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Features
The Highlander
May 2014
SAFELY
80 % of UV rays pass through clouds
Effects of UV rays dark patches wrinkles loose skin premature aging DNA damage eye problems sunburn
SOAK UP THE SUN
Water
REFLECTS & INTENSIFIES UV rays
89% of Carlmont students do not wear sunscreen daily.
1 OUT OF 5
Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime.
What to look for in suncreen Broad spectrum SPF 30+ Water resistant
Graphic by Kimiko Okumura
The pressures of summer: going for the beach body By Angelina Castillo Staff Writer
Summer is around the corner and the pressure is on to have a “beach body.” Junior Cole Castro said, “There is pressure to look good because you have to look ripped and muscular so the other guys don’t make fun of you. Sometimes people are made fun of, it just depends on the person.” Sites such as Beachbody. com suggest the idea of what looks good and what doesn’t in peoples minds and it has become stereotypical: “While most people are most con-
cerned about the excess fat they’ve accumulated over the winter months when it comes to stripping down for the beach season, for the skinny guy, the concern is more of lack of muscle size and potentially, definition.” Many people worry about being too fat, or too skinny especially around the summer season. Some may find themselves comparing their own body to those around them which doesn’t show confidence. In a survey of Carlmont students, 63 percent of them feel they need to be in the best shape possible during the
summer. Junior Dan Carroll said, “You have to get your summer body on because you want to look good at the beach with your shirt off so you can get the ladies. It’s not the only way to get the ladies, but it’s like bonus.” Castro said, “You got to get that summer body and you got to look good to be healthy and show that you’re strong.” Junior Gigi Vlahos said, “It is not necessarily every person who feels the pressure to look for or be tan, if people are confident with their body the way it is then they can wear what they want.”
For some they don’t consider it to be pressure and they make the decisions not to feel it, but it’s not always the pressure of looking fig but it can also be the pressure to have a nice tan to show off. Sophomore Spencer Stewart said, “I don’t feel pressure to have a perfect body because I wouldn’t show my stomach off anyways; I would blind people with my whiteness. People find being tan attractive so if you’re looking to attract a significant other, you might want to be tan but looking fit also helps attract others.” Some prepare for this by
exercising a lot more or eating healthier, 49 percent of students workout extra before the summer season. Junior Nicole Dermenjian said, “Mentally, I think I do need to workout more and I repress my memory every time I eat Oreos and cake.” Carroll said, “To prepare I have protein shakes, eat salads, and hit the gym twice a day, I do the stair climber and a lot of cardio.” Sophomore Claire Wheeler said, “Personally I don’t feel pressured to have a beach body but a lot of other people feel pressure because a lot of the time if your friends are
skinnier than you and you’re going to be at the beach you don’t feel as good and Victoria’s Secret bathing suit magazines makes you feel bad too.” Media can also contribute to lowering ones self-esteem and that adds to the pressure as well. Vlahos said, “Magazines or models being shown at places us kids shop such as Hollister or Victoria secret adds to the stress because everyone is always comparing themselves and they want to impress other people so they feel the need to do that by looking exactly like those models in pictures and at stores.”
The summer climate changes the summer diet
By Sonia Paulo Staff Writer
From natural to processed foods, it’s hard to debate the fact that the food eaten is a big part of the summer season. Whether it be barbecued chicken or 7/11 slurpees, everyone has that food that reminds them of summer. Over those sunny months, more fresh fruits are available than during the winter making fruit a food many regard as “summery.” “I love strawberries,” said senior Charlotte Lewis, “They scream summer to me.” Strawberries are primarily in season from April to June and are the most cultivated berry in the country according to Ask.com. The berry itself is packed with nutrients and low in calories making it a healthy food. According to mother nature network, strawberries are packed with manganese, which is important in a
healthy bone structure. A study done at Ohio State concluded that the strawberry, along with other popular berries, contains the same cancer-fighting elements as found in exotic berries for less of the cost. There are also ways to enjoy the sweet taste of strawberries that involve a little more preparation. Some of the most popular include smoothies or fruit bars, and on the more indulging side of the spectrum, ice cream and milk shakes. Raspberries are another common fruit eaten over the summer. “I love the taste of them and they’re fun to eat.” Sain junior Amanda Breslauer. Raspberries were first cultivated by the Romans, but didn’t get popular until they were exposed to regions of Europe in the 17th century. Since then, raspberries have been spread all over the world including France, England,
and America. Like strawberries, raspberries can be prepared in many varieties as well. Pies and jams are all popular to make with the fruit, however more summery foods such as smoothies and popsicles are also common over the summer months. “I can eat raspberries plain,” said Breslauer, “but eating them with lemon curd is also really good.” For a common, cold treat involving the berry, raspberry sorbet is a good option. It is made with sweetened water and flavoring, making it sit lightly in the stomach on the hot summer days when you don’t want to feel bogged down. The sound of sipping slurpees or of the ice cream truck cruising by are all other signs that summer is here. “Hot dogs remind me of summer the most.” Said junior Andrew Wach, “They just remind me of warm
weather and outdoor barbecues with family and friends.” Hot dogs and sausages, originally developed in Germany, have become a staple of American culture ever since they were sold at hot dog stands for the first time during baseball games. Along side this staple of American culture, hot dog traditions include the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest held on Coney Island every July 4. This contest has been held every year since 1972 and is seen in relation to amounts of patriotism. Contrary to other sausages, hot dogs come precooked making them perfect to simply grill up at a barbecue. “Baja Freezes from Taco Bell are my favorite summer food,” said sophomore Jacob Segal, “They’re made of ice which make them cool and tasty to eat when its hot out.” Baja Freezes were introduced to Taco Bell in Aug. 2012. It is a tropical fruit
drink that is similar to a slushie due to its icy texture. It’s primary provider comes from Mountain Dew, and it is available in a variety of flavors including “Baja Blast,” “Black Cherry,” and “Typhoon.” Summer simply wouldn’t be summer without it’s most highly regarded seasonal food: ice cream. Sales of the treat sky rocket over the summer, emphasizing the truth behind a popular summer food. “I love Dippin’ Dots,” said junior Donna Ghaemi, “they’re like little balls of happiness.” Dippin’ Dots were first invented in 1987 and later became highly commercialized by the slogan “ice cream of the future.” They are made by flash freezing ice cream mix in liquid nitrogen. The conditions needed to keep Dippin-dots in their form are not available to allow them to be sold in stores, meaning they can only be
sold at individual franchised outlets. “I eat them whenever I go to amusement parks,” said Ghaemi, “they’re over priced but totally worth it.” “I always eat the drumstick ice cream cones over the summer.” said sophomore Gabi Dimick, “It’s like an ice cream sundae in a cone!” Drumstick ice cream cones traditionally come in a waffle cone, complete with a hard chocolate shell and nuts. They were first commercialized by Nestle at the 1904 World’s Fair. Nestle taglines its drumstick ice cream as “forever summer,” fitting the season that the treat is most popular.. Nestle drumsticks are available in over 21 different flavors, and sold in combo packs or solo at various stores. Whether it be the smell of funnel cakes at the fair, or picking berries at local farms, food is very much a part of summer.