-Go With the new phenomenon that is “Etsy witches,” people have begun to bring their spiritual practices such as tarot, spells and psychic readings online. Perhaps you want your crush to like you back or you have an ex you want to never forget you. Or maybe you want to make sure there’s no rain on your wedding day.

All different spells can be bought through the Etsy website and performed by a self proclaimed “Etsy witch.” words_lucy carlson-pietraszek. photo_ ava stroshane. design_joel wainberg & charlotte deangelis.

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A real Etsy Witch provides insight into the sacred world of magic, tarot, spells and spiritual energy readings. Alyssa, from Alyssa Medium Studio, shared her personal experiences after being in the psychic and witch industry for over 20 years. By contacting her through Etsy, I was able to gather the secrets she was willing to share about her business and practices.

Everyone has to start somewhere. For Alyssa, it began before she ever offered her gifts in a business setting.

“My journey as a psychic began in childhood, guided by the wisdom of my great-grandfather, who was a renowned seer of his time. As a child, I discovered I had a unique ability to sense the emotions and even life experiences of people just by holding their hands,” Alyssa said.

There are an abundance of practices offered in the spiritual world. Depending on what you are looking for and who you go to, there may be one category specific for you.

Alyssa’s work falls into three main categories: Spells: focused energetic workings to create change. These primarily involve Love and Relationships, Protection and Clearing, and Career and Abundance.

Readings: spiritual guidance like tarot or no-tool psychic readings, which provide

clarity and illuminate a path forward.

Spiritual Empowerment: where clients are taught how how to perform their own simple rituals to manage and protect their own energy.

Common Requests

The types of requests Etsy witches receive are endless. You might be seeking your soulmate, need some money — but don’t want to get a job — or just wanting to test out the waters to see if this “magic stuff ” you’ve heard of really works. No matter the request, there are always going to be others out there looking for similar, if not the same, thing as you.

Alyssa says the most common requests involve love, relationships and reconciliation.

“People seek help to heal a heartbreak, to attract a worthy partner or to remove obstacles from a connection that they know, deep down, is meant to be. A close second would be Protection Spells, as more and more people are becoming aware of the need to protect their peace in a chaotic world,” she said.

But Etsy witch clients aren’t always asking for something all that deep and profound.

There are always funny or weird orders that stand out from the rest. Maybe try to think of the strangest wish you have yet to voice out loud and give it a go. You never know what could become possible if you don’t ask.

When asked what the funniest or most interesting spell request she’s ever received, Alyssa said, “I once had someone request a spell to help their cat win a local ‘most handsome cat’ competition. It was such a pure and loving request, free from any of the usual heartbreak or drama.”

The Business Side

It can be easy to forget for some people that Etsy is as much of a business as any.

Depending on the spell, business and whether it is the person’s full-time gig, the price can vary drastically. Spells or tarot readings can cost anywhere from $5 to upwards of $300.

It isn’t just money that affects the business.

Etsy Witches have been largely impacted by social media.

When it comes to the business side of things, Alyssa said, “It’s a double-edged sword. On one hand, it has made spiritual guidance incredibly accessible. It has helped to de-stigmatize the practice. On the other hand, it has also led to a ‘fast-food’ mentality.

People sometimes expect a spell to work like a microwave, delivering instant results without understanding that energy unfolds organically.”

Trick of the Card

Part of the business is dealing with “nonbelievers.” If you think about it, all businesses deal with this when audiences don’t believe their products work or are as effective as others. Spells and tarot just have hundreds of years of stigma and misconceptions attached to them across many different cultures. From being the villains in Shakespeare’s plays to facing persecution in the Salem Witch Trials, being a witch has scarcely been easy in society.

The art of tarot card reading is one that has been around since the 15th century and originated in Italy. It even began as a mere card trick. Now it is seen as a spiritual guide that can tell you your future, past, or present. People who practice tarot have taken to TikTok and Etsy in order to reach a larger audience.

“The biggest misconception is that we can ‘force’ free will. Another is that it’s all ‘dark’ or ‘evil.’ People often think a spell is an instant,

magical fix that requires no effort on their part. The truth is, a spell opens a door, but the client still has to be brave enough to walk through it,” Alyssa said.

Getting Personal

Just because someone offers a practice, doesn’t mean they don’t need a pick-me-up too every once in a while. A masseuse is going to get a sore back every so often and need a massage themselves. Same goes for energy practices.

“No doctor should perform surgery on themselves, and no spiritual practitioner should be an island. I have my own trusted readers and guides who I consult to maintain my own clarity, to get a second opinion on complex energetic situations, and for my own personal growth,” Alyssa says.

And of course, it’s normal to be a little biased or have some favorites when it comes to certain spells or energy practices.

Alyssa said she finds “deep satisfaction in Protection and Cleansing spells. When you perform a ritual that lifts a heavy, years-long burden of negativity from someone, you witness them reclaim their own light and sovereignty. It’s not just about getting a specific result; it’s about giving someone their life back.”

Spells & Practices (Spiritual Drivethrough)

Each and every Etsy witch has a different way of creating certain spells and routines that work best for them. It isn’t just about the spells and magical gifts that they offer. The visual design of the Etsy shop, photographs that represent offered practices, and the way they market themselves makes all the difference. But when you get down to it, the actual spells themselves and how they actually work are the most important part that keep customers coming back.

Alyssa says, “A spell is essentially a highly focused, intention-driven ceremony. You can think of it like spiritual acupuncture. I first diagnosed the energetic situation [asking], ‘Where is the blockage? Where is the flow weak? Where is there interference?’ Then, using

tools like candles, herbs, crystals and focused incantation, I channel a high concentration of specific energy to that point.”

