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5 Drinks Besides Coffee that Give Energy | Coffee Alternatives

thepostgraduate

When you’re a busy 20-something, trying to balance the start of your career, family, friends (new and old) faith, after-work hobbies, and a ton of personal growth, sometimes your energy can wane. 

Your schedule is changing and so is your body. Treat it well and give yourself a boost. Skip the excess sugar and try these easily attainable drinks!

1. Banana Smoothie

Try a smoothie that not only tastes good, but does good for your body. It’s true that bananas contain more natural sugar (sucrose, fructose and glucose) than other fruits, but what’s also true is that because they are digested slowly, they give you sustained energy over a long period of time. No more running back and forth to the fridge.

2. Ginger Tea

Fight the 2 p.m. slump with ginger tea! You know that feeling after 2 p.m when you start wondering how only four hours have gone by? The properties inside ginger can put an end to that. The 2 p.m. slump is actually a drop in blood sugar that leads to a drop in energy. Ginger helps keep blood sugar stable.

3. Dark Chocolate Shake

Did you know chocolate contained caffeine? In fact, the darker a chocolate is, the more caffeine it has. An average size 8-ounce cup of coffee has about 95 mg of caffeine while a 3.5-ounce dark chocolate bar has about 80 mg of caffeine. Start making your dark chocolate shake now!

4. Matcha Latte

We love you a latte, a matcha latte! Grab your warm milk, matcha power, and maybe a little honey to get a calmer boost of energy. Matcha, a full tea leaf in powder form, triggers the brain to slowly release theophylline, a type of caffeinated energy, over an extended period of time. Many say the boost can last for up to six hours.

5. Carrot Apple Juice

Carrot and apple? Together? Believe it or not, the mixture is a win-win! Behind its subtly satisfying taste is high fiber carrot which helps the body release energy at a slower, steadier pace, and an apple with healthy carbohydrates that break down slowly into glucose, regulate your blood sugar and contribute to more energy over a longer period of time.

We are officially energized and hope that you will soon feel the same way! Try your hand at one of the above drinks or use this list as a guide for your daily drink decisions.

Energetically!

Post Graduate

Faith

3 Christian Devotionals on Gratitude 

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Gratitude is one of society’s healthiest new habits. It involves taking a closer look at life and examining everything that makes it beautiful.

Being thankful helps us to remember that we are blessed, brings hope into any situation and reminds us that things are never as bad as they seem. 

Though we all want to be optimistic and full of faith all the time, sometimes seasons of unpredictability can throw us off. Let’s be honest. Writing out those gratitude lists can be challenging, but you are not alone.

Check out these devotionals written by people on the same journey you’re on – the quest for gratitude!  

Learn four practical techniques for embedding gratitude into your everyday life.

Start Now

Get seven reasons to be thankful to God over a period of seven days from the book of Psalms.

Start Now

Take a look at how appreciating the elements of your everyday life can give you a grateful heart.

Start Now

We are thankful that you’re part of our post graduation community!

With Gratitude,

Post Graduate 

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5 Fun Friendsgiving Activities for 2021 

thepostgraduate

It’s that time! Gather your gang and get ready to adult together – or not – for Friendsgiving. 

Friendsgiving was popularized just a few years ago by twenty-somethings who wanted to celebrate Thanksgiving together before the “real thing” arrived and everyone had to be on their best, most formal behavior.

In most cases, Friendsgiving is an imitation of the actual holiday replicated by young adults, but it can be many things. Take a look at these fun Friendsgiving ideas to learn how you can remix the remix!

1. Binge Christmas Movies

Thanksgiving is really just pre-Christmas right? Start celebrating early by binge-watching holiday movies. Put together a collection of your favorite classics, try the legendary Christmas comedies of the early 2000s or checkout whatever is showing on Hallmark.

2. Rent a Cabin

What’s more festive than a cozy cabin trip? Pick a place with all the holiday feels and hit up Airbnb. Don’t forget to pack hot chocolate and Christmas cookies.

3. Cook and Host a Traditional Family Dinner

A classic Friendsgiving –  try your hand at what your family makes so well with friends and get fancy. Dress up, set the table nicely and have a classic evening dinner. You can use an air fryer! 

