Melissa Barales-Lopez

Perhaps one of the biggest highlights of spring is the weekly farmers market that takes place on the Green. Lots of local businesses congregate on this open area and sell their delicious and yummy products to the pleasure of Dartmouth students and faculty. Students enjoy their delicious treats on the grass, and might even set up picnics then and there. Against the backdrop of a gorgeous spring Wednesday afternoon, the Green is the place to be if you want delectable food!

The Green also lends itself to countless student-led, recreational activities. Spontaneous soccer games will break out, joining students in friendly - yet nonetheless intense - competition. You'll also find your typical games of tag, kickball, and red light, green lights. Of course, these games mostly involve young children from the Upper Valley. Dartmouth students from social impact organizations like Directing through Recreation, Education, Adventure, and Mentoring Program (DREAM) will be lured by their mentees, who are excited to run unconstrained, onto the vastly large quad that makes up the Green. During the spring, you can always expect to find some form of physical recreation taking place here!

Undeniably the most common activity taking place on the Green are students completing their homework as they enjoy the warm sun. Taking advantage of the sunlight and the opportunity to spend quality time outside, students will set up blankets and situate themselves all over the grass. I’m personally incredibly excited to camp out in this central space as I do some readings and enjoy the fresh spring air. Indeed, the Green becomes an outdoor version of the library - a favorite place to study - during this season and I can’t wait to join in on the learning!

One of the many benefits of living on a small campus is being able to walk everywhere. This term especially, I’m determined to get my 10,000 steps in every single day. By simply walking to class or the dining hall, I will be burning calories. I don’t have to worry about slipping either because the roads are always cleared after a snowfall. It can’t get any easier than that!

From past experiences, I’ve found that a standard exercise routine can become really boring quickly. Doing cardio and working out your core day after day will undoubtedly become repetitive. But repetition is not an issue at Dartmouth. The school offers every sport under the moon to its students. Additionally, there’s also a wide selection of physical education courses. From ice skating to kickboxing, workouts are endless here. 

This term I will be taking a spinning class. For one-hour sessions, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, I will be receiving free lessons from a spinning instructor. In addition to spinning, I will be making full use of the indoor track at the gym. Running around the indoor track becomes even more optimal during the winter when the snow makes it nearly impossible to run outside. Beyond the track, the gym has top-notch machines and the entrance is completely free for all Dartmouth students! 

Dartmouth also has an abundance of meal options to fit everyone’s dietary needs. Whether you’re vegetarian or on a paleo diet, you will have no issue finding what’s right for you. Now that I’m on this fitness journey, my go-to meals have been the Asian Chicken Salad and the veggie wrap. 

Furthermore, with four dining areas on campus and numerous snack bars, I have found it so easy to build and stick to a nutrient-rich and well-balanced diet. It goes without saying, Dartmouth is facilitating my nutritious diet. This time around, I will be sticking to my New Year's Resolution. 

It’s indisputable that breakfast is crucial to a successful start of anyone’s day. I make sure to grab a bite every day before my morning class as it allows me to be more present on the conversation at hand (and not the endless grumbling of my stomach) and retain material more effectively. My go-to breakfast dish is the create-your-own omelette at FoCo. I usually go for an egg-white omelette packed with spinach, green peppers, and cheddar. The hot and cheesy goodness always hits the spot!

During the fall, Dartmouth has weekly farmer’s markets on the Green, where a myriad of local food providers - from nearby farms to town favorite restaurants - will sell their food to Dartmouth students. A couple of weeks ago, I spotted one of the most magnificent sights ever witnessed by mankind - a fresh pretzel smothered in strawberry pink frosting! Unable to resist, I marched straight to the vender and promptly bought the beautiful dessert. You best believe I ate it all. My only regret is that I don’t have some right now!

Hanover is constantly stocked with the freshest of produce. Indeed, access to nutritious fruits and vegetables is never an issue on campus. I always make sure to grab an apple before the start of class to fuel my brain, and there’s always an endless supply thanks to nearby farms. After all, an apple a day keeps the doctors away and this girl isn’t trying to get sick.