In order to make these spells and energy shifting become a reality, there has to be a particular ritual done. It can change based on the request, spell or client.

Alyssa enters what she calls a “meditative state” and uses details provided by the client, along with herbs, candles, and oils to help focus her attention on the spiritual energy.

She even casts a sacred circle and uses tarot and or her psychic abilities to help guide her towards the specific intention.

Specific Spell Examples

“Third Party Removal Ritual” to clear interference in a relationship “Road-Opener and Prosperity Anchor” for career and finance “Heartline Healing & Truth Awakening Ritual” facilitate forgiveness and communication

Skeptics

There is some debate on whether or not this business is something that “works” or is sustainable. The good news is, if you don’t believe in it, you don’t have to buy it. If it doesn’t work for you, that’s okay. There will always be skeptics, and that’s one thing that Alyssa has to deal with within her business.

With regard to skeptics, Alyssa deals with them “respectfully, and without any attempt to convince them. My work is not about converting skeptics; it’s about serving those who are actively seeking this form of support.

I often say that you don’t need to understand the mechanics of electricity to turn on a light switch. Belief is a personal journey, and I honor whatever path a person is on.”

Whether you believe in the phenomenon that is Etsy witches or not, you can’t deny it is a fascinating approach to the spiritual business world. If you don’t see something in your life aligning or going the way you wish it would, think of jumping on Etsy and seeing if someone else can help guide you to the outcome you desire.

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s tar

From TikTok celebrity birth chart analysis to constant fear of Mercury in retrograde, Astrology has positioned itself as an important aspect of our social identity, especially among Gen Z. Figuring out your sign and everything it means can be tricky. With the help of modern-day astrology apps and charts, it’s easier than ever to uncover the personality, future and dos and don’ts the stars wrote out for you.

modern era, we have inherited some of the Greek beliefs that the cosmos can control nature.

Astrology

T

hroughout campus you may hear the words “rising sign”, “retrograde” or “birth chart” tossed among a group of friends.

While you may have a passing familiarity with your own Greek or Chinese zodiac sign, it can be confusing to keep track of all these terms. So how does anyone become wellversed in astrology?

Lauren Wynn, a sophomore studying biology, has been persuading her inner circle to download the astrology app Co-Star. “I just recently downloaded Co-Star because my friend Julia told me to, and now I check it like every day,” she said.

Wynn isn’t the only student on campus hooked on apps like Co-Star. These apps algorithmically generate nuggets of wisdom and affirmations based on your star chart.

They’re simply the newest modern iteration of a millennia-old tradition, passed down from papyrus scrolls to iPhones.

Ancient influences are still present in the modern understanding of astrology. This way of using the stars to interpret everyday life goes back a lot further than you may think.

When asked about her horoscope reading, sophomore Alejandra Rodriguez said, “Can I speak bad? They said I was never gonna be rich,” referring to her Co-Star app reading of her birth chart. “[Astrology] is very different from my spirituality, but I would say there are some things that I think coincide with my spirituality,” she added.

There are more signs than you may realize. So let me give you some astrology terms to keep in your back pocket: Sun Sign - This is the sign you are probably most used to hearing. This is your “core sign” that is based on your birth month and day. It represents your qualities, strengths, weaknesses and what makes you who you are as a person.

Moon Sign - This is based on where and what exact time you were born. This sign is said to control your emotions and moods while explaining why you express your feelings in certain ways.

Rising Sign - The first impression people have of you is thanks to this sign. You have to get ultra specific with your location and time of your birth to find out what rising sign you are. It shows the face you put on for others and how you present yourself.

Today, young people looking at their birth chart for projections of wealth, love and happiness directly mirror the practices of Ancient Greek society. In both cases, asking

if our lives are carved out by the stars, or if we each dictate our own destinies.

Animals

I’m sure you’ve been referred to as a specific animal based on the year you were born. I promise this isn’t random.

In the Chinese zodiac, the symbols are represented by 12 animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. Each of these animals are associated with a year.

The year someone is born determines the animal they are represented by. The animal a person has as their zodiac is said to have a set of characteristics and fortunes that correlates to them.

That’s not the only time animals come up in astrology. The actual word ‘zodiac’ comes from a Greek word that can be translated to “little animals.” The term is representative of the mythological characteristics that the zodiac took on during the Hellenistic period.

Modernized Society

According to a study conducted by The Harris Poll in 2024, 95% of Americans know their zodiac signs, and 28% of Americans consult their astrology annually. In another study conducted by Dr. Bryan Robinson in 2024, it was found that 80% of Gen Z and Millennials who participated believe in cosmic guidance. So, it’s safe to say you aren’t the only one checking out your horoscope every day.

Astrology has meshed into a modern form while still honoring some of the traditions of the Greeks. Yet, it has still taken on an identity of its own. On TikTok,

History

Today it’s common to hear the question, “What’s your zodiac sign?” referring to the 12 Hellenistic zodiac signs: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces. These are derived from ancient Mesopotamian astrology. In the 400s B.C.E., the Babylonians divided the zodiac into 12 distinct signs based on the path of the sun.

In Ancient Greek culture, zodiac signs were interwoven with ideas surrounding the philosophical, social and metaphysical. Some believed the stars were direct dictators of each person’s path in life. Some people still believe this, just on a more modernized scale. People look to their astrology apps and books to see what they should have for breakfast or whether or not to text their crush.