4. Get Moving: Go Skiing, Bowling, Hiking, Etc.

The holidays don’t have to be about catching up indoors! You can get active with exciting seasonal activities. Plan a day on the snowy slope or visit your favorite hiking trail. 

5. Plan or Join a Service Activity.

The best thing about the holidays is the multitude of opportunities to finally give and serve. Plan a clothing giveaway, sign up to volunteer at a public dinner or support organizations who have annual holiday service events.

The holidays can be hectic, but time with those we love makes it all worth it. Enjoy this season and remember to practice gratitude!

Happy Holidays!

Post Graduate

Life

5 Conversation Starters for Making Friends After College

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For those of us who have a longtime circle of friends or struggle with social anxiety, meeting new people can be nerve-racking. What do we say and what impression will they get? 

The most important thing is to remember that you are both human, both imperfect and both just trying – no need to be afraid. After getting over this fear, here are a few interesting questions you can ask to get the conversation going!

1. Tell Me About Yourself.

Whether we like to admit it or not, it’s scientifically proven that we all love talking about ourselves. Believe or not, everyone’s story is pretty interesting. You’re the only one who has ever lived the life you live and people want to hear about it.

2. What’s Your Favorite Social Media Platform?

Are you more of a Facebook gal or the Twitter guy? Over 3.6 billion people have some form of social media and most of us have lots of opinions about it. This is a great opportunity to learn about people’s likes and dislikes and can give clues on what other things may interest this person.

3. Stream Anything Good Lately?

You know that series everyone’s talking about? Yeah, that one – talk about that. What we watch sticks with us, and in a way, we become experts on it. Give ideas, opinions and other similar suggestions.

4. What Are Some of Your Favorite Hobbies?

Bring out feelings of joy by discussing what people like to do. You’ll be surprised by how they light up. Talking about hobbies is always fun and can create an avenue for deepening the relationship through quality time engaging in that hobby together.

5. How Are You Enjoying the Weather?

It’s pretty standard, but it works. People’s reaction to the weather can give insight on their life context and upbringing. Why do you love the cold? Have you always enjoyed Autumn?

Making friends after college can be difficult, but it’s not impossible. Use these conversations starters and research more if needed. Let us know how it goes!

Kindly,

Post Graduate

P.S. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

Life

3 Personal Fears to Overcome in Your 20s: How to Be Courageous

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Remember that thing you used to be afraid of when you were little? The unidentified noise under your bed, the 9-year-old bully in the cafeteria, the neighbor’s dog that was just a little too intimidating?

They’re all laughable now and it’s hard to understand your reasoning behind why you were so afraid in the first place. The older we get, the longer this list gets.

All types of unreasonable fears, even some we forgot about, are now behind us. There’s probably something you’re afraid of right now – and in ten years – it will seem foolish, simple even.

Fear is normal, but we don’t have to let it rule over us. Here is a short list of irrational fears that try to push us around as (young) adults.

1. Other’s Negative Opinions

When I was a child, I used to think that at a certain age, everyone would just grow up, that immaturity by some act of nature just left our bodies, and that drama could only exist in “childish” spaces. 

I was wrong. Some people get a kick out of judging, bullying and inappropriately criticizing others well into their adult years. It’s an unfulfilling attempt to heal a hurting wound in many cases, whether they realize it or not.

Negative opinions will always be out there. The way to overcome them is through a healthy understanding and solid memory of self. Some negative opinions are completely bogus, while others may hold some truth.

Perhaps there is something you struggle with or used to struggle with. What’s important is who you are today and the direction you’re headed in now.

2. Failure

Usually fear of failure is linked to meeting others’ expectations. You’re afraid of messing up a legacy or a reputation that you worked hard to build. You don’t want to be looked at as less than you have in the pass, and you don’t want people to see you mess up.

Is what people think more important than the vision that has been pulling on you heart strings and the impact it will make? The people who really care about you won’t see you any different anyway. The cliche is true, “if you fail, at least you tried.”

3. Greatness

Actually accomplishing your goal is one of the least popular and lesser talked about fears. Sometimes we know we can do it and do it amazingly, and that scares the heck out of us.

