Thanks to everyone who helped to make our Tenant Appreciation Day such a success!  It was so rewarding to be able to give all the Trojan Buildings' Residents a free lunch during such a stressful week-- Exam Week!

All of us on the Management Team really enjoyed getting to visit with all the Students.  The weather in Los Angeles yesterday was gorgeous; It was sunny and just cool enough.  Many of the Residents sat on the lawn in front of Trojan Terraza and ate their lunch like they were at a picnic.  And, of course, In-N-Out Burgers are always delicious. . .

Good luck on your exams, Trojans!

Although the legendary ‘Freshman 15’ has recently been declared a myth by an Ohio State study, many college students still struggle with how to eat both healthy and on a limited budget.  For students balancing classes, work, internships and extracurricular activities, daily eating habits often fall to fast food and pre-packaged entrees.


Robyn Kievit, a nurse practitioner and dietician at Emerson College and member of the American College Health Association, helps students manage their eating every day and is familiar with the issue of eating healthy for less.  Her advice for busy students is to plan meals and snacks around classes and to bring non-perishable foods along during the day if they are unable to go back to their apartment or dorm between classes.  “One method may work one day with a hectic work and class schedule while another will work for a different day or weekend day,” Kievit said. “In general, I recommend students try to eat something every three to four hours as that is when our bodies generally become hungry after eating mindfully the last time. Eating regularly keeps us from overeating and undereating.”







• Salad spinner 
• Aluminum vegetable steamer
• Medium size saucepan/pot
• Wooden spoon
• Medium serrated knife
• Medium cutting knife
• Cutting board
• Spatula
• Water container with filters

When buying groceries, Kievit said students should make a list and a budget ahead of time, and stick to it.  The list should include foods that are multipurpose (especially if they have limited shelf life) such as vegetables that can be used on sandwiches and also in entrees. Buying plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables is also important to keeping a balanced diet. Although non-vegetarians and vegans tend to get enough protein, meats such as chicken are practical for healthy cooking because they can be used in a variety of ways.  It’s important to look at the nutrition content and stay away from foods high in saturated and trans fats.




Purchasing store brand items and taking advantage of sales and coupons can also save money, as well as shopping at discount grocers and green markets.  Pre-packaged foods are a quick, seemingly inexpensive and often tasty option, but even those that claim to be healthy can be packed with hidden sodium. Kievit offered the following tips when it comes to pre-packaged meals:

• Keep calories down to 500 in total
• Keep fat grams to zero of saturated or trans fats.
• Keep sodium down to 300-600 mg per serving in frozen or pre-packaged foods.
• In general, choosing foods with the least amounts of ingredients is best and most pre-packaged foods have a longer list of ingredients.




Eating healthy on a budget may seem like a challenge, but by following these simple rules, Keivet estimated that college students can keep their weekly grocery budget down to about $20-$50.  To learn more about healthy eating, students can visit their school’s student health centers and ask for advice specific to their school and the food shopping options around it.



By Julie DeVito

The Los Angeles Haunted Hayride starts today in Griffith Park's abandoned zoo.  It runs through October 31st.  BOO!  http://losangeleshauntedhayride.com/la_haunted_house_mobile.html  


Also happening this month are special events at almost all of the major theme parks:  
Disneyland is having Halloweentime- a couple of your favorite rides get changed up for the season.  For example, Space Mountain get a galaxy of ghosts.....  http://disneyland.disney.go.com/special-offers/mickeys-halloween-party/
Knott's Berry Farm turns into Knott's Scary Farm.  http://haunt.knotts.com/
Universal Studios (famous for some of the best horror movies of all time!) hosts its Halloween Horror Nights.  http://www.halloweenhorrornights.com/hollywood/2011/?__source=ushhp


Have a spooky good time, Trojans.  Trick or treat!  MMMMMmmmmmm, candy...........

For  those of you missing the change of the seasons, you CAN find places to see the leaves change colors. And not too far away from Los Angeles. . . 


For example: Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area (SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY), off Interstate 15, east Highway 138, past Highway 143 out of Hesperia, features a nice autumn vista of black oaks nestled in pines.

Some weekday mornings in the summer, you can enjoy the rehearsals of the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl. It's free to listen, free to park, and you can explore the grounds and visit the free Hollywood Bowl Museum. Call (323) 850-2000 to see when rehearsals are scheduled.

Here you come!

Students are starting to return for another year's education at USC.  To all of you coming back for another year and all of you coming to Los Angeles for the first time-- WELCOME!