While the practice of modern horoscope reading can be attributed to the Ancient Greeks, it has since taken on a completely different meaning to each person. In the

The 12 Hellenistic zodiac signs are divided into 4 elemental groups — fire, water, earth and air — within which they share similar characteristics and energies.

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The Year of the Dragon is particularly auspicious in Chinese culture because people born in those years are said to be destined for greatness and prosperity.

the hashtag “astrology” has over 5 million posts, and the hashtag “tarot” has 16 million posts. Whether or not the exact same mythological beliefs have carried over into modern times, the desire to seek guidance through stars remains embedded in a part of our human nature.

Across the top of Wynn’s Co-Star app read her message for the day: “You are ready to take a break from romantic love.” She read the message and sighed, “See, the funny thing is, I’m not in a relationship.” At the bottom of her phone were two lists labelled “do” and “don’t.” Do: heavy sighs, chaise lounge, dirges.

Don’t: pedestals, begging, numbness. “I feel like you’re not supposed to fully understand your spiritual side, maybe, you’re supposed to go on this whole journey,” she said.

Maybe, in 2025, we’re still on the same journey as the Greeks, the Ancient Chinese, and the Mayans, looking to the metaphysical for answers. No matter your moon, sun or rising sign, there is always a chart or app waiting for you to read it. You may just find that your sign explains more about you than you realized.

Top Three Astrology Apps: Co-Star

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Nebula

HEALTH & WELLNESS Start your wellness journey with us. Or maybe leave it until tomorrow. In Health & Wellness, you can discover the truth about the Ozempic craze and learn what makes your sleep cycle so chaotic. Whether you’re a health nut or just looking to see some pictures of puppy yoga, we’ve got you covered. photo_ ava stroshane.

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Artificially It all started with the Kardashians, as every trend does, but now it’s snagged Oprah, Lizzo and Lana Del Rey. If you haven’t been living under a rock these past few years, you’ve probably had Ozempic advertised to you with a cutesy video of Serena Williams injecting herself with GLP-1 drugs and raving about insurance costs.

Now, you don’t even need a prescription: you can buy GLP-1 patches on TikTok shop. But the truth is there’s still a lot of controversy out there about intended users and long-term efficacy that might make drug-induced weight loss not so glamorous. words_amber mason. photo_julia campbell. design_lucy carlson-pietraszek.

How Do They Work?

Muscle Loss Trending

We’ve all seen trends like skinny-fat, heroin chic or pilates arms. The fear is that these trends will mislead otherwise healthy people into believing they need to match some arbitrary societal expectation.

Julia Howe, an exercise physiology major and UM Herbert Wellness Center personal trainer, warned that to get that lean body you’ve been looking for, GLP-1 drugs might not be the answer.

“Diet is crucial because in order to gain muscle, which is, in a sense, gaining weight, you have to eat,” said Howe.

Seems simple enough, right? But when you’re constantly being bombarded with photos of ultra-thin girls, using an FDAapproved drug may seem less harmful than continually counting calories.

Howe acknowledged the struggle and encouraged consumers to research all weight loss options before deciding what’s best for them.

“It’s really tough because we are in a society where we are chasing aesthetics versus health,” said Howe. “We look at someone skinny, and we think that they’re healthy when that’s not the case, because that person could not be eating very much or they could be eating so much and then working out to compensate.”

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Gerald Joseph, a board-certified health and wellness coach at Wellness Academy USA with locations in Miami and San Diego, describes GLP-1 drugs as “a class of medications that mimic the naturally occurring hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) to manage blood sugar levels and promote weight loss.”

Marc Puccinelli, a University of Miami psychology professor who specializes in the psychology of drugs and behavior, explained the drug’s effect in simpler terms.

“Anecdotally, what people report is that things they used to enjoy a lot that they eat, and either it just doesn’t feel good in their stomach, or it just doesn’t feel as satisfying to them anymore, and so they just don’t really crave eating as much anymore.”

Weight loss supplements, surgeries, machines and techniques have been around forever. You name it, someone’s tried it — for better or worse — but none of them have been that “magic pill” society has been praying for. Are GLP-1 injections finally it?

“They’ve been working on these drugs for decades, and they were able to get drugs that were able to have those effects and regulate your sugar,” said Puccinelli, “but it would only last [up to] an hour, and so the big breakthrough for these drugs was the fact that they can last for a week.”

It all sounds great in theory, but it’s important to remember who these

drugs were made for. One student struggling with diabetes explained her experience. Out of respect for her privacy, she will be referred to in this article as Kate.

“It is sometimes sad for me to see, especially girls that I know and that I’m friends with,” Kate said. “Then they say, ‘Oh, I’m on Ozempic’ and [they’re] talking about it very loosely around me, knowing my condition. I’m like, ‘Okay, no, this drug was made for diabetics.’”

What About Safety?

It’s essential to know what you’re putting in your body – especially with drugs like GLP-1, where the long-term effects aren’t exactly known. Still, even more importantly, research can also help eliminate ignorance toward those who choose not to use it.

Kate added, “Just because it was intended and made for diabetics doesn’t mean that other people can’t use it…

What upsets me is people’s lack of knowledge about the drug and why it’s originally intended, and then the way that they speak about it and how they use it against people.”

Trends come and go, but your health is forever.

“Longevity is so important, and working out and following a wellrounded nutrition protocol is the best way to do that,” said Howe.

GLP-1 drugs can be amazing for type 2 diabetics, but they’re not always the right choice for those looking just to

SKINNY

shed a few. The reality is that they work differently for everyone.

“I had already been working with diabetic coaches and overall health professionals to try to lower my A1C and to try to regulate my blood sugar and my diet and working out, but that wasn’t working for me,” Kat said. “So that’s why I needed some extra help, but my experience with GLP-1 drugs personally wasn’t actually as positive as I’d hoped.”

As a type-1 diabetic, although Ozempic was not FDA-approved for someone with her condition, it was still encouraged to her as a treatment that ended up having the opposite effect, reducing her insulin production even further.

“Because I don’t have any natural insulin production, it was counteracting the insulin that I was giving myself.”

Is it a quick fix, a lifesaver or a bit of both?

“Our culture in the U.S. is very kind of pro-drug, and we’re looking for an easy fix,” said Puccinelli. “With these drugs, people who struggle with weight for years and years can keep it off… which is healthy and fantastic and amazing.”

The easy fix doesn’t come without a downside. Puccinelli said, “If people are on these drugs too young, they don’t really get the opportunity to develop those skills in life, like exercise strategies and eating strategies that are healthy for you.” That being said, it is truly uncanny the impressive strides GLP-1 drugs have made for the diabetes community and those who’ve struggled with their weight long term.

“They’re able to get to a weight they want and be able to maintain it and see really big improvements in their life, and so I’m kind of a fan of these drugs, and hopefully no bad side effects pop up, but so far so good,” said Puccinelli.

“So people want this quick and easy solution, and they want to see results really quickly,” said Howe. “And that’s just not the reality of trying to have a long-term effect.”

“If people stop taking these drugs,” Puccinelli said, “things kind of go back to normal.”

Healthier Alternatives

The consensus is that GLP-1 drugs are indeed groundbreaking, but they’re most effective when used as part of a broader treatment plan, emphasizing longevity and clean habit-making for everyone.

Howe suggested, “fine-tuning or adding little tiny things to your day” such as listening to podcasts. Additionally, home meal-prep in place of take-out is a great step.

While GLP-1 drugs can be an excellent tool for weight loss, we’ve been manipulated by our society into believing that they fix the root of the problem. We’re learning it goes much deeper than that.

“There is no substitute for nature — nature got it right,” said Gerald Joseph. “We are a species that is about 400,000 years old; nothing has changed from then to our current biology. What has changed is that we are now consuming foods that we did not evolve with, and as a result, the body reacts metabolically, and you die younger, often from preventable heart disease.”

Kate has found success without GLP-1 drugs, confirming there are alternatives, more difficult, albeit, but can be more helpful in the long run.

GLP-1 drugs are definitely the closest we’ve ever gotten to magic, but it’s essential to exercise caution with anything new and shiny. Follow your body’s needs and make the decision that best ensures a healthy future.

People on average lose

5%-7%

of fat by using weight loss drugs.

Some new drugs, called GLP-1 receptor agonists, mimic the hormones of your gut to help.

GLP-1s can decrease a person’s appetite so that they feel full for longer.

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D O W N W A R DOG

The rise of puppy uppy yoga All dog owners can agree that after a long, tiring day, there is no better feeling than walking in the door and hearing the patter of our pups running to greet us, slobbery tongue and all. From FaceTiming our dogs to begging our parents to send pictures of them at any given time — dog owners can’t live without our pups. But now, a trend sweeping the nation is helping college students and all dog lovers alike feel the unconditional love of a pet while also getting in some exercise. Introducing: puppy yoga.

W

words_morgan mechler. photo_julia campbell. design_anna mondschein.

hat better way to release stress, calm your senses and forget the world around you than by combining the ever-friendly presence of dogs — especially adorable puppies — with a calming, serene activity like yoga.

Psychology shows dogs have a profound effect on humans, reducing stress, anxiety and depression through the release of feelgood hormones like serotonin and dopamine. Petting

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or playing with a dog just for a few minutes releases oxytocin, often called the “cuddle chemical”. Physiologically, interacting with dogs lowers cortisol levels, improves breathing, and can reduce blood pressure by up to 10%.

The trend of puppy yoga is on the rise, especially in the city of Miami. But the unique activity is gaining traction for a reason. With multiple options near campus such as Puppy Sphere and Puppy Yoga Miami, students don’t need to look far for an escape from their rigorous workload or just to ease the sting of missing their own pup.

University of Miami sopho-

more, Alexa Wood, reflected on her experience at Puppy Sphere in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood. Wood attended a beginner yoga class, where anyone, with or without yoga experience, can join in on the fun.

“I was so excited when I saw this opportunity on my suggested Instagram page because I miss my own pets so much at school,” Wood said. “I jump at any opportunity to be around animals and relax. It was so much fun.”

Puppy Sphere offers a multitude of classes and experiences. For example, they host puppy yoga, puppy social and puppy meditation A ticket to the basic puppy yoga class includes a full 75-Minute Puppy Experience. The session begins with a 45-Minute Puppy Yoga Flow, then concludes with a 30-Minute puppy “chill” time to play with your new furry friends The studio also follows an “every class gives back” policy, where $1 from every ticket sale goes directly to local animal rescues and mental health organizations.

Puppy Sphere even has off-site class options, where the instructors can bring the puppies and wellness to you. These offerings include puppy-pen social, cuddle zones or pop-up sessions bringing the yoga to your space — whether it’s an office, school campus or a birthday party.

UM sophomore, Ella Corigliano, also attended a beginner class at Puppy Sphere with her sorority sisters for a sisterhood

event. “It was such a nice way to de-stress from my busy schedule and play with cute puppies, but also do mindful activities at the same time. Since this was a sorority event it was also very special because I got to spend time with my sisters and bond,” Corigliano said.

Similarly, Puppy Yoga Miami at Hanu Yoga Studio in South Beach also offers a variety of wellness-based puppy activities. Classes consist of 35 minutes of beginner yoga followed by 25 minutes of playful flow, while the adorable puppies roam freely. Puppy Yoga Miami is dedicated to the well-being of their four-legged furry friends. While valuing the yoga experience, they take extra measures to ensure the comfort and safety of the young puppies. The studio also offers “Puppy Time,” a session designed exclusively for puppy play and cuddling. Puppy Yoga Miami works closely with local shelters to select puppies.

They value the pups’ safety by making sure they are the right age and temperament, comfortable with human interaction and ready to socialize. After the class, the puppies return to their foster homes or shelters and are available for adoption.

UM junior Sammy Cook took a class at Puppy Yoga Miami with a group of friends last semester.

“Puppy yoga was such a heartwarming experience. I got to be surrounded by my two favorite things: my best friends and puppies.

It was the sweetest reminder of how simple

moments can bring you so much joy,” Cook said.

Next time you are stressed or miss the warmth only a dog can bring, remember you deserve some puppy love and schedule a puppy yoga session. Rather than surprising your parents wwith a new four-legged roommate, spend an afternoon with Puppy Sphere or Puppy Yoga Miami and get your furry fix in a stress-free, healthy way.

Stretch, breathe and get your face licked by a puppy. Healing.

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A to Zzzz’s We’ve all heard that doomscrolling for hours in bed or drinking alcohol right before a night’s sleep can impede our full eight hours a night.

Getting the full recommended time for sleep — especially as students — can feel like a daunting task. Brands promoting their products on social media would suggest you invest in mouth tape, eye masks, satin pillows, memory-foam mattresses, nose clips and a variety of other products — all of these marketed to guarantee you the best sleep.

But what does “the best sleep” even entail? words_rosibel mercedes. photo_valentina gomez. design_sofia cole.

Catching the Circadian Rhythm

Nodding off in class? You’re not the only one. According to the National Library of Medicine, daytime sleepiness, sleep deprivation and irregular sleep schedules are highly prevalent among college students. In fact, 50% report daytime sleepiness and 70% attain insufficient sleep.

Your body has several internal clocks. All its systems typically function within a repeating 24-hour rhythm called the circadian rhythm. Your environment, habits and preferences send your body cues which affect when you feel awake or drowsy.

The ways in which neurotransmitters interact with homeostatic function to create your sleep schedule are extensive. For example, while you are awake, the levels of adenosine — a compound responsible for regulating sleep, bloodflow, and neural activity in your brain — begin to rise. Adenosine receptor antagonists like caffeine and other drugs bind to adenosine receptors and keep you from feeling sleepy.

Your circadian rhythm also relies on signals from the light around you to determine day and night. This is why exposure to artificial or blue light in the evenings can make it harder to fall asleep by preventing the brain from releasing melatonin.

The Sleep Cycle

According to the National Library of Medicine, sleep is characterized by

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cyclical periods of varied brain activity.

During sleep, you cycle through rapid eye movement — a.k.a. REM — and non-REM sleep. During REM, your eyes twitch and your brain is active in a similar way to when you are awake.

This cycle is when you dream. During REM your body does not properly regulate its temperature, so you have less REM sleep in colder temperatures.

Non-REM sleep is broken up into three stages. During the first, you transition between being awake and asleep. During the second, you are fully asleep. During the third, you are in deep sleep.

During deep sleep — also referred to as slow wave or delta sleep — your heartbeat, breathing and brain activity slow dramatically. This is then followed

by REM sleep. Getting adequate amounts of deep sleep is extremely important to your energy levels, cell regeneration, circulation, immune system, learning and memory among others.

According to Healthline.com, you spend roughly 75% of your night in non-REM sleep and the other 25% in REM. Of this total, 13-23% of your total sleep is deep sleep. Consistently waking up exhausted is a tell-tale sign that you’re not getting enough deep sleep.

Preserving your Circadian Rhythm

Stress is the main cause of sleep difficulties in most individuals, so getting your perfect 6-10 hours actually

starts with coping with the stressors of life and prioritizing your mental wellbeing. This can look like journaling before bed to avoid ruminating and thought-spirals once your head hits the pillow, eating a healthy, balanced diet and spending more time in nature.

There are also a variety of habits you can implement to try to get closer to your ideal rest. According to the American Psychology Association, limit caffeine intake during the day, and try to stay away from caffeine four to six hours before bed. Avoid drinking alcohol or eating heavy meals before sleep, and be sure to create a cozy environment, minimizing noise, light, and temperature extremes.

It is essential to create a consistent bedtime routine. Go to bed at the same time each night, and try to wake up without an alarm clock. If you’re trying to improve your habits, start by attempting to go to bed earlier every night for a certain period as this will ensure that you’re getting enough sleep. We know that classes can be extremely draining, but also try to limit day time naps.

In the event that you’re unable to sleep, leave bed and try to do a light, unstimulating activity such as reading until you’re tired again.

If you’re watching your bedtime story on TikTok, you’re doing it wrong.

Finding Balance

The complete biological purpose of sleep is one of life’s mysteries. It is believed that during sleep the brain “cleans house” and rids itself of toxins which accumulate while we are awake. However, we do know that sleep affects almost every aspect of health, and consistent issues with sleep increase the likelihood of health problems in the future.

Quality sleep is extremely important in prevention of many diseases across important bodily functions, from those related to immune health to those related to cognitive performance.

Chronic sleep deprivation is linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, mood disorders and obesity.