Our talents may get us into rooms that make us uncomfortable and around people who are considered VIPs. It can be intimidating, but remember you’re there because it’s where your talents naturally took you. 

You belong and you have something that someone needs.

We hope you’re pumped up and ready to laugh at whatever is trying to make you afraid in your twenties. Don’t wait until the future to look back and laugh. Laugh now!

With Courage,

Post Graduate

Faith

Practical Ways to Spread Love and Share Faith on Social Media | Free Downloads

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Everyone could use a little more love and faith these days. People of faith are charged with sharing the Good News with others, but how can that be done in the age of fast-moving social media?

Keep it simple. Here are a few graphics you can share through your Instagram account that provide encouragement and offer hope through faith.

Get your free Faith-filled Download here and begin spreading love socially!

Blessings,

Post Graduate

Faith

Scriptures to Soothe the Twenty-Something Soul

thepostgraduate

Our twenties can sometimes feel tumultuous. Everyone is going their separate ways and life is no longer uniform. A strange adult variant of peer pressure re-emerges and society sometimes tries to push us around.

Some old friends may leave and new ones may come. It’s this unglamorous part of early adulthood that few like to discuss. People like to talk about the good old days but never the bad ones. 

This can lead to feelings of sadness and confusion. Sometimes it can seem like you’re the only one, but you’re not. We’re all transitioning together. Here are a few scriptures to help renew your strength, soothe your soul and restore your faith.

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”‍

~Philippians 4:19

“Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” 

~1 Peter 5:7

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” 

~Hebrews 10:23

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” 

~Psalm 23:4 

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” 

~Jeremiah 29:11

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.”

 ~Ecclesiastes 3:11

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

~Philippians 1:6

“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”

 ~1 John 4:16

“I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,”

 ~Philippians 3:12 – 13

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” 

~Romans 8:28 

“For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”

~James 1:3

Remember God is with you and available to talk whenever you want to.

May Peace  Be Yours,

Post Graduate

Faith

Finding Purpose After College

thepostgraduate

Your early 20s can be rough. They’re a marriage between reality and your lifelong dreams. They can also be a great awakening, a time when you get everything you’ve always hoped for and then realize it’s not really what you want.

I’ve been there, and by God’s grace, I’ve survived it. I am by no means saying I’m an expert at life or spirituality, but I have been able to learn some key life lessons, and I want to share them with you.

So here it goes!

In order to gain clarity in your early twenties, you can start with these three habits.

Be In-Touch With Yourself.

Life can sometimes be so routine that we lose track of who we are. All we’re focused on is what’s next on our possibly outdated list of milestones. 

Over the course of life, and even in the span of just a few years, you’ll grow, you’ll develop, you’ll change your mind, you’ll get rid of some things and you’ll pick up new ones.

In the first few years of your young adulthood, this can happen so rapidly that you don’t even realize it. Your subconscious is working overtime on what’s happening now, while your conscious mind is busy roaming a future that may or may not be accurate. 

Take some time to intentionally evaluate how you’ve changed and who you are now. If not, society will try to do so, sometimes with good intentions, other times just to hear itself talk and, occasionally, for selfish ambition.

Know yourself.

Communicate with God. 

If you’re having a hard time forming your personal truth, seek the One who created you. No one knows you better than your Maker. The Bible contains several objective truths about your high worth and value. It can also serve as a reminder of the true power you have when you tap into God’s Holy Spirit. 

Read the scriptures and let them be a framework for your identity and existence. Watch doors begin to swing open as you partner with God to walk in your divine purpose.

Think about others.

At the end of the day, no matter how much you believe you want the “high life” or a life of luxury, it’s people that make the world go round. The old phrase is still used for a reason. It’s true. 

This point has two parts: your people and other people. 

Begin taking your community seriously, your friendships, your church, your extracurricular buddies, etc. Good friends and community affirm the best parts about us. Think about your role in these groups and what it says about you.

That leads to the next important people point, others. Our purpose is rarely about us, but how we can help the next person. If you want to make an impact, start by simply thinking about what you’re good at, and how that can help others. 

The Bible says in Matthew 23:11, “But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.”

Check out young adult study Bibles made just for those of us in this unique stage of life for more specific Biblical support.

Kindly,

Post Graduate