We all know that college life makes perfect sleep elusive, but not completely unattainable. The brunt of the consequences of sleep deprivation can come in the form of poor memory, burnout, impaired focus and decision making — all of which are critical to academic and personal success in college. The first step to correcting a not-so-hot sleep schedule is to balance your priorities and try to settle into a sleep routine, even if it’s not perfect.

While satin pillows and memory foam mattresses may make your sleep more glamorous, science suggests that retraining small habits is really what’s going to give you the sleep of your dreams. Good sleep is not a luxury or a trend; it’s a foundation of all aspects of health and a vital part of your life. Protecting your sleep means protecting your future.

Staying awake for too long can significantly decrease your cognitive performance.

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Superfood of the Sea The beauty industry is abuzz with peculiar supplements and skincare steps. It’s no surprise that the internet may be more likely to interact with a gold-flaked serum rather than a generic gel moisturizer — after all, it’s a shiny hook for consumerism.

Beauty influencers boast that an ancient yet newly resurfaced superfood leads to rejuvenating results and natural enhancements. That superfood is none other than sea moss. But the question remains: is sea moss really worth the hype? words_karly rae lieblong. illustration&design_jay moyer.

What is Sea Moss?

Also known as Irish moss, this tufted seaweed is a red algae species that carries a long history of industrial and wellness value.

Sold in various forms of powder, dried and gel materials, this sea moss is used as a source of carrageenan, a leading ingredient in dairy products and other processed foods for thickening and stabilizing purposes. But before its role in commercial markets and mass food production, sea moss was initially used for its holistic and health-boosting properties.

From medicinal remedies to homeopathic aids, sea moss has been prevalent within various cultural diets due to its thriving abundance along rugged coastlines in Europe and North America. According to Professor Susan Brawley of the University of Maine’s School of Marine Sciences, the use of sea moss is nothing new.

“Indeed, for centuries, that is exactly what coastal people did across the North Atlantic,” said Brawley. “When I came to Maine, a colleague who was a native Mainer gave me her handed-down family recipes for how to collect, clean and prepare Irish moss.”

Among these numerous diets, sea moss harvesting has been customary in Caribbean, Irish and African health practices for generations, using the sea moss for its rich source of nutrients and vitamins.

What Experts Say

Praised for its extensive list of benefits — it’s known to support gut health, immune systems, thyroid function, heart health and even weight loss — sea moss is portrayed as the ideal addition to a health guru’s supplement routine. However, when it comes to social media’s broad claims, market motives may sometimes hide reality. Therefore, it’s important to separate influencer advocacy from scientific fact.

While sea moss is proven to be vitamin and nutrient-rich in calcium, magnesium and vitamin B12, registered dietitian Beth Czerwony said there is limited research on its overall effectiveness, impact and health benefits.“There seem to be quite a few health

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benefits of sea moss, but they aren’t heavily studied,” said Czerwony.

Overconsumption may also be a risk towards certain individuals, as sea moss contains compounds that act as natural blood thinners.

The Grand Experiment

As a result of growing online speculation, many have decided to test it out themselves.

TikTokers and bloggers are documenting monthlong experiments — careful to maintain their usual wellness routines — and they’ve all come to different conclusions.

Some claim that their skin is glowing and they’ve felt less bloated, while others feel no difference.

When asked whether sea moss is worthwhile, McKenna Pringle, blogger for “The EveryMom” said, “Well, the short answer is no. But, everybody, every immune system and everyone’s hormones are different. So, sea moss could very well do something for you.”

As with any beauty or health trend, it’s important to approach this from a critical standpoint. What feels right to your body may not work for others, and vice versa.

While sea moss’s current rise in fame is largely due to internet icons and applauding influencers, its presence in Europe, North America and numerous coastal cultures has been around for centuries. Only recently are human studies and scientific approaches focusing on its broader properties and valued places in our diets.

All this to say that while trends can boom overnight, scientific evidence, research and history are important factors in truly determining viral supplements’ effectiveness and impacts. If you’re curious to try it out, there is little harm and positive possibilities for your health when done in moderation. If you decide to pass, be it for the slight fishy taste or simple lack of research, the wellness market remains full of nutritional superfoods and supplements that are tried-and-true to benefit our bodies.

Sea Moss Substitutes These foods have some of the same benefits that sea moss is known for: Acai Berries On a tastier note, acai berries — technically drupes due to containing pits — are an antioxidant-rich fruit that supports skin health, the immune system, and energy levels. These antioxidants neutralize the presence of free radicals in the body, helping to prevent diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

Fish (Salmon and Tuna) Eating fish is a great way to reach your nutrient and protein goals, especially with iodine intake. Iodine is crucial in managing thyroid health, as it plays an important role in determining energy, weight gain, and muscle weakness.

Chia Seeds High in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, chia seeds have been a staple food to the human diet for over 5,000 years. Fiber supports digestion and keeps our body full for longer, promoting a healthy gut. Omega-3 fatty acids target the body’s inflammation while strengthening brain and cardiovascular health.

FASHION Take a break from all those words and come look at our pretty pictures. From models who wear their cultural folktales on their sleeves to mob wife elegance in the tropics, the fashion section is for anyone with style. photo_ ava stroshane.

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Leaving No Crumbs words&design_jay moyer. photo_julia campbell.

Am I chopped? Cooked? Did I serve or eat? If you’re as chronically online as our staff is, you’ve probably heard these terms relentlessly over the past few years. While slang tends to come and go, it seems these foodrelated phrases are ​particularly in vogue​. You might be surprised to learn that these ​terms a ​ re far from new. Armed with the history and ​meaning behind​each of these words, you’ll be ready to serve up hot compliments like the rest of Gen-Z.

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“She Ate” If someone tells you that you ate today, or that “you’re eating right now”, it has nothing to do with your diet. “Eating” is one of the most popular and longstanding ways to say “looking good.”

The term originates from the ballroom culture of the 90s and early 2000s. Pioneered

by Black and Latino members of the LGBTQ+ community, ballroom culture was centered around drag performances, danceoffs and modeling shows. These ​spaces ​served as ​a place ​to celebrate​​queer identity, and naturally spawned iconic slang. In a ballroom performance, when someone “ate up” all the competition, ​it means they​knocked it out of the park.

I​t’s hard not to be familiar with ​“eating” these days​. P ​ erhaps because of the​rise of the body positivity movement, “eating” is no longer seen as a mortal sin. So, feel free to ​“​ eat​”​in any outfit!

A few different ways to use “ate”:

“Chopped” Now that you’re familiar with eating and serving, here’s one you’ll never want to hear. “Chopped” is a new way of saying that someone or something is not only mid, but a solid zero out of ten. Yikes.

Unlike the others, this one is fairly recent in use. While it’s not clear where it came from, it is often associated with Gen Alpha slang, or even a “TikTok brainrot” term.

While chopping is a necessary part of the cooking​process​, ​being “chopped” is the worst fate of all. Sometimes being “chopped” is just a phase, ​or ​just a feeling. All in all, it’s definitely not something you want to use to describe ​anyone​​you like.

AAfew ways to use few ways to“chopped”: use “chopped”: IIwore my my pajamas to class today.

I feel today. so wore pajamas to class I chopped. feel so chopped.

Honestly, that guy you kissed at the Grove was too Honestly, that guy you kissed a the chopped for you.

Grove was too chopped for you.

Maybe bold colors are a big risk for you, but when your roommates see your magenta shirt and say “​W​ait, you cooked​,​”​ ​then you know the risk paid off.

This word is a double-edged sword​ that depends on context​. While “cooking” generally means you’ve done something amazing, being “cooked” is the ​complete ​ opposite.

“I’m cooked,” you might say to yourself while leaving the library at 2 a.m. the night before a final​when you don’t feel ​prepared​​ . But when you leave the exam room feeling like you aced it after all, you might ask, “C​​hat, did I cook?”

The act of “cooking” can be victorious or defeating, depending on who’s doing the action. Something similar can be said of “eating”. Everyone wants their festival outfits to “eat”, but if someone else wore it better than you, they may have just “eaten you up”.

While it may be confusing to adapt to the ever-changing slang terms, at least now you have a basic understanding​of the current food-related ones​. Maybe in ten years, these will all be the cringe-inducing slang of an aging generation. For now, you might be hearing some variation of food colloquialisms several times a day.

The fashion shoot ate, cleared the plate​,​and left no crumbs.

“Cooked” Here’s an interesting one. “Cooked” is a broad term, and doesn’t necessarily have to The new Distraction merch is relate to your appearance. In the 70s, it might eatingggggg!!! have been a way to say “high out of your mind”. But lately, cooking can be so much I fear we swept the awards and more. ate up all the competition.

If you’ve ever heard the idiom “cooking with gas” — meaning “making a lot of progress” — you probably have an idea of what this “Served” means. In the modern day​,​you’ll ​ Ironically, ​“​s​erving” and “eating” can ​be ​ probably hear “let him/her cook” interchangeable​for the most part. Every time to praise somebody who’s doing a you put on an outfit to go out to the clubs, good job or making a good point. you want to serve. The question is: serve what?

The answer is: anything and everything.

You can serve face, serve body or even serve Y2K rom-com realness. “Serve” can be a verb or a noun, so the possibilities are endless.

According to Wiktionary, serve also comes from AAVE — African American Vernacular English — and queer slang.

A few ways to use “serve”: The Chanel boots are totally serving “Anne Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada” vibes.

The Met Gala theme this year was​ totally​a serve.

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Mob Wife Fashion

Once tied to mafia lore and reality TV, the mob wife aesthetic has resurfaced across social media. In Miami, it remains natural by swapping fur for satin and adding a tropical twist to unapologetic glamour. words_valentina mena. photo_ethan dosa. design_lucy carlson-pietraszek

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M

ob wife fashion is dominating social media feeds and Gen Z wardrobes. It stands out as the loudest rejection of the “clean girl” aesthetic. This look thrives on maximalism and European elegance: animal prints, long nails, leather gloves, chunky gold jewelry, fur, high boots, blowouts and bold makeup. But in Miami, the question isn’t whether it’s a hot trend: It’s how to wear it without melting like an iced Cafecito from a Cuban Ventanita under the sun at 1 p.m.

Once mocked as tacky and cheap, mob wife fashion has been rebranded as a way to show confidence and power. TikTok users now use it as a way to project visibility, power, dark feminine energy and glamour.

When asked what she thinks of when it comes to mob wife fashion, Nina D’Ambrosio, a freshman computer engineering major, said, “I instantly think of Carmela Suprano’s square french tips or Elivira’s (from Scarface) long silk dresses with low cut backs. The style is a mix between opulence and mystery. Darker, expensive, yet reserved.”

However, mob wife fashion historically has a dark background as it was a class indicator that later became a warning. In the show “The Sopranos,” Carmela’s fur coats and gold jewelry marked her place in the Italian American mafia upper class, but they also revealed the darker reality of the dependence she had on her husband’s money and problematic life, carrying the emotional weight of problems that go beyond finances.

To embrace this style the Miami way, fur coats turn into satin slip

dresses or crochet cover-ups, and winter gloves into silk headscarves with oversized sunglasses. For a more nighttime look, swap boots for kitten heels or strappy stilettos.

Moreover, Miami’s Latin and Caribbean influences in Miami continue to make the mob wife fashion style timeless — after all, red nails with a statement leopard print and gold hoops will never get old.

“I think mob wife fashion is definitely coming back to Miami through cheetah print, excessive fabrics and bold, chunky jewelry. I love seeing everyone become their inner maximalist self,” said Anna Mondschein, a sophomore studying creative advertising.

Economists call the “lipstick effect” the idea that even when consumers cut back, they still invest in small luxuries. Mob wife fashion works the same way, such distinctive details in your outfits create the vibe without the price tag of an animal coat. For University of Miami’s students, thrifting in Wynwood and Hialeah, searching for dupes or sharing clothes with roommates make the whole look both accessible and sustainable for anyone wanting to show their fierce personality.

The Roots

Real Housewives” Franchises often dip into mob wife territory, proving that the esthetic isn’t confined to mafia lore, and rather it becomes a shorthand for loud and bold luxury in American television.

As you might tell by its vintage glam, the mob wife aesthetic has deep roots in the 1980s and 1990s that are defined by excess and

luxury. Sharon Stone’s Ginger in “Casino” epitomized the style with diamonds and fur, while Adriana in “The Sopranos” gave us a suburban and young mob wife chic. Their bold looks with big hair, oversized stacked jewelry and glamorous makeup, all became archetypes that remain in the aesthetic of women today. The 25th anniversary of “The Sopranos” has only fueled the Mob Wife style’s revival this past year.

This style proves that clothing can help build identity.

Fashion YouTuber and journalist Bliss Foster says that fashion nowadays is not just about practicality but “hypothetical people” or “characters.” The mob wife movement is exactly that: a persona that anyone can step into. The boldness of the style works as both external and internal empowerment. It can be seen in the person’s confidence as well as their clothing.

On TikTok, the mob wife aesthetic has been blowing up across feeds, with famous creators experimenting endlessly with variations of fur-inspired textures, animal prints, and bold makeup. One viral account calls it “a fantasy of loyalty, power, and rebellion,” where women dominate every room with unapologetic femininity. The creator argues that the look thrives on drama and opulence in a world currently obsessed with minimalism and quiet luxury.

“Mob wife fashion is liberation.

A form of expression that breaks the fragile bone of a male centric society. Women find power in putting on that huge fur coat and boots,” said Jackie Iulo, a first-year

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In Miami, mob wife elegance meets Caribbean heat.

Comfort and opulence balance each other.

aesthetic’s tension: It plays with nostalgia for student studying musical theatre. “Behind the matriarchal figure of the past, while being what can seem to be just a flashy attention seeking reinterpreted by a generation that refuses to woman, is intelligence and intention that she knows give up its own agency. her power.”

In Miami, especially at the University of The mob wife look also exposes a deeper Miami, excess is not the exception, but the rule. contradiction. On one hand, it idealizes traditional Mob wife fashion has a place in Miami whether gender roles — the glamorous wife who supports you wear satin for brunch or sequin for the her husband while radiating loyalty and power. club, this look proves what Miami has always On the other hand, it emerges in a time when known: mob wife fashion isn’t about blending women are pushing for independence, financial in — it’s about being unapologetically loud and freedom and equal rights. That clash is part of the bold.

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The stories that define you can be passed down for generations: told before bed time, acted out on a stage or draped over your skin. These looks show us that outfits can be emblems of beloved tales, with culture and memory woven into the fabric. words_lucy carlson-pietraszek. photos_julia campbell. design_charlotte deangelis.

Style can easily become a story, as long as you’re willing to star as the main character.

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Study breaks are out and style sessions are in. Gather your friends and share clothes to maximize your closet.

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A pop of blue can be mystifying.

This look channels the aquatic myth of La Sirene, a deity in Haitian folklore.

Sometimes the villain in a story is just misunderstood.

Channel your inner dark heroine with lace, dark colors, and a high heeled boot.

Evil has never looked so good.

Red signifies luck in many Asian cultures. Bring your own culture to life by wearing a color that represents the country you’re from.

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Who says you can’t wear curls in the Miami heat? Be like Merida and let your natural curls run wild.

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Be like princess and the pea, only you can stack jewelry instead of mattresses.

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By draping flowing fabrics on each other, you too can have the effortless look of a goddess.

Combine flowing, transluscent drapes with statement underpieces so onlookers know that you, too, have some mythical mischief up your sleeve.

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A Day in the Life at UM: Written by You Need to get over writer’s block to finish your essay? Get Distracted and work on your wordplay by filling in the blanks below to craft your perfect day at the University of Miami. words&design_charlotte deangelis.

This morning, I woke up in my dorm at _______________ and threw on (residential college)

my _______________ University of Miami hoodie and a pair of shorts. (adjective)

I then picked up the latest issue of Distraction Magazine on my way to _______________ for my _______________ class. When class ended, I met (academic building)

(subject/major)

up with my friend at the Hurricane Food Court to get _______________ (favorite food item)

and talk about our weekend plans to go to _______________. After (restaurant/bar/club)

lunch, I went to _______________ to attempt to lock in and actually get (favorite study spot)

some homework done. Later, I grabbed my usual _______________ from (favorite snack)

The Market on my way to a _______________ meeting in Shalala. On my (club/team/organization)

way back to my dorm, I took a photo of a cute baby _______________ (animal)

as I watched the sunset over Lake Osceola. As I climbed into bed and prepared for another _______________ day of being a ’Cane, I reminded (adjective)

myself to Stay Distracted